Metallica has been voted the most influential rock group of the last 30 years by readers of the British magazine Kerrang!

The poll is included in the next issue of Kerrang!, which celebrates 30 years since the magazine launched in June, 1981.

“It gives me a very warm and fuzzy feeling that Kerrang! Magazine have voted Metallica as the band that most changed their lives,” said drummer Lars Ulrich. “I remember the first issue of the magazine in 1981. I had made a pilgrimage to England because I was obsessed with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. I travelled all over the country and that first issue accompanied me everywhere.”

Paying tribute to Iron Maiden who placed third, Ulrich said: “Iron Maiden have been the blueprint for everything that we have ever wanted to do.”

Like all lists, this one is sure to generate discussion amongst rock fans, with some questionable acts making the list...

Here’s the Top 10 most influential rock groups of the last 30 years, as voted by the readers of Kerrang!:

01 – Metallica
02 – Green Day
03 – Iron Maiden
04 – Slipknot
05 – My Chemical Romance
06 – Linkin Park
07 – Bullet For My Valentine
08 – Blink 182
09 – Ozzy Osbourne
10 – Foo Fighters