This piece highlights four heavy metal acts from the genre's early-1970s "first wave" whose influence far outstripped their commercial success, framing them as overlooked forerunners to later superstar bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden. It argues that these groups helped shape the sound and identity of heavy metal despite never achieving lasting fame, making a case for their historical importance being reassessed.

The article profiles Welsh band Budgie, whose 1971 self-titled debut blended blues with emerging heavy metal elements, though the group's success remained largely confined to Australia; Leaf Hound, whose 1971 album "Growers Of Mushroom" became a cult classic only after their brief early-70s career ended; Bang, a Philadelphia occult rock act influenced by Black Sabbath whose 1972 self-titled record peaked at just No. 164 on the Billboard 200; and Sir Lord Baltimore, regarded as one of America's first true metal bands, whose 1970 album "Kingdom Come" narrowly charted before the band split in 1976.