HOT GALLERY: Heavy Metal Rockers—Before They Were Stars

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Who Am I?

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Daron Malakian—Now

Okay, sorry if we freaked you out with this one. Daron Malakian plays guitar—and a lot of other instruments—for System of a Down, a unique metal band that was political long before anyone decided it was time to Occupy anything. Watch the video for their first single, "Sugar," from 1999, which begins with a highly political message that wouldn't be out of place at a protest today. Although System is currently down, Malakian keeps busy with his other band, Scars on Broadway.

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Who Am I?

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Alice Cooper—Now

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier in 1948 (doesn't that photo remind you of Mr. Rogers a little bit?), released his first album way back in 1969; his most recent effort, Welcome 2 My Nightmare, dropped on September 13, 2011. He does a syndicated radio show, was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and still performs live. In a video on his website, Cooper jokingly tells a fan that he is "like oxygen and water to you, and it's about time you understand that." He adds, "I will always be doing something in this business until the moment I pass my last breath, if God's willing." Don't let that God reference throw you—Cooper is a born-again Christian. Bonus video: Cooper's amazing appearance on The Muppet Show in 1978.

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Who Am I?

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Corey Taylor—Now

Corey Taylor is best known as the lead singer of Slipknot, a "shock-rock" metal band with a stage act that is a direct descendant of Alice Cooper, although their music, led by Taylor's intense vocals, is much harder. Check out this video for their song "Psychosocial" if you don't believe us. Don't watch it at work, though. Someone might get scared. Taylor also has a thriving solo career; here is a video of a soundcheck meet-and-greet with fans. Again, don't watch it at work unless you want people to run away. Based on his before pic, Taylor always kind of looked like a rock star.

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Who Am I?

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"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott in 2004

He was born Darrell Lance Abbott, but metal fans know him simply as Dimebag Darrell. As the lead guitarist for Pantera, he was rightly revered; check out this video compilation of his solos. When Pantera broke up in 2004, Dimebag formed a new group, Damageplan. Later that year, he was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. But his legacy lives on, and fans are still discovering Dimebag Darrell's awesome ax prowess.

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Who Am I?

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James Hetfield—Now

You know what's awesome about Metallica? Everything. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield is the band's leader in every way, singing, writing songs, and laying down the heaviest metal chords ever, even when playing in front of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

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Who Am I?

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Lars Ulrich—Now

Never let it be said that drummer Lars Ulrich doesn't like to have fun. Look at that photo from Metallica's early days in 1984. He's even rocking the mid-'80s mustache. Lars has come a long way since then. In 2008, he sold a painting for $13.5 million. But success hasn't stopped him from being one of the best metal drummers of all time.

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Who Am I?

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Tommy Lee—Now

Yep, that's Tommy Lee. And he's playing bass, not drums, which he memorably banged on for Mötley Crüe, a band so metal they have two umlauts in their name. Thanks to a certain videotape, we know a few things about Tommy that we don't even know about our closest friends. (We're not going to link to any of those clips here. This is a family website.) Nowadays, Tommy is living a more relaxed life, including a recent appearance at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in the Bahamas.

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Who Am I?

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Vince Neil—Now

Vince Neil is the lead singer of Mötley Crüe, and he has the same hair now that he had back in the day. That, dear readers, is a rock star. The smile hasn't changed either. Life's been good to Vince, who also stopped by Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp earlier this year.
For more amazing musicians Before They Were Stars, click here!

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Who Am I?

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Kirk Hammett—Now

Kirk Hammett, Metallica's lead guitar player, seems so darn nice that it's almost unfair. It's even hard to be jealous of his homes in California and Hawaii. Well... look at these pictures from Guitar Aficionado magazine. We're a little jealous.

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Who Am I?

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Zakk Wylde—Now

As you can see in this photo, Zakk Wylde always had the hair. The look has gotten a bit scarier over the years, probably because of the beard. Wylde has had an amazing career, playing with Ozzy Osbourne and many other well-known metal bands. He and his band Black Label Society are currently on tour with Guns N' Roses, and his music was selected as the new theme for ESPN's "Baseball Tonight." If you want to meet Zakk and jam with him, he's doing Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in February 2012.