Metal Band Names Inspired By Films
Metal Band Names Inspired By Films
This alphabetical list presents bands that took the inspiration for their name from films (movies, tv series, documentaries).
Please feel free to suggest more examples of metal/hard rock band names that are inspired by films.
SUMMARY:
- most cited films:
Alien (4 bands)
Star Wars (3 bands), The Empire Strikes Back (3 bands)
- most cited franchises:
Star Wars movies (6 bands)
Alien movies (5 bands)
Godzilla movies (3 bands), The Simpsons series (3 bands)
- genre distribution:
horror/mystery (21 bands)
science fiction (18 bands)
fantasy (16 bands)
animated/cartoon (11 bands)
action/thriller/martial arts (8 bands)
artist names/citations (6 bands)
documentary (5 bands), history/western (5 bands)
comedy (4 bands)
others (12 bands)
See also: "Metal Band Names Inspired By..."
“Books”, “Games”, “Bands”, “Visual Arts”
[Updated 14.07.2026]
Please feel free to suggest more examples of metal/hard rock band names that are inspired by films.
SUMMARY:
- most cited films:
Alien (4 bands)
Star Wars (3 bands), The Empire Strikes Back (3 bands)
- most cited franchises:
Star Wars movies (6 bands)
Alien movies (5 bands)
Godzilla movies (3 bands), The Simpsons series (3 bands)
- genre distribution:
horror/mystery (21 bands)
science fiction (18 bands)
fantasy (16 bands)
animated/cartoon (11 bands)
action/thriller/martial arts (8 bands)
artist names/citations (6 bands)
documentary (5 bands), history/western (5 bands)
comedy (4 bands)
others (12 bands)
See also: "Metal Band Names Inspired By..."
“Books”, “Games”, “Bands”, “Visual Arts”
[Updated 14.07.2026]
1.
36 Crazyfists
- Bitterness The Star
The 36 Crazy Fists (1977): inspired by the title of the Jackie Chan film
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5.
All Them Witches
- Our Mother Electricity
Rosemary's Baby (1968): inspired by a book mentioned in the film
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6.
Anaal Nathrakh
- The Codex Necro
Excalibur (1981): inspired by Merlin's Charm Of Making; Old Irish for snake`s breath
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7.
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8.
Austrian Death Machine
- Total Brutal
The Terminator (1984): inspired by the actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his role as Terminator
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9.
Bhayanak Maut
- Bhayanak Maut
Bhayanak Maut (2000): inspired by an Indian horror movie of the same name, which translates to "Horrific Death"
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11.
Bloodywood
- Rakshak
The name is a pun on the popular name of Hindi cinema, Bollywood (which itself is a portmanteau of Bombay (former name of Mumbai) cinema and Hollywood).
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12.
Bonginator
- The 1986 Doink City Massacre
The Terminator (1984): The band name combines "bong," referring to a water pipe for smoking marijuana, and "Terminator", the cyborg from the corresponding films.
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14.
Bossk
- Audio Noir
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): named after an alien character of the Star Wars fictional universe
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15.
Bring Me The Horizon
- Count Your Blessings
Pirates of the Caribbean:The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): line by main character Captain Jack Sparrow: "Now, bring me that horizon!"
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16.
Cinema Strange
- Quatorze Exemples Authentiques Du Triomphe De La Musique Decorative
inspired by the silent movies genre
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17.
Cloudkicker
- The Discovery
TaleSpin (1990-1991): inspired by a character of this animated Disney series.
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18.
Crystal Lake
- Dimension
Friday The 13th (1980): named after the fictional summer camp for kids in the Friday The 13th film series. In addition, the name was inspired by a location in the game Romancing SaGa.
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20.
Dethklok
- The Dethalbum
Metalocalypse (2006-2013) is an animated series about the fictional metal band Dethklok. The real musicians behind this series released music from or based on the series under this band name.
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22.
Dr. Colossus
- The Dank
The Simpsons (tv series since 1989): named after a fictional (mad) scientist that acts as supervillain in several episodes
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24.
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25.
D.V.C.
- Descendant Upheaval
Star Wars (1977) and other movies of this series: D.V.C. stands for Darth Vader's Church and refers to the central Star Wars character Darth Vader
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27.
Elm Street
- Barbed Wire Metal
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984): as reference to the film and the 80`s era in general
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28.
Emil Bulls
- Red Dick's Potatoe Garden
Achterbahn (tv series 1992 - 2002): named after the episode "Die Emil-Bulls" from 1993.
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29.
Evergreen Terrace
- Losing All Hope Is Freedom
The Simpsons (tv series since 1989): named after a fictional street where the Simpson family lives
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30.
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32.
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33.
Five Finger Death Punch
- The Way Of The Fist
Kill Bill:Volume 2 (2004): the name of the fictional martial arts move shown in the movie is Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, which was changed to Five Finger Death Punch by the band
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34.
Fu Manchu
- No One Rides For Free
The Adventures Of Dr. Fu Manchu (tv series 1956) and corresponding movies: named after the 1950`s films about the villain Dr. Fu Manchu, based on the novels series (1913-1959) by Sax Rohmer
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36.
Genghis Tron
- Cloak Of Love
Tron (1982): combination of the science fiction movie title Tron and the historical figure Genghis Khan
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37.
Gigan
- Footsteps Of Gigan
Godzilla vs Gigan (1971): named after the kaiju monster Gigan, a cyborg creature from the Godzilla and Zone Fighter franchises
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38.
God Is An Astronaut
- The End Of The Beginning
Nightbreed (1990): quote from the Clive Barker horror movie (based on his novella Cabal): "All things are true. God's an Astronaut. Oz is Over the Rainbow, and Midian is where the monsters live."
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39.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
- F♯ A♯ ∞
Godspeed You! Black Emperor (1976): Japanese documentary about a group of motorcyclists called the Black Emperors
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40.
Gojira
- Terra Incognita
Godzilla (1954): Gojira refers to the original Japanese pronunciation of Godzilla
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41.
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43.
Hail Spirit Noir
- Pneuma
The band’s name is a tribute to the 70s Italian horror movies as well as the prog rock of the same era
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44.
Happy Days
- Melancholic Memories
Happy Days (tv series 1974-1984): this depressive black metal band was inspired by the name of the sitcom
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45.
Helion Prime
- Helion Prime
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004): Helion Prime is the name of an alien planet.
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46.
Hoth
- Infinite Darkness
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Hoth is an ice planet in the Star Wars fictional universe
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47.
Ikarie
- Cuerpos En Sombra
Ikarie XB-1 (1963): Ikarie XB 1 is the eponymous starship of a Czechoslovakian science-fiction movie
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48.
Imperium Dekadenz
- ...Und Die Welt Ward Kalt Und Leer
Caligula (1979): based on the depiction of the decadent Roman emperor
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49.
Iron Maiden
- Iron Maiden
The Man In The Iron Mask (1939): inspired by the torture device shown in the movie
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50.
Keitzer
- ...To Destroy The Planet Earth
Star Wars (1977) and other movies of this series: named after the central character The Emperor. The band used the corresponding Dutch word "Keizer" and added a "t".
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51.
Killswitch Engage
- Killswitch Engage
The X-Files (tv series 1993-2002/2016-2018): named after the episode Kill Switch of The X-Files (season 5, episode 11), which itself was named after the band Kill Switch…Klick (1998)
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53.
Krolok
- At The End Of A New Age
The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967): inspired by the name of the antagonist Count von Krolock
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54.
Lord Vigo
- Under Carpathian Sun
Ghostbusters II (1989): Lord Vigo von Homburg Deutschendorf is a Ghostbusters II character
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55.
Mad Max
- Heavy Metal
Mad Max (1979): inspired by the name of the main character and the eponymous movie title
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56.
Magnum
- Kingdom Of Madness
Dirty Harry (1971): According to Tony Clarkin, the name was inspired by the gun of Dirty Harry. However, another explanation of the name is the story, in which the mother of Les Kitcheridge had the idea after seeing oversized champagne bottles.
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57.
Make Them Die Slowly
- Ferox
Cannibal Ferrox (1981): inspired by the English name version of the horror movie: Make Them Die Slowly
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58.
Manilla Road
- Invasion
Monty Python's Flying Circus (tv series 1969-1974): indirectly inspired; it has been reported that Munkirs and Shelton came up with the name (that meant "Road of Light" to them) while drinking and watching the series
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59.
Marilyn Manson
- Portrait Of An American Family
The name is formed by a juxtaposition of two opposing American pop cultural icons: the actress Marilyn Monroe and the cult leader Charles Manson.
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61.
Mogwai
- Mogwai Young Team
Gremlins (1984): Mogwais are the cute primary form of the creatures that can transform into the gremlins
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62.
Mothman And The Thunderbirds
- Into The Hollow
Ancient Aliens (2010-present): inspired by an episode of this pseudoscientific TV series.
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63.
Motorpsycho
- Lobotomizer
Motorpsycho (1965): inspired by the movie title
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64.
Mr. Bungle
- Mr. Bungle
The Pee-Wee Herman Show (1981) and subsequent films: inspired by the eponymous character
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66.
No Terror In The Bang
- Eclosion
inspired by a quote from the filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock: "There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it."
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67.
Norma Jean
- Bless The Martyr And Kiss The Child
inspired by the real name of the actress Marilyn Monroe: Norma Jean Baker
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69.
Okilly Dokilly
- Howdilly Doodilly
The Simpsons (tv series since 1989): named after the typical way of speaking by the fictional character Ned Flanders
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70.
Rolo Tomassi
- Hysterics
L.A. Confidential (1997): named after a pseudonym of a character mentioned in the movie
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71.
SeeYouSpaceCowboy
- Fashion Statements Of The Socially Aware
Cowboy Bebop (anime TV series 1998-2000): based on the phrase "See you, space cowboy" that appears on the end of the title cards of episodes.
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72.
Send More Paramedics
- A Feast For The Fallen
The Return Of The Living Dead (1985): based on a line from the film.
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73.
Sir Lord Baltimore
- Kingdom Come
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969): named after the Native American tracker called Lord Baltimore
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75.
Skraeckoedlan
- Äppelträdet
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953): based on the Swedish title of the movie, Skräcködlan, which means "terrifying lizard"
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77.
Spawn Of Possession
- Cabinet
Possession (1981) and Amityville II:The Possession (1982): inspired by the movie names and the song title "Spawn Of Azathoth" by Grotesque (Incantation, 1990)
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78.
Spinal Tap
- This Is Spinal Tap
The T.V. Show (1979) and This Is Spinal Tap (1984): The group started as a fictional band (with original songs) for TV comedy sketches. The soundtrack for the comedy mockumentary film "This Is Spinal Trap" became a cult hit and the band performed several concerts in character.
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80.
Spock's Beard
- The Light
Star Treck episode "Mirror, Mirror" (season 2, episode 4, 1967): episode plays in a parallel universe with a bearded Officer Spock
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81.
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82.
Stovokor
- Metal Of Honor
Star Treck series (since 1966): Stovokor is a transcription of Sto'Vo'Kor or Suto'vo'qor, which is the Klingon equivalent to Valhalla
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83.
Susperia
- Predominance
Suspiria (1977): inspired by the horror film Suspiria; the group changed the spelling to Susperia to avoid confusion with the corresponding gothic rock band
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84.
Tanith
- In Another Time
The Devil Rides Out (1968): inspired by the name of the female character (based on the novel of Dennis Wheatley)
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85.
Taramis
- Queen Of Thieves
Conan The Destroyer (1984): inspired by the character Queen Taramis from the movie and the song "Riders of Taramis" from the soundtrack
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86.
TesseracT
- Concealing Fate
Cube2:Hypercube (2002): this math metal band was inspired by the tesseract mentioned in the movie
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87.
Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre
- 'Til Death Do Us Party
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): inspired by the movie title
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89.
The Dillinger Escape Plan
- Calculating Infinity
inspired by a documentary about John Dillinger, who was a 1930s bank robber known for his multiple escapes from jail
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91.
The Mars Volta
- De-Loused In The Comatorium
The term "volta" was used by the Italian film director Federico Fellini to describe the changing of scene or a turnaround in time within a cinematic context. The band added the word "Mars" because of their interest in science fiction.
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92.
The Number Twelve Looks Like You
- Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses
The Twilight Zone (tv series 1959-1964): named after an episode (season 5, episode 17) of the television series (1964)
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93.
Vader
- The Ultimate Incantation
Star Wars (1977) and other movies of this series: named after the central character Darth Vader
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94.
Voorhees
- Chapter One
Friday The 13th (1980) and other movies of this series: named after the main antagonist Jason Voorhees
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95.
Wednesday 13
- Transylvania 90210 : Songs Of Death, Dying And The Dead
The Addams Family (television show [based on comics by Charles Addams]): named after the female character Wednesday combined with the number 13.
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96.
White Zombie
- Soul-Crusher
White Zombie (1932): inspired by the movie, which is regarded as one of the first feature length zombie films
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97.
Witchfinder General
- Death Penalty
Witchfinder General (1968): inspired by the title of this horror film
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98.
Wo Fat
- The Gathering Dark
Hawaii Five-O (tv series 1968-1980): inspired by Wo Fat, who was the villainous character of the series
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101.
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102.
Yob
- Elaborations Of Carbon
Merry Melodies cartoons, episode "Rocket-Bye Baby" (1956): The name came from a kid called Yob.
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103.
You Win Again Gravity
- Reflect The Change
Futurama (tv series since 1999): named after a quote in the episode "Love And Rocket" (Season 4, Episode 3)
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Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by Plattner ]
[ More lists by Plattner ]
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Posts: 1281  |
Posts: 1281
Please feel free to suggest more examples of metal/hard rock band names that are inspired by films.
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The Gathering - Always... Highlander (1986): Based on the gathering of all immortals I doubt the movie Highlander inspired the name of the band. Is there a source for that statement? 
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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Posts: 1281 Written by John_Doe on 02.12.2023 at 23:13 Thank you for your question, JoHn Doe. Frank Boeijen said in an interview on the origins of the name of the band: "The name the Gathering has been made like eleven years ago when we started this band. We were all between 15 and 17. We were watching a lot of movies those days. One of the movies spoke about immortality and that you could kill the immortals with cutting their head off. In the first part of the movie, they speak a lot about the gathering. There will be a gathering once with all the immortals. We thought it was a nice name for a band, and that's how we created this name. And you can feel it's a cool name for five people who come together to make fine music."
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Posts: 5659 Written by Plattner on 02.12.2023 at 23:26 Interesting. I've never associated the movie with the name of the band.
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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Posts: 1281 Written by John_Doe on 02.12.2023 at 23:29 I would not have seen the link either. This also shows that bands inspired by films do not need to act like music-versions of the corresponding movie. Often there is just a single aspect of the movie that functions as spark of inspiration.
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Posts: 610
Fu Manchu Goldfinger Motorpsycho Legs Diamond Duran Duran 👍
---- Invisible To telescopic eye, Infinity. The star that would not die. Slayer vs. Slayer: 1,000 MPH or Death
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Posts: 1281 Written by Blackcrowe on 03.12.2023 at 00:05 Thank you for your interesting suggestions, Blackcrowe. I will try to add them to the list.
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Posts: 1281 Written by Blackcrowe on 03.12.2023 at 00:05 Thank you for your interesting suggestions, Blackcrowe. I have added Fu Manchu and Motorpsycho to the list. I guess Duran Duran and Golfinger are possibly not easy to include on a MS list. However, I would like to include Legs Diamond, but currently I am not sure if their name comes from the movie or directly from the historic person (and therefore would be independent from the movie)
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Posts: 610
👍👍👍
---- Invisible To telescopic eye, Infinity. The star that would not die. Slayer vs. Slayer: 1,000 MPH or Death
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Posts: 1281 Written by tintinb on 06.12.2023 at 02:11 Thank you very much, tintinb. I have added your suggestion to the list.
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Time for some more nerdy and silly stuff... Stovokor is a transcription of Sto'Vo'Kor or Suto'vo'qor, the Klingon Valhalla. 'Ikarie XB 1' is the eponymous starship of a Czechoslovakian science-fiction movie from 1963. 'Lord Vigo von Homburg Deutschendorf' is a Ghostbusters II character. Goregamel is heavily inspired by Gargamel, the villain in The Smurfs films and TV series.
---- signatures = SPAM
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Posts: 1281 Written by Starvynth on 12.12.2023 at 13:16 Thank you very much, Starvynth. I have added Stovokor, Ikarie and Lord Vigo to the list. I do not know Goregamel, but they seem to be quite special - and therefore it may seem also a bit nerdy to ask: Do you know if their name was inspired by the movies/series or the comics (or is it not possible to distinguish)? Thank you.
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Posts: 3591 Written by Plattner on 12.12.2023 at 20:02 This is actually a very good question. Given that the TV series and films are well-known virtually all over the world, I assumed that this must be the origin of the name, but also the comics are available in many countries, including Israel, the band's home country... You know what? I'll just ask the band's vocalist, who happens to be a Metal Storm member.
---- signatures = SPAM
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Posts: 1281 Written by Starvynth on 12.12.2023 at 23:09 Cool answer and cool idea. I will have a listen to the music of the band. I would add them to this film list or the literature/book list, where I have also included bands inspired by comics.
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Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden actually it was real torture device dating back medieval days
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 1281 Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 09:24 Steve Harris said that he got the idea from the movie (interview with Sound 1979) : "Did you ever see the film 'The Man In The Iron Mask'? Well I saw it on television and that's when the name first occurred to me. Although strictly speaking I believe an actual 'Iron Maiden' is an altogether more vicious torture device ... you know, it's a metal case with these nails set inside of it and if you fasten it over someone's head they get kind of spiked. Very unpleasant."
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Posts: 64554 Written by Plattner on 13.12.2023 at 10:17 Yes I have seen it long time ago. But I know such torture thing is real, not movie trick
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 5659 Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 10:18 who said it's a movie trick?! 
---- I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
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Posts: 1281 Written by Bad English on 13.12.2023 at 10:18 Indeed, those torture devices do exist. There is a debate about some 19th century examples with long spikes, which may be composed as exaggerated interpretations of the Medieval ones just to scare visitors. The few reports about actual iron maidens from Classical antiquity and Medieval times seem to indicate that they had shorter nails for torture and not killing. But in either case, they were horrible devices.
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Rolo Tomassi taken from a plot point from L.A. Confidential.
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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Nostromo - The ship in the original Alien. Bossk - Bounty hunter from the Star Wars universe, seen among the other bounty hunters in The Empire Strikes Back
---- Liebe ist für alle da.
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Posts: 1281 Written by RaduP on 13.12.2023 at 12:48 Thank you very much, RaduP. I have added your suggestion to the list.
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Happy Days - taken from the TV series happy days ironically. Okilly Dokilly - Flanders off Simpsons obviously.
---- Unable to connect to the database
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Posts: 1281 Written by no one on 16.12.2023 at 23:51 Thank you very much, no one. I have added your suggestions to the list.
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Isengard - taken from lord of the rings...also Falls Rauros Cirith Gorgor Gorgoroth Burzum Amon Amarth Druadan Forest ........and the list goes on and on
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Posts: 1281 Written by no one on 17.12.2023 at 07:30 Thank you so much for your interest and your suggestions, no one. The bands you have mentioned here took their inspiration from the books and not the films (as far as I have seen). I have a list for band names inspired by books: https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=7982 I will check if I have them there or if they are still missing in the book list. Thank you again, no one. 👍
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