When it comes to Britain's contribution to the popularity of Heavy Metal in the U.S.A, Ozzy & his buds top them all.

According to a poll by the British Phonographic Industry, Black Sabbath is the most important British hard rock band.

3600 hard rock and metal fans participated, and Sabbath garnered 45 percent of the vote.

Ozzy said that they are honored and flattered to be acknowledged in a poll like this which is voted for by Metal Heads. 

To show that America has some Metal influence, in the same poll, Metallica's self-titled 1991 album "The Black Album"  was the one album that metal fans would recommend first to someone new to the world of Metal.

Here's the list:

1) Black Sabbath (45%)

2) Iron Maiden (22.6%)

3) Led Zeppelin (21.6%)

4) Motorhead (2.9%)

5) Deep Purple (2.3%)

6) Judas Priest (1.9%)

7) Other (3.6%)