 According to musicologist Robert Walser , " Led Zeppelin 's sound was marked by speed and power , unusual rhythmic patterns , contrasting terraced dynamics , singer Robert Plant 's wailing vocals , and guitarist Jimmy Page 's heavily distorted crunch " . These elements mean that they are often cited as one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal and they have been described as the " definitive heavy metal band " , although the band members have often eschewed the label . Part of this reputation depends on the band 's use of distorted guitar riffs on songs like " Whole Lotta Love " and " The Wanton Song " . Often riffs were not doubled by guitar , bass and drums exactly , but instead there were melodic or rhythmic variations ; as in " Black Dog " , where three different time signatures are used . Page 's guitar playing incorporated elements of the blues scale with those of eastern music . Plant 's use of high @-@ pitched shrieks has been compared to Janis Joplin 's vocal technique . Bonham 's drumming was noted for its power , his rapid rolls and his fast beats on a single bass drum . Jones ' basslines have been described as melodic and his keyboard playing added a classical touch to the band 's sound . 
