Top 100 metal songs
LIST IS IN RANDOM ORDER.
One song for band. I may have forgotten some tracks.
List represent my taste so if you don't agree argue like a human being and not like a retarded primate. |
| 1 |  | Annihilator
Alice in Hell
CRYSTAL ANN/ALISON HELL
Maybe the best acoustic intro in metal leading to a dark thrash masterpiece about a girl's insanity, all delivered with raspy vocals, high pitched sections and some of the best riffs and solos ever delivered by Mr. Waters |
| 2 |  | Slayer
Reign in Blood
RAINING BLOOD
The apex of thrash metal, an evil sound that influenced generations. Dave Lombardo's drumming aged perfectly and the iconic riff imprinted inide hundred's minds |
| 3 |  | Megadeth
Rust in Peace
TORNADO OF SOULS
Some of the best solo sections in Thrash metal, the melodies are perfect, creating a great combination of technical skills and catchiness. The quintessential megadeth song. |
| 4 |  | Metallica
Master of Puppets
MASTER OF PUPPETS
While i'm more a Ride the lightning fan it's undeniable that this song is their best and most complete one. The main riff is one of the catchiest they ever delivered and the middle section is the peak of their creativity. |
| 5 |  | Anthrax
Among the Living
CAUGHT IN A MOSH
A mosh anthem, just one of the most fun songs in metal |
| 6 |  | Testament
The Legacy
OVER THE WALL
Despite the raw production, this song about an escaping inmate managed to never tire me. Skolnik's solo is one of my favorites ever. |
| 7 |  | Pantera
Cowboys from hell
COWBOYS FROM HELL
The one that created groove metal. Maybe the most headbangable track ever. |
| 8 |  | Strapping Young Lad
City
ALL HAIL THE NEW FLESH
Mentioning Cronemberg's masterpiece AHTNF is a great mix of industrial, thrash and Devin's unique style that no one could ever replicate. Gene Hoglan's performance is beyond terrific. |
| 9 |  | Machine head
The Blackening
HALO
a 9 minute antireligious anthem with some of the best dual guitars ever recorded in modern metal. The chorus will stuck in your mind for days, the climax after the groundbreaking solo with the dirge like singing makes me almost forget about catharsis |
| 10 |  | Anacrusis
Screams and Whispers
SOUND THE ALARM
A sound that no one could imitate. One of the most unique songs/albums in progressive thrash. The bass sounds literally perfect and Nardi's vocals fits the dark atmosphere. |
| 11 |  | Exodus
Fabulous Disaster
THE TOXIC WALTZ
One of the anthems of my teen years, a mindless mosh song with some of the mlst ridicolous lyrics ever. Love it. |
| 12 |  | Suicidal Tendencies
How Will I Laugh Tomorrow If I Can't Even Smile Today?
HOW WILL I LAUGH TOMORROW
Their most complex song that alternates slow power ballad moments to their crossover Thrash main sound. Important socio-political lyrics about a black future that's more relevant than ever |
| 13 |  | Black Sabbath
Paranoid
WAR PIGS
needs explainations? The timeless masterpiece from the godfathers of metal. It still sounds fresh 50 years later. |
| 14 |  | Type O Negative
Bloody Kisses
CHRISTIAN WOMAN
Erotic, blasphemous, slow burning, ironic and atmospheric. Everything we love from this gothic band, Peter Steele's baritones will be missed. |
| 15 |  | Paradise lost
Draconian Times
SHADOWKINGS
Don't get how this song is so underrated, my favorite from the pioneers of gothic metal. |
| 16 |  | Saturnus
Veronika Decides to Die
I LONG
One if not THE most depressing song in doom death. The piano intro, spoken vocals, low growls, the deserted mid section and the beautiful melodies makes this masterpiece a must listen for every fan of depressive stuff |
| 17 |  | SubRosa (US)
More Constant Than The Gods
THE USHER
Sludgy doom with witchcraft atmospheres, screeching arks, comatose vocals and twisted romanticism. |
| 18 |  | Warning
Watching from a Distance
WATCHING FROM A DISTANCE
Another hopeless doom classic with some of the most struggling feelings in the genre |
| 19 |  | Swallow the Sun
The Morning Never Came
HOLD THIS WOE
Speaking about tragic, the combination of melodeath and doom worls perfectly in this monumental depressive masterwork |
| 20 |  | Fear Factory
Demanufacture
SELF BIAS RESISTOR
Maybe my first album ever. Fear factory developed the Growl/clean vocal alternation before it was mainstream. The combination of death metal and industrial in this futuristic political anthem was way ahead of the time. Herrera's drumming is still one of the most inhuman things ever. Burton's vocals sounded perfect back then |
| 21 |  | Rammstein
Mutter
SONNE
Majestic, Till's best performance. The song manage to stay heavy and poetical at the same time |
| 22 |  | Nine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral
HURT
maybe i'm cheating here since this song is far from being metal but the album has some influences so i decided to pick it anyway since this is one of the best and most hopeless songs ever written. |
| 23 |  | Mudvayne
L.D. 50
DEATH BLOOMS
Mudvayne created something unique with the most mature nu metal album ever recorded. Death blooms is a song about terminal disease that incorporates elements of nu metal, math rock, funk signatures and progressive metal influences. Chad's vocals delivers anger and sadness with a versatile performance and Ryan's basslines are just perfect |
| 24 |  | Dog Fashion Disco
Adultery
THE DARKEST DAYS
Maybe the most conventional song from one of the most unconventional albums in the genre.
While not eclectic like the other tracks TDD delivers chills down my spine with it's gloomy atmosphere, creepy lyrics and Todd's great vocal performance |
| 25 |  | Deftones
White Pony
DIGITAL BATH
Speaking about chilling vibes, digital bath contains some of the best atmospheres i've heard. The song is at the same time gloomy, uplifting and oneiric. The cryptic lyrics hides some pretty gruesome meaning but they are delivered like poetry in a perfectly crafted ambience |
| 26 |  | Slipknot
Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses
THE NAMELESS
Maybe not the one that i listen the most but i feel like someone should give credit to it since it's pretty overshadowed. The structure is pretty complex with back and forth verses, acoustic chorus and a change of tempo in the second half, the lyrics depicts domestic abuse in a pretty deep way |
| 27 |  | Korn
Korn
DADDY
It's weird to pick daddy as korn's most significant skng but i think they never reached the intensity of this one. The song is pretty disturbing, depicting JD being abused by his neighbor. Half of the song it's just him cursing and crying with a lullaby in background. Not easy listening but sure pretty intense. |
| 28 |  | Faith No More
Angel Dust
MIDLIFE CRISIS
One of the most chameleonic bands in alternative metal. Angel dust could've been a career suicide but managed to create something unique. Midlife crisis is one of the catchiest and most iconic songs of the 90s. Gould's funky basslines, Bordin's tribal drumming and Patton's absurd vocal range gave this song tons of charisma |
| 29 |  | Alice in Chains
Dirt
ANGRY CHAIR
A darkly accurate depiction of addiction, you can hear Layne's pain through his vocals. |
| 30 |  | Fair to Midland
Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times is True
WALLS OF JERICHO
A solemn poetic, abstract and original depiction of an atomic explosion, wonderfully crafted in this work of art of a song |
| 31 |  | Tool
Lateralus
LATERALUS
Built with the fibonacci sequence, Lateralus is one of the most complex, creative and uplifting songs ever written. If you listen to this album in the right way you can almost transcend when it comes to this songs |
| 32 |  | System of a Down
Toxicity
CHOP SUEY!
A bit of a normie pick but c'mon, you love it too. |
| 33 |  | Iron maiden
The Book of Souls
EMPIRE OF THE CLOUDS
I was to pick some of their timeless classics such as hallowed, aces high or the trooper but... holy shit, this is beyond majestic. A gargantuan opera about the R101 accident. The long piano section, the intricate structure, the passion that every member puts inside his role, the fact that for now this is their last original song.... i feel like this one should be here. |
| 34 |  | Judas priest
Painkiller
PAINKILLER
I just can't pick another song. From the drum solo to the very end, this song is and will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic songs in heavy metal. |
| 35 |  | Deep purple
Machine Head
HIGHWAY STAR
Deep purple helped to forge heavy metal and as much i love smoke on the water, i feel like this opening masterpiece is the one that defines them the most. Blackmore's solo is terrific and Gillan is one of the best singers in history. |
| 36 |  | Rainbow
Rising
STARGAZER
An epic journey at Dio's side |
| 37 |  | W.A.S.P.
Dominator
THE BURNING MAN
While chainsaw charlie was to take the spot i always loved this modern heavy metal track and i think more people should know it. The riding riffs and the chorus build ups always gets me but the highlights are indeed the gang singing parts |
| 38 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Fire of Unknown Origin
BURNING FOR YOU
Simple, catchy and immortal |
| 39 |  | Manowar
Kings of Metal
HAIL AND KILL
"May your sword stay wet like a young girl in her prime" may be the cheesiest line ever written. |
| 40 |  | Emperor
In the Nightside Eclipse
I AM THE BLACK WIZARDS
Apocalyptic, solemn and esoteric, the apex of black metal. |
| 41 |  | Motorhead
Ace of Spades
ACE OF SPADES
The essence of speed metal itself |
| 42 |  | Skid Row (US)
Slave to the Grind
MONKEY BUSINESS
It's funny how technically this is labeled as the same genre of poison and winger.
The most ballsy hair metal ever. Bach may be a dick but holy shit, he know how to do his job |
| 43 |  | Saxon
Denim and Leather
PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT
C'mon this guys managed to stay cool with a song aboyt a train |
| 44 |  | Children of Bodom
Follow the Reaper
BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT
The peak of Alexi's masterful skills |
| 45 |  | Angel Witch
Angel Witch
ANGEL WITCH
NWOBHM in all it's purity |
| 46 |  | Danzig
Danzig
MOTHER
While i'm not a huge fan of Danzig's solo band i cannot deny the greatness of this song. His strong Baritone/tenor voice warms up this awesome iconic song |
| 47 |  | Soilwork
The Ride Majestic
FATHER AND SON, WATCHING THE WORLD GO DOWN
The conclusion of one of the mkst original apocalyptic albums in melodeath. This song perfectly matches the impending doom sensation with hope feels. Bjorn vocals are perfect both in his devastating growls and in his melancholic clean verses but he reaches the top with his high pitched passionate chorus. The whole track is surrounded by a beautiful yet tragic ending vibe |
| 48 |  | In flames
The Jester Race
MOONSHIELD
It's hard to believe that the same band wrote 'the truth'. Moonshield combines primordial and cosmic atmospheres creating a modern poetry. |
| 49 |  | Dark Tranquillity
The Gallery
PUNISH MY HEAVEN
On the contrary of in flames DT never stopped to create awesome music but their peak is clearly this opening track, some of the best melodies and arrangments in melodic death metal, both heavy, epic and melancholic. |
| 50 |  | Insomnium
Above the Weeping World
THE KILLJOY
The beginning melodies alone would makes it deserve a spot |
| 51 |  | Edge of Sanity
Crimson
CRIMSON
A 40 minutes dystopic concept song with elements of progressive, melodeath and Dan Swano's genius. Art. |
| 52 |  | Kalmah
Swampsong
HEROES TO US
One of the best openings ever, the keyboard/guitar harmonies in the chorus are delightful |
| 53 |  | Scar Symmetry
Holographic Universe
MORPHOGENESIS
Futuristic melodeath with space vibes, Alvestam's loss was fatal to this band, even if the new material is still good |
| 54 |  | Darkest Hour
Deliver Us
DOOMSAYER
A melodeath/metalcore mix filled with terrific riffs and melodies |
| 55 |  | Vital remains
Dechristianize
DECHRISTIANIZE
A 9 minutes of what it could be considered the heaviest melodic death metal song ever or either the most melodic brutal death metal song ever. The matching of brutal riffs, low growls and epoc melodies works surprisingly good together |
| 56 |  | At the gates
Slaughter of the Soul
BLINDED BY FEAR
One of the most ripped off sounds ever |
| 57 |  | Helloween
Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II
MARCH OF TIME
Not a fan of fantasy themed power metal but i can't resist this one |
| 58 |  | Persuader
When Eden Burns
TWISTED EYES
Imagine a thrashier, heavier and more cynical blind guardian but without the fantasy stuff. Seriously this song is groundbreaking. |
| 59 |  | Pain of Salvation
Remedy lane
BEYOND THE PALE
The sad dark ending to my favorite prog albun ever. A conclusion of a story about love, loss, death andhumanity...but this songs take away all the positive emotions. A story of perversion, loneliness and human nature depicted in a progressive masterpiece with a slow burning pace, eerie atmosphere and the most perfect ending possible with Gildenlow repeating over and over "we will always be so much more human than we wish to be". Goosebumps |
| 60 |  | Death
Symbolic
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN
if perfection was a death metal song it would be this one. Middle oriental influenced guitar work, Hoglan technical's Majesty, DiGiorgio's perfect basslines and Schuldiner's unique playstyle and songwriting. Hauntigly beautiful. |
| 61 |  | Cryptopsy
None So Vile
PHOBOPHILE
Probably the most brutal song ever |
| 62 |  | Savatage
The Wake of Magellan
THE WAKE OF MAGELLAN
I don't get how these guys don't get more recognition, this song in particular. The vocal solo in the mid section may be the most perfect one i've ever listened to along with bohemian Rhapsody, the great gig in the sky and knife prty. I'll even call it the Bohemian Rhapsody of progressive metal |
| 63 |  | Opeth
Blackwater Park
BLEAK
One of the most solemn growl/clean singing ever |
| 64 |  | Queensryche
Operation: Mindcrime
SPREADING THE DISEASE
To me, their true masterpiece. The political lyrics, Tate's perfect high pitched chorus, the Rhytm section, the concept...Everything works perfectly here. (Eyes of a stranger is a close second) |
| 65 |  | Devin Townsend
Ocean Machine: Biomech
LIFE
One of the most uplifting and positive songs in the genre. An hymn to life itself. |
| 66 |  | Between the Buried and Me
Colors
ANTS OF THE SKY
Ecletic and complex, AOTS contains several genres and different moods, all perfectly crafted in this inner journey |
| 67 |  | maudlin of the Well
Bath
GEOGRAPHY
This album combines some of the most relaxing songs in the genre with some unsettlimg ones. The conclusion of this weird journey could definetly lull you to sleep with it's abstract dreamlike nature |
| 68 |  | Destrage
The King Is Fat'N'Old
JADE'S PLACE
Funny irreverente prog metalcore from Italy, the song may be not their most comolex but sure it's among their most memorable with catchy choruses, terrific musicianship and one solo from Mattias Eklundh |
| 69 |  | Amorphis
Skyforger
SILVER BRIDE
An epic tranposition of Kalevala. Unbelievabily intense |
| 70 |  | alestorm
Sunset on the Golden Age
HANGOVER
One of my guiltiest pleasure. A pop song covered by pirates. But i have several nostalgic feelings about this one, it's even my 18th birthday soundtrack. I couldn't help but loving it |
| 71 |  | Blindead
Affliction XXIX II MCMXCVI
AFFLICTION
A devastating depiction of neglection, mental illness and depression. The conclusion of an atmospheric sludge masterpiece that contains some of the most depressive moments i've heard. |
| 72 |  | Bathory
Blood Fire Death
BLOOD FIRE DEATH
True viking metal |
| 73 |  | Motley crue
Dr. Feelgood
KICKSTART MY HEART
one of my most feel good (pun not intended) songs ever. It's impossible to not sing along or having fun while blasting it. |
| 74 |  | Nevermore
This Godless Endeavor
MY ACID WORD
A cynical and nihilistic view of the modern world |
| 75 |  | Acid bath
When the Kite String Pops
SCREAM OF THE BUTTERFLY
A dark (and i mean really dark) ballad about self made abortion. While most of the album focuses on disturbing imagery, sick lyrics and deranged music this one is a sort of a dark poem told with a beautiful acoustic sludgy music. While pretty cryptic, the lyrics are pretty distressing yet elegant and the music is nothing more than perfect. |
| 76 |  | Agalloch
The Mantle
YOU WERE BUT A GHOST IN MY ARMS
This song makes you feel like you're lost into misty woods |
| 77 |  | Neurosis
Through Silver in Blood
PURIFY
The single heaviest piece of sludge metal ever |
| 78 |  | Dream Theater
Images and Words
TAKE THE TIME
Intense songwriting and masterful execution |
| 79 |  | Cult of Luna
Somewhere Along the Highway
DARK CITY DEAD MAN
Like walking in a post apocalyptic landscape |
| 80 |  | We Lost the Sea
Departure Songs
A GALLANT GENTLEMAN
One of the most touching, beautiful instrumentals ever written. It's almost like floating in space. |
| 81 |  | Obscure Sphinx
Void Mother
THE PRESENCE OF THE GODDESS
Solemn sludge with some of the best female vocals in the genre. Wielebna's growls are uncanny and unsettling while her clean are stately. |
| 82 |  | Mastodon
Leviathan
BLOOD AND THUNDER
Some of the most recognizable first 10 seconds ever |
| 83 |  | Ghost brigade
Isolation Songs
MY HEART IS A TOMB
A great mash up of post metal, progressive and melodic death metal. The lyrics are more intense than your average love song |
| 84 |  | Alcest
Écailles De Lune
ÉCAILLES DE LUNE PART 1 &2
Celestial blackgaze that will make you travel the oceans |
| 85 |  | Mr. Bungle
California
RETROVERTIGO
Again Patton delivers another weird yet passionate performance in this oddly calming song |
| 86 |  | Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Of Natural History
GUNDAY'S CHILD
A deranged nursery Rhyme that will make you feel uncomfortable. The bass sounds drills into your head and the uncanny vocals are somehow uneasy to listen. Sure the weirdest album i've heard |
| 87 |  | Deathspell Omega
Paracletus
ABSCISSION
Structured chaos. Satanic poetry. Infernal philosophy. |
| 88 |  | Gorguts
Obscura
OBSCURA
Unconventional death metal with jazzy signatures and fucking heavy production |
| 89 |  | Ihsahn
After
ON THE SHORES
Avant-garde black metal by Emperor's mastermind. It somehow sounds both gloomy and relaxing. One of the best uses of saxophone in metal |
| 90 |  | Stolen babies
There Be Squabbles Ahead
LIFELESS
while great this album is far from being among my favorutes but...holy shit this song!
Persi's vocal performance is freaking intense and you can hear the melancholy all over |
| 91 |  | Screaming Mechanical Brain
The Process of Assimilation
WATCH ME DIE
Sure the most unknown song of the list. A weird mashup of swing, industrial, Alternative metal, avant-garde, jazz, punk and even some caraibic music. Oh and don't forget about nihilistic lyrics about futility of life. |
| 92 |  | Celtic frost
Monotheist
OBSCURED
I know, weird song to pick. I just love the impending doom feeling that this esoteric masterwork delivers. |
| 93 |  | Immolation
Close to a World Below
CLOSE TO A WORLD BELOW
I always label this as the hell awaits of death metal. Basically the closest thing to hell you'll hear aside from deathspell omega. A death metal masterpiece. |
| 94 |  | Necrophobic
The Nocturnal Silence
NOCTURNAL SILENCE
The best blackened death song ever. |
| 95 |  | Coldworld
Melancholie²
TORTURED BY SOLITUDE
Depressive black metal that can make you feel phisically cold. |
| 96 |  | Archspire
Relentless Mutation
RELENTLESS MUTATION
After this song/album everything you'll listen will sound slow. The most technical song from the most technical album i've ever listened |
| 97 |  | Converge
Jane Doe
JANE DOE
Hauntigly beautiful. I love how lyrics on the booklet are different from the actual ones, in order to depict confusion and isolation |
| 98 |  | Trivium
Shogun
THROES OF PERDITION
Superb song from one of the best melodic metalcore albums ever |
| 99 |  | Fear before
The Always Open Mouth
TAKING CASSANDRA TO THE END OF THE WORLD
Basically if mdma and ectsasy were music |
| 100 |  | Ice Nine Kills
The Silver Scream
IT IS THE END
I have a soft spot on horror, plus IT is my favorite novel, so i could'nt resist. |
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