Worthwhile metal ballads
My favorite metal/hard rock ballads. Do you agree? |
| 1 |  | Y and T
Earthshaker
I Believe in You
From their groundbreaking album Earthshaker, this emotionally overwhelming but delicate song is one of the finest ballads ever written. The extensive, climaxing guitar solo at the end is almost unparalleled, Dave Meniketti doing a great job here. |
| 2 |  | Bruce Dickinson
Balls to Picasso
Tears of the Dragon
Bruce Dickinson's touchy, powerful voice and the magnificent, gorgeous guitar solo combined make this a ballad unrivaled in the metal genre. The lyrics are also fine. |
| 3 |  | Warlord
Deliver Us
Winter Tears
With an almost pop-feel to it, this beautiful metal ballad is a true standout in Warlord's (and early speed metal's) catalogue. |
| 4 |  | Iron Maiden
Killers
Prodigal Son
What more to say about this well known classic Maiden track? It starts with a nice strumming guitar section before we hear Di'Anno's great voice sing these strange lyrics about 'Lamia'. It's NWOBHM mixed with folk, but performed very masterly by a still young (maidenly) band. It's such a shame that Iron Maiden hasn't written more ballads in this same vein! |
| 5 |  | U.D.O.
Man And Machine
Dancing with an Angel
The raspy, throaty sound of Udo Dirkschneider combined with the heavenly, powerful voice of Doro Pesch create a really nice, but sugar-sweet duet. The melodramatic solo by Stefan Kaufmann adds to the clichéd composition. But: truly great stuff, I love every second of this cheesy song! |
| 6 |  | Rainbow
Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
Rainbow Eyes
Rainbow's most restrained, stilled song with great performance by Dio and the master himself. |
| 7 |  | Judas Priest
Sin After Sin
Last Rose of Summer
Unconventional love song from one of the best albums by Judas Priest. And, although I don't like Halford's voice as much as most metal aficionados do, in his early years he had a great voice. This syrupy song is in the end heartbreaking. Handkerchiefs indispensable |
| 8 |  | Blackfoot
Marauder
Diary of a Working Man
Ballad about the rotten life of a working man, with great vocals and superb climax |
| 9 |  | Ozzy Osbourne
No More Tears
Mama I'm coming Home
Well known sentimental song, combining the weeping voice of the Prince of Darkness with the southern rock style of Zakk Wylde's delicate guitar. The only metal track in history with lyrics containing 'mama'? |
| 10 |  | Vandenberg
Vandenberg
Burning Heart
A hit in Europe, this AOR-sounding, but well composed grieving love song with strong guitar contribution by Adrian Vandenberg |
| 11 |  | Helloween
Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I
A Tale that wasn't Right
Kiske in top shape on this fine ballad, quite simple but effective |
| 12 | | Torch
Fire Raiser (ep)
Pain
A notable track on the first ep of the Swedish band Torch: nice composition in early Maiden-style, with nice harmonies and melodies |
| 13 |  | The Gathering
How to Measure a Planet?
Travel
Tranquil, gorgeous and poetic track characterized by the hovering, angelic voice of Anneke Giersbergen over thick layers of guitar |
| 14 |  | Angel Dust
Enlighten the Darkness
Beneath the Silence
Power metal ballad consisting of whispered melodies over clean guitar chords and arpeggio's; relaxing and calm |
| 15 |  | opeth
Morningrise
To Bid you Farewell
Who doesn't know this amazing, sad gothic ballad? It has a folky, jazzy, acid rock feeling. But apart from these associations: let the music rain down on you |
| 16 |  | Amorphis
Elegy
The Orphan
Clear, cold and spatial as the Finnish air sounds this beautiful quiet song |
| 17 |  | Tiamat
Wildhoney
Gaia
Synth driven, spooky and ominous sounding song, including a Gilmouresque solo at the end |
| 18 |  | Ved Buens Ende
Written In Waters
Autumn Leaves
Wonderful, wonderful avant-garde black metal ballad, combining male and female voices in an otherwordly atmosphere |
| 19 |  | The 3rd and the Mortal
Tears Laid in Earth
Why so Lonely
A very sad song dominated by the celestial voice of Kari Rueslåtten |
| 20 |  | Metallica
Ride the Lightning
Fade to Black
Metallica wrote one or two blueprints of ballads and varied on these schemes over and over, so this early one is my favorite, also for nostalgic reasons |
| 21 |  | Faithful Breath
Gold 'n' Glory
A Million Stars
Surprise! A nice sing-along power metal ballad, very simple but also very catchy |
| 22 |  | Accept
Breaker
Breaking up Again
One of the most subtle and moving ballads in metal, with the voice of bass player Peter Baltes instead of Dirkschneider's. A beautiful tear jerker |
| 23 |  | Uriah Heep
Look At Yourself
July Morning
Powerful ballad magically composed by David Byron and Ken Hensley, building towards the extensive climax of guitar and organ |
| 24 |  | Grave Digger
Heavy Metal Breakdown
Yesterday
Not a top song, but a nice ballad from this early speed metal band, full of 'attitude' |
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