Heavy metal( or metal in general) is an ever evolving genre. Since the roots of metal lie in psychedelic rock and blues music of the late 60s or earlier, many people consider metal as a subgenre of rock music. Well, partially it is a truth. But, since the development of the genre has been continuing at a frantic pace and the addition of a massive number of new components have created a significantly unique identity of its own, metal can now be addressed as a genre of its own with a very long list of subgenres. I have been a metal listener since quite a while now and have come across through a lot of metal songs, and a lot of subgenres too.
And from all the metal music I have heard over the years, here is my list of the most influential metal songs(from all the subgenres). The list I am trying to present here doesn’t necessarily reflect the truly most influential metal songs of all time. It is my personal list after all. I might have omitted some great heavy metal artists and songs, but the omission doesn’t undermine, in any ways, the influence and significance of those great artists and songs in their contribution towards the evolution of the genre. Any other day, and I could have made a different list.
Well, enough said, I hope that my list doesn’t show significant deviation from how “influential” these songs are, and how accurate the list should have been.
5.One- Metallica Metallica, owing to the peculiarity and their “metal resembling” band name are one of the pioneers of the Thrash Metal genre(one of the most prominent and significant of all metal genres). And their hierarchy in the metal community is easily explained by their first four albums. The band, who would later on go on to sell some 200milion albums( which is uncharacteristic to the underground genre they were the pioneers of ) while completely abandoning their roots, still left this chef d'œuvre in behind their escape from a much secluded thrash scene to mainstream fame and popularity. Their first four albums would easily make to the top half of every “best metal albums ever” list. This track, from their 1988 album “And Justice For All” contains one of the most powerful riffs in metal history. A war victim’s final outburst of agony while being slowly converging to death, this song highlights Drummer Lars Ulrich’s precise drumming and lead guitarist Kirk Hemmett’s powerful solos. Vocalist Hetfield’s purely thrashy vocals make this song a must listen to any music listener. [A video was released for the song which would later on mark the “downfall” of the band from their roots to the search of a more flamboyant and mainstream success, fame and fan base based on more “radio play” songs. Since then, Metallica no longer holds its true, and original place in the metal genre in the eyes of metal fans, and critics alike]
4.Fear of the dark- Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are one of the few heavy metal bands that are hugely respected within the metal community as well as obtained immense commercial success. The band’s concept of twin-guitar harmony and the prominence during the NWOBHM era have provided them massive success. With their powerful melodies and lengthy mesmerizing solos, the band have produced a long list of hit singles and albums. Alongside Black Sabbath, they are one of the most covered artists in the entire metal music history. The song Fear of the Dark appears in their 1992 album with the same name. The single was probably the best track from their album. It song would later on become one of the most covered songs in metal history and sometimes epitomize the Iron Maiden sound. The 7:16 long single is one of the most brilliantly composed metal songs of all time. With exceptional solos from both the guitarists Janick and Dave, the song comprises time signature changes and a number of amazingly melodious riffs. While Steve Harris remained brilliant with his bass work, lyrics and vocals from Bruce, which, despite not being exceptional, make the song a masterpiece with their synchrony and easily memorable musical sound.
3.Ænema- Tool Tool is often talked about as being something more than a band. They are thought to be a concept and the expression of that concept. Their roots in progressive music, and art rock, their blend with the viciousness of heavy metal, and their ability to make “more than just songs” music with the particular focus on presenting and materializing their concept without compromising with their abilities and intentions easily makes them one of the standouts in the heavy metal genre. Their use of complex sound structures and spirituality, making anguish, agony, and hatred alive in their sounds would be able to powerfully move and inspire any music listener. Though the band’s most incredible work is often thought to be their later album Lateralus, their 1996 album Aenima. This track taken from the same album is a mixture of contempt and dissatisfactory remarks from Maynard towards the flamboyant and flashy Hollywood which is in his own words nothing but a spot for the fakeness and unnecessary exposure and lavishness to evolve. The track is a tribute to the ever evolving Tool sound, alike other tracks in the album, unleashes the extraordinarily cohesive work from the immensely talented musicians. Jones, Chancellor, Carey and Maynard are extremely talented individuals, but what makes Tool is their amazing synchronization, their chemistry, industry, and how they work in unison to optimize their individual abilities to create a masterpiece. The track is a homage to the style of a lot of genres apart from pure metal that includes Progressive Rock/Metal, Art Rock, as well as alternative rock. The band’s music, because of its distinctness and peculiarity, is often dubbed as “Post Metal”.
2.Cryptopsy - Phobophile Cryptopsy, back in the day, were one of the few Technical Death Metal band that existed in the world metal scene. Technical Death metal( a subgenre of Death Metal) is a further complex subgenre with uncommon time signatures, atypical rhythms and unusual harmonies and melodies. And it is not an overstatement to proclaim Cryptopsy( Cryptopsy of the early and mid 90s) as one of the best of the genre. While the “Cryptopsy sound” owes much to the extreme drumming by Flo Mounier, the guitar works of Jon Levasseur and vocalist “Lord Worm” who are also one of the most influential artist of the death metal genre. Phobophile, considered by many as Cryptopsy’s most influential song is arguably also the most powerful song from their 1996 album “None So Vile”. The song initiates with a melodic piano solo and then continues to its technical death metal sound. The lyrics of the song goes hand in hand with the concept and title of the album and the ultra pacey short guitar shredding works from Levasseur gives the song its true “vileness”. Flo Mounier is near perfect with his drumming and the vocals from Lord Worm is the epitome of extremely brutal death metal growls. They have a strong ambient presence that underline the instrumental side of the song with perfection. The song is a masterpiece with both its ability to assemble a wide variety of elements of many death metal subgenres and provide the sense of a terrifying wilderness and morbidity in its violent best immaculately. Even for the people who don’t agree with the concept of death metal and it’s existence can for once, have a listen, and fell the ingenious musical ferocity that the song possesses. No surprises therefore. The song is my personal best from Cryptopsy alongside “The pestilence that walketh in darkness”.
1.Black Rose Immortal -Opeth
Opeth are arguably the most influential Progressive Metal bands of all time. Although much of their work is also more Progressive Death Metal than merely Progressive Metal, they have created a list of singles that have certainly cemented the reputation, have had a huge hand in the shaping, evolution as well as the continued progress of the genre. Their 1996 album, Morningrise ,includes their longest song ever recorded, "Black Rose Immortal", with a length of 20:15. The track is a combination everything one can ask for in a perfect “Opeth” track. It is outlined by Akerfeldt’s ever evolving musical abilities and dynamism. The song showcases Opeth's signature style, exploring the dynamics between the combination of black metal and death metal vocals, and guitar parts with lighter progressive and acoustic elements. The track is central to the theme of the album described my many critics as “epic” and “perfect”. The transition and the timing of the acoustic parts of the song, the use of a wide range of progressive elements, the brilliantly timed solos and the lyrics central to the theme and concept of the album make it one of the most influential metal songs of all time. Black Rose Immortal does not cheat its listeners. It is a story with gripping poetry.
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