Heavy metal music videos often go for the dramatic. Their music videos showcase clashing sounds and visuals for an explosive mix of power and fantasy.
Heavy metal music videos are a headbanger’s paradise. Here are a few of our favorites:
Metallica – “One”
One was an iconic song in Metallica’s canon; it is unquestionably one of the greatest metal tracks ever. Additionally, this track marked a turning point in their approach to music videos: James and Lars came around to the concept that there should be one single and video for every album released thereafter.
Musically, this song is an outstanding masterpiece from Lars Ulrich with some of his finest double bass drumming ever seen in metal music history. Lyrically it makes an impassioned statement against war with Hetfield’s lyrics being particularly emotive about its horror. Additionally, this was amongst one of the first metal songs to fully utilize big-screen experiences with its slow build-up gradually turning into an all out assault on your senses with machine gun fire and bomb sounds.
This video is emblematic of early Metallica, with the band members performing live in what appears to be a warehouse with long, unruly hair gathered around Ulrich’s drum kit. Particular attention is paid to Hetfield and Hammett playing their ESP guitars and Jason Newsted playing his 5-string Wal bass, while Jason Newsted performs with his 5-string Wal bass for close up shots. Furthermore, this was one of the first videos with pyrotechnics and an overt militaristic tone than previous clips.
Unmissable viewing for fans of thrash metal, this video has become one of the most streamed ever. Additionally, Metallica played an abridged version with pyro going off in the background at the Grammys before being overlooked for recognition by a jury that awarded Jethro Tull’s album Crest of a Knave instead.
Metallica found great success with their original video for “Hell is for Real”, earning MTV exposure after three albums of pure adrenaline. For the first time ever, Metallica had a video clip accompanying one of their songs; this allowed them to reach new audiences at a time when MTV was just becoming mainstream; Metallica were at the forefront of heavy metal’s rise with low budget black and white clips helping establish them within this scene.
Sabaton – “Race To The Sea”
The world can be an awful place, with people dying in wars over seemingly nothing and for an ideology they may not even subscribe to. That’s why bands like Sabaton continue to make fun songs about it! And with videos such as this pleasantly silly one featuring a samurai hero stalking through ancient ruins like something out of Dark Souls it’s easy to understand why.
Although the song itself is pretty average, what truly sets this video apart is its video. A stylish mini-movie that takes heavy metal to new heights; featuring nu-metal’s best tracks as well as cutting-edge visuals from heavy music with numerous A-list cameos; this must-see video had an outsized impact on late 90s heavy music and its culture overall.
Sabaton fans should probably steer clear of this one. Though its catchy, flawless production, heavy marketing, and flashy presentation may please fans, the album feels empty and dull; only two tracks (Sarajevo and Versailles) contain actual music; with much of their musical real estate dedicated to historical narration or dramatic overstatements.
However, the middle of the album features some tight riffs and captivating musicianship. “Hellfighters” has an upbeat main riff reminiscent of Hammerfall’s Hearts on Fire that can be enjoyed rocking out to; and “Dreadnought” features several great riffs that will work great live.
This album isn’t terrible, but it definitely shows how far the band has fallen since their earlier glory days. While they still maintain a loyal following and make for an enjoyable live experience, this release doesn’t showcase their best work. While genre fans will likely find something of interest here, this could have been so much better had more effort been invested into improving it – you may need to listen multiple times before appreciating everything it offers; nevertheless it’s definitely worth giving a listen.
Mastodon – “Asleep In The Deep”
Mastodon have succeeded in transcending genre with their 2014 effort Once More ‘Round the Sun. This album features more melodic tracks than previous efforts, likely due to producer Nick Raskulinecz – best known for his work with radio-friendly stadium rock band Foo Fighters – producing this more melodic effort than its predecessors. Furthermore, “Rooster” from this album uses actual footage from Vietnam War interviews with veterans to produce an eye-catching music video perfectly fitting the song’s style and sentimentality.
Many fans viewed this as a watershed moment for the metal band. Although some were disappointed at their move away from metal-core, others appreciated its more sedate approach in this video.
This video for the band’s psych-metal classic “Psych-Metal Stunner” is one of the most mind-boggling ever made. Co-directed by music video guru Video Rahim and special effects specialist Shane Morton, it takes viewers on an unforgettable adventure through hell’s catacombs where demon cats, dark lord bullfrogs, and rat kings inhabit an underground cauldron that looks similar to Conan the Barbarian or Dungeons & Dragons… definitely stoner-friendly!
Stinkfist video, directed by Tool’s guitarist Adam Jones (stop-motion animation style video that looks like it was created by David Cronenberg or David Lynch), features blood, gore, skeletons and lots of splatter to become an instant classic.
What sets this video apart is difficult to pin down; perhaps its power lies in having to experience it for yourself in order to fully appreciate its message. At nine minutes long and lasting an eternity (thanks to Virgin Steele’s music!), its depth demands that all be experienced through.
BABYMETAL’s “Holy Diver” video tops our list of twisted metal music videos with its bizarre visuals and relentless song. Not only can it sound powerfully metallic, but its visuals bring the scene alive as it transports viewers into an intricate Middle Ages fantasy world led by one of metal music’s legendary singers – definitely worth seeing by any fan of metal music!
Killswitch Engage – “Holy Diver”
Killswitch Engage’s rendition of one of the classic heavy metal songs is truly magnificent, energetic yet never compromises the integrity of its source track in any way. Fans should make this an essential addition to their heavy metal collections!
Killswitch Engage has simplified their song’s opening sequence with a short atmospheric intro that leads to the abrupt start of its main riff, making the opening sound more cohesive. Howard Jones’ vocal performance has also improved since their last attempt; his exclamations mimicking Dio’s exaggerated exclamations are more focused and less repetitive while adding passionate restrained screams that fit well with Killswitch Engage’s regular metalcore style and do not distract from its overall mood.
Killswitch Engage performed this song several times during their recent tour and were met with tremendous energy from their audiences. Their set list features all their recent releases such as As Daylight Dies and Incarnate as well as classics such as Madhouse and Antisocial.
Killswitch Engage have made waves by revamping classic metal tracks into something even better, garnering much praise from metal fans alike and drawing in newcomers into the genre. Their rendition was nothing less than stunning and even managed to attract younger metalheads!