Heavy metal music has always pushed music to its extreme, often stretching songs past 10-minute mark. These epic compositions truly deserve their extended runtimes.
Cannibal Corpse’s Hammer Smashed Face is an undeniable classic of genre-defining death metal, from its opening accent hits to Tom Araya’s gore-drenched horror shrieks; this track truly stands the test of time.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden brings together elements of metal and prog rock in their sound to produce an engaging, highly theatrical experience. Their songs tell intricate tales with dynamic instrumental arrangements and captivating vocal performances; their albums contain classic tracks.
Their debut album stands as one of the cornerstones of heavy metal history, revolutionising it through a mix of punk attitude and prog grandeur. Their signature track is an icon-laden blend of blistering guitar riffs that conveys all the brutality and horror associated with war.
This song draws its inspiration from World War II and remains an iconic anthem today. Sung by Bruce Dickinson with its stunning musical video that depicts Eddie pulled through classic video game environments; Metal Hammer awarded this video its highest rating!
Black Sabbath
According to AllMusic reviewer Steve Huey, Black Sabbath’s 1970 LP Master of Reality “is widely considered the birth of heavy metal as we know it”. At that point, the band were already immersed in themes of evil, pagan ritual, and the occult from their Birmingham, England roots that was further developed via horror genre. Their songs on Master of Reality featured haunting guitar riffs and drumming that far outshone any pop influences that would become popular decades later like CSN&Y or similar acts that dominated rock albums over their predecessors.
Many of the album’s lyrics offered direct critiques against elite society. “War Pigs” opened with air-raid sirens and imagined an anarchy-ridden world where warmongering politicians would be crushed; “Children of the Grave” called on media outlets to tell the truth; while “Paranoid” remains one of metal history’s most infamous tracks.
Meshuggah
Meshuggah, the Swedish band, has become widely recognized for their complex rhythms, odd time signatures, and unique visual aesthetic. Their music videos often show members headbanging and air guitaring while geometric shapes, abstract patterns, minimalist design elements have also been integrated into album artwork and live shows – which has earned them praise from bands such as Dream Theater, Deftones, The Safety Fire and Lamb of God who all cite Meshuggah as an influence.
Umea, Sweden-based group Psykisk Testbild formed in 1987. Their debut record featured straightforward thrash metal influences; however, subsequent releases revealed more advanced technical skills – setting them on their unique path toward palm-muted riffage and manic vocals that have helped to form their distinct sound.
Catch Thirty-Three, obZen, Koloss and Immutable have become staples for extreme metal bands who dare to be obscure and unpredictable in their musical expression. These records make it acceptable for extreme metal artists to express themselves freely without falling into predictable molds.
Mastodon
Mastodon is a free and open source social networking platform with similar functionalities to Twitter that was developed by programmer Eugen Rochko in 2016. Since its debut, it has grown steadily thanks to communities looking for a global communications platform free from corporate control and their potential censorship.
This platform features both a public timeline where anyone can follow any user, as well as private servers themed to specific interests that enable interaction among members of the community. Etiquette requires refraining from spamming or trolling and reporting inappropriate material directly to authorities.
The lyrics of this band are intricate, while their music videos display various aspects of its sound – a combination of progressive metal and sludge metal – as it has released three studio albums and performed at multiple festivals.
Nuclear Assault
New York-based thrash metal band Vampire’s album lyrics were inspired by nuclear catastrophe and social upheaval; thus creating a fitting theme for this band which features Dan Lilker (formerly of Anthrax) playing bass and John Connelly providing punishing riffs.
Game Over and Survive — the group’s initial two albums — are considered classics of their genre, touring alongside Exodus, Death Angel and Agent Steel among other bands. Although initially disbanding in 1995 due to internal strife and falling out with member of Exodus and Death Angel among others; later regrouping again both 1997 and again 2001 before finally disbanding yet again before producing additional records.
In 2015, they released an EP called Pounder on Sidipus Records; since 2005’s Third World Genocide they have not recorded another full-length but are still active live.
Dream Theater
Dream Theater recruited new drummer Mike Mangini following Mike Portnoy’s departure, and began work on their eleventh studio album A Dramatic Turn of Events; for the first time since Awake they wrote songs prior to recording them.
This album enabled the band to experiment with more song-oriented composition. Furthermore, they took an unconventional approach with their lyrics, opting for emotive rather than technical topics for inspiration.
Awake’s lead single video showcases an urban landscape comprised of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Tribeca as it pays homage to their New York roots with live footage from concerts as well as fast tracking shots across city streets. A must-watch for fans of Awake!
Slayer
Slayer has earned recognition and influence across the music industry with their 1986 release Reign in Blood, becoming one of the Big Four thrash metal acts alongside Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. Slayer are known for fast tremolo picking techniques as well as atonal guitar solos with double bass drumming as well as shouted vocals – hallmarks of success for any band in any genre.
The group’s lyrics were often graphic, covering such grim topics as serial killers, Satanism and war. Their songs about Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein and cannibalistic Jeffrey Dahmer in particular left audiences shocked and speechless.
Band members Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, bassist Tom Araya and drummer Dave Lombardo first came together in Huntington Park, California in 1981 to form the group that has gone on to release twelve studio albums, three live albums, a box set and six music videos since.
Megadeth
Metallica expelled lead guitarist Dave Mustaine due to drunkenness and arguments. To take revenge, Mustaine formed Megadeth as an act of defiance against the band that gave him up. Megadeth would strive to become bigger, better and faster than its former self.
Thrash metal was born. A combination of intricate dual guitar work, speedy bass and drums, as well as Mustaine’s angry lyrics featuring dark humor would produce what would come to be known as thrash metal.
Countdown to Extinction was their debut album to chart, featuring some of Mustaine’s best writing and the band’s ability to switch gears without losing their signature sound. This album appeals to a broad spectrum of fans; Sammy Hagar made an appearance, making its fast and complex song challenging to play on Rock Band 2. They have also released several singles from this record.
Tool
This song by Bill Hicks explores topics such as impermanence, materialism and cultish obsession; it won a Grammy in 1998.
Many Tool songs experience slight lyrical variations depending on who performs them; here, the lyrics come from Maynard James Keenan’s typed transcripts and should never be taken as definitive guides of what each song means.
Tool is an American rock band that first emerged from the grunge scene in the early 90s. Composed of drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, vocalist Maynard James Keenan, bassist Justin Chancellor joined in 1995 after replacing Paul D’Amour. Their music employs themes, visual arts and long, complex releases for progressive metal and art rock influences alike – plus an uncanny live performance and complex relationship with music industry professionals.
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are widely considered one of the greatest metal bands ever, selling over 50 million albums worldwide and revolutionising heavy metal from its Blues-rock origins into an international phenomenon. Alongside Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Metallica they rank as some of the greatest all-time metal icons.
After struggling with subpar record production, repeated drummer changes, and an image defined by leather, spikes, and blood, British Steel marked an important turning point in their journey to becoming rock superstars. Its distinctive sound combined with catchy fist-pumping riffs helped launch them to superstardom.
Although conservative critics accused them of promoting Satanism, they continued to sell out arenas and build an enthusiastic following with hits that earned them more fans than ever. Halford left for short solo stints with Fight and later 2ow, leaving the remaining members behind with Tim “Ripper” Owens taking his place as singer/drummer/percussionist/percussionist respectively.