Masterpieces of Heavy Metal.

[Arsen]

The thread title says it all. Name a band, then name the song, which deserves to be recognized as a definitive masterpiece within the genre of heavy metal. You can do the list by itself without explanation or you can describe in your own words why you chose this song.

Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name

Without this song, I highly doubt one of the staples and forms of metal would exist to this very day. Emotional, powerful, and one of the few guitar solo's that transcend the genre itself. Even those who don't fully appreciate the genre itself seem to recognize this song as a testament (no pun inte-...aw why the hell not?) to what metal offers.

Bathory - A Fine Day to Die

One of metal's underappreciated composers. Thomas Quorthon died very young from heart failure...and we lost of metal's greatest that day. This song I have chosen is quite possibly his greatest track. Why? The opening to the album "Blood Fire Death" opens with the ominous calls of a horse sounding in the distance...a classical symphony that rivals movie soundtracks plays...followed closely by a calm chorus with soothing guitar chords...then the very gates to Asgard are ripped open. If Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, Listz, or Holdst were still alive I have doubt they would have fell in ecstacy from this song alone, let alone the rest of the album.

Opeth - The Apostle in Triumph

Many fans of Opeth chime about Blackwater Park (as they should, without a doubt), Deliverance, Still-Life, and even the song "Black Rose Immortal". However, for me this song says everything needed to say about the band. A folk opening, a black metal atmosphere, fantastical lyrics that are borderline mystical, the anguish and emotion of Akerfeldt's singing/blackened death metal voice, and the guitar solo in the end...

Trust me. Just look up these three songs.

Next.

 

[Thundergod1020]

Hammer fall, and for an example, Heeding the Call. Listen, and become part of the herd.

 

[Nouw]

Megadeth - Peace Sells
A deep, heavy metal song that proved many people wrong about the 'metal-fan/head stereotype.' Well according to Wikipedia anyway. Besides, it has a sick bass-intro!

 

[TonyVonTonyus]

Sabaton and what is the best song they have? The masterpiece of heavy metal which has become my favourite song second only to Always look on the Bright Side of Life, that of course is Screaming Eagles, embodying everything heavy metal is. Awesome rifs and solos, fast paced/agressive music and good, strong lyrics...not to mention instrumentals that would make a lesser band fall into small, tiny bits to puree and put into the water cannons at a metal festival.

 

[Khuzaki]

Sabaton and what is the best song they have? The masterpiece of heavy metal which has become my favourite song second only to Always look on the Bright Side of Life, that of course is Screaming Eagles, embodying everything heavy metal is. Awesome rifs and solos, fast paced/agressive music and good, strong lyrics...not to mention instrumentals that would make a lesser band fall into small, tiny bits to puree and put into the water cannons at a metal festival.

your my new best friend.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name

Without this song, I highly doubt one of the staples and forms of metal would exist to this very day. Emotional, powerful, and one of the few guitar solo's that transcend the genre itself. Even those who don't fully appreciate the genre itself seem to recognize this song as a testament (no pun inte-...aw why the hell not?) rom this song alone, let alone the rest of the album.

Agreed. I also agree with "Peace Sells". Used to love Maiden (Up the irons!), but now I mostly listen to Rammstein. LEt me think of my song(s)...

Well, a lot of Rammstein songs, if you listen to them (with a translator) are actually about issues that people face individually as in love or friendship, or as a society, like globalization of a culture. I guess a good example of the individual type would be Ohne Dich. Societal, I'd say Amerika. I also love Iron Maiden, as I said earlier. Perhaps Fear of the Dark?

 

[Arsen]

I have to post this, because...it's Gravedigger playing "Rebellion" alongiside Van Canto and HANSI KURSCH. Trust me, this is one of the best live performances you will ever hear from a song...THE JACOBIIIIITES ARE GATHERRRIINNNG! I'LL BEEE AT THEIIIR SIIIIIDE!

 

[Nickolai77]

To add to Iron Maiden, i'll suggest Dance of Death and Greater Good of God.

Agreed with Rammstein's Ohne Dich and Amerika, they are testiments to Rammstein's talent. As for other metal bands i'd suggest Ayreon's "The Truth is here" or even "Day 11: Love", the latter being probably one of the best songs to tackle the issue of love in a relateable way.

 

[Zac Smith]

Everything by Rammstein


Leviathan by Mastodon, more specifically, Blood and Thunder

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I've got a few!

Spoiler: Ultimate Sin - Ozzy Osbourne

Spoiler: Fear of the Dark - Iron Maiden

Spoiler: Funeral in Carpathia - Cradle of Filth

Spoiler: The Smoke of Her Burning - Cradle of Filth

There are two Cradle of Filth tracks because the Cradle of Filth from 1996 (Funeral in Carpathia) is almost a completely different band than the Cradle of Filth who did Smoke of her Burning.

Dani has been the vocalist from the very beginning and to this day. For the Dusk and her Embrace album (Funeral) the band other than Dani consisted of Stuart Anstis, Gian Pyres, Robin Eaglestone, Nick Barker and, Damian Gregori. For Damnation and a Day (Suffering) the band consisted of Dani, Paul Allender, Dave Pybus, Adrian Erlandsson and, Martain Powell. Not than many (or any) of you will care, I just wanted to geek for a moment.

 

[Arsen]

I've got a few!

Spoiler: Ultimate Sin - Ozzy Osbourne

Spoiler: Fear of the Dark - Iron Maiden

Spoiler: Funeral in Carpathia - Cradle of Filth

Spoiler: The Smoke of Her Burning - Cradle of Filth

There are two Cradle of Filth tracks because the Cradle of Filth from 1996 (Funeral in Carpathia) is almost a completely different band than the Cradle of Filth who did Smoke of her Burning.

Dani has been the vocalist from the very beginning and to this day. For the Dusk and her Embrace album (Funeral) the band other than Dani consisted of Stuart Anstis, Gian Pyres, Robin Eaglestone, Nick Barker and, Damian Gregori. For Damnation and a Day (Suffering) the band consisted of Dani, Paul Allender, Dave Pybus, Adrian Erlandsson and, Martain Powell. Not than many (or any) of you will care, I just wanted to geek for a moment.

Damnation and a Day and Dusk are the pinnacles of their career, without a doubt. Unfortunately they no longer carry the sound which made them what they are.

 

[mikey7339]

And continuing with Iron Maiden - The Trooper and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner

 

[Knusper]

Personally I think that Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden is more of a masterpiece. It's practically their signature song.

Also I would suggest Uprising by Sabaton and Ministry of Lost Souls by Dream Theater are two great pieces.

 

[Bajinga]

What? A thread about Metal and the God's aren't mentioned?

Spoiler: Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls

I don't generally like Avenged Sevenfold, but this song is amazing:

Spoiler: Avenged Sevenfold - A Little Piece of Heaven Warning: Contains moderate cartoonish gore

Slipknot are also one of my favorites.

Spoiler: Slipknot - Dead Memories

I needed a little Steve Vai in here too. I know it isn't considered metal, but I really enjoy his music.

Spoiler: Steve Vai - Tender Surrender

I advise that you listen to the whole thing, but the amazing guitar solo starts at 1:50

 

[MrMoustaffa]

I'll throw in a few early classics, since it seems like most of what we're getting is 80's and modern metal.

Budgie's Breadfan is an awesome song, theres a reason why Metallica covered it. Such a pounding intro and then a great break in the middle right before they give it one more go at the end.

Spoiler

Motorheads Overkill, I crank this song everytime I play it in my car, probably the reason why my speakers are almost completely gone. Not to mention it has not one, not two, not three, but 4 great guitar solos.

Spoiler

I'll round out my favorite of classics with Black Sabbath's War Pigs. What I want to know is how this wasnt one of the very first posts. Its Masterpieces of Heavy metal! You cant have a fucking metal thread without Black Sabbath!

Spoiler

 

[Bajinga]

-snip-
Not to start screaming OMG SLIPKNOT ISNT HEAVY METAL GOD YOU ARE SO NOT HARDCORE or anything, but posting Slipknot in a heavy metal thread? Heavy metal? I know, technically, Metallica arent really Heavy Metal either but eh...

I suppose you're right, Slipknot aren't a heavy metal band, but I don't like to class different types of metal. I see it all as one genre. Besides, different types of metal can be hard to distinguish.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Anything on the Advance and Vanquish album by 3 Inches of Blood

'S freakin awesome

Also Persona 3 and 4 had some awesome rock/metalish boss themes and since people are posting Slipknot already i assume i won't get pounced on because "it's not metal enough" XD

 

[Morbissus]

Cradle of Filth - Vempire ( pre-Cradle of Shit) Septic Flesh - The Great Mass Ebony Lake - On the Eve of the Grimly Inventive Rotting Christ - SantusDiavolos My Dying Bride - The Dreadful Hours... There is to much metal to make a small list.