10 Greatest Metal Songs of All Time

Perun said:
Are you sure you're not reading into it?

Not saying this interpretation can't be made with the song, but I always found the song to be simply about some sort of rebellious renegade or desperado if you will. I can't find a political message in it, even if I stretch it. Sure, the kid who made the post isn't spot-on, but I don't think this song was ever meant to be as a commentary on unemployment either.


Anyway people, it's easy to criticise others, but let's see your own reasoned lists.
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It's a direct quote from Rob Halford, it's from the British Steel documentary dvd.

Hold on and I'll find you a link.

Edit: Here, at 4:20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgNGq2H43sQ&feature=related
 
Perun said:
I still think it's more of a desperado fantasy than a political commentary though. Sure, it may have a serious in-world core, but it's going a typical heavy metal edge from there.
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The lyrics tell a story about breaking the law. But the meaning is, and it is quite obvious if you know what Halford said it's about and you then study the lyrics.

"The I was completely wasted, out of work and down. All inside it's so frustrating as I drift from town to town. Bla bla So much for the golden future bla bla. You don't know what it's like". It clearly focus on the reason to why some break the law. Cause and effect.

Though that being said, lyrics might have different meaning to different people. Lyrics are about what you make them to be about. I however prefer to view it as the author intended. Unemployment.  :)
 
The clip is so hilarious, that's why it's hard to imagine, not matter what Halford says, decades later (trying to save that image ;) ).
 
GuineaPig said:
It's clearly about robbing banks with guitars.  I don't see how one could interpret it any other way.
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The video, yes. The lyrics are a different story.
 
"Slipknot is the best metal band ever" that made my day. I know it is a matter of opinion, but it is a known fact that Slipknot isn't that good of a band. His Classic Metal tastes are petty cliche too (Master of Puppets, Run to the Hills, Breaking the Law), and it seems like he didn't do enough research on Puppets, but what are you going to do.
 
He should have clarified it as his favourite metal songs of all time. I have trouble with people listing Hallowed Be Thy Name over Master of Puppets or Master of Puppets over Hallowed Be Thy Name, because they are both classics in their own genre. One his highly melodic, while the other is thrash.

And regarding the whole ''Slipknot is/is not metal'' ordeal... it's best to stay away ;)
 
HallowedBeMyName said:
it is a known fact that Slipknot isn't that good of a band
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I don't know enough about Slipknot to form an opinion, though I haven't been too impressed with what little I have heard.  That said, I saw an interview with Kerry King (Slayer) on "That Metal Show" in which he said he liked Slipknot.  So, that gives them a bit of street cred in my book. 
 
WhatsInAName said:
People who don't like a band, should just stay out of a discussion about that particular band.
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Why?  I find negative reviews instructive, particularly if they come from a credible source.  Personally, I enjoy very much the "[INSERT BAND NAME HERE] Week on Maidenfans" forums -- found on the Metalfans Forums page on this site -- as it educates me about bands I might not know much about and lets me decide whether to check them out.  For example, it has led me to check out old Genesis, though I didn't like it, and it has confirmed my decision not to own any Alice Cooper records.

Plus, the best thing about any "Top ___ List" is the debate it generates. 

I agree that it doesn't make sense for someone who hates Iron Maiden to post on this fan forum, but given that this site has a self-selected audience of metal fans, any intelligent debate over the relative merits of Slipknot, etc., are certainly fair game here, in my view. 
 
I happen to think we have cultivated an attitude that is very open.  As CFH has said, many of us will listen to things, give them a chance.  Which reminds me, I have the new Epica to listen to tomorrow.  We are perfectly capable of forming reasoned opinions, and if we haven't heard it...chances are we simply won't comment.
 
WhatsInAName said:
People who don't like a band, should just stay out of a discussion about that particular band.
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I see where you are coming from, but it really does depend on the type of discussion. If we would be discussing the band Slipknot and their music, you are right. I wouldn't enter the discussion because I don't like the band and hence have no interest in the discussion. My contributions would only annoy those who want to have the discussion. However, if we are discussing topics such as "which is better Slipknot or Maiden" - I would usually not join the discussion either, unless I really feel it is going the wrong way, i.e. wrong assumptions are made or wrong facts are used for either band. But the direct comparison qualifies people who don't like Slipknot but like Maiden to enter and explain why they think Maiden is better than the other.
If we are talking about Slipknot's position in the world of metal, I think those who don't like them can join in any time and explain their views on the subject. I would do so any time myself.

cornfedhick said:
Plus, the best thing about any "Top ___ List" is the debate it generates. 
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Agree. Ever time I see a top list posted here I groan and go "not again", but the debates that come out of them are usually among the most interesting we have.


Which reminds me, only Wasted tried to answer to my challenge.
 
And only jokingly.  I have actually been thinking about that and may post a list tonite. Its kind of difficult- I see some of these lists, and the songs end up being 'most influentul' rather than 'best'  I'd say that Iron Man  would be up towards #1 on most important metal songs, and it is good!  However, I wouldn't be on my top 10 metal songs.  Personally, I like 80's metal better, so I'd have a list of songs from Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Priest, Queensryche... I don't know, still difficult. 
 
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