Diesel 11
As you scream into the web of silence...
Diesel 11 presents...
METAL 201
...a countdown of the greatest metal songs of all time.
METAL 201
...a countdown of the greatest metal songs of all time.
Y'all know how much I love lists. About three years ago I made a list of the '200 greatest metal songs'. Recently I've started tinkering with it again, adjusting certain positions, changing around certain tracks, and the result is 'Metal 201'. This list is not intended to be a personal collection of favorite metal songs, but rather a (mostly) objective ranking of the songs that have defined metal throughout the history of the genre.
Why did I make this list?
Lots of people and organizations have attempted a metal list over the years, and while they're fine, a lot of them will underrate extreme metal subgenres or turn a blind eye towards stuff like power metal (on my first go around I also underappreciated its importance). So in a way this is me going by the adage, "If you need something done right, do it yourself."
What criteria did I use?
This is not a hard and fast approach, but the idea in mind was to include songs based on the following: 1) impact at time of release; 2) innovation within the genre; 3) influence on other artists; 4) legacy and popularity throughout the years. I tried to be as fair as possible across subgenres as well; metal being an inherently underground genre of music means that I'm viewing, say, black metal as just as important a genre as thrash. I also tried to give a fair balance of the modern metal scene where I could.
What sub-genres did I include?
The question of "What is metal?" is hotly debated on different websites and I myself have my own feelings on the matter. My goal with this list was to essentially ignore a Metal Archives purity test and instead just view these songs through a lens of, "Is this typically considered metal?" Bands like Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Guns N' Roses, and AC/DC are not on this list, as they are primarily hard rock bands rather than metal. That being said, there may be some proto-metal songs where a good enough argument can be made for their inclusions.
Beyond this, all the major subgenres have been included here: trad/heavy metal, thrash, power, death, black, doom, prog, and alternative/nu metal are all here. I tried not to get bogged down into this and instead look at the way the general public sees these songs. If there are strong metallic elements within them, they can make the cut.
Why should I care?
You probably won't! And that's okay. But I love lists and I love making lists and I like to see people's reactions to them. I'm coming at this with my own biases, and you'll come at it from yours, and that can lead to some interesting conversations. So by all means, engage or ignore. Ask me anything about why a song was included to why it was ranked so high or low, or why the hell I didn't include [insert song here], it's all the same to me!
Here's the YouTube playlist I made for the list:
Metal 201
Counting down the greatest metal songs of all time from across the genre's history.
And here's the full list (in spoilers):
201. Evanescence, “Bring Me to Life” (2003)
200. Black Sabbath, “Children of the Grave” (1971)
199. Warlock, “All We Are” (1987)
198. Venom, “Black Metal” (1982)
197. Angra, “Carry On” (1993)
196. Sleep, “Dragonaut” (1992)
195. Cradle of Filth, “Her Ghost in the Fog” (2000)
194. Sabaton, “Primo Victoria” (2005)
193. Possessed, “Death Metal” (1985)
192. Metallica, “Creeping Death” (1984)
191. Grim Reaper, “See You in Hell” (1983)
190. Megadeth, “Tornado of Souls” (1990)
189. Tool, “Forty Six & 2” (1996)
188. Between the Buried and Me, “Mordecai” (2003)
187. Queensrÿche, “Walk in the Shadows” (1986)
186. Neurosis, “Locust Star” (1996)
185. Alice in Chains, “Man in the Box” (1990)
184. Iron Maiden, “Phantom of the Opera” (1980)
183. Behemoth, “O Father O Satan O Sun!” (2014)
182. Judas Priest, “The Sentinel” (1984)
181. Machine Head, “Davidian” (1994)
180. Morbid Angel, “God of Emptiness” (1993)
179. Slayer, “Hell Awaits” (1985)
178. Black Sabbath, “Sweet Leaf” (1971)
177. Budgie, “Breadfan” (1973)
176. In Flames, “Cloud Connected” (2002)
175. Papa Roach, “Last Resort” (2000)
174. Metallica, “Seek & Destroy” (1983)
173. Manowar, “Hail and Kill” (1988)
172. Exciter, “Heavy Metal Maniac” (1983)
171. Gwar, “Sick of You” (1990)
170. Arch Enemy, “We Will Rise” (2003)
169. Savatage, “Gutter Ballet” (1989)
168. Bathory, “One Rode to Asa Bay” (1990)
167. Yngwie Malmsteen, “Black Star” (1984)
166. King Diamond, “Welcome Home” (1988)
165. Cynic, “Veil of Maya” (1993)
164. Faith No More, “Epic” (1989)
163. Deicide, “Dead by Dawn” (1990)
162. Children of Bodom, “Everytime I Die” (2000)
161. Linkin Park, “In the End” (2000)
160. Emperor, “Ye Entrancemperium” (1997)
159. Lamb of God, “Redneck” (2006)
158. Ministry, “Jesus Built My Hotrod” (1991)
157. Atheist, “Piece of Time” (1989)
156. Helloween, “Halloween” (1987)
155. Sepultura, “Roots Bloody Roots” (1996)
154. Amon Amarth, “Twilight of the Thunder God” (2008)
153. Suicidal Tendencies, “Institutionalized” (1983)
152. Type O Negative, “Christian Woman” (1993)
151. Dokken, “Kiss of Death” (1987)
150. Iron Maiden, “Aces High” (1984)
149. Iced Earth, “Travel in Stygian” (1999)
148. Drowning Pool, “Bodies” (2001)
147. Rammstein, “Engel” (1997)
146. Symphony X, “The Divine Wings of Tragedy” (1996)
145. Ozzy Osbourne, “No More Tears” (1991)
144. Quiet Riot, “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” (1983)
143. Judas Priest, “The Hellion”/“Electric Eye” (1982)
142. Diamond Head, “The Prince” (1980)
141. HammerFall, “Hearts on Fire” (2002)
140. Death, “Lack of Comprehension” (1991)
139. White Zombie, “Black Sunshine” (1992)
138. Soundgarden, “Jesus Christ Pose” (1991)
137. Trivium, “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” (2005)
136. Sodom, “Agent Orange” (1989)
135. Scorpions, “Rock You Like a Hurricane” (1984)
134. A Perfect Circle, “Judith” (2000)
133. Skid Row, “Youth Gone Wild” (1989)
132. Rhapsody, “Emerald Sword” (1998)
131. Nightwish, “Nemo” (2004)
130. Anthrax ft. Public Enemy, “Bring the Noise” (1991)
129. Suffocation, “Infecting the Crypts” (1991)
128. Overkill, “Elimination” (1989)
127. Slayer, “War Ensemble” (1990)
126. Mötley Crüe, “Dr. Feelgood” (1989)
125. Fear Factory, “Replica” (1995)
124. Black Sabbath, “Paranoid” (1970)
123. Metallica, “One” (1988)
122. Avenged Sevenfold, “Afterlife” (2007)
121. Dio, “Rainbow in the Dark” (1983)
120. Meshuggah, “Bleed” (2008)
119. Celtic Frost, “Into the Crypts of Rays” (1984)
118. Annihilator, “Alison Hell” (1989)
117. Judas Priest, “Beyond the Realms of Death” (1978)
116. Bolt Thrower, “World Eater” (1989)
115. Carcass, “Corporal Jigsore Quandary” (1991)
114. Exodus, “The Toxic Waltz” (1989)
113. Mercyful Fate, “Curse of the Pharaohs” (1983)
112. Immortal, “At the Heart of Winter” (1999)
111. My Dying Bride, “Turn Loose the Swans” (1993)
110. Entombed, “Wolverine Blues” (1993)
109. DragonForce, “Through the Fire and Flames” (2005)
108. Living Colour, “Cult of Personality” (1988)
107. Megadeth, “Hangar 18” (1990)
106. Nile, “Annihilation of the Wicked” (2005)
105. Corrosion of Conformity, “Clean My Wounds” (1994)
104. Twisted Sister, “Burn in Hell” (1984)
103. Deftones, “Change (In the House of Flies)” (2000)
102. Def Leppard, “Photograph” (1983)
101. Gamma Ray, “Rebellion in Dreamland” (1995)
100. Death, “Zombie Ritual” (1987)
99. Black Sabbath, “Heaven and Hell” (1980)
98. Judas Priest, “Victim of Changes” (1976)
97. Rainbow, “Kill the King” (1978)
96. Ozzy Osbourne, “Over the Mountain” (1981)
95. Sepultura, “Refuse/Resist” (1993)
94. Slayer, “South of Heaven” (1988)
93. Rammstein, “Sonne” (2001)
92. Alice in Chains, “Them Bones” (1992)
91. Iron Maiden, “Run to the Hills” (1982)
90. Blind Guardian, “Mirror Mirror” (1998)
89. Saxon, “Princess of the Night” (1981)
88. Cannibal Corpse, “Hammer Smashed Face” (1992)
87. Burzum, “Jesu død” (1996)
86. Marilyn Manson, “The Beautiful People” (1996)
85. Dark Angel, “Merciless Death” (1986)
84. Metallica, “Fade to Black” (1984)
83. Type O Negative, “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” (1993)
82. Candlemass, “Solitude” (1986)
81. Nightwish, “Ghost Love Score” (2013)
80. Helloween, “Keeper of the Seven Keys” (1988)
79. Kreator, “Pleasure to Kill” (1986)
78. Motörhead, “Overkill” (1979)
77. Rob Zombie, “Dragula” (1998)
76. Scorpions, “No One Like You” (1982)
75. Bathory, “Enter the Eternal Fire” (1987)
74. Testament, “Practice What You Preach” (1989)
73. Iron Maiden, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (1984)
72. Slipknot, “Psychosocial” (2008)
71. Slayer, “Seasons in the Abyss” (1990)
70. UFO, “Doctor Doctor” (1979)
69. Obituary, “Chopped in Half” (1990)
68. W.A.S.P., “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)” (1984)
67. Dream Theater, “Pull Me Under” (1992)
66. Accept, “Fast as a Shark” (1982)
65. Ghost, “Cirice” (2015)
64. Napalm Death, “You Suffer” (1987)
63. Black Sabbath, “Black Sabbath” (1970)
62. Pantera, “Cemetery Gates” (1990)
61. Gojira, “Flying Whales” (2005)
60. King Diamond, “Abigail” (1987)
59. Judas Priest, “Screaming for Vengeance” (1982)
58. Darkthrone, “Transilvanian Hunger” (1994)
57. At the Gates, “Blinded by Fear” (1995)
56. Deep Purple, “Highway Star” (1972)
55. Tool, “Schism” (2001)
54. Carcass, “Heartwork” (1993)
53. Megadeth, “Symphony of Destruction” (1992)
52. Iron Maiden, “The Number of the Beast” (1982)
51. Mötley Crüe, “Live Wire” (1981)
50. Disturbed, “Down with the Sickness” (2000)
49. Bathory, “A Fine Day to Die” (1988)
48. Metallica, “Enter Sandman” (1991)
47. Anthrax, “Indians” (1987)
46. Danzig, “Mother” (1988)
45. Slayer, “Angel of Death” (1986)
44. Ozzy Osbourne, “Mr. Crowley” (1980)
43. Mercyful Fate, “The Oath” (1984)
42. Morbid Angel, “Chapel of Ghouls” (1989)
41. Avenged Sevenfold, “Bat Country” (2005)
40. Pantera, “Walk” (1992)
39. Death, “Crystal Mountain” (1995)
38. Celtic Frost, “Circle of the Tyrants” (1985)
37. Meshuggah, “New Millennium Cyanide Christ” (1998)
36. Helloween, “I Want Out” (1988)
35. Megadeth, “Peace Sells” (1986)
34. White Zombie, “Thunder Kiss ‘65” (1992)
33. Queensrÿche, “Eyes of a Stranger” (1988)
32. Iron Maiden, “The Trooper” (1983)
31. Sepultura, “Arise” (1991)
30. Judas Priest, “Breaking the Law” (1980)
29. Accept, “Balls to the Wall” (1983)
28. Venom, “Witching Hour” (1981)
27. Exodus, “Bonded by Blood” (1985)
26. Rammstein, “Du hast” (1997)
25. Metallica, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1984)
24. Emperor, “I Am the Black Wizards” (1994)
23. Korn, “Freak on a Leash” (1998)
22. Black Sabbath, “Iron Man” (1970)
21. Diamond Head, “Am I Evil” (1980)
20. Dream Theater, “Metropolis—Part I: ‘The Miracle and the Sleeper’” (1992)
19. Opeth, “Blackwater Park” (2001)
18. Rainbow, “Stargazer” (1976)
17. System of a Down, “Chop Suey!” (2001)
16. Anthrax, “Caught in a Mosh” (1987)
15. Mastodon, “Blood and Thunder” (2004)
14. Mayhem, “Freezing Moon” (1994)
13. Tool, “Lateralus” (2001)
12. Slipknot, “Wait and Bleed” (1999)
11. Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train” (1980)
10. Dio, “Holy Diver” (1983)
9. Death, “Pull the Plug” (1988)
8. Motӧrhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)
7. Megadeth, “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” (1990)
6. Pantera, “Cowboys from Hell” (1990)
5. Black Sabbath, “War Pigs” (1970)
4. Judas Priest, “Painkiller” (1990)
3. Slayer, “Raining Blood” (1986)
2. Iron Maiden, “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (1982)
1. Metallica, “Master of Puppets” (1986)
200. Black Sabbath, “Children of the Grave” (1971)
199. Warlock, “All We Are” (1987)
198. Venom, “Black Metal” (1982)
197. Angra, “Carry On” (1993)
196. Sleep, “Dragonaut” (1992)
195. Cradle of Filth, “Her Ghost in the Fog” (2000)
194. Sabaton, “Primo Victoria” (2005)
193. Possessed, “Death Metal” (1985)
192. Metallica, “Creeping Death” (1984)
191. Grim Reaper, “See You in Hell” (1983)
190. Megadeth, “Tornado of Souls” (1990)
189. Tool, “Forty Six & 2” (1996)
188. Between the Buried and Me, “Mordecai” (2003)
187. Queensrÿche, “Walk in the Shadows” (1986)
186. Neurosis, “Locust Star” (1996)
185. Alice in Chains, “Man in the Box” (1990)
184. Iron Maiden, “Phantom of the Opera” (1980)
183. Behemoth, “O Father O Satan O Sun!” (2014)
182. Judas Priest, “The Sentinel” (1984)
181. Machine Head, “Davidian” (1994)
180. Morbid Angel, “God of Emptiness” (1993)
179. Slayer, “Hell Awaits” (1985)
178. Black Sabbath, “Sweet Leaf” (1971)
177. Budgie, “Breadfan” (1973)
176. In Flames, “Cloud Connected” (2002)
175. Papa Roach, “Last Resort” (2000)
174. Metallica, “Seek & Destroy” (1983)
173. Manowar, “Hail and Kill” (1988)
172. Exciter, “Heavy Metal Maniac” (1983)
171. Gwar, “Sick of You” (1990)
170. Arch Enemy, “We Will Rise” (2003)
169. Savatage, “Gutter Ballet” (1989)
168. Bathory, “One Rode to Asa Bay” (1990)
167. Yngwie Malmsteen, “Black Star” (1984)
166. King Diamond, “Welcome Home” (1988)
165. Cynic, “Veil of Maya” (1993)
164. Faith No More, “Epic” (1989)
163. Deicide, “Dead by Dawn” (1990)
162. Children of Bodom, “Everytime I Die” (2000)
161. Linkin Park, “In the End” (2000)
160. Emperor, “Ye Entrancemperium” (1997)
159. Lamb of God, “Redneck” (2006)
158. Ministry, “Jesus Built My Hotrod” (1991)
157. Atheist, “Piece of Time” (1989)
156. Helloween, “Halloween” (1987)
155. Sepultura, “Roots Bloody Roots” (1996)
154. Amon Amarth, “Twilight of the Thunder God” (2008)
153. Suicidal Tendencies, “Institutionalized” (1983)
152. Type O Negative, “Christian Woman” (1993)
151. Dokken, “Kiss of Death” (1987)
150. Iron Maiden, “Aces High” (1984)
149. Iced Earth, “Travel in Stygian” (1999)
148. Drowning Pool, “Bodies” (2001)
147. Rammstein, “Engel” (1997)
146. Symphony X, “The Divine Wings of Tragedy” (1996)
145. Ozzy Osbourne, “No More Tears” (1991)
144. Quiet Riot, “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” (1983)
143. Judas Priest, “The Hellion”/“Electric Eye” (1982)
142. Diamond Head, “The Prince” (1980)
141. HammerFall, “Hearts on Fire” (2002)
140. Death, “Lack of Comprehension” (1991)
139. White Zombie, “Black Sunshine” (1992)
138. Soundgarden, “Jesus Christ Pose” (1991)
137. Trivium, “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” (2005)
136. Sodom, “Agent Orange” (1989)
135. Scorpions, “Rock You Like a Hurricane” (1984)
134. A Perfect Circle, “Judith” (2000)
133. Skid Row, “Youth Gone Wild” (1989)
132. Rhapsody, “Emerald Sword” (1998)
131. Nightwish, “Nemo” (2004)
130. Anthrax ft. Public Enemy, “Bring the Noise” (1991)
129. Suffocation, “Infecting the Crypts” (1991)
128. Overkill, “Elimination” (1989)
127. Slayer, “War Ensemble” (1990)
126. Mötley Crüe, “Dr. Feelgood” (1989)
125. Fear Factory, “Replica” (1995)
124. Black Sabbath, “Paranoid” (1970)
123. Metallica, “One” (1988)
122. Avenged Sevenfold, “Afterlife” (2007)
121. Dio, “Rainbow in the Dark” (1983)
120. Meshuggah, “Bleed” (2008)
119. Celtic Frost, “Into the Crypts of Rays” (1984)
118. Annihilator, “Alison Hell” (1989)
117. Judas Priest, “Beyond the Realms of Death” (1978)
116. Bolt Thrower, “World Eater” (1989)
115. Carcass, “Corporal Jigsore Quandary” (1991)
114. Exodus, “The Toxic Waltz” (1989)
113. Mercyful Fate, “Curse of the Pharaohs” (1983)
112. Immortal, “At the Heart of Winter” (1999)
111. My Dying Bride, “Turn Loose the Swans” (1993)
110. Entombed, “Wolverine Blues” (1993)
109. DragonForce, “Through the Fire and Flames” (2005)
108. Living Colour, “Cult of Personality” (1988)
107. Megadeth, “Hangar 18” (1990)
106. Nile, “Annihilation of the Wicked” (2005)
105. Corrosion of Conformity, “Clean My Wounds” (1994)
104. Twisted Sister, “Burn in Hell” (1984)
103. Deftones, “Change (In the House of Flies)” (2000)
102. Def Leppard, “Photograph” (1983)
101. Gamma Ray, “Rebellion in Dreamland” (1995)
100. Death, “Zombie Ritual” (1987)
99. Black Sabbath, “Heaven and Hell” (1980)
98. Judas Priest, “Victim of Changes” (1976)
97. Rainbow, “Kill the King” (1978)
96. Ozzy Osbourne, “Over the Mountain” (1981)
95. Sepultura, “Refuse/Resist” (1993)
94. Slayer, “South of Heaven” (1988)
93. Rammstein, “Sonne” (2001)
92. Alice in Chains, “Them Bones” (1992)
91. Iron Maiden, “Run to the Hills” (1982)
90. Blind Guardian, “Mirror Mirror” (1998)
89. Saxon, “Princess of the Night” (1981)
88. Cannibal Corpse, “Hammer Smashed Face” (1992)
87. Burzum, “Jesu død” (1996)
86. Marilyn Manson, “The Beautiful People” (1996)
85. Dark Angel, “Merciless Death” (1986)
84. Metallica, “Fade to Black” (1984)
83. Type O Negative, “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” (1993)
82. Candlemass, “Solitude” (1986)
81. Nightwish, “Ghost Love Score” (2013)
80. Helloween, “Keeper of the Seven Keys” (1988)
79. Kreator, “Pleasure to Kill” (1986)
78. Motörhead, “Overkill” (1979)
77. Rob Zombie, “Dragula” (1998)
76. Scorpions, “No One Like You” (1982)
75. Bathory, “Enter the Eternal Fire” (1987)
74. Testament, “Practice What You Preach” (1989)
73. Iron Maiden, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (1984)
72. Slipknot, “Psychosocial” (2008)
71. Slayer, “Seasons in the Abyss” (1990)
70. UFO, “Doctor Doctor” (1979)
69. Obituary, “Chopped in Half” (1990)
68. W.A.S.P., “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)” (1984)
67. Dream Theater, “Pull Me Under” (1992)
66. Accept, “Fast as a Shark” (1982)
65. Ghost, “Cirice” (2015)
64. Napalm Death, “You Suffer” (1987)
63. Black Sabbath, “Black Sabbath” (1970)
62. Pantera, “Cemetery Gates” (1990)
61. Gojira, “Flying Whales” (2005)
60. King Diamond, “Abigail” (1987)
59. Judas Priest, “Screaming for Vengeance” (1982)
58. Darkthrone, “Transilvanian Hunger” (1994)
57. At the Gates, “Blinded by Fear” (1995)
56. Deep Purple, “Highway Star” (1972)
55. Tool, “Schism” (2001)
54. Carcass, “Heartwork” (1993)
53. Megadeth, “Symphony of Destruction” (1992)
52. Iron Maiden, “The Number of the Beast” (1982)
51. Mötley Crüe, “Live Wire” (1981)
50. Disturbed, “Down with the Sickness” (2000)
49. Bathory, “A Fine Day to Die” (1988)
48. Metallica, “Enter Sandman” (1991)
47. Anthrax, “Indians” (1987)
46. Danzig, “Mother” (1988)
45. Slayer, “Angel of Death” (1986)
44. Ozzy Osbourne, “Mr. Crowley” (1980)
43. Mercyful Fate, “The Oath” (1984)
42. Morbid Angel, “Chapel of Ghouls” (1989)
41. Avenged Sevenfold, “Bat Country” (2005)
40. Pantera, “Walk” (1992)
39. Death, “Crystal Mountain” (1995)
38. Celtic Frost, “Circle of the Tyrants” (1985)
37. Meshuggah, “New Millennium Cyanide Christ” (1998)
36. Helloween, “I Want Out” (1988)
35. Megadeth, “Peace Sells” (1986)
34. White Zombie, “Thunder Kiss ‘65” (1992)
33. Queensrÿche, “Eyes of a Stranger” (1988)
32. Iron Maiden, “The Trooper” (1983)
31. Sepultura, “Arise” (1991)
30. Judas Priest, “Breaking the Law” (1980)
29. Accept, “Balls to the Wall” (1983)
28. Venom, “Witching Hour” (1981)
27. Exodus, “Bonded by Blood” (1985)
26. Rammstein, “Du hast” (1997)
25. Metallica, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1984)
24. Emperor, “I Am the Black Wizards” (1994)
23. Korn, “Freak on a Leash” (1998)
22. Black Sabbath, “Iron Man” (1970)
21. Diamond Head, “Am I Evil” (1980)
20. Dream Theater, “Metropolis—Part I: ‘The Miracle and the Sleeper’” (1992)
19. Opeth, “Blackwater Park” (2001)
18. Rainbow, “Stargazer” (1976)
17. System of a Down, “Chop Suey!” (2001)
16. Anthrax, “Caught in a Mosh” (1987)
15. Mastodon, “Blood and Thunder” (2004)
14. Mayhem, “Freezing Moon” (1994)
13. Tool, “Lateralus” (2001)
12. Slipknot, “Wait and Bleed” (1999)
11. Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train” (1980)
10. Dio, “Holy Diver” (1983)
9. Death, “Pull the Plug” (1988)
8. Motӧrhead, “Ace of Spades” (1980)
7. Megadeth, “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” (1990)
6. Pantera, “Cowboys from Hell” (1990)
5. Black Sabbath, “War Pigs” (1970)
4. Judas Priest, “Painkiller” (1990)
3. Slayer, “Raining Blood” (1986)
2. Iron Maiden, “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (1982)
1. Metallica, “Master of Puppets” (1986)
