I tend to think that every genre has some artists that go beyond the genre even if they are frequently associated with it, a lot of times they're doing their own thing and are assigned a genre label post-hoc when they were doing something pretty unique at the time. Linkin Park and SOAD both fall into those categories for me. Both pretty typical examples of nu-Metal, but were very unique for their time and inspired a ton of copycats. Faint is a cool song and one of the Linkin Park songs that has held up the best over the years. One of those songs that immediately takes me back. Hypnotize, on the other hand, clearly has a lot more to offer. The vocal harmonies are amazing and the song feels really coherent despite going in a lot of different directions. SOAD was also really effective at creating rock music with an interesting political message when a lot of bands were shying away from that.
Ah Riot. Despite the ridiculous album cover, Fire Down Under really is one of those often overlooked early Metal classics. An early example of an American Metal band with a ton of European influence (see also Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister). Once you get past the Metal cheese and goofy lyrics, the song has quite a bit to offer in terms of great guitar riffs and cool rhythmic moments. The vocalist is a bit of a budget Joe Elliott and Riot isn't exactly one of those bands where you wonder why they didn't get bigger, but it's a good pick when you want to go a little deeper than the usual suspects. Against some of the Popoff picks in the last couple rounds, it could have been more formidable. Unfortunately it's against a juggernaut that is actually a trailblazer in where Metal is at today. I've frequently recommended Unleash the Archers as a band that proves that there is still great Metal out there that isn't either primarily extreme metal or just plain stupid. Abyss has it all. Amazing riffing, amazing vocals, definitely one of the premier bands out right now. The guitar solo is also fantastic, really tasteful licks and the appropriate amount of shredding. Pretty impressive for a short solo moment too. I feel like this band is carrying the Maiden torch in a way where many power metal artists throughout the late 80s and 90s just never really got the formula right, whether due to subpar vocals, production, or just lack of memorable songs. Unleash the Archers has all of the makings of a legendary band.
At their best, Anthrax is probably the best pure thrash band. I think they were the most effective at having a polished Metal edge without losing too much of that punk rock attitude, where pretty much all other big thrash bands abandoned those roots pretty quickly. It also helped that everybody in the band is a pretty competent musician. Nobody here is at Marty Friedman level of virtuosity, but at the same time nobody is at Lars Ulrich level of mediocrity. I think there's a lot to that which is overlooked when talking about Anthrax, as every other member of the big four has a pretty major weak link. I Am the Law is a great slab of Anthrax with awesome comic book lyrics, tight riffing, and some awesome lead breaks. The whole Among the Living album in general is a Metal essential. Motorbreath is a cool song and I do really like the Kill 'Em All album but I have to wonder why so much of it is represented here. Yes, it represents a rough edged version of Metallica that we never got to hear again, but there's a reason other albums have more acclaim. Put this in a shuffled playlist with the other NWOBHM deep cuts that Metallica worshipped and it'll fit right in - which is also to say that it has no business being in a list of all time best Metal songs. Unsurprisingly, Popoff misses again.
Drokk it!!
I know Ghost has gone way too mainstream for a lot of people, but anytime I listen to anything off the first couple albums it feels really apparent to me that they made the right call to go more for the type of arena rock that they're making now. For one thing, it sounds a lot more original. The early Ghost is so throwback that it's fun as a novelty, but the riffing and songs themselves are seriously lacking. Still, Stand by Him isn't a bad cut especially when it gets going. The chaotic instrumental section is great and the macabre lyrics are fun. The chorus is infectious and strongly hints at where they're going. There's enough there that it beats Rapid Fire for me pretty handily. Rapid Fire isn't a bad song and it works great as an opener to British Steel, but Priest has so many better fast rockers in a similar vein. Freewheel Burning, Hell Bent For Leather, Exciter, all songs that do a similar thing but way better. Awesome middle section, but not a memorable enough song around it.
Hadn't really listened to Avantasia before. The Scarecrow was a pretty cool track, super melodic and some great riffing as well. The orchestral section in the middle is really cool, kinda video game-y sounding and a nice dynamic change. Epic guitar solo. This is a cool find and I'll definitely be checking out more from this band. Beauty of the Beast provides a similar power metal styled epic. There's some great riffing and melodies throughout this song, although it definitely plods in places. I've also come to vastly prefer the band's sound with Floor on vocals, even if their latest album wasn't very good. It's close, but I'm gonna throw it to The Scarecrow as that song had a lot more interesting stuff going on.
Diamond Head's vocals are hilarious, but he really does have a lot of interesting musical ideas. There's a bit of Zeppelin in there, a bit of Maiden, and even some Kiss. I appreciate the variety and that he aims high with his material. It's hard to get into, but I can see how this song and album are considered classic. I have more appreciation for something like Black Horsemen which is really going for something despite the rough edges than an overly polished competently executed but ultimately forgettable track. The song is really well performed and the guitar playing is fantastic. A really solid Metal epic that keeps things interesting throughout the long run time. I do enjoy Tyrant quite a bit, but I have to give it to the underdog here.
Ah Riot. Despite the ridiculous album cover, Fire Down Under really is one of those often overlooked early Metal classics. An early example of an American Metal band with a ton of European influence (see also Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister). Once you get past the Metal cheese and goofy lyrics, the song has quite a bit to offer in terms of great guitar riffs and cool rhythmic moments. The vocalist is a bit of a budget Joe Elliott and Riot isn't exactly one of those bands where you wonder why they didn't get bigger, but it's a good pick when you want to go a little deeper than the usual suspects. Against some of the Popoff picks in the last couple rounds, it could have been more formidable. Unfortunately it's against a juggernaut that is actually a trailblazer in where Metal is at today. I've frequently recommended Unleash the Archers as a band that proves that there is still great Metal out there that isn't either primarily extreme metal or just plain stupid. Abyss has it all. Amazing riffing, amazing vocals, definitely one of the premier bands out right now. The guitar solo is also fantastic, really tasteful licks and the appropriate amount of shredding. Pretty impressive for a short solo moment too. I feel like this band is carrying the Maiden torch in a way where many power metal artists throughout the late 80s and 90s just never really got the formula right, whether due to subpar vocals, production, or just lack of memorable songs. Unleash the Archers has all of the makings of a legendary band.
At their best, Anthrax is probably the best pure thrash band. I think they were the most effective at having a polished Metal edge without losing too much of that punk rock attitude, where pretty much all other big thrash bands abandoned those roots pretty quickly. It also helped that everybody in the band is a pretty competent musician. Nobody here is at Marty Friedman level of virtuosity, but at the same time nobody is at Lars Ulrich level of mediocrity. I think there's a lot to that which is overlooked when talking about Anthrax, as every other member of the big four has a pretty major weak link. I Am the Law is a great slab of Anthrax with awesome comic book lyrics, tight riffing, and some awesome lead breaks. The whole Among the Living album in general is a Metal essential. Motorbreath is a cool song and I do really like the Kill 'Em All album but I have to wonder why so much of it is represented here. Yes, it represents a rough edged version of Metallica that we never got to hear again, but there's a reason other albums have more acclaim. Put this in a shuffled playlist with the other NWOBHM deep cuts that Metallica worshipped and it'll fit right in - which is also to say that it has no business being in a list of all time best Metal songs. Unsurprisingly, Popoff misses again.
Drokk it!!
I know Ghost has gone way too mainstream for a lot of people, but anytime I listen to anything off the first couple albums it feels really apparent to me that they made the right call to go more for the type of arena rock that they're making now. For one thing, it sounds a lot more original. The early Ghost is so throwback that it's fun as a novelty, but the riffing and songs themselves are seriously lacking. Still, Stand by Him isn't a bad cut especially when it gets going. The chaotic instrumental section is great and the macabre lyrics are fun. The chorus is infectious and strongly hints at where they're going. There's enough there that it beats Rapid Fire for me pretty handily. Rapid Fire isn't a bad song and it works great as an opener to British Steel, but Priest has so many better fast rockers in a similar vein. Freewheel Burning, Hell Bent For Leather, Exciter, all songs that do a similar thing but way better. Awesome middle section, but not a memorable enough song around it.
Hadn't really listened to Avantasia before. The Scarecrow was a pretty cool track, super melodic and some great riffing as well. The orchestral section in the middle is really cool, kinda video game-y sounding and a nice dynamic change. Epic guitar solo. This is a cool find and I'll definitely be checking out more from this band. Beauty of the Beast provides a similar power metal styled epic. There's some great riffing and melodies throughout this song, although it definitely plods in places. I've also come to vastly prefer the band's sound with Floor on vocals, even if their latest album wasn't very good. It's close, but I'm gonna throw it to The Scarecrow as that song had a lot more interesting stuff going on.
Diamond Head's vocals are hilarious, but he really does have a lot of interesting musical ideas. There's a bit of Zeppelin in there, a bit of Maiden, and even some Kiss. I appreciate the variety and that he aims high with his material. It's hard to get into, but I can see how this song and album are considered classic. I have more appreciation for something like Black Horsemen which is really going for something despite the rough edges than an overly polished competently executed but ultimately forgettable track. The song is really well performed and the guitar playing is fantastic. A really solid Metal epic that keeps things interesting throughout the long run time. I do enjoy Tyrant quite a bit, but I have to give it to the underdog here.
