From thrash anthems to death metal classics, nu-metal gamechangers to black metal mastery the list spans generations and is guaranteed to spark debate.
Rolling Stone Magazine recently published their generational-spanning list of 100 Greatest Metal Songs of All Time and the enormity of the list emphasizes the diversity and progression of extreme music.
Among the top 20 of all time greats, Black Sabbath has reasserted their rank as architects of the genre, securing some four different songs just within the top 20 including ageless anthems like, “Paranoid”, “Iron Man”, “War Pigs” and the definitive self-titled track that defined the sound securing the greatest single metal song of all time.
Metallica, Iron Maiden and Slayer all came away with two entries apiece in the top 20, with “Master of Puppets” coming away with the second spot on the list overall. Maiden rounded out the top 10 with the arena banger “Run To the Hills” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” earning prime positions, while Slayer’s iconic “Raining Blood” and “Angel of Death” were mandatory.
Legendary names like Motörhead, AC/DC, Dio and Megadeth also cemented their spots in the top 20, while entries like Living Colour, Led Zeppelin and Ratt joined the prestigious company with tracks that are no doubt vital, however are likely to spark debate.
In terms of the modern era of metal, only two songs on the entire list were attributed to the period post 2005. Power Trip’s “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)” managed to nab the 98th spot, while Meshuggah’s “Bleed” from 2008’s obZen landed at number 41.
The complete list can be viewed and critiqued – HERE
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