Metal is a genre everyone listens to, but just doesn't want to admit. Luckily, in the 2020s metal became "cool" again, so now more and more people say they enjoy it without feeling shame. Today, we are counting down my picks for the top 15 best metal songs of all time, hope you all enjoy!!
#15“Duality” by Slipknot (nu-metal)
Slipknot is often reffered as a band for posers because it is often a gateaway band for all new metal listeners. Maybe that's the case because they make awesome music that is easy to listen to? I'm not crazy over Slipknot, but, "Duality" is an insane song, truly the best possible nu-metal track imaginable.
#14“Alma Mater” by Rolo Tomassi (mathcore, metalcore)
This song goes straight to the point. It starts with powerfull riffs that continiue pounding you until the end of this brutal track. Rolo Tomassi never had that big, break-out album, but regardless, they have made some of the most unique metal music over the last decade. Combining the voices from two singers, they never fail to make a beautiful yet scary masterpiece.
#13“Killing In The Name” by Rage Againts the Machine (alternative metal, nu-metal)
With the way world is "evolving" I have no doubts that this song will stay relevant for years to come. A timeless classic that is yet to lose its insanity, even though it's more than 30 years old. People are raging againts the machine all over the world at the moment, and police brutality is as present as ever, as a Serbian, this song perfectly explains the situation in my country.
#12“Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin (heavy metal)
One of the most annoying songs ever made, you simply can not get it out of your head once you hear it. That guitar riff with the "Aaaaaaaa aaaaa"... They put something in it for sure, it's gotta be a drug. This track is also absolutely timeless, my grandfather listened to it, my father did, and here I am now, listening to it too.
#11“Forced to Stay” by Knocked Loose (metalcore, blast-core)
Knocked Loose is a band that gets a lot of hate only because they are the most bad-ass metal outfit that had a super fast rise to the top. Ever since 2018 they had aimbot on, and are yet to miss. They released so many amazing albums and song in their fairly young career that you only have to wonder what's their full potential. The song that is currently their peak is this one right here, a pure beatdown that is filled with incredible, powerfull riffs and breakdowns. Lead singers polarazing voice stands out in the best way possible on this track too, making it my current favorite.
#10“Homewrecker” by Converge (sludge-metal)
This is one of those songs that you simply can not explain. There is so much amazing, never heard before stuff happening here. From drums that sound like bombs, laser like guitars, incredible vocals... "Homewrecker" has it ALL. It rightfully stands as one of the most loved tracks released by Converge, as it sill sound as fresh as it did in 2001.
#9“Crucify Me” by Bring Me The Horizon featuring Lights (metalcore)
Bring Me The Horizon has been sitting at the top of modern metal for a decade now already, and it will probably stay that way for a long long time, as they continue to find ways to make metal sound like never before. A lot of people don't like the fact that they experiment this much, yet that's my favorite thing about them. This track combines some of the most brutal instrument work imaginable with patchy electronics - and ti sounds awesome. Oli Sykes screams his soul out, yet every word he sings gets stuck in your head, because of how catchy this powerhouse of a track is.
#8“Limousine” by Brand New (alternative metal, progressive metal)
The lead singer is an asshole, we all know, but that doesn't change the fact that Brand New put out some of the most inovative, best sounding metal thruogh their career. "Limousine" is that good that it stands out as their best song, by far. It's a 7 and a half long emotional wreck, that is for sure going to leave you speechless once it finishes. The laidback intro transitions perfectly into the first big sound moment of this song, that then leads you into a repetetive bridge that gets you to one of the best guitar solos of all time. The theme of this song is pretty heavy, but it is an interesting story, so when you give this track a spin pay attention to the lyrics. You will not be dissapointed.
#7“Feedbacker, Pt. 2” by Boris (post-metal, drone metal)
Boris are one of the most underrated metal outlets of all time. They have put out at least 4 classic metal projects in their career. It is not for everyone though, especially this track right here, because it's 15 minutes long. However, when you go into it ready to sit and wait, you are bound to find greatness. "Feedbacker, Pt. 2" is a force to be reckoned with. So powerfull, yet so empty. It's one of a kind, I can say that for sure. Ambient intro sets the tone of this track, then those moody guitars make you wait for what's next. And what is next? Nothing. You just sit in awe and appriciate the sound that blessed you ears.
#6“Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” by Deftones (alternative metal)
Yep, Deftones in the top 6. Might be an unpopular opinion, but what can I say. Same as Slipknot, Deftones are often looked down upon as a "poser" band, meant for new metal listeners. To be honest, I do know a lot of posers that love Deftones, but so what? They make incredible music. With at least 3 classic records under their belt, you can not deny the fact that they are absolute legends of the genre. This song is a perfect example of a Deftones track. Moody, almost emo like, yet still heavy. Those pig like screams over an almost nu-metal type of breakdown always get me hyped.
#5“Gone With The Wind” by Architects (djent, progressive metalcore)
Architects are one of those bands that never reached their full potention thanks to them trying to become mainstream. I respect it, but I wonder what they could have achieved if they continiued exploring their abbilities. "Gone With The Wind" is a pretty scary goodbye song that is filled with chilling lyrics. However, the absolute highlight of this track is the last bridge of it + the final chorus. So many emotions, mainly anger, incredible singing performance from Sam, mixed with an insane performance from the band result in one of the best endings of a song, ever.
#4“Chop Suey!” by System Of A Down (alternative metal)
System of a down is a band that aged like fine wine. Unlike most of the bands that blew up in the same era as them, they continue to be loved newer generations. First of all, probably because of their incredible, unique sound, but then their lyrics and themes... Wow. It is scary how much all of their songs still sound fresh, when you take the context of their songs into account. "Chop Suey!" is their most celabrated song, for a reason. It is perfectly heavy and catchy, Serj sings like an angel and a demon at once. Progressions of this song are so unexpected yet they all work amazingly.
#3“Sunbather” by Deafheaven (black metal, black-gaze)
The prettiest black metal song that you could imagine. Actually no. You can not imagine a black metal song being this beautiful. How Deafheaven did this will forever stay a mistery to me. "Sunbather" is a really emotional song that takes you on a disturbing journey that happened to lead singer, as well as his thought process behind it. In short, this song is about him seeing someone sunbathing, in long, this song is about him not understanding how can someone enjoy life when there is so many evil things happening all around them. He can not understand how that person can be so happy, even though he is so lost. That person is his first door neighboor, how can they possibly live lives that much different? The best moment of this incredible track is its ending, those guiatars, screams, drum blasts... Perfection.
#2“Lateralus” by Tool (progressive metal)
How can a song progress this good? How is the structure of this song so good? How is this song this good? I have no answers for any of those questions. "Lateralus" is simply that amazing. You can ask yourself those questions but you will never find the answers you are looking for. The way the band build the tension through this entire track is beyond amazing. That mini guitar solo before the last moments is... mwah, chiefs kiss. And then the real last guitar solo? Even better, it scratches your brain even more, and it leaves you with a feeling you never had before. Im so jelouse of any person that is yet to listen to this masterpiece of a track.
#1“Flying Whales” by Gojira (progressive death metal, progressive heavy metal)
Not only the best metal song ever, but maybe even the best song ever, period. Gojira are absolute legends that put out so many incredible records in their rich, rich, rich career. "From Mars, To Sirius" is an album that is, in my opinion their best work, mainly because of this track here. "Flying Whales" is almost 8 minutes long. It starts of with a 2 and a half minute long, hypnotizing intro that slowly builds up and up, until it stops. When it stops, the real song begins. I don't know how to describe the sound guitars make on here. It's so heavy, so angry, so scary. Then the drums hit and my God once that happens you forget where you are. Lead singer sings with so much passion here, it might be his best performance ever. Blast drums in chorus abolutely demolish you, they literally sound just like thunder. Breakdown of this track is filled with instruments that sound so heavy... like the heaviest sound imaginable. I can not imagine how insane this song is live, those moshpits are for sure crazy. "Flying Whales" finishes with an alternative chorus, one that cuts of into a black metal like beatdown, one final brutal piece of music before this insane track finally ends, giving you space to breath.