Journey Through the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time

The Impact of Heavy Metal on Popular Culture

Heavy metal has long been a rebellious force in the world of popular culture. With its loud and aggressive sound, heavy metal has resonated with a generation of music lovers looking for an outlet for their frustrations and a way to express their individuality. From the leather-clad rockers of the 1980s to the long-haired headbangers of the 1970s, heavy metal has always had an unmistakable visual style that has captivated fans around the world.

A Brief History of Metal

But it's not just the fashion and attitude that have made heavy metal such a cultural phenomenon. The music itself has had a profound impact on popular culture. Heavy metal's influence can be seen in everything from movies and television shows to fashion and art. Its raw and powerful sound has inspired countless musicians to pick up an instrument and start a band, and its rebellious spirit has resonated with generations of fans who felt like outsiders.

The Evolution of Heavy Metal Music

The roots of heavy metal can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple first began experimenting with a heavier sound. These pioneering bands laid the foundation for what would become known as heavy metal, combining the bluesy riffs of bands like Led Zeppelin with a more aggressive and distorted sound.

Top 100 Metal Songs(YouTube + Spotify)

As the years went on, heavy metal continued to evolve and push the boundaries of what was possible. In the 1980s, bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden introduced a more melodic and polished sound, while bands like Metallica and Slayer brought a new level of speed and aggression to the genre. The 1990s saw the rise of alternative metal, with bands like Pantera and Tool blending elements of heavy metal with alternative rock and grunge.

Today, heavy metal continues to evolve and thrive, with new bands pushing the genre in exciting new directions. From the symphonic metal of bands like Nightwish to the progressive metal of bands like Dream Theater, there is a heavy metal subgenre to suit every taste.

Criteria for Selecting the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs

Selecting the 100 greatest heavy metal songs of all time is no easy task. With such a vast and diverse discography to choose from, there are bound to be some disagreements. However, we have carefully considered several factors in determining which songs make the cut.

Top 100 Greatest Metal Songs Of All Time

First and foremost, we looked at the impact and influence of each song. Did it push the boundaries of the genre? Did it inspire other musicians? Did it become a cultural touchstone? These are all important factors to consider when determining the greatest heavy metal songs of all time.

We also considered the musicality of each song. Does it have a killer guitar riff? Are the vocals powerful and memorable? Does it have a catchy chorus? These are all elements that contribute to the greatness of a heavy metal song.

Finally, we considered the longevity of each song. Has it stood the test of time? Is it still relevant and beloved by fans today? We wanted to create a list of songs that not only defined the genre in their time but continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by metalheads around the world.

So without further ado, let's dive into the 100 greatest heavy metal songs of all time.

The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time: Songs 1-20

1. Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"

2. Metallica - "Master of Puppets"

3. Iron Maiden - "The Number of the Beast"

4. Judas Priest - "Breaking the Law"

5. Motorhead - "Ace of Spades"

6. Slayer - "Raining Blood"

7. Megadeth - "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due"

8. Pantera - "Walk"

9. Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"

10. Deep Purple - "Smoke on the Water"

11. AC/DC - "Back in Black"

12. Guns N' Roses - "Sweet Child o' Mine"

13. Van Halen - "Eruption"

14. Dio - "Holy Diver"

15. Accept - "Balls to the Wall"

16. Led Zeppelin - "Whole Lotta Love"

17. Scorpions - "Rock You Like a Hurricane"

18. Queensryche - "Silent Lucidity"

19. Rainbow - "Stargazer"

20. Anthrax - "Caught in a Mosh"

The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time: Songs 21-40

21. Sepultura - "Roots Bloody Roots"

22. Metallica - "One"

23. Iron Maiden - "Run to the Hills"

24. Judas Priest - "Painkiller"

25. Black Sabbath - "War Pigs"

26. Slayer - "Angel of Death"

27. Pantera - "Cowboys from Hell"

28. Megadeth - "Symphony of Destruction"

29. Ozzy Osbourne - "Mr. Crowley"

30. Motorhead - "Overkill"

31. Deep Purple - "Highway Star"

32. AC/DC - "Highway to Hell"

33. Guns N' Roses - "Welcome to the Jungle"

34. Van Halen - "Jump"

35. Dio - "Rainbow in the Dark"

36. Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger"

37. Scorpions - "Still Loving You"

38. Anthrax - "Madhouse"

39. Rainbow - "Man on the Silver Mountain"

40. Metallica - "Enter Sandman"

The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time: Songs 41-60

41. Iron Maiden - "Fear of the Dark"

42. Judas Priest - "Electric Eye"

43. Black Sabbath - "Iron Man"

44. Slayer - "South of Heaven"

45. Pantera - "Floods"

46. Megadeth - "Hangar 18"

47. Ozzy Osbourne - "Bark at the Moon"

48. Motorhead - "Ace of Spades"

49. Deep Purple - "Burn"

50. AC/DC - "Thunderstruck"

51. Guns N' Roses - "November Rain"

52. Van Halen - "Panama"

53. Dio - "The Last in Line"

54. Queensryche - "Jet City Woman"

55. Scorpions - "Wind of Change"

56. Anthrax - "Among the Living"

57. Rainbow - "Gates of Babylon"

58. Metallica - "Sad But True"

59. Iron Maiden - "Wasted Years"

60. Judas Priest - "Victim of Changes"

The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time: Songs 61-80

61. Black Sabbath - "Children of the Grave"

62. Slayer - "Seasons in the Abyss"

63. Pantera - "Cemetery Gates"

64. Megadeth - "Peace Sells"

65. Ozzy Osbourne - "No More Tears"

66. Motorhead - "Killed by Death"

67. Deep Purple - "Perfect Strangers"

68. AC/DC - "You Shook Me All Night Long"

69. Guns N' Roses - "Paradise City"

70. Van Halen - "Hot for Teacher"

71. Dio - "Stand Up and Shout"

72. Queensryche - "Operation: Mindcrime"

73. Scorpions - "Blackout"

74. Anthrax - "I Am the Law"

75. Rainbow - "Kill the King"

76. Metallica - "The Unforgiven"

77. Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

78. Judas Priest - "The Hellion/Electric Eye"

79. Black Sabbath - "Heaven and Hell"

80. Slayer - "War Ensemble"

The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time: Songs 81-100

81. Pantera - "Mouth for War"

82. Megadeth - "Tornado of Souls"

83. Ozzy Osbourne - "Diary of a Madman"

84. Motorhead - "Bomber"

85. Deep Purple - "Hush"

86. AC/DC - "Shoot to Thrill"

87. Guns N' Roses - "Don't Cry"

88. Van Halen - "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"

89. Dio - "Don't Talk to Strangers"

90. Queensryche - "Empire"

91. Scorpions - "No One Like You"

92. Anthrax - "Antisocial"

93. Rainbow - "I Surrender"

94. Metallica - "Battery"

95. Iron Maiden - "The Trooper"

96. Judas Priest - "Living After Midnight"

97. Black Sabbath - "Sweet Leaf"

98. Slayer - "Dead Skin Mask"

99. Pantera - "This Love"

100. Megadeth - "In My Darkest Hour"

The Enduring Power of Heavy Metal Music

In conclusion, the 100 greatest heavy metal songs of all time are a testament to the enduring power of this iconic genre. From its rebellious spirit to its thunderous sound, heavy metal has captured the hearts and minds of fans around the world.

As we've journeyed through these unforgettable anthems, we've seen the impact and evolution of heavy metal music. From its humble beginnings in the late 1960s to its current status as a global phenomenon, heavy metal has continually pushed the boundaries of what is possible in music.

"Extreme Healing: The Catharsis of Heavy Metal

So whether you're a lifelong metalhead or just discovering the genre for the first time, we hope this list has given you a newfound appreciation for the power and intensity of heavy metal. So crank up the volume, throw up those devil horns, and let the music take you on a wild ride. Rock on!