While my other ones have been more or less chronological, I’ll TRY to do that with metal, but I can’t promise anything. I’m going to separate things like death metal and power metal, and so a lot of what happens will be concurrent.
Also, just so everyone knows, I hate almost every song in the emo thing, I just wanted to show Hades the progression of emo, and to argue that it isn’t necessarily wrong to say that emo is the old stuff or the new stuff (although I’d argue for the former).
This is probably going to be my longest entry, simply because metal is insanely complicated.
Also, Gila Monster, you can correct me at any time. This is especially true when distinguishing black and death metal, as it confuses me, still, even though I can pick it out through listening.
Pre-metal and early metal:
“Summertime Blues” - Blue Cheer
This cover is considered by many people to be the “first” metal song. I’m not sure whether I agree or not, but it’s still an awesome song, so I’m listing it.
“Revolution” - The Beatles
Other people, including my former rock history professor, consider this song the pioneer of hard rock and metal. I COMPLETELY disagree with this, but (as with the other one) it’s a fucking awesome song. Wikipedia mentions “Helter Skelter,” which is probably a closer bet.
Led Zeppelin has been mentioned, but not Black fucking Sabbath, which is the other (arguable) pioneer of metal:
“Black Sabbath” - Black Sabbath
This is one of my favorite songs, and it should be one of yours. Why? Because if it isn’t, then… uh… I’ll eat you!
Let’s see… Blue Oyster (too lazy for the umlauts) Cult has been mentioned, and everyone knows Deep Purple enough… here:
“Boogie for George” - UFO
The video is unintentionally hilarious, but check it out for the awesome sound. Eat it! EAT IT!
“Man on the Silver Mountain” - Rainbow
Here’s one you all know, even if you don’t know it. Awesome song. Ronnie James Dio’s first band.
“Rocka Rolla” - Judas Preist
Everyone knows Judas Priest, but not everyone’s heard their early stuff. I really wanted “Never Satisfied,” but it didn’t come up on Youtube. Damn. Rob Halford, the frontman, was one of the first people in heavy metal to come out as gay. The more you know rainbow (yet again, this joke is used in this thread).
NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal):
“Am I Evil?” - Diamond Head
This is the definitive NWOBHM song. I know that sounds like it’s nuts, but it’s true. This doesn’t have a video, but it DOES have lyrics, which is awesome. Metallica covered this… horribly. In fact, if you ever see anything from Garage, Inc., run. It’s an abortion. All of their covers are fucking abortions. That’s objective, by the way.
“Bomber” - Motörhead
Delicious, nutritious, Motörhead. I decided on the umlaut this time, because I was feeling less lazy.
“Angel Witch” - Angel Witch
Thank you, Gila Monster. This song is fucking awesome. It blows your mind. You will admit!
“Wrathchild” - Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden, with my favorite of the three vocalists (Di’Anno). Although many people think that Number of the Beast or Powerslave is the best album, I will always love Iron Maiden and Killers more. That being said, I’ll give something off of another album, one you’ll probably be more familiar with (although both songs I’m listing are singles, so if you know metal… you’d better know them :-P).
“The Trooper” - Iron Maiden
One of the definitive Iron Maiden songs. Not THE definitive Iron Maiden song, though. Chances are you’ve heard that one even if you aren’t into metal.
“Black Metal” - Venom
These next guys helped the next three subgenres, so pay attention, kiddies. The song title is a hint to one of the genre names. GUESS THE NAME!?
Thrash Metal (as I’ve said, I’m using Wikipedia so as to organize my thoughts [otherwise this would be a fucking mess], so yeah, it’s in the same order):
“The Four Horsemen” - Metallica
Shamelessly stolen from Mustaine, but still awesomely done. Regardless of the fact I hate Metallica’s business practices, and shitty music as of late, they’re STILL one of the most influential metal bands of all time, and so they must get their due. Metallica is often what people think of when you say “metal,” which is kind of shitty for metal, really.
“Mechanix” - Megadeth
Sound familiar? Only better? Yeah. Mustaine wrote “The Four Horsemen,” and called it “Mechanix.” Then he proceeded to make a much better fucking band. Unfortunately, he also turned out to be a whiny drug addict (and later a whiny born again Christian). That doesn’t mean he still isn’t 10000 times more awesome than anyone in Metallica. Anyway, I’ll get off of my soapbox for a minute. Let’s get back to Metallica.
“Trapped Under Ice” - Metallica
I know that there are a billion “better” songs off of this album, but this is my favorite song off of Ride the Lightning. Sue me.
“Die by the Sword” - Slayer
This if my favorite song off of their all-too-short first album. Legend goes that they were like “uhh… ten songs makes an album, right?” And so they released an album of ten songs just under a half an hour. Not many metal bands do this. It’s one of the best albums I own, IMO.
“Madhouse” - Anthrax
You’re probably only familiar of this song because of Guitar Hero, you fucking twats. Give the real song a listen.
I could add more, but I’m trying to keep these subgenre things relatively brief. Ah, what the Hell… one more Megadeth.
“Peace Sells” - Megadeth
But who’s buying? HUH!? WHO!?
Death Metal:
“Death Metal” - Possessed
I prefer the studio version, or actually SEEING it live, as opposed to hearing a live recording, but this isn’t a terrible version. Find the studio version and give it a chance, seriously. It’s fucking awesome. One can definately argue that they’re the first “death metal” band, although Slayer certainly has some songs that sound death metal-ish.
“Witching Metal” - Sodom
Chunky as it is delicious.
“Morbid Visions” - Sepultura
You have to love Brazil for spawning this band. I can’t say that they’re one of my favorite bands, but they are one of my favorite death metal bands.
“Cenotaph” - Bolt Thrower
I don’t
“Hammer Smashed Face” - Cannibal Corpse
feel I
“Suicide Machine” - Death
need to
“Kill the Christian” - Deicide
comment further. I think you get it.
Black Metal:
“The Return of Darkness and Evil” - Bathory
Ahh, here comes Black Metal. It’s kinda like black metal, only a lot more pretentious. Also, it’s the only metal genre I know of that PEOPLE FUCKING HAVE ACTUALLY KILLED PEOPLE OVER. That’s metal, even if the people involved were fucking nutbags.
“Circle of Tyrants” - Celtic Frost
This band is somewhat cheesy, but I still enjoy them. Essential (well, nearly) for the lover of death, thrash, and black metal.
“Welcome Home” - King Diamond
If you get a chance, see him live. He puts on a fucking awesome show. It’s the best live show I’ve ever seen, in fact.
“Deathcrush” - Mayhem
Suicide, and a murder thanks to Burzum (a racist prick that killed Euronymous; that’s all you really need to know). I don’t listen to Burzum. He makes a bad name for black metal, and a bad name for pagans, and posterchild for Christianity to point the finger at. At least, that’s my opinion. Man, I’m soapboxing again!
“The Dark Castle in the Deep Forest” - Satyricon
I picked this one mainly because of the name, which I think is pretty much the naming conventions of black metal bands.
There are also a few more modern bands that some would consider black metal, but others would consider too “polished” or “mainstream” to be black metal. If I can hear a better argument than that, then I’ll retract my further statements, but I’ll argue that bands such as Cradle of Filth ARE black metal, for purely aesthetic reasons. Anyway, here’s a Cradle of Filth song before I get tired of black metal:
“Born in a Burial Gown” - Cradle of Filth
OH FUCK, PRODUCTION VALUES! RUN!
Power Metal:
This is quite possibly the silliest metal genre. It’s still fun. For example:
“The Gods Made Heavy Metal” - Manowar
This is quite possibly one of the most laughable bands in existence. Unfortunately, they take themselves seriously (or, at least, seem to). It’s also one of my three favorite bands from the Bronx. I’ll list the other one on this metal list, and another one in punk.
“In Harm’s Way” - Metal Church
I really like this song. Another silly band, IMO, but they still have awesome chops.
“Mirror Mirror” - Blind Guardian
Hey, this is where power metal starts getting fucking awesome. THE SILMARILLION TO METAL! \m/
“Somewhere Out in Space” - Gamma Ray
Unlike many power metal bands, which have a fantasy theme, Gamma Ray has a science fiction theme. They’re also pretty damned fun.
“Metropolis” - Dream Theater
Some might consider this prog metal. Of course, I think that prog metal is often close to power, because they’re both HIGHLY influenced by bands such as Rush. Anyway, it’s ten minutes long. Yikes! Sounds like prog to me, now that I think of it (:-P). This isn’t nearly their longest song (by the way, the longest [rock] song that I REALLY, REALLY like is “Dogs” by Pink Floyd).
“Damien” - Iced Earth
This is my favorite metal song. This is probably going to cause many metalheads to faint. Sorry. Iced Earth was an awesome band… until The Glorious Burden. That was about when I decided to vomit.
Hair Metal:
What? You really want hair metal? Uh… here.
“Love Machine” - W.A.S.P.
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” - Twisted Sister
“Round and Round” - Ratt
That’s all you’re getting! You’re inundated with it enough, already, on “classic” rock radio.
Doom/Gothic Metal:
Someone please tell me the difference between these two genres.
“Black No. 1” - Type O Negative
Supposedly “gothic” metal. Now look…
“Bewitched” - Candlemass
Supposedly “doom” metal. Vocals not counting, what is the big difference in the stylistic sludgey feel of these bands? They both seem doomy to me. But perhaps my ear isn’t subtle enough.
New Metal and Nu-“Metal:”
“Walk” - Pantera
You know this song, but just take a look and see how fucking awesome it is. Also check anything from the album Cowboys From Hell (including the song “Cowboys from Hell,” of course).
“Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” - Primus
Funky, strange, fucked up band. Sexy.
“Sober” - Tool
One of the better modern mainstream metal acts, until recently. Well, okay, their latest album wasn’t an ABORTION, it just wasn’t as good as their previous works. Perhaps I’m just being too critical, as usual.
“Sugar” - System of a Down
Okay, now we’re starting to go down the dark and evil road of nu-metal, the genre that Shouldn’t Be. Of course, this band is quite possibly one of the best of the bunch. Good for them! They’re awesome. The next band is pretty good, too.
“Loco” - Coal Chamber
This is the other good nu-metal band. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a BIT how bad nu-metal is. Maybe someone who likes it can give us a better view of it.
Anyway, there’s my utterly incomplete (and yet still too damned long) overview of metal that I enjoy. Punk will come soon.
[I only picked stuff I knew from emo… yeah]):
Just saying your playlist was flawless.