An introduction to Western heavy metal: the masterpieces that changed the history of metal
The heavy metal genre has countless subgenres, and its breadth is so vast that even devoted metal fans often have very different tastes.
Some people say, “I like metal, but death metal is a bit much,” while others are only interested in the extreme side of metal, and some can enjoy any kind of metal.
That diversity is part of what makes it so fascinating.
If you’re just getting into metal, you might not know where to start.
In this article, we’ll introduce some recommended classics and popular tracks for metal beginners!
We hope you enjoy this wide-ranging lineup that not only features staple heavy metal, but also spotlights subgenres that showcase metal’s possibilities.
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Introduction to Western heavy metal. Masterpieces that changed metal history (’71–’80)
Round And RoundRatt
A song by Ratt, one of the representative bands of the LA metal scene that flourished in the 1980s.
Featured on their debut album Out of the Cellar, the track’s heavy guitar riff with palm muting and its catchy melody—despite the heaviness—really get you pumped.
Some people might think metal songs have hard-to-understand vocals or are so fast you can’t tell what’s going on, but this track lets you enjoy the coolness of rock along with metal’s weight and depth.
It’s a great recommendation for metal beginners as well.
Where Dead Angels LieDissection
A signature track by Dissection, the pride of Sweden’s extreme metal scene.
It appears on the legendary masterpiece Storm of the Light’s Bane, released in 1995.
Its beautifully desolate melodies and dark, poetic lyrics create a breathtaking world.
Through themes of angels, darkness, and death, it portrays the fragility and solitude of human existence.
Imbued with Jon Nödtveidt’s profound sentiments, this work opened up a new frontier in black metal and continues to be beloved by many fans.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to experience metal’s raw ferocity and beauty at the same time.
I’m No FoolElegy
They are a five-piece from the Netherlands.
At the time, because this track was heavily pushed, they were thought to be a German-style band, but in fact they specialize in mid-tempo, progressive songs.
As you can hear in this track as well, the mysterious, floating sound created by the two guitars is a major hallmark of the band.
Introduction to Western heavy metal. Legendary songs that changed the history of metal (’81–’90)
One Of These DaysNARITA
NARITA is a technical group from Denmark.
You might wonder why a Danish band is called NARITA, but despite the somewhat sketchy-sounding name, they’re a straight-ahead heavy metal band with blazing twin guitars.
Their guitar work was so demanding that it became a hot topic in guitar magazines at the time.
You can catch a glimpse of that here in this track as well.
PapercutLinkin Park
From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, there was a boom in a music genre called nu metal.
Because it sold so extraordinarily well, countless similar bands were mass-produced, and the movement drew plenty of criticism.
Yet in the 2020s, more and more young bands are openly citing nu metal as an influence, and it’s worth emphasizing again that nu metal has firmly taken root as one of the foundational roots of the great tree that is metal.
Among the bands labeled as part of the nu metal wave, Linkin Park achieved massive success by skillfully weaving elements of electronica and hip-hop into tasteful band arrangements and wielding melodies so powerful they shake the heart.
Their impact on the scene was so great that many bands rushed to imitate their sound, and there was some backlash precisely because they became so overwhelmingly popular.
Papercut is the opening track from their debut album Hybrid Theory, released in 2000, which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
It’s a quintessential early-era track for them: a heavy sound infused with scratching and synced elements, featuring Mike Shinoda’s razor-sharp rap intertwined with the late Chester Bennington’s emotional melodies and shouts.
Even more than 20 years after its release, giving it another listen proves it’s still unbelievably cool.
Radio MagicEARTHSHAKER
A song by EARTHSHAKER, a heavy metal band from the Kansai region that was active from 1978 to 1994 and reunited in 1999.
It features heavy, fast-paced guitar riffs and an outstanding sense of freshness that permeates the entire track.
While the band’s sound is arranged in a quintessentially metal style, the catchy lyrics and vocal melodies make it a pop-leaning number that sticks in your head.
The Japanese lyrics also make it easy to listen to, so if you’re new to metal and unsure where to start, this is a track you should definitely try.
In conclusion
The 1990s, when grunge and alternative rock were at their peak, are often said to have been a difficult era for heavy metal. However, as you can tell from the tracks introduced here, a variety of subgenres were actually emerging at the time. The history of metal is still being written, and it will continue to move forward without stopping!