Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

An introduction to Western heavy metal: the masterpieces that changed the history of metal

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Music producer, composer, vocal coach, keyboard playerKei Takahata
From around 1995 to 2000, he built experience as a composer and producer at a major label, then moved to the United States. In Los Angeles, he studied vocalization and singing under top voice trainer Elizabeth Sabine, mastering the so-called Hollywood vocal method she advocated. After returning to Japan, he trained and produced a variety of singers, earning high praise for his direction that maximized the appeal of both the songs and the vocalists. In a collaboration video with Guild’s vocalist ryuichi, he handled keyboard performance, vocal direction, and sound production. (Passed away in 2025)

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.

Introduction to Western Heavy Metal: Legendary Tracks That Changed Metal History (21–30)

Them BonesAlice In Chains

Alice In Chains – Them Bones (Official HD Video)

Them BonesAlice In Chains

“Them Bones” is one of the heaviest songs by the American metal band Alice in Chains.

The band falls under the genre known as grunge, and its dark, cold atmosphere becomes addictive once it grabs you.

The standout features of this track are Layne Staley’s shouted, repeated “Ah!” right from the start, and the crushing guitar that rushes in, using a technique called down-tuning to lower the pitch.

Also, if you find metal songs too fast in tempo, this one isn’t particularly fast, so it’s a good recommendation.

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UnisonicUnisonic

UNISONIC (Kai Hansen & Michael Kiske) Official Video

UnisonicUnisonic

This is a signature song by the German metal band featuring Kai Hansen, who helped found the German metal scene, and Michael Kiske, known for his astonishing high-tone vocals.

The track is a classic, combining a driving, high-speed drum beat with shining melodic guitar work.

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Emerald SwordRhapsody

Rhapsody-Emerald Sword

Emerald SwordRhapsody

A song by the Italian symphonic metal band Rhapsody.

Although the band has repeatedly changed its name and split into different lineups, this track remains one of their signature songs and can be said to epitomize the genre.

Ferocious metal instrumentation is layered with symphonic-style choral parts, resulting in a composition that is both weighty and majestic.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Waking The DemonBullet For My Valentine

Bullet For My Valentine – Waking The Demon (Official Video)

Waking The DemonBullet For My Valentine

It’s a famous song by an alternative metal band that enjoys great popularity in the UK.

The track is a classic, featuring heavy, intense guitar sounds characteristic of heavy metal, along with striking vocals that alternate between death growls and resonant clean singing.

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Black DiamondStratovarius

Stratovarius – Black Diamond

Black DiamondStratovarius

A song by Stratovarius, a power metal band from Finland.

It opens with a classical intro featuring a beautiful harpsichord timbre, then surges ahead with a fast-paced rhythm, topped by melodic, soaring high-pitched vocals that are pleasing to the ear.

The dueling guitar and keyboard solos are another highlight—this is a quintessential example of so-called Nordic metal.

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Hoshino Takashi

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