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: Legendary Tracks That Changed Metal History (21–30)
PsychosocialSlipknot
A track by Slipknot, the large metal band whose members all wear masks and jumpsuits.
Parts like samplers and turntables are used effectively, making it more than just a heavy number.
The contrast between ferocious screamed vocals and melodic singing is addictive, resulting in a richly expressive song with plenty of highlights.
AmerikaUriah Heep
RAMMSTEIN may not be very well known in Japan, but they’re popular enough to sell out stadiums in the United States and Europe.
This song carries a strongly satirical message aimed at America, which is clearly reflected in its music video.
It also fits well with the mechanical sound characteristic of industrial metal.
Intro to Western Heavy Metal: The iconic songs that changed metal history (31–40)
BlindKorn
Even in the 2020s, Korn remain in full force, with a long-awaited new album slated for release in 2022.
It hardly needs saying that they debuted in 1994—the year Kurt Cobain passed away and the grunge boom rapidly faded—and went on to spark the late-’90s nu-metal movement, achieving major commercial success.
As the anecdote goes, the Japanese edition of their self-titled debut barely sold upon release in Japan, yet the band’s sound—intertwining tricky riffs from two seven-string guitars, a bass defined by slapping with a fierce attack, drums full of ghost notes and complex grooves, and frontman Jonathan Davis’s anguished vocals that seem to shoulder America’s darkness—went far beyond merely fusing metal and hip-hop.
It was something so alien that it could only be described as KORN.
It’s true that traditional heavy metal fans criticized them amid the nu-metal boom, but from the mid-2010s onward, metalcore and deathcore acts began to incorporate sounds that clearly reflect Korn’s influence, and I feel their achievements deserve renewed recognition.
Among their early signature songs, Blind is a true masterpiece that opened up new possibilities in the history of heavy metal—and alternative rock at large—and its singular originality will never fade.
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.
Freezing MoonMayhem
A track by Mayhem, a Norwegian metal band that epitomized the early black metal scene and earned a fervent global following with their highly ferocious sound.
The song appears on their long-delayed debut album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, whose release was pushed back due to a series of shocking incidents, including a band member’s suicide and a murder.
The relentless blast-beat drumming and a guitar solo that conveys a sense of foreboding make the fusion of their unique worldbuilding and performance quality addictive.
It’s a dark number that represents the band’s early period and expanded the expressive range of the metal genre.
In The EndBlack Veil Brides
It’s a track by a popular American band known for their full-body makeup reminiscent of the legendary heavy metal band KISS and their progressive LA metal sound.
This song is a classic, featuring melodic, accessible vocals and standout, well-crafted guitar melodies.
…To Be LovedPapa Roach
It’s a popular song by a well-known American alternative metal band.
The track is a classic of heavy metal, featuring a driving, fast-paced drum beat, heavy metal-style guitar riffs, and vocals with a distinctive distorted edge.