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.

Intro to Western Heavy Metal: The iconic songs that changed metal history (31–40)

Born In A Mourning HallBLIND GUARDIAN

BLIND GUARDIAN – Born In A Mourning Hall

Born In A Mourning HallBLIND GUARDIAN

Many of BLIND GUARDIAN’s early songs are fast and straightforward, but among them, this track is a bit different in style, featuring a story with a clear beginning, development, twist, and conclusion within a single song.

It’s a dramatic masterpiece that connects to the BLIND GUARDIAN we know today.

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In My DreamsDokken

Dokken – In My Dreams (Official Music Video)

In My DreamsDokken

A song by the metal band Dokken, formed in the U.S.

in 1979 and centered around vocalist Don Dokken.

It begins with beautiful choral work, followed by a catchy metal-style guitar riff with palm muting.

The sleek guitar solo is both technical and mindful of the song’s flow, really amping up the energy.

With its pop-leaning melodies and standout harmonies, it’s an accessible track that even metal newcomers should find easy to listen to.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Wash It All AwayFive Finger Death Punch

Five Finger Death Punch – Wash It All Away (Explicit)

Wash It All AwayFive Finger Death Punch

It’s a song by a hugely popular American heavy metal band.

This track blends their signature heavy metal with European sonic elements, featuring technically intense guitar work and a resonant, highly skilled vocal performance that makes it a memorable classic.

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Last Ride Of The DayNIGHTWISH

Nightwish – Last Ride Of The Day (With Lyrics)

Last Ride Of The DayNIGHTWISH

It’s a song by a symphonic metal band that enjoys nationwide popularity in Finland.

With aggressive synth sounds, heavy guitar riffs, and powerful twin vocals, this track truly stands out as a classic of symphonic metal.

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Behind SpaceIn Flames

In Flames – Behind Space

Behind SpaceIn Flames

A song by the Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames.

While it is death metal, its defining characteristic is a sound that reflects influences from Swedish traditional folk, such as harmonized twin-lead guitar phrases and the incorporation of waltz-like rhythms.

This melancholic yet not merely aggressive track was one of the catalysts for the genre’s boom in Japan.

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Hoshino Takashi

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An Introduction to Western Heavy Metal: The Classic Tracks That Changed Metal History (41–50)

Roots Bloody RootsSepultura

Sepultura – Roots Bloody Roots [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Roots Bloody RootsSepultura

A song by Sepultura, a Brazilian metal band formed in 1984.

They began as a thrash metal band, but drew on the culture of their home country to create a distinctive sound.

In particular, their “tribal beat,” which blends percussion elements of folk music into the drum parts, has influenced metal drummers around the world.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Spotlight KidRainbow

RAINBOW – Spotlight Kid – LIVE IN JAPAN 1984 – No Intro

Spotlight KidRainbow

This is a classic track from Rainbow’s fifth album, Difficult to Cure (Japanese title: “I Surrender”), formed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore after leaving Deep Purple.

Since the album’s release, it has almost always served as the opener for Rainbow’s live shows.

With its uptempo rhythm, Joe Lynn Turner’s pop-leaning vocals, and the guitar-and-keyboard solo battle culminating in a thrilling unison section, it’s a masterpiece that distills the appeal of Rainbow’s lineup at the time.

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