10 Classic Heavy Metal Songs You Need to Know

This list of 10 classic heavy metal songs is perfect for anyone who wants to get into the genre, or for longtime fans who want to revisit some of the genre’s best.

“Paranoid” by Black Sabbath

One of the most influential and well-known heavy metal songs of all time, “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath is a must-know for any fan of the genre. The song was released as a single in 1970 and quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the band’s most iconic tunes. Featuring Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums, “Paranoid” is a prime example of the heavy metal sound that would come to define a generation. With its signature riff and dark lyrics, the song has been covered by countless artists over the years and remains a staple of heavy metal culture.

“Ace of Spades” by Motorhead

“Ace of Spades” is a song by the British heavy metal band Motorhead. It was released as a single in 1980, and peaked at #15 in the UK Singles Chart.

The song is considered to be one of the most influential and iconic songs in heavy metal history, and has been covered by many artists.

The song is about gambling, and specifically poker. The “ace of spades” is the highest-ranking card in the deck, and thus represents the best hand that one can have.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of a gambler who is about to take on a big game, and is psyched up for it. He talks about how he doesn’t care about anyone or anything else, except for winning.

There are numerous references to cards and gambling throughout the song, making it clear that this is what the song is about.

The Ace of Spades also represents death, which fits with the theme of gambling, as it is a game where one can win or lose everything on one hand. This makes the stakes even higher, and adds to the excitement of the song.

The music video for “Ace of Spades” was released in 1981, and featured footage of the band playing live, intercut with footage of them gambling in a casino. This only added to the excitement surrounding the song, and helped to make it an instant classic.

“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne

This song is from Osbourne’s solo debut album, Blizzard of Ozz, released in 1980. It was the first single from the album, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it peaked at number

“Crazy Train” is one of Osbourne’s signature songs and is considered one of heavy metal’s most influential anthems. It has been covered by many artists, including Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth and Metallica.

“Breaking the Law” by Judas Priest

“Breaking the Law” is a song by British heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on their 1980 album British Steel. The song was written by bassist Ian Hill and singer Rob Halford, and produced by Tom Allom.

With its memorable opening riff and Halford’s snarling vocals, “Breaking the Law” became one of Judas Priest’s best-known songs, and has been a staple of the band’s live performances. In 2009, it was named the greatest heavy metal song of all time by VH1.

“The Trooper” by Iron Maiden

“The Trooper” is a song by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released as the lead single from their 1983 album Piece of Mind. The song tells the story of a cavalry soldier who is wounded in battle and left to die. Despite his injuries, he manages to make his way back to his regiment and warn them of an impending attack. “The Trooper” is one of Iron Maiden’s most popular songs and has been performed live at almost every one of their concerts since its release.

“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses

“Welcome to the Jungle” is the opening track from Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, Appetite for Destruction. The song was released as a single in July 1987 and reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by Axl Rose, Slash, and Izzy Stradlin and is one of the band’s most iconic songs.

The song is a classic example of the hard-rocking sound that made Guns N’ Roses one of the most popular bands of the 1980s. The song features Slash’s signature guitar riff and Axl Rose’s powerful vocals. “Welcome to the Jungle” is a classic heavy metal song that you need to know.

“Enter Sandman” by Metallica

“Enter Sandman” is the opening track from American heavy metal band Metallica’s self-titled fifth album, released in 1991. The song was written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, and was produced by Bob Rock. It features its now-famous opening riff, which is one of the most recognizable in rock music.

The song’s main themes are childhood nightmares and fear of the dark. It has been interpreted as a metaphor for the onset of puberty, with the “sandman” representing the Grim Reaper.

The song was an instant success, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming Metallica’s first top 20 hit single. It has since been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over two million copies in the United States.

“Painkiller” by Judas Priest

“Painkiller” is the opening track and single from British heavy metal band Judas Priest’s 1990 album Painkiller. The song was written by Glenn Tipton, Rob Halford and K.K. Downing. The single reached number 22 in the UK Singles Chart and number 6 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. A live performance of “Painkiller” was also included on the band’s 2001 live album, Rising in the East.

The song starts with an immediate drum roll by Scott Travis, which leads into a fast-paced double bass drumming pattern throughout the verse and chorus. The guitar riff that opens the song is one of Downing’s most famous, and is often cited as one of the best metal riffs of all time. The riff is played at a fast tempo and uses a lot of palm muting, which gives it a very aggressive sound. In addition to the double bass drums, there are also blast beats played by Travis during the verses.

Halford’s vocals are very powerful and range from high-pitched screams to lower register growls. Lyrically, the song is about a powerful being that comes to Earth to save humanity from destruction. The chorus features the repeated line “painkiller, painkiller”, which Halford has said is meant to represent the feeling of relief that this being brings.

The song’s music video was directed by Wayne Isham and features live footage of the band intercut with footage of various people in pain or suffering from injuries. It received heavy rotation on MTV’s Headbangers Ball program when it was released

“Symphony of Destruction” by Megadeth

“Symphony of Destruction” is a song by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released as a single from their fifth studio album, Countdown to Extinction (1992). The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1993. In 2009, it was ranked number 33 on VH1’s list of the “100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs”.

The song was written by Dave Mustaine as a response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The lyrics are critical of then-President George H. W. Bush and his handling of the incident. The music video features clips from news footage of the riots.

“Symphony of Destruction” has been widely praised by critics and is considered one of Megadeth’s best songs. It has been covered by several artists, including Disturbed, Godsmack, and Avenged Sevenfold.

“Holy Diver” by Dio

“Holy Diver” is a song by the heavy metal band Dio, released in 1983 on their album of the same name. The song was written by band members Ronnie James Dio and Jimmy Bain, and produced by Ronnie Lee Davis. It is one of the band’s most well-known songs, and is often considered a metal classic. The song peaked at number 11 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1983, and has been covered by a number of other artists.