Heavy Metal Music: The Best Instrumental Songs
Contents
Looking for the best instrumental heavy metal songs? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top tracks from some of the genre’s greatest bands.
Introduction
Since the early days of metal, Instrumental songs have been an important part of the genre. Heavy metal is known for its aggressive sound and often features distorted guitars, double bass drums, and growling vocals. But it can also be powerfully beautiful, as these 10 best instrumental metal songs show.
From the unrivaled technical mastery of Racer X to the atmospheric soundscapes of Alcest, these songs prove that metal is just as capable of creating gorgeous music without vocals as it is of headbanging anthems. So turn up the volume and enjoy some of the best instrumental metal songs ever recorded.
Best Instrumental Songs
“Orion” by Metallica
“Orion” is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the third and final single from their fourth studio album, …And Justice for All (1988). The song was written by guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and is one of the band’s most acclaimed tracks. It features a distinctive lead guitar performance by Kirk Hammett, and has been included in several lists of the greatest heavy metal songs.
“The Call of Ktulu” by Metallica
This song was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Cliff Burton, and is one of the most popular songs off of Metallica’s 1984 album Ride the Lightning. “The Call of Ktulu” is an instrumental track that features some amazing bass work by Burton, who was known for his skill on the instrument. The song is named after a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, and it’s one of the best examples of Metallica’s early thrash metal sound.
“In the Name of God” by Dream Theater
“In the Name of God” is a song by Dream Theater, released as the lead single from their album Octavarium. The song was written by John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy, and is one of the band’s most popular tracks.
The song is an instrumental, with no lyrics, and is one of the band’s few songs to feature no vocals at all. The song is based around a distorted guitar riff, with a heavy drum beat and keyboard accompaniment. The song builds to a crescendo, with Petrucci’s guitar solo being one of the highlights.
The song has been described as a “metal anthem”, and has been praised for its technical proficiency and complex structure. It is considered to be one of the best examples of Dream Theater’s progressive metal sound.
“Octavarium” by Dream Theater
“Octavarium” is an instrumental song by Dream Theater. It was released as the lead single from their album of the same name. The song is eight minutes and forty-six seconds long, making it the second-longest song in Dream Theater’s history, behind their live version of “A Change of Seasons”.
The song is in the key of D major and is in 4/4 time signature. It starts with a piano solo by Jordan Rudess, which is then joined by the rest of the band. The song builds up to a heavy metal guitar solo by John Petrucci. The last minute of the song consists of an acoustic guitar solo by Rudess.
“Octavarium” was well-received by critics. Allmusic described it as “a return to epic form”, while Guitar World praised Rudess’ piano playing and Petrucci’s guitar work. Ultimate Guitar also praised Petrucci’s guitar work, calling it “amazing”.
“The Great Gig in the Sky” by Pink Floyd
One of the best-known and loved instrumental songs in heavy metal history, “The Great Gig in the Sky” by Pink Floyd is a perfect example of what a great metal song can be without any vocals. The track is an emotional rollercoaster, featuring both soft and heavy moments that are sure to please any fan of the genre.
Conclusion
So there you have it – some of the best instrumental songs in heavy metal history. These songs showcase the virtuosity of the genre’s best musicians, and they are sure to get your head banging. So crank up the volume and enjoy!
