Heavy Metal Film Music: In Order
Contents
This is a list of heavy metal film music in order of release date.
Introductory Paragraph
aggressive and intense music that is often associated with the metal subgenre of rock music. It is generally characterized by distorted guitars, drums, and vocals. Heavy metal film music is often used in action and horror films to intensify the scenes, create a sense of suspense, or provide comic relief.
The following list includes some of the most popular heavy metal film songs in order from most to least intense.
The Birth of Heavy Metal
It all started with Black Sabbath. Their self-titled debut album, released in early 1970, is widely considered to be the first heavy metal album. It laid the foundation for an entire genre of music, and its influence can still be felt today. Many of the bands that followed in Sabbath’s footsteps, such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, would go on to have hugely successful careers.
Metalheads
Heavy Metalheads is a documentary film about the history of heavy metal music, from its inception in the late 1960s to its present day popularity. The film features interviews with some of the genre’s most influential musicians, as well as rare footage of live performances.
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) emerged. The music was faster and more aggressive than what had come before, and it was often associated with a punk rock-influenced look and attitude. Bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead and Saxon were at the forefront of the movement.
The 1980s: The Decade of Heavy Metal
The year is 1980. A new decade has begun, and with it comes a new type of music: heavy metal. This genre is defined by its aggressive, distorted guitars, pounding drums, and screamed vocals. It is the perfect music to headbang to. And it is taking the world by storm.
The Golden Age of Heavy Metal
The1980s were the golden age of heavy metal. It was a decade that saw the birth of many of the genre’s most iconic bands and the release of some of its most classic albums. From Iron Maiden to Metallica, Judas Priest to Slayer, the 1980s were a hugely important decade for heavy metal.
The 1980s also saw the release of some of heavy metal’s most iconic films, many of which featured unforgettable film scores. Here are 10 essential heavy metal film scores from the 1980s, in chronological order.
Heavy Metal (1981)
Composer: Elmer Bernstein
Elmer Bernstein’s score for Heavy Metal is one of the most memorable and distinctive in all of film history, let alone heavy metal film history. The main theme, “heavy metal militia”, is an immediately catchy piece of music that perfectly encapsulates the film’s gonzo spirit.
The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
Composer: Lee Holdridge
Lee Holdridge’s score for The Sword and the Sorcerer is a little-known gem that deserves more attention. Full of huge, soaring melodies and Maiden-esque guitar riffs, it’s a sumptuous listen from start to finish. Highly recommended for fans of classic fantasy films scores.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Composer: Basil Poledouris
Basil Poledouris’ score for Conan the Barbarian is one of the most celebrated in all of film music, let alone heavy metal film music. Its main theme is instantly recognizable and has been covered by everyone from Metallica to Slipknot. If you’re looking for an entry point into classic film scores, this is it.
The New Wave of American Heavy Metal
The New Wave of American Heavy Metal (often abbreviated as NWOAHM) is a movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s that saw a number of heavy metal bands from the United States emerge onto the international scene.
One of the most influential bands of the NWOAHM was Metallica, who released their debut album Kill ‘Em All in 1983. The album’s aggressive sound and lyrics drew inspiration from New York hardcore and UK-based metals like Venom and Motörhead. Metallica went on to become one of the biggest metal bands in history, paving the way for other American bands to find success internationally.
Other notable NWOAHM bands include Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, panic! at the Disco and Testament. These bands combined elements of thrash metal, speed metal and hardcore punk to create a unique sound that would go on to influence future generations of heavy metal musicians.
The 1990s and Beyond: The New Millennium
The 1990s saw a renewed interest in heavy metal, with many bands from the 1980s making a comeback. This was also the decade when metal began to be divided into subgenres, such as nu metal, black metal, and death metal. The 1990s also saw the rise of metalcore, a hybrid genre that combines metal with hardcore punk. In the 2000s, metal continued to evolve, with new subgenres and subgenres of subgenres emerging.
The Rise of Extreme Metal
The early 1990s saw the rise of a new form of heavy metal music, often referred to as extreme metal. This style of music was characterized by its use of aggressive vocals, distorted guitars, and fast tempos. Extreme metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth became extremely popular during this time period.
However, the popularity of extreme metal would eventually decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was due in part to the rise of nu metal, a new style of music that combined elements of heavy metal with hip-hop and other genres. Many extreme metal fans felt that nu metal was not true heavy metal music.
Despite the decline in popularity, there are still many extreme metal bands active today. These bands have managed to maintain a loyal following among diehard heavy metal fans.
The New Wave of Swedish Death Metal
In the early 1990s, a new wave of Swedish death metal bands emerged. These bands, influenced by both American death metal and American hardcore punk, took the style in a new direction. The result was a more aggressive and brutal sound that quickly gained popularity in the underground metal scene. Some of the most well-known bands from this movement include Entombed, Dismember, and At the Gates.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the definitive ranking of heavy metal film music. Did we miss any classics? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other lists of the best metal songs and albums of all time.
