The Best Heavy Metal Music and Videos of the Last 5 Years
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Check out our picks for the best heavy metal music and videos of the last 5 years. From classic metal to nu-metal and everything in between, there’s something for everyone.
Best Metal Albums of the Last 5 Years
Ghost – “Meliora”
Ghost’s third album, “Meliora” is a gorgeous and punishing record that represents the very best of heavy metal in the last 5 years. Released in 2015, “Meliora” is a concept album about the fall of mankind, and it is delivered with such passion and ferocity that it’s hard to believe this is the work of just one band. The musicianship on display is absolutely impeccable, with each track showcasing the talents of every member of Ghost. The production values are also top-notch, giving the album a polished and professional sheen that enhances its already considerable power. If you’re looking for an enthralling and brutal metal album that will leave you feeling both exhilarated and exhausted, “Meliora” is essential listening.
Metallica – “Hardwired… to Self-Destruct”
Metallica’s “Hardwired… to Self-Destruct” is one of the best metal albums of the last 5 years. It was released in 2016 and is their 10th studio album. The album was produced by Greg Fidelman and James Hetfield. It has a total of 12 tracks, with a running time of 79 minutes and 15 seconds.
Megadeth – “Dystopia”
Since forming in 1983, Megadeth has released 15 studio albums, with “Dystopia” being their most recent. The album was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, with many praising its mix of thrash metal and melody. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, making it their highest-charting album in 22 years.
Avenged Sevenfold – “The Stage”
Avenged Sevenfold – “The Stage”
Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage” is one of the best metal albums of the last 5 years. It was released in 2016 and it quickly shot to the top of the charts, becoming one of the most popular metal albums of recent years. “The Stage” features some of Avenged Sevenfold’s best songs, including “Hail to the King,” ” Nightmare,” and “God Damn.” The album is a must-listen for any fan of metal music.
Slayer – “Repentless”
Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo, and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer’s fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the founding “big four” bands of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Slayer’s current lineup comprises King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph and guitarist Gary Holt. Hanneman and Lombardo are inactive due to health issues.
“Repentless” is the twelfth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. It was released on September 11, 2015 through Nuclear Blast Records. It is the first album to feature guitarist Gary Holt of Exodus and drummer Paul Bostaph of Testament, replacing founding members Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo respectively. This is also the first album with producer Greg Fidelman since God Hates Us All in 2001.
The album artwork was created by Polish artist Jacek Okoniewski who has also created covers for Behemoth, Decapitated, Vesania and Origin among others. The artwork depicts two skeletons engaged in a knife fight; one skeleton is wearing a Nazi armband while the other skeleton is wearing a Prisoner of War armband.
The album’s lead single, “When the Stillness Comes”, was released on May 5, 2015. A music video for the song was released on June 15, 2015. “You Against You” was released as the second single on July 10, 2015 along with a lyric video for the song. A music video for the song “Pride in Prejudice” was released on August 20, 2015
Best Metal Songs of the Last 5 Years
It’s been five years since the metal world lost one of its most iconic figures: Dimebag Darrell Abbott. To commemorate his memory, we’ve compiled a list of the best metal songs and videos of the last five years. From classics like Metallica’s “Hardwired” to newer tracks like Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage”, these songs and videos represent the best of what the metal genre has to offer.
Metallica – “Hardwired”
Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica have become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold 110 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over. They are one of the most enduring metal bands of all time, and their music has only become more popular as the years have gone by.
“Hardwired” is the lead single from their tenth studio album, Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, and it is a return to form for the band after a few years of experimenting with different sounds. The song is a fast-paced, thrash metal track with a catchy chorus and some excellent guitar work from Hetfield and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett. It is one of the best songs Metallica have released in recent years, and it is sure to please fans old and new.
Ghost – “Cirice”
Released in 2015, “Cirice” is the first single off of Ghost’s third studio album, Meliora. The song peaked at number two on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart, making it the band’s highest charting single to date. “Cirice” is a classicGhost song, with haunting melodies, chugging guitars, and Papa Emeritus III’s menacing vocal performance.
Megadeth – “Dystopia”
Since their humble beginnings in the early 1980s, Megadeth has been one of the most enduring and influential bands in the heavy metal genre. Over the course of their career, they have released fifteen studio albums, five live albums, six compilation albums, and four EPs. “Dystopia”, the band’s fifteenth studio album, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive reviews from music critics.
Avenged Sevenfold – “The Stage”
Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage” is one of the best metal songs of the last 5 years. The song was released in 2016 as the lead single from the band’s seventh studio album, The Stage.
The song is a haunting and powerful metal anthem that features some of the best guitar work and vocal performances from the band. The lyrics are also some of the most thought-provoking and deep from any metal song in recent memory.
The song is a perfect example of why Avenged Sevenfold is one of the best metal bands in the world today. If you are a fan of metal music, then you need to check out “The Stage.”
Slayer – “Repentless”
Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarist Kerry King and drummer Dave Lombardo. Slayer’s fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the founding “big four” bands of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Since its debut album in 1983, the band has released fifteen studio albums and received multiple Grammy awards, including a total of five for Reign in Blood (1986), two for God Hates Us All (2001), as well as one each for South of Heaven (1988), Seasons in the Abyss (1990) and Christ Illusion (2006). Slayer has also played at several music festivals worldwide, including Unholy Alliance, Download and Ozzfest.
The band has seen several lineup changes throughout its career, with King and Hanneman being the only constant members. Lombardo left the band twice; once in 1986 following the recording of Reign in Blood due to his desire to play jazz fusion and spend more time with his second wife Sanae Yamada and young daughter GArjuna; he rejoined Slayer in 2002. Guitarist Jeff Hanneman died in 2013; he had been suffering from cirrhosis for many years. In 2015, Gilley was replaced by Exodus guitarist Gary Holt.
“Repentless”, released on September 11, 2015, is Slayer’s first album without Hanneman and their first studio album with Holt as a full-time member. It is also the band’s first album with producer Terry Date since Divine Intervention (1994). The title track was released as the lead single on June 2, 2015; a music video for the song features footage of late drummer Dave Lombardo drumming during his final tour with the band in 2013–14.
Best Metal Videos of the Last 5 Years
It’s no secret that heavy metal is one of the most popular genres of music. But what are the best metal videos of the last 5 years? In this article, we’ll count down the top 10 metal videos of the last 5 years, according to views, likes, and comments.
Metallica – “Hardwired”
Metallica’s “Hardwired” music video, released in 2016, is one of the best metal videos of the last 5 years. It’s a powerful, fast-paced song with an accompanying video that perfectly captures the intensity of the music. The video features quick cuts between shots of the band performing and footage of various people in chaotic situations, all struggling to survive. It’s a visually stunning and powerful video that perfectly represents Metallica’s music.
Ghost – “Cirice”
“Cirice” is a song by Swedish heavy metal band Ghost. The song was released as the lead single from their third studio album, Meliora, on 18 May 2015. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 58th Grammy Awards.
The music video for “Cirice” was directed by Roboshobo and released on 28 May 2015. The video features the band performing in front of a projected backdrop of religious artwork. It won the Kerrang! Award for Best Video and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 59th Grammy Awards.
Megadeth – “Dystopia”
Megadeth’s “Dystopia” is one of the best metal videos of the last 5 years. The video features a post-apocalyptic world where the band is fighting against a totalitarian regime. The video is full of action and has a great message about standing up for what you believe in.
Avenged Sevenfold – “The Stage”
Directed by Chris Hopewell, “The Stage” is a one shot video featuring the band performing in what appears to be an abandoned theatre. The video is meant to be a continuous shot, with no cuts or edits, however there are a few moments where the camera zooms in or out. The video was filmed in Los Angeles, California.
Slayer – “Repentless”
Slayer – “Repentless” is one of the best metal videos of the last 5 years. The video was released in 2015 and it is still one of the most popular videos on YouTube. The video has over 100 million views and it is one of the most liked metal videos of all time.
