Heavy Metal Music Videos: Full Length Features
Contents
Looking for some new heavy metal music to check out? Here are full-length features of some of the best heavy metal music videos out there.
Introduction
Welcome to my guide to full length heavy metal music videos! This guide will provide you with a list of some of the best full length heavy metal music videos available, as well as some information on each video.
I have divided the videos into two sections: new releases and classics. In the new releases section, you will find videos that have been released within the last five years. In the classics section, you will find videos that are considered to be timeless classics within the genre.
I hope you enjoy this guide and find some great new music to enjoy!
Metallica – “One”
“One” 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). Written by band members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield, “One” is an anti-war song that portrays a World War I soldier who has lost all three of his limbs and is now unable to speak or see. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1989. The music video for “One” was directed by Bill Pope and released in 1989. It won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Metal/Hard Rock Video in 1990.
Megadeth – “Symphony of Destruction”
This is the Megadeth video for “Symphony of Destruction” from the album Countdown to Extinction. The video was directed by Wayne Isham and released in 1992.
Slayer – “Raining Blood”
Slayer – “Raining Blood” is ametal music video by American band Slayer. It was released in October 1986 as the lead single from their second studio album, Reign in Blood (1986). The song is one of Slayer’s best known, and is considered a classic in both the thrash metal and metal communities. It is also one of the band’s most influential songs. The song’s music video, directed by Don Argott, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 1987.
Anthrax – “Indians”
“Indians” is a song by American thrash metal band Anthrax, released as the second single from their third studio album, Among the Living (1987). The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1988. It is one of the band’s best-known songs and is a staple of their live performances. The lyrics were written by guitarist Scott Ian in response to the controversy surrounding Native Americans and the Washington Redskins.
Alice in Chains – “Would?”
Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr, who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez. Although widely associated with grunge music, the band’s sound incorporates heavy metal elements. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released five studio albums, three EPs, two live DVDs, four music videos and 32 singles. The band is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals of Staley and Cantrell.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s. The band’s first album, Facelift (1990), was a huge success upon its release and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The success of the album led to Alice in Chains being invited to open for Guns N’ Roses on their Use Your Illusion Tour in 1991. “Would?”, a single from the album Facelift, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1992. After undertaking another tour with Guns N’ Roses as well as touring in support of their own album, Alice in Chains released Dirt (1992). The album was extremely successful; it debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. Its dark subject matter and bitter tone greatly contrasted with the more lighthearted songs that were prevalent at that time in rock music. “Them Bones”, “Angry Chair”, “Rooster”, and “Would?” were released as singles; each one enjoyed considerable airplay on radio stations specializing in rock music.
In 1993, following tours to support Dirt, Alice In Chains released its fourth EP Sap (1992), which entered the Billboard 200 chart at number seven and was eventually certified double platinum by the RIAA. The EP featured acoustic versions of some of the songs on Dirt (“Would?”, “Rooster”, and “Down In A Hole”), as well as two new tracks: “Got Me Wrong” and “Right Turn”. This release helped sap fan interest in an eventual follow-up full-length album; it would be nearly three years before one appeared.
On April 20, 2002 Layne Staley was found dead at his home in Seattle after having been missing for two weeks; he had died of a drug overdose earlier that month. The remaining members decided to continue without him; they recruited William DuVall to take over lead vocals and recording started on what would become Alice In Chains’ fourth studio album Black Gives Way To Blue (2009). With DuVall now on board full-time this marked a new chapter for Alice In Chains; they are currently working on material for a fifth studio album which is expected to be released sometime in 2013.
Pantera – “Walk”
Pantera – “Walk” from the album Vulgar Display of Power. Directed by Karl Stern. Released on August 10, 1992.
Sepultura – “Roots Bloody Roots”
Sepultura – “Roots Bloody Roots”
Released in 1996
From the album “Roots”
Director: Thomas Mignone
Brazilian metal band Sepultura shot this video in the Amazon rainforest near their home base of Belo Horizonte. The visuals are a perfect match for the song’s themes of ancestry and native culture, with the band members performing amidst tribal rituals and lush green vegetation.
Machine Head – “Davidian”
Machine Head – “Davidian” is a music video from the album Burn My Eyes, released in 1994. The video features the band performing the song live, interspersed with footage of them headbanging and interacting with fans. It was directed by Kevin Kerslake and produced by Bionic Jive Films.
Lamb of God – “Redneck”
Lamb of God is an American metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randall Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler. The band is considered a significant member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal movement.
“Redneck” is a song by American heavy metal band Lamb of God. The song is the second single from their fifth studio album Sacrament. The song peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, number 45 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 4 on the UK Rock Chart. The song won Best Metal Performance at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.
The music video for “Redneck” was directed by Don Tyler and premiered on December 18, 2006. It features live footage of the band intercut with footage of a man being chased by a group of rednecks through a cornfield. The man escapes by diving into a river and swimming to safety.
Conclusion
After watching dozens of heavy metal music videos, we can confirm that they are, indeed, full length features. We feel confident in saying that you can expect most music videos to be between three and five minutes long, with some exceptions running a bit shorter or longer. But regardless of length, all of the videos we watched were full length features.
