Top 20 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time

Check out our featured song: "Empath" by Fayne! • Fayne - Empath (Offici...
Let down your hair, turn your speaks up to 11, and prepare to have your face melted! For this list, we’ll be ranking the most powerful, enduring, and definitive jams of the heavy metal world. Our countdown includes “Curse of the Pharaohs”, “Pull Me Under”, “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due”, "The Trooper", “Master of Puppets”, and more! What’s your preferred sound of heavy metal thunder? Let us know in the comments!
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#Music
#Rock
#HeavyMetal
#Pop
#Songs
#Metallica
#IronMaiden
#BlackSabbath
#JudasPriest
#Slayer

[@WatchMojo]

Check out our featured song: "Empath" by Fayne! kzbin.info/www/bejne/poakq6Okm8SqeKM What’s your preferred sound of heavy metal thunder? Let us know in the comments!

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Where's "Thunderkiss 65" by White Zombie? Where's Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy"?

[@erzaender]

crazy train

[@erzaender]

holy diver

[@UnbrokenFlame]

I review Metal albums on my channel if anyone is interested

[@whitleysdollhouse877]

All of them

[@gelanzl]

20. All we are - Warlock 19. Balls to the Wall - Accept 18. Burn in Hell - Twisted Sister 17. Abigail - King Diamond 16. Curse of the Pharaohs - Mercyful Fate 15. Witching Hour - Venom 14. Am I evil? - Diamond Head 13. Arise - Sepultura 12. Pull Me Under - Dream Theatre 11. Caugth in a Mosh - Anthrax 10. Holy Diver - Dio 09. Cemetery Gates - Pantera 08. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due - Megadeth 07. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne 06. Ace of Spades - Motörhead 05. Angel of Death (Reign in Blood) - Slayer 04. The Trooper - Iron Maiden 03. Pain Killer - Judas Priest 02. Master of Puppets - Metallica 01. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

[@weirdguy59]

Solid list, though I'd swap Dio with Slayer and Priest with Metallica.

[@davestarr4529]

Well thanks for spoiling it for the rest of us... give a warning next time man!

[@EddyRocker]

I'd put Painkiller above Master Of Puppets

[@thatsaysalotabout-man9547]

I would put tallica on as first, idk why but black Sabbath aren't that heavy to me

[@weirdguy59]

@@thatsaysalotabout-man9547Sorry dude, but this list doesn't exist without Sabbath.

[@muhammadrouhan6121]

Hallowed Be Thy Name is metal perfection. The soaring vocals, the riffs, everything.

[@Surrepio]

Best song ever made

[@ricknelson6405]

Any "best metal song" list that doesn't have Hallowed Be Thy Name in the top 3 is crap.

[@archaicimmemorial6388]

@@ricknelson6405 Any "best metal song" list that doesn't have One in the top 2 is crap. But then .... tastes are diferent....

[@cesarvera1633]

​@@archaicimmemorial6388one es malisima.

[@vasyad8195]

I don’t now how they prefer trooper black sabbath to that song man MoP and painkiller are TOP but hallowed be thy name is the GOAT

[@globetrekker86]

Although it’s an instrumental track, “Orion” is the fine wine of metal music

[@Sue_V]

That whole album was just fantastic. By far Metallica's best

[@globetrekker86]

@@Sue_V Absolutely

[@Waas]

Fucking amen brother.

[@JSPUFC]

Nah put some respect on Frantic

[@artstrutzenberg7197]

if you like instrumental, then should check out Joe Stump :D

[@DimashCastellucci]

I would love to hear these for the first time again… No particular order. Tool- Lateralus Tool - 46 & 2 Metallica - One Metallica- Master of puppets Metallica - Orion Porcupine tree- Arriving somewhere but not here Dream theater- Dance of eternity Therion - Clavicula Nox Haken - Cockroach king

[@EMal-mf9pc]

Personal Top 10 - Metallica 'For whom the Bell Tolls' -Iron Maiden 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' - Metallica 'Master of Puppets' - Iron Maiden 'Trooper' - Metallica 'Enter Sandman - Iron Maiden 'Run to the Hills' - Pantera 'Cemetery Gates' - Dio 'Holy Diver' - Black Sabbath 'Paranoid' - Black Sabboth 'Iron Man'

[@ГригорийЗолоторис]

first heavy metal song that i heard was iron maiden - aces high. from this song started my love for metal

[@DaidohYuzan]

Number one Iron Maiden song for me too, although I get to "metal" a year earlier with "I Wanna Be Somebody" by WASP, "Heavens On Fire" by Kiss and "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister, with added "Balls To The Wall" by Accept and "Shout At The Devil" by Motley Crue from the previous year.

[@kosmaso]

for me it was Bark at the Moon by Ozzy. Liked Maiden also.

[@countlessskies147]

Same here. I was 16 when I heard the opening riff on my radio and became a metalhead instantly.

[@DariusKhan]

If anyone reading this hasn't seen Black Sabbath live in Paris 1970, it is well worth watching. An amazing gig - hard to believe it's 52 years ago. War Pigs is incredible.

[@danielherrera4970]

Ñ

[@josecarrilloii4036]

I'd recommend *Faith No More's version* on *"The Real Thing" (1989)* instead.

[@fatcatbros5969]

fr sad war pigs wasnt even on the list

[@skarmanriffs]

Something amazing man

[@stephenhogue5567]

I got into Black Sabbath in 1973 too young to see them in concert!

[@nitro_001newman2]

Black Sabbath may be the beginning of heavy metal, but Judas Priest is what developed it into the 80’s and beyond. They made the fashion, the look, and the duo lead guitars. They even motorcycles a symbol of metal. They were hell bent for leather.

[@christophergase1468]

Hey WatchMojo, Your list was way better than I expected. Thanks

[@cousinstu]

Agreed. Pleasantly surprised.

[@JakeFromCLE]

Likewise. I clicked this thinking I'd be disappointed and subjected to a bunch of surface-level, barely-metal songs but this was legitimately a good and varied list.

[@dzela459]

Like W.A.S.P In even mentoin i was just hoping to see that

[@chrisharlin7096]

Solid list

[@josecarrilloii4036]

☝ *"OBJECTION!"* ☝ - *Klavier Gavin,* "Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney" (2007; 2008 for Western releases). *(slams wall)* *Nien!* Black Sabbath's title track from their *eponymous debut album (1970)* *DOESN'T deserve* to be in the top spot! *Metallica's "Master of Puppets" (1986) should be #1* instead! *(slams wall)* *THAT'S real heavy metal!* -- Edit(s): • English translation: *"No!"*

[@kellywiebe646]

Mine: #5 - Metallica - Master of Puppets #4 - Iron Maiden - Flight of Icarus #3 - Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance (Though Painkiller, Hellion/Electric Eye, and a FEW others JP tracks could hold that slot) #2 - Slayer - War Ensemble Honorable Mentions: Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales Cro-Mags -Malfunction Heaven and Hell - Cover of Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell (totally counts) Rainbow - Man on the Silver Mountain GWAR - Sick of You KISS - God of Thunder #1 - Black Sabbath - War Pigs.

[@AcidifiedMammoth]

Flight of Icarus is stuck in my mind. Been listening to it constantly for 2 days now.

[@adrisheri0767]

Flight of Icarus is good, Revelations is better

[@AcidifiedMammoth]

@@adrisheri0767 Nothing beats Paschendaele though. My God! That song is so well done! The storytelling, the detailed description of the battlefield, singing, drums, bassline and guitar solos all put so creatively across a 7 minute track. Very complex and entertaining. Very well done that one.

[@kellywiebe646]

@@adrisheri0767 two things: 1: those are *MY* picks 2: Since, I assume, they limited every band on the list to one entry, every band I listed there could have as many as a dozen entries on the list, with no "wrong" answer.

[@adrisheri0767]

@@kellywiebe646 Sorry that my answer sounded like I dont accept other oppinions but I only wanted to say that I perfer Revelations than Flight of Icarus

[@AngelOfDeath1986]

Without Black Sabbath, a lot of these bands, songs, and genre's wouldn't exist now 🥀💜💜🥀

[@tntfreddan3138]

Black Sabbath created Metal. Judas Priest perfected it.

[@kevingregory5579]

We can thank Tony’s missing finger tips.

[@thomasc.5219]

@@tntfreddan3138 no way in hell did Judas Priest perfect heavy metal. Are they a good band, yes. But that's it. Just good.

[@jefff3886]

Agreed, but let's not forget Deep Purple.

[@sbridge3432]

Damn. I just started it. Black Sabbath isn't on this list?

[@Michael-gf2dy]

There are so many amazing songs, that a Top20 doesn't do it justice. This list is also contains no Power-Metal with classics like "Helloween - I want out" , "Manowar - Battle Hymn" and "Running Wild - Port Royale".

[@guillermogarciaparra2844]

Americans are so unjust with Power Metal, the only genre that continued the legacy of the 80s metal scene...

[@TiagoNomad]

Happy to see Sepultura getting some recognition. They’re freaking legends.

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

WE SHALL ARISE!

[@Big_B2184]

agree'd, but i would have picked propaganda over arise tho

[@kaloyanpivanov]

Yes

[@pietrayday9915]

I expected something way "safer" and more "mainstream" or "politically correct" out of the list - it was quite a nice surprise to see Sepultura, Slayer, Venom, King Diamond and Mercyful Fate, Motorhead on there: you'd be hard-pressed to find a better introduction to the more underground side of the metal spectrum! And, I was delighted by the unlikely choice of Warlock on this list - Warlock's lead singer Doro Pesche has been singing gritty, '80s style metal anthems and ballads perfectly straight and unironically without giving in to fads tor almost 40 years, even through those lean decades when old-school metal bands were cashing in, selling out, and hanging up their denim and leather to get real jobs because glam metal, thrash metal, groove metal, death and black metal, prog metal and djent, and all the other fads came and went, while grunge, alternative rock, and pop-punk all pretty much took metal's lunch through the ''90s. Even Sabbath, Maiden, Priest, and other evergreen traditional metal acts that managed to keep going over the years struggled to find a niche in the changing fortunes of metal, without adapting in ways that would leave them unrecognizable, while Doro just kept on going, doing what she seemed to love best for a very long and uninterrupted career, while almost nobody in the rock press and so on seemed to notice. Great to see her at her '80s best on a list like this alongside much better-known bands of the era, where she might find a younger audience!

[@BharatIndoria]

Under a pale grey sky, we shall Arise... one of the best albums from the band.

[@bertieblack5639]

I was so shocked when Master Of Puppets only got to #2 - and then I saw who was picked for #1. Yeah, fair enough :')

[@coryjohnson8318]

I'm more of a Fade to Black guy, but to pick Black Sabbath/Black Sabbath over War pigs or Paranoid is blasphemy.

[@josecarrilloii4036]

"Master of Puppets" *should've been #1* instead of the title track to Black Sabbath's eponymous debut album!

[@josecarrilloii4036]

@@coryjohnson8318 I'd suggest *Megadeth's version* of the song *"Paranoid."*

[@sweetrobertos]

Nah. Master is way overrated. Metallica has a bunch of better songs.

[@ceithor]

@@coryjohnson8318 Or "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath", my favorite song of theirs.

[@digitalatom6433]

I'll be honest: if somebody asked me: "what's heavy metal?" I'd immediately put on Painkiller and tell them: "If you want to listen to good heavy metal, this is your standard candle right here." Because Judas Priest have always been the gatekeepers to the genre. They have some songs that are more digestible and easy to listen to, like Electric Eye or Breaking the Law, but if you want to get to the real heavy stuff, that's the song you gotta listen and headbang to. And once you got that, a whole world opens up, and you may gain an ear for the big 4 and many other related bands, included in this list and outside of it. And it's at that point when you hear people covering these songs in much softer styles and just stick out your tongue in disgust and immediately change the radio channel, saying that those people don't get what it's all about and they're just butchering the original. In most cases, anyway, IMO.

[@josecarrilloii4036]

Nah, *Metallica's* the best. 🤘🇺🇸☠🇺🇸🤘 -- Edit(s): • Not just Metallica, but also *Megadeth,* *Slayer,* *System of a Down,* *Pantera* (groove-metal era; 1990-2000), *Korn,* *Disturbed,* etc.; essentially, *_any American_** heavy-metal band.*

[@truthseeker7001]

Damn right, brother! The Painkiller album is such a brilliant expression of metal in its purest form. I'm so thrilled that this was the first comment I saw as I've often felt that Painkiller is underappreciated by metalheads. Even some Priest fans give more love to British Steel - which is indisputably a monumental metal album - but Painkiller was Priest at the top of their game.

[@sadboi7537]

Should just play them Stained Class from front to back. That’ll do the trick.

[@matthewtaylor1785]

@@sadboi7537 Beyond the Realms of Death is one of my top 3 favorite songs so I can support this

[@tntfreddan3138]

Right after that: The Book of Heavy Metal by Dream Evil. That is a Metal anthem if I've ever heard one.

[@jerryhoward4191]

I was born in 79 but have developed a great love for all types of music, especially old heavy stuff! This is one of the coolest lists I've seen!!! These guys have truly done their homework in the sense that they really know what makes people happy. I love 75% of these and hope y'all do too!! Awesome❣️❣️🤓😁

[@kassyh117]

Most of these songs are songs of my childhood and teenage years Some parents make you listen to soft stuff... and there's my father who put on Metallica, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest to wake me up to go to school and whose ringtone was Rammstein's Du Hast The reaction during parents-teachers meetings in my private catholic school when his phone vas ringing was priceless ! Best songs ever and best dad ever !

[@johnanderson9765]

That's rude awakening, but my brother woke up to heavy metal in his teen and college years.

[@curtisfranzen986]

Ya! Back in the day I dated a girl from a "Christian" family. I'm a long haired Metal Head. Even worse than that to them, is that I'm Catholic. They hated me. Good Christians, right? Well push/shove, I showed girlfriend's parents the lyrics of Creeping Death. Further pointed out that the song is based on the Book of Exodus. They hated me even more after that. Good riddance.

[@James-155]

@@curtisfranzen986 favorite tallica song bro haha funny ass story glad you got out of there dawg🤘🏾🔥

[@curtisfranzen986]

If you want just coffee, go to Duncan. They have a nice selection in several sizes. Plus, you can always grab a double chocolate as a treat for yourself.

[@haileytriest7439]

🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@apolodord1439]

So happy to see W.A.S.P. and Grim Reaper in there! They’re both sooo underrated!

[@hudedwards8943]

Headless Children was a great album 👍🏻

[@ThePaJomaster]

Master of Puppets is my #1, but Black Sabbath's influence (read: creation) of heavy metal can't not be acknowledged

[@stone1andonly]

Though you apparently *can* ignore The Beatles role in creating heavy metal - it was a little song called "Helter Skelter."

[@raymondparisza5094]

@@stone1andonly to be fair, there is also Led Zepplin who are rightfully at least the godparents of metal. Jimmy Page's guitar with Plants screams on Immigrant Song are the blueprint for metal. Throw in Dazed and Confused, Kashmir, and Moby DIck and you have Metals roots in one band.

[@cal6145]

@@raymondparisza5094 can’t forget communication breakdown on Led Zep 1

[@electrickid101]

Queen invented thrash metal with the song stone cold crazy

[@josephgledhill7046]

yeah master of puppets is a good one

[@erichowry7197]

Big 80's metal fan!!I love all these songs! What a great time to grow up!!

[@chaosapiant]

SO damn happy to see Toxic Waltz by Exodus on here! Also glad to see Master on here instead of Sandman. Overall, I usually have complaints with these types of lists, but this is a very solid top 20.

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

there is absolutely no way Sandman would have been on the list; commercially successful, but no where near Metallica's best!. Most of the tracks on Puppetz could have been taken really, if Master of Puppets didnt exist that is

[@sadboi7537]

Exodus finally getting some type of credit. Literally one of the most underrated thrash bands of all time.

[@lancermaza6726]

Give some love to Overkill too. Those guys keeping true since forever.

[@curtisfranzen986]

@@alyssinwilliams4570 Also, Creeping Death should be considered. Damnit I'm going to have to listen to it now.

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

@@curtisfranzen986 I especially like the live version of it from Live Shit Binge & Purge, the mexico city concert. That whole concert is amazing

[@russells6234]

My Top Five Favorite Heavy Metal Songs Of All Time: 5) Reign Of Fire - Armored Saint 4) 7th Of Never - Chastain 3) The Lost Child (The Heretic) - W.A.S.P. 2) The Last In Line - DIO 1) PAINKILLER - JUDAS PRIEST

[@TobenVonFreiheit]

It's hard to fault this list. I would like to have seen Alice Cooper represented in the list but honestly, being as much of a metal fan as I am, I don't think I could possibly even begin to narrow down such a list. Well done WatchMojo.

[@balgus82]

LOVE Cooper, but aside from Raise Your Fist And Yell and maybe Brutal Planet, he's more hard rock than metal.

[@WatchMojo]

Thanks!

[@luptoneous]

Alice Cooper isn't heavy metal.

[@Jannes-pj4cd]

Alice cooper is more hard rock than metal. He’s a legend as well 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@thereturnofdarthcaedus]

@@luptoneous alice cooper may not be heavy metal but without him he helped metal music yes he may not be heavy metal but stil he needs respect and he helped inspire lots of bands we do have today what about dio i dont think dio is heavy metal i consider him to be more hard rock not heavy metal yet he was in black sabbath i dont hate dio but i dont think hes true heavy metal dio reminds me of alice cooper plus i prefer the orginial black sabath lineup with ozzy ward butler tony

[@jeffkuipers1030]

i saw Dio in concert in 1985 as a sophomore in high school and still listen to them today.

[@СергейНужных-ю2я]

Я тоже с тех лет слушаю Dio. А видел его на концерте в 2005 году

[@theagentofdusk2382]

Every song by Death is a masterpiece, their later albums are extremely deep aswell.

[@sadboi7537]

They are one of only a handful of bands that have a flawless discography. Every album is amazing. Not a stinker in the bunch.

[@burny6666]

You should check out Chuck's side project ''Control Denied''. The song ''Expect the Unexpected'' is a master piece.

[@ferchoromo7184]

Every album by Death is a masterpiece

[@alexisberger6177]

@@ferchoromo7184 every chuck album*

[@MrCopenhagen113]

@@sadboi7537 Honestly Death and BoltThrower are about the only two with a flawless discography i can think of

[@BlackMetalNomad82]

Glad to see King Diamond represented in this list! The album, "Abigail," is legendary on its own.

[@trekuhl3966]

The song Black Sabbath is one of my all time favorites especially the influence of classical music on the band and the riff inspired by Mars Bringer of War by Gustav Holst.

[@sicness0]

You are right!! Black Sabbath is unarguably what started it all. The most important heavy metal song ever

[@nikkiLee-hf6gx]

nope. In A gadda da vida predates Sabbath and is surely a metal song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sicness0]

@@nikkiLee-hf6gx but it wasn't nearly as successful as this song

[@nikkiLee-hf6gx]

@@sicness0 so first doesnt count unless its more successful?? i thought being first was about, i dont know, being first??? lol

[@sicness0]

@@nikkiLee-hf6gx I clearly said the most important heavy metal song ever. Was your song any important at all?

[@nikkiLee-hf6gx]

@@sicness0 you ALSO clearly said, "You are right!!! Black Sabbath is unarguably what started it all." you are wrong and it is clearly arguable!!! As a fact In A Gadda Da Vida is MUCH more important. it has out sold Black Sabbath album out right. the entire black sabbath first album has sold 7.5 million in its life time. in a gadda da vida sold more than 10 milllion in 1968 alone, making it the biggest selling album OF ALL TIME at that point, and has sold over 30 million total. over 4 times BIGGER than black sabbath. looks like you were wrong on both points.

[@avd_designs_]

Love seeing Dream Theater here, Pull Me Under is so good!

[@georgeworshington4120]

W.A.S.P is so criminally underrated it’s insane. None of these geeks know how amazing they are

[@kyndread71]

WASP got an Honorable Mention towards the end. I do agree, they are underrated.

[@aprilskutt974]

My little sister and I were watching MTV one day when we were young teens. My mom walked in and caught us singing along to Balls To The Wall. Our mom was upset to say the least.

[@ThomasMuller-jb5lh]

Here is my favourite Hard Rock/Heavy Metal List: 20. AC/DC - Let me put my love into you (from Album: Back in Black) 19. PAVLOV'S DOG - Theme from subway sue (from: Pempered Menial) 18. RAINBOW - Long live Rock'n Roll (from: Long live Rock'n Roll) 17. REP SPEEDWAGON - Back on the road again (from: Nine Lives) 16. EAGLES - Hotel California 15. FLEETWOOD MAC - I'm so afraid (1978 live version) 14. UFO - Lights out (from: Strangers in the night - live) 13. AYREON - Day 19 (from: The Human Equation) 12. DEMON - Don't break the circle (1988 Remix) 11. KISS - I was made for lovin you (1993 live version) 11. DREAM THEATRE - Pull me under (from: Images and Words) 10. METALLICA - One (from: And Justice for All) 09. MOTLEY CRUE - Kickstart my heart (from: Dr. Feelgood) 08. MOTÖRHEAD - Overkill (from Overkill) 07. RUSH - Force ten (from R30 live) 06. SCORPIONS - The Zoo (from: Comeblack 2011- not from Animal Magnetsim 1978) 05. STAR ONE - Starchild (from Space Metal) 04. BLUE ÖYSTER CULT - Black Blade (from: Cultosäurus Erectus) 03. WASP - The idol (from: The Crimson Idol) 02. MEAT LOAF - Paradise by the Dashboard light (from: Bat out of Hell) 01. MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND - Mighty Quinn (from Album "Watch" You see: Here is a mistake. This are 21 songs, not 20.

[@Hammerhead547]

No mention of: Keeper Of the Seven Keys by Helloween, Rebellion In Dreamland by Gamma Ray, Unholy Wars by Angra, Empire by Queensryche. The Great Misconceptions Of Me by W.A.S.P.. Wheels Of Steel by Saxon. Wish I Had An Angel by Nightwish, Paradise (What About Us) by Within Temptation. Practice What You Preach by Testament. Monkey Business by Skid Row. Gods Of Violence by Kreator. The Years Of Decay by Overkill. The Vice Of Killing by Sodom. Suicide Messiah by Black Label Society. Attack Of The Mad Axeman by The Michael Schenker Group. A Pleasant Shade Of Grey by Fates Warning. Consign To Oblivion by Epica. Kree Nakoorie by Alcatraz. Rising Force By Yngwie Malmsteen.

[@zackjohnson9928]

God gave rock and roll to you by kiss

[@pedro-oq7iy]

IMO: The Best of each band - Black Sabbath: Paranoid. - Judas Priest: Victim Of Changes. - Iron Maiden: Wrathchild. - Deep Purple: Space Truckin' - Accept: Balls to The Wall. - Sepultura: From The Past Comes the Storm. - AC/DC: Back In Black. - Motorhead: Iron Horse. - Saxon: Denim and Leather. - Motley Crue: Looks That Kill. - Manowar: Die For Metal. - Ozzy: Shot In The Dark. - Dio: Rainbow in the Dark. - Metallica: For Whom The Bell Tolls. - Megadeth: Holy Wars. - Van Halen - Running With The Devil. - Anthrax: A.I.R. - Slayer: At Dawn They Sleep. - Exodus: Lesson In Violence. - Overkill: Use Your Head. - Municipal Waste: You're Cut Off. - Tankard: Zombie Attack. - Venom: Bloodlust. - Death: The Philosopher. Some good underground stuff for y'all: Witchfynde - Cloak and Dagger. Acid - Prince Of Hell and Fire. Oz - Fire in Brain.

[@pamelaflanigan5935]

Blind Guadian does need an honorable mention, as their contribution to the Metal sound's awesome!

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

And Rhapsody.

[@garrywolfe6077]

Just awesome choices guys - well done - so many more to choose from but I can't disagree with any of these - great job!!

[@shawnnichols6051]

This list is truly outstanding...but Quiet Riot Bang Your Head has to be on here so make it top 25. Add Exodus Toxic Waltz, Helloween I Want Out, Motley Crue Shout at the Devil, Queensryche Eyes of a Stranger. Other honorable mentions Dokken Heaven Sent, Overkill Welcome to the Gutter, Savatage Hall of the Mountain King, Scorpions Rock You like a Hurricane. Oh hell make it Top 50!!!

[@patmctallica3522]

You`re on the wrong train, dude! Read the topics first before writing! Its Metal not Gay L.A. Metal ranking here!

[@robburg473]

Good job WatchMojo! Definitely a hard list to argue with!

[@PlacidDragon]

While the majority of these countdown lists are (in my humble opinion) utter crap, this one is actually very very good. Kudos to those that compiled it :)

[@apollyonthedestroyer4107]

Some more honorable mentions (in no particular order): -Slipknot - Disasterpiece -Lamb of God - Redneck -As I Lay Dying - Confined -Korn - Blind -Candlemass - Demon's Gate -L.A. Guns - Shoot for Thrills -Angel Witch - Angel Witch -Pagan Altar - Judgement of the Dead -Queensryche - Eyes of a Stranger -Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King -White Zombie - Supercharger Heaven -Overkill - Hello From the Gutter -Death - Zombie Ritual -Tool - Forty-Six and Two -Helloween - I Want Out -Ministry - NWO -Dimmu Borgir - Mourning Palace -Hatebreed - This is Now -System of a Down - Sugar -Disturbed - Prayer -Sevendust - Black -Mudvayne - Not Falling -Suicide Silence - You Only Live Once -Killswitch Engage - Rose of Sharyn -Amon Amarth - Cry of the Black Birds -Otep - Rise, Rebel, Resist -Lorna Shore - Of the Abyss -Messhugah - Demiurge -Cannibal Corpse - Hammer Smashed Face -Lacuna Coil - Spellbound -Ghost - Cirice -Nightwish - Wishmaster -Parkway Drive - Bottom Feeder -Cradle of Filth - Lilith Immaculate -Avatar - Hail the Apocalypse -Dir en Grey - saku -The Sword - Black Swan

[@Cacle900]

Disasterpiece was the first heavy metal I ever heard immediately spent the rest of the two days listening to heavy metal

[@CatsOverBrats]

I didn't expect to find King Diamond / Mercyful Fate on this list but I'm very happy that I did. I've been a fan of him for 30 years. One of our Danish treasures even if he doesn't live in this country anymore.

[@Grandizer8989]

This is the first Mojo list that I’ve seen where most people are in unison with their approval. Maybe doing a Top 20 instead of 10 helps.

[@nostrilnick]

Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath and "The Devil's Tritone". Iommi was genius for using this ancient musical interval to kick off their amazing catalog of music. Really set the tone for what was to come.

[@missano3856]

There used to be a tradition in my home town(Fargo ND) that whenever a band played, regardless of genre, someone would yell "play some fuckin Slayer"

[@SAiNTmoop]

Yeah Du Hast should be in the top 20 not a honorable mention

[@Yamikitsune]

Agreed

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

Im not the biggest Rammstein fan (in that, I like them, but dont know them inside out), but Id put Sehnsucht above Du Hast

[@conanthebasset5792]

What a selection! The glorious Metal heritage of a Golden Age. The days we all were young. Thanx for your compilation.

[@mikehopkins2625]

I think it’s fitting that Black Sabbath would have the number one spot. I can’t tell you how many interviews I’ve seen of heavy metal artists saying how much they were influenced by Sabbath. I thought that was a good pick.

[@Jeferson1075]

My top 10 would be: hours concurs: Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin 10- Holy Diver- Dio 9- Mother-Dazing 8- Highway Star- Deep Purple 7- Crazy Train- Ozzy 6- Enter Sandman- Metallica 5- Princess of the Dawn- Accept 4- Hallowed Be thy Name- Iron Maiden 3- Stargazer- Rainbow 2- Ace of Spades - Motorhead 1 - War Pigs - Black Sabbath

[@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291]

As a heavy metal historian I just know this list will piss me off if I watch this.

[@jimbo9208]

it will not

[@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291]

@@jimbo9208 I stand corrected. While I might not agree with the whole list I was very surprised at their submissions.

[@Mr_Oggie]

@@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291 Yeah, I clicked on this and assumed it was going to be... some of the all time obvious ones that would be on a list like this, but then a bunch of crap to flesh it out. Overall it was a decent list although for more than a few entries I would have picked a different song and maybe more called it "TOP 20 METAL BANDS"

[@clutch44444]

From what I've heard, I'd include: 5 Minutes Alone - Pantera The Thing That Should Not Be - Metallica The Arms of Sorrow - Killswitch Engage The Bastard Son - Monolord Regenerate - Fear Factory Demanufacture - Fear Factory Disruptor - Fear Factory Descent - Fear Factory Demiurge - Meshuggah ObZen - Meshuggah Lethargica - Meshuggah Literally everything from Death The Seer - Bismarck

[@radsk8rbigollies594]

Randy Rhoades really was a talented tasteful guitarist taken too soon from us all.

[@dragonqueen6589]

My Top 20 metal songs - 1. Dark are the veils of death -Candlemass [From 1987 release Ancient dreams] 2. What you give is what you get - Ratt (From 85 release invasion of your privacy] 3. Architecture of Aggression - Megadeth [From 1992 release Countdown to extinction] 4. Fury - Yngwie Malmsteen [From 86 release Trilogy) 5. Electric eye - Judas Priest [From 82 release Screaming for vengeance] 6. Noize level’z Critical - Tigertailz (from 90 release Bezerk] 7. Lone Justice - Anthrax (from 85 release Spreading the disease) 8. Headed for a heartbreak - Winger [From 88 s/t debut] 9. Bang bang (balls of fire) - Kix [from 85 release Midnite Dynamite] 10. In my dreams - Loudness [from 87 release Hurricane eyes] 11. Heavy metal will never die - Mindless Sinner [From 84 release Master of evil] 12. Love Kills - Lizzy Borden [from 86 release Menace to society] 13. Violent crimes - Riot [From 82 release Restless breed] 14. Nothin’ for nothing - Cinderella [From 86 release Night songs] 15. Heart the Hunter - Great White [From 89 release twice shy] 16. Dream of a lifetime - Lillian Axe [From 88 s/t debut] 17. Danger Zone - Quiet Riot [From 83 release Metal health] 18. Jack Action - WASP (from 85 release The last command] 19. The calling - Leatherwolf (From 87 s/t sophomore. Best instrumental track Trilogy suite Op. 5 20. And… justice for all - Metallica

[@danielferrieri7434]

Top Ten Popular Songs that went from Loved to Hated

[@MetalHeadCobra420]

That’s genius!

[@staikan]

the picks for this list totally surprised me, good job! i was expecting judas priest to be on here as well, but its hard to argue which song they would replace.

[@excelsiormoviereviews]

I’m not a huge Savatage fan, but Hall Of The Mountain King deserved at least an honorable mention.

[@thebadgerzoo]

Greatly under-appreciated band

[@excelsiormoviereviews]

@@thebadgerzoo true and later the basis for T.S.O.

[@guillaumeshearmur656]

No, no, no... Number 1 is Deep Purple's 'Child in time'. No heavy metal list is complete without this song

[@doomsoko]

For a list so controversial... this one is really good! And the song selection itself "best vs famous ones" is welcomed

[@peterdergrosse3355]

Great compilation that shows the awesomeness and versatility of metal. Glad to see Doro and Accept in there. Gave me goose bumps.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

"Darkness! Imprisoning me! All that I see! Absolute horror! Ruh-ruh-ruh-rah-ruh! Rah-ruh-rah-ruh! I don't know all the words!" ~ Griffith

[@Demaad]

I cannot live! I cannot die! Tapped in Myself! Body, my holding cell! Landmine! Has taken my sight! Taken my speech! Taken my hearing! Taken my arms! Taken my legs! Taken my soul! Left me with life in Hell!

[@cridgeway666]

"One" of Metallica's best, but IMO (Welcome Home) Sanitarium is their absolute best song

[@larsongame4120]

@@cridgeway666 Sanatorium is so underrated

[@larsongame4120]

Creeping death is another one of mine outside The Black Album along with Fade to Black

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

@@cridgeway666 one of my top-5, though not #1 Im afraid. That whole damned album is insanely good

[@rodrigoslfernandes]

Great list ! I tend to agree with this selection,..... Maybe I would add UFO in the list (Doctor, Doctor). Good Job guys !

[@storytimewithunclebill1998]

Looks pretty good to me. Thanks for the rock out session. Was fun to watch. Great video

[@electrickid101]

Pantera , with it’s combo of power anger and solos was an essential part of my metal experience !

[@kevinfrench1238]

This is a list that can be redone a million times by a million different people and never be the same but still is a very respectable list

[@ricketyhermit2831]

Cemetery Gates deserved a top 5, not a fact but definitely an opinion. Coming from a fan of everything between Tchaikovsky and Bach through Glenn Miller and Fatts Waller all the way to Trap Rap and Country, Cemetery Gates is one of the BEST pieces of music to have EVER been written.

[@artofcinematography2840]

Yeah, agree, Also good to see another metal fan loving bach, he's my favorite musician of all time.

[@claytonbaker49]

For once on one of these lists, Motörhead gets acknowledgment!

[@harrycane7352]

They truly belong there. Always said Ace of Spaces is one of the greatest Heavy Metal songs EVER.

I’m a progressive metal fan and I was disappointed Queensryche didn’t make the list. I was surprised, yet happy Dream Theater made it.

[@Rikrik1138]

Queensrÿche’s NM-156 is hands down one of the coolest dual guitar solos ever recorded. So overlooked.

[@spectranv]

Stargazer only being in honorable mentions is an absolute crime. Hands down one of the best songs I’ve ever heard in my life, it’s an absolute banger

[@RipCityJB]

Top 5, easily.

[@henrikg1388]

Not to mention that it shouldn't be called proto-Heavy Metal. It is arguably the song that created Heavy Metal. Black Sabbath, alright, but it was still a bit psychedelic hippie-style heavy rock before Dio came along.

[@jimmylamboy4550]

So far the best list I had heard 🙌. Anyone can say that this or that song is better, for each bands, but the list of all this bands/artists is almost, if not, perfect!!

[@apelike]

If I have to explain metal to anyone in just one song, I'd pick "Painkiller" -- glad to see it on the list and near the top... there is no more complete metal song, showcasing everything from the riffs, to the arpeggios to the high vocals. It's the pinnacle of metal. The perfect metal song.

[@agnosticindian1975]

So True Friend 👍 Start to end non-stop energy flow in purest form

[@harrycane7352]

You are absolotely right. Nothing can ever come come close to this masterpiece. Bottom line.

[@magicsteve5523]

My personal top 20 20. War pigs - Black Sabbath 19. Leprosy - Death 18. Welcome to Hell - Venom 17. Chopped in half - Obituary 16. The Exorcist - Possessed 15. Black Magic - Slayer 14. Motörhead - Motörhead 13. Painkiller - Judas Priest 12. AIR - Anthrax 11. These boots cover - Megadeth 10. Strike of the beast - Exodus 9. Cosmic Sea - Death 8. Duality - Slipknot 7. Cemetery Gates - Pantera 6. Seek and destroy - Metallica 5. The trooper - Iron Maiden 4. Peace sells but who’s buying - Megadeth 3. Hallowed be thy name - Iron Maiden 2. Holy wars the punishment due - Megadeth 1. Master of Puppets - Metallica

[@hamamotodesigns]

I'm glad dream theater made the list. Love the instrumental song "erotomania". Ahh..megadeth, pantera, metallica, slayer...the good ol days of music

[@periklaskyriakidis6064]

My list 1. Crazy Train 2. Ace of Spades 3. Holy Diver 4. Hallowed Be Thy Name 5. War Pigs 6. Creeping Death 7. Raining Blood 8. Walk 9. Master of Puppets 10. Holy Wars 11. Angel of Death 12. Cum On Feel The Noize 13. Am I Evil 14. You've Got Another Thing Coming (or Electric Eye or The Sentinel imo) 15. Balls To The Wall 16. Indians 17. Return to Serenity 18. Wild Child 19. The Toxic Waltz 20. I Want Out 20+1: Davidian 20+2: Aerials Warning: Not my favourites, most important, best and favourites combined (that's why I put Davidian and I Want Out and other)

[@jeffsparkes3430]

Motorhead may have done a few songs that could be classed as Heavy Metal, but overall in the grand scheme of the career of Motorhead they were Rock n Roll

[@sgommerable]

Great job, well presented. Nice research, you're obviously a fan

[@maxxcouri4949]

I wouldn’t call this list Top 20 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time, more like Top 20 Most Popular Heavy Metal Songs because most of these songs are not the bands greatest just their most popular in my opinion.

[@maxxcouri4949]

Still a good list though

[@siats142]

Well yeah, but like, they say they were focusing in their most known tracks

[@Zoddttv]

Agreed but I think this is there most realistic list thus far

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

Would you like me to go down the list and point out each time the narrator says that it wasnt the bands most popular or best known song? I mean, it was most of the list.

[@ramonapetermann9585]

My first encounter with Metal came with "Paranoid" from Black Sabbath, and now I am 66, still love their music. Together with Paradise Lost and "True Belief".

[@hipstereagle6050]

As a metalhead I like the choices! Going for the fan favorites instead of the obvious ones fans have been tired of hearing

[@j3rribur679]

I cant say I agree with this list completely.

[@thomasnewton8997]

I remember seeing iron maiden live they were amazing

[@thrashmetalhead88]

I'm 13 and saving my money up to see them in Columbus, Ohio in October.

[@hudedwards8943]

Seen them 9 times over the years, last show was last year. Up The Irons🤘🏻

[@juliestrehl3357]

September will be 41 for me.

[@a.j.santiago303]

Good list. My honorable mentions would include: •Stryper-Soldiers Under Command •Testament-Practice What You Preach •Metal Church-Badlands

[@sireddie9797]

Souls of black by testament is better

[@a.j.santiago303]

@@sireddie9797 I just heard that song yesterday!

[@curtisfranzen986]

I just went to the video of OZZY and METALLICA LIVE. I did this after someone said Rob Halford was the voice of Heavy Metal. NO, OZZY IS!!! His voice is completely unique. There is no mistaking an OZZY song.

[@GoldGauntletComix]

Wow!! Excellent list! I never thought you'd hit the metal this hard. Great list!

[@Leatherface123.]

Black Sabbath are #1 no matter what, they win, they created metal, they own metal

[@colincheshire6366]

I love Sabbath, but saying they’re best because they’re first is really dumb, that’s like saying the first caveman to bang rocks together is the greatest musician ever, but sabbath is still one of the best

[@Leatherface123.]

@@colincheshire6366 they inspired everyone after them so

[@Worminator_Worm]

@@Leatherface123. does that mean they're better tho? Not entirely. Just because someone created a genre doesn't mean they were the best at it. Ex Black Sabbath, but Judas Priest knew how to do better and therefore smashed them

[@666mephistophelesgaming]

Bro black Sabbath isn't heavy at all.

[@dakidskidboxer5631]

They had a big influence on metal yes but you can't leave out Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Judas priest who shaped metal. And they're far from the best too.

[@jamesfair8979]

Huge Doro fan so nice you gave Doro/Warlock the recognition she/they deserve.Nice list, good you didn't just pick the obvious or mainstream, good to give others the respect they deserve.

[@WatchMojo]

Thank you very much!

[@paulhabrelewicz5226]

Iron Maiden is the best metal band of all time!!!

[@Jannes-pj4cd]

I love Iron Maiden and Sabaton. Those are my favourite metal bands 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@kennethferrari5232]

A few more honorable mentions. Astronomy by Blue Oyster Cult, Watch the Children Pray by Metal Church, The Haunting by Testament, Winged Assasins by Anvil, and No Deposit, No Return by Wrathchild America.

My top 20 (no ranking) (1) Enter sandman - Metallica (2) Bring me to life - Evanescence (3) Holy diver - Dio (4) Paranoid - Black Sabbath (5) Heaven and Hell - Heaven and Hell (6) I want out - Helloween (7) Madhouse - Anthrax (8) Hanger18 - Megadeth (9) Down with the sickness - Disturbed (10) I wanna rock - Twisted Sister (11) The metal - Tenacious D (12) Run to the hills - Iron Maiden (13) Poison - Alice Cooper (14) Pull me under - Dream Theater (15) Bleed - Meshuggah (16) Square hammer - Ghost A.D. (17) Ace of spades - Motörhead (18) Breaking the law - Judas Priest (19) Hard rock hallelujah - Lordi (20) Crazy train - Ozzy Osbourne

[@cockybalboa2]

"Oh lord yeah" was a nice little ode to a song that SHOULD have been number 1, War Pigs.

[@sjnix7044]

20: Anthem...yes. Top 20 of all time? Nah. 19: OK, sure. 18: Important, but not top 20 17: YES! (one of the best concept albums of all time) 16: Ya 15: Maaaybe? Important for sure. (Celtic Frost Morbid Tales fits here better) 14: More important for the influence it had than its "greatness." 13: Yep 12: Yep 11: Definitely 10: HELL YES! 9: 100% Untouchable 8: HELL YES! 7: Undeniably Top 10 6: YES! 5: SLAAAAAAYEEERRRRRRR 4: HELL YES! 3: Band yes, song choice? Ehhhh.... 2: YES YES YES. #2 is where this belongs 1: Undeniable. The FIRST true heavy metal song The first third of this list is shaky but #13 to #1 is spot on. Props to WM for even attempting a list like this because outside of K-Pop stans, you won't find a more opinionated group of music lovers than in metal.

[@1504Shawn]

1. Hallowed be thy Name 2. War Pigs 3. Master of Puppets 4. Victim of Changes 5. Holy Wars

[@akhoce]

Ugh Hallowed Be Thy Name is so good

[@76RCJ]

Hallowed be thy name is my all time favorite. Warriors of the world unite would be a close second.

[@clareofarrellwilliams2958]

One of the best list's I have seen and heard, So yep so down with this list, :-) .

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I think that Dio had a far better voice than Ozzy!

[@kn.3996]

Absolutely agree

[@archibaldsalyards926]

No question!!! Way more range. MOB RULES is my favorite definition of Heavy Metal. And DIO was a gracious kind and generous person. Got to live STARGAZER and MISTREATED also.

[@christophermollan1684]

A thrashterpiece!!!!!! Best description I've heard for thrash metal EVER!!! btw this is one of the best heavy metal lists I've ever seen...Finally!!!

[@alltheworldsastage]

Not a bad list…. And I get why they didn’t get into the nitty gritty of the massive amounts of subgenres… There is logic in keeping such a list focused on what was popular, what are the standards of the genre, what songs established a bedrock for the genre…etc. so I have no qualms that they didn’t get into the weeds of this or that black metal band or this melodic death band.. But, if you’re gonna make a list and give it the “of all time” label… at least try to include a track or two released in the last 30 years. Bands like Tool/System of a Down/Opeth/Gojira/Meshuggah/Stapping Young Lad/Mastodon/Behemoth/Deafheaven/Avenged Sevenfold/and even Ghost have been seminal names of the genre over the past couple of decades and have had that mainstream appeal that fits how WM constructs their lists. To ignore 30 years of a genre is a bit criminal. I think a top 20 of “modern” heavy metal songs (1995-present).. is needed. (And even then selecting from 30 years is gonna be rough.. should have done it by decade.

[@RoGueNavy]

Excellent job, including Twisted Sister. And even better, selecting a song that isn't "I Wanna Rock", or "We're Not Gonna Take It"!!

[@pietrayday9915]

I'm not going to say anything is wrong with including either "I Wanna Rock" or "We're Not Gonna Take It", but those are the songs that new metal fans of the era might have tuned into that album for out of curiosity, while "Burn in Hell" was the song we stayed for!

[@marcelovera8004]

I was always very critic about metal watchmojo lists, but I am very impressed how well done this list is!

[@frodoamadeusgobel9749]

To see Warlock/Doro on this List made me very happy. I love her- a Doro concert was my first "bigger" concert at 17 and I somehow ended in first row and got a handshake and a you are lovely from Doro. So fond memories. I still listen to metal and sometimes still to Doro. 29 years later.❤

[@andreapackfan6977]

I'm really glad no one was around to watch me, a 60-year-old fast approaching little old ladyhood, thrashing to this list this morning, lol.