The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time
The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time is a book by Martin Popoff who is the editor in chief and writer of the Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine as well as the senior editor of bravewords.com. He also wrote The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time.
Popoff put together this book by requesting thousands of heavy metal fans, musicians, and journalists to send in their favorite metal songs. Almost 18,000 individual votes were tallied and entered into a database from which the final rankings were derived.
Martin Popoff then began interviewing the bands that made the final grade, reviewing each track and digging into the history of each song that made the final list.
Additionally, some of the top metal performers were polled and their lists displayed in the book. It also contains hundreds of quotes from dozens of well-known artists as well as several underground bands and artists who have left a mark on the metal scene.
The list
As described on Martin Popoff book the list includes the following songs:[1][2]
- Paranoid by Black Sabbath
- Master of Puppets by Metallica
- Ace of Spades by Motörhead
- Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
- Angel of Death by Slayer
- The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden
- Hallowed Be Thy Name by Iron Maiden
- War Pigs by Black Sabbath
- Back in Black by AC/DC
- Iron Man by Black Sabbath
- Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath
- Painkiller by Judas Priest
- One by Metallica
- Highway Star by Deep Purple
- Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
- Holy Wars... The Punishment Due by Megadeth
- Victim of Changes by Judas Priest
- Electric Eye by Judas Priest
- Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses
- Raining Blood by Slayer
- Creeping Death by Metallica
- Fade to Black by Metallica
- Highway to Hell by AC/DC
- The Trooper by Iron Maiden
- Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
- Balls to the Wall by Accept
- Peace Sells by Megadeth
- Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden
- You've Got Another Thing Comin' by Judas Priest
- Holy Diver by Dio
- For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica
- Shout at the Devil by Mötley Crüe
- Fast as a Shark by Accept
- Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath
- Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
- Enter Sandman by Metallica
- Stargazer by Rainbow
- Hells Bells by AC/DC
- The Last in Line by Dio
- Seasons in the Abyss by Slayer
- Burn by Deep Purple
- Cowboys from Hell by Pantera
- Beyond the Realms of Death by Judas Priest
- Symptom of the Universe by Black Sabbath
- South of Heaven by Slayer
- Rainbow in the Dark by Dio
- Detroit Rock City by KISS
- Walk by Pantera
- Child in Time by Deep Purple
- Seek & Destroy by Metallica
- Runnin' with the Devil by Van Halen
- Over the Mountain by Ozzy Osbourne
- Children of the Grave by Black Sabbath
- Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne
- Aces High by Iron Maiden
- Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
- Breaking the Law by Judas Priest
- Still of the Night by Whitesnake
- Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love by Van Halen
- Rock and Roll All Nite by KISS
- 2 Minutes to Midnight by Iron Maiden
- Hell Awaits by Slayer
- Lights Out by UFO
- The Four Horsemen by Metallica
- Pull Me Under by Dream Theater
- Hangar 18 by Megadeth
- Battery by Metallica
- Kill the King by Rainbow
- Into the Void by Black Sabbath
- Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
- Fight Fire With Fire by Metallica
- For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) by AC/DC
- You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
- Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Iron Maiden
- Black Metal by Venom
- Bark at the Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
- Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
- Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
- Killers by Iron Maiden
- Mr. Crowley by Ozzy Osbourne
- War Ensemble by Slayer
- Powerslave by Iron Maiden
- Hall of the Mountain King by Savatage
- Take Hold of the Flame by Queensryche
- Roots Bloody Roots by Sepultura
- Screaming for Vengeance by Judas Priest
- Photograph by Def Leppard
- Neon Knights by Black Sabbath
- Cemetery Gates by Pantera
- Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin
- N.I.B. by Black Sabbath
- I Wanna Be Somebody by W.A.S.P.
- Rock You Like a Hurricane by The Scorpions
- Live Wire by Mötley Crüe
- Revelations by Iron Maiden
- Rock Bottom by UFO
- 2112 by Rush
- Metal Health (Bang Your Head) by Quiet Riot
- Living After Midnight by Judas Priest
- Round and Round by Ratt
- Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden
- Blackout by Scorpions
- Whiplash by Metallica
- Unchained by Van Halen
- Doctor Doctor by UFO
- Wasted Years by Iron Maiden
- Overkill by Motörhead
- The Ripper by Judas Priest
- Queen of the Reich by Queensryche
- Hell Bent for Leather by Judas Priest
- Mouth for War by Pantera
- Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne
- Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth
- Tom Sawyer by Rush
- A Dangerous Meeting by Mercyful Fate
- Wrathchild by Iron Maiden
- Power and the Glory by Saxon
- Tyrant by Judas Priest
- I Want Out by Helloween
- Circle of the Tyrants by Celtic Frost
- Whole Lotta Rosie by AC/DC
- Ride the Lightning by Metallica
- Looks That Kill by Mötley Crüe
- Phantom of the Opera by Iron Maiden
- Dante's Inferno by Iced Earth
- Tornado of Souls by Megadeth
- The Mob Rules by Black Sabbath
- The Sentinel by Judas Priest
- Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
- Revolution Calling by Queensryche
- Disposable Heroes by Metallica
- Orion by Metallica
- Fucking Hostile by Pantera
- Youth Gone Wild by Skid Row
- Gates of Babylon by Rainbow
- Halloween by Helloween
- Hammer Smashed Face by Cannibal Corpse
- Mother by Danzig
- Eyes of a Stranger by Queensryche
- Sweet Leaf by Black Sabbath
- Am I Evil? by Diamond Head
- Wake up Dead by Megadeth
- Paradise City by Guns N' Roses
- No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne
- Sails of Charon by Scorpions
- Jump by Van Halen
- Flight of Icarus by Iron Maiden
- Freewheel Burning by Judas Priest
- Sinner by Judas Priest
- Where Eagles Dare by Iron Maiden
- No One Like You by Scorpions
- Metropolis - Part 1 by Dream Theater
- Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith
- Suicide Solution by Ozzy Osbourne
- Exciter by Judas Priest
- Achilles Last Stand by Led Zeppelin
- Sober by Tool
- Deuce by KISS
- I Love It Loud by KISS
- Children of the Sea by Black Sabbath
- Among the Living by Anthrax
- Helter Skelter by The Beatles
- Indians by Anthrax
- Sweet Child o' Mine by Guns N' Roses
- Swords and Tequila by Riot
- (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult
- I'm Eighteen by Alice Cooper
- Dream On by Aerosmith
- Easy Livin' by Uriah Heep
- Let There be Rock by AC/DC
- Denim and Leather by Saxon
- Emerald by Thin Lizzy
- Outlaw by Riot
- Heartwork by Carcass
- Eruption by Van Halen
- Orgasmatron by Motörhead
- Cat Scratch Fever by Ted Nugent
- Murders in the Rue Morgue by Iron Maiden
- Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
- Arise by Sepultura
- Hail and Kill by Manowar
- Damage Inc. by Metallica
- Gutter Ballet by Savatage
- November Rain by Guns N' Roses
- School's Out by Alice Cooper
- Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith
- Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
- Welcome to My Nightmare by Alice Cooper
- You Can't Kill Rock and Roll by Ozzy Osbourne
- Black Diamond by KISS
- Speed King by Deep Purple
- Eagle Fly Free by Helloween
- Caught in a Mosh by Anthrax
- Don't Talk to Strangers by Dio
- 18 and Life by Skid Row
- Something Wicked (Trilogy) by Iced Earth
- Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Blackened by Metallica
- Come to the Sabbath by Mercyful Fate
- Practice What You Preach by Testament
- Black No. 1 by Type O Negative
- Panama by Van Halen
- Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Restless and Wild by Accept
- Dead Embryonic Cells by Sepultura
- The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson
- Territory by Sepultura
- Welcome Home (Sanitarium) by Metallica
- The Zoo by Scorpions
- Sad But True by Metallica
- Wild Child by W.A.S.P.
- 5 Minutes Alone by Pantera
- The Toxic Waltz by Exodus
- Fairies Wear Boots by Black Sabbath
- Metal Daze by Manowar
- I Don't Know by Ozzy Osbourne
- Evil by Mercyful Fate
- (We Are) The Roadcrew by Motörhead
- A Question of Heaven by Iced Earth
- I Am the Law by Anthrax
- Would? by Alice in Chains
- Princess of the Dawn by Accept
- Cold Sweat by Thin Lizzy
- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC
- Princess of the Night by Saxon
- Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin
- Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
- Gypsy by Uriah Heep
- You Can't Bring Me Down by Suicidal Tendencies
- Mississippi Queen by Mountain
- Stand Up and Shout by Dio
- White Room by Cream
- Love to Love by UFO
- Man on the Silver Mountain by Rainbow
- Beyond the Black by Metal Church
- Sin City by AC/DC
- Angel Witch by Angel Witch
- Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy
- A Change of Seasons by Dream Theater
- Dreaming Neon Black by Nevermore
- Foolin' by Def Leppard
- Alison Hell by Annihilator
- Atomic Punk by Van Halen
- Stranglehold by Ted Nugent
- Working Man by Rush
- Hair of the Dog by Nazareth
- The Sign of the Southern Cross by Black Sabbath
- Dissident Aggressor by Judas Priest
- Trapped Under Ice by Metallica
- Satan's Fall by Mercyful Fate
- Stone Cold Crazy by Queen
- Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin
- Rust in Peace...Polaris by Megadeth
- Abigail by King Diamond
- Hole in the Sky by Black Sabbath
- Desert Plains by Judas Priest
- Chemical Warfare by Slayer
- Battle Hymn by Manowar
- Heading Out to the Highway by Judas Priest
- When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
- Dr. Feelgood by Mötley Crüe
- Seventh Son of a Seventh Son by Iron Maiden
- Only by Anthrax
- Kick Out the Jams by MC5
- God Save the Queen by Sex Pistols
- Crazy Night by Loudness
- Let It Go by Def Leppard
- Animal (Fuck Like a Beast) by W.A.S.P.
- Godzilla by Blue Öyster Cult
- After Forever by Black Sabbath
- Iron Fist by Motörhead
- This Love by Pantera
- The Writ by Black Sabbath
- Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
- Melissa by King Diamond
- We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
- Inner Self by Sepultura
- The Wizard by Black Sabbath
- Dead Skin Mask by Slayer
- Domination by Pantera
- The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown) by Judas Priest
- Limelight by Rush
- Resurrection by Halford
- Epic by Faith No More
- Heartbreaker by Led Zeppelin
- Meagalomania by Black Sabbath
- Don't Believe a Word by Thin Lizzy
- Grinder by Judas Priest
- Blinded by Fear by At the Gates
- 747 (Strangers in the Night) by Saxon
- Suite Sister Mary by Queensryche
- Screaming in the Night by Krokus
- Metal Heart by Accept
- Bonded by Blood by Exodus
- Snowblind by Black Sabbath
- Rock of Ages by Def Leppard
- Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine
- Cum on Feel the Noize by Quiet Riot
- Ride the Sky by Helloween
- I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister
- The Evil That Men Do by Iron Maiden
- Hot for Teacher by Van Halen
- D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) by Testament
- Episode 666 by In Flames
- The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy
- Mean Streets by Van Halen
- July Morning by Uriah Heep
- Modern Day Cowboy by Tesla
- Refuse/Resist by Sepultura
- Search and Destroy by Iggy and the Stooges
- I'm Broken by Pantera
- Perfect Strangers by Deep Purple
- Die Young by Black Sabbath
- Chainsaw Charlie by W.A.S.P.
- Metal Gods by Judas Priest
- Anarchy in the UK by Sex Pistols
- Supernaut by Black Sabbath
- Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
- Imaginations from the Other Side by Blind Guardian
- Mandatory Suicide by Slayer
- God of Thunder by KISS
- Pictures of Home by Deep Purple
- Look at Yourself by Uriah Heep
- I Don't Believe in Love by Queensryche
- Metal Church by Metal Church
- Space Truckin' by Deep Purple
- Rocket Queen by Guns N' Roses
- Tears of the Dragon by Bruce Dickinson
- Armed and Dangerous by Anthrax
- Space Station #5 by Montrose
- The Spirit of Radio by Rush
- Still Loving You by Scorpions
- Lost Horizons by Michael Schenker Group
- Sirens by Savatage
- Angry Again by Megadeth
- The Apparition by Fates Warning
- Keeper of the Seven Keys by Helloween
- Hollow by Pantera
- Shot in the Dark by Ozzy Osbourne
- Jesus Christ Pose by Soundgarden
- The Call of Ktulu by Metallica
- 22 Acacia Avenue by Iron Maiden
- Antisocial by Anthrax
- The Tower by Angel
- Lay It Down by Ratt
- Postmortem by Slayer
- It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) by AC/DC
- Disciples of the Witch by Testament
- Aqualung by Jethro Tull
- Cowboy Song by Thin Lizzy
- More Human than Human by White Zombie
- Davidian by Machine Head
- Shout It Out Loud by KISS
- Knocking at Your Back Door by Deep Purple
- Thunderstruck by AC/DC
- Wild Side by Mötley Crüe
- A Fine Day to Die by Bathory
- Cult of Personality by Living Colour
- Falling Off the Edge of the World by Black Sabbath
- All We Are by Warlock
- T.N.T. by AC/DC
- Long Live Rock 'N' Roll by Rainbow
- Running Free by Iron Maiden
- Harvester of Sorrow by Metallica
- Left Hand Path by Entombed
- High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night) by Def Leppard
- Angel of Death by Angel Witch
- Thunder Kiss '65 by White Zombie
- The Years of Decay by Overkill
- The Eagle Has Landed by Saxon
- Wheels of Steel by Saxon
- Lick It Up by KISS
- Desperate Cry by Sepultura
- Jesus Built My Hotrod by Ministry
- Ten Ton Hammer by Machine Head
- Welcome Home by King Diamond
- Killed by Death by Motörhead
- Blood of the Kings by Manowar
- I Am a Viking by Yngwie Malmsteen
- Trashed by Black Sabbath
- Riff Raff by AC/DC
- Future Breed Machine by Meshuggah
- I See the Light Tonight by Yngwie Malmsteen
- Sunshine of Your Love by Cream
- Becoming by Pantera
- The Prisoner by Iron Maiden
- The Ivory Gate of Dreams by Fates Warning
- Trial by Fire by Testament
- You're in Love by Ratt
- Outshined by Soundgarden
- Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll by Blue Öyster Cult
- Mean Streak by Y&T
- Love You to Death by Type O Negative
- My Last Words by Megadeth
- Misty Mountain Hop by Led Zeppelin
- Be Quick or Be Dead by Iron Maiden
- Stranger in a Strange Land by Iron Maiden
- Death or Glory by Holocaust
- Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
- Motorbreath by Metallica
- Badlands by Metal Church
- Nightfall by Blind Guardian
- Hit the Lights by Metallica
- Blood of My Enemies by Manowar
- Love Bites by Judas Priest
- I Am the Black Wizards by Emperor
- Zero the Hero by Black Sabbath
- I Don't Need No Doctor by Humble Pie
- The Wizard by Uriah Heep
- Assault Attack by Michael Schenker Group
- Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe
- All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Under the Blade by Twisted Sister
- Ogre Battle by Queen
- Sacrificial Suicide by Deicide
- Witchfinder General by Witchfinder General
- Rusty Cage by Soundgarden
- Talk Dirty to Me by Poison
- Poison by Alice Cooper
- In League with Satan by Venom
- Monkey Business by Skid Row
- God of Wrath by Metal Church
- Can You Deliver by Armored Saint
- Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots
- Attitude by Sepultura
- The Oath by Mercyful Fate
- Surprise! You're Dead! by Faith No More
- Man in the Box by Alice in Chains
- Anthem to the Estranged by Metal Church
- Can I Play with Madness by Iron Maiden
- Dethroned Emperor by Celtic Frost
- Bring the Noise by Public Enemy and Anthrax
- In My World by Anthrax
- Children of the Damned by Iron Maiden
- Mr. Brownstone by Guns N' Roses
- Too Hot to Handle by UFO
- You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll by Twisted Sister
- S.A.T.O. by Ozzy Osbourne
- Pull the Plug by Death
- To Live is to Die by Metallica
- Demanufacture by Fear Factory
- Say What You Will by Fastway
- Power of the Night by Savatage
- Black Night by Deep Purple
- Gypsy Road by Cinderella
- Low by Testament
- No Love Lost by Carcass
- Suffer the Children by Napalm Death
- War Machine by KISS
- Silent Screams by Halford
- The Final Countdown by Europe
- A Sorceror's Pledge by Candlemass
- Back in the Saddle by Aerosmith
- Girls, Girls, Girls by Mötley Crüe
- I Was Made for Lovin' You by KISS
- Rapid Fire by Judas Priest
- Rosin Dubh (Black Rose) A Rock Legend by Thin Lizzy
- Beneath the Remains by Sepultura
- Kiss of Death by Dokken
- At Dawn They Sleep by Slayer
- Slave to the Grind by Skid Row
- Genocide by Judas Priest
- La Villa Strangiato by Rush
- Rock the Nation by Montrose
- Countdown to Extinction by Megadeth
- Creatures of the Night by KISS
- Rats in the Cellar by Aerosmith
- Walk All Over You by AC/DC
- The Idol by W.A.S.P.
- And the Cradle Will Rock... by Van Halen
- The Thing That Should Not Be by Metallica
- She by KISS
- Madhouse by Anthrax
- Mean Man by W.A.S.P.
- Revolution Is My Name by Pantera
- Ride the Sky by Lucifer's Friend
- Still Life by Iron Maiden
- Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
- Tarot Woman by Rainbow
- Spiral Architect by Black Sabbath
- Suicide Nation by At the Gates
- Lack of Communication by Ratt
- Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
- All Right Now by Free
- The Mirror by Dream Theater
- Breadfan by Budgie
- Black Winter Day by Amorphis
- Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
- Bad Company by Bad Company
- Stormbringer by Deep Purple
- Thunder and Lightning by Thin Lizzy
- Metal on Metal by Anvil
- Gangland by Tygers of Pan Tang
- Green Machine by Kyuss
- Thus Spoke the Nightspirit by Emperor
- *Over My Head by King's X
- Wait and Bleed by Slipknot
- Bomber by Motörhead
- Powertrip by Monster Magnet
- Astronomy by Blue Öyster Cult
References
- Popoff, Martin (2003). The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time. ECW Press. ISBN 9781550225303.
- "What does r/music think of this "Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs Of All Time" list? : Music". Retrieved 2019-07-23.