Kai vs Loudwire (in advance): The 3 greatest metal songs from each year of the 00s
Loudwire haven't made this article yet, but you know it's coming so I figured I might as well beat them to the punch. As with the previous article, what I feel are the three best songs from each year. With an equal mixture of objectivity (commerciality, youth relevance) and personal opinion weighed into my decision.
Oh, and no I won't be putting a Running Wild song in every year this time. I refuse to acknowledge people trying to hide drum machines. If there's a song you really don't like in 2000, sub it out for "When Time Runs Out" or something. So let's go holy diving.....
2000:
You over-emotional weirdos can keep your Ghost Love Scores and your Elans and your Amaranths to yourselves. THIS is peak Nightwish. Yes it's because it's speed metal, yes its because it shreds. Yes its because it proves that Stratovarius kinda sucked and sometimes the ripoff band is better than the real thing. For those of you that wonder what Nightwish could have been had they decided to turn this underrated scorcher into a lifestyle, check out my beloved Lovebites. And perhaps half of Frozen Crown's catalog.
For many CoB fans, this Follow The Reaper closer is the centerpiece of the Finnish symphonic thrashers catalog. For me personally, it doesn't quite beat "Towards Dead End," for similar purposes to this song. Yeah I know Towards Dead End didn't make the 99 list, guess what, neither did anything from At The Heart of Winter or Battle of Los Angeles. Complain to someone who cares. In any case "Kissing The Shadows" is cream of the crop Alexi Laiho songwriting and blending of just about every metal sub-genre known to man. Culminating with the greatest guitar solo you've heard in 15 years.
I'll talk endless shit to System of a Down, I'll talk endless shit to Linkin Park, I'll talk endless shit to Deftones, but even I'm not crazy enough to cross the Electric Wizard crowd. Nah, but "Funeralopolis" owns the solar system. Even the hilarious contrarians at Cumtown put respect on its name:
The build from near ballad softness to Jus Osborn's deranged concluding meltdown of "THIS WORLD IS SO FUCKED, LETS END IT TONIGHT!" is a masterclass in stoner dynamics. Hell it's a masterclass in dynamics period.
Honorary mention: Black Label Society- Counterfeit God
I don't care what anyone says, Black Label Society is a great band. Overabuse of pinch harmonics and everything. Those first 5 albums were just as good as anything Running Wild or Gamma Ray or Electric Wizard made. This lead single from the second album, Stronger Than Death shows Zakk going on an anti-religious tear. A message that is sadly more relevant today that it was 25 years ago with the rise of christo-fascism.
2001:
Sigh, fine. Fine. Fine. FINE. I suppose if you squinted hard enough that part at the beginning could be interpreted as a guitar solo. I mean what can you say about this song and it's commercial accomplishments that haven't been said already. And they idea of System of a Down not being metal? Well, if they ain't metal then DRI ain't metal either. System of a Down always struck me as Crossover era DRI meets Frank Zappa.
If for whatever reason you weren't convinced that Tool had not ascended to another level during the first half of Lateralus, this S-tier title track hammers that fact so hard into your head you become a patient in a hospital holding a concussion grudge. Fibonaccis, Rick & Morty hi IQ drumming and lyrics, and of course, the most important ingredient in post-1995 metal: Godly guitar solos! Who said Adam couldn't shred?
Do NOT be fooled by that title. I too, looked at that title, thought I'd get a cringe laugh at symphonic metal cheese, only to get my head punted completely across the field like a football World Cup winning goal. This No World Order scorcher features one of Kai Hansen's most demented vocal performances, melancholic choruses and just destructive riffs ever laid to tape.
Honorary mention: Destruction- Thrash Til Death
While all these numbskull nu-metal kids were trying to claim Iowa and Mudvayne were trying to claim they had some sort of connection to extreme metal. Then along come Destruction, following up with their breddy gud All Hell Breaks Loose with legendary The Antichrist. "Enough of this br00tal death nonsense, its time to fucking thrash again!" And thrash they did. They thrashed til....well you know.
2002:
It makes me chuckle when Bruce Dickinson talks about how he frames "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner." "You can't play a 13 minute track on American rock radio," bitch you never issued Mariner as a single! You issued "2 Minutes To Midnight" and "Aces High" as Powerslave singles. You didn't even issue Mariner as a single for Live After Death. I bring this stuck in the craw detail up because Blind Guardian DID issue a 14 minute song as the first single. Granted there was no music video to go with it, but they still did it dammit! Admittedly, "And Then There Was Silence" is overloaded and a bit difficult follow, even ending with a fadeout (that alone keeps it out of #1, I hate fadeouts), but it felt like this was what the bards were always evolving to, all the way back to Majesty.
Just to really wave my "no I'm not that biased" e-peen, this is actually not my favorite song off the legendary Sons Of Northern Darkness. That would be closer "Beyond The North Waves," an insanely emotional, powerful megalith of black metal. But part of it's appeal was the idea that for a few years, the aforementioned album was originally the final Immortal album, and you can't possibly end on a higher note than "Beyond The North Waves." But the multiple comebacks have kind of dulled it's effect. So that's why I'm going with the opener of said album, "One By One," a 10/10 in its own right. This opener let's you know that Immortal have finally tapped back into that elite songwriting style of Pure Holocaust. Typical speedy blasting, blizzardly* greatness that gives way to not one, but two of the greatest breakdowns you've ever heard in your life. Songs that pull off two breakdowns are rare and in a class of their own (the title track from Children of Bodom's Follow The Reaper also pulls off this incredible feat of wonder).
You all knew this would be #1. This legendary track that would begin the legacy of the 00's greatest and most important metal band. Arguably Mastodon would make better songs like "Blood & Thunder" or "The Last Baron," but this was the song that stopped the metal world (and arguably nu-metal) dead in its tracks and take notice of, therefore popularize the next big thing: Sludge!
Rush's classification as a metal band is always up for debate, and their straying from that formula (especially in the mid 80s) is certainly an argument against such. But what there's no argument about is that this Vapor Trails opener had so much fucking metal it's a goddamn colony drop. Taking into account the tragic events of Neil Peart's life, "One Little Victory" is the sound of the action hero in the third act with an M-60 coming to turn all the nu-metal terrorists into hamburger.
2003:
This is the one BLS song everybody knows, mainly because Ozzy guest sings on it. Fun tune.
** This will go down in history as the last amazing Iron Maiden song. The fact that no one has pulled Steve Harris aside and said "Hey Steve, we get it. In 1995 you thought you had this great formula that people ignored because Bruce wasn't singing on it, but enough is enough. You perfected it here." This is an amazing tour-de-force of a war song that takes the stakes of "The Trooper" and goes in with every poker chip available and comes out a winner. Everyone here as at a peak. Shame Steve couldn't leave well enough alone. Not to mention they had to stop playing it live cos it was too difficult and technical! If you have to stop playing a song live because it's too hard, you aren't a prog band Steve.
Matt Pike, Al Cisneros and Chris Hakius' demented one album track length opus finally sees the light of day in director's cut form! While not the first band to attempt this feat, that goes to Edge of Sanity's Crimson, but really, such a project befits stoner/doom metal way more than death metal. Progressive smogressive. This is a journey, a hashed out, fuzzed out journey. In a couple of ways this is almost a logical conclusion to original Black Sabbath.
The so called "re-arrival" of women in metal, like most industry pushed hot-topic plants, was mostly unadulterated crap. "Bring Me To Life" was lame late-stage rap-rock fatigue, "My Immortal" wasn't bad but it says a lot that they had to turn it into a Creed song in order for it take off. Whereas "Going Under" stops mid-goth makeup and remembers "Oh yeah, guitar solos belong in these things don't they?" Technically speaking, this is Fallen's opener, so one could argue Evanescence should have stopped right here.
2004:
It's Motorhead featuring Steve Vai. I don't need to explain why it's top 3.
I hate to admit it, and I bust balls and take the piss over the fact the Nightwish 'evolved' into "Evanescence for people who love [film soundtracks]***," but the fact is, this is a great song. With easily the most iconic piano intro in metal.
Another no-brainer, and with good reason. The opening salvo to what will go down in history as the last metal album most of the genre fandom agreed with on a level of Reign In Blood or at least Vulgar Display of Power. This thing begins with, to steal a quote, a riff that screams "holy Nuclear Assault, Batman!" Then for three minutes and whatever remaining seconds declares that whatever was before is dead and sludge are the new kings of the underground and the rightful leader of the mainstream-ification of metal, moreso than metalcore ever was.
Never was that big into Deathspell Omega, and I'm sure there's plenty who think their later songs qualify for a top 3 more than this. But this Si Momentum Requires, Circumspice showstopper takes black metal to it's absolute limit. A suffocating, dense, uncomfortable experience that even I'll admit is not an everyday listen. But goddamn is it quality.
2005:
While most nu-metal asshats cry "Living Dead Beat" or "In Your Face," this is song that's cut correctly from the cloth of the first four albums. Hell it's so good Lovebites' Haruna decided to pinch it for "Bravehearted!"
For a good 45 seconds, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a lost track from Exodus' excellent comeback Tempo of the Damned, but then Serj's iconic vocals remind you nope, this is in fact System of A Down leaning into 80s thrash. Or rather, Daron Malakian's irritating screaming. Even Paul Baloff's haters have to admit they'd rather listen to Paul over that obnoxious caterwauling. If Daron spent more time playing leads and less time with his terrible signing there would be no arguing SOAD was the greatest 2000's band.
Arguably their signature song, High On Fire craft a modern day "Ace of Spades," while maintaining its own identity and originality. Not nearly as many of you talk about the greatness that is Desmond Kensel.
You know what else none of you talk about, the sheer density of dopeness that were the Tony Iommi/Glenn Hughes collaboration albums! This closing track of their second effort features so many brilliant twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Its so dope Electric Wizard should give it it's own throne!
2006:
I never was the biggest Lamb of God fan, but this opener from 2006's Sacrament, more than any other song in their catalog, perfectly defines their sound and how it differs from the likes of Pantera and mid career-Sepultura.****
"Waaah I hate this song because it was an attempt at radio friendliness," and in a just world it would have succeeded. What were they supposed to do, keep writing "Lost In The Twilight World?" Love this song and if you don't like it, you suck. Probably think "Fly" is a good song. Assholes. Don't think this is no butt-rock song either, it still sounds like Blind Guardian stretching out. And I love it.
Another even digit year, another year where Mastodon puts out a heavyweight champion of an album and of a song. Lest anyone thinks Mastodon can't bring their brand of sludge into the speed metal seasoning. Drummer Brann Dailor clearly heard contemporary Des Kensel's incredible drumming on Blessed Black Wings and decides to step his game up. Which he does right from the word go.
Honorary mention: Celtic Frost- A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh
Talk about a comeback no one saw coming. 80's Proto-extreme icons Celtic Frost looked back on how the original run ended with shame (and deservedly so) and decide to come back with such a vengeance. Such sonically so it can almost be suffocatingly too much. Anyone expecting another album of "Circle of The Tyrants" and "Into The Crypts of Rays" was left wanting, but what they got instead was an evolution of exponential proportions. What makes this song standout was Tom takes the more melodic vocals that otherwise ruined albums like Into The Pandemonium and Cold Lake and turned them into something quaint, but unsettling. And when that payoff comes, you better have a clean pair of shorts ready.
2007:
Of all the songs of High On Fire's godly Death Is This Communion, "Ethereal" is the one that resonates with me the most. And not for the reason that you think. Usually High On Fire tracks are carried by elite riffage and drumming, but with this one, it's the vocals. Specifically harmonized vocals. Jeff Matz is not necessarily known as a Michael Anthony, and if anything its Matt harmonizing with himself. Yet what is produced here is on a level that Queen, The Beatles, The Band and any other master of harmonized vocals can respect. All while not letting up High On Fire's signature intensity.
Nine times out of ten, whenever an artist just tries to mix every extreme subgenre together, it comes out as the aural equivalent of a kid throwing together every ingredient in Mom's kitchen and expecting something edible: A complete mess that takes hours to clean up. But when you approach such a task sensibly and with a deft touch, you get Skeletonwitch's masterpiece Beyond The Permafrost. This closer slams the biggest explanation point possible on how they're the new kings of the extreme.
Very much the Helloween to Mastodon's Iron Maiden, Baroness reveal to the world the mixing of sludge with subtle traces of indie-rock and a traditional melodic song-writing approach of the 70s and 80s. John Dyer Baizley's roar firmly inform you that great classic heavy metal vocals isn't always unnecessary high-notes about swords.
Land Of The Free II (shouldn't it be Land Of The Free VI? It's not like Somewhere Out In Space, Powerplant etc. were any different aesthetically) will be agreed upon as the last great Gamma Ray release. And even then you heard the sounds of wheels falling off. Nonetheless, it is an album with peaks and valleys and this scorcher is very much peak Gamma Ray.
2008:
What's this? An Opeth song that doesn't suck copious amounts of ass through a Captain Cruch googly straw? Well fire me from a band and call me Tarja!
What's this? Two bands I can't stand squaring their ass away and shitting out Tiffany cufflinks? Well fire me from a band and call me Anette Olzon!
1. Meshuggah- Bleed
No conceivable way could I put this anywhere except #1. It's become way too much of a meme. If I tried to fuck with this quintessential djent track (moreso than anything off my beloved Chaosphere), it the meme gods would quietly quit me from a band and call me Floor Jansen.
Honorary mention: Sabaton- Swedish Pagans
I could maybe make an argument that this should be #1, possibly being a song that set NWOTHM wheel in motion, but it a) isn't even a real song on The Art of War and b) it's not nearly as consuming of a meme as "Bleed."
2009:
Lamb of God tries playing fast. Hilarity does not ensue, but pwnage does.
Legendary sludge cut. Easily on par with anything Mastodon did. Hard to believe this is old now.
No it's not an even digit year, meaning Mastodon have to construct shit with nailguns this time, and goddammit, that's what happens with Crack The Skye. Widely considered Mastodon's finest hour, they construct not one, but two epics on par with the likes Rush epics from decades past.
Of all the people to be shocked at with gas in the tank at this junction, it would be Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi. Granted, the result The Devil You Know, was the weakest Dio Sabbath album since....well, Heaven & Hell (yeah I said it, sue me). Indicating in fact, a half tank of gas. But they say all you need is one great song and "Bible Black" was one for the ages. The jury is out whether it's based on THAT anime.
and there you have it. Despite the 00s being the decade that killed metal (possibly music in general), we still managed to seperate the wheat from the chaff. Whenever Loudwire decides to do their's you will always have my far superior picks in the back of your mind.
*Blizzardly? I invented a new word!
**Don't think for one second I was gonna post that atrocious Dance of Death cover. If thinking that cover was a good idea wasn't proof Steve needed cereberal cortex shocking nothing was.
***shout out to Mad Mike, but "Evanescence for people who love video game soundtracks is what Nightwish SHOULD ALWAYS have been."
****Mid-career Pantera now that I think about it
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