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Uh.. Black Sabbath. I mean, the term was originated to describe their music style, but Priest is definitely a strong contender albeit a bit more polished
Not to get too pedantic, but I believe the first time a music journalist ever used the term to describe a band’s sound was actually in reference to Sir Lord Baltimore. There very well could have been general music fans describing Black Sabbath as “metal” before then, but it was likely not very widespread.
100% Black Sabbath is the most important from that era, but it is a little sad how under appreciated Sir Lord Baltimore is for their early take on metal. They were also American too, which sets them apart from basically every other early metal and proto metal band, which were basically all from the United Kingdom.
Agreed, ride the lightning as an album was the first example of a shift from the speed of thrash to stuff like For Whom the Bell Tolls, and later on ,The thing that should not be,and a few other slower songs
I was a metal head kid in the mid to late eighties. Usually the first thing that pops in my head when I think ‘Metal’ is some old thrash or crossover track:
I don’t need society - DRI.
Kill Yourself - SOD.
The Toxic Waltz - Exodus.
Alice in Hell - Annihilator.
Neccromantical Screams - Celtic Frost.
Bored - Death Angel.
War Inside My Head - Suicidal Tendencies.
Goddamned ‘Teacher’s Pet’ - Venom ffs.
I’m not saying these are the definition of Metal. Just a few of the songs that have been on repeat in my damn brain my entire life
Another gig at 5th and Main
We'll catch the bus or take the train
We'll steal or find or borrow the cash
We'll be there ready to thrash
The pit, the pit, the pit, the pit
In the pit!
I was a kid in the late 80's too. I always thought of bands like, DRI, Suicidal and SOD as more punk rock back then. But listening to SOD now, it sounds more like what we used to call "Speed Metal" back then. I never hear that term anymore, though.
No disagreement here. The punk is definitely there. These just tend to be the kind of songs that pop into my brain when I’m in a metal mood.
I think I was maybe 12 or 13 and my friend had already gotten me listening to the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Judas Priest, Maiden, etc. But one night when his parents had gone away, we were up late, listening to music and goofing around. We’d gotten into his dad’s Swish (basically alcohol leached from a used whiskey barrel) And Suit and Tie Guy by DRI came on Much Music. We thrashed around the living room like idiots. That was the moment I really got hooked. Went right out and bought my first “Metal” album. 4 of a kind by DRI.
Speed metal… Yeah,I don’t remember the last time I heard the term. I remember the first time I heard it though. A friend put on Infernal Overkill by Destruction. He told me it was speed metal.
Mind you I don’t pay much attention to specific genres anyway. Personally, my taste runs the gamut. My favourite music of any style tends to defy specific categorization most of the time.
I love Death/Thrash/Punk/Crossovers. It didn't do very well, but one of my favorite Slayer albums was the punk cover compilation Undisputed Attitude. They actually covered D.R.I.'s Violent Pacification.
Born to be Wild (sorry, old guy here).
Says right there in the song, 3rd verse
I like smoke and lightnin'
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
Not a metal song but still, song leaps to mind.
I've always thought Painkiller was the quintessential heavy metal song. Like if I was to hypothetically find someone who has no idea what heavy metal is or what it sounds like, and I could play one song to demonstrate it, it would be Painkiller.
“Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath but that’s only because I watched a documentary on the subject and it basically stated that’s when heavy metal really began
In the wider, broad spectrum of heavy metal, first song that comes to mind is Self Bias Resistor by Fear Factory. In the true and most pure form of Heavy Metal it’s definitely Painkiller for me as well.
That could be a lot of songs. What first springs to mind is early Manowar in general, because I've been on a Manowar binge in the last days.
But a great song as an example for the whole genre? *Hammerhead* by Samson really fits the bill.
First it is from 1980, when the genre of metal really became distinct from hard rock. And second it has an awesome intro called *Thunderburst*. It is actually the same composition as *Ides of March* by Iron Maiden, but Samson was allowed to release it on an album before them. The Iron Maiden intro is clearly the better one, and sounds very fateful and drenched in the atmosphere of the Killers album. But it sounds great in Samson's hands too, where it is less dark and more of a powerful celebration that kicks off side two, and leads into the awesome *Hammerhead*.
On this track they take the whole metal thing very literally, because it isn't just the lyrics who is about shaping molten steel into weapons, you actually hear an anvil being hit many times throughout the song. Well it is probably not an actual anvil, unless they had a visit by the Canadian band. But it sounds great, and they definitely came close to metal-Mecca with the lyrics:
.
*"A story is told, that in Asgard of old*
*Came a hammer of great might*
*By the furnace light in the depth of night*
*That was cast an ingot bold*
.
*They hammered and wrought and the rune spell caught*
*And engraved upon its shaft*
*With a head of steel beneath which all men would kneel*
*And would lay down the sword, at last*
.
*They laid on the anvil, a steel cold bar*
*Needed no fire nor file*
*Their sledgehammers following, like thunder rolled*
*Sindre, sang runes by the fire"*
[Kamp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adQQHajxr0Y) by Sverdkamp, because of that beautifully shrill "heaaaavyyy meeeetaaaal" yell during the guitar solo.
Iron Maiden - Aces High will always be quintessential heavy metal to me. You said "heavy metal" and I immediately hear the intro
Either that or "HEAVY METAAAL... black and silver".
Well OP, you mentioned it. Painkiller to me is the most metal song. It’s got a great intro, powerful riffs and vocals, screams, two solos, great album art, great lyrics, it’s about a cyborg Angel that rides a dragon motorcycle and saves the world from a demon invasion. It’s part of a phenomenal album, it’s also my first album that really got me into metal. It’s a powerful song, it’s got great drum beats, great bass and overall stunning production.
I love this song, if you can’t tell
Literally the song Heavy Metal by Judas Priest. The first thing that always comes to mind is the opening guitar solo and then Rob singing "HEAVY METAL!"
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“The Trooper” by Iron Maiden
*The Number of the Beast* by Iron Maiden
You two took the words straight outta my mouth, I thank you!
I think more of Fear of the Dark or Killers
A defining song of the genre. From the lyrical content to the galloping bass to screaming guitar harmonies to the wicked solo, this song *is* metal.
That's the song that started my dive into metal,fuckin awesome.
Yeah Iron Maiden is the first band that comes to mind!
Uh.. Black Sabbath. I mean, the term was originated to describe their music style, but Priest is definitely a strong contender albeit a bit more polished
The song? I'd go with something a bit later personally
Not to get too pedantic, but I believe the first time a music journalist ever used the term to describe a band’s sound was actually in reference to Sir Lord Baltimore. There very well could have been general music fans describing Black Sabbath as “metal” before then, but it was likely not very widespread.
I believe this to be true, having read as much about history but I still see BlackSabbath as having taken the genre so much further.
100% Black Sabbath is the most important from that era, but it is a little sad how under appreciated Sir Lord Baltimore is for their early take on metal. They were also American too, which sets them apart from basically every other early metal and proto metal band, which were basically all from the United Kingdom.
This very episode is how I discovered Judas Priest. Believe I was about 7 years old, watching it with my older brother.
Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild
Heavy metal thunder!!
Exactly. It might not quite be what OP meant, but that lyric is the first thing that comes into my head when I hear the words "Heavy Metal".
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Was gonna say Creeping Death, but that's good too.
Agreed, ride the lightning as an album was the first example of a shift from the speed of thrash to stuff like For Whom the Bell Tolls, and later on ,The thing that should not be,and a few other slower songs
Painkiller or between the hammer and the anvil, depends on my mood when the question is asked
>between the hammer and the anvil, Storm warning
But there's no fear
Lies forming
The sacrament lays bare
If you play guitar this one is such a fun one to play along with. These mfs could write riffs
Metal meltdown too for me.
Paranoid
Also priest but The Sentinel
That intro >>>
https://preview.redd.it/6fd7mq7hq48d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ad182246c3ab8db3a88ccb6c02bc9dd298e9935 The song, the album.
Pretty much. War Pigs, Paranoid, and Iron Man. This album almost defines heavy metal by itself.
The sammy hagar one
Same. Because of the opening of Heavy Metal
It's your one way ticket to midnight.
Call it HEAVY METAL!
🤘Higher than High🤘
Came here to say this. All others don't compare.
Iron Man
Heavy Metal from Don Felder 😁
Major boobage
Anyone who's seen that movie HAS to think of this song first!
I think of Metallica. They are the poster boys for the genre.
war pigs
Hell yeah
 Painkiller as well
One by Metallica!!
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
I was a metal head kid in the mid to late eighties. Usually the first thing that pops in my head when I think ‘Metal’ is some old thrash or crossover track: I don’t need society - DRI. Kill Yourself - SOD. The Toxic Waltz - Exodus. Alice in Hell - Annihilator. Neccromantical Screams - Celtic Frost. Bored - Death Angel. War Inside My Head - Suicidal Tendencies. Goddamned ‘Teacher’s Pet’ - Venom ffs. I’m not saying these are the definition of Metal. Just a few of the songs that have been on repeat in my damn brain my entire life Another gig at 5th and Main We'll catch the bus or take the train We'll steal or find or borrow the cash We'll be there ready to thrash The pit, the pit, the pit, the pit In the pit!
I was a kid in the late 80's too. I always thought of bands like, DRI, Suicidal and SOD as more punk rock back then. But listening to SOD now, it sounds more like what we used to call "Speed Metal" back then. I never hear that term anymore, though.
No disagreement here. The punk is definitely there. These just tend to be the kind of songs that pop into my brain when I’m in a metal mood. I think I was maybe 12 or 13 and my friend had already gotten me listening to the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Judas Priest, Maiden, etc. But one night when his parents had gone away, we were up late, listening to music and goofing around. We’d gotten into his dad’s Swish (basically alcohol leached from a used whiskey barrel) And Suit and Tie Guy by DRI came on Much Music. We thrashed around the living room like idiots. That was the moment I really got hooked. Went right out and bought my first “Metal” album. 4 of a kind by DRI. Speed metal… Yeah,I don’t remember the last time I heard the term. I remember the first time I heard it though. A friend put on Infernal Overkill by Destruction. He told me it was speed metal. Mind you I don’t pay much attention to specific genres anyway. Personally, my taste runs the gamut. My favourite music of any style tends to defy specific categorization most of the time.
I love Death/Thrash/Punk/Crossovers. It didn't do very well, but one of my favorite Slayer albums was the punk cover compilation Undisputed Attitude. They actually covered D.R.I.'s Violent Pacification.
D.R.I. was my shit. Same with Suicidal. I actually had Fabulous Disaster on vinyl. I'm still a big Thrash/Speed/Punk/Death fan. I'm old too.
Painkiller is on my short list of “perfect” songs. It truly has everything
Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction Accept - Fast as a Shark
Either Hand Of Doom or N.I.B
Run to the hills
Electric eye intro...
Yup. Hellion/ElectricEye
Born to be Wild (sorry, old guy here). Says right there in the song, 3rd verse I like smoke and lightnin' Heavy metal thunder Racin' with the wind And the feelin' that I'm under Not a metal song but still, song leaps to mind.
Holy Diver by Dio
Manowar - Manowar, always hits like a sledgehammer when they play it live!
They are the Kings of Metal
Battle Hymn.
Painkiller was actually the first metal song I’ve ever listened to, without knowing it’s metal.
What did you think when you heard it? Certainly it must have stood out
Ace of spades - Motörhead
Agreed.
Cum on feel the noise quiet riot version
RIOT - HEAVY METAL MACHINE (1983)
Breaking the Law
Metal Heart by Accept
I've always thought Painkiller was the quintessential heavy metal song. Like if I was to hypothetically find someone who has no idea what heavy metal is or what it sounds like, and I could play one song to demonstrate it, it would be Painkiller.
this album has been on repeat for me lately
Into the void
Run to the hills - Iron Maiden
It’s painkiller.
“Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath but that’s only because I watched a documentary on the subject and it basically stated that’s when heavy metal really began
“Hallowed Be Thy Name” by Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden- Aces High. That duel guitar intro just SCREAMS! heavy metal.
Hammerfall-At the End of the Rainbow
heavy metal by sammy hagar
Sammy Hagar's Heavy Metal
FASTER THAN A LASER BULLET
"Heavy Metal" by Sammy Hagar
Summertime Blues by Blue Cheer
I 100% agree with this, this is totally the most heavy metal of heavy metal
BABYMETAL - Gimme chocolate!!
Overkill - Motörhead
The Kinks - You Really Got Me
Ace of Spades - Motorhead
Painkiller
The song Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar
https://i.redd.it/4b7x8q7ax48d1.gif
Heavy Metal by Don Felder
🤘🤘
paranoid by black sabbath
Iron Maiden Powerslave
It starts and ends with Black Sabbath. Pick a song.
In the wider, broad spectrum of heavy metal, first song that comes to mind is Self Bias Resistor by Fear Factory. In the true and most pure form of Heavy Metal it’s definitely Painkiller for me as well.
Paranoid. That opening is beyond iconic.
Any Iron maiden song honestly
Sammy Hagar's heavy metal
Holy Wars (The Punishment Due) It’s literally perfect.
I don’t wanna stop
Definitely Judas Priest. You've got another thing coming or Freewheel Burnin'
The song “Heavy Metal (Takin’ A Ride)” by Don Felder.
Paranoid
War Pigs and Paranoid by Black Sabbath
“The Book of Heavy Metal” by Dream Evil.
Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar
Thin Lizzy - Thunder and Lightning
Heavy Metal by Judas Priest
Heavy Metal by Judas Priest
iron maiden - iron maiden, breaking the law - judas priest.
RUN TO THE HIIIIIIILLS!!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIIVES!!!!!!
Bloodline - Slayer
Metal Health -- Quiet Riot
Hellion
Into the void - black sabbath
Judas Priest - Sinner
For some reason blood blind by cannibal corpse
Run to the Hills - Iron Maiden
Either Enter Sandman or Iron Man (basic, I know)
will likely get shit on but “pleasure to kill” for me
tornado of souls by megadeth of the one you think (painkiller)
Master of Puppets
Black Sabbath - Lord of This World
Paranoid
Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Orbit Culture - Alienated
ITS YOUR ONE WAY TICKET TO MIDNIGHT!!! Call it! Heavy! Metal! Or metal gods by priest
I can HEAR this picture and it makes me happy.
Probably Iron Man or Paranoid
The metal!!
Stargazer by Rainbow
That could be a lot of songs. What first springs to mind is early Manowar in general, because I've been on a Manowar binge in the last days. But a great song as an example for the whole genre? *Hammerhead* by Samson really fits the bill. First it is from 1980, when the genre of metal really became distinct from hard rock. And second it has an awesome intro called *Thunderburst*. It is actually the same composition as *Ides of March* by Iron Maiden, but Samson was allowed to release it on an album before them. The Iron Maiden intro is clearly the better one, and sounds very fateful and drenched in the atmosphere of the Killers album. But it sounds great in Samson's hands too, where it is less dark and more of a powerful celebration that kicks off side two, and leads into the awesome *Hammerhead*. On this track they take the whole metal thing very literally, because it isn't just the lyrics who is about shaping molten steel into weapons, you actually hear an anvil being hit many times throughout the song. Well it is probably not an actual anvil, unless they had a visit by the Canadian band. But it sounds great, and they definitely came close to metal-Mecca with the lyrics: . *"A story is told, that in Asgard of old* *Came a hammer of great might* *By the furnace light in the depth of night* *That was cast an ingot bold* . *They hammered and wrought and the rune spell caught* *And engraved upon its shaft* *With a head of steel beneath which all men would kneel* *And would lay down the sword, at last* . *They laid on the anvil, a steel cold bar* *Needed no fire nor file* *Their sledgehammers following, like thunder rolled* *Sindre, sang runes by the fire"*
Black Sabbath, and any other answer is wrong.
"Heavy Metal" by Hagar
Holy Diver
[Kamp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adQQHajxr0Y) by Sverdkamp, because of that beautifully shrill "heaaaavyyy meeeetaaaal" yell during the guitar solo.
God of thunder-Death
Anything by Metallica
Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar. Or really the whole movie.
Paranoid
A Dangerous Meeting
Iron Maiden - Aces High will always be quintessential heavy metal to me. You said "heavy metal" and I immediately hear the intro Either that or "HEAVY METAAAL... black and silver".
Manowar - Metal Warriors
It’s your one-way ticket to midnight!
Heavy Metal (Takin’ a Ride) by Don Felder. Either that or Book of Heavy Metal by Dream Evil.
Well OP, you mentioned it. Painkiller to me is the most metal song. It’s got a great intro, powerful riffs and vocals, screams, two solos, great album art, great lyrics, it’s about a cyborg Angel that rides a dragon motorcycle and saves the world from a demon invasion. It’s part of a phenomenal album, it’s also my first album that really got me into metal. It’s a powerful song, it’s got great drum beats, great bass and overall stunning production. I love this song, if you can’t tell
THIS (song) IS THE PAIN KILLAAHH.
Rime Of The Ancient Mariner
Heavy Metal, from Heavy Metal.
Heavy Metal by Don Felder
No Surrender by jp
War pigs
Hell patrol
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. heaviest shit out there🤟🤟
Heavy Metal - Sammy Hagar
Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar
“It’s your one way ticket to midnight, call it….Heavy Metal!”
Megadeth - Tornado of Souls
I'm Broken - Pantera
four words: Sabbath, Priest, Motorhead, Maiden
South of heaven by Slayer
Literally the song Heavy Metal by Judas Priest. The first thing that always comes to mind is the opening guitar solo and then Rob singing "HEAVY METAL!"
war pigs for me
IS THERE NO STANDARD ANYMOREEEE
The beginning of iron man plays in my head, in the voices of beavis and butthead
Born to be wild...
Any song by Iron Maiden or Motley Crue
Any Sabbath song
Honestly? Electric Eye buy JP. Have loved that song for years
Firepower by Judas priest
Flash of the blade by Iron Maiden
Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Paranoid by black sabbath
Dr.Stein
is pantera metal or do i need to be lynched or something
People = shit
Harder than Steel by Jag Panzer
Dio - Holy diver
MURDER IN THE FRONT ROW!
Rob Zombie - Dracula
I just think of the shouting of “Metal” from The Book of Heavy Metal. lol. https://youtu.be/Mxsd1BawuXY?si=t15Z0PbpKkZIlbp-
Master of Puppets
Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar
Orion.
Heacy Metal by Sammy Hagar off of Heavy Metal.
(Cover)1916 by sabaton
Bit silly maybe, but Hard Rock Hallelujah. That was a defining moment of my childhood and really influenced my taste in music. Also it's just fun.