This is where the buck stops. Beyond this there's noise. This is the heaviest, most brutal music out there... that's still catchy and accessible. The songs are listed in no particular order... just in case you were wondering....
Click on the album artwork to read the Rock Realms review of each particular release.
Trivium
Kirsute Gomen (2008)
As heavy as a heavy thing, this song by itself makes all previous Trivium music sound rubb-eesh. The fact the album was great too seems utterly unimportant.
All That Remains
This Calling (2006)
Like a cross between a runaway train and a nuclear explosion, 'This Calling' is faster and more powerful than you will ever be. All hail.
Killswitch Engage
My Last Serenade (2002)
K.E. still had Jesse Leach singing for them when they recorded this. What a splendid job he did, what say!
Overkill
E.Vil N.Ever D.Ies (1989)
Overkill have never really made it big. On this evidence (never mind all the other good tracks they have recorded) WHY?!!
Megadeth
Holy Wars... The Punishment Due (1990)
This, my friends, is what you call a lesson in thrash.
Morbid Angel
Where The Slime Lives (1995)
Morbid Angel's music is normally inaccessible and hideously complex. How on earth they managed to produced this masterpiece probably even surprises them.
Pantera
Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks (1994)
Not a song for the easily offended, have Pantera ever sounded heavier or gnarlier than this?
Kreator
Riot Of Violence (1986)
With more twists and turns than a getaway driver ploughing through a shopping centre, this song should be cack but isn't. Not even slightly.
At The Gates
Blinded By Fear (1995)
A seminal song from a seminal album by a seminal band.
Metallica
Battery (1986)
The biggest metal band ever delivering one of their finest songs. Respect.
Strapping Young Lad
Love? (2005)
The album itself was a bit pants, but this song is just astonishing. Why can't all heavy metal sound like this?
Roadrunner United
The Dagger (2005)
A song written and performed by a random selection of musicians has no right to be this good. I think I might complain!
Slipknot
The Heretic Anthem (2001)
Before Iowa, Slipknot were all about the image. This song helped make them all about the music.
Testament
Down For Life (1999)
Offically the loudest song ever. Hey, I don't make the rules. Well, actually, I do.
Sepultura
Desperate Cry (1991)
Atmospheric, epic and almost frightening, Desperate Cry is a melodious beast with horns and a flick knife.
Just missing the cut, honourable mentions in no particular order go to People = Shit by Slipknot, Dog Faced Gods by Testament, Block by Machine Head, Raining Blood by Slayer, World Of Lies by At The Gates and More Than Meets The Eye by Testament.
