Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

Legendary hard rock masterpieces and popular songs etched in the history of music

Live Spot LugHiroyasu Hirata
I’m Hiroyasu Hirata from Live Spot RAG. When I was 15, I was blown away by how cool music—especially rock—was, and I started playing guitar and formed a band. I’m from Kochi Prefecture, where there weren’t many live houses or concert venues, so there were few opportunities to experience live music. Back then, our sources of information were magazines, CDs, and even VHS tapes (!?). Still, I was captivated by the sparkle of music, and I spent my days enjoying guitar and music, mostly neglecting my studies. I moved to Kyoto for university and “graduated” from the light music club, so to speak (laugh). Until then, I mainly listened to Japanese rock and Western hard rock, but thanks to seniors and peers I learned there was so much more music in the world. Now I listen to anything that strikes me as good, regardless of genre. After graduating, I joined RAG. After about six years in the office and about ten years in the music studio, I now work at the long-established Live Spot RAG, which has been around for 39 years, mainly handling promotions. Being exposed to the “real music” performed by Japan’s top musicians and delivering it to our audience lets me feel the brilliance of music anew every day. I still play guitar and keep a band going casually, and in recent years I’ve even started singing—better late than never. I’ve fully become an old guy by now, but I hope we can continue to chase “what lies beyond the dreams I painted with music back then” together.

Hard rock, rooted in blues rock, transformed its sound to become heavier and more dramatic.

The achievements of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Queen, and Aerosmith are nothing short of legendary.

For those who listened in real time, it remains a beloved formative musical experience; for younger generations, it offers chances to discover music they didn’t know and to make new findings.

In this article, we’ve picked out great hard rock bands and classic tracks that will surely be talked about for generations to come.

Even within the hard rock genre, there are songs that head in many different directions, so please enjoy!

Legendary hard rock masterpieces and popular songs etched in music history (31–40)

How Come It Never RainsThe Dogs D’Amour

Dogs D’ Amour – How Come It Never Rains (live)

How Come It Never RainsThe Dogs D'Amour

The Dogs D’Amour gained popularity with mellow songs and hard-edged performances.

Their Rolling Stones–like style won them many fans in Japan as well.

VO Tyla’s husky voice is another attraction.

It seems they are still active, going through lineup changes, breakups, and reunions.

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ASSAULT ATTACKMichael Schenker Group

M.S.G-Assault Attack

ASSAULT ATTACKMichael Schenker Group

During the transition from hard rock to heavy metal, guitarists increasingly became the stars of their bands.

Michael Schenker, formerly of Scorpions, formed his own band after leaving and quickly became a guitar hero.

The Flying V guitar he played became Michael’s trademark.

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Bad MedicineBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – Bad Medicine (Official Music Video)

Bad MedicineBon Jovi

It’s a smash hit that practically declares itself a quintessential hard rock anthem of the ’80s.

Released in 1988, it’s a single from the album “New Jersey,” which sold over 18 million copies worldwide and topped the U.

S.

charts.

With tight drumming, Richie Sambora’s sprightly guitar riff and brief yet technical solo, flashy keyboards, and an instantly memorable, catchy melody—every element is quintessential Bon Jovi.

It’s the perfect number to lift your spirits, whether you’re belting it out at karaoke or blasting it on a drive!

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PanamaVan Halen

Panama (2004 Remaster)

PanamaVan Halen

The moment that exhilarating intro guitar hits your ears, you can’t help but want to jump up and start running—this is one of Van Halen’s most popular songs.

Released as a single from the smash-hit album 1984, which sold 10 million copies worldwide, it also reached No.

13 on the U.

S.

charts on its own.

No need for fussy explanations: from the riff to the backing to the solo, Eddie Van Halen’s guitar absolutely explodes—pure, straightforward cool.

The easy-to-catch chorus that repeats the title and David Lee Roth’s exuberant shouts are in top form, too!

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Raining BloodSLAYER

Slayer Raining Blood Official Video

Raining BloodSLAYER

A song that sings about the strength to defeat heaven.

“Raining Blood” represents the blood of angels.

It is the title track of Slayer’s third album, released in 1986.

It’s also known for being played in an episode of South Park to scare hippies.

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Legendary hard rock masterpieces and popular songs etched in the history of music (41–50)

letting goPRAYING MANTIS

Praying Mantis – Letting Go [OFFICIAL VIDEO] (1993)

letting goPRAYING MANTIS

A veteran five-piece from the UK with satisfying twin-guitar harmonies and backing vocals.

Even on this album—polished throughout with no filler—this track is a standout.

Colin Peel’s husky, plaintive vocals match perfectly with the somewhat melancholy, wet mood of the song.

Highly recommended for fans of wistful, bittersweet tunes.

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overnight sensationFireHouse

Firehouse-Overnight sensation [HQ and LYRICS]

overnight sensationFireHouse

They’re an American band.

In their early days, they had many catchy, straightforward songs.

Among them, this is my favorite.

It’s in my top five favorite songs.

High notes, up-tempo pace, flashy guitar solos—everything you want from hard rock is packed into this one track.

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