An introduction to Western heavy metal: the masterpieces that changed the history of metal

I Am The Black WizardsEmperor

I Am The Black Wizards (Remastered)

A song by Emperor, a black metal band from Norway.

It’s a track where you can fully enjoy black metal’s hallmarks: single-note tremolo-picked guitar riffs, a majestic atmosphere, and shout-style vocals.

Even as its expression shifts, the piece maintains a consistently dark mood—an impressive, highly polished work, as expected.

Angel EyesRiot

Riot – Angel Eyes (1998)

A fast-paced tune from an unfortunate album with very poor sound production and, as a result, not the best reputation.

It’s a masterpiece where you can feel RIOT’s signature beautiful melodies in the twin guitars, but perhaps because of that, it isn’t very well known.

You could call it a hidden gem.

Edge Of A Broken HeartVixen

Vixen – Edge Of A Broken Heart

A song by Vixen, a girls’ metal band often dubbed the “female Bon Jovi,” active since the HR/HM movement of the 1980s.

It’s an outstanding metal number featuring delicately feminine phrasing and beautiful chorus work in the hook.

While the track is packed with quintessential metal elements—like hysteric guitar riffs and a tight, driving rhythm section—the catchy vocal melody gives it a strong impact, making it an accessible listen even for those who’ve never listened to metal before.

Parallel MindsCONCEPTION

Conception – Parallel Minds(Live)

A technical metal band from Norway.

Vocalist Roy Khan later joined KAMELOT and achieved a major breakthrough.

This song beautifully contrasts Roy’s richly expressive, operatic singing—arguably his true forte—with the cool, tightly chiseled guitar work.

Was It Worth It ?Children of Bodom

Children Of Bodom – Was It Worth It?

This is a song by a melodic death metal band that enjoys great popularity in Finland.

The track is a masterpiece that blends intensely distorted, aggressive guitar melodies with beautiful synth sounds not found in Arch Enemy.

Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy [The Electric Drill Song]Mr. BIG

Mr. Big – Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy [The Electric Drill Song] (MV)

This is a song by a so-called supergroup formed in 1989 by Billy Sheehan (b), Paul Gilbert (g), Eric Martin (vo), and Pat Torpey (ds), all of whom were already well-established and popular.

It’s a very up-tempo track that lets you fully enjoy the ultra high-speed unison playing by Billy and Paul—both known for their virtuosity—on bass and guitar.

And the undeniable highlight of the song is the unison section in the latter half of the interlude where they use an electric drill on guitar and bass! A truly thrilling track.

Still of the NightWhitesnake

Whitesnake – Still of the Night (Official Music Video)

This song, included on Whitesnake’s smash-hit 1987 album “Whitesnake” (Serpens Albus), was created around ex-Deep Purple’s David Coverdale and became a hot topic at the time thanks to its star-studded music video.

With a sound that emphasizes the heft characteristic of HM/HR and David Coverdale’s powerful shouts, its production and songwriting pack in all the best elements of ’80s metal.

Even listening in 2021, more than 30 years after its release, I think it’s a track that still shines with undiminished appeal.