[2025] Iconic metal masterpieces that define the era: A roundup of the latest tracks and timeless favorites

Écailles De Lune Pt. 2Alcest

Alcest – Écailles De Lune Pt. 2

This is a track included on Écailles De Lune, the second album by the French post-black metal band Alcest.

Alcest fused elements of shoegaze and post-rock with black metal, creating a new form of black metal known as post-black metal.

This song likewise showcases his talent to the fullest, presenting a cinematic, overwhelmingly immersive world.

It also conveys a sense of melancholy and beauty throughout, with many phrases that strike a deep emotional chord.

It’s truly a highly recommended piece.

Wretched and DivinBlack Veil Brides

Black Veil Brides- Wretched and Divine(lyrics)

It’s a popular song by a glam metal band that’s highly favored even among young women.

In addition to their signature heavy and aggressive guitar riffs, the track features a strikingly beautiful melodic twin-guitar solo, making it an uplifting metal classic to listen to.

Tears Don’t FallBullet For My Valentine

Bullet For My Valentine – Tears Don’t Fall (Official Video)

This is a song by a hugely popular heavy metal band from the UK.

In addition to their signature aggressive vocal screams and the guitar’s intense, heavy riffs, the beautiful vocal melody in the chorus shines, making it a supreme masterpiece of metal.

Circle Of The TyrantsCeltic Frost

Celtic Frost – Circle Of The Tyrants (Official HD Video)

This song is a classic by Celtic Frost, a band that can be considered one of the origins of extreme metal.

Its lyrics, expressing power and domination, depict a tyrannical horde forging a new kingdom, and include a cautionary message about the cost of victory and the destruction it brings.

Featured on the September 1985 album To Mega Therion, the track had a major influence on death metal and black metal.

With its cold, bleak worldview, Celtic Frost’s music creates a unique atmosphere—a must-listen for fans of extreme metal.

The musicality of Tom G.

Warrior and Martin E.

Ain, grounded in deep knowledge, continues to influence countless bands to this day.

Cold Hate Warm BloodCRYPTOPSY

Cold Hate Warm Blood

The band’s name is pronounced “Cryptopsy.” They’re a quintessential technical death metal band that Canada is proud of.

While it’s a genre that even metal fans can be selective about, the track included on their third album, WHISPER SUPREMACY, released in 1998, is, by their standards, relatively accessible.

It’s a classic where you can enjoy a well-balanced blend of superhuman drumming with ferocious blast beats, melodic guitars, and intricately complex song structures.

RedneckLamb Of God

🔥 Lamb of God – Redneck (Live at Bloodstock 2013) | Epic Headline 🤘

A track that writhes with a ferocious American metal sound—even though the music video might make you go “huh?” It’s a living legend of American metal with followers around the world, to the point that young Japanese bands like HNIB have even made homage MVs.

For anyone wondering “What is American metal, anyway?” this is exactly it—you can point to this and say, this is what it sounds like.

LocustMachine Head

Machine Head – Locust [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

MACHINE HEAD is a band whose musical direction shifts with each era, but this track is a true return to their roots.

Among their landmark albums in the pursuit of METAL, it stands out as a signature song.

At the same time, it feels like they’re retracing their steps one by one—a track that truly represents the band.