Ripping Off VH1

I have been thinking this over for about the last twenty minutes or so, and have compiled my forty favourite metal songs of all time. REMEMBER: These are my personal favourites. I don't care if a song was left out that inspired a generation. If I don't think it's as good as these, it won't be on here. There will be "heavy metal," "death metal," "Nu-Metal," "progressive metal," and even some "metalcore," on here.

WARNING: "Crazy Train," and "Welcome to the Jungle," will not be making an appearance. I love those songs, but they definitely aren't the first thing that I look for on my iPod. Anarchy will ensue I'm sure.

Now when I say metal, this doesn't mean my list is just going to be Megadeath, Iron Maiden and Metallica only. I like all sorts of stuff. So if you're expecting to just see a bunch of stuff from the late 70's through to the early 90's, you've come to the wrong place. Born in '92, what do you really expect of me?

40. Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
39. Symphony of Destruction - Megadeath
38. Loyalty - American Head Charge
37. Contractor - Lamb of God
36. Spoils - Protest the Hero
35. Die With Your Boots On - Iron Maiden
34. Perfect Insanity - Disturbed
33. Enter Sandman - Metallica
32. War? - System of a Down
31. Nothing Remains - Chimaira
30. Cloud Connected - In Flames
29. Cowboys From Hell - Pantera
28. Nothing Left - As I Lay Dying
27. Gematria (The Killing Name) - Slipknot
26. Two Weeks - All That Remains
25. My Plague - Slipknot
24. Schism - Tool
23. Know Your Enemy - Rage Against the Machine
22. Panic Attack - Dream Theater
21. Free Fall - In Flames
20. Chiron - All That Remains
19. (Sic) - Slipknot
18. Revenga - System of a Down
17. Sequoia Throne - Protest the Hero
16. Sleep Now in the Fire - Rage Against the Machine
15. Sworn to a Great Divide - Soilwork
14. Born of a Broken Man - Rage Against the Machine
13. BYOB - System of a Down
12. Aerials - System of a Down
11. Set to Fail - Lamb of God
10. Aenima - Tool
09. One - Metallica
08. The Prisoner - Iron Maiden
07. Forgotten (Lost Angels) - Lamb of God
06. The Unforgiven III - Metallica
05. Sequoia Throne - Protest the Hero
04. Chop Suey! - System of a Down
03. Ticks and Leeches - Tool
02. Toxicity - System of a Down
01. Before I Forget - Slipknot

The Best Five Albums of the Last Ten Years

Everyone has a certain musical artist that they've come to love. Usually we love that artist because of consistency. They're the special musicians who produce amazing work over and over again. While, most bands struggle after their first album, there are a select few who keep it going for years.

With that, I'll share what I personally think are the best five albums of the last ten years.

#5.

Appeal to Reason
Artist: Rise Against
Notable Songs: "From Heads Unworthy" and "Whereabouts Unknown"



Just an overall great listen. Every song is catchy, and transitions seamlessly from track to track. A solid mix of rock and alternative sounds. The band has an amazingly fresh sound. Not one to conform to the hundreds of bands out there, Rise Against show a lot of old school punk sounds in their work, while maintaining a unique modern edge.


#4.

Mezmerize
Artist: System of a Down
Notable Songs: "Radio / Video" and "Question!"

This album is just... well it's simply insane. Sporadic and random. Amazing guitar riffs and drum work. Of course all of this is highlighted by their lead singer, Serj Tankian. Very abstract and influential commentary that deal with issues of both society, and modern politics.


#3.

Iowa
Artist: Slipknot
Notable Songs: "Skin Ticket" and "My Plague"

Probably one of the angriest albums ever created. Unlike most "aggro" albums, Slipknot once again, does not just throw in lyrics that sound catchy. They write lyrics that actually mean something. I know, how strange is that? Filled with great drumming by Joey Jordison and the growling verses spat at you by Corey Taylor, the band manages to punch you right in the face with their sound. At the same time you want to just come back for more. Iowa, is simply put as a sick, disgusting and beautiful sound.






#2.

Overcome
Artist: All That Remains
Notable Songs: "Days Without" and "Do Not Obey"

Everything is amazing. The drumming - flawless. Some of the sickest guitarwork that's been heard work in awhile. And Phil Labonte's mix of vocals is astounding. Every song of the album is catchy, while five or six, could easily be successful singles.


#1.

The Battle of Los Angeles
Artist: Rage Against the Machine
Notable Songs: "Born of a Broken Man" and "Sleep Now In The Fire"

Only very recently has this band become one of my favourites. Although having only listened to the album four or five times, songs like "Born of a Broken Man" have been played in my head by the dozen. A solid mix of hip-hop, rock and funk, every song is a classic that will undoubtedly receive their fair share of playtime on my iPod. Much like the aforementioned "Mezmerize," this album takes upon itself the duty of not only questioning, but influencing our society and political systems. With refined aggression, extraordinary musicianship and a strong lyrical message, "The Battle of Los Angeles" is the best album to be released in the last twenty years.