#5 - Phantom of the Opera (Live) - Iron Maiden - BBC Archives

This version comes from their Reading Festival appearence in 1982. The intro referring to "Aggressive Harris" is the icing on the cake. A kick ass version of a kick ass song.

#6 - Bleak - Opeth - Blackwater Park

If you will ever accept death metal vocals, this will be the song that hooks you. Sometimes I listen to this song and marvel at how good this band can be. I am very disappointed it was not on the Lamentations DVD.

#7 - The Coffin Ships - Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness

If you claim not to like this song, I will bet you have never heard it.

#8 - Six Strings to Cover Fear - Subterranean Masquerade - Suspended Animation Dreams

Can't wait for the follow up to this album. Tomer Pink is working on it, but he is taking his time.

If you have not heard this album, do yourself a favor and get it. It is the best album of the century so far.

#9 - Metropolis, Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper - Dream Theater - Images and Words

What a great song, what a great album. Some songs are so hard to describe, and this is one of them. If you have not heard this one in a while, put it on, and you will be speechless.

#10 - Fear of the Dark (Live) - Iron Maiden - Death on the Road

I could have picked almost any of the myriad of official live versions of this song, but I picked this one because Adrian is on it. I never realized how much I loved this song until I went to a Maiden show where they did not play it (Early Days Tour). Anyway it is a great song, and live it is explosive. The crowd reaction to it this past tour was overwhelming (though maybe for the wrong reasons!!)

#11 - Victim of Changes (Live) - Unleashed in the East - Judas Priest

The best song from the best live album ever. Once when asked what his favorite Priest track is, Glenn Tipton responded, "Victim of Changes, that's what its all about". I must agree.

#12 - Dante's Inferno (Live) - Iced Earth - Alive in Athens

Before the Ted McGinley of heavy metal, aka Ripper Owens, joined Iced Earth, they were a legitimate band, instead of the punch line they have become. Of course Jon Schaeffer is to blame as well, but I digress.

Anyway, there was no better metal band in the 1990's than Iced Earth. Who else can boast 5 strong studio albums that decade (maybe Running Wild or Motorhead)? Anyway, Iced Earth's shining moment is their epic Dante's Inferno, from their brilliant 3 CD live set Alive in Athens, which may be my favorite live album of all time, save Unleashed in the East.

#13 - Condition Red - Iron Savior - Condition Red

The title cut of the brilliant 2002 release.

#14 - Opium - Moonspell - Irreligious

Por isso eu tomo opio, ?um rem?io. Sou um convalescente do momento. Moro no r? do ch? do pensamento E ver passar a vida faz-me t?io

#15 - The Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast

This was in VH-1's list at number 7. Perhaps it is overplayed live, but the original studio version is awesome.

#16 - Send Me a Sign - Gamma Ray - Powerplant

This is a fast paced song, full of energy. It is a good one to do the "Craig ride cymbal in the car bit" to.

#17 - See the Light Shining - Saxon - Wheels of Steel

This song was dedicated to Motorhead's Fase Eddie Clarke, though I am not sure why. Funny, I never really liked it when I was a kid. I guess it was buried on Side 2, and Side 1 was where the "hits" were, so I never got into it. Anyway, now I am older and wiser, and I can fully appreciate this awesome song.

#18 - Drifter - Iron Maiden - Killers

A lot of Iron Maiden fans do not like this song. I would surmise, most of them are the younger breed. Drifter is a CLASSIC Maiden song. Adrian's solo at the end is awesome, as is Murray's solw solo in the middle. Pounding drums and bass line seal the deal. Great tune.

#19 - Supernaut - Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath Volume 4

One of my greatest concert moments was Sabbath playing this in 83. One of my worst was when I saw Sabbath a few years ago. Iommi played the opening riff to Supernaut and then went into "Paranoid"

Boring.

#20 - Disposable Heroes - Metallica - Master of Puppets

Is this really the same band that recorded St. Anger?

#21 - Titans of Our Time - Iron Savior - Condition Red

This album kicks so much ass. I love how this song starts the album, no intro, no mood setting, just an explosive riff. The whole album is just so killer.

#22 - Learning to Live - Dream Theater - Images and Words

What a cool song. I remember seeing them play this at the Stone Pony, and it completely rocked. I especially like the piano piece in the middle, and the bonus fade out riff.

#23 - Neon Knights - Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell

Fast song? Slow song? Fast song!

#24 - Wreath - Opeth - Deliverance

Why has Opeth never played this live?

#25 - Killed by Death - Motorhead - No Remorse

If you squeeze my lizard....'nuff said.

#26 - Midnight Mover - Accept - Metal Heart

Great song. Great guitar solo. Horrible video.

#27 - Suite Sister Mary - Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime

The centerpiece of the greatest concept album of all time. Love the female vocals, she sounds so tortured, whoever she is, she did a great job. Good stuff.

#28 - Fire Woman - The Cult - Sonic Temple

This song just explodes. It is so rockin'. It is one of those songs that you can just crank up and listen to at any volume.

#29 - Paschendale - Iron Maiden - Dance of Death

It is hard to put into words how great this track is. My only regret with Maiden's recnt tour was that Paschendale was not included. What a brilliant track. This song features, the greatest minute in music history. From 4:53 to 5:52, you will be immersed in such greatness, you will think the universe has exploded.

#30 - Let the Hammer Fall - Hammerfall - Legacy of Kings

In the top 30 now. This song is what Power Metal should be.

#31 - Fairies Wear Boots - Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Jack the Stripper rocks!

#32 - Green Manalishi (Live) - Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East

The live version. Slays the studio version. Halford!

#33 - Bark at the Moon - Ozzy Osbourne - Bark at the Moon

Jake E. Lee was the second best thing to ever happen to Ozzy.

#34 - Sixth Form Girls - Saxon - Strong Arm of the Law

Probably a surprise choice, as this track is very overlooked since it is on such a great record.

#35 - Karhunkynsi - Moonsorrow - Verisäkeet

From one of the best albums of 2005, Verisäkeet, Moonsorrow's Karhunkynsi builds for 8 minutes, and explodes for the last 6. This whole album is great, and to me Karhunkynsi is the high point of the album, though most feel that Jotunheim is the better track. Both are great.

This album wins my award for best non English vocal album of all time. Per Moonsorrow's official web page, the bloodverses are in Finnish, so it shall be. These guys have balls.

#36 - In The Shadow Of Our Pale Companion - Agalloch - The Mantle

The second entry from the awesome second album from Agalloch, The Mantle. Such a great album, so atmospheric, dark and brooding. Perfect album to put on if you are ever home alone in the dead of a blizzard, preferably with the fireplace roaring.

#37 - Dancing on Your Grave - Motorhead - Another Perfect Day

I don't understand why this album gets slagged so much. I loved the sound of this record, and it's a shame it is the only one with Robbo, though Orgasmatron was great too, basically proving that Lemmy is infallible. Anyway, Dancing on Your Grave is just one of those songs that sounds so great, especially when you turn up the volume. Just awesome!

#38 - The Drapery Falls - Opeth - Blackwater Park

This is a really cool song, I actually really started liking it when I watched the Lamentations DVD. Great band.

#39 - Creeping Death - Metallica - Ride the Lightning

Killing first born bunions, with my big fat onions.

#40 - The Tower - Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding

One reviewer said of this song, that it sounds more like Iron Maiden than Iron Maiden, and I agree. I think it was this album, and perhaps this song in particular, because of its sound, that made Rod Smallwood realize that Dickinson was back to making Maiden-ish type music, and therefore that a reunion made sense.

#41 - Too High to Get it Right - Accept - Metal Heart

A great track, from one of the top 10 greatest records of all time. This is the rare album, from a band, who in my mind, is somewhat marginal, where it is great from start to finish.

#42 - Star Crossed - Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors

The piano intro is what makes this song. The whole thing is great, in fact the whole album is great, but this one song does stand out as particularly good.

#43 - Hallowed be thy Name - Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast

Many fans place this as their number 1 Maiden track. Perhaps I am a little tired of it, and that is why is has a relative poor showing on my list. In any case it is a brilliant song, from the greatest record of all time.

To me it has lost its lustre live, first, Nicko never really got it right, and now Jan plays Adrian's solo, so it is different. I also used to enjoy how Dave and H would go up to the risers at the end of this song and through the solos, it was very cool, and now that does not happen.

#44 - Diary of a Madman - Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman

Another title track. This song seemed autobiographical to me when I was a kid, with all that teen angst and stuff. It is amazing looking back on it how music was such a big part of my life in those days. I also remeber this song was used as an intro on the Diary of a Madman tour, shame it was never played live with Rhoads.

#45 - Peace Sells - Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?

Another title track. Great song, great album. One of three songs in my top 100 that are in VH1's Top 40.

#46 - Stained Class - Judas Priest - Stained Class

A lot of title tracks lately. Anyway, Stained Class represents my favorite era of Judas Priest (aka the Les Binks era). Why Dave Holland, a grossly incompetent child molester drummer, was chosen to replace Binks is unknown. What is known is that Sin After Sin (I know Simon Phillips was the drummer, but he's good too) through Unleashed in the East is the best Priest era. Stained Class, the album, and in particular the song, is a prime example of the greatness that was Judas Priest, right before the era of the hot leather dude and Chester the drummer.

As a side note, I recall seeing Halford open for Maiden in 2000, and when Halford played this song, it was the highlight of his set.

#47 - Power and the Glory - Saxon - Power and the Glory

This is the first album I ever bought when I was an established fan of a band. I recall picking this up as soon as it came out and was blown away by this song. Many fans say this was the begining of the end for Saxon, but I think it is a really good record, and the song in particular is a boon.

#48 - No Voices in the Sky - Motorhead - 1916

The 1990's were not a good time for metal in general, but Motorhead definitely carried their share of the load. 1916 was a really good record, and this song is great. When Motorhead is on, they may have the best vibe in all of metal.

#49 - The Mob Rules - Black Sabbath - Mob Rules

The first two albums of the post Ozzy era, are among the best Sabbath has ever done, if not the best. It is easy to see why the two camps (Ozzy and Sabbath) were at war during that era, becuase they were both making arguably the best music of their respective careers.

In any case, The Mob Rules, especially when preceeded by its intro, E5I50, is one of the coolest songs ever, from a truly great record.

#50 - Rebellion in Dreamland - Gamma Ray - Land of the Free

Half way home.

#51 - I Will Kill You/You Will Die - Slough Feg - Atavism

Formely known as The Lord Wierd Slough Feg, the 2005 album Atavism is Slough Feg's finest moment. The previous albums are all good, but on Atavism, all the pieces came together for the Northern Californians. I am anxiously looking forward to their follow up, hopefully in 2007.

#52 - Black Wings of Death - Running Wild - Pile of Skulls

Rockin' Rolf. Running Wild is one of the founding fathers of German Power Metal. They are very consistent, and for my money, are in the top 10 bands of the 1990's. They recorded their first album in 1984, but IMO they did not really hit their stride until 1989 or so. They released four real good albums between 1991 and 1995, Pile of Skulls being my oersonal favorite. Black Wings of Death is Running Wild at their best. Great band.

#53 - Under a Glass Moon - Dream Theater - Images and Words

Dream Theater's Images and Words is one of my all time favorite records. All eight songs are great and they all work very well together. Under a Glass Moon is one of those. Every time I listen to this album, I wonder why Dream Theater was never able to duplicate the greatness of this record.

#54 - Gypsy - Mercyful Fate - Don't Break the Oath

I remember hearing this song over the PA at The Ritz in New York in between acts at the Bruce Dickinson/Kings of the Sun show back in the summer of 1990. I always liked the song, but this event brought it up a notch. It is a real cool song.

#55 - The Shining - Black Sabbath - Eternal Idol

Easily the best of the Tony Martin era. Eternal Idol is not the best album with Martin, but this song is terrific. I wish I could have seen Sabbath with Tony Martin, because they had some really good songs with him.

#56 - Hate Me! - Children of Bodom - Follow the Reaper

This song wins the award for the one I most wish existed when I was in high school.

#57 - Tears of the Mandrake - Edguy - Mandrake

Back to back German Power Metal. Edguy is a bit more tongue in cheek than most metal bands I like. They do not take themselves too seriously, and many of their songs suck quite frankly. Anyway, many of their songs kick serious ass too, so while they will never have the best album of any given year, they still have many great moments. Tears of the Mandrake is one such moment.

#58 - Valley of the Kings - Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out in Space

I remember discovering Gamma Ray quite late in the game; in fact it was not until after the release of Powerplant. Anyway, The first three Gamma Ray records are adequate, but Land of the Free marked the beginning of a new era. Valley of the Kings is a really cool Gamma Ray track, and it is the highlight of Somewhere Out in Space, which is a very good album.

#59 - The Magician - Bruce Dickinson - Accident of Birth

I think if I were to review my top 100 list, Adrian Smith has to be the most represented musician on the list. That is no accident (pardon the pun). The Magician is a real cool song on a super album. It is no surprise to me that Bruce's solo career got better when Adrian hung his hat with the band. Accident of Birth is chock full of good songs, with top notch riffs, melodies and solos. The Macigian for me the best of a very good bunch.

This is also a sentimental/personal favorite as well.

#60 - Seemingly Endless Time - Death Angel - Act III

I recently re-discovered this album when doing my yearly top 10 lists. What an awesome tune. It is too bad this band kind of fell apart as they had great potential.

#61 - Dreams in the Dark - Badlands - Badlands

Jake E. Lee and Ray Gillen were great together. I remember seeing Badlands open for Great White and Tesla, and they were clearly the best band on the bill. I also had the pleasure of seeing Lee with Ozzy a couple of times. He is such a good player, especially compared to that hack that Ozzy now has playing guitar.

#62 - New Horizons - Michael Kiske - Instant Clarity

Any song that has both Kai Hansen AND Adrian Smith on the guitar is bound to be great. Add Kiske's awesome vocals, and you have one kick ass number. The rest of the album is pretty good too, but this particular track featuring both Smith and Hansen is awesome.

#63 - The Horn (Live) - Praying Mantis - Captured Alive in Tokyo City

OK - another fanboi alert, this time Clive Burr. I had to include at least one post Iron Maiden Clive Burr track, and this one absolutely deserves inclusion. It is a brilliant instrumental (this way you don't have to deal with any of the crappy Mantis singers of the era - yes Bernie Shaw BLOWS!).

Anyway, The Horn is a short, fast paced instrumental, with a great drum line. It was written during the Clive Burr's Escape era, and I guess since Clive was guesting in Mantis for this tour, they decided to do it live, and it was a great idea.

I still do not understand how some former members of Mantis slag Clive's drumming. I understand there were ego problems with him years ago, but please, there is no denying he is a superior drummer to Potts and Bisland, and for Dave Potts to imply that Rod Smallwood was willing to sack Clive to bring in Potts is ludicrous. If you do not believe me, ask Bernie Torme, Adrian Smith or Bruce Dickinson or any other RESPECTED musician that has played in a band with Clive. Or, you could just listen to The Horn.

#64 - Badlands - Metal Church - Blessing in Disguise

As a whole I liked the first album better than this one, but this particular song is awesome, and is the best Metal Church song by a wide margin.

#65 - I Don't Know (Live) - Ozzy Osbourne - Over the Mountain (Single)

I Don't Know was the B-Side of the Over the Mountain single (Flying High Again single in the USA). This version is better than the studio version, as it is a bit faster and heavier, and Rhoads sounds great. I can't help but think that there is an entire concert of Ozzy's first UK tour available, but Sharon won't release it because she may be contractually obligated to share the royalties with Kerslake, Daisley and Rhoads' mother.

#66 - Reign of Fire - Armored Saint - Symbol of Salvation

Great album, real cool song, not much else to say.

#67 - Powerslave - Iron Maiden - Powerslave

What a song, what an album, and obviously, what a band. Not much to say other than this song has it all. Harmonies, solos, and the ever so awesome Dave Murray slow solo. I am looking forward to Maiden's next tour to see them bring this awesome song back.

#68 - Absolution of the Soul - Into Eternity - Dead or Dreaming

Into Eternity, the Canadian kings of progressive death metal, have many cool songs. Their latest album just came out and I've heard it once, and I really like it. I will pick it up next time O hit the CD shop. Dead or Dreaming is their second album, and it is probably their best. So far.

#69 - Modern Day Cowboy - Tesla - Mechanical Resonance

Some may say this is not metal. Perhaps. In any case it makes the list. This is one of those songs, that you may forget about. Tesla's career was a downward spiral, with each album getting more soft and commercial, but this gem from their debut is awesome.

In the early nineties, Spacebeagle and I tried to put a band together, and unfortunately, the results were disastrous, but one good thing that came out of it was that I found a new appreciation for this song, which I learned to play on guitar (of course I have forgotten it in the fifteen years since I learned it) .

#70 - I Speed at Night - Dio - The Last in Line

I hate the light.

#71 - Fast as a Shark - Accept - Restless & Wild

The original thrash song. All others copied this. Heidi-heido - 'nuff said

#72 - Pale Fire - Fates Warning - Inside Out

Many FW fans dismiss this record, but I think it is one of their best, if not their best.

#73 - Lit By The Light Of Morning - Sculptured - The Spear Of The Lily Is Aureoled

It looks like Sculptured may have been put on the back burner since many of the Sculptured guys are in Agalloch. Agalloch is a great band, but I would love to hear more Sculptured stuff as well. Both Sculptured albums are great, but I suppose Lit by the Light of Morning stands out slightly more that the great Washing My Hands Of It, which is on Apollo Ends.

Great band.

#74 - Hand of Doom - Black Sabbath - Paranoid

The MOST overlooked song in metal history.

#75 - Never Say Die - Iron Savior - Dark Assault

This was the last Iron Savior album to feature Kai Hansen, and it was a great album. I would have never predicted that the best was yet to come for Piet and the gang.

#76 - Ace of Spades - Motörhead - Ace of Spades

Who would win a fight between Lemmy and God? Trick question, Lemmy is God.

#77 - False News Travels Fast - Sonata Arctica - Silence

I am not really a fan of Sonata Arctica, but this song is very cool.

#78 - The Sentinel - Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith

I like the constant changing of solos on this song. This always had a nice dark atmosphere, that set it apart from other Priest tunes. Really a great track on a great record.

#79 - Princess of the Night - Saxon - Denim and Leather

Saxon - the kings of transportation metal.

#80 - You Can't Kill Rock N Roll - Ozzy Osbourne - Diray of a Madman

If Ozzy were at all lucid today, he would wake up and dedicate this one to his wife. Amazing how prophetic he was with these lyrics, as she has turned a legend into a luaghing stock. She is the Yoko of metal.

#81 - Rock N Roll Preacher - Subterranean Masquerade - Suspended Animation Dreams

This albums kills, it absolutely kills. It may be the album of the century so far.

#82 - Sanctuary - Iron Maiden - Beast Over Hammersmith

There are many good live versions of this song. The B-Side of Running Free single from the Live After Death sessions is good, as is the version on the Japanese import Live Plus One. However, this version is from The Beast on the Road tour and that featured what is in my mind, the best Iron Maiden line up of Dickinson, Murray, Smith, Harris, Burr. As such, this version gets the nod.

#83 - Queen of the Reich - Queensyche - Queensryche EP

Despite the video.

#84 - The Demon's Whip - Manowar - Triumph of Steel

Seriously.

#85 - Rain - Psycho Motel - Welcome to the World (1997)

OK, I am guitly of being an Adrian Smith fan. Is Rain really that great a track? Well to me it is, remember back in 1997, there was not much for Iron Maiden fans to celebrate. The X Factor was a decent album and so was Dickinson's Skunkworks, but both were two years old already. The second Psycho Motel album, Welcome to the World, was the best thing Maiden related "since Seventh Son" (If I had a dime for every time I read that I'd be wealthy, but I digress).

Rain is a short fast rocker, with a good melody, solo, and a killer riff, especially in that part after the solo. A recommended album for Adrian Smith fans.

#86 - I am the Wooden Doors - Agalloch - The Mantle (2002)

For those not familiar with Washington state's Agalloch, they are an American rock band. Sub-genres are hard to apply, though I have heard black metal, folk metal, avant-garde, post rock and a couple of others.

For me The Mantle is a masterpiece and the above track is just one of several stand out numbers. This track in particular is great how it blends the black metal style vocals, but has an acoustic guitar over the whole piece; even the guitar solo is acoustic. This is one of my favorite albums of all time.

#87 - Life in Still Water - Fates Warning - Parallels (1991)

Parallels may not the best Fates Warning album, but this track is their finest in my opinion. It manages to perfectly bridge Fates Warning's metal side and prog side, and as such achieves the closest to perfection they can possibly achieve.

#88 - Breaking the Silence - Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

Operation Mindcrime is one of my favorite albums of all time, and the best concept album of all time. But it is still a collection of songs, and they are all good songs at that. I am sure if I expanded this list to 500 or so, there would be about 7 or 8 from this album.

Anyway, Breaking the Silence is toward the end of the album, and it reflects some of the pent up anger and hostility in the character. The riffs and solos are great. I was always amazed how this album and this song in particular was able to be so metal and so prog at the same time.

Great stuff

#89 - Crazy Nights - Tygers of Pan Tang - Crazy Nights (1981)

I first heard this a long time ago. Probably 1984 or so, from a borrowed record from a friend of a friend. I really liked it and eventually found the record on import, as this NWOBHM outfit probably did not have great distribution in the USA. The band featured John Sykes on guitar, and the riffs here are great. Unfortunately, this was Sykes' second and last album with The Tygers and they soon faded away into obscurity. This album and the one before it are two great NWOBHM releases and are among the finest albums of the movement.

The song highlighted here is the title track from Crazy Nights and while to me it stands out in the crowd, it is only one of many great tracks as there are no real stinkers present on any of the two 1981 Tygers albums.

#90 - Who's Watching You - Vain - No Respect (1989)

Glam has never been a sub genre I ever liked. However, this album, and this track in particular are quite good. Granted the lyrics are horrible, and one read of the lyric sheet will have any self respecting metal fan reaching for their copy of Powerslave. Given that though, the playing on this record is really good. I guess Vain was more in the model of Ratt, where the guitar player was skilled, and sort of gave the band a small amount of musical credibility.

Of course, this came out at the end of glam's popularity, and thus Vain is a mere footnote in the book of 80's metal, but if you see this one in the used section or cut out bin, pick it up.

#91 - Anguish and Fear - Yngwie Malmsteen - Marching Out (1985)

This song is probably the best song on a damn good album. This album and Anguish and Fear in particular get a boost from a great association. In college, I was in a fraternity, and while we were not your stereotypical preppy frat boys, we still had parties and the main focus of the parties was to get girls.

To that end, one of the bedrooms in the house was treated as a de facto "dance club", where one of the brothers would play dance music and the like. However, at the end of the evening, after most of the girls left, some metal CD's found their way into the sound system. On one particular evening, Marching Out hit the stereo, and that will forever stick out in my mind.

#92 - Don't Hold Back - Riot - Fire Down Under (1981)

I first heard this song on the Pam Merli metal show on WYSP in Philadelphia back in the ealy 1980's. I would tape the shows on my boom box and listen to the tapes over and over again. This one track always stood out among all the other "underground" (ie Raven, TT Quick, etc.) stuff at the time.

While the album art is horrible, this is a really good album, with Don't Hold Back as my personal favorie on the album. Unfortunately, 1981 was the high water mark for Riot. Guy Speranza was replaced b Rhett Forrester, and while the latter is a decent vocalist, the band were never the same, as fame and fortune continued to elude them.

#93 - Fighting the World - Manowar - Fighting the World (1987)

Stripes on a tiger don't wash away, Manowar's made of steel not clay.

That is one of my favorite line from any song. This track is a metal anthem, and I usually do not like metal anthems. This song is the exception. Manowar is an easy target, and they are very laughable at times, but this is one of the greatest tunes of all time. Extremely infectious and it really does get you waving the proverbial metal flag when you listen to it.

Interlude

My wife had our third son earlier this week, so I am out of commission for a couple of days. All are well, but with the two older boys under my sole control, things are busy!

#94 - Holy Wars (The Punishment Due) - Megadeth - Rust in Peace (1990)

This is quite a good album, with a few great tracks on it, but the first song is my favorite. I particularly enjoy the accoustic guitar after the chorus. Good stuff.

#95 - Stranger in a Strange Land - Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time (1986)

This is the first of many Iron Maiden songs on the list. Stranger in a Strange Land is featured here for the playing of Adrian Smith. There are no accolades or superlatives that I can bestow upon the playing, writing and performing of Mr. Smith that are enough. This guy has it all, and this song is one example of many.

Somewhere in Time is a great record. On Powerslave, you first understood that Adrian was the better player between he and Dave Murray, but on Somewhere in Time, it was obvious, especially when you considered song writing. I am not slamming Murray; I think he's great as The Thin Line Between Love and Hate almost made this list, purely for Davey's playing. It's just that Adrian is better, and this song is an early example of that.

#96 - Worlds Are Comin' Through - Brainstorm - Liquid Monster (2005)

Liquid Monster, the new album from Brainstorm…OK, seriously. German metal outfit Brainstorm has a history of churning out competent but not brilliant Euro Metal. Not really speedy, but not as geigh as Power Metal, I guess you'd call it traditional metal. Whatever the sub-genre, Brainstorm does have an interesting little niche in the metal world, and hopefully this album was a stepping-stone toward a more consistent release. This is the first track on the album, and it shows the potential these guys have. It is the standout track here for sure. As the album progresses, it looses steam and eventually becomes quite dull and ordinary, but this track is awesome, and hopefully a sign of things to come.

#97 - Iron Tusk - Mastodon - Leviathan (2004)

Iron Tusk falls in the center of Mastodon's highly acclaimed Leviathan. This album crosses the sub genres and delivers a complex heavy album, worthy of its praise. The song Iron Tusk in particular is my personal favorite here. The drumming is sick, the guitars are wailing and the pace is furious.

I saw Mastodon in the summer of 2005 opening for Maiden, but really did not see much of their show due to circumstances beyond my control; plus the venue had crappy sound, so it would have been tough to enjoy the show. I do recall this tune in the set, as it does stand out. A recommended album for fans of extreme metal.

#98 - Conquistador - Saxon - Metalhead (2000)

Since 1984, Saxon has not really done much. Their albums (and there have been plenty of them) have ranged from dreadful (Destiny) to competent. And while I certainly enjoy these more recent albums, none of them are really that great. None of them stand out as brilliant. However, this one song seems to rise above the crowd. It has a nice acoustic intro, followed by great riffing. Even Biff has that "old sound" to his voice; and without the slick modern day production, Conquistador would be right at home on Wheels of Steel or Strong Arm of the Law.

It is really one of Saxon's finest moments, from any era.

#99 - Satan's Fall - Mercyful Fate - Melissa (1983)

From Mercyful Fate's debut album, this is the centerpiece of that classic album. Clocking in over eleven minutes, Satan's Fall is powerful and epic. Mercyful Fate is one of those bands who peaked early, with their first and second albums being their best. Satan's Fall is only one of many great tunes on these two albums; but for me it is one of their best.

When I first heard this album, and this track in particular, I was blown away at the intensity of it, I could not believe how dark this whole album was, and I was in awe of the mood of the whole thing. I am unsure if you can call it black metal, because it sounds nothing like today's black metal, but I call it a great metal song, from a great metal album.

# 100 - Doctor Doctor - U.F.O. - Phenomenon (1974)

OK - a couple of points. I decided to do one hundred, because I couldn't cut it to forty and include everything I wanted to, so it is a top hundred.

Second - the list is only metal (i.e. no Rush).

So, I have broken the rules already since this song is not really metal, and the list is only metal. But, this song is here not really for itself anyway. Like many great songs, its greatness is partially due to an association with something else.

Any Iron Maiden fan reading this understands.

Picture the scene; you are in a crowded concert venue waiting for Iron Maiden to hit the stage. There is the usual milling about, you hear some music through the house PA, the air may even be a little smoky. Then suddenly you hear the eerie guitar intro to Doctor Doctor, and you realize you are only moments away from the main event.

I always get chills whenever I hear this song, and even though it's greatness if due to an association with another band, the song itself is still awesome, and a perfect begining to this list.

Top 40 - T-Bone Style (cue Casey Casem cursing sound byte)

VH1 recently did a show counting down the top 40 metal songs of all time, their list is below:

40-Breaking the Law -Judas Priest
39-I'm Eighteen - Alice Cooper
38-Balls to the Wall -Accept
37-Smoke on the Water -Deep Purple
36-Wait and Bleed -Slipknot
35-Metal Health -Quiet Riot
34-Paranoid -Black Sabbath
33-High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night) -Def Leppard
32-Thunder Kiss '65 -White Zombie
31-Rock You Like a Hurricane -Scorpions
30-Epic -Faith No More
29-Caught in a Mosh -Anthrax
28-The Beautiful People -Marilyn Manson
27-Run to the Hills -Iron Maiden
26-Refuse/Resist -Sepultura
25-Cowboys From Hell -Pantera
24-Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap -AC/DC
23-Freak on a Leash -Korn
22-Enter Sandman -Metallica
21-Paradise City -Guns N' Roses
20-I Wanna Rock -Twisted Sister
19-Man in the Box -Alice in Chains
18-Slave to the Grind -Skid Row
17-Live Wire [Kick A** '91 Remix] [Mix] -Mötley Crüe
16-Walk -Pantera
15-Bulls on Parade -Rage Against the Machine
14-Toxicity -System of a Down
13-Rainbow in the Dark -Dio
12-Bring the Noise -Anthrax
11-Peace Sells -Megadeth
10-Ace of Spades -Motörhead
9-Crazy Train -Ozzy Osbourne
8-Raining Blood -Slayer
7-The Number of the Beast -Iron Maiden
6-Detroit Rock City -Kiss
5-You've Got Another Thing Comin' -Judas Priest
4-Back in Black -AC/DC
3-Master of Puppets -Metallica
2-Welcome to the Jungle -Guns N' Roses
1-Iron Man -Black Sabbath

While this list is not a total insult to us tr00 metal fans, there are some on this list that are just plain silly. Appetite for Destruction is a really good record, but it is not metal. Anyway, to right their wrong in my own warped little universe, I have decided that I am going to do my own countdown of the top 40 metal songs of all time. While the VH1 list has some good tunes in there, only one song in their illustrious top 40 will be on my top 40 (hint: it is NOT Bring the Noize).

The Gay Nineties (Not that there's anything wrong with that)

(and I mean gay like the kids say gay)

The top tens are temporarily dead. I tried doing a top 10 for 1992, but there were so many bad albums that I lost interest. I mean Dream Theater's Images and Words is one of the greatest albums of all time, and would far and away be the number one album of that year. Also, there were a couple of other good albums that year like Running Wild's Pile of Skulls Alice in Chains' Dirt. Maiden's Fear of the Dark has some bright spots and Sabbath's Dehumanizer was listenable.

Outside of that I really can think of one good album from 1992. What would be number 6? Triumph of Steel by Manowar? No thanks. I'll pass.

Anyway, I plan to pick up the top tens again, but I will certainly skip 1992 and probably 1993 as well.

Primordial - The Coffin Ships

Every once in a while, a song comes along that is so awesome that you feel your head is going to explode. Primordial's song "The Coffin Ships" from their album The Gathering Wilderness is one of the best songs I have ever heard. It is dark and epic and it has so much feeling to it, words cannot do it justice.

The song is about the Irish emigration during the famines of the 19th century. I recommend this to anyone reading this blog. This may be the song of the decade.