A Beginner Metalhead's Top 5 Transitioning Songs

“Turn that god forsaken crap off NOW!” 

This is a sentence I’ve come to be familiar with from my dad as I am savoring a good metal song. 

The common first impression of metal is that it is this harsh, angry music listened only by headbangers and troubled teens. However, I listen to metal because it pumps me up and gets my adrenaline going. No matter my mood I can switch on some metal and feel the emotions radiating from the song. Metal is a type of music with a broad range of subcategories. Regardless of the subcategory metal is known for its lively pace, breakdowns, use of electric bass and guitars, heavy drumming, brutal lyrics, and overall boisterous sound. 

These elements are what a good metal song is constructed around. Most ‘metalheads’ (those who listen to metal) did not submerge into this genre of music, but were eased into it. 

There are five top songs I recommend for an amateur metal listener. The metal focused on in these songs derive from various types of metal so that a new listener can adequately get a sense of metal.

      IMPORTANT NOTE: Though not all metal songs posses a breakdown it is usually the key to a good, hardcore metal song.

 A breakdown is basically a climax in the song where the guitar riffs and drumming are rhythmic and time seems to slow. Usually during a breakdown the listener feels inclined to physically move with the rhythm by either

 a.) throwing up a ‘rock on’ sign,

 b.) head banging, 

c.) failing their body in a downward movement, 

or d.) all of the above. 

If the hopefully future metalhead does not feel up to these physical activities while sampling a song it’s perfectly acceptable. 

Also side note: I messed up the order of my blog so this is where you start and whoever is reading this should scroll down to the 1st song (Underoath) and then work their way up. 

That is all.

Last but not least, Every Time I Dies' "Rendez-Voodoo"

"Rendez-Voodoo"

 The final song sounds isn’t as dark and has more a of ‘fun’ feel to it. The reason this song comes off not as dark despite the metal-like lyrics is probably because the pace constantly changes and the bass can be distinctly heard. The band Every time I Die is a metal band fitting under the subcategory of southern metalcore due to their moderate southern sound. The title of this song even reflects southern influence “Rendez-Voodoo”. The electric guitar comes to life beginning the song with a few taps from the drums establishing the beat. This singer’s voice makes the lyrics easy to hear as he starts off the song. Its a smooth, easy opening with a continuous beat for the first half of the song.

Lyrics:

"You'd better shove another piece of what's left into your mouth while the gettin' is good. because you know the highs are running low, and every new is getting old.

Lord, I've been down since you've been seeing another boy.

Me and my girl are gonna smoke the cigarettes that we find in another man's tray. We're gonna pick all the meat from the big city bones because the hot is getting cold.

Lord, I'm not proud. keep you chin up the water will boil, the comet will come for us all. so make amends with anything you've ever loved and open your arms to the swarm.

We have salted the earth. raid hell! raid hell!

You'd better drink up, get your sorrows in, because we're coming upon where the ending begins. the nickel city's new church says "no one allowed" since all the lights are going out. 

The end is near. I will be delivered. We've filled our bellies with so much repulsive flair I'll explode if I'm not forgiven!!!

Make amends with anything you've ever loved and open your arms to the swarm.

We have salted the earth. raid hell!! raid hell!!

You'd better get it while the gettin' is good, corner boy. You know the highs are running low. You'd better shove another piece of what is left into your mouth. We need to learn to go without.

There is no plan for the dutiful. we dried the country making room for our grave. but my time is sure taking it's time running out."

(Epic) Number 4, "MEMPHIS WILL BE LAID TO WASTE" by Norma Jean

"Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste"

Norma Jean got their name from actress Marilyn Monroe, whose real name is Norma Jeane Baker. 
Other than the fact that the song Title is mentions Memphis (my hometown) this song is a favorite because
A.)It is indeed epic
B.) I was exposed to it while at my first metal show. 
Norma Jean’s “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste” has many components within it and sounds busy in a positive way. There are two major breakdown which are simple yet intense (located at 1:40 and 3:24). Also the lyrics which can be interrupted are powerful when analyzed.

Norma Jean is a metal band fitting once again under metalcore category of metal, but this song is harder than the opening song by Underoath.

The lead singer starts off with a deep, echoing scream immediately with the bass, drums, and electric guitars following his pitch.

 The pace of this song is rapid and the tension is already felt from it within in first ten seconds.

During the second major breakdown the overlapping screaming and singing lyrics go like so, “....And everything was wrong! So we sang sentimental songs! Oh, how seldom we belong, but how elegant our kiss. And we painted crooked lines! But we dance in perfect time! To a love so much refined, we know not what it is! So like the dullen wine we pour into a grief we’d known before, but never quite like this!...”

 At this point the listener might feel blown away by what they just heard. This is a normal and expected reaction, which should be embraced.

   

Song Tres: FBTMOF "Should Have Stayed in the Shallows"

"Should Have Stayed in the Shallows"

FBTMOF=Fear Before The March Of Flames.
This band is hands down one of my favorites. Their sound has changed greatly from being extremely hard to much softer. I was kinda heartbroken when just 2 years ago they dropped the "march of flames" (ALONG WITH THEIR AMAZING SOUND) going by just Fear Before. Fear Before has more of a hard indie feel rather then when they were FBTMOF.

Anyways about the song....The distorted guitars start of this next song setting the usual fast pace of metal. The lead singer’s voice is much more raw than the two previous songs because it’s more raspy and only yells. 
Due to the song’s fast, spread out tempos the listener may feel inclined to start moving their all of their upper body as opposed to just their head. 
The song builds on itself by becoming faster, harder, stronger with the guitarists strumming his fingers more franticly.

The lyrics are random and go like this:

"The party hasn’t started till there’s spike in the punch.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

More ups and downs than a trampoline.

Lets do coke like we’re vacuums

and dance our troubles away

before we drive our cars off bridges.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

Lets pry her ribs open, and bathe in her chest.

I’m the life of the party until I sober up.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

I’m the life of the party until I sober up.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

And when they find her on the shore they’ll say,(x 3)

And when they find her ON THE SHORE.

“The shark that got her was an efficient killer."(x4)

Some things, some things, some things are better left unsaid.

Some things, some things, some things are better left off dead.

The party hasn’t started till there’s spike in the punch.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

I’m the life of the party until I sober up.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls."

All goes silent and then there is the random sound of children clapping and saying, “yaay” which may comfort the beginning ‘metalhead‘ if he or she is feeling slightly out of their element.   

#2 "Eyeless" Slipknot

"Eyeless"

Still easing the beginner into harder, deeper depths of metal, the next song come’s from Slipknot’s 1999 self entitled album. Slipknot’s “Eyeless” is a good example of heavy metal due to the use of loud distorted guitars, the emphasized rhythm, and  powerfully delivered vocals. This second song is good for a beginner because it introduces a harder as well as a typical sound of metal.

The drums’ beat should causes the listener (if he or she is comfortable enough) to start banging their head to the music. The guitars add to this desired effect staying at the same fast pace. The energetic song builds up to a breakdown as it climaxes emotionally with the vocalist’s voice,lyrics, and the instruments continuing steadiness. The intimidating guitars’ sound slows at the breakdown causing the listener to feel the intensity that has been built. 

Also, yes this band always dresses like this and there are 9 consistent members that make up Slipknot. 

These lyrics get to be lude, but that's metal:

"Insane - Am I the only mother fucker with a brain?

I'm hearing voices but all they do is complain,

How many times have you wanted to kill,

Everything and everyone - Say you'll do it but never will!

You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes,

Can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes,

You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes!

I am my Father's son,

Cuz he's a phantom, a mystery and that leaves me

Nothing!

How many times have you wanted to die?

It's too late for me, all you have to do is get rid of me!

You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes,

Can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes,

You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes!

It's all in your head!

It's all in my head!

It's all in your head!

Yeah!

I tried - You lied to me for so long,

Everywhere I go, there's a sense of it.

Freak on my antics and give me a choice,

Doesn't matter if I give a shit,

It's shit that you gave me.

You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes,

Can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes,

You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes!

It's all in your head!

It's all in my head!

It's all in your head!

Yeah!

Do you wanna feel pain?

Taking my name in vain; caring never felt so lame inside.

Anybody else got pride? Do you wanna take my life?

Maybe I'll reverse my ride.

Who the fuck are you? Fuck you!

Better suck it up cause you bled through,

Better get away from me.

Stay the fuck away from me!

I feel safe - seems you're saved.

I feel safe, it, seems you're saved!

Look me in my brand new eye x3

Mother Fucker!

Look me in my brand new eye x3

Look me in my brand new."

Underoath's (ridiculously long song title) "A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White"

"A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White"

Underoath's insanely long titled song was one of the first songs that personally got me into metal.

Even hearing it now since I've gone on to harder music makes me ecstatic. It was just a gateway song for me into the world of metal.  

Underoath’s sound for this song would be categorizes under combined category of extreme metal and hardcore punk forming metalcore. Characteristics for metalcore is that the vocals are screamed and that there are breakdowns like metal overall.        

This song is a good base for modern day metal  for multiple reasons. For the most part the lyrics are decipherable as well as can strike a good cord with their lyrics. 

The lyrics tell the story of a boy regretting/dealing with a decision he has made with a girl involving sex. 

The emotional content that goes along with this type of commonly found angst among adolescence is heard within the song through the singer and the fast paced instruments.

This song has a combination of screaming with a back up screamer as well as the usual singing making this a good choice for a beginning metal listener. 

Also a side tid bit of random info, the drummer, Aaron Gillespie,  shown above is also the lead singer. I think that's pretty impressive.