100 Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Author:
Ansel Pereira
Updated:
May 22, 2023 2:01 PM EDT

The '80s and '90s were the two most important decades in the development of metal.
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Ranking the Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s

While the roots of heavy metal emerged towards the end of the ‘60s, the movement took off in the ‘70s giving rise to a plethora of new sounds in the genre. Experimentation in musical structure and in the realms of metal helped new sub-genres emerge. Heavy metal songs from various subgenres have a diverse sound because of their varied influences that stem from wide music genres. In the ‘80s, heavy metal became excessively popular globally, with the glam metal scene reaching its height of success.

Mainstream Popularity of Heavy Metal in the ‘80s and ‘90s

Many pioneering acts from extreme metal genres of the ‘90s emerged through the ‘80s metal scene. Hard rock bands with heavy metal influences achieved a great deal of commercial success in the ‘80s. The brand of heavy metal emerging from Scandinavian countries became insanely popular with metal fans globally. Although not many power metal bands tasted commercial success, a significant number of bands in this genre garnered a cult following globally. The popularity of alternative metal in the ‘90s propelled heavy metal to dizzy heights. Furthermore, with music television channels promoting metal in a big way, the genre reached a wider genre spectrum of heavy metal fans and achieved significant mainstream popularity.

‘80s and ‘90s: The Heavy Metal Years

Heavy metal which was considered non-mainstream suddenly found the spotlight in the ‘80s. Songs of heavy metal bands became a symbol of rebellion with youth in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Many bands in this genre landed recording contracts with major record companies. Record labels such as Metal Blade Records, Roadrunner Records, Noise Records and Earache Records played a pivotal role in signing new and upcoming metal bands in the ‘80s and ‘90s. A number of speed metal bands, thrash metal bands and death metal bands from US and Europe became hugely popular through the ‘80s and ‘90s. The Norwegian black metal movement sprung forth to a new level in the ‘90s. Many pioneering acts in extreme subgenres of heavy metal are cited as influences by present-day metal bands.

Glam Metal in the ‘80s

The ‘80s also saw a phenomenal rise of glam metal bands. Many hair metal bands had a string of successful singles in the ‘80s. Needless to say, the ‘80s were the glory days for hair metal and glam metal. Several hair metal bands released commercially successful albums. Thanks to MTV, the music television channel showcased singles of numerous bands in the realms of heavy metal. Furthermore, several metal bands received regular airplay on radio stations.

The Emergence of Extreme Genres in the ‘90s

Whilst the alternative and grunge movement did put the brakes on the glam metal scene in the 90s, many new extreme metal genres came to the forefront with an amalgamation of complex odd time musical structure. Progressive metal which surfaced in the late ‘80s was taken to another level by bands in this genre. The complex music structure in progressive metal has led to diverse sounds in various subgenres of metal. Heavy metal in the ‘80s and ‘90s unlocked doors to new sounds that gave shape to the nu-metal sound in 2000s.

The list below showcases an epic list of ‘80s and ‘90s heavy metal songs from different subgenres. If you are a fan of metal you will have a lot to say. Feel free with your views, opinions, and suggestions in the comments section.

Heavy Metal Bands are known for their exceptional showmanship!
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Top 10 Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s

1. “Breaking the Law”—Judas Priest (Heavy Metal)

2. “Ace of Spades”—Motorhead (Heavy Metal/Hard Rock/Speed Metal)

3. “Welcome to the Jungle”—Guns N’ Roses (Heavy Metal/Hard Rock)

4. “Master of Puppets”—Metallica (Speed Metal/Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

5. “Raining Blood”—Slayer (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s #11—20

11. “Heaven and Hell”—Black Sabbath (Heavy Metal)

12. “Alison Hell”—Annihilator (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

13. “The Number of the Beast”—Iron Maiden (Heavy Metal)

14. “Caught In A Mosh”—Anthrax (Speed Metal/Heavy Metal)

15. “Paradise City”—Guns N Roses (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal)

16. “Seek and Destroy”—Metallica (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

17. “The Toxic Waltz”—Exodus (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

18. “Crazy Train”—Ozzy Osbourne (Heavy Metal)

19. “Practice What You Preach”—Testament (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

20. “Future World”—Helloween (Power Metal/Heavy Metal)

Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s #21—40

21. “Rock You like A Hurricane”—Scorpions (Heavy Metal)

22. “Whiplash”—Metallica (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

23. “Mother”—Danzig (Heavy Metal)

24. “Hallowed Be Thy Name”—Iron Maiden (Heavy Metal)

25. “Bounded By Blood”—Exodus (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

26. “Death is Certain”—Dark Angel (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

27. “Elimination”—Overkill (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

28. “Pleasure to Kill”—Kreator (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

29. “Electric Eye”—Judas Priest (Heavy Metal)

30. “Hall of the Mountain King”—Savatage (Heavy Metal)

31. “One”—Metallica (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

32. “The Last in Line”—Dio (Heavy Metal)

33. “Jump”—Van Halen (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal)

34. “Heavy Metal Maniac”—Exciter (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

35. “The Trooper”—Iron Maiden (Heavy Metal)

36. “Hail and Kill”—Manowar (Heavy Metal)

37. “Chapel of Ghouls”—Morbid Angel (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

38. “Solitude”—Candlemass (Doom Metal/Heavy Metal)

39. “The Unknown Knows”—Voivod (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

40. “Remember the Fallen”—Sodom (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s #41—60

41. “Guardian”—Fates Warning (Heavy Metal)

42. “Metal Heart”—Accept (Heavy Metal)

43. “Seventeen”—Winger (Glam Metal/Heavy Metal)

44. “I Wanna Rock”—Twisted Sister (Heavy Metal/Hair Metal)

45. “Hell Awaits”—Slayer (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

46. “Battery”—Metallica (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

47. “Kill as One”—Death Angel (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

48. “Screaming For Vengeance”—Judas Priest (Heavy Metal)

49. “Mad Butcher”—Destruction (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

50. “Denim and Leather”—Saxon (Heavy Metal)

51. “Into the Crypts of Rays”—Celtic Frost (Heavy Metal/Thrash)

52. “Beneath The Remains”—Sepultura (Thrash Metal Heavy Metal)

53. “Evil”—Mercyful Fate (Heavy Metal)

54. “Betrayer”—Kreator (Speed Metal/Heavy Metal)

55. “Don’t Talk To Strangers”—Dio (Heavy Metal)

56. “Metal on Metal”—Anvil (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

57. “Queen of the Reich”—Queensryche (Progressive Metal/Heavy Metal)

58. “Am I Evil”—Diamond Head (Heavy Metal)

59. “War Inside My Head”—Suicidal Tendencies (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

60. “Black Metal”—Venom (Heavy Metal)

Best Heavy Metal Songs of the ‘80s #61—80

61. “Human Insecticide”—Annihilator (Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal)

62. “The Tempter”—Trouble (Heavy Metal)

63. “Disciples of the Watch”—Testament (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

64. “Youth Gone Wild”—Skid Row (Heavy Metal/Glam Metal)

65. “Cum on Feel the Noize”—Quiet Riot (Heavy Metal)

66. “Hot for Teacher”—Van Halen (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal)

67. “Turn Up the Radio”—Autograph (Glam Metal/Heavy Metal)

68. “Metal Health”—Quiet Riot (Heavy Metal)

69. “Cult of Personality”—Living Colour (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal)

70. “Angel of Death”—Slayer (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

71. “Black Wind Fire and Steel”—Manowar (Heavy Metal/Power Metal)

72. “Edge of a Broken Heart”—Vixen (Glam Metal/Hard Rock/Heavy Metal)

73. “Watch the Children Play”—Metal Church (Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal)

74. “Heavy Metal Love”—Helix (Heavy Metal)

75. “Majesty”—Blind Guardian (Heavy Metal)

76. “Kickstart My Heart”—Motley Crue

77. “Girlschool”—Britny Fox (Glam Metal/Heavy Metal)