This is the mecca of review writing for me.rock.rock.rock.
Let’s not waste any words here and get straight down to business.
Although’best’ is the criteria here, I have included some different songs so as not to make the review too cliched.let’s see how that goes down with rock-lovers. Also, at times it may seem that the songs are a tad biased towards the genre of hard rock, but I have tried my best to include all types of songs. For some of the songs which are obviously missing from this list, I add that I have not added any song that I had previously mentioned in my’20 best English Songs’ list(https://mouthshut.com/review/Twenty_Best_English_Songs-70877-1.html) and that’s why this review has been a lot tougher to write and a bit different.
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
This song was composed and added to the album only because there was a 3 minute wastage of tape the producers wanted to avoid. Paranoid has gone on to become arguably Black Sabbath’s most popular song till date. Brilliant opening riff by Toni Iommi and later he plays an amazing lead later on as well. Of course, Ozzy sings the song to perfection.
Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Chile(Slight Return)
The wah wah peddle came under public recognition after Hendrix wrote this song. The song starts of with a mindblowing riff completely based on Hendrix brushing his hands on muted strings and then using the wah-wah peddle to start a legendary riff. The entire guitar portion blends seamlessly with the song to produce the magic that epitomised Hendrix.
Iron Maiden - Bring Your Daughter.To the Slaughter
The visual effect of watching’Raising Hell’ and the antics of Dickinson and Harris made this my first choice. All the riffs are legendary, and the music defines hard rock. The licks are played with precision and completely accentuate the song. Iron Maiden is what led the Hard Rock Band revolution.Rock on.
Metallica - Fade to Black
The song is extremely dark, about the termination of life, and it also led to much furore after many people commited suicide after listening to it. Hammett plays guitar like God in this one, but Hetfield stamps his authoritative voice like only he can and it makes for a 7 minute wipeout.
Cradle Of Filth - Hallowed Be Thy Name
Originally a Maiden number, but I’ve put COF’s version of it simply because they have done it so much better. This song thrives on power and speed. The leads are mindblowingly fast, the voice exceptionally hoarse and eerie and the drumming is something to behold. The song is not entirely a ripoff of the original version, and every new portion added is awesome in creative potential. Add to that the anime video…gr8 number.
Children Of Bodom - Every Time I Die
Alex Laiho, frontman, claims to be a’Melodic Mettaler’. And he has lived up to his claim at least in this number. Not senseless bashing of the(ear)drums or your minds, this has everything from mindblowing riffs to subtle synth pieces. You won’t be able to make the lyrics, but you’ll hear the leads of Laiho, who was asked by the great John Petrucci(DT) to play with him in G3.
Megadeth - Insomnia
How can I leave out Megadeth, what with Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine who were the torchbearers. Insomnia is a song I like very much for its’different’ nature. It has that melodic touch at times and then rushes headlong into chanting’Insomnia.nia.nia.nia’ over and over again which makes for a fantastic trip. Very well organized song, and it gets my vote ahead of A Tout Le Monde.
Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams
Marilyn Manson’s fan brigade seems to be decreasing by the day, but I’m still a die-hard fan of this guy. Weirdo that he is, this guy is definitely talented. Hear this song to understand me. It starts of with a brilliant bassline which completely defines the rest of the song. It is an eerie song, and has a bizzare video to boot. The lyrics are GOOD. Manson always portrays some emotion in his songs, and this one is about parasitic people. When the voice starts, you’ll be a Manson fan. If you see the video and manage to sit through the song, you’ll be one shell-shocked guy.
Van Halen - Jump
Jump is one helluva song that has remained my favourite. Eruption would be my No.1 choice, but it’s not really a song, so.
Once again, simply superb composition and arrangement, and the synth riffs of this song have become legend. Not much to dwell upon this one I guess, all rock addicts have had this one in overdose.
Guns n Roses - Sweet Child Of Mine
Of course, this had to be there. All I wanted to do at one point of time was to play the starting lick, and the day I could I felt I had lived a full life. Slash.Slash.Slash.
Not much to write about this one too.super popular GNR song everyone has heard, and the vocals by Axl Rose are fantastic as well. But the guitar.oof.can’t write enough about it.
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Without Floyd there would be no music. My favourite Pink Floyd number, and this song, meant to be a tribute to the meandering legend Syd Barrett is a 17 minute epic. The lyrics, as ever are fantastic.
The mood of the song is so great.the song ever so slowly grows on you and then the vocals explode on you.the music, lyrics, vocals.Floyd.awesome number. Psychadelic Rock at its best.
Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
An amazing starting riff by Page, followed suit by hypnotic vocals by Plant. The entire eerie mood is instantly created in the listeners mind, and the sound is so ethnic in nature. Made possible only by the genius that were Page and Plant, so it effortlessly finds a spot on my list.
Scorpions - Winds of Change
An all time favourite. A brilliant composition by a brilliant band, and the Acoustica version is one I’d kill for. I don’t think I need to waste words on this number.I’m sure everyone has heard this one.
Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
This song defines class. Extremely mellow and soothing, and what guitaring by Knopfler.
Tremendous lyrics, and Knopfler once said in an interview he found Sultans easier to compose. Can’t really define what this song is all about unless you hear it.
George Harrison with Eric Clapton - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Yeah this song is originally a Beatles number, but Harrison and Clapton resang it at a live concert a decade or two back.
Very simple lyrics, but a fantastic tune to this song. Harrison surpassed himself on this particular rendition, and to add to that the magic of Clapton. The song revolves around the magnificient(no other words) licks he plays, and then Clapton takes over for a good three minutes after the vocals have ended. One of the best leads(and toughest) you’ll ever get to hear.
Carlos Santana - Black Magic Woman
Oh.and so much of Black Magic in this song it’ll leave you mesmerized for hours. Besides the fantastic Latin lead by the great Santana, the song is superb, and the vocalist does a marvellous job. The other thing to note in this song is the latin percussion, simply amazing. The mood of the song is so ethereal and so Latin, I just love this song.
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