Well, this is a tough one!
I guess my preference towards harder rock will be very influential but I’ll have a go anyway. I’m listing the songs in no particular order of preference - just as they come into my head.
- Pull Me Under - Dream Theater
From the album’Images & Words’, the song comes through as a very tight technical piece of songwriting and music. Displaying the immense talent of all five members of the band, this song, if your first DT one, will definitely make you want to get more. Here’re a few lines
’Watch the sparrow falling, gives new meaning to it all, If not today, not yet tomorrow, then some other day.
I’ll take seven lives for one, And then my only father’s son, As sure as I ever did love you, I am not afraid.’
- Phantom of The Opera - Iron Maiden
An age old theme, the song shows you a thing or two about variations in heavy metal.
- No Quarter - Led Zeppelin
For those of you who smoke w, I really don’t need to say anything about this. For the rest, smoke and see the light!
- Megadeth - Holy Wars
A scorcher for metal freaks, a song about the atrocities of present day governance.
- The Four Horsemen - Metallica
Will sound a little heavy for the uninitiated, but a masterpiece for the chosen ones.
- Cemetery Gates - Pantera
Amazing lyrics and music about having done the wrong things in life and regretting them. A band from Dallas, I hope to see them perform live someday since I am in Dallas now.
- Pink Floyd - The Wall, full album
No words to describe this. Not just an album but an experience. Try not to just listen to it but watch the video as well. There’s no single video for the songs but a whole movie for the entire album and if you see the animation, it will leave you amazed at how they did all that stuff when computers were’nt even around. Watch out especially for the sequence with the two flowers - it will leave you breathless.
- Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss
A brilliant piece of music - in every way. A must know!
- Propaganda - Sepultura
A very heavy song that talks about misinformation of the part of present day governments and how they project falsities to the junta.
- Running Down A Dream - Tom Petty
Typical bluesy rock and roll, this song really gets you pumped.
- Tom Sawyer - Rush
Excellent music and lyrics by legendary progressive rockers Rush. Brilliant drumming by Neil Peart.
- My Sacrifice - Creed
A very new and very good song. Somehow involved with the WWF.
- Twist Of Fate - Millenium
Not many folks know this song which is sad because it’s by an Indian band from Bangalore. This song would classify them as India’s answer to Iron Maiden.
- Afraid To Shoot Strangers - Iron Maiden
A song with a very hummable lead, it talks about the justification and necessity of having to go to war.
- Child In Time - Deep Purple
An all time classic that Anu Malik could’nt resist!
- Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Another immortal song - even Jimmy Page said he could never reproduce something like it.
- She Moves Me - Muddy Waters
A typical blues song about a typical blues theme - a woman! Brilliant guitar renditions.
- When The Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin
Haunting trolls of the Page and Plant magic.
- Black - Pearl Jam
Heart rending experience by Edward Vedder about his love lost.
- Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater, album
Just one song in this masterpiece will not do justice to the sheer genius of DT. Presented as a play with acts and scenes, it is about Nicholas, the narrator of sorts who gets these dreams about Victoria, a girl who was shot and killed by her lover. Brilliant music - DT at it’s best, and that’s gotta be simply the BEST there is!
Actually, you know what, I don’t have any right passing opinions on most of the greats I’ve written about. They’re much too brilliant and comprise all time classics that will never be forgotten. I am but a mere mortal squeaking under the weight of their immortality.
Anyway, enjoy the music - it’s all that’s left to enjoy.