The Metal Anthem Debate: Beyond the Riffs and Roars
What makes a song the ultimate heavy metal anthem? Is it the thunderous guitar solos, the gut-punching lyrics, or the way it makes you feel invincible? Kerrang! recently tackled this question by polling a diverse group of artists at the Download Festival, and the results are as varied as the genre itself. But beyond the surface-level answers, this exercise reveals something deeper about the nature of metal, its evolution, and the personal connections we forge with its anthems.
The Classics vs. The New Guard
One thing that immediately stands out is the dominance of classic metal in the artists’ choices. Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell and Sweet Leaf, Iron Maiden’s Run to the Hills, and Metallica’s Master of Puppets and Enter Sandman all made the list. Personally, I think this reflects the enduring legacy of these bands—they’re the foundation upon which modern metal is built. But it’s also interesting to see newer tracks like Bring Me The Horizon’s Heavy Metal and After The Burial’s Lost in the Static getting a nod. What this really suggests is that while the classics remain untouchable, the genre is still evolving, and newer bands are carving out their own space in the metal canon.
What many people don’t realize is how subjective this question is. For Lzzy Hale, Heaven and Hell is the ultimate anthem, but for Jeremy McKinnon, it’s Enter Sandman. This isn’t just about musical taste—it’s about personal history, the moments these songs soundtracked, and the emotions they evoke. If you take a step back and think about it, metal is as much about personal connection as it is about technical prowess.
The Outliers and the Provocateurs
Then there are the choices that make you pause. Trivium’s Matt Heafy picking his own band’s Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr? Bold move. But in my opinion, it’s a cheeky reminder that artists are fans too, and sometimes, the ultimate anthem is the one you created. It’s a meta moment that blurs the line between performer and listener, and I find that fascinating.
Pendulum’s Gaz McGrillen and Peredur ap Gwynedd couldn’t pick just one, opting for Meshuggah’s Bleed, Metallica’s Battery, and Psycroptic’s Lacertine Forest. This raises a deeper question: Can there truly be one ultimate anthem, or is metal too diverse and multifaceted to crown a single winner? From my perspective, the inability to choose just one track is a testament to the genre’s richness.
The Cultural Weight of an Anthem
What makes this particularly fascinating is how these songs transcend music to become cultural touchstones. Walk by Pantera, chosen by Benji Webbe, isn’t just a song—it’s a battle cry, a statement of resilience. Similarly, Slipknot’s Psychosocial and Eyeless tap into the raw, unfiltered energy that defines the band and their fans. These aren’t just tracks; they’re anthems of rebellion, identity, and community.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how these choices reflect the artists’ own styles. Becca Bottomley of Marmozets picking Psychosocial makes perfect sense given her band’s chaotic, high-energy sound. It’s like these artists are paying homage to the roots of their own music while also asserting their place in the lineage.
The Future of Metal Anthems
If we’re looking at this through a broader lens, the question of the ultimate metal anthem isn’t just about the past—it’s about the future. Will we see newer bands like Sleep Theory or South Arcade creating anthems that stand the test of time? Or will the classics remain unchallenged? Personally, I think the beauty of metal lies in its ability to constantly reinvent itself while staying true to its core.
One thing is certain: the debate over the ultimate metal anthem will never end. And that’s a good thing. It keeps the conversation alive, the passion burning, and the genre evolving. So, the next time you’re at a festival or blasting your favorite track, ask yourself: What’s your ultimate metal anthem? And more importantly, what does it say about you?
In the end, maybe the ultimate metal anthem isn’t a single song—it’s the collective roar of a genre that refuses to be silenced.
