The Ultimate Metal Anthem: A Symphony of Subjectivity
What makes a song the ultimate heavy metal anthem? Is it the thunderous riffs, the spine-chilling vocals, or the raw, unfiltered energy that resonates with fans across generations? Kerrang! recently posed this question to a diverse group of artists at the Download Festival, and the answers are as varied as the genre itself. But beyond the surface-level responses, this poll reveals something far more intriguing about the nature of metal and its enduring legacy.
The Classics vs. The Contemporaries
One thing that immediately stands out is the dominance of classic metal tracks in the responses. Lzzy Hale’s choice of Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” and Andy Biersack’s pick of Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” highlight the timeless appeal of these bands. Personally, I think this reflects a broader trend in metal culture: while the genre constantly evolves, its roots remain sacred. What many people don’t realize is that these classic anthems aren’t just songs—they’re cultural touchstones that define what metal means to so many fans.
On the flip side, selections like Harmony Cavelle’s “Heavy Metal” by Bring Me The Horizon and Daniel Pruitt’s “Lost in the Static” by After the Burial show how modern bands are pushing boundaries. From my perspective, this duality is what keeps metal alive. It’s a genre that reveres its past while embracing its future, and this poll captures that tension beautifully.
The Personal vs. The Universal
What makes this particularly fascinating is how personal these choices feel. Jeremy McKinnon’s pick of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” isn’t just a nod to a legendary band—it’s a reflection of how that song shaped his own musical journey. Similarly, Matt Heafy’s cheeky selection of Trivium’s “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” speaks to the confidence (or arrogance, depending on your view) of artists who dare to place themselves among the greats.
If you take a step back and think about it, this poll isn’t just about songs—it’s about identity. Metal is a genre built on rebellion, individuality, and raw emotion. These choices aren’t just about what sounds good; they’re about what feels right. That’s why you see such wild variations, from Pantera’s “Walk” to Slipknot’s “Psychosocial”. Each artist is essentially saying, “This is what metal means to me.”
The Absence of Consensus
Here’s a detail that I find especially interesting: there’s no clear winner. Unlike Kerrang!’s previous poll on the best nu-metal album (where Slipknot’s “Iowa” dominated), this one is a free-for-all. Why? Because the concept of an “ultimate anthem” is inherently subjective. Metal is too diverse, too fragmented, and too personal for any one song to reign supreme.
This raises a deeper question: does metal even need a single anthem? In my opinion, the genre thrives on its lack of uniformity. It’s a patchwork of subgenres, ideologies, and sounds, and that’s what makes it so compelling. The absence of consensus here isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature.
The Future of Metal Anthems
What this really suggests is that the next great metal anthem hasn’t been written yet. As the genre continues to evolve, so will its defining songs. Will it come from a legacy band like Metallica or Iron Maiden, or will it emerge from the underground, like After the Burial or Bloodywood? Personally, I’m betting on the latter. Metal has always been about challenging the status quo, and the next anthem will likely come from a band that defies expectations.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one takeaway from this poll, it’s that metal is as much about the listener as it is about the music. These anthems aren’t just songs—they’re soundtracks to our lives, our struggles, and our triumphs. From my perspective, that’s what makes metal so powerful. It’s not just a genre; it’s a way of being.
So, what’s your ultimate metal anthem? Chances are, it’s not on this list—and that’s exactly the point. Metal is too vast, too personal, and too alive to be confined to a single song. And that, my friends, is why we love it.
