Top 10 Best Metal Song Face-Offs

There's something incredibly captivating about a face-off between two iconic songs. It's not just about listening, it's about immersing yourself in the stories, the emotion, the energy of each song and making a call on which one resonates with you more.

So, what are the best metal song face-offs? After all, how can you compare the thrashing complexity of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" to the raw aggression of Megadeth's "Holy Wars"? Or the galloping rhythm of Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" to the sonic intensity of Judas Priest's "Painkiller"? How about the doom-laden riffs of Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" versus the iconic anthems of the same band's "Paranoid"?

As you can see, these aren't easy choices. Each song, each face-off, brings its unique vibe, texture, and history to the table.

Vote for the choices you think should claim the top spots on this list. Maybe you'll choose based on a memorable live performance, or perhaps it's all about the skillful guitar work, haunting lyrics, or dynamic vocals that send shivers down your spine every time.
The Top Ten
1 The Four Horsemen (Metallica) vs The Mechanix (Megadeth)

Basically, the entire comment section of either of the songs is a tough one to call: it's essentially originality and speed versus vocals and lyrics.

The Four Horsemen. It's much better than Mechanix in my opinion.

The Four Horsemen may be slower, but I like it more.

2 Master of Puppets (Metallica) vs Holy Wars (Megadeth)

Holy Wars. Both are great though.

3 The Trooper (Iron Maiden) vs Painkiller (Judas Priest)

This is hard. I don't think either are close to the best of their bands, but I might have to go with Painkiller because of its awesome solos.

The Trooper for me... I love Painkiller though...

4 Painkiller (Judas Priest) vs Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden)

Quite difficult, but Iron Maiden is my second favorite band and Hallowed is my favorite song.

Two of the greatest metal songs on Earth. I have to go with Painkiller.

One of the hardest choices ever... But I have to go with Hallowed Be Thy Name.

5 Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath) vs Paranoid (Black Sabbath)

Easily, Heaven and Hell.

Paranoid is a 2-minute song written in 20 minutes as a filler with a ripped-off riff. And the melody sounds like a children's song and not a metal song.

Ozzy's era was better, but Paranoid is way overplayed for it's just being a generic and okay song. Heaven and Hell is better.

Heaven and Hell is a classic song from Sabbath. Paranoid is overplayed pop filler.

6 Raining Blood (Slayer) vs Bleed (Meshuggah)

This isn't even a face-off. The answer is obviously Raining Blood. Bleed isn't even in its league - not to say that Bleed isn't an awesome song.

7 The Bard's Song (Blind Guardian) vs Melancholy (Iced Earth)
8 Iron Man (Black Sabbath) vs Stargazer (Rainbow)

This one's not even close. The real question is Stargazer vs Holy Wars.

The answer is obvious - Stargazer.

9 Peace Sells (Megadeth) vs Powerslave (Iron Maiden)

Powerslave. I really like the bridge part and solos.

10 Dante's Inferno (Iced Earth) vs The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Iron Maiden)

I've got to say The Rime. It was the first classic Maiden song I ever heard - I got into them via The Final Frontier, and because I was young when the album came out, I felt it would be impossible to have a song longer than When The Wild Wind Blows. Until I was pointed to The Rime. I have to say, it has the best lyrics in a song ever.

Dante's Inferno. Iron Maiden is a better band, but Dante's Inferno is a better song.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, but Dante's Inferno is great as well.

The Contenders
11 Alison Hell (Annihilator) vs Elimination (Overkill)
12 War Eternal (Arch Enemy) vs The Pursuit of Vikings (Amon Amarth)
13 War Pigs (Black Sabbath) vs Mistreated (Deep Purple)

Awesome, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple even performed these two legendary songs live in California, 1974 (same day, same venue - the famous California Jamming). The videos are available on YouTube.

My choice is Mistreated.

War Pigs easily. One of my favorite songs.

Deep Purple nailed it even live!

14 Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden) vs Into the Storm (Blind Guardian)

I added this but now I can't answer. I love these two songs to death and can't choose. Both are very intense songs with great vocals and riffs.

15 Black Star (Yngwie) vs Voice of The Soul (Death)

These are my favorite metal instrumentals.

16 Paranoid (Black Sabbath) vs A Light In the Black (Rainbow)
17 Beyond the Realms of Death (Judas Priest) vs My Last Sunrise (Demons and Wizards)

Rob Halford is a vocal god, but the voice of Hansi Kürsch is godlike, too. I wouldn't underestimate Hansi as a contender, not at all. Hansi's incredible passion in the voice and the way he sings this song give me chills. On the other hand, Rob Halford gives me chills, too. I'd tie it.

18 Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden) vs Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
19 Lack of Comprehension (Death) vs Hammer Smashed Face (Cannibal Corpse)
20 Walk (Pantera) vs Roots (Sepultura)

Pantera's better than Sepultura, but Roots is better than Walk.

21 Victim of Changes (Judas Priest) vs Highlander (Lost Horizon)
22 Nothing Else Matters (Metallica) vs a Tout Le Monde (Megadeth)

Nothing Else Matters - I like it better.

23 Aces High (Iron Maiden) vs Nailed to the Wheel (Edguy)

Both songs are fast, and Sammet's voice often sounds so similar to Dickinson's.

24 Stargazer (Rainbow) vs Child in Time (Deep Purple)

This is something I cannot answer. What are your opinions?

25 Banish from Sanctuary (Blind Guardian) vs Ride the Sky (Helloween)
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