Top 10 Metal Songs to Listen to First

This list isn't about the best metal songs or bands although some of them are among the best.

This list is about metal songs that are good to listen to first because they are more accessible but they are also very good.
And these songs represent the elements of metal very well (typical vox, solos, riffs, lyrics, etc) so you quickly understand what metal is about and you wouldn't confuse metal with other music genres in the future.

Goes without saying that heavy songs with rap, hip hop, funk, and the like, can't be on this list. Why? Because no matter how heavy such songs sound, they are most probably not metal songs.
The Top Ten
1 Stargazer - Rainbow

This song is not very fast and not very heavy but it's still one of the most intense metal songs in existence. Intensity is one of the things that characterize metal music. So get ready.
Stargazer is an epic song that is perfectly composed and perfectly performed so you can't go wrong with this one. Great vocals, guitar riffs and solos, drumming, lyrics, transitions,... Everything.

Thanks Metal this list was helpful I've been trying to get into metal music but couldn't find anything good

2 Holy Diver - Dio

This song basically introduces you to the awesome metal vocals (Stargazer does it, too, but Stargazer has many other accents).
A melodic mid-tempo song with cool riffs and galloping rhythm.
I think all these things make it accessible and enjoyable.

3 Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath

A very suitable song for new fans. Great song. Maybe my favorite metal song by Black Sabbath.

4 Master of Puppets - Metallica

I didn't add this song though I love it. Because I can picture the shock of somebody who listened to pop, jazz or hip hop until yesterday... "Is this even music?! "

5 Highway Star - Deep Purple

@Userguy44 - yes, this is a great song to listen to first. Written in 1971, it has all essential metal elements that were further developed my metal bands like Rainbow, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
1) it uses Bach-like chord sequences and this classical inspiration was revolutionary, as it became the main feature of metal, making metal sound different than hard rock that was blues inspired
2) the guitar solo was the first true metal guitar solo - fast and long solo featuring distinctive neo-classical descending runs; Ritchie Blackmore first used tremolo picking that was later used in extreme metal
3) it has metal vocals, including controlled screams
4) the speed of the song is one of the things that became essential to metal
5) Blackmore created the idea of opening two strings and making metal riffs by it

I wish this was my first one.

6 Melancholy (Holy Martyr) - Iced Earth

A pretty catchy song with moderate tempo and heaviness. However, get ready for the powerful metal vocals! (play the sample).
Good metal vocals are the powerful ones. Mewing vox are not valued in metal.

7 Hallowed Be Thy Name - Iron Maiden

Great song but I think it would be too much for a metal virgin...
The song is too long and has no chorus (current popular music has hooks every 8-9 seconds so imagine how hard this song would be - not even a chorus for whole 7 minutes! )
Besides, the speed, high pitched vox, long solos, etc. Too much.

8 I Am - Theocracy

It's melodic and not heavy but it's a bit more complex and longer.

9 Holy Wars... the Punishment Due - Megadeth
10 Iron Man - Black Sabbath

First metal song I ever listened to. No regrets there.

The Contenders
11 Land of the Free - Gamma Ray

One of the catchiest power metal songs ever. Great for beginners.

12 Defenders of the Crown - Edguy

A relatively fast song but it's very melodic (power metal). Not heavy and not complex at all. The rhythm, melodies and vocals are great.

13 Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest

Half of the song is soft and slow but you have to get used to the high pitched vocals and intensity in the heavier parts. And the darkness of the lyrics.
A perfect song though. With perfect vocals, solos, melodies.

14 Crimson King - Demons & Wizards

This song is a great example of non-extreme modern metal (2005).

Gorgeous and powerful vocals; amazing riffs, drumming, tempo, melodies, transitions from heavy to soft parts, and so on.

15 Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
16 Tear Down the Wall - Demons & Wizards

A song with both soft and heavy, slow and fast parts. And vocals are sheer metal badassery.

17 Enter Sandman - Metallica

This was the first metal song I listened.

18 Run to the Hills - Iron Maiden

Perhaps not the best Iron Maiden song but it's more accessible than their usual stuff. Although the song is very fast all the time. But if you can tolerate that tempo, you are gonna enjoy the chorus. Vocals are top metal vocals - powerful and aggressive.

When I think metal, I think Run to the Hills. It really epitomises metal to me.

19 The Trooper - Iron Maiden
20 Don't Talk to Strangers - Dio

Yes, very good for beginners.

21 Walk - Pantera

I've grown out of a lot more groove oriented metal bands but I always had a soft spot for these guys because Walk was probably the first metal song I enjoyed, way back when I started to get into music.

22 A Question of Heaven - Iced Earth
23 Tears of a Mandrake - Edguy

CjWriter1997, thanks for adding it. I love it, too. And I agree with what you said about this song.
It's a bit lengthy (over 7 minutes) but this wouldn't be a problem for prog rock fans or just rock fans who are OK with more "epic" stuff.

The hook of this song is so amazing. After listening there is no denying that it's gonna get stuck in your head. A good example of metal being fun and catchy

24 Strike - Primal Fear

Awesome song of 2012, great dueling solos on twin guitars

25 Nailed to the Wheel - Edguy

Great vox, great chorus (play the sample for the vox)

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