Top 10 Best Melodic Death Metal Songs
Melodic death metal is all about balance. It takes the aggression and intensity of traditional death metal but mixes it with melody, atmosphere, and sometimes even a touch of melancholy. Instead of relying solely on raw brutality, bands in this genre weave in harmonized guitar leads, intricate solos, and dynamic song structures that create a sound that is both powerful and emotionally charged. The vocals usually stay within the growling and screaming style of death metal, but the instrumental work often includes elements borrowed from classic heavy metal, folk, and even symphonic influences.Originating in Sweden in the early 1990s, melodic death metal grew out of the Gothenburg scene, with bands like At the Gates, In Flames, and Dark Tranquillity setting the foundation. While the genre has evolved over the years, with some bands incorporating cleaner vocals, keyboards, and modern production techniques, the core elements have remained the same. Fast yet melodic riffing, aggressive drumming, and anthemic choruses make these songs stand out, giving them a unique energy.
I remember banging my head and the headache which followed the first time I heard this all-time killer. And trust me, headaches from metal music make you happy!
There are few death metal songs that I can never forget because they are mixed with my blood!
Every Time I Die is the best paragon for the genre. Just by listening to its lyrics, you'll feel the ambiance. Its instrumentals are all unique.
Insomnium is a great band with some of, if not the best, melodies in melodic death metal. This song is an epitome of Insomnium's greatness and definitely one of the greatest examples of melodic death metal.
My personal favorite, with one of the best apprehensive intros: the riff starts alone and the drums grow in intensity. Great stuff!
Beautiful song with truly poetic and meaningful lyrics. True to the melodic death metal genre at the same time. A real melody and masterpiece that sets a new standard in music.
Incredible song. Their best song by far and probably the best melodic death metal song ever.
Great song. Everything from the vocals to the instruments is just perfect.
This is a great song and a perfect introduction to Amon Amarth, the gods of MDM!
This is my favorite song of all time, bar none. I love all types of music and bands. It all depends on my mood. "Lost to Apathy" is the one song that, no matter what mood I'm in, I love it.
Whether I'm working out, angry, working, or need a song to put me to sleep, this song will always be a great choice.
This is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard. The opening grabs your attention with its beautiful sound, and then the song comes at you full force with Mikael Stanne's amazing growls, combining to make a song like no other.
Awesome song. I remember listening to this band while reading Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton. It really fit in with the story of Vikings.
The only guy I know who can growl so hard that he's gonna spit his insides out! Guys, they sure know how to bang their heads...
Amon Amarth owns In Flames and COB! The Pursuit of Vikings should 100% be number 1. It's one of the best songs of all time! I don't know any songs that are similarly good.
Norther are absolutely amazing. Their newest stuff is absolutely brilliant, and they are definitely worth a listen for anyone out there searching for a new band to listen to.
Fantastic improvisation. This is true melodic death metal. This is one song you can listen to at all times. Fantastic stuff, Norther!
Haha, I'm listening to it right now. I love both Deadnight Warrior and this, but I give this an edge because it maintains whatever makes it good all the way through.
My favorite song on the album. This deserves the top spot. Jotun should be number 1, though. Bar the metalcore, this is a nice list.
I think this is more melodic than Insomnium. Mortal Share is the best death metal, but not so melodic.
Be'lakor is the best band. This is debatably their best album, and this is the best song on that album. It has great progression and is even better in the full scale of the album.
Vote for this.
This song is just amazing. The leads give that same feeling as when you listen to songs like Dance of Death.
This song should be top ten! It would be if more people had heard it!
It's just epic. No words can describe this. Alexi's guitar parts are amazing.
Best riffs, best solos. Children of Bodom is the best. Every song of theirs is the best.
Surely, Arch Enemy should be in the top 10. This song is one of my very first MeloDeath metal songs and will forever be one of my favorites. It is the absolute epitome of an angry song.
Want to blow off some steam? Listen to this, man. You will not be disappointed.
Simply amazing! Arch Enemy is one of the bands that express the creativity found in the MeloDeath genre. My favorite band with my favorite song: "We (they) are strong, we (they) are one...Nemesis (Arch Enemy)!"
This song gives me the power to wake up every morning!
The Newcomers
Kalmah differs from other melodic death metal bands. I don't know if it's the merit of the incredible growl or maybe their solos (Amfisound Custom Pro rocks!), but they are my favorite band (along with Meshuggah, Opeth, and Shade Empire).
Also, Heroes to Us has an outstanding intro!
Kalmah is the best melodic death metal band I know. Their songs just melt my heart. There's so much soul in their guitar melodies while being hard as well.
No more talks. Kalmah is the best of the best. And sure, they deserve more than they are getting now. If you are a true MDM fan, then listen to them. Kalmah rules.
As far as repeat listens go, it's pretty hard to rival Kalmah, especially the first two albums and the last, 12 Gauge. Hook the Monster's solo - yikes! And let's not forget The Blind Leader's solo from TWR.
Kalmah is not one of the best melodeath bands out there. It is THE best melodeath band ever!
That chorus makes me slip into another dimension. I just listen to it and repeat it over and over until I fall asleep.
This hit is even greater than The Quiet Place and Alias. The power in the bass and the yearning melody of the song are what define melodic death metal.
How can Colony be above Only for the Weak? Especially considering the best In Flames song is this song! This should be second or third in the list. Please, people, vote it up.
This was one of the first melodic death songs I've ever listened to. I still love it. It's one of the greatest tracks ever.
It's a bit lo-fi, but the riffs are just plain cruel. Imminently listenable and enjoyable by even non-metal fans. Check out Cold, Blinded by Fear, and the title track.
Hey, doesn't anyone notice this great song from one of the best melodic DM bands on Earth?
I still vote At the Gates to be the best melodic DM band. Go!
This is a great song from one of the most influential melodeath albums of all time.
An excellent example of melodeath. Great riffs, chorus, drumming, solos, and the bass outro. Children of Bodom released an awesome album in 2019.
This is one of COB's hidden gems. One of those songs you discover, and it grows on you. You can't stop listening!
COB are the kings of all melodic death metal as well as all the metals. Their songs are preferred by metal listeners as well as non-listeners. The songs they write and sing are the best, and they drink and sink, which makes them even better.
Dude, these guys rock the world!
Instead of In Flames, I think this song should be on top.