Top 10 Best Songs to Headbang To

Headbanging is a physical manifestation of the energy and passion that certain songs can evoke. Picture yourself at a live concert, surrounded by other fans, the music swelling, guitars roaring, drums pounding, and that irresistible urge to shake your head in time with the rhythm takes over. That's headbanging in its purest form, and it's become synonymous with certain genres of music, especially heavy metal.

The songs that inspire headbanging are often characterized by powerful guitar riffs, strong drum beats, and aggressive vocals. They typically belong to genres like heavy metal, hard rock, punk, and sometimes even electronic dance music. When you headbang to these songs, you become part of a community that celebrates music's raw power and emotional resonance.

But finding the right songs to headbang to isn't always easy. Some tracks have that immediate pulse-pounding effect, while others might grow on you over time. You may already have some favorites in mind, or you might be on the hunt for new songs to add to your headbanging playlist.

The Top Ten

1 Raining Blood - Slayer

The first time I heard this song, I was just listening to the creepy rain effects, and then the awesome riff, and then I all of a sudden just started to violently headbang!

Played this song while I was buzzed.
Ended up with a major headache and whiplash after 5 minutes.
Definitely seeing Slayer play this year.

Why, in God's holy name, is this below Madonna? I don't want to live on this planet anymore...

If you don't headbang to this song, then there must be something wrong with you.

2 Master of Puppets - Metallica

End of passion play, crumbling away
I'm your source of self-destruction.
Veins that pump with fear, sucking darkness clear,
Leading on your death's construction...

A MASTERpiece.

James Hetfield, the master of riffs.

I love when he angers the voice!

3 Scourge of Iron - Cannibal Corpse

An awesome song to headbang to and absolutely brutal live. This song, in my personal opinion, should be at least number 2. When I first heard this song, I just couldn't help but headbang to this. If there is one song you gotta hear live, it should be Scourge of Iron. My favorite band has always been Cannibal Corpse, and they have many great songs to headbang to, but this one is surely number 1!

4 Black Label - Lamb of God

I don't know what this song is doing on 10. It should be 1. Not only does it make you headbang, but it starts pits and walls of death, and that's like the highest peak in a metal concert.

If you like heavy metal and going to concerts, I highly urge you to go see Lamb of God.

Probably the most brutal one from Lamb of God... It should be in at least the top three.

This should be number 1.

5 Whiplash - Metallica

WARNING! If this is your first time hearing this song, you could break your neck due to headbanging too much. That's how the song got its title.

DOCTOR: "How did you break your neck?"
PATIENT: "I listened to Metallica's 'Whiplash.'"

This needs to be above Master of Puppets.

6 Domination - Pantera

I am downright DISAPPOINTED to see Master of Puppets on second. That was never even a headbanger to me. Get Pantera up there! I was originally gonna vote for Scourge of Iron by Cannibal Corpse, or Killchain by Bolt Thrower, but didn't find those, so we went for the second best. RIP Dimebag!

Better than all Metallica discography, this list is drink, drank, drunk.

7 Drifts - After the Burial

8 Blind - Korn

9 Halo - Machine Head

10 Eyeless - Slipknot

The Contenders

11 Chop Suey! - System of a Down

"Wake up,
Grab a brush and put a little (makeup),
Grab a brush and put a little,
Hide the scars to fade away the (shakeup)
Hide the scars to fade away the,
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable"

One of the best modern metal bands and one of the best metal songs ever. Let's be serious, whether or not you've heard of this song or band before, you'll definitely feel a whiplash on your neck after listening to this. Plus, the guitar riff in the beginning is one of the best ever—a work of art. As for what the song is about, it's probably something political like all their other songs, but who cares about that? The song is hardcore stuff that any rocker will, and probably does, love.

When angels deserve to die...
Post that phrase. It's impossible not to headbang. That part really is the best headbanging material I have come across.

This song is amazing, but honestly, for me, Deer Dance is more headbanging than this song.

12 Backbone - Gojira

13 It Never Ends - Bring Me the Horizon

I totally agree. While I do think other songs from this album are better "headbanged" to, this one's great too, and one of my favorites from this album. The lyrics are also amazing.

14 Bleed - Meshuggah

Grows on you. Blew my mind when I first realized the riffs and rhythms that were subtly being played. True drummer's music.

Headbang like hell to this.

15 In Waves - Trivium

Proper screaming. Makes you want to jump.

16 The Pursuit of Vikings - Amon Amarth

Best Viking song in the world. Enough said.

This is what I call a headbanger's dream song. It has got the ability to draw you into the music and make you feel like a Viking yourself. It should be #1 for sure.

17 Peace Sells - Megadeth