Metalheads Assemble

[Denissimo He/him]

I've been running out of ideas for music to listen to. I know @Verdance is a rock/metal-head, but dunno about the rest of you all.

I use the word "metalhead", referring to those who enjoy metal of pretty much all forms: Whether you are on one end of the spectrum, being heavy metal, or the other, being alt-metal/rock.

Thats the way I am defining it. If you have your own definitions, good for you. It ain't the one I'm using.

Anyways, this is a place for all those enjoying the genre or those curious about it to come together, give recommendations, and perhaps discuss. 

I don't want any accusations or claims of songs being "fake metal" or stuff like that. If you want a basic summary of what I consider metal, check out Opalinsky's (a metal band and content creator) content. 
I consider metal a broad, welcoming genre, and I don't think anyone needs to adhere so strictly to the textbook definition. I enjoy music from a wide range of "metal". 

Some metal songs aren't fully defined as to whether they are rock or metal. If you aren't sure, post it anyways. I like rock. I don't mind. I'll include some rock content as well, if i'm to be honest.

Screw metal elitism.

To start us off with a question, what are some of your favorite metal songs, bands, or subgenres?
I like Melodeath and Alt metal, though am not limited by it.
Soilwork, Spiritbox, In flames, Aether Realm, Sleep Token (Ah, thanks to @Verdance), and (this may be contriversial, but it holds a special place in my heart) Enter Shikari are some of my favorites. 
Sorry You're Not a Winner, I the mask, Tears Don't Fall, I Am Machine, Amongst Stars; Some of the songs I enjoy in particular.

Being a Metalhead doesn't restrict you to only one genre. You can enjoy other music. It just means you like metal. 

I haven't worded this very well, have I? No matter.
Enclosed is a link for a spotify playlist. You can songs, if you so wish.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wxlExWJW4fb5QnYvFMdm0?si=8227da62a3b6478d&pt=e35c46efd7609b3ba0f08f4c3bf7a04a

 

Edited April 27 by Denissimo

[Verdance he/him]

Hmmm… i think i fall on the alt-metalcore/rock end of the spectrum. (My history with music below)

Spoiler

So, I come from a very traditional Christian background, and up until several years ago my musical diet consisted of: hymns, early 2000’s CCM, radio CCM, occasional radio pop/country, disney/broadway soundtracks (Hamilton my beloved), and rarely electronic gaming music. I would consider my knowledge of music in pop culture lacking, and didn’t particularly like popular music. I still don’t.

Then, a friend introduced me to Sleep Token. I started with the piano version of Blood Sport, as well as their third album, Take Me Back To Eden, and those are now very special to me. They quickly became my favorite band, and I had just enough time to process their three main albums which form an emotional or storytelling trilogy of sorts before Even in Arcadia dropped. 

After completely exhausting Sleep Token, I quickly started searching for more music like that. I have discovered that has never been anything quite like it, and there probably never will be. I broadened my tastes and now enjoy a spectrum between alt metal and indie rock, Good Kid being my other favorite band, more casual and day to day listening but less overall important to me. So yeah, indie rock or melodic dubstep, to alt metal and heavy rock. That’s about my tastes.

i do not enjoy most mainstream metal, to be honest. I’m not that deep into the genre that I can call myself a metalhead. While I do enjoy a good screamer (i have a playlist with all my favorite screamer songs), most metal screams are just a little too violent for me, especially the more dedicated false cords. Fry screams are awesome. Emily Armstrong and Oliver Price are my favorite vocalists, outside of Vessel (obviously). 

On the spectrum of music I consider alt metal or heavy rock that I enjoy: Our Chronicle, Sleep Token, Ethereal Treason, Linkin Park, The Home Team.

Attached is one of my two main Spotify playlists, which has everything except for my Christian music. 

Spoiler

Verdance’s Playlist

Interested to hear yalls thoughts, opinions, tastes and interests. Oh yeah, and recommendations. All the recommendations.

Edited April 27 by Verdance

[Usseewa ✾ She♡Her ✾]

On 4/27/2026 at 7:37 AM, Denissimo said:

I've been running out of ideas for music to listen to. I know @Verdance is a rock/metal-head, but dunno about the rest of you all.

I use the word "metalhead", referring to those who enjoy metal of pretty much all forms: Whether you are on one end of the spectrum, being heavy metal, or the other, being alt-metal/rock.

Thats the way I am defining it. If you have your own definitions, good for you. It ain't the one I'm using.

Anyways, this is a place for all those enjoying the genre or those curious about it to come together, give recommendations, and perhaps discuss. 

I don't want any accusations or claims of songs being "fake metal" or stuff like that. If you want a basic summary of what I consider metal, check out Opalinsky's (a metal band and content creator) content. 
I consider metal a broad, welcoming genre, and I don't think anyone needs to adhere so strictly to the textbook definition. I enjoy music from a wide range of "metal". 

Some metal songs aren't fully defined as to whether they are rock or metal. If you aren't sure, post it anyways. I like rock. I don't mind. I'll include some rock content as well, if i'm to be honest.

Screw metal elitism.

To start us off with a question, what are some of your favorite metal songs, bands, or subgenres?
I like Melodeath and Alt metal, though am not limited by it.
Soilwork, Spiritbox, In flames, Aether Realm, Sleep Token (Ah, thanks to @Verdance), and (this may be contriversial, but it holds a special place in my heart) Enter Shikari are some of my favorites. 
Sorry You're Not a Winner, I the mask, Tears Don't Fall, I Am Machine, Amongst Stars; Some of the songs I enjoy in particular.

Being a Metalhead doesn't restrict you to only one genre. You can enjoy other music. It just means you like metal. 

I haven't worded this very well, have I? No matter.
Enclosed is a link for a spotify playlist. You can songs, if you so wish.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wxlExWJW4fb5QnYvFMdm0?si=8227da62a3b6478d&pt=e35c46efd7609b3ba0f08f4c3bf7a04a

 

This thread is kinda similar.

But probably diff idk

 

I'm not really into metal, but I like rock. Tho I like (or have) grunge/alt rock.

I also like j-pop, or just japanese music, which includes j-rock ig

[Verdance he/him]

Just now, Usseewa said:

This thread is kinda similar.

But probably diff idk

 

I'm not really into metal, but I like rock. Tho I like (or have) grunge/alt rock.

I also like j-pop, or just japanese music, which includes j-rock ig

Always meant to ask about that. What’s grunge?

[Usseewa ✾ She♡Her ✾]

Just now, Verdance said:

Always meant to ask about that. What’s grunge?

Kinda... 80s rock, ish.

If you've ever listened to... Nirvana, REM, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, and more

Tbh I'm reading most off the google page cuz I know what grunge is but have a fear of being wrong/innacurate

[Verdance he/him]

1 minute ago, Usseewa said:

Kinda... 80s rock, ish.

If you've ever listened to... Nirvana, REM, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, and more

Tbh I'm reading most off the google page cuz I know what grunge is but have a fear of being wrong/innacurate

Never sorry

@Edema Rue thought this thread might interest you 

[Denissimo He/him]

8 hours ago, Usseewa said:

Kinda... 80s rock, ish.

If you've ever listened to... Nirvana, REM, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, and more

Tbh I'm reading most off the google page cuz I know what grunge is but have a fear of being wrong/innacurate

Quite alright! Nirvana is great. May Kurt Cobain smile down upon us.
Grunge and Alt Rock is definitely fine. I'm starting to realise that most of the shardspeople might not be interested in the more scream-y (Heavy metal) end of the spectrum. Thus, I shall proclaim Rock very much accepted.

If I indoctrinate any of you into heavier metal, all the better.

[Usseewa ✾ She♡Her ✾]

Just now, Denissimo said:

Quite alright! Nirvana is great. May Kurt Cobain smile down upon us.
Grunge and Alt Rock is definitely fine. I'm starting to realise that most of the shardspeople might not be interested in the more scream-y (Heavy metal) end of the spectrum. Thus, I shall proclaim Rock very much accepted.

If I indoctrinate any of you into heavier metal, all the better.

@Honors cognitive shadow maybe

[Verdance he/him]

1 minute ago, Denissimo said:

Quite alright! Nirvana is great. May Kurt Cobain smile down upon us.
Grunge and Alt Rock is definitely fine. I'm starting to realise that most of the shardspeople might not be interested in the more scream-y (Heavy metal) end of the spectrum. Thus, I shall proclaim Rock very much accepted.

If I indoctrinate any of you into heavier metal, all the better.

I actually quite enjoy screamy metal. Just a very specific intensity of screaminh.

[Denissimo He/him]

4 hours ago, Verdance said:

I actually quite enjoy screamy metal. Just a very specific intensity of screaminh.

Oh yeah. Gods is pretty screamy.
I'm the same. Its very rare I feel like heavy metal tbh, usually alternative or melodeath.

Though I do go for the occasional Cannibal Corpse binge-listening.

[Verdance he/him]

15 hours ago, Denissimo said:

Oh yeah. Gods is pretty screamy.
I'm the same. Its very rare I feel like heavy metal tbh, usually alternative or melodeath.

Though I do go for the occasional Cannibal Corpse binge-listening.

Do you ever practice screaming or want to

my voice prefers false cord but i am learning fry

[Denissimo He/him]

3 hours ago, Verdance said:

Do you ever practice screaming or want to

my voice prefers false cord but i am learning fry

Same here.
I try to practice the odd deathgrowl. Thing is, with my personal limited vocal range, it ends up being a weird breathy whisper with a raspy quality.

[Verdance he/him]

@Through the Living Shadow

just recommended me a different Damocles that may be on the metal spectrum 

wanted to ask your opinion on metal as a genre or see if you wanted to throw your hat in the ring since i think we’ve mentioned it before 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

2 minutes ago, Verdance said:

@Through the Living Shadow

just recommended me a different Damocles that may be on the metal spectrum 

wanted to ask your opinion on metal as a genre or see if you wanted to throw your hat in the ring since i think we’ve mentioned it before 

May?

I am absolutely an absolute metalhead

I listen to everything from breaking Benjamin to Gojira

listen to Gojira

absorb the Gojira

(Gojira is environmentalist metal)

[Verdance he/him]

I tried Gojira and wasn’t quite hooked

ill go back and try a lead single or smt

There’s an official spotify playlist you can contribute to if you want

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

5 minutes ago, Verdance said:

I tried Gojira and wasn’t quite hooked

ill go back and try a lead single or smt

There’s an official spotify playlist you can contribute to if you want

Hhmmm

try Where Dragons Dwell

or Magma

or Silvera

i can’t get onto the playlist

However

Currently I mainly have songs from

Breaking Benjamin, Mastodon, Trivium, Gojira, Sleep Token

then also

less genre accurate or less prominent bands in my playlist:

disturbed

as I lay dying

motionless in white

Keygen Church (* this is cool)

Cranberries

and They Might be Giants

 

 

my favorite songs currently:

Strife (Trivium)

The Chant (Gojira)

Caramel (I don’t have much Sleep Token cuz I’m tryna keep my playlist clean…)

Love (Gojira)

Clone (Gojira)

Over and Over (Three Days Grace)

Locust (Machine Head)

Clandestiny (Mastodon)

Dusk Dismantled (Trivium)

Like A Sword Over Damocles (Trivium)

Bending the Arc to Fear (Trivium)

 

 

uuuhhh

honorable mention to Darkness Within by Machine Head. I don’t have it on my playlist, but I think it’s probably one of the best crafted songs I’ve ever heard

Edited May 12 by Through the Living Shadow

[Verdance he/him]

Okey

meybe

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

9 minutes ago, Verdance said:

Okey

meybe

I edited my post

 

mmmmmm

[Verdance he/him]

13 minutes ago, Through the Living Shadow said:

Hhmmm

try Where Dragons Dwell

or Magma

or Silvera

i can’t get onto the playlist

However

Currently I mainly have songs from

Breaking Benjamin, Mastodon, Trivium, Gojira, Sleep Token

then also

less genre accurate or less prominent bands in my playlist:

disturbed

as I lay dying

motionless in white

Keygen Church (* this is cool)

Cranberries

and They Might be Giants

 

 

my favorite songs currently:

Strife (Trivium)

The Chant (Gojira)

Caramel (I don’t have much Sleep Token cuz I’m tryna keep my playlist clean…)

Love (Gojira)

Clone (Gojira)

Over and Over (Three Days Grace)

Locust (Machine Head)

Clandestiny (Mastodon)

Dusk Dismantled (Trivium)

Like A Sword Over Damocles (Trivium)

Bending the Arc to Fear (Trivium)

 

 

uuuhhh

honorable mention to Darkness Within by Machine Head. I don’t have it on my playlist, but I think it’s probably one of the best crafted songs I’ve ever heard

Wdym you’re trying to keep your playlist clean

Out of the ~70 original songs by ST, there are only 4 explicit ones

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

1 minute ago, Verdance said:

Wdym you’re trying to keep your playlist clean

Out of the ~70 original songs by ST, there are only 4 explicit ones

Well

a good amount of them have very suggestive themes

its the same reason I don’t have Darkness Within on the playlist

it isn’t explicit or suggestive

but I just wasn’t comfortable with the stuff that it was saying (Machine Head is a Christian adjacent [but definitely not Christian] band) [too close to blaspheme for comfort there!] [though it didn’t actually blaspheme…]

[Verdance he/him]

Just now, Through the Living Shadow said:

Well

a good amount of them have very suggestive themes

its the same reason I don’t have Darkness Within on the playlist

it isn’t explicit or suggestive

but I just wasn’t comfortable with the stuff that it was saying (Machine Head is a Christian adjacent [but definitely not Christian] band) [too close to blaspheme for comfort there!] [though it didn’t actually blaspheme…]

Fair enough

Try this?

 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

3 minutes ago, Verdance said:

Fair enough

Try this?

 

Listening now 

You should listen to

Close Your Eye by Breaking Benjamin and Locust by Machine Head (Very different songs from each other) 

[coldfuzion76 he/him]

Friend of mine suggested an old song we used to listen to alot back in the day. Figured I'd share!

Every Time I Die - The New Black

I'm usually a little more hard core, been a metalhead since the transition from hair bands to grunge, think Metallica Black album timing. Been a big fan of Slipknow and Lamb of God over the years. I've probably seen Slipknot live about 5 or 6 times. BUT, I've lately also been listening to metal covers of pop songs and have really been having fun with it. Halocene, Frog Leap Studios being the top of the list. Just something different for a change.