60. Rage Against The Machine – Guerrilla Radio (The Battle Of Los Angeles, 1999)
Rage Against The Machine just don't write bad choruses, and Guerrilla Radio's anthemic and cathartic release has stood the test of time so much that your local rock club still plays it. Prophets Of Rage play it live. And you probably bought Rock Band 2 just to play it. Zack De La Rocha's signature yelps push the song forward but its the bounce and fire within that make this a real standout in Rage's catalogue.
59. Carcass – Heartwork (Heartwork, 1993)
Cutting down their song lengths and ignoring genre constraints, the Liverpool pioneers paved the way for melodic death metal, this four-and-a-half minute blast a masterclass in accessible extremity and precision.
58. Neurosis – Locust Star (Through Silver In Blood, 1996)
The word ‘epic’ is thrown around to describe everything from YouTube videos to insurance comparison sites these days, but forget what you think you know – the true meaning of that word is locked within the heart of this track. Dense, intense, deeply affecting and avant-garde without trying too hard, this song is the sound of these Californian sludge lords realising their true potential.
57. Fear Factory – Replica (Demanufacture, 1995)
The centrepiece of Demanufacture, a futuristic masterpiece about man’s struggle against a corrupt technologically advanced government, Replica pitted robotic drumming against a fuckload of groove. Perhaps the industrialists’ catchiest song ever.
56. Strapping Young Lad – Detox (City, 1997)
BAND PICK: Tony Dolan from Venom Inc
"All you could want and more. Furiously addictive and powerfully charged, it takes no prisoners and is a brutal face frontal assault. Gloriously metallic. All hail the Townsend!"
55. Cradle Of Filth – Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids (Cruelty And The Beast, 1998)
The Filth's first release on the heavy metal bastion of Music For Nations and a serious step up from their debut. The production more expansive, the symphonics turned up, and Dani's vocal dexterity flourishing amongst the myriad of metallic elements. Plus the bounce on Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids is enough to get even the most wearisome metalhead tapping their feet.
54. Iron Maiden – Fear Of The Dark (Fear Of The Dark, 1992)
The album might be patchy at points, but Iron Maiden fans will always be grateful for what has become the setlist staple of any Maiden show. So much so that they’ve even included it in '80s-themed sets through the years.
53. Paradise Lost – Hallowed Land (Draconian Times, 1995)
One of the most anthemic moments of Paradise Lost's Draconian Times album – the moment when the Yorkshire metallers went for the mainstream metal jugular. Hallowed Land rides along on a slinky riff and an imposing, yet catchy, vocal from frontman Nick Holmes.
52. Morbid Angel – Fall From Grace (Blessed Are The Sick, 1991)
After the chaotic energy rippling through their debut album, Florida's Morbid Angel learnt to bring a bit more control to their follow-up, but within Fall From Grace's sputtering blasts and Trey Azagthoth's luminous leads is a feast of death metal DNA.
51. White Zombie – More Human Than Human (Astro-Creep: 2000 – Songs Of Love, Destruction And Other Synthetic Delusions Of The Electric Head, 1995)
From the squelching synth intro to the slide guitar via a thundering, industrial rhythm and a riff that feels like Godzilla advancing, More Human Than Human sounded like music from another, more dangerous planet. Still Rob Zombie's best song.
