Best Songs of 2020: Top 35 in Rock and Metal
Story by Audio Ink Radio Staff – Courtesy photos
From Wolfgang Van Halen to AC/DC to Alter Bridge, we invite you to check out our picks for the best rock and metal songs of the year
The year is winding down, and boy, it was quite a year. While touring was pretty much non-existent in 2020, some of rock and metal’s biggest names released new music, offering something positive for fans stuck at home for months on end. The year brought us new songs from a bevy of rock and metal artists, including Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, AC/DC, Sevendust, Firewind, Wolfgang Van Halen and many more.
What stands out about 2020 is the risks artists took with new music. Rock and metal artists found themselves spreading their creative wings and trying new things, as evidenced by artists such as Corey Taylor, Clint Lowery and Morgan Rose releasing their first-ever solo albums. Other bands stuck to their tried-and-true, straight-ahead rock sound, such as AC/DC, which brought some comfort to a year that was anything but normal.
Read on for Audio Ink Radio’s Top 35 Rock and Metal Songs of 2020 (in alphabetical order), and note that this is the second half of our list. We invite you to check out the first half of our list here, featuring songs released in the earlier part of the year. View our top albums of the year here.
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- AC/DC, “Shot in the Dark” — After months of rumors about a forthcoming AC/DC album, the band finally released “Power Up” to the world in early November. Before then, the band – now featuring the surviving members of the classic AC/DC “Back in Black” lineup, of Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd, along with Stevie Young – released the first taste of the album, “Shot in the Dark.” With its retro-rock vibe and choppy riffs, “Shot in the Dark” sounds like it could have been a track off “Back and Black,” which is a compliment.
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- Alter Bridge, “Last Rites” — Alter Bridge released a live set this year, “Walk the Sky 2.0,” featuring live recordings from the band’s most recent tour, plus a fresh song, “Last Rites.” With Mark Tremonti’s crunchy guitars and Myles Kennedy’s cutting vocals, “Last Rites” presents a fresh edge to Alter Bridge’s music, making it just the taste of new music fans needed to get through 2020.
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- Ayron Jones, “Take Me Away” — Ayron Jones has been on the rock scene for a while, but the Seattle musician is breaking through in the national scene with his new single, “Take Me Away.” The song sees Jones describing his difficult early life, backed by a raw, real guitar-driven instrumental background that’s very grungy and Seattle appropriate.
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- Black Veil Brides, “Scarlet Cross” — Whoever says rock is dead hasn’t heard Black Veil Brides. The band proves that the next generation isn’t afraid of getting heavy, and their latest single, “Scarlet Cross,” offers relentless drums, feisty guitars and a strong vocal show from Andy Biersack. Black Veil Brides’ new album, “The Phantom Tomorrow,” is slated to arrive in 2021.
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- Brad Arnold, “Wicked Man” — Brad Arnold, the longtime singer for 3 Doors Down, released his first solo song this year, “Wicked Man.” The track may have “wicked” in the title, but it sounds heavenly, with Arnold’s smooth, powerful vocals over a melodic acoustic backing, along with a message of unity during this very divisive period in history.
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- Breaking Benjamin and Scooter Ward, “Far Away” — Breaking Benjamin released their “Aurora” compilation album early in the year, featuring acoustic and reimagined versions off some of the band’s biggest hits. On the set, “Far Away” is a gem, with emotional lyrics and a guest appearance from talented Cold vocalist Scooter Ward.
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- Bush, “Flowers on a Grave” — Gavin Rossdale and Bush returned in 2020 with a powerful new studio album, “The Kingdom,” and the single “Flowers on a Grave” showcases a heavier, more raw-sounding band. With Rossdale’s raspy vocals and the song’s edgy guitars, “Flowers on a Grave” is just want fans needed to hear from Bush in 2020.
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- Butcher Babies, “Bottom of a Bottle” — Butcher Babies have returned with a shiny new single, “Bottom of a Bottle,” which shows of a more rock-oriented sound for Heidi Shepherd, Carla Harvey and company. With catchy vocals and thick, booming guitars and rhythms, this is an enticing rock song that gets fans pumped for the new album coming in 2021.
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- Chris Cornell, “Patience” (Guns N’ Roses cover) — When Chris Cornell left this world, there was no denying it was a huge loss to the rock world, so finding any of his unreleased vocals is a treat. On Cornell’s just-release, posthumous cover of Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience,” his raw talent and emotion shine though, with only a little guitar backing him.
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- Clint Lowery, “Haunted” — Clint Lowery of Sevendust released not one but two solo sets this year: “God Bless the Renegades” back in January and the “Grief and Distance” EP in June. The latter was born out of the lockdown period, and on it, the song “Haunted” really shines, with a melancholy vocal delivery over light riffing and an electronic beat.
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- Corey Taylor, “Black Eyes Blue” — This year brought the debut solo album from Corey Taylor of Stone Sour and Slipknot, “CMFT.” Out the gate, the album snagged a chart-topping rock hit with the melodic “Black Eyes Blue,” which shows off the softer side of Taylor, with huge hooks and a emotive chorus.
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- Ellefson, “Freewheel Burning” (Judas Priest cover) — David Ellefson and his band Ellefson – featuring Thom Hazaert, guitarists Andy Martongelli and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal and drummer Paolo Caridi – took on a handful of unique covers with their “No Covers” release, tacking songs that aren’t usually covered by other artists. The group’s take on Judas Priest’s “Freewheel Burning” features Jason McMaster, Gus G, Andy James and Dave McClain, and it really kicks with fantastic instrumentals and tones.
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- Evanescence, “Yeah Right” — Evanescence are getting back to their rock roots, and 2020 has seen the band release a handful of rock single, which will arrive on next year’s “The Bitter Truth.” Their latest single, “Yeah Right,” features a catchy, pop-infused backbone with Amy Lee’s characteristic pleading tone, and it makes for, dare we say, and upbeat Evanescence track.
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- Firewind, “Rising Fire” — Firewind’s latest, self-titled album features the genius guitar work of Gus G, and he’s backed by a collection of equally talented players. “Rising Fire” offers just under four minutes of sky-high guitars, thick rhythms and Herbie Langhans’ rich vocals, making it the perfect metal nugget.
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- Foo Fighters, “Shame Shame” — Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters reinvent themselves with each record, and their latest single, “Shame Shame,” continues in that evolution. The song, which if off the band’s forthcoming “Medicine at Midnight” album, features a rhythmic backbeat and pop-infused, catchy chorus.
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- From Ashes to New, “Panic” — From Ashes to New’s third studio album offers lots of guitars and a driving, catchy beat. The album’s title track, “Panic,” scored the guys a rock radio hit, thanks to it’s rich, anthemic rock vibe.
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- Greta Van Fleet, “Age of Machine” — Greta Van Fleet returned with new music in 2020, including the single “My Way, Soon” earlier this year and “Age of Machine” in December. The latter breaks new ground for the band, with an epic, nearly seven-minute passage. Both songs are off Greta Van Fleet’s upcoming studio album, “The Battle at Garden’s Gate,” out in April 2021.
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- Gwen Stefani, “Let Me Reintroduce Myself” — Gwen Stefani kept busy this year releasing a pair of country singles with her fiance, Black Shelton, and reissuing her latest Christmas album around the holidays. In December, Stefani unleashed a new solo single, “Let Me Reintroduce Myself,” which shows off a spunkier, edgier side of singer that fans haven’t seen since her No Doubt days.
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- Halestorm, “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton cover) — Lzzy Hale is something of a powerhouse vocalist, and that’s on top of her stunning lead guitar skills. On Hale and Halestorm’s cover of “I Will Always Love You,” she simply slays it, showing off a tremendous vocal range and control. It does the original more than justice.
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- L.A. Guns, “Renegades” — Steve Riley and Kelly Nickels rekindle that fun, lively Sunset Strip sound with “Renegades,” the title track off their latest studio album. The song features a galloping drum beat and swirling guitars, with a slick, cool ’80s hard rock and metal vibe.
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- Mammoth WVH, “Distance” — One of the lowest points of 2020 was losing the great Eddie Van Halen, who is one of the biggest guitar icons of all time. Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, is also a musician, and following his father’s passing, he released a very personal new song, “Distance,” in which he shares his heartfelt story of love and loss.
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- Morgan Rose, “Exhale” — “Exhale” appears on Morgan Rose of Sevendust’s new solo album, “Controlled Chaos,” and it proves a very personal track. The song is about Rose getting sick in December 2019, and it carries a message of resilience. What’s extra cool is that the track doesn’t have drums, making ways for Rose’s pure vocals.
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- Myles Kennedy, “The Trooper” (Iron Maiden cover) — Myles Kennedy has kept busy in 2020 working on his upcoming sophomore solo album, but he took some time out to work on a new Alter Bridge song, “Last Rites,” and released an acoustic cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” via Sirius XM. The latter gives the Iron Maiden classic a totally new feel and vibe, and Kennedy’s raspy vocals make it a thrilling listen.
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- Ozzy Osbourne, “It’s a Raid” (featuring Post Malone) — Before the world was turned upside down with a novel virus, Ozzy Osbourne released his latest studio album, “Ordinary Man.” The shining set shows a humble, vulnerable side of Ozzy, which makes this a very personal, earnest album. “It’s a Raid” is a special surprise on the set, as it features an unlikely collaboration with Post Malone.
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- Sammy Boller, “Cloak of Light” — Sammy Boller is one of the hottest rising guitarists in rock music, and his new album, “Kingdom of the Sun,” shows off his technical mastery. The all-instrumental album sees Boller bringing the guitar to the forefront, showing that the next generation of rockers isn’t all about computers and programming. “Clock of Light” really shines, with sharp guitars and great rhythms.
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- Sevendust, “Criminal” — Atlanta metal band Sevendust marry melody and brutality on their latest album, “Blood & Stone,” and “Criminal” is a stand-out on the set. The song features singer LJ Witherspoon’s powerful vocals atop a sea of guitar riffage and rhythms, proving, once again, that nobody bring together both spectrums of music, heavy and melodic, as well as Sevendust.
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- Shinedown, “Atlas Falls” — Shinedown’s “Atlas Falls” is an uplifting rock nugget, with hopeful lyrics and vocalist Brent Smith’s powerful delivery. The band dug the song up from the archives this spring and released it to raise funds for the humanitarian organization Direct Relief as the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis was starting to take hold.
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- Sixx: A.M., “Maybe It’s Time” — Sixx: A.M. have been sparse the past few years, as Nikki Sixx has been busy with Motley Crue’s “The Dirt” and various projects, but they returned in 2020 with a new single, “Maybe It’s Time,” to benefit the opioid crisis Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation. The song features a range of high-profile guests, including Corey Taylor, Joe Elliott, Brantley Gilbert, Ivan Moody, Slash, AWOLNATION and Tommy Vext.
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- Static-X – “Hollow (Project Regeneration)” — Static-X delivery strong, powerful industrial metal on “Project Regeneration Vol. 1,” and hearing last frontman Wayne Static’s vocals is just the comfort fans needed this year. “Hollow (Project Regeneration)” featuring a driving beat and guitars, and coupled with Static’s unmistakable, crunchy vocals is metal perfection.
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- Pop Evil, “Work” — Michigan rockers Pop Evil continue their musical journey with “Work,” bringing a new sound, with an electronic background and vocalist Leigh Kakaty’s rap-rock vocals. The song, which reached the top 10 on the rock radio chart, is an anthemic track with a meaty chorus that’s simply empowering.
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- Psychosexual, “Watchin’ You” (Kiss cover) — Psychosexual is a new band features former Five Finger Death Punch drummer Jeremy Spencer. The band released a surprise covers EP in November, called “Songs to Stalk You By,” former Five Finger lead guitar Hook on two songs: the Kiss anthem “Watchin’ You” and Queensryche’s “Gonna Get Close To You.” Hearing these two together on some tracks again was a thrill, and they put a special spin on the Kiss track.
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- The Pretty Reckless, “25” — Taylor Momsen and company released “Death by Rock and Roll” in the first half of 2020, and while they’re waiting until February 2021 to put out their new full-length, the band gave fans another taste of new music in November with “25.” The song has Momsen’s breathy vocals over a driving drum beat, climaxing to a huge chorus, offering lots of drama and intensity.
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- Todd Sucherman, “It’s Perfection” — Todd Sucherman of Styx released his debut solo album this year, “Last Flight Home.” The song “It’s Perfection” has an easy-going, uplifting beat, with the kind of melody one would expect to hear from a Beatles track. That’s a good thing. Maybe it is perfection?
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- Tommy Shaw, “Going to California” — In a year that was filled with cover songs, one that really stands out is Tommy Shaw’s glowing rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California.” With warm vocals and guitars, Shaw does more than justice to the Zeppelin classic with one of the best covers of the year.
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- Within Temptation, “The Purge” — This year was supposed to be filled with touring for Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation, but with all touring postponed, the band focused on putting out a few choice singles. Their latest single, “The Purge,” blends Sharon den Adel’s soaring vocals with dense, triumphant guitars to great accord.
Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.
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