10 Happiest Metal Songs of All Time
Metallica have one of the happiest metal songs of all time – Author Anne Erickson, photo by Tim Saccenti
Heavy metal music might not be considered a happy genre. I blame all the minor keys. But, if you’re looking for the happiest metal songs, you don’t need to go far. Some metal songs will simply put you in a really good mood. That’s nothing to be mad about, either. Here’s Audio Ink Radio’s list of the 10 happiest metal songs of all time.
The Happiest Metal Songs
10. Killswitch Engage, “The End of Heartache”
Who doesn’t want heartache to end? Killswitch Engage and their glorious metalcore anthem “The End of Heartache” is a feel-good metal song. It has a just-right mix of aggression and uplifting lyrics to make it the perfect heavy metal song to put you in a good mood.
9. Gojira, “Silvera”
Gojira make amazing doom and death metal, and while those genres aren’t known for really uplifting music, the band’s track “Silvera” delivers. The song motivates the listener to try to change themselves and change the world. It’s simply inspiring and, dare I say, happy.
8. Mastodon, “Curl of the Burl”
The guys of Mastodon don’t have a lot of songs that are “happy” in the traditional sense, but their song “Curl of the Burl” has a very upbeat rhythm that simply makes this song a happy listen. The song is off 2011’s “The Hunter,” which is not a concept album but does have some meaty concepts. It’s really one of the happiest metal songs.
7. Helloween, “I’m Alive”
German power metal band Helloween makes creepy, speedy metal tunes, but they get downright inspiring with their song “I’m Alive.” The track is off their 1987 album, “Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part I,” and notes what it feels like to “see the morning sun again” and simply be alive.
6. Kiss, “Rock and Roll All Nite”
Okay, maybe Kiss isn’t really heavy metal. They’re more hard rock. But, it would be difficult to leave one of the heavy music’s happiest songs off this list. On “Rock and Roll All Nite,” Kiss sing about just having fun and partying it up. It’s a legendary anthem that’s really happy.
5. Judas Priest, “Living After Midnight”
Judas Priest don’t make a ton of party-happy songs, but “Living After Midnight” is one of them. It’s a fun pop-metal tune that has lead vocalist Rob Halford singing about “living after midnight” and rocking and rolling all night. There’s so much to love about that.
4. Iron Maiden, “Aces High”
Really, a lot of songs released by Iron Maiden in the 1980s and 1990s were happy. Songs such as “The Trooper” and “Wrathchild” are among Iron Maiden’s happiest, but I think “Aces High” is, well, the ace of the band’s happy songs.
3. Megadeth, “I’ll Be There”
As with most of the bands on this list, Megadeth aren’t the first name that comes to mind when you think about happy music. But, songs such as “I’ll Be There” off 1999’s “Risk” or “Never Walk Alone…Call to Arms” off 2007’s “United Abominations” are among the most uplifting in their extensive catalog.
2. Metallica, “Whiplash”
Metallica’s brand of heavy metal is usually angsty, but at this point, they’ve released so much music that they cover every emotion. On “Whiplash,” which is the band’s first single off their debut album, “Kill ‘Em All,” Metallica simply sound high-energy and, well, happy. It’s certainly one of the happiest metal songs of all time.
1. Ozzy Osbourne, “Flying High Again”
It’s pretty remarkable that Ozzy Osbourne has lived so long, and that in itself is inspiring and should make any metalhead happy. When it comes to his music, “Flying High Again” was written about Osbourne launching his solo career after Black Sabbath and feeling like he had a second chance again after losing hope. It doesn’t get much more happy tear-worthy than that.
If you’re still on a metal kick after reading the happiest metal songs of all time, check out my list of the most underrated thrash metal bands.
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