Revisiting America's Hard 100 (50-26)
One year ago we asked you, the fans, to help us decide the 100 greatest hard rock and heavy metal songs of all time. We compiled our list of classic rock and metal jams and asked people to vote on their favorites to help us determine where they landed on our countdown list which was then broadcast as America's Hard 100. Well you know, it turns out, you guys were wrong.
Well, no not exactly wrong, we were wrong, look, it doesn't matter who was wrong but what we hadn't counted on was that some bands, whose appeal is bigger than just those of us who are hard rock and heavy metal maniacs, would garner more votes than some of the biggest, most importance bands in rock history and when those aforementioned heavy metal maniacs saw the final ranking, man, were they pissed! Not that those bands are bad but you know, as we say here in New York City, what's right is right.
So in honor of this year's National Metal Day we've re-calculated votes, taken user comments from online and Facebook into account, and re-ranked America's Hard 100. We've been rolling out 25 songs at a time all weekend (100-76, 75-51) leading up to National Metal Day tomorrow Monday, November 11th and we'll also be posting an important announcement about everyone's favorite cable TV show about all things hard rock and heavy metal. We can't say what the new is just yet nor can we say the show's name but it rhymes with Fat Kettle Crow so see if you can figure it out and now please enjoy America's Hard 100 Revisited (50 through 26).
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
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50. Warrant "Cherry Pie"
One of glam rock's guiltiest pleasures.
49. Faith No More "Epic"
Rap vocals and metal guitars fight a dual to the death but only the fish get hurt.
48. Krokus "Screaming In The Night"
Krokus is Swiss for metal.
47. Dokken "Into The Fire"
Featuring killer guitarist George Lynch, these L.A. vets delivered perfect metally hard rock throughout the 1980's.
46. Cheap Trick "Dream Police"
The sound of 1979 when hard rock, new wave and power pop influences mingled and mated.
45. Accept "Balls To The Wall"
One of the great '80s metal anthems of all time from this long-running German outfit.
44.Danzig "Mother '93"
This x-Misfit and horror-core legend blended the thump of hard rock with the vocals of Elvis on this, his biggest commercial hit.
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43. Cinderella "Gypsy Road"
Lumped in with glam but rocking as hard as AC/DC, these boys were more than just one hit wonders.
42. Lita Ford "Kiss Me Deadly"
The ex-Runaway had a hit with this upbeat mid-'80s rocker.
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41. Sepultura "Slave New World"
The band that showed metal's power translated just as effectively south of the border as it did in the freezing north.
40. Thin Lizzy "The Boys Are Back In Town"
These Irish rockers brought dual and dueling guitars to hard rock as heard to great effect on this anthem beloved of sports teams.
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39. Rage Against The Machine "Bulls On Parade"
The most successful merging of metal power, punk passion and hip hop groove to ever bust a move in the mosh pit.
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38. Whitesnake "Here I Go Again"
Hard rock survivor David Coverdale got his hot wide dancing on the hood of his car with this '80s classic.
37. Marilyn Manson "The Beautiful People"
Updated post-alternative-metal shock rock from the one time most hated man in America.
36. Korn "Freak On A Leash"
The defining nu metal band showed that the music could change with the times.
35. Quiet Riot "Cum On Feel The Noize"
L.A. metal mavens go back to the '70s and covered Slade to great effect (and commercial gain).
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34. Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
The revolution will wear flannel.
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33. Ratt "Round And Round"
Another era-defining early video metal hit and a damn good hard rock song to boot.
32. Tool "Sober"
Metal-prog-alternative hybreeders always keep things interesting on dynamic songs like this.
31. Metallica "Enter Sandman"
The song that signaled 'Tallica weren't content to stay underground and a well-deserved hit when it was released.
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30. Rush "Limelight"
One of hard rock's most respected and beloved band's had an actual hit single with this song of their album 'Moving Pictures.
29. Type O Negative "Black No. 1"
These Brooklyn heavyweights blended metal with goth and alternative influences on this, their signature song.
28. Heaven and Hell "The Mob Rules"
A Dio-era Black Sabbath classic as performed by the same under a new name. One of metal's most kinetic performances.
27. Megadeth "Peace Sells"
Led by guitar great Dave Mustaine, this early rager from Megadeth gave the competition (IE: Dave's x-band Metallica) shivers when it was released.
26. White Zombie "More Human Than Human"
Metal went alternative when these dreadlocked rockers unleashed this weird and wired classic on the world.