Has the heavy metal era passed? Many fans of the genre would laugh in your face if you ask them this question about a rock music genre that probably has the most sub-genres around and has, since its formal inception in the early seventies, been around for over five decades now, and seems not be losing a single vapour of its steam.
Yet, when did it really start, or more precisely, when did the idea of making loud, powerful and often aggressive sound come about, many cite late sixties as the key there, but some more devoted music historians are even bound to mention examples as far back as some time in previous centuries, the prime time of classical music citing Franz Liszt’s Devil's Interval from one of his signature works — "Dante Sonata."
But let us stick to more recent times when the key ingredients of heavy metal were introduced - heavily distorted guitar riffs, a powerful and aggressive sound, a focus on volume and power, and often dark or occult themes. And that considered, the bellow 14 songs could be hailed as heavy metal progenitors.
These songs gave heavy metal its initial push before it became a full-fledged genre
Screamin' Jay Hawkins - “I Put a Spell On You” (1956)
Where do you think Alice Cooper, GWAR (Spinal Tap?) and so many other heavy metal purveyors picked up their heavy, and dark stage antics from? Well, this is the guy who started it all with this now absolute classic, the Voodoo Concept, ties it all up.
The Kinks - “You Really Got Me” (1964)
A good riff is one of heavy metal basics and this punchy, raw and uncomplicated Ray Davies riff is one of the first of its kind in rock music that was at the time dominated by that clean twangy sounds of instrumental rockers like the Shadows.
The Who - “My Generation” (1965)
There’s an inherent heaviness all over this classic, more in the attitude and power, as well as the destruction and rampage it induces, on the players too, as Townshend and Moon stage antics of destroying instruments is quite associated with this one
The Yardbirds – "Train Kept A-Rollin’" (1965)
This intense cover of a blues classic was featured in one of the key scenes of Antonioni’s sixties classic film Blow Up, where Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck on guitars showing how raw, heavy and intense should really sound. Oh, and Beck destroying his amp and guitar near the end of the scene is iconic.
Cream - “ Sunshine of Your Love” (1966)
First supergroup proved its title with some heavy Jack Bruce bass, Clapton’s inventive guitar riffs and Ginger Baker's heavy drumming, presenting all the elements heavy metal was built on later on by those who followed Cream’s footsteps.
Jimi Hendrix - “Purple Haze” (1967)
The sounds Hendrix could create with his guitar are still incredible to this day and are possibly among the most influential, particularly with all things associated with heavy metal and it is all quite evident in one of the best rock classics around. This one can still run chills down anybody’s spine.
Blue Cheer - “Summertime Blues” (1968)
So many covered this Eddie Cochran classic (a great one by the Who also), but this power trio dressed it up with heavy amp distortion, fuzz bass and played it as aggressively as they could, showing that speed is good and doesn’t necessarily have to kill.
MC5 - “Kick Out The Jams” (1968)
This one is often picked as a dual progenitor- both for punk and heavy metal, and there is quite a few elements that would fit in - from practically the first use of swear words to heavy guitar riffs and distortion all over. The football stadium atmosphere fits in perfectly, too.
The Beatles - “Helter Skelter” (1968)
Written by the man who gave us the really gentle stuff like “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude,” this one has the elements used by all bands going truly heavy, whether they are good or bad - rawness, speed, heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums and extra heavy drums. All there.
Iron Butterfly - “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” (1968)
The heaviness of this one lies more in its heavy organ riff and deep lead vocals and it is the 17-minute live version that made more impact and signifies the transfer (of power) from heavy psych into heavy metal itself.
Steppenwolf – "Born to Be Wild" (1968)
The title was giving it away already, but the heavy riffs, John Kay’s raspy vocals and the use of the phrase "heavy metal thunder" were nailing it here. It is quite possible some rock critic picked up this phrase to coin the name of the genre.
Led Zeppelin – "Dazed and Confused" (1969)
Well, beyond the debate who wrote this one (eventually, Jimmy Page paid up for it in a lawsuit), but it is not only the incessant guitar riff that makes it so heavy, but incredible drumming by late John Bonham and Plant’s wail that make it so heavy.
King Crimson - “21st Century Schizoid Man” (1969)
It seems that when Robert Fripp was devising this one he was led by the notion of going out all crazy, and that is what he and King Crimson really came up with here, with those heavily distorted vocals and everybody involved actually going crazy that make this one so heavy.
Black Sabbath - “Paranoid” (1970)
Well, this is where heavy metal truly begins. With all the songs on their debut, Black Sabbath became progenitors of doom, and here they added speed adding to it that inimitable (but often imitated) Ozzy Osbourne vocals and Tony Iommi guitar riff. A true heavy metal staple.