Here we go: my picks for the top 5 songs of 2012, rounding out five days of the Top 25 Hard Rock & Metal Songs of 2012. To recap: the #21-25 post, the #16-20 post, the #11-15 post, and the #6-10 post. There have been so many incredible songs released this year, but these are the five that blew me away more than any others.
5. Lamb of God – The Undertow
Obviously I am a huge fan of Lamb of God and the entire Resolution album, and this song in particular never fails to get me headbanging wherever I am. LOG absolutely killed it at the Tabernacle this December. The YouTube video below is sound only, but who needs a visual when the song kicks this much ass? Keep Randy free!
4. Between the Buried and Me – Astral Body
Parallax II was my favorite album of the year, so it seems almost absurd to me that I’m not ranking “Astral Body” (or for that matter, “Telos,” the album’s other major single so far) higher… even though #4 is obviously not too shabby. Naturally the music video is a total headtrip and a great accompaniment to an amazing song.
3. Stone Sour – Gone Sovereign
Yes, yes, yes! Nothing I can add here that hasn’t been hammered home in this blog already: I’m obsessed with Corey Taylor and I’m digging the whole concept album idea. The fact that the dual videos give a continuing visual to the story only solidified my love of the pair of songs.
2. Deftones – Tempest
This song is so unbelievable, I can’t believe I need to put it as runner-up for the best song of the year. The album is incredible and even though I’m generally partial to the heaviest stuff, this song is the most gripping. The YouTube below is unofficial, but it has the audio with an appropriately cool visual and the lyrics.
1. Machine Head – Darkness Within
This song is a masterpiece, something I place in a category with Pantera’s “Cemetery Gates,” Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed & Confused,” or Killswitch Engage’s “The End of Heartache” as songs that rip my heart out every time I listen. I am shatteringly in love with Robb Flynn — I don’t understand how such talent and raw sex appeal can actually exist. Seeing him live at the Tabernacle this December (on Dime Day, no less) was pure adrenaline and passion; I could barely contain myself. If you do nothing else as a result of this post, check out the haunting, exceptionally well-produced music video that is a perfect accompaniment to my favorite song of the year.
Music my savior, save me.
