The 1970s was the golden age of heavy metal. It was a time when the genre took shape and influenced generations to come. Pioneering bands emerged with powerful riffs, dark themes, and unforgettable performances. This article explores 28 important heavy metal songs from the 1970s. These songs helped define what we now know as Heavy Metal Music Songs. Each song has its place in music history.
28 Classic 1970s Heavy Metal Songs Every Fan Should Hear
1. Black Sabbath – “Paranoid” (1970)
“Paranoid” is one of the most recognized heavy metal songs ever. Black Sabbath created a simple but powerful riff. Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals added to the intense mood. The song’s fast pace and gloomy lyrics made it a metal classic. It was also a commercial success.
2. Led Zeppelin – “Immigrant Song” (1970)
This track was a mix of hard rock and heavy metal. Robert Plant’s screaming vocals set the tone. The Viking-themed lyrics and Jimmy Page’s guitar made it unique. It is one of Zeppelin’s heaviest songs of the decade.
3. Deep Purple – “Speed King” (1970)
“Speed King” mixed classical music with heavy guitar. Deep Purple’s style was fast and technical. The song was a favorite among fans of fast metal. It also showed the band’s creativity.
4. Uriah Heep – “Gypsy” (1970)
“Gypsy” had a long and heavy intro. The riff was dark and dramatic. Uriah Heep used keyboards to give it a unique touch. It was different from other metal songs at the time.
5. Black Sabbath – “Iron Man” (1970)
The riff in “Iron Man” is one of the most iconic in heavy metal. The lyrics told a tragic story. It combined sci-fi and doom themes. The slow tempo and crushing sound helped define the metal style.
6. Blue Cheer – “Out of Focus” (1970)
This song was raw and loud. Blue Cheer was known for their heavy sound. They were early influencers of metal. “Out of Focus” captured their gritty energy well.
7. Budgie – “Crash Course in Brain Surgery” (1971)
Budgie was a Welsh band that mixed hard rock and metal. This song had strange lyrics and heavy guitar. It was later covered by Metallica. The band had a strong influence on future metal acts.
8. Black Sabbath – “Children of the Grave” (1971)
This track was aggressive and rhythmic. The song’s lyrics warned about war and destruction. It had a driving beat and an eerie tone. It is often cited as one of Sabbath’s heaviest songs.
9. Led Zeppelin – “Black Dog” (1971)
“Black Dog” was bluesy and heavy. The time signature was unusual. This made it more complex than typical rock. The guitar tone and vocal delivery were intense and dynamic.
10. Nazareth – “Razamanaz” (1973)
This track was energetic and rough. The riff was catchy. It had a punk-like energy. Nazareth helped bridge hard rock and early metal with songs like this.
11. Deep Purple – “Smoke on the Water” (1972)
This song had a riff that everyone knows. It was based on a real fire at a concert. The band’s storytelling and musicianship made it iconic. It influenced many future guitarists.
12. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out” (1972)
This was a rebellious anthem. Alice Cooper brought shock rock to metal. The song was theatrical and fun. It also had a heavy sound and catchy chorus.
13. Blue Öyster Cult – “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll” (1972)
This was a heavy and dark track. The riff was slow and menacing. Blue Öyster Cult used cryptic lyrics. The song set the tone for their future metal influence.
14. Scorpions – “I’m Going Mad” (1972)
This early Scorpions track was bluesy and heavy. The German band was still developing its style. But this song showed early metal tendencies. It was a sign of what was coming.
15. Montrose – “Rock the Nation” (1973)
Ronnie Montrose’s guitar was clean and sharp. The song had a classic metal feel. Sammy Hagar’s vocals added strength. Montrose was important in U.S. heavy metal history.
16. Black Sabbath – “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (1973)
This song was complex and progressive. It combined heaviness with melody. The band used layers of sound. It showed Black Sabbath’s growth in songwriting.
17. Queen – “Stone Cold Crazy” (1974)
This fast-paced song had a punk-like energy. It is considered one of the first speed metal songs. Metallica later covered it. Queen was more than a glam band — they had metal power.
18. Judas Priest – “Victim of Changes” (1976)
This was a turning point for heavy metal. Judas Priest used twin guitars and powerful vocals. The song changed from soft to heavy within minutes. It became a model for future metal.
19. Rainbow – “Man on the Silver Mountain” (1975)
Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar and Ronnie James Dio’s voice made this song special. It was mystical and powerful. Rainbow combined fantasy themes with heavy metal sounds.
20. AC/DC – “High Voltage” (1975)
Though more hard rock, this song had metal traits. The power chords and rebellious lyrics gave it edge. AC/DC influenced many metal bands with their raw energy.
21. Kiss – “Detroit Rock City” (1976)
This was theatrical and loud. Kiss combined glam with heavy riffs. The song told a tragic story of a fan. The music was fast and energetic.
22. UFO – “Rock Bottom” (1974)
Michael Schenker’s guitar solo in this song was epic. UFO helped shape melodic metal. “Rock Bottom” became a showcase for technical skill in heavy music.
23. Blue Öyster Cult – “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (1976)
This song was more melodic but still heavy. The lyrics were about death, a common metal theme. It had a haunting mood. The guitar work was memorable.
24. Thin Lizzy – “The Boys Are Back in Town” (1976)
This song had a twin-guitar attack. It was storytelling through music. The lyrics painted a vivid picture. Thin Lizzy influenced both metal and hard rock acts.
25. Rainbow – “Stargazer” (1976)
This was a metal epic. Dio’s vocals were grand and emotional. The song had orchestration and heaviness. It was progressive and powerful. It is a fan favorite to this day.
26. Judas Priest – “The Ripper” (1976)
This track was fast and sharp. The lyrics were dark, based on Jack the Ripper. It had strong vocals and twin guitars. Judas Priest refined the metal sound here.
27. AC/DC – “Let There Be Rock” (1977)
This was a celebration of rock and metal. The guitar solo was wild. The energy was high. It was raw and honest. AC/DC brought a street-level attitude to metal.
28. Motörhead – “Overkill” (1979)
This song was a bridge to the 1980s. Motörhead played fast and loud. “Overkill” had double bass drumming and aggressive guitars. Lemmy’s voice made it even more powerful. It influenced thrash and speed metal bands later on.
SEE ALSO: The 11 Best Slow Heavy Metal Songs You Absolutely Love
Conclusion
The 1970s shaped the world of heavy metal. These 28 songs show the diversity and strength of the genre. From slow and heavy to fast and technical, each track had a role in defining metal. Bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Rainbow set the stage for the 1980s and beyond. Their work is still admired and played today. To explore more legendary metal works, visit Heavy Metal Music Songs and Heavy Metal Music Artists.
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