Powerful Music

The best type of music is those songs, those albums that just hit you really hard. Usually they are strong and heavy ballads that induce cold chills, but they can also be songs just with a great instrumental that makes you want to get up and dance. Whatever the case, these songs just move me in a certain emotional way.

1. The Unforgiven-Metallica (1991/Metallica)
One of my favorites from Metallica, if not the favorite song by Metallica for me. Metallica usually brings up images of Kirk shredding the guitar, Lars going buckwild on complex drum solos, and James screaming about violence, drugs, crime, death, and partying among other things. But here we have a HEAVY ballad that has the power to give shivers to any fan of any genre. The heavy and slow verse, speaking of a man oppressed by his superiors and society, losing his humanity. Then the chorus comes and the song becomes more airy, calm, and ultimately more powerful with soft guitars and ballad vocals. Best song off the album.

2. Pjanoo (Club Mix)-Eric Prydz (2008/Pjanoo-EP)
Here we have the best club song I have ever heard. I can't really go into detail about what the song uses in it's music since it is mostly electronica, but it does have an excellent, catchy piano "riff" that continues for most of the song and a lot of electronic background track. It is really a trance song, repeating over and over, but that riff is just amazing and makes the whole song. Basically think the Pink Floyd meets house music. Great song to dance to for seven and a half minutes.

3. Rooster- Alice in Chains (1992/Dirt)
Wow, just wow. If you are a big fan of rock and ballads, you've probably already heard this song before. But if you haven't, the song starts with a slow, distorted riff from the bass and lead guitar. Every time this song comes in with the melancholy and chilling atmosphere it really hits me. Lyrically, the song is talking from the view of a man sent to die in the Vietnam War, and how he's not going to die. The best thing is you can easily fit into the shoes of the singer, and instead of dodging bullets, you are saying you will never change and that you will not suffer abuses from others. Also this song goes from ballad to powerful metal in a beautiful way, check it out.

4. Wet Sand- Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006/Stadium Arcadium)
Another ballad here, and a great one at that. I really don't know what to say about this song it just all came together well, nothing really steals the show. Anthony Kiedis does his job and throws down some great vocals in what sounds like a tribute to a lost romance. The drums are great as usually, and John Frusciante really shows his prowess here, notably in the song's ending. First a series of usually three chords, that he repeats in a emotional buildup, aided by Kiedis' loving vocals. Then he closes the song out with one THE most powerful solo the RHCP have ever made, pouring his heart out and releasing the tension the song's built up to. YouTube this right now and go to 3:38 in, you will not be dissapointed.

5. When You Say Nothing At All- Kieth Whitley (1988/Don't Close Your Eyes)
Yeah, I put a country song on here, make fun of me for it. Oh wait this is a blog, you can't. If ya'll didn't know Kieth Whitley is from Kentucky, which makes me really proud that this amazing song came from my homestate. Surprise, surprise it is a ballady love-song as well. Whitley just goes full-out in this masterpiece and serenades a girl he's hanging with, saying that her actions speak louder than her words. It all comes together excellently here with the acoustic guitar, the bold piano that supports the chorus, the moving vocal performace, and that stand-up slidy guitar-thingy. It all just works like a watch.