Hard Rock and Heavy Metal can be very therapeutic when you’re feeling lonely or down and out. It’s one of the genre’s most primary functions. Well, it’s really the primary function of all art at the end of the day. Because when you cant rely on people you can always rely on your art. And the music or whatever your artistic avenue is can always be your relying, guiding light. Here are the top five hard rock/heavy metal albums that are perfect for when you’re feeling lonely.
Alice In Chains – 1995 Self Titled
Obviously Alice In Chains is going to be on this list. The question is which album is the best choice for this list? After careful deliberation, I’ve decided that the 1995 self-titled album is the perfect representation out of all the albums. It’s still the darkest album they’ve ever done, even if it’s not their all around heaviest. The lyrics can be devastatingly sad. Not that there aren’t other albums with the same. Featuring a late Layne Staley, digging deep into his most depressing moods. This would be his last studio album with the band. Tracks like ‘Nothin’ Song’, ‘God Am,’ ‘Again,’ Head Creeps,’ and ‘Brush Away’ provide a heavy, dark groove that’s fun to jam to while also providing bleak, lonesome lyrics. ‘Sludge Factory’ brings in a lonesome, drug induced vibe that defines the sound of the band. Not to mention the Jerry Cantrell lead tracks ‘Over Now’ and ‘Heaven Beside You.’ The former being a perfect break up song. ‘Shame In You’ is the ultimate self-loathing ballad. All elements combined, the self-titled Alice In Chains album is a near perfect, heavy and melodic record for when you’re feeling down and out.
King’s X – Dogman
The brooding nature, yet reflective aspects of King’s X’s ‘Dogman’ absolutely put the album on this list. Jamming when you’re feeling lonely is mega important and this album jams hard. Twelve ton heavy, groovy and cynical tracks such ‘Don’t Care,’ ‘Pretend, ‘Pillow,’ accompany straight up funk rockers like ‘Black the Sky’ and ‘Shoes.’ All of which dig under the skin, getting the listener up and rocking. But there’s also brilliant, deep, strong and reflective ballads like ‘Flies and Blue Skies’ and ‘Sunshine Rain.’ And of course the signature ‘Cigarettes’ is an eponymous, King’s X song. A melancholy track asking for comfort. Overall the album is a complete journey of jamming. It’s got the fun, funky and heavy tracks. But they’re also accompanied by cynical and lonely lyrics. And the ballads complete the album for a perfect combination of fun and dark reflection.
Soundgarden – Superunknown
Ok, obviously there’s a 90’s hard rock theme going on here. After all it is the peak of bleak, dark rock music. This is the second album on the list to be released in 1994. But there’s a reason for all the bleakness that permeated rock at the time. Mostly a reaction from the Reagan administration and the weather in Seattle. Which is home to the ‘grunge’ revolution. It created a dark and cynical point of view in the bands. Which always seems to accommodate loneliness well. And Soundgarden’s 1994 super smash ‘Superunknown’ is no exception. The many angles of the song writing make it an essential moody, heavy and kick ass album. With plenty of ‘dark cloud’ moments that define the sounds of Seattle. But Soundgarden took a very raw and brutally bad ass approach the sub-genre. The albums opener ‘Let Me Drown’ sets the standard for the record in stride. There also the other heavy, killer tracks: ‘4th of July,’ ‘Mailman,’ the title track and the funk heavy ‘Fresh Tendrills.’ All of which define the dark, cloud heavy atmosphere of grunge. The other side of the coin has some of the most iconic ballads of the entire decade: ‘Fell on Black Days,’ ‘Head Down,’ and ‘Black Hole Sun’ hit the lonely feels right in the jugular. It’s a tremendous album to simply lose yourself in all of it’s many facets.
Dream Theater – Falling Into Infinity
Keeping on the 90’s hard rock track, ‘Falling Into Infinity’ is a consummate lonely album. Actually, a lot of Dream Theater’s material is ideal for lonesome listening. Whether it’s lyrical themes, the mood of the music or adventurous prog jams; Dream Theater’s catalog is essential for those that feel lonely. So naturally it was difficult to choose an album from their vast discography. Many of their albums could be on this list for various reasons: ‘Awake,’ ‘Octavarium,’ ‘Train of Thought, ‘Black Clouds and Silver Linings,’ and the new ‘Distance Over Time.’ But ‘Falling Into Infinity’ has a Northwest cloudy and depressing mood that’s hard to find on the other albums. The music and lyrics compliment each other perfectly throughout the record. ‘New Millennium’ is a terrific loner classic. And it’s also one of the best ways to open an album. Terrific opener. And the other heavy tracks on the album are second to none. ‘You Not Me,’ ‘Just Let Me Breathe’ and ‘Burning My Soul’ are satisfying heavy tracks that dig on the back beat. ‘Lines in the Sand’ is one of the best riffs and grooves ever. Complete with crazy ass Derick Sherinian keyboard shredding and texture. He really kicked ass on the ‘Falling Into Infinity’ tour and album. The Pink Floyd cover ‘Peruvian Skies’ fits the profile with it’s depressing atmosphere. Which then moves into a killer impromptu metal jam. The ballads: ‘Hollow Years,’ ‘Take Away My Pain,’ and ‘Anna Lee’ create a strong, yearning feeling for companionship. And the emotional instrumental ‘Hells Kitchen’ caps the feeling of loneliness in it’s feeling. One of the great sit alone albums.
Mastodon – Crack the Skye
Mastodon’s ‘Crack the Skye’ is a perfect album for hanging out alone. It’s a progressive, concept metal album that also has it’s own individual songs. Like the other albums on this list, it’s a complete album to listen to while feeling lonely. ‘Oblivion’ is an epic album opener. The instrumentals mixed with the lyrics and harmonies set the standard for what the album has to offer. ‘Divinations’ and the title track set a major headbanging standard. And ‘The Czar’ is quintessential heavy listening whilst hanging out alone. Lyrics like ‘It’s your own fault’ make the listener reflect on ones own consequences. While still keeping a fun, heavy side to the song. The middle movement of ‘The Czar’ is a classic, hard rock piece that gives hope to the future of heavy music. Even if it is eleven years old now. ‘Quintessence’ is a progressive highlight of the album. It’s not a particularly long song, but the arrangement keeps hard rock and metal moving forward. ‘The Last Baron’ is one of the tastiest progressive metal pieces overall. An epic thirteen minute that builds and builds. And finally ends in an explosion. Overall ‘Crack the Skye’ is a lonesome album that hits all the heavy feels. Crank it and jam hard.
So there it is, my top five metal albums for when you’re feeling lonely. What are your top albums for when you’re feeling alone?
