Ahhh the 4th of July. A touchstone, summer holiday full of the wonderous freedoms that we enjoy. Such as: Beer, meat, various styles of chips, rocket pops, fellowship and colored bombs that explode in the sky. It’s also a great day to jam out on your favorite hard rock and metal tracks. Even though metal was invented in England, it’s still a patriotic beacon in the music world for the United States. And it covers all sides of our countries political spectrum. While also being a fun, hard partying style of music. Depending on what band you’re listening to of course. Yes, hard rock and metal are the perfect genres for the 4th of July. Well, besides country of course. So here’s a look at the top ten hard rock/metal songs that are perfect for the 4th.
American Metalhead – Sebastian Bach
Starting this list off with a little heavy metal camp. Sebastian Bach’s 2007 debut ‘Angel Down’ is through and through a pretty damn good album. Certainly better than what Skid Row have been up to since his departure. The album covers various sides of metal. From heavier, more modern sounds like the title track and ‘Negative Light.’ To traditional classic metal such as ‘(Love Is) A Bitchslap’ and the fun ‘American Metalhead.’ The latter being a perfect, campy 4th of July track. It’s just pure, Harley Davidson revving hard rock. You can just picture a gang of bikers with American flags on the back of their jackets and motorcycles. There’s certainly a self parodying side to the song. Yet there’s a nice picture of unity painted in the lyrics. So crank this 4th classic and chug a beer! HORNS UP!!
Unafraid – Queensryche
What’s really great about Queensryche’s ‘American Soldier’ album is that the band used real soldier accounts of serving. And the album unbiasedly explores the consequences of war. Not to mention the superior song writing. In fact, it would be the last great Queensryche album. The track that represents the album best is perhaps the second, ‘Unafraid.’ With a heavy groove and samples of soldier interviews, it’s a great way to commemorate those who have sacrificed so much for this country. And it also makes the listener think about what goes through the minds of returning soldiers.
Politicalamity – Extreme
It wouldn’t be America without crazy ass politics. And after the essential shit show that was the first Democratic debates, I can’t think of a more perfect track for the 4th. It’s classic, mega funky Extreme. And on their third album ‘III Sides to Every Story,’ the band took a leap forward in maturity. Instead of writing about the perils of elementary school (Mutha Don’t Wanna Go to School Today) or porn (Pornograffiti), Extreme chose to write about heavier subjects such as the crap that happens in D.C., warfare and modern prophet martyring. The former, a song entitled ‘Politicalamity’ seems more prominent that ever with it’s subject material.
Which Way To America – Living Colour
Another funky ass political charger. This time though it comes from the point of view of experiencing racism in a country that supposedly the ‘Land of the Free.’ Living Colour are a black heavy rock band. And they use the genre, combined with funk, to make an aggressive, valid point. There were actually a few songs that would have worked on this list in one way or another. But I decided to go with ‘Which Way To America’ While it’s not the heaviest track, it’s the most well rounded. It explores a couple different points of view. One being that America is doing really well. The other that the country isn’t in as good of shape as our leaders would have us think.
Let Freedom Rock – Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Here’s a fun one. This song is probably the most ‘Spinal Tap’ of the bunch. After all, it is a product of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion. Although this song is a tad silly, it still kicks ass. Opening with a Bill & Ted sounding rendition of the national anthem. Then moving into a killer, driving riff. Mark Slaughter’s vocals wail. And Vinnie’s playing is in top form. An excellent, late 80’s, hot summer night rocker. A perfect track to accompany fireworks.
4th Of July – Soundgarden
Ummmm, I actually don’t really know what this song has to actually do with the 4th of July besides the title. But it’s Soundgarden and it kicks ass either way. Instead of painting a patriotic or political picture, Soundgarden use their dark intrigue to create a morbid version of the holiday. The riff is insanely sludgy, low and heavy. The mid tempo groove is infectious. And the song displays some of Chris Cornell’s greatest vocal acrobatics. The Black Sabbath influenced song displays the metal side to the grunge movement. And in my opinion, it’s one of Soundgarden’s best.
Pvt. Ledbetter – Tesla
Going back to the patriotic side of rock. This track is essentially a thank you letter to the dedicated members of the armed forces. A genuine, heartfelt ballad with a country twist. It’s a literal track that clearly lays out what the band is trying to say. Which is ‘thanks for serving, hope you’re home soon, we’re glad to call this the land of the free.’ And the music fits the lyrics really well. Tesla always had a knack of writing complete songs. With lyrics that match the mood of the music. Pvt. Ledbetter is no exception to the rule.
Generica – Winger
Winger is without question one of the most underrated and misunderstood bands in hard rock. They combine 80’s hard rock with 70’s prog brilliantly. And while the song ‘Generica’ from their 2006 reunion album ‘IV’ has a simple chord progression; there’s still an intrigue that’s possessed in the song. It’s somewhat of a haunting groove that calls out the hypocrisies of the United States. It’s also got a killer funk rock jam. What’s also cool about this song is that it displays that Winger can write about other subjects than sex and romance. Not that it’s the only track to do so. The song is an underrated call out to Americas double standard issues. This live version displayed below showcases just kick ass the band can be on their improv jams. Amazing guitar work, drumming and all around musicianship.
Mississippi Moon – King’s X
This song does such a great job of creating a mental picture of what the beautiful American South can be. This Ty Tabor led track paints a beautiful picture of how reflective states like Mississippi can be. Sometimes the lack of population can lead to tranquil self reflection. But the song doesn’t just cover that. It showcases a vision of the beauty of the region. Something that gets overlooked I think. The sunsets are apparently beautiful. And the weather is amazing during about 8 months of the year. Seeing blue and gold.
Shout It Out Loud – KISS
While there’s no direct patriotic message in the song, KISS’ ‘Shout It Out Loud’ gives off an American vibe like no other. You can just picture a midwest, middle class neighborhood. Full of lonely kids who don’t know what to do on the weekend. Then all of a sudden they all contact each other to ‘get the party started’ and the rest is history. It’s that imagery that made the song one of KISS’ biggest hits. And it’s still a concert staple to this day. Clearly for a reason. Because it showcases the potential of the party that can ensure during the summers of middle America. And not just that but the coasts as well. A quintessential American classic rocker. So ‘shout it out loud’ and ‘get the party started.’ Rock on and horns up!!
