Billy Corgan—yes, the man from Smashing Pumpkins who’s more “Tonight, Tonight” than “Die, Die, My Darling”—just unleashed his list of top metal bands, and it’s surprisingly legit. You’d think his playlist would feature more eyeliner than riff, but here he is, diving into the heavy stuff. Now, let’s cut the fluff and get into why Mr. Corgan’s choices might just earn him a seat at the table with the metal gods.
First up, Black Sabbath. No surprise there, really. Corgan calls Tony Iommi his hero. Well, Tony is the riff lord, after all, so who can blame him? Corgan’s reverence for Sabbath is almost religious, and let’s face it, you can’t be a metalhead without worshiping at the altar of “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.” It’s like loving metal without owning a single black T-shirt—unthinkable, right?
Corgan then shines a spotlight on Pantera, a band that’s basically a masterclass in groove metal. Dimebag Darrell’s riffs hit harder than a mosh pit at 2AM. And trust me, if you haven’t experienced “Walk” live, drop everything and fix that now. What struck me is how Corgan dives into the band’s influence and Dimebag’s legendary shredding, a nod that shows he’s more than just a fan—he’s a fellow guitarist in awe.
The journey through metal history also brings us to Slayer and Mercyful Fate. Slayer, who practically wrote the book on thrash with “Raining Blood,” gets Corgan’s seal of approval for their sheer, unrelenting pace. Then there’s Mercyful Fate, spotlighted for King Diamond’s operatic vocals that shred the very air you breathe. Corgan’s passion when discussing these bands? Imagine a kid in a candy store where every candy is a piece of metal history.
Let’s talk about the unexpected nods, like Rainbow and Dokken. Now, Rainbow, especially during the Dio era, is metal’s unsung powerhouse. Richie Blackmore’s guitar work will make your fingers cramp just listening. Dokken might catch some off guard, but Corgan hails their harmonies as iconic. It’s like finding a metal gem in a bargain bin—priceless and a bit of a ‘who knew?’ moment.
Corgan wraps up with a salute to Judas Priest and Accept. Rob Halford’s vocal range could probably shatter the windows in your soul, and Accept, well, they’ve been doing “Balls to the Wall” long before it was metaphorically cool. Corgan praises their raw power, a timeless ode to the spirit of metal. In the end, Corgan’s list isn’t just a rundown of bands; it’s a love letter to the riffs and the rebellion. If nothing else, it’s proof that even rock’s alternative darlings feel the pull of the power chord. Keep those horns high.
