Far Beyond Metal

As most of you know, my love for both Billy Corgan and heavy metal runs deep, so when Revolver's Top 11 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands, according to Billy Corgan, crossed my YouTube feed, of course I had to check it out.

​I could listen to Billy Corgan talk all day on pretty much any topic. I respect his opinions even when I don't share them, and he's such a great storyteller. His interview for Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage is one of my favourite parts of the movie. Side note: If you haven't watched Beyond The Lighted Stage, you absolutely must. Even if you're not a Rush fan. But of course you are.

Corgan's enthusiasm for wrestling and heavy metal is something I definitely share, and while I wouldn't have picked some of the bands he chose for this particular list, I enjoyed it, and was even surprised by a few. I won't get into the list in its entirety because I want you guys to watch the video, but I will mention a few highlights. "First of all, you gotta be rockin' with Dokken." The man's preaching to the choir, right? Putting Dokken on this list warmed my heart. I'm sure many wouldn't agree, and honestly, they wouldn't have made my top 11, but you gotta love Dokken getting some Corgan cred. I was also quite amused at the fact that he put Accept on the list, mentioning seeing them open for Maiden on the Powerslave tour, yet he didn't pick Maiden! I kinda love that. Probably my favourite part is when he says, "This is kinda what's wrong with the world sometimes...there's a lot of love and respect for Fate in the metal world, but the general public doesn't know Mercyful Fate." He's not wrong!

I'll leave it at that and let you guys see the rest for yourselves, as it's really worth the watch. And because I'm generous, I will leave you with not one song, but two!

The first is from the incredible Siamese Dream, an album I recently posted about on Instagram, because it's now 30 years old. Hard to believe. I was thirteen when it came out, and to this day, with each spin, it's like hearing it for the first time; those chords, those lyrics, those emotions. It still gives me goosebumps. It really is a perfect album. Every song is great. "Mayonaise" is my favourite. I think I feel the same way about that song as Billy Corgan does about Rush's "Entre Nous." Upon first listen, I remember feeling in my bones that it was written for me. I guess I still feel that way.

The second song is another favourite, from a band that I was VERY excited to see on Billy Corgan's list. I was late to the game with Savatage, only really getting into them in my mid-twenties. I still have the mix CD of Sirens/The Dungeons Are Calling that my old buddy made for me. Absolutely incredible stuff. Savatage is easily one of my favourite bands now, and I was pretty pumped to learn that Billy Corgan feels the same.

Enjoy, my friends! Until next time...🤘! An extra 🤘for those who get the title.