POLL: 4 signature classic metal tunes

[Stadler]

Master of Puppets is the song Metallica played the most live though, far more than Enter Sandman; (https://www.setlist.fm/stats/metallica-3bd680c8.html)

As for the rest of your suggestions, I think Paranoid is more well-known than Iron Man, but this might be yet another case of US vs Europe popularity!

I only picked Enter Sandman because I saw Metallica on Jools Holland in 2008; they did one new song - Cyanide - and Enter Sandman, and DESTROYED the place.  I watch that show a lot, and usually, with very few exceptions (McCartney is another) the other acts - there are five or six per episode - sit patiently while one act plays.  On this one, you can see they pan to the other acts and they are all standing, clapping, singing along; it was electric.  Nicole Atkins (the cute girl they cut to about 45 seconds in, singing along) is about as far from Metallica as you can get, and yet she was way into it.  it just strikes me as the song that transcends the hardcore fanbase.

(And I wouldn't be Stadler if I didn't point out that Metallica played about 400 shows in between releasing Master and Sandman.  You minus that from Master's total, and Sandman is likely played more). 

[CrimsonSunrise]

Metallica - Master of Puppets
Black Sabbath - War Pigs
Iron Maiden - Hallowed be thy Name
Judas Priest - Victim of Changes

[jjrock88]

The Priest version on Unleashed in the East is just so much better than the studio version. It’s almost incomparable. The studio version is just a little too slow and plodding. It’s too bad they didn’t let loose more on Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings; but I understand they were following in Sabbaths footsteps and sound. That would be why I’ve only been a casual fan of Ozzy era Sabbath; the doomy, slow, plodding sound has never really been my thing. And in regards to Metallica, since they have released TBA, I can’t imagine they have played many shows in which they haven’t played both Master and Sandman. Very few shows I would guess. So Master just had a four year start. But going back to Priest, I say for sure listen to the live version. But overall I think Maiden is the best choice here.

[pg1067]

Is Victim of Changes considered to be Priest's magnum opus?

The problem is sort of in the title.   None of those are really their "signature" tunes.  They are more "epics" or "magna opera" (yes, that's one of the plural of "magnum opus"). I would say "Victim" IS Priest's magnum opus, but not their signature tune.

To me, the "signature tune" is the song they play at a Super Bowl halftime, or for their one appearance at their Hall Of Fame induction.

The "signature" tunes for me would be:
- Maiden:  The Number Of The Beast
- Black Sabbath (Ozzy):  Iron Man (or, maybe, Paranoid)
- Metallica: Enter Sandman (or, maybe, Master Of Puppets)
- Priest: Breakin' The Law (or, Living After Midnight)

(I put those in order of my preference, by the way).

Well, Metallica did play MOP (first, followed by Sandman) at its RRHOF induction, so there's no "maybe" about it.  And it doesn't appear that Sabbath actually performed (other than Ozzy fronting Metallica with Iron Man and Paranoid).  I agree that Victim would not be Priest's RRHOF song in the unlikely event they ever get inducted, but I don't agree that, for Maiden, TNOTB is an obvious choice over Hallowed.  Those are two of the top three most played Maiden songs and I would say on relatively equal footing.  That said, in the highly unlikely event that Maiden makes it, my guess would be that they'd play The Trooper and Iron Maiden.

[Setlist Scotty]

Is Victim of Changes considered to be Priest's magnum opus?

The problem is sort of in the title.   None of those are really their "signature" tunes.  They are more "epics" or "magna opera" (yes, that's one of the plural of "magnum opus"). I would say "Victim" IS Priest's magnum opus, but not their signature tune.

To me, the "signature tune" is the song they play at a Super Bowl halftime, or for their one appearance at their Hall Of Fame induction.

The "signature" tunes for me would be:
- Maiden:  The Number Of The Beast
- Black Sabbath (Ozzy):  Iron Man (or, maybe, Paranoid)
- Metallica: Enter Sandman (or, maybe, Master Of Puppets)
- Priest: Breakin' The Law (or, Living After Midnight)

(I put those in order of my preference, by the way).

I see what you're saying, but what you are citing for each of those bands is their biggest "hits" which doesn't necessarily mean their signature songs. I think "signature" means something more than simply the most popular song - perhaps it's more akin to "fan favorite" or a track that stands out to the fanbase as the epitome of who the band are as a whole, as opposed to the public in general who know little to nothing about a given artist.

So for example, while Pull Me Under is DT's obvious hit and certainly is their most popular song, I wouldn't say that it is their "signature" song. But Metropolis, Learning to Live and A Change of Seasons - none of which are hits - could easily be classified as DT's signature songs.

Of course, that's not to say that a band's biggest hit couldn't also be considered their signature song - I think Tom Sawyer easily fits that bill. But that's not the case in all situations.

[Kotowboy]

I'm not really keen on the other 3 bands - but Master Of Puppets is a flawless album for me. Yes it's only eight songs but it lasts almost an hour and I don't think there is one crotchet I would change.

The only thing I would alter about it is that brittle really digital sounding guitar tone. I know it's NOT digital - but it sounds like the METAL setting on a lot of cheap Multi-FX pedals.

[WildRanger]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

[WildRanger]

I see what you're saying, but what you are citing for each of those bands is their biggest "hits" which doesn't necessarily mean their signature songs. I think "signature" means something more than simply the most popular song - perhaps it's more akin to "fan favorite" or a track that stands out to the fanbase as the epitome of who the band are as a whole, as opposed to the public in general who know little to nothing about a given artist.

So for example, while Pull Me Under is DT's obvious hit and certainly is their most popular song, I wouldn't say that it is their "signature" song. But Metropolis, Learning to Live and A Change of Seasons - none of which are hits - could easily be classified as DT's signature songs.

Of course, that's not to say that a band's biggest hit couldn't also be considered their signature song - I think Tom Sawyer easily fits that bill. But that's not the case in all situations.

I agree with this.

[KevShmev]

I see what you're saying, but what you are citing for each of those bands is their biggest "hits" which doesn't necessarily mean their signature songs. I think "signature" means something more than simply the most popular song - perhaps it's more akin to "fan favorite" or a track that stands out to the fanbase as the epitome of who the band are as a whole, as opposed to the public in general who know little to nothing about a given artist.

So for example, while Pull Me Under is DT's obvious hit and certainly is their most popular song, I wouldn't say that it is their "signature" song. But Metropolis, Learning to Live and A Change of Seasons - none of which are hits - could easily be classified as DT's signature songs.

Of course, that's not to say that a band's biggest hit couldn't also be considered their signature song - I think Tom Sawyer easily fits that bill. But that's not the case in all situations.

I think it's definitely a case by case situation, instead of being as simple as "a band's most well known/popular song is their signature song" in all cases.  For example, More Than Words has kinda lingered as Extreme's most well known song, but it is too far removed from what their normal sound/style was to really be their signature song.   On the flip side, Enter Sandman is pretty indicative of Metallica's sound (maybe not their 80's sound, but their overall sound when looking at the scope of their entire career) to where it is easy to argue that it is their signature song.

[Dream Team]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

Good choices. But I also can’t imagine being a metal fan and not hearing Tyrant, Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Exciter, and Saints in Hell.

[Zoom E]

Master
Hallowed
War Pigs
Victim of Changes

The first 3 songs are close in quality and epic-ness.

[ReaperKK]

Master first by a long margin, victim and hallowed interchangeable between second and third and War Pigs dead last

[Elite]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

Good choices. But I also can’t imagine being a metal fan and not hearing Tyrant, Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Exciter, and Saints in Hell.

Well, then I'm not a metal fan

[Stadler]

Is Victim of Changes considered to be Priest's magnum opus?

The problem is sort of in the title.   None of those are really their "signature" tunes.  They are more "epics" or "magna opera" (yes, that's one of the plural of "magnum opus"). I would say "Victim" IS Priest's magnum opus, but not their signature tune.

To me, the "signature tune" is the song they play at a Super Bowl halftime, or for their one appearance at their Hall Of Fame induction.

The "signature" tunes for me would be:
- Maiden:  The Number Of The Beast
- Black Sabbath (Ozzy):  Iron Man (or, maybe, Paranoid)
- Metallica: Enter Sandman (or, maybe, Master Of Puppets)
- Priest: Breakin' The Law (or, Living After Midnight)

(I put those in order of my preference, by the way).

I see what you're saying, but what you are citing for each of those bands is their biggest "hits" which doesn't necessarily mean their signature songs. I think "signature" means something more than simply the most popular song - perhaps it's more akin to "fan favorite" or a track that stands out to the fanbase as the epitome of who the band are as a whole, as opposed to the public in general who know little to nothing about a given artist.

So for example, while Pull Me Under is DT's obvious hit and certainly is their most popular song, I wouldn't say that it is their "signature" song. But Metropolis, Learning to Live and A Change of Seasons - none of which are hits - could easily be classified as DT's signature songs.

Of course, that's not to say that a band's biggest hit couldn't also be considered their signature song - I think Tom Sawyer easily fits that bill. But that's not the case in all situations.

No, I get you, bud.  I'm not putting one definition down in concrete; that's why I used the HOF example, imperfect such that it is.  I don't mean "the biggest hit".  Kiss's biggest hit is probably "Beth", but the signature song is either Rock And Roll All Nite or Detroit Rock City.  Deep Purple's biggest hit was actually Black Night, not Smoke On The Water, but we KNOW what Deep Purple's signature tune is.  Yes and Genesis too (biggest hits, at least in the US:  Owner Of A Lonely Heart and Invisible Touch).   I'm not sure what Genesis' "signature tune" is (Turn It On Again?) but Yes' is Roundabout. 

If you have a different signature tune, that's fine, I'm not saying it's undebatable.  I just know that I'm not sure the four tunes given in the OP qualify.

[emtee]

This thread prompted me to spin Paranoid yesterday while writing. What an album. Transcendent. Timeless.

[hefdaddy42]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

Good choices. But I also can’t imagine being a metal fan and not hearing Tyrant, Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Exciter, and Saints in Hell.

Well, then I'm not a metal fan

Me neither!

[kirksnosehair]

Is Victim of Changes considered to be Priest's magnum opus?

The problem is sort of in the title.   None of those are really their "signature" tunes.  They are more "epics" or "magna opera" (yes, that's one of the plural of "magnum opus"). I would say "Victim" IS Priest's magnum opus, but not their signature tune.

To me, the "signature tune" is the song they play at a Super Bowl halftime, or for their one appearance at their Hall Of Fame induction.

The "signature" tunes for me would be:
- Priest: Breakin' The Law (or, Living After Midnight)

(I put those in order of my preference, by the way).

I agree that those are two very good candidates for signature song from Judas Priest but holy mother of the flying spaghetti monster do they have VASTLY superior songs numbering in the dozens, literally.  Of course none of those other songs are well-known radio hits with the exception of perhaps "You've Got Another Thing Coming"

[Stadler]

Is Victim of Changes considered to be Priest's magnum opus?

The problem is sort of in the title.   None of those are really their "signature" tunes.  They are more "epics" or "magna opera" (yes, that's one of the plural of "magnum opus"). I would say "Victim" IS Priest's magnum opus, but not their signature tune.

To me, the "signature tune" is the song they play at a Super Bowl halftime, or for their one appearance at their Hall Of Fame induction.

The "signature" tunes for me would be:
- Priest: Breakin' The Law (or, Living After Midnight)

(I put those in order of my preference, by the way).

I agree that those are two very good candidates for signature song from Judas Priest but holy mother of the flying spaghetti monster do they have VASTLY superior songs numbering in the dozens, literally.  Of course none of those other songs are well-known radio hits with the exception of perhaps "You've Got Another Thing Coming"

No QUESTION.  It was actually hard to come up with the signature tune since so often I actively DO NOT LIKE a band's signature song.   I'm not a huge fan of British Steel to begin with, but if I was to list the tracks in order, neither song is in the top half.  I actually like Point Of Entry more than British Steel.

[pg1067]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

Good choices. But I also can’t imagine being a metal fan and not hearing Tyrant, Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Exciter, and Saints in Hell.

Well, then I'm not a metal fan

Me neither!

It's an odd comment:  "not hearing" those tunes?  The songs listed that are on Unleashed in the East are classics, but Dreamer Deceiver, Dissident Aggressor and Saints in Hell are serious deep cuts.

[WildRanger]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

Good choices. But I also can’t imagine being a metal fan and not hearing Tyrant, Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Exciter, and Saints in Hell.

Well, then I'm not a metal fan

Me neither!

I know Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest don't appeal to you, but you dig Metallica. I suppose you're not a Megadeth fan either? Those bands are five biggest names in metal.
1/5. So you're not a metal fan.

[hefdaddy42]

When it comes to the 70's Priest catalog I think their "signature" tunes are: Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death and Hell Bent for Leather.

Good choices. But I also can’t imagine being a metal fan and not hearing Tyrant, Ripper, Dreamer Deceiver, Sinner, Dissident Aggressor, Exciter, and Saints in Hell.

Well, then I'm not a metal fan

Me neither!

I know Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest don't appeal to you, but you dig Metallica. I suppose you're not a Megadeth fan either? Those bands are five biggest names in metal.
1/5. So you're not a metal fan.

Well, they are definitely the 5 oldest big names in metal.

I like Tool, Opeth, Jinjer, Between the Buried and Me, Devin Townsend, and Isis, to name a few.  So, I guess I am a metal fan after all.

[Stadler]

I have no idea what makes a "metal fan" or not; I consider myself a "metal fan", but there's a lot of metal I don't like and even more that I've not heard.

Having said that, I encourage anyone who hasn't to check out Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver that they do so.  One of Rob's best performances (there's also a live version from, I think, The Old Grey Whistle Test, that's worth checking out on YooToob).