Top 10 song outros of metal/rock genre

After dedicatedly listening to different genres of metal/rock for over 6 years, I thought I should start writing posts about a universal language. Music. And, promise to keep it regular. My intent is not to turn this into a music blog, but to share my musical interests and write about to minor quirks and subtleties in each song which makes what it is.

By definition, "outro" is the conclusion of a piece of musical composition. Below, I list 10 of my favorite song outros which have left an impression on me!

Closure (Damnation) - Opeth

There is no argument on this one. One of the reasons why I wanted to even write about this topic, is this song. It is by far, my most favorite musical composition of Opeth. Mikael Akerfeldt is a master composer. His musical proficiency is respected not only in the progressive metal world, but also by many other famous musicians. Coming to the outro in particular, I can describe it as "hauntingly beautiful". I'm using this term because, I know that once you listen to it, you'll never stop..

Notable tracks from the same album: Windowpane, In My Time of Need, Hope Leaves

Folklore (Heritage) - Opeth

There you go. Another one of Opeth's classics from their latest album. It came out in the fall last year and it's already highly favored by critics and fans. Although, this song starts slow, the music takes a whole new turn by the time it reaches it's end. Just listen and you'll agree that it's just plain, "orgasmic"!

Notable tracks from the same album: I Feel the Dark, The Devils Orchard, Nepenthe, Pyre

Astronomy (Garage Inc.) - Metallica

Damn...Metallica is brilliant when it comes to covering songs. This "Blue Oyster Cult" cover is my favorite. I've heard the original and I don't care what others say. It's BETTER than the original. These guys transformed this song into a piece of heaven. Hetfield repeats this phrase "Astronomy.. a star" throughout the outro, over Hammet's awesome guitar solo. The song fades out...

Notable tracks from the same album: Turn the Page, Tuesday's Gone, Am I Evil?, Whiskey in the Jar

High Hopes (The Division Bell) - Pink Floyd

Yep. It's about goddamn time. The masters of progressive music. Pure, unadulterated musical masterpieces have been churned out by these guys. This is one of them. The song is so beautiful that it makes me want to cry! I'm warning you all. Do not listen to this song if you are in a sad mood. You WILL cry. I don't know if it's because of the song's build up, or the high pitched guitar solo, or the lyrics, but you want this outro to last forever..

Notable tracks from the same album: Coming Back to Life, Marooned, Cluster One

Beyond the Realms of Death (Stained Class) - Judas Priest

Metal is my religion, Judas is my priest. I worship these guys. In the world of classic heavy metal, there's no one better. This song is a mixture of simple acoustic and distortion riffs, perfectly tailored with two mind-blowing guitar solos! The last one in particular, holy shit! I bow to these musicians..The only time the song title is mentioned (sang) is in the end.

Notable tracks from the same album: Exciter, Savage, Better By You, Better Than Me

Freebird (Lynyrd Skynyrd) - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Ah..finally. A more popular song. Almost every rock fan has heard this song and instantly loved it. Not me. It took me some time to like it. It took me exactly 4 minutes and 53 seconds.. Haha..That's when the fucking solo begins. Oh man! I was blown away by the guitar skills Gary Rossington possesses. The solo is how the song ends. and it's for 5 minutes!! It's one of the most intricate musical compositions in my view. I wonder, if one day I end up learning it, my fingers would melt if I played the entire thing in one stretch.

Notable tracks from the same album: Tuesday's gone, Gimme Three Steps, Simple Man 

Floods (The Great Southern Trendkill) - Pantera

Where do I begin for this one..This song is a class apart. It's a very unique composition of Pantera. That's because it has acoustic bridges, drag solos, doom riffs. You want it. You got it. The outro stands out because the song mutates into whole new psychedelic experience. It's just a simple guitar bridge over the sound of raindrops hitting the ground. Dime, I really don't know how you do it. R.I.P

Notable tracks from the same album: 13 Steps To Nowhere, Drag the waters, Suicide Note Pt. I

The Dark Eternal Night (Systematic Chaos) - Dream Theater

Now we're talking! The pioneers of progressive metal. These guys are so good when it comes to musical composition, that they always better themselves with every new album. Freakin' geniuses! I can't explain this song in words. Really. You'll just have to listen. The outro riff is delightfully simple, but totally noteworthy.

Notable tracks  from the same album: The Ministry of Lost Souls, Forsaken, Constant Motion

Fear of the Dark (Fear of the Dark) - Iron Maiden

I had to. I just had to include a song of my favorite band in the world. This song, to this day, is the only song of this album, played in almost every live performance while fans chant in unison "Fear of the dark". The song outro is awesome because the intro verse is repeated at the end, but the lyrics are switched. "When I'm walking a dark road, I am the man who walks alone". Almost every time I listen to these lines, I feel a chill down my spine.

Notable tracks from the same album: Afraid to Shoot Strangers, Wasting Love, Judas Be My Guide

Alive (Ten) - Pearl Jam

I feel like you cannot go wrong with a song which ends with a guitar solo. Especially, when the guitarist composes the song's music. Vedder does an excellent job with the singing on this one. The extended solo starts off after the third chorus and it's just perfect! The drummer should get credit too as he supports the guitarist to the very end.

Notable tracks from the same album: Black, Jeremy

This post,in no way, means an exhaustion to this list. There are many more songs which I might have missed because I haven't even heard them. So, please keep sharing!

"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." - Plato

*Ends* 

Deliverance..

10.30 PM
I saw her across the bar..  Her slender fingers were playfully swirling the straw in her drink, Sex on the Beach, I thought, from the color of it. Her hair went down to her shoulders, let free and was a beautiful burgundy. I wanted to go up to her and start a conversation but she was way out of my league. So I kept to myself and got back to my friends for the usual banter. Nevertheless, my hopelessness kept bothering me.  I was fighting with myself to remedy my despair. Soon, it struck me! I knew of a cure..and I was already drinking it. Haha.. yes.. It's alcohol. I was almost finishing up my second drink of the night and was feeling pretty good about myself.
I was ready. I didn't care if I was I going to return defeated. I dove into the cold water. Into reality.

11.00 PM
She was still there..innocent, beautiful. I approached her and said. "Hey, do you know today's 'Hug a stranger day?' ". She looked at me weird, then cracked a smile from the side of her lip and retaliated, "My mom always told me not to talk to strangers". I took the hint, and whispered in her ear, "Why don't you hug me first, and then I'll tell you my name". She laughed at the remark and hugged me and whispered in my ear, "I'm Anna". She smelt like lavender. I then acquainted myself and told her the whole story of me chickening out half an hour before. She told me about herself and I realized how awesome she was. We spoke about music, life, religion, astronomy and almost every topic I loved speaking about. I had her in my spell (Little did I know then, she had me on hers) Later, she introduced me to a couple of friends who I really wasn't interested in. So, I made some small talk and turned to her and said "Do you want to go somewhere more silent. My vocal chords will split open if we keep talking like this over the loud music". She asked me where, and I winked  "I have the perfect place for us star gazers. Trust me".

12.30 AM
The stars never looked so wonderful. I was lying beside a gorgeous girl, and looking at the vast night sky, sleeping on the hood of a car. I remember visiting this place while we were on our way to see the Leonid meteor shower. This was a little corner tucked away on the side of a highway and if you'd stop here and turn off your lights, you could see the night sky the way it's supposed to be seen. I was surprised that she trusted me enough to drive me to this dark highway without worrying too much.
We just lied there, lost in nature.. I turned to her to ask "Why did you trust me even though I never told you where we were going?". She replied, "I don't know. I just felt a strange connection". My eyes were fixed at hers.."You know, you are really amazing. I can't think of any else I'd rather be with right now."..She looked right back at me with her hazel eyes. I felt she saw right through me..My palms involuntarily crept on hers. My heart was beating faster as we moved in closer to each other.. our faces inches apart.. I looked deep into her eyes and before I know it, our lips were touching. And there it was, the most memorable kiss of my life..

1.30 AM
I remember listening to Floyd on my stereo, smiling, laughing...lost in the cloud of smoke that filled my room. The scenes seem to just flash just for a moment and disappear. My guitar in her hands, her smiling lips, the feel of her palms...

My eyes opened to a blank ceiling in my apartment..The sunlight coming in through my window blinds hurt my eyes..Then I felt my fingers reach out to the side of my bed. There was no one there.. I didn't want to believe it was all a dream. I covered my face with my hands swearing that this whole reverie was a lie..a figment of my imagination. I shook off the feeling and tossed over my bed. The pillow next to me, it smelt like lavender...

"The hardest part of letting go..is saying goodbye" - Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)

*Ends*

Back from the hiatus.

Hello my dear bloggers!!!


I seem to have spend quite a long time away from this sphere. 
Wow. World never stays the same. Does it?


Blogger has gone insane with the amount of options to beautify your profile. Instead of being a complaining brat, I've done quite a few changes to my profile. Hope you guys like the new look!


Now, where do I begin..
So much has happened between the last time I've posted and the present. So many stories to write about. Some worth reading, some worth keeping a secret, and some just plain weird.
Today my bro, who also happens to be my best critic, asked me to get back to blogging. Respecting his request, I'm urged to continue blogging.

I recently found a new passion. Photography. Whoops. There you go. I said it!
I used to use this phrase "Everybody seem to think that they are good with photography as soon as they own an SLR". Curiosity eventually killed the cat. I ordered a brand spanking new Canon Rebel XS and bam!! In about a month, I was  taking excellent pictures (at least I seemed to think so). Never realized that I'd fall into my own stereotype.
Why did I suddenly have an eye for nature's subtleties? Why did I look at reflections of light with a keener eye? How did I suddenly understand better vantage points while taking a picture?
Did I have all these instincts before I got the camera? Did it bring out artist within?

I was sure that I wasn't taking good pictures. But I definitely understood and respected the lens a lot more than I used to. I was now willing to learn the science behind pictures, dwell into the specifics of how it all adds up. 
I suddenly found a new reason. The reason was to acquire knowledge on a concept, a set of ideas, which previously I was totally oblivious to. A few more months of practice, and I saw my skills improving, evolving, picture by picture. I also have to mention that the Canon shutter sound is quite addictive (I might have taken hundreds of pictures just to hear the shutter.)


Before I knew it, I was cursing myself to why I even had the stereotype of SLR + people = Good pictures. My retrospect provided me with an answer. The SLR is brilliant piece of technology. It brings out the inner learner because of the amazing prospect it holds. Every beautiful picture you capture will be like a pat on your back. With each click, a sense of achievement, no matter how small it seems, will add up to take the shape of a new passion..one of the few unique emotions of being human.


"Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow." -Imogen Cunnigham


*Ends*