Music – 10 Great Opening Tracks on Hard Rock and Metal Albums

Listening to music can be a helpful way to stay mentally healthy. It can have soothing properties, or simply make you feel happier, more energetic or calmer. We all like different music and it’s good to seek out the stuff you enjoy. If you don’t like hard rock or metal, this won’t be for you, but if you do, read on. Feel free to shout at me on Twitter about stuff I forgot or criminally overlooked. It’s my list anyway and you can always write your own.

1 Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses

 

One of the all-time great debut rock albums, Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses, opens with a killer guitar hail from Slash and a haunting scream from Axl Rose. A thumping glam rock anthem then erupts, with the rhythm section driving the song through various twists and turns as Rose sings his innuendos and makes some strange sex noises. You probably won’t want to play this with your parents in the room, but it’s the banger that introduced the world to the first of many sublime Slash solos.

2 Enter Sandman – Metallica

Metallica’s self-titled or “Black Album” is arguably the record that made them household names and Enter Sandman was a big reason behind its success (although Nothing Else Matters is another must-hear song, with rock royalty Elton John calling it “one of the greatest songs ever written”). The catchy entry riff will get your head banging, while James Hetfield delivers lyrics that sound like a dark nursery rhyme and Lars Ulrich pounds his drums as best he can. But the undoubted star here is lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, whose virtuoso solo midway through the piece propels this track into the god tier.

3 Them Bones – Alice In Chains

Seattle’s grunge scene produced some of the best angst-filled music ever and one of the few bands still going is Alice in Chains, despite the tragic death of singer Layne Staley in 2002. Indeed, guitarist and fellow vocalist Jerry Cantrell recently released a very strong solo album called Brighten (featuring the superb single Atone). But it was in the early 90s when Alice in Chains were at the peak of their powers, and Them Bones is the short but formidable opener on the band’s outstanding Dirt album. Built around a doom-laden riff and languid vocal harmonies, the song really soars with a monster guitar solo just after the halfway point. Fun fact: the song features on the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as part of the Radio X playlist.

4 Black Dog – Led Zeppelin 

If you don’t like Led Zeppelin, do you even like rock music? Their fourth album, released in 1971 and selling over 37 million copies to-date, is their magnum opus, featuring the epic Stairway to Heaven and favourites such as Rock and Roll and When the Levee Breaks. The album opens with Black Dog, on which Robert Plant croons suggestive rhyming couplets while the rest of the band play a stop-start groove around John Paul Jones’s chunky bass and John Bonham’s masterful drumming. There is, naturally, a sumptuous Jimmy Page solo to conclude the start of a very special record.

5 The Grudge – Tool

Back when Tool fans only had to wait 5 years for new music, Lateralus arrived in 2001 to stake an early claim for album of the century. The record rumbles into gear with this masterpiece of Danny Carey’s tribal rhythms, Adam Jones’ grinding guitars, Justin Chancellor’s majestic bass and Maynard James Keenan’s soaring vocals, including that 24-second roar at the 7-minute mark. It is the ultimate release of frustration and cathartic relief. Keenan’s lyrics switch between obtuse references to Saturn ascending (which no doubt has some cosmic significance) and the very simple repeated chant of “Let go” to round things off. Across 8-and-a-half minutes, The Grudge takes the listener of powerful, pummelling, profound aural journey. It’s one of those songs that still sounds soul-bendingly fresh 20 years after it dropped.

6 Ghost of Perdition – Opeth

The heaviest and longest track on the list, Swedish progressive metal geniuses Opeth kicked off their 2005 album Ghost Reveries with this beautiful beast. Lulling the listener in with a few gentle chords, they produce a fantastic “scare-drop” to blast into a brutal burst of brash riffs. As you’d expect from a song that exceeds 10 minutes in length, they change the pace and tone a few times, with softer sections and more melodic moments interspersed between the almighty chugging guitars and relentless double-kick drums. Opeth don’t write boring songs, so while it can take some time to get your head around the growls, it’s well worth sticking with the band for their sheer musical ingenuity. More recently, they’ve mellowed a little and frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has switched to clean vocals. The band are still making brilliant music, as 2019’s bilingual (available in both English and Swedish versions) In Cauda Venenum attests.

7 All My Life – Foo Fighters

It would be almost too obvious to include Smells Like Teen Spirit on this list, so instead I’m going with Nirvana alumnus Dave Grohl’s band Foo Fighters and the first cut from their 2002 album One by One. This was the Foos at their boldest, loudest and best, delivering a chugging riff and sing-along chorus that satisfy full stadiums. From experience I can confirm that they are an excellent live band, even if you can’t really see them through hundreds of taller people. It’s hard to tell if the refrain “Done, done, and I’m onto the next one” is a critique of consumerism or just Dave ticking off his shopping list, but it sure makes for a memorable tune.

8 Going Under – Evanescence

The greatest thing about Evanescence is Amy Lee’s incredible voice. Not just the way she hits the high notes, but the way she nails every note. The opener to the band’s multi-platinum Fallen album also showcases their underrated song writing ability. Built around a grungy riff and catchy chorus, Going Under also features a cool little guitar solo and some subtle piano work that is a signature of Evanescence’s sound.

Top Female Vocalists in Rock and Metal

It is a bit of a crime that Lee is the only female vocalist on this list, but if you want a few other leading ladies of rock and metal, check out: Hayley Williams of Paramore (especially the early stuff); Courtney Love, particularly Hole’s Live Through This and Celebrity Skin; Lacey Sturm of Flyleaf (first three albums); Lzzy Hale of Halestorm; Heart’s Ann Wilson; and I highly recommend the latest album from Taylor Momsen’s band The Pretty Reckless, Death By Rock And Roll.

9 Prayer – Disturbed

Disturbed’s musical journey is an unusual one. They started out at the turn of the century as a successful metal band but were not widely known beyond the genre until relatively recently. Their debut album The Sickness from 2000 has sold over 5 million copies, but it wasn’t until 2002’s Believe that they first hit the number one spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. Prayer is the first and arguably best track from a second album that was neither difficult nor disappointing. Although their records continued to sell well, the music always deserved more attention than it got. Then in late 2015 came a cover version of Simon and Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence, which has over 750 million views on YouTube and was nominated for a Grammy. The haunting rendition has helped to immortalize Disturbed and its enigmatic vocalist David Draiman.

10 Highway to Hell – AC/DC

No true hard rock top 10 list would be complete without a nod to one of the genre’s most famous exponents, the forever young AC/DC. It was a tricky choice from a band with so many good album openers, but 1979’s Highway to Hell gets the nod. The iconic opening riff is one of the best the band ever wrote, the simple chorus is memorable and fun, and of course there’s a killer guitar solo in place of a third verse. The band might be on the highway to hell, but with this track listeners are in headbanging heaven.

5 Mental Health Tips for World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day. As someone who has struggled with my mental health since my teens – especially with depression and anxiety – I wanted to make a short list of the things I do to try to keep myself mentally healthy. Sometimes things beyond our control overwhelm us, but there are things within our control that we can do to sustain our emotional wellbeing.
 
Tip 1 – Take regular exercise
 
One of the best ways I’ve found to boost my mental health is through taking regular exercise. In my case, I took up running a few years ago and it has been a real help to me. I started off barely being able to run a kilometre without having to stop due to shortness of breath and aching legs. Now I’m able to run at a steady pace for over an hour. Yes, my legs still ache after such exertions, but the combination of getting the blood pumping and being out in the open air (see Tip 2) releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel happier.
 
If you think running might be the exercise for you but don’t know where to begin, try the Couch to 5K programme, or just grab a pair of shoes (they don’t need to be fancy, as long as they fit) and give it a go. Run for as long as you can and/or walk between bursts of jogging. Even 15 minutes of combined walking and running is a start. At first, I’d recommend running maybe twice or three times a week, leaving recovery days between runs, then increasing the frequency, distance and speed (least important) as you feel able. Be careful not to overdo it.
 
Another great option is the weekly parkrun at various locations around the UK. This free event offers the opportunity to run with other people of all abilities and many people really benefit from the social aspect of it. Volunteering is also an option and giving our time to help others can make us feel good about ourselves. Some people like to go around the country exploring different parkrun courses and making new friends.
 
Running isn’t for everyone. Before the pandemic, I used to swim once a week. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise as it not only builds stamina but also suppleness and strength. It’s a great option for people who want something a little easier on the joints. Other people will prefer different types of exercise. Even walking counts as exercise. The trick is to find something that you enjoy. That way, you’re more likely to stick with it.
 
Tip 2 – Get out into nature
 
An underrated and often overlooked mental health aid is nature. Getting out into green spaces can have a profound and positive impact on the mind. Taking ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and into areas without concrete and vehicle fumes can have a soothing effect.
 
I realise that this is easier for some than others. However, if you take a little time to explore your local area, even the big cities have plenty of green and blue spaces to explore. I’ve highlighted some of my favourite nature areas in my city of Manchester on the map below.
 

 
There is a stretch of the River Mersey in the south of the city that runs for several miles and offers a great walking or running route. Plus, like London but on a smaller scale, the city is blessed with a number of attractive parks, including Heaton Park (north), Wythenshawe Park (southwest) and Platt Fields Park (south). Even a wander along the canal can bring you into contact with nature, which is brilliant as long as you don’t get too near the geese during breeding season!
 
Indeed, while bird spotting might sound like something for old men in anoraks, it’s actually an easy way to help us rediscover our connectedness to nature and remind us that we are just living creatures. Experiencing nature can be a form of mindfulness, or living in the moment, which helps us to focus without letting our worries overwhelm us.
 
Tip 3 – Limit alcohol intake
 
There’s a plethora of reasons to reduce alcohol, from saving money to keeping your liver and other internal organs healthy, as well as reducing your chances of doing or saying something stupid or dangerous. In terms of improving my mental health, lowering my alcohol intake has been one of the most positively impactful actions I’ve taken.
 
While one possible downside has been that I do now socialise less than I did previously (this was true even before the pandemic), reducing my alcohol intake means I’m more likely to choose social events that don’t just revolve around drinking. Undoubtedly one of the big plusses has been not waking up on a weekend morning hungover, which can be a contributor to depression as it leaves you tired and less motivated to be active. I would much rather be clear-headed and only aching from the gym or dancing than feeling like death.
 
Alcohol is also empty calories, with many alcoholic drinks either containing high amounts of sugar or mixed with sugary drinks. As well as feeling perkier, I’ve also lost my beer belly since I stopped drinking alcohol to excess (although running has helped too). For some people the best approach is to go teetotal, for others it’s to set a limit on how many units of alcohol they’ll consume in a day. I find that not drinking at all tends to be better as old habits die hard and once you’ve had two drinks you might “get the taste for it” and – thanks to the combination of peer pressure and lowered inhibitions – end up drinking more than you planned.
 
Sometimes I’ve seen advice for caffeine intake to be limited also. In my personal opinion, this is less important than reducing your alcohol consumption, as fewer health issues are linked to caffeine. If you have trouble sleeping, caffeine may be something to consider. But generally, as long as you’re not imbibing ridiculous amounts like a litre of Red Bull a day, you should be fine. I’ve found that drinking tea can have a calming effect, which is positive for my mental health. Plus, there are many low-caffeine and no-caffeine options such as decaf, rooibos, mint, chamomile or fruit teas to choose from.
 
Tip 4 – Eat fresh fruit and vegetables
 
We all know that the recommendation for eating fresh fruit and vegetables is five portions a day, but how many of us actually make sure we get these every day? Part of the problem is that many people don’t like the taste. Another issue is that not everybody knows how to cook, and pre-prepared food is very often short of fruit and vegetables, and certainly lacks fresh ones.
 
However, while the 5-a-day target is probably too low and should be closer to 10, scientists say that even just 2.5 portions a day can make a difference. This refers to physical health, but the mind is part of the body and eating an unhealthy diet can have a negative impact on our moods.
 
In my experience, I tend to feel more energetic and happier on days when I eat more good foods than junk food. I do like fast food occasionally as a treat, but fatty and processed foods shouldn’t form the basis of your diet if you want to look after your physical and mental health.
 
For people who don’t particularly enjoy eating fruit and vegetables, there are a few tricks, such as drinking smoothies (make sure there’s no added sugar) or sneaking them into other foods. I like to start my day by mashing a banana in with my Weetabix (other cereal brands are available) and adding a sprinkling of blueberries or dried fruit (e.g. raisins, papaya). Unsure about carrots? Try root vegetable mash. Not keen on tomatoes? Try a tomato-based pasta sauce. Peas, beans or lentils can be mixed into curries or pies too.
 
Another tactic is to think about swapping items. For example, if you like a bag of crisps as a snack, switch to (unsalted) mixed nuts every so often. Choose a handful of grapes instead of a chocolate bar. Have a bowl of strawberries instead of a slice of cake. You don’t have to make those swaps every day or for every treat but changing a few can make a difference and you’ll feel better for it.
 
Tip 5 – Set yourself goals
 
Most of the above tips for mental health focus on physical or bodily things that can help boost the mood. These things only go so far. Feeling mentally well relies on being able to stay on top of your thoughts. It’s OK to have negative thoughts. We all have them, even the most positive people in the world. The difference often lies in how we process our thoughts.
 
I know from experience how difficult it can be to override negative thoughts, especially when you’re feeling low and lacking energy. Sometimes I just want to lie in bed all day and I’ve spent too many days doing this. Each of us has various reasons for why we feel down and not all of them can be fixed, just like not all physical health conditions have a cure. For conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), we might need sunlight or other treatments such as talking therapies or antidepressants to help us to feel better. And that’s OK.
 
Many people feel more motivated when working towards set goals. The beauty of setting personal goals is that we can choose them ourselves. That means we can choose to discard any ambitions which become counterproductive. The goals we set can cover various timeframes and can be as grand or as simplistic as we desire.
 
For example, I could set myself a long-term goal of trying to run 1000Km in a year. I would then break this down into needing to run approximately 84Km per month, or around 20Km per week. Therefore, I know that if I do 3 x 7K runs, or 4 x 5K runs per week, I will be on track to achieve my overall goal.
 
Of course, your goals don’t have to apply to running or exercise. They could be professional goals, such as wanting to achieve a certain position in your company or to complete a project by a particular date, or personal goals, like saving enough money to buy a new pair of shoes, holiday or even a house. Sometimes it helps to set a deadline, although if you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it if you don’t meet this, as you can always adjust it depending on your circumstances.
 
As someone with depression, I believe that even setting little goals each day can be helpful. Getting out of bed is a goal. Reading a chapter of a book, watching one more TV show in the series, and going outside for a 30-minute stroll are all goals. Sometimes those things are all we feel able to manage. But setting ourselves realistic goals can give our minds something to focus on and help us to overcome the darker days.
 
Most of all, we don’t have to suffer alone. It helps to talk and share things with friends. You don’t have to tell them everything. A good friend will respect how much you wish to disclose. A better friend will help you not only to make goals but to achieve them too. Even if all that means is accompanying you on that half-hour walk that makes you feel that little bit brighter.

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Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional or expert. All advice in this blog is based on my personal experience of suffering from mental health difficulties. My suggestions are intended to help others going through similar difficulties, but unfortunately the advice may not work for everyone.
 
For the Mental Health Foundation’s guide to mental health click here.
 
If you are struggling right now or wish to find out more about mental health, you might consider using these organisations (UK):
 
NHS Mental Health  
Samaritans  Call free on 116 123
Mind
Anxiety UK
Sane
CALM
Young Minds