Top 10 Hell Songs

This is one group that knows how to use chilling instrumentals, powerful vocals and lyrical imagery to their best advantage. This 2005 song off the band’s fifteenth studio album Angel of Retribution paints a picture of a Hellrider burning up the road as he prepares for battle. A heavy metal gem from a band that has been tearing it up since 1969, “Hellrider” has everything you could want from a song about hell. Blistering guitar solos, heavy drums and some vocals that sound like they could have come from the devil himself.

#9: “Bat Out of Hell” (1979) Meat Loaf

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While not the single this artist is best known for, “Bat Out Of Hell” had to lock in a spot on our list. The building piano chords, leading into lyrics about the miseries surrounding the singer as he fights against damnation to hold onto love, perfectly setting the tone for this hard rock masterpiece. He flees to escape the Hell around him, only to become victim of a motorcycle crash that ends his life. Clocking in at nearly ten minutes in length, “Bat Out of Hell” is considered one of the greatest driving songs ever, and one hellish good time.

A history lesson, a confession, and a taunt all rolled into one. The Stones caused some controversy with this hit, in which the lyrics take the perspective of the Devil, describing his influence and presence throughout historic tragedies. Lucifer goes on to request politeness and courtesy from the listener, sharing that there is a little evil in every good thing and that is all just part of his game. Heavily associated with the Vietnam War and hippie culture in the late 60s, “Sympathy for the Devil” is a timeless classic that will go down as one of the essential songs in the Rolling Stones’ massive catalogue.

It probably comes as no surprise that the Prince of Darkness would make this list. Ozzy sings out about the dark path of rock and roll and the toll it has taken on him, even as it propels him forward. Describing that despite his body and mind telling him to stop, he just cannot walk away, and wants to draw each audience under his spell because it lights his fire and fuels him onward. With writing credits from Lemmy Kilmister, his band Motörhead also released a cover of the song a year later which is badass in its own right.

#6: “The Number of the Beast” (1982) Iron Maiden

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Coincidence that “The Number of the Beast” is at number six on our countdown? We think not! Spawned from the fires of Hell, the beast draws the singer closer so that Satan can work his evil magic. The song ends with a chilling line, while sparking controversy from various religious groups accusing the band of being a satanic group. What else do you expect from a heavy metal group with a mascot named Eddie the Head?

#5: “Welcome to Hell” (1981) Venom

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The doors are open, will you enter? Venom makes it clear that once you have been welcomed, there is no escape, no mercy, and the only thing that is certain is death. “Welcome to Hell” was featured on the group’s first studio album, and even thought it was not released as a single, the song is still undeniably awesome and is considered one of the earliest examples of black metal. With dark imagery and guitars that will undoubtedly have your head banging, “Welcome to Hell” is a crucial part of heavy metal history and one hell of a hell song.

#4: “Hell Awaits” (1985) Slayer

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This thrash metal tune quickly sets up powerful imagery of the inevitability of escaping the clutches of Satan and the pull of Hell. Slayer constructs a hopeless and visceral concept, complete with references to angels being defeated, an unsaveable soul, the burning underworld, and the grim reaper. The dark lyrics also paint a picture of a fate sealed in Hell with no hope of rest or redemption for a soul burning in the fires of Hell.

A song that is a lesson in lyrical contrasts, this beat portrays the dangers of refusing to seek out answers and just accepting what one is told. Black Sabbath points out the flaws of giving into the illusions the world constructs. As the title song of their Heaven and Hell album, the single failed to find any success commercially despite being frontman Ronnie James Dio’s favorite song of his career. However, the album reached platinum in the United States, and the song proved to be a heavy metal favorite.

These are one set of cowboys out to rope more than cattle, they plan to lasso some souls as well. With lyrics that bring to mind a showdown of evil proportions and no way out, this song brings hell to the wild, wild, west. The title track from Pantera’s critically acclaimed 1990 album warned that darkness was coming and when it arrived the only option that would remain is to give into the doom and let them drag you back to Hell. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions “Earth on Hell” (2011) Anthrax “Long Way Back From Hell” (1990) Danzing “Go To Hell” (1991) Megadeth “Walk With Me In Hell” (2006) Lamb of God “Going to Hell” (2013) The Pretty Reckless “Inside the Fire” (2008) Disturbed

Grab your ticket for a one-way ride. This Hell song is probably one of the most widely known rock songs of all time with an almost instantly recognizable guitar riff. AC/DC jams out and makes this song an anthem of heading down the road on a path to Hell with no stop signs or speed limit. If fans hadn’t gotten enough of the hellish themes with this classic, AC/DC would release the masterpiece that is “Hells Bells” only a year later. Move over Satan, there’s a new ruler of hell and their name is AC/DC. Do you agree with our list? Which song about Hell do you think is awesomely evil? For more top 10’s about your favorite music, subscribe to watchmojo.com