Metal bands with good lyrics

[Origins]

If you want really interesting lyrics,
check out this Finnish melodic death metal band:
www.insomnium.net

 

[vampiregenocide]

Tool

 

[Joel]

Death; listen to lyrics like 'Living Mostrosity'. Its not just pointless gore lyrics like some people would think. The lyrics do actually have meaning.

 

[JJ Rodriguez]

Manowar.

 

[ugmung]

Behemoth
Evergrey

 

[cosmicamnesia]

i agree with the guy who said phil anselmo wrote great lyrics....i also think that the older lamb of god stuff is fantastic....as is some pig destroyer stuff

but i can't believe that no one's said MESHUGGAH yet.....obzen's lyrics are a work of art in themselves!

 

[caughtinamosh]

but i can't believe that no one's said MESHUGGAH yet.....obzen's lyrics are a work of art in themselves!

Now, there are a few metal bands that I consider to have good, sometimes great, lyrics. They are -

Cradle of Filth
Iron Maiden
Meshuggah
Nightwish
Opeth
Porcupine Tree (if you consider them metal)

I think Meshuggah's lyrics are pretty much bang on as far as matching with the music is concerned. The music is sterile, emotionless and machine-like, and the lyrics likewise. Only someone like Thomas Haake could write the words "black acidic bile." Lovely.

 

[vampiregenocide]

but i can't believe that no one's said MESHUGGAH yet.....obzen's lyrics are a work of art in themselves!

Can't believe I forgot about them

 

[vgguru39]

yea, I would say meshuggah lyrics are the pinnacle for me. Opeth i hold in high esteem as well. Both bands are lyrically superior to most metal IMO. If i wanna listen to lyrics i typically don't listen to too much metal. For me metal is more about the overall sound and music than the words.

 

[Scar Symmetry]

Job For A Cowboy (new), Textures, Bloodbath, Aeon, Nevemore(ish), Strapping Young Lad, Decapitated, Thrice (metal?), Sikth, Misery Signals, Opeth

 

[Holy Katana]

I think Meshuggah's lyrics are pretty much bang on as far as matching with the music is concerned. The music is sterile, emotionless and machine-like, and the lyrics likewise. Only someone like Thomas Haake could write the words "black acidic bile." Lovely.

I love how some of the best lyrics come from Swedish bands, considering English isn't even their first language. Yet, they still beat out people who are native speakers.

I do love Meshuggah's lyrics. They're very abstract, and they make you think about what Tomas is trying to say.

 

[ArtDecade]

Nevermore, Opeth, Burzum, Emperor, Ulver, Nightwish, and Within Temptation.

 

[Panterica]

Nile
EMPEROR
(hate to say it) cradle of filth
Behemoth
Marduk \m/
old Mayhem

Nevermore, Opeth, Burzum, Emperor, Ulver, Nightwish, and Within Temptation.

+1 to Burzum and Ulver

2 of the best bands imo

I love how some of the best lyrics come from Swedish bands, considering English isn't even their first language. Yet, they still beat out people who are native speakers.

I do love Meshuggah's lyrics. They're very abstract, and they make you think about what Tomas is trying to say.

we americanians are to busy saying fuck, and ass. the proper way of speaking to all these fucks seems old school. i prefer non native music.
Meshuggah is incredible. i thoroughly agree with your assessment
vee concur, sir, vee concur

 

[ShadyDavey]

Not exactly "metal" but rather rock - Thin Lizzy had some wonderfully romantic and poignant lyrics. One of my absolute favourite bands of all time...

For Metal - Nevermore, Opeth, Symphony X....all good

 

[ArtDecade]

If you want really interesting lyrics,
check out this Finnish melodic death metal band:
www.insomnium.net

Great band! Top choice!

 

[Daemoniac]

American Head Charge
16volt
Acumen Nation
Opeth
NIN
Crossbreed
Sister Machine Gun
Christ Analogue

 

[Triple-J]

Death; listen to lyrics like 'Living Mostrosity'. Its not just pointless gore lyrics like some people would think. The lyrics do actually have meaning.

All of Death's lyrics are well thought out and vary in subject matter "Flesh and the power it holds" and "The Philosopher" are awesome too

I'd also have to go with Celtic Frost it's weird but the band are Swiss German yet they include a lot of english words that I have never heard of (languid? sanguine? wtf?) in fact I think they have a better command of the english language than most english people!

BTW I know everyone hates them but I'm going to mention Deadsy too as some of their stuff mentions various historical and occult themes.

 

[Diggi]

Off the top of my head...

Immolation
Metallica (early)
Anata
Atheist
Bathory
Strapping Young Lad
Tool
Nile




+Tool
+1 SYL



Meh, Akerfeldt's Lyrics rape the hell out of most metal bands these days, whereas John Petrucci's lyrics are rather Just my opinion though; But Petrucci's lyrics are bland and kind of unimaginative to me.

 

[Daemoniac]

BTW I know everyone hates them but I'm going to mention Deadsy too as some of their stuff mentions various historical and occult themes.

Deadsy have pretty great lyrics. Not all the time, but i love em

 

[Scar Symmetry]

bumpin' this