So, now that Donald Trump is president-elect I think it’s safe to say we might be fucked. For so many reasons we may be fucked. Things might turn back 70 years, which is going to piss people off. The country as a whole has decided that rape culture is tolerable. That should piss you off. You should also be pissed off because the next State of the Union will be addressed by a man who is professional internet troll. And what’s the best genre when you’re pissed off? Heavy Metal!! For 40 years the genre has served as prophetic and political voice. It’s always there when you’re mad and don’t quite know how to express it. Some bands write songs that are more political and prophetic than others. Ratt is not exactly a band to indulge in when the world seems to be going to shit. Or, maybe they do depending on how you deal with the turds life shooting at you through a 20 megaton cannon. Either way, here are the best songs to listen to now that Donald J. Trump is the 45th president elect.
Know Your Enemy – Rage Against the Machine
Starting on the obvious. A perfect song for a perfect seemingly enemy of mankind. ‘Know Your Enemy’ is one of many perfect political ragers (no pun intended) for oppressive policies enacted by a corrupt government. The introduction says it all even before the lyrics start. Also, it’s a fuckin’ terrific live track.
Wall – Living Colour
Keeping it on the heavy metal funk side. Living Colour are one of the prime influences for the band above and get a fraction of the recognition. Instead of just focusing on politics and Los Angeles however, Living Colour also focused on general social commentary. ‘Wall’ is a song stating what simply must happen in the world, “the walls between us all must fall.”
Policalamity – Extreme
Off of their insanely overlooked third album ‘III Sides to Every Story’, ‘Politicalamity’ showed a matured band that hadn’t lost any edge. One of the funkiest pieces the band ever did. At this point the band wanted to grow out of the ‘Pornograffiti’ lyrical content and show that they, in fact, could write quality lyrics with their hair metal/funk hybrid sound. The song is perfectly reflective of foreign policies enacted at here at home.
Land of Confusion – Genesis
I wonder if Phil Collins wrote this song thinking, “this song will be just as politically prominent in 30 years as it is now.” Everything about this track hits home. It almost seems like a literal truth in it’s lyrics. Couple that with a bad ass riff and catchy, progressive keyboard rhythms and you’ve got a track for the ages. It’s becoming one of the most covered songs in metal from a non metal band.
Revolution Calling – Queensryche
This a great song for the Bernie supporters. Written in 1988, Queensryche were creating a heavy metal opera that takes place in a corrupt political atmosphere. The main character is having revelations and becomes angry with society and demands a revolution. Eventually he joins an underground terrorist organization that set him up as a patsy. Disclaimer: Not comparing Bernie supporters with terrorists.
‘Territories’ – Rush
This song explores reasons for why there’s still nationalism. A very prominent subject this year. The song does the talking on this one. I usually don’t post lyric videos, but these words are important.
‘On the Back of Angels’ – Dream Theater
Keeping up with the political, heavy, prog music. Dream Theater write two kinds of songs lyrically: 1. Traditional fantasy, prog lyrics and 2. Political and social lyrics that reflect current events in the world. Obviously this one is the latter. The break down at the end is very satisfying as well.
‘Crazy World’ – Scorpions
Written at the height of the cold war right before the wall came down, ‘Crazy World’ is the title track of their eponymous 11th album. The album was released a year after the wall came down, but it’s themes still carry over into today. Especially today in fact, now that tensions are high with Russia and it’s been proven that they’ve engaged in espionage writing fake news stories about HillDawg. More so than ever in the past 50 years, it’s a crazy world. This live version provides an extra boost, recorded in San Fransisco.
‘Steady Decline’ – Prong
Now we get into the heavy shit. Tommy Victor has always been very clear about his point of view on the world through his lyrics. It’s pretty obvious where he stands on conservatives and conservative leaders (he doesn’t like them). From earlier in Prongs career, ‘Steady Decline’ is an example of where Victor feels society is generally going. Sometimes it seems hard to argue with this point of view.
‘Punishment’ – Biohazard
An angry, reflective piece on justice. In 1992 this song emerged as one that was out of it’s time. Part thrash metal and part rap, it laid the foundation of what would become Nu metal. It asks a very important question,”Is the way of the world already justice? Is it already punishment?” Something to think about from time to time.
‘Refuse/Resist’ – Sepultura
In my opinion, the ultimate protest song. Knowing that Sepultura means grave in Portuguese and that the band comes from Brazil in the 1980’s is enough to understand their anger with fascist governments. ‘Refuse/Resist’ is the ultimate clear calling from the band saying, ‘when you see hate and you see bigotry and corruption running the government, do something about it.’ What could be more appropriate right now with social America in upheaval? Not much. “If you see a bully…STAND UP TO HIM!!” – Hillary Clinton
So there you have it folks. The best songs to match a Trump presidency. The next four years may be really hard. This is a time to listen to hard music for hard times. Whether metal and hard rock has been in your life or not, understanding what’s happening in the world and this music simply go along together. It describes how people feel during times of uncertainty. That’s why it’s been around for 40 years and still going strong.
