So this will be the first post in a long, long line of videos and righteous guitar virtuosity. As I previously said, this list I created is essentially meant to give nearly every heavy metal and hard rock band that ever existed one song which showcased their guitar work. It started in the summer of 2009 with just 68 bands. At the moment, there are over 600, though the exact number hasn't been finalized yet. Some were easy; some were very difficult. Nevertheless, I will be doing this list in alphabetical order, so if you're looking for a certain band, this is how they'll be presented. I plan to be doing only one band at a time, but to kick off this list, I'll be doing 3 bands. So, please enjoy this bodacious list (in case you haven't figured, I really liked "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure") and feel free to comment. I'm doing this to spread info on my favorite musical genre so questions are also welcomed. Also, if you believe there is a better song for a certain band, feel free to say so. Now, without further ado...

1. Band: a-ha
   Song: Take On Me
   Album: Hunting High and Low (1985)

    So what a band to start off a heavy metal list (read with heavy sarcasm)! I'd much rather start with anyone else, but due to our Latin alphabet, the will start off this list. Now some may wonder why a-ha is even on this list...they certainly are pop, not rock nor metal; but I have a weakness for 80's pop, and certain bands of this genre will appear throughout this blog. But then again, those bands at least have a guitar solo of some sort; this song's guitar is strictly rhythm and hardly audible. But then again, I like the band and it is my list, and this song might as well be their best guitar work. As for the band, they're a Norwegian pop band that reached critical acclaim with this album and mainly this song, due to its catchiness and revolutionary rotoscoping video. After that, sadly, they never again reached the height of their previous fame. Regardless, enjoy the song!

2. Band: Abnormality
    Song: Shooting The Messenger
    Album: Contaminating the Hive Mind (2012)

    From one end of the spectrum to the other, this is death metal. Death metal is, in my opinion, the heaviest subgenre of heavy metal, and even some metalheads don't like death metal due to its sheer heaviness and aggressiveness. Also, the vocals are an acquired taste...think Cookie Monster. I myself wasn't a fan of the style until I'd been listening to metal for some years, so if you don't like this song, I don't blame you. The band itself is a band I first heard of thanks to Rock Band, and this album is their debut, and it's quite impressive. This song showcases the guitarists' chaotic fretboard antics, and the solo is pretty hot. Oh, and by the way, the singer is a girl. Just thought I'd mention that.

3. Band: AC/DC
    Song: Let There Be Rock (Live)
    Album: Let There Be Rock: The Movie- Live in Pairs (Released in 1997; Recorded in 1979)

AC/DC is the quintessential hard rock group; even those who don't like rock or metal like AC/DC and more than likely own "Back in Black", one of the highest-selling albums of all time. With so many good songs, I did indeed have a hard time choosing. My first problem was should I go Bon Scott or Brian Johnson, and although Brian Johnson sold more albums, I had to stick with the original singer (for those not in the know, Bon Scott was AC/DC's singer until his death in 1980, in which he asphyxiated on his own vomit after passing out from acute alcohol poisoning; sad, but true). Once I chose Scott over Johnson, I then had a plethora of song choices when I stumbled upon this live album; now I do like live albums when they're done well, and this is one of them. This songs is one of my favorite AC/DC songs, and the extended Angus Young solo is definitely worth the listen. Enjoy! \m/