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Best Album Closers


A lot has already been said about the best album openers in metal. Not that much do we talk about abum closers though.
I guess for me the ending of an album is at least as important as its start.
I have put here my favourite album closers in all metal of all time, in descending order of my preference. And I am looking forward to your comments on it.

Created by: Redel | 23.01.2023



1. Iron Maiden - Powerslave
Rime of the Ancient Mariner, I guess that must be it…
2. Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings
Dante's Inferno, no need to elaborate.
3. Mercyful Fate - Melissa
Well, title track and highlight closing, done oh so right.
4. Opeth - Morningrise
Closing on To Bid You Farewell, which is probably my favourite Opeth song ever.
5. Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss
They are closing it on the title track, classy.
6. Megadeth - Rust In Peace
Title track closing, and what a great song it is.
7. Running Wild - Pile Of Skulls
Treasure Island, epic
8. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
Title track closing done damn right.
9. Slayer - Reign In Blood
Raining Blood, well….
10. Bathory - Hammerheart
One Road to Asa Bay (+Outro), no need to elaborate.
11. Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name, one of their bast songs ever.
12. Candlemass - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
A Sorcerer's Pledge, closing on the album's highlight.
13. Be'lakor - Stone's Reach
Countless Skies, no need to elaborate.
14. Gamma Ray - Heading For Tomorrow
Title track closing, epic
15. Savatage - Streets: A Rock Opera
Believe, crushing closer
16. Summoning - Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame
Farewell, beautiful closer
17. Draconian - Arcane Rain Fell
Death, Come Near Me, such a crushing end.
18. Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond
It closes on the title track, my favourite BG song ever.
19. My Dying Bride - Turn Loose The Swans
Black God is such a beautiful song.
20. Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark
Title track closing how I like it.
21. Lake Of Tears - Headstones
The Path Of The Gods, epic ending
22. My Dying Bride - For Lies I Sire
Death Triumphant, crushing last minutes
23. Ashbury - Endless Skies
The title track provides a beautiful closer here.
24. Blind Guardian - A Night At The Opera
And Then There Was Silence, the highlight of the album for me.
25. Fates Warning - Awaken The Guardian
Exodus, closing on one of the best FW songs ever.
26. My Dying Bride - Like Gods Of The Sun
For My Fallen Angel, never making it through the song without shedding a tear.
27. Skyclad - The Silent Whales Of Lunar Sea
The Present Imperfect, my favourite Skyclad song.
28. Tiamat - Clouds
Undressed, perfect closer for a beautiful album.
29. Death - Human
God of Thunder, strong closer.
30. Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath
Come To The Sabbath, my favourite song from the album.
31. Running Wild - Black Hand Inn
Genesis, epic
32. Rush - Moving Pictures
Vital Signs, I love it
33. Rage - The Missing Link
Raw Caress, beautiful closer
34. Iced Earth - Iced Earth
When The Night Falls, my favourite track from the album.
35. Mourning Beloveth - The Sullen Sulcus
Anger's Steaming Arrows, beautiful closer
36. My Dying Bride - The Light At The End Of The World
Sear Me III, what a beautiful song.
37. Death - Individual Thought Patterns
The Philosopher, not my favourite song from the album, but a Death classic for sure.
38. Znowhite - Act Of God
Something Wicked This Way Comes
39. Wintersun - Wintersun
Sadness And Hate, my favourite song from the album.
40. Primordial - Where Greater Men Have Fallen
Actually the last two songs here are my favourites from the album.
41. White Lion - Fight To Survive
Road To Valhalla, beautiful closer
42. Officium Triste - Mors Viri
Like Atlas, epic closer



Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by Redel ]



Comments

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Comments: 9   Visited by: 26 users
23.01.2023 - 21:52
Redel
Moderator
Anyone care for (epic) album closers?
Let me know what you think about my selection.
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23.01.2023 - 22:08
F3ynman
Nocturnal Bro
Contributor
Awesome selection of classics! I had made my own list many moons ago here. I haven't updated it in forever, but we have many similarities. Now I would rank "Dante's Inferno" in the top 3 like you, and I'd include "Seasons in the Abyss", "Farewell", and "Melissa" as well like you.

Im surprised that "Call of Ktulu" or "Into the Void" didn't make it on your list. Other than that, some personal favorites of mine are "Recharging the Void" and "Realm of a Thousand Burning Souls", of course.
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23.01.2023 - 22:16
Redel
Moderator
Written by F3ynman on 23.01.2023 at 22:08

Im surprised that "Call of Ktulu" or "Into the Void" didn't make it on your list. Other than that, some personal favorites of mine are "Recharging the Void" and "Realm of a Thousand Burning Souls", of course.

Thanks for leaving a comment here. Call of Ktulu und Into The Void are of course great songs. They are though not particular favourite songs of mine, especially regarding the excellent albums they are placed as closers on. I guess the other two songs you mention I am not too familiar with, at least not from the top of my head. Should check them out.
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23.01.2023 - 22:28
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Great list! Most of what you've listed here are my favorite closers too

Here's a few of my personal favorite closers not listed, however not all are epic and are from the top of my head:

- Running Wild - Port Royal - "Calico Jack"

- Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime - "Eyes Of A Stranger"

- Iced Earth - Night Of The Stormrider - "Travel In Stygian"

- Iced Earth - The Dark Saga - "A Question Of Heaven"

- Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark - "Fear Of The Dark"

- Immortal - Northern Chaos Gods - "Mighty Ravendark"

- Moonspell - Irreligious - "Full Moon Madness"
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23.01.2023 - 22:42
Redel
Moderator
Written by AndyMetalFreak on 23.01.2023 at 22:28

Here's a few of my personal favorite closers not listed, however not all are epic and are from the top of my head

Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
The two Iced Earth songs and Eyes of a Stranger almost made it into my list. Fear of the dark is in.
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23.01.2023 - 22:49
AndyMetalFreak
A Nice Guy
Contributor
Written by Redel on 23.01.2023 at 22:42

Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
The two Iced Earth songs and Eyes of a Stranger almost made it into my list. Fear of the dark is in.

Yes I've just noticed "Fear Of The Dark" I can't believe I missed that one
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24.01.2023 - 18:45
F3ynman
Nocturnal Bro
Contributor
"Drakonian Womb" from Acherontas's Vamachara is also an excellent album closer
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24.01.2023 - 23:59
Darkside Momo
Retired
Elite
Nice list of classics here

Glad to see Skyclad mentioned, but... "The Present Imperfect" (one of the bestest best Skyclad songs indeed) doesn't exactly close The Silent Whales of Lunar Seas, it's the little instrumental "Dance of the Dandy Hound" (maybe not on all versions? I dunno).
But as far as Skyclad are concerned, I would certainly list "The Truth Famine" on Prince of the Poverty Line. Such an intense song...

Also, Dark Tranquillity uses to have some great closers (not "This Godless Endeavor" or Slayer level, but still ) : "At Loss for Words" on Haven, "Ex Nihilo" (Damage Done) or "None Becoming" (Construct) are certainly great
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25.01.2023 - 14:55
Redel
Moderator
Written by Darkside Momo on 24.01.2023 at 23:59

Nice list of classics here

Glad to see Skyclad mentioned, but... "The Present Imperfect" (one of the bestest best Skyclad songs indeed) doesn't exactly close The Silent Whales of Lunar Seas, it's the little instrumental "Dance of the Dandy Hound" (maybe not on all versions? I dunno).
But as far as Skyclad are concerned, I would certainly list "The Truth Famine" on Prince of the Poverty Line. Such an intense song...

Also, Dark Tranquillity uses to have some great closers (not "This Godless Endeavor" or Slayer level, but still ) : "At Loss for Words" on Haven, "Ex Nihilo" (Damage Done) or "None Becoming" (Construct) are certainly great

I am grateful for your comment here.
You are absolutely right, how could I forget about the great dance of the dandy hound.
To be honest I was a bit sloppy with other albums in this list as well. God of Thunder is a bonus track, and I usually dont consider bonus tracks part of the album. It is just such a great closer that here I have to make an exception.

At Loss For Words is also a great closer I agree.
I dont like Ex Nihilo too much though. And Construct in general is not an album I return to frequently.
About Prince Of The Poverty Line we have talked already some time in the past. You are much more a fan of the second half of the album than I am.
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