17 Best Metal Songs Under 3 Minutes: Rapid Metal Riffs

Hey fellow music lovers and aspiring DJs! I’ve got something special for you today – a curated list of the 17 best metal songs under 3 minutes that’ll make a fantastic addition to your playlists.

Here are the best metal songs under 3 minutest hat you can check out:

List Of Best Metal Songs Under 3 Minutes

Best metal songs under 3 minutes in a list format:

1. Slayer – “Necrophobic”

From Slayer’s seminal 1986 album “Reign in Blood” under Def Jam Recordings, “Necrophobic” is a relentless, hyper-speed thrash classic. Its full-throttle aggression leaves no room for breathers – a true testament to Slayer’s musical prowess.

2. Black Sabbath – “Evil Woman”

Black Sabbath introduced the world to heavy metal with their self-titled 1970 debut on Vertigo Records. “Evil Woman,” a cover of the Crow’s hit, stands out with its bluesy riffs and Ozzy’s unique vocal delivery.

3. Anthrax – “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L)”

“Efilnikufesin (N.F.L)” is a whirlwind thrash tune from Anthrax’s seminal 1987 album “Among the Living” under Island Records. It’s a powerful exploration of fame’s pitfalls, executed with their signature energy.

4. Motörhead – “Lawman”

Released in 1979 as part of the “Overkill” album on Bronze Records, “Lawman” is Motörhead at their blistering best. Fast, loud and raw, it perfectly encapsulates their no-nonsense approach to metal.

5. Metallica – “Motorbreath”

The thrash gem “Motorbreath” from Metallica’s 1983 debut “Kill ‘Em All” on Megaforce Records is a pedal-to-the-metal kind of song. It’s a wild ride with the driving force of early Metallica at its heart.

6. Iron Maiden – “The Ides of March”

From Iron Maiden’s 1981 album “Killers” on EMI, “The Ides of March” is a classic instrumental piece that kicks off the album with a high energy tempo and haunting melody.

7. Judas Priest – “Tyrant”

Off Judas Priest’s 1976 album “Sad Wings of Destiny” under Gull Records, “Tyrant” is a classic, combining speed and melody, showcasing Rob Halford’s soaring vocals and dual guitar virtuosity.

8. Pantera – “The Art of Shredding”

“The Art of Shredding” from Pantera’s 1990 “Cowboys from Hell” under Atco Records, is a perfect storm of Dimebag Darrell’s killer riffs and Phil Anselmo’s aggressive vocals.

9. Megadeth – “502”

“502,” a fast-paced thrasher from Megadeth’s 1988 album “So Far, So Good… So What!” under Capitol Records, is a wild, head-banging joyride.

10. Mayhem – “Funeral Fog”

“Funeral Fog” is an unrelenting black metal anthem from Mayhem’s 1994 album “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” on Euronymous’s Deathlike Silence Productions. It encapsulates the rawness and brutality of black metal.

11. Slipknot – “(sic)”

“(sic)” off the self-titled 1999 album under Roadrunner Records, encapsulates Slipknot’s chaotic, aggressive style with Corey Taylor’s vocal versatility taking center stage.

12. Cannibal Corpse – “Hammer Smashed Face”

From Cannibal Corpse’s 1992 album “Tomb of the Mutilated” on Metal Blade Records, “Hammer Smashed Face” is a classic in the death metal genre, celebrated for its gruesome imagery and complex musicianship.

13. System of a Down – “Suite-Pee”

“Suite-Pee,” from the band’s 1998 self-titled debut under American/Columbia Records, showcases System of a Down’s unique blend of metal with Serj Tankian’s diverse vocal techniques.

14. Venom – “Black Metal”

Title track from Venom’s 1982 album “Black Metal” on Neat Records, this is a genre-defining classic, with raw riffs and a speed that would inspire thrash, black, and death metal.

15. Napalm Death – “You Suffer”

Hailed as the shortest song ever recorded, “You Suffer” from Napalm Death’s 1987 album “Scum” on Earache Records, is an absolute beast, crammed into just a few seconds.

16. Korn – “Twist”

From their 1996 album “Life Is Peachy” on Immortal/Epic Records, “Twist” is a testament to Korn’s signature style of nu-metal, displaying Jonathan Davis’s unique scat-singing and the band’s low-tuned riffs.

17. Tool – “Intermission”

A playful instrumental track off the 1996 album “Ænima” under Zoo Entertainment, “Intermission” is a great demonstration of Tool’s musicianship and penchant for the unexpected.

Fun Facts: Top Metal Tunes Under 3 Minutes

3. Anthrax – “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L)”

Fun fact: The title is “Nise Fukin Life” spelled backwards, an ironic reflection of the troubled life of comedian John Belushi, to whom the song pays tribute.

4. Motörhead – “Lawman”

Fun fact: This song, featuring the band’s signature blend of punk and heavy metal, marks Lemmy’s attempt to combine a wild west theme with their unique style.

5. Metallica – “Motorbreath”

Fun fact: This is one of the few Metallica songs written solely by James Hetfield. It’s a nod to the “live fast” ethos of the band’s early days.

8. Pantera – “The Art of Shredding”

Fun fact: This track is celebrated for its ‘groove metal’ sound, a subgenre that Pantera helped pioneer in the early ’90s.

11. Slipknot – “(sic)”

Fun fact: The term “(sic)” is used in written work to indicate that a phrase is being quoted as it originally appeared, often including errors. It reflects the raw, unfiltered nature of Slipknot’s music.

15. Napalm Death – “You Suffer”

Fun fact: This song holds a Guinness World Record for being the shortest song ever recorded, clocking in at a whopping 1.316 seconds long!

16. Korn – “Twist”

Fun fact: “Twist” showcases Jonathan Davis’s unique scat-singing style. Scatting is typically associated with jazz music, making it an unexpected but effective tool in Korn’s nu-metal sound.

And there you have it – 17 metal masterpieces in under 3 minutes each!

Remember, it’s not the song’s length, but its raw power that truly rocks our world.

Keep on headbanging!

Thanks for reading.

TBone