With summer creeping up closer, we’re getting to that time of year to have nothin’ but a good time. While plenty of plebs have all the feel good tracks jammed during the hottest and brightest time of year, we thought that we’d help you fight back with some heavy tracks to add to your summer playlist. Whether it be parties, barbeques, visits to the beach, or even just smashing down a couple of beers, we at HEAVY are gonna take a second to give you a couple of great tracks for the oncoming heat.
Here’s our HEAVY Summer Spotify list:
And, here’s our HEAVY Summer Video list:
- School’s Out – Alice Cooper
Undoubtedly, a classic in hard rock and metal. When we were all stuck in school, this was the one time we had all been waiting for, more than anything else in our youth. But Alice, we wish the schools listened to you when you said “school’s out forever” instead of “for summer”. - [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Oo8QzDHimQ]
- Highrider – The Bennies
Get your bongs, beers and even your bikes out, because The Bennies want every single one of you guys out to have one hell of a blast this season. Courtney Barnett may think that nobody really cares if you don’t go to the party, but The Bennies sure as hell do. You can either sit at home on the Xbox all night, or you can make our ska-punk boys proud by going out and make the most of the summer with a couple of tinnies with your mates.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkLGdEVsqI&w=854&h=480]
- Profits of Doom – Clutch
Basically, any track of Clutch’s is perfect for the great outdoors anytime, anywhere. So, it’s quite debatable to say which is the best one to add to the list. Of course, one of their classics and frequent setlist staples Profits of Doom deserves mention.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3XEIOqWtnA&w=854&h=480]
- Island – Coheed & Cambria
There’s always that one upbeat tune in a playlist like this, and alternative prog outfit Coheed & Cambria have provided many in their discography throughout the years. It’s safe to say that some theirs can be fitted in as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ED4GBcPI9s&w=854&h=480]
- Wildfire – Crossfaith (feat. Benji Webbe)
All those hyped-up, repetitive club songs will be putting themselves in the ditch when Crossfaith turn it up, featuring Benji Webbe of Skindred on this wild, festival number.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bswkClwZxeA&w=854&h=480]
- Dirty Black Summer – Danzig
For all the doom ‘n’ gloomers out there, summer can’t always be a happy time for. But there’s no reason not to enjoy it if Danzig’s your boy.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kRtTtpG8Ls&w=854&h=480]
- Sunbather – Deafheaven
Black metal and shoegaze can have its moment in the spotlight too, you know. Since black metal’s origins go back to the freezing Scandinavian region, you’d need something that can cool you down in a way. But, American quintet Deafheaven takes that chilling step to warmer climates with their highly acclaimed second album Sunbather.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylTY9WbMGDc&w=854&h=480]
- My Own Summer (Shove It) – Deftones
Written by Chino in the summer of ’94 in a boarded up room while coping with the heat, this became not only the Deftones’ first big hit in the metal scene but also one of their most iconic songs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOzs1FehYOA&w=854&h=480]
- Misirlou – Dick Dale
There’s no way one could forget to add this original surf rock classic by Dick Dale, the godfather of non-distorted thrash metal.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y3h9p_c5-M&w=854&h=480]
- Milk Lizard – The Dillinger Escape Plan
Mathcore may seem like one of the last genres to pull it off, but Dillinger Escape Plan’s diversity makes it possible for them to provide rowdy beer-drinking music.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEYLlDThZU&w=854&h=480]
- Land of Sunshine – Faith No More
A song was written using a bunch of fortune cookie messages, Mike Patton and co. give you the fortune of a lifetime with Land of Sunshine from their universally acclaimed fourth record Angel Dust. Another special mention goes to their track, Underwater Love.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n3TrvhsrYs&w=854&h=480]
- Sun Glass – Fucked Up
Canadian hardcore punkers Fucked Up have plenty in their catalogue suited for this playlist, but by listening to Sun Glass, or even watching the music video, there are plenty of elements that make this perfect for summer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94V-XCSQNGQ&w=854&h=480]
- In The Belly of a Shark – Gallows
One from the Guitar Hero III and Frank Carter days, Gallows’ fan favourite In The Belly of a Shark is described by Carter as “so fucking cold, it’s so fucking dark”. Perfect for those who enjoy surfing!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVNOd9hy9YA&w=854&h=480]
- Blood Moon – Giraffe Tongue Orchestra
This new supergroup featuring members of Alice In Chains, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, The Mars Volta and Dethklok, with their contribution to perfect to smash out the cold ones too.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtJbgV3pGkI&w=854&h=480]
- Drive – Incubus
Sure we need to party, but we also need to have some chill moments as the sun goes down. Incubus’s setlist staple Drive assumes that role when you just need to unwind.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgT9zGkiLig&w=854&h=480]
- Ocean Size – Jane’s Addiction
The 90s would’ve been nothing without the legendary Jane’s Addiction. Being one of the ultimate festival favourites of their time, they delivered tidal waves of alternative tracks that helped shape the decade and all the summer festivals they played.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIev94s7Mo&w=854&h=480]
- Summer Song – Joe Satriani
The Satch man is all about instrumental diversity through his godlike six-string performances. He can fit any song into a different occasion and goddamn, did he make one hell of an anthem for the season.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJ_nzOckOQ&w=854&h=480]
- Mountain Man – Juggernaught
If there’s one particular stoner group that can provide all the deliciously hot components to barbeques and drinks, its South African quartet Juggernaught’s meaty riffs in Mountain Man.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGLFvbTlQok&w=854&h=480]
- Gamma Knife – King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
The Gizz boys are entities of endless creativity. If there’s one that’ll need to get blasted in the car when you and your mates are driving, it’s gotta be Gamma Knife.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC7ii3Ir-no&w=854&h=480]
- Sun In The Sea – King Parrot
One for those that want to keep it going insane and brutal, our Melbournian boys King Parrot have some of that to offer in Sun In the Sea from their debut LP Bite Your Head Off.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZZURCswIAg&w=854&h=480]
- Demon Cleaner – Kyuss
Fathers of the desert stoner rock vibe Kyuss can make anyone feel like they’re stranded, walking alone in the American desert no matter which album. Their entire discography alone is great for the entire season, but if you were to limit it to one song, Demon Cleaner is essential listening.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Ske2eKX2g&w=854&h=480]
- Banshee (Ghost Fame) – letlive.
Soul-punx also has a helping hand in keeping that frenzy going strong at your mate’s house party.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wnxFJUZtp4&w=854&h=480]
- Aqua Dementia – Mastodon
With the concept of Moby Dick roaming around on the legendary album Leviathan, Mastodon’s Aqua Dementia keeps it chaotically progressive and heavy.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Nv0YSGYR0&w=854&h=480]
- Sweet Charity – Mr Bungle
While not a particularly heavy song, Mike Patton’s now-defunct Mr Bungle exerted a variety of wacky and idiosyncratic songs throughout their career. As far as their third and final record California goes, a majority of the songs consisted of sixties doo-wop and Hawaiian music. The entire album is a mysterious and idiosyncratic piece to fit the entire season of summer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldh04Olynrw&w=854&h=480]
- Feel Good Hit of the Summer – Queens of the Stone Age
“Nicotine, valium, vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol” are said to offer you the feel-good hit of the summer, according to Queens of the Stone Age. While we at HEAVY don’t condone drug use, feel free to have one hell of time nonetheless.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAXPUN2z2CE&w=854&h=480]
- Karma – Parkway Drive
Given that their hometown has one of the most stunning and picturesque beaches in the country, Byron Bay’s Parkway Drive unsurprisingly conjured up their 2010 concept album Deep Blue about the sea. As their single Karma relates to the perception of drowning, it’s kinda fitting to make this summer a brutal one. Provided that no one you know drowns, because that would just suck.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeetS4vERoo&w=854&h=480]
- Big Wave – Pearl Jam
Fun little fact, vocalist Eddie Vedder is said to be a long time and passionate surfer and quite the ocean enthusiast. With his love for the ocean, it’s pretty easy to see where the inspiration came from this underrated Pearl Jam track from 2006’s Self-Titled.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYG7FMyk2gI&w=854&h=480]
- Scarlet – Periphery
While Periphery chews through burgers and hot dogs here in this music video, they should see how well done the snags are at Bunnings!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUltTV3t4OM&w=854&h=480]
- Nothin’ But a Good Time – Poison
An eighties classic that made Poison a massive sensation all across the globe. You can’t deny that the title and the song’s essence are perfect for summer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3g1kPGDcbc&w=854&h=480]
- Momma Sed – Puscifer
Returning to the chilled-out desert vibe, we’ve got a bit of Maynard James Keenan involved with Puscifer’s Momma Sed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR3ccmWmLhk&w=854&h=480]
- Mein Land – Rammstein
For a bunch of shock rock industrialists prone to parody, even Rammstein do just that for summer with their cheesy sixties surfing video. The only question is; how everyone in the sixties react if they were to see Rammstein do a clip like this?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iaxDxHUWP8&w=854&h=480]
- Rockaway Beach – The Ramones
One of the bands to help create punk as we know and one of the most iconic tracks of the genre. The Ramones had plenty of summer songs to go around, but this one takes the cake.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6siGKxcKol0&w=854&h=480]
- Blood Like Cream – Red Fang
Beer is an essential component to help cool down those out in the sun, and Red Fang has provided one doozy of a song that’ll have you and your mates crack open all the tinnies. But please, do drink responsibly.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elfuaxHQWlQ&w=854&h=480]
- Beer – Reel Big Fish
Yeah, we’re on the subject of beer again. If Red Fang didn’t convince you, hopefully, Reel Big Fish do with this ska-punk classic.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gql9220Qon8&w=854&h=480]
- Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine – Refused
The topic of Refused’s evolution from being a hobby band to becoming a full-time entity may not seem like an ideal song for the mixtape. However, its upbeat and energetic vibe makes it sound like it’s part of a Bennies album.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAVhec3SRJg&w=854&h=480]
- Cut Dem – Skindred
With a mix of alternative metal, dub, reggae and drum n bass, Welsh ragga-metal stars Skindred sharpen the blade with Cut Dem. If Bob Marley doesn’t cut it for those that want to keep it strictly heavy, Skindred’s ragga-metal may be better tailored to your heavy needs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv2iOUQqCks&w=854&h=480]
- My Wave – Soundgarden
First Pearl Jam’s wave, now Soundgarden’s wave dives in at a 5/4 beat from 1994’s Superunknown.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEbYxEXM2cE&w=854&h=480]
- Buzzards – The Sword
Texan-based stoner quartet The Sword have surrounded themselves in the heat for a long time, and this number off High Country fits well for the scorching hot sun.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNarMOGWeE&w=854&h=480]
- Manufacture of Consent – Twelve Foot Ninja
Going from reggae and dub to metal to jazz, Melbournian five-piece Twelve Foot Ninja’s has moments that feel like good additions to a summer soundtrack.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/embed/jy-VsYWhrEQ=854&h=480]
- Summer Breeze – Type O Negative
First, we had Danzig help us out, but now we have gothic metal quartet Type O Negative contribute to summer with ‘Summer Breeze’.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1R4jbnd10I&w=854&h=480]
- Summertime Girls – Y&T
Many who lived through the eighties would feel that heavy nostalgia hit when they hear this classic from Y&T, a big staple to many mixtapes that played during the era.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RGQSBGaJS8&w=854&h=480]
- Thunderstruck – AC/DC
We can’t end this without this classic by AC/DC to get the air guitar going and fists pumping.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2AC41dglnM=854&h=480]
