Top 10 Heavy Metal Videos on YouTube

I wouldn't call this a definitive list of the best metal videos of all time. It's more of a heads up to metalheads (no pun intended) to check out a few promo clips from bands that aren't in the spotlight. I focused on recent videos, although I tossed in choice classics that had a potent effect on me growing up.

Behemoth ("Conquer All") - These Polish death metal titans are intense and exquisitely evil. The video for "Conquer All" is what introduced me to the band. I watched it at 2 o'clock in the morning, and it creeped me out since I was half-asleep. You've got to love the ashen corpsepaint, the random inclusion of a hot blonde, and the bondage-meets-biker costumes. Behemoth's video for "Slaves Shall Serve" is also worth checking out.

Morbid Angel ("God of Emptiness") - This video appeared on Beavis and Butthead, which is how thousands of Morbid Angel fans came to discover the band. It scarred me as a wee lad. It features a winged demon that truly belongs in a horror film. The special effects are superlative, and the performance footage is seamlessly intertwined with the eerie stuff. Killer song.

Daylight Dies ("Lies That Bind") - Daylight Dies is an up-and-coming doom outfit based out of my home state, North Carolina. I'm not just partial to them because of their Carolinian roots. They're an incredible band, and their video for "Lies That Bind" is quite impressive. What struck me is that it has a slick, professional look. You don't see slick, professional music videos being made for most obscure metal bands. Kudos to the director for nimbly milking a low budget.

Blind Guardian ("Another Stranger Me") - Here is another well-produced video for a band that isn't well-known stateside. It has a cool "film noir" vibe to it. The song is rock solid power metal with hooks galore. If you haven't heard of these modern day legends, check them out pronto.

Pantera ("5 Minutes Alone") - This is my favorite Pantera video for no particular reason. Obviously, the song is bludgeoning. I like the fact that the video is free of lofty concepts and overused camera tricks. It's just Pantera being Pantera. That's what they did best. Click HERE to read my picks for the 10 best Pantera songs of all time.

Cannibal Corpse ("Death Walking Terror") - I'm a Cannibal Corpse freak, so I'll salivate over anything they release. This is their most accomplished music video to date. The song is just accessible enough to lure in metalheads who wouldn't normally go for death metal.

Tool ("Prison Sex") -All of Tool's videos are worthy of being on this list, but "Prison Sex" gets to me the most. The subject matter is uncomfortable enough; the fusty visuals seal the deal. The song is a rarity in the Tool catalogue. It's (relatively) short and punchy. "Sober" is a close runner-up.

Posehn ("Metal by Numbers") - Comedian Brian Posehn gives "tough guy" metal the Weird Al treatment by parodying it in this hilarious video. The song is standard metal (which was intentional, no doubt). Posehn rips on most of the new acts clogging up Headbanger's Ball. You have to like the guy to like the video. If the name doesn't ring a bell, Posehn was the tall, geeky mail clerk on "Just Shoot Me." He also had a small role in Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects."

Cradle of Filth ("Nymphetamine") - I'm not a huge fan of Cradle of Filth, but this song and video convinced me to spend money on them. Guest vocalist Liv Kristine plays well off of Dani Filth's scraping howl. The video is laughable in spots, but it's an enjoyable variety of cheesiness. Think of it as a 5-minute b-movie.

Opeth ("The Grand Conjuration") - Even though the band itself doesn't care for this video, I'm including it anyway. I worship Opeth, and "The Grand Conjuration" serves as a suitable snapshot of the band's totally awesome amazingness.