11 Times Hair Metal Went HEAVY AF
For decades, hair metal was dismissed as the softer, flashier cousin of traditional heavy metal. Critics mocked it, grunge tried to kill it, and metal purists sneered at its pop-leaning tendencies. But let’s be real—beneath the Aquanet and eyeliner, these bands could still crank out some punishingly heavy tracks.
Here’s the proof.
1. Bon Jovi – “Hey God” (1995)
Bon Jovi isn’t exactly known for their brutality, but These Days took a darker, grittier turn. “Hey God” is a slow-burning, thunderous anthem that wrestles with existential dread. Sambora’s bluesy guitar licks turn into fiery, searing riffs, while Jon Bon Jovi delivers some of his most pissed-off vocals ever.
2. Def Leppard – “No No No” (1981)
Before they were radio darlings, Def Leppard had serious NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) energy. “No No No” from High ‘n’ Dry is pure aggression—lightning-fast riffs, Joe Elliott’s throat-shredding screams, and relentless drumming that would have felt at home on an early Judas Priest record.
3. Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” (1984)
Dokken usually balanced their metal edge with melody, but “Tooth and Nail” goes straight for the jugular. George Lynch shreds like a man possessed, and Don Dokken snarls through a speed-metal-inspired assault. The song is a white-knuckle ride from start to finish.
4. Mötley Crüe – “Smoke the Sky” (1994)
When Vince Neil got the boot, Mötley got mean. With John Corabi on vocals, their self-titled ‘94 album ditched the sleaze for pure, unfiltered heaviness. “Smoke the Sky” is built on thick, down-tuned guitars and a breakdown so crushing it could make Pantera take notes.
5. Poison – “Look What the Cat Dragged In” (1986)
Poison was all about excess, but the title track from their debut album has an edge that can’t be ignored. C.C. DeVille lays down a razor-sharp riff, while Bret Michaels sounds like he’s on the verge of a whiskey-fueled meltdown. It’s dirtier, meaner, and heavier than anything else they recorded.
6. Quiet Riot – “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” (1983)
Sure, Quiet Riot is best known for their party anthems, but “Metal Health” is an all-out metal battle cry. That chugging riff, Kevin DuBrow’s in-your-face wails, and a chorus that demands to be screamed—this is hair metal at its heaviest and most anthemic.
7. Ratt – “Sweet Cheater” (1983)
Before Out of the Cellar turned them into MTV stars, Ratt had a raw, metallic bite. “Sweet Cheater” from their indie debut EP is a proto-thrash rager, complete with blistering double-bass drumming and gritty vocals from Stephen Pearcy.
8. Skid Row – “Slave to the Grind” (1991)
This might be the single heaviest song from the entire hair metal era. Skid Row went full-throttle on their sophomore album, ditching the power ballads for thrash-inspired fury. Sebastian Bach sounds absolutely unhinged, and the riffs hit like a punch to the face.
9. Warrant – “Inside Out” (1992)
Forget the cherry pies—Warrant’s Dog Eat Dog was their true masterpiece, and “Inside Out” is the hardest-hitting song they ever wrote. It’s fast, aggressive, and filled with pure rage, with Jani Lane delivering one of his most visceral vocal performances.
10. Whitesnake – “Bad Boys” (1987)
David Coverdale’s bluesy swagger meets John Sykes’ high-voltage riffing in this breakneck banger. “Bad Boys” is Whitesnake at their most untamed—sleazy, relentless, and downright feral.
11. Winger – “Junkyard Dog (Tears on Stone)” (1993)
Winger got unfairly trashed by Beavis and Butt-Head, but by the time Pull came out, they were heavier than most grunge bands. “Junkyard Dog” is nearly seven minutes of pummeling grooves, down-tuned guitars, and Kip Winger proving he had serious vocal chops.
Final Thoughts:
Hair metal had its fair share of poppy singalongs, but when these bands wanted to go heavy, they delivered. Whether it was thrashy aggression, dark lyrical themes, or just pure sonic weight, these tracks show that hair metal was far more than just a guilty pleasure.
Got a favorite heavy track from the glam era? Sound off in the comments!
