I’m starting to get an interest in hard metal. Is there a website that offers samples of metal songs so I can see if there are any songs or bands I like? I know amazon offers samples of songs to listen to but I wouldn’t know where to start at Amazon.
I’ve discovered quite a few bands through listening to samples at places like Amazon. The good thing about Amazon is that you can search by genre. Also, they tell you “customers who bought this also bought this”. There’s also the links to customers’ lists of favourite albums from particular styles/genres which can help. Basically, if you have a couple of bands albums/bands/songs that you really like, you should be able to use Amazon to get references to similar stuff.
What bands are we talking here (not that I’m especially into metal)?
Metallica. Ride the Lightning.
Iron Maiden. Number of the Beast
If the bands are on a smaller label, you can often find mp3s at the label’s website.
The big labels are Roadrunner, Century Media, Nuclear Blast, and Relapse.
For what you’re looking for, you should check out the Headbanger’s Ball collections that have been put out in the last couple years on Roadrunner. 40 songs per collection will give you plenty of starting points.
btw, “hard metal” is not a standard term–or at least not one I’ve run into–and there are people out there who will jump at any chance to laugh at you if they perceive you as an ignorant newbie.
AllMusic is another good site to check out.
No samples only full songs.
http://music.download.com/2001-8218_32-0.html?tag=nav_dir&
No big bands though.
Just little guys trying to get big.