When In Flames burst onto the world metal stage in the mid-’90s, they helped introduce the world to melodic death metal. It was a sound that would come to be known as “the Gothenburg sound,” taking the name of the city in Sweden that spawned In Flames, Dark Tranquility, At The Gates, and many other early architects of the genre. Over the course of 20 years and eleven studio albums, In Flames has grown to be one of metal’s biggest and most influential bands spawning countless imitators. The band’s sound has evolved beyond the melodeath genre that they helped create, but the name In Flames will always be synonymous with “the Gothenburg Sound.”

Here, from their legendary fourth album, Clayman, is In Flames with the official video for “Only For The Weak.”

Watch the video here, below.

Pantera was indisputably the most massive metal band of the ’90s, carrying the torch of metal through the grunge years and carving out a sound that was all their own. Today, on the 10th anniversary of the senseless murder of guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott at the hands of a deranged fan, we salute the force of nature that was Pantera and remember a fallen brother. Forget your tears and moments of silence, today we throw back a drink and crank this shit up, because that’s the way that Dime would’ve wanted it.

Check out the first single from Pantera’s final studio album, Reinventing The Steel. This is “Revolution Is My Name.”

Saxon were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), a movement that breathed new life into the genre in the early ’80s. The success of bands such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden would set the stage for the worldwide explosion of metal’s popularity in the mid-eighties. Saxon never experienced quite the same level of mainstream success in America that many of their contemporaries found, but none the less their contribution to the movement is immeasurable. The band soldiers on to this day and is still a favorite with hardcore metal fans the world over.

Here below is Saxon performing the title track of their second album, 1980’s Wheels of Steel.

That’s right, this week we are rockin’ with Dokken. Fronted by namesake Don Dokken, this band of L.A. metal stalwarts has been around in various incarnations since 1978. Their most famous lineup of Don Dokken, George Lynch, Mick Brown, and Jeff Pilson made a series of multi-platinum, high octane records throughout the 80s.

Here from their amazing second record, 1984’s Tooth & Nail, is Dokken with the anthem “Into the Fire.”

Loudness is Japan’s most famous heavy metal export. Formed in 1981, the band were the first Japanese band to be signed to an international, major label record deal. They have released 26 studio albums and nine live collections, making them one of the most prolific acts in metal. The band has endured numerous lineup changes, but remain active to this day. Their biggest American hit was the song “Crazy Nights” from their fifth album Thunder In The East, released in 1985.

Watch the official video for “Crazy Nights” here below.