Playlists 101

Songs about UFOs, Aliens and Men in Black

Heavy metal has always possessed a penchant for supernatural, science-fiction and fringe science. 1947's supposed UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico set off a hotbed of sightings, interest and panic across the country. Over the years, NASA has discovered the real possibilities of historic life on Mars and continues to develop new and exciting ways for us to reach far galaxies outside of our own. Pop culture has provided plenty of visual media in film and television, but music--especially heavy metal--has its own share of extraterrestrial fascination. Here's some of my favorites:

Pain - "Black Knight Satellite"
The Black Knight satellite has been photographed by NASA and has the look of some sort of alien spacecraft that has been orbiting Earth for decades. Peter Tagtgren's band examines the myth and has fun imagining this as an alien craft.



2. Hypocrisy - "Roswell 47"
This New Mexico aircraft crash has been the Holy Grail for alien and UFO enthusiasts worldwide. The Swedish death metal act Hypocrisy present their own take on this famous event with a science-fiction approach. Let's just say vocalist Peter Tagtgren thinks the "truth is out there".



3. Evergrey - "The Shocking Truth"
By 1999, pop culture led by television phenom "The X-Files" was in full swing. Swedish progressive band Evergrey hones in on the alien abduction theory with this terrifying track complete with audio excerpts.



4. Judas Priest - "Abductors"
Another alien abduction track from the peak of pop culture's fascination with UFOs, 1997's "Abductors".



5. Crimson Glory - "Cydonia"
This Floridian progressive power metal band explores the region of Mars that showcases parallels to Egypt's Valley of Kings.



6. Megadeth - "Hangar 18"
Maybe one of the most well-known heavy metal songs about UFOs, little green men and government cover-ups.



7. Running Wild - "Men in Black"
Sure, it was two films starring Will Smith. But, Men in Black are often associated with UFO and alien sightings. Are they protecting government secrets? This German power metal band explores the idea behind the strange phenomenon.



8. Steel Prophet - "We Are Not Alone"
This speedy power metal California band not only proclaims life outside of our galaxy exists, but that their technology could be improving our own.



9. Deceased - "The Triangle"
This Northern, VA thrashers explore the strange phenomena of The Bermuda Triangle. UFO enthusiasts have claimed aliens may exist off the Floridian coast, snatching ships, and planes while abducting people. King Fowley lyrically tells us the strange history of this cursed place.



10. Blue Oyster Cult - "Take Me Away"
The heavy metal/hard rock legends look at UFOs and ask what happens if given the choice to be abducted from Earth and "taken away".






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