Top 10 Baroness Songs

Feature Photo: Stefan Brending/ Creative Commons

Our top ten Baroness songs list presents ten of the best songs released by an American band renowned for its heavy metal sound. Baroness exploration in the heavy metal genre has seen its music traverse the sludge metal, progressive metal, and alternative metal styles. The band was founded in 2003 with the first four years after its establishment marking its formative years.

During its formative years, Baroness issued three extended plays including a split extended play with Unpersons. Eventually, the band issued its debut studio album Red Album in September 2007. Baroness has so far issued five full-length studio albums. In 2022, vocalist John Baizley revealed in an interview that the band has enough material for a couple of albums (a new album is expected to be released this year).

Baroness’ Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

One year after Baroness‘ formation, its members led by vocalist John Baizley issued First, the band’s debut extended play. First is a three-track EP consisting of the songs “Tower Falls,” “Rise,” and “Coeur.” Working on the production of this record was Phillip Cope of the Georgia-formed heavy metal band Kylesa. The band teamed up once more with Phillip in the production of its sophomore extended play Second.

Like First, Second is also a three-track extended play consisting of the hits “Vision,” “Red Sky,” and “Son of Sun.” While the two records brought Baroness neither commercial nor mainstream success, they served a huge role in introducing the band to sludge metal and progressive metal spaces. In July 20007, Baroness teamed up with Unpersons to issue a split record entitled A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk. “Teiresias” and “Cavite” are the only songs by Baroness from the split EP.

Baroness’ Album Releases over the Years

Eventually, Baroness issued its debut studio album Red Album in September 2007. Red Album was produced by Phillip Cope of the heavy metal band Kylesa. The album was issued through Relapse Records, (once) home to Dying Fetus, Obituary, The Obsessed, Yob, and Wolves in the Throne Room. Red Album failed to achieve mainstream and commercial success. However, the album managed to feature some of the best Baroness songs including “Wanderlust,” “Rays on Pinion,” and “Isak.”

Baroness returned in 2009 with their sophomore studio album Blue Record. This progressive metal/sludge metal album was produced by the Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton (former member of The Paper Chase). Congleton is renowned for his phenomenal work with Blondie, David Byrne, Amanda Palmer, Debbie Harry, Kirk Franklin, Lou Bega, and Lana Del Rey.

Blue Record saw Baroness continue its progressive metal/sludge metal explorations. The album toppled The Mountain Goats’ twelfth LP The Life of the World to Come off the top spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart. Blue Record went ahead to rise to position one hundred and seventeen on the Billboard 200 Chart. “Swollen and Halo,” “Bullhead’s Psalm,” and “Jake Leg” are the most popular songs by Baroness from the album.

In 2012, Baroness issued their third studio album Yellow & Green. The band teamed up once more with producer John Congleton on this record. Yellow & Green is so far the highest-charting album by Baroness on the Billboard 200 Chart, peaking at the thirtieth spot. The album also graced the UK Albums Chart peaking at number eighty-five.

Yellow & Green also made it to album charts in Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and the Netherlands. The album is one of the longest records consisting of eighteen tracks. “Eula,” “Sea Lungs,” “Little Things,” “Cocainium,” “March to Sea,” and Take My Bones Away” are some of the best Baroness songs from the band’s third studio album Yellow & Green.

Baroness returned in 2015 with their fourth studio album Purple. The album was issued through Abraxan Hymns, a label founded and run by Baroness. Joining Baroness members in the production of this album was producer Dave Fridmann. Fridmann has also worked with other artists including The Flaming Lips, Steve Burns, Thursday, Tame Impala, Vanessa Carlton, Mogwai, and The Vaccines.

Purple was a mainstream success rising to position seventy on the Billboard 200 Chart. The album also made it to the UK Albums Chart peaking at number one hundred and six. “Chlorine & Wine,” “Morningstar,” “Shock Me,” “Try to Disappear,” and “If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain?)” are the most popular song by Baroness from the album Purple.

In 2019, Baroness issued their fifth studio album Gold & Grey. The album is yet another impressive record on the mainstream marking Baroness’ best performance on the UK Albums Chart where it peaked at number sixty-four. Gold & Grey went ahead to rise to position thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 Chart. “Borderlines,” “Throw Me an Anchor,” “Tourniquet,” and “Seasons” are the best Baroness songs from the album.

Baroness’ Other Musical Pursuits, Accolades, and Legacy

Baroness is among the twenty-first-century bands that have been pushing the limits of heavy metal thanks to its blend of progressive metal, sludge metal, and alternative metal. The band’s songs feature flaming guitar riffs and haunting vocal delivery by John Baizley. Baizley has also been applauded for his artworks which have been put to use by his band Baroness.

Other bands that have made use of John Baizley’s artwork include Metallica, Vitamin X, Cursed, Pig Destroyer, Flight of the Conchords, and Kvelertak among others. Baroness earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2017 for Best Metal Performance thanks to the impressive quality of the hit “Shock Me.” Over the years, Baroness has shared the stage with reputable acts including Opeth, Meshuggah, Mastodon, Converge, Isis, and Faith No More. Here we present the ten best Baroness songs of all time.

#10- Wanderlust

Ushering us to the top ten Baroness songs list is the impressive hit “Wanderlust.” The song is featured on Red Album, Baroness’ debut full-length studio album. “Wanderlust” finds the band giving us a taste of its sludge metal musical explorations. It is songs like “Wanderlust” that have seen Baroness compared to bands like Mastodon.

“Wanderlust” is the first song by Baroness to ever feature an accompanying music video. The song’s video was directed by Joshua Green who also directed the music video for the band’s hit “A Horse Called Golgotha.” “Wanderlust” had its music video premiere for the first time at MTV2 Headbanger’s Ball. Unfortunately, featuring “Wanderlust” on our list was at the expense of the hit Red Album’s album opening track “Rays on Pinion,” which is one of the fan-favorite hits of all time.

#9- Swollen and Halo

Blue Record, the band’s sophomore studio album, was a mainstream success thanks to the impressive quality of hits like “Swollen and Halo.” The song is among the musical gems that created the focal point of Baroness’ musicianship on Blue Record. “Swollen and Halo” maintains the true ferociousness of Baroness—It is no surprise that the song is one of the heaviest releases on the album. The end of this song is one of the most epic moments of Baroness’ musicianship thanks to the imposing instrumentation by the band members!

#8- Isak

Coming in at number eight on our ten best Baroness songs list is the remarkable hit “Isak.” The song is featured on Red Album, Baroness’ debut studio album. “Isak” is among the most sought-after songs by Baroness—The song earns bragging rights as one of the showstoppers by Baroness in most concerts. “Isak” was the last song performed by the band during its live performance at the 2022 Freak Valley Festival.

The song has its lyrics penned by lead vocalist John Baizley. Baizley revealed that the lyrics to “Isak” were based on a 1917 novel entitled The Growth of the Soil written by Knut Hamsun—The song’s title alludes to the main character in this novel. Knut Hamsun’s book would eventually scoop the 1920 Nobel Prize in Literature thanks to its theme of man’s relationship with nature.

#7- Borderlines

The band’s most recent album Gold & Grey saw Baroness continue with its progressive metal ventures. Of course, this album feels like an evolution from the heavily incorporated sludge metal influences we saw in the first years of Baroness’ musicianship. Nevertheless, songs like “Borderlines” from Gold & Grey have helped the band push its limits (successfully) into the “more” melodic progressive metal sound.

“Borderlines” was the first single issued by Baroness towards the release of Gold & Grey. Its release coincided with Baroness’ tour with Deafheaven. While the song feels a tad bit atmospheric, Baroness’ abandons not their signature heaviness. Gina Gleason and John Baizley give us an alluring performance on the guitars! With no other song from Gold & Grey featuring on our list, “Borderlines” serves as the emblem of Baroness’ musicianship on their most recent album.

#6- Chlorine & Wine

Number six on our ten best Baroness songs list is the tempestuous hit “Chlorine & Wine.” The song was issued as the lead single off the band’s fourth studio album Purple. Despite the tad bit “Chlorine & Wine” features some of the most impressive hooks and melodies by any Baroness song. The song’s profound lyrical content adds glamour to its overall feel. “Chlorine & Wine” had its music video directed by Jimmy Hubbard who has also worked with No Distortion and Nails.

#5- Eula

Yellow & Green, the band’s third studio album, is home to the fifth pick of our ten best Baroness songs list, “Eula.” The song was issued as the third single towards the release of Yellow & Green— “Eula” also serves as the closing track on Disc One (Yellow) of this album. The song is among the top musical gems that saw Baroness go full-blown melodic. “Eula” remains one of the most remarkable hits by Baroness thanks to its impressive riffs and harmonies.

#4- A Horse Called Golgotha

Ferocious and striking are the two words that fully describe the musical feel of the hit “A Horse Called Golgotha.” This track fights a tough battle to make it to the fourth spot on our list. “A Horse Called Golgotha” finds Baroness unbridling some hard rocking blend of progressive metal and sludge metal influences.

And if we have to be specific, this song wins the battle of being the top musical gem off Blue Record right from the beginning thanks to its imposing guitar riffs. John Baizley disappoints not on the vocals in this hit having him go a tad bit more vicious on his delivery. As mentioned earlier, “A Horse Called Golgotha” had its music video directed by Joshua Green.

#3- Shock Me

The third pick on our ten best Baroness songs list is the remarkable hit “Shock Me.” “Shock Me” is the most popular song by Baroness off the band’s fourth studio album Purple. The song opens with some alluring keyboard and guitar riffs quickly progressing to a hard-hitting heavy metal (albeit magnificent) affair. “Shock Me” is among the few songs by Baroness to have made it on the mainstream charts.

The song peaked at number twenty-eight on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. “Shock Me” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2017. However, the band lost the award to “Dystopia” by Megadeth. Other songs that had been nominated for the award include “Silvera” by Gojira, “The Price Is Wrong” by Periphery, and “Rotting in Vain” by Korn.

#2- March to the Sea

Placing “March to the Sea” as the second-best Baroness song on our list might feel a little off for some. Together with “Take My Bones Away,” “March to the Sea” are the best offerings by far from Baroness’ third studio album Yellow & Green. The song was the second single issued towards the release of Yellow & Green.

“March to the Sea” feels a little melodic (and less sludge metal) compared to the vivacious and hard-hitting track “Take Me Home.” The song “March to the Sea” was a mainstream success rising to position thirty-seven on the Billboard Active Rock Chart.

#1- Take My Bones Away

Number one on our ten best Baroness songs list is the anthemic metal hit “Take My Bones Away.” The song is the band’s signature hit off the album Yellow & Green. Unlike “March to the Sea,” “Take My Bones Away” feels quite anthemic thanks to its hard-hitting nature—You can actually feel the ferocious drumming which complements the song’s driving heavy guitar riffs.

“Take My Bones Away” was issued as the lead track to Baroness’ third studio album. The song was a mainstream success, peaking at number thirty-five on the Billboard Active Rock Chart. “Take My Bones Away” also made it to the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart peaking at number thirty-eight.