search: classic epic/build-up/power intros

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they've got to have that 'instant impact' factor, be markedly different from the main structure of the song and suggest that something HUGE is about to go down!

i cant think of a better one than Bowie's 'Lets Dance' - its the ultimate surely - these also sprang to mind tho:

808 State 'Cubik'
KLF '3AM Eternal'
Chemical Brothers 'Block Rockin Beats' (on the album version)
Prodigy 'Firestarter' (kinda)
Happy Mondays 'Hallelujah'
T-Rex '20th Century Boy'
Adam F ft Redman 'Smash Sumthin'
Fatboy Slim 'Song For Lindy'

what about ballads? punk tracks? metal tracks? pop? anything...

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:39 (twenty-one years ago) link

hmm, maybe i should rephrase that. i'm not sure if i'm just looking for big bad-ass intros to heavy dance and rock tracks or just powerful intros in general i.e. the intro to 'Good Vibrations' is arguably just as powerful as 'Lets Dance' if not more so

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:48 (twenty-one years ago) link

"I Against I" by Bad Brains

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

Oh man the intro to "Smokin/Long Time" from Boston is the best of all.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

shit, thats "Foreplay/Long Time".

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Three Days" (the "Bohemian Rhapsody" of 90's "Alt.Rock") by Jane's Addiction certainly has the epic quality you seek. As does "Ocean Size" by same.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

two off the top of my head -

the only ones - 'another girl, another planet'

the mekons - 'where were you?'

― stirmonster, Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

At the risk of being entirely predictable, I would truly suggest "Requiem" by Killing Joke, as the intro is truly sprawling, epic and ass-kicking in an ominous "holy shit, Nostrodamus was fucking right!" sorta way.

"She Sells Sanctuary" by the Cult might serve this purpose as well, although it's more festive than doomy.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:54 (twenty-one years ago) link

The Clash - I Fought The Law = best intro to any song, ever.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:55 (twenty-one years ago) link

Osymyso to thread!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:56 (twenty-one years ago) link

The intro to 'Sweatloaf' by the Butthole Surfers doesn't suggest anything huge is about to go down until right at the end. But that shock factor makes it awesome.

― James Ball (James Ball), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

Meat Loaf - I Would Do Anything For Love (shame about the song afterwards, mind)

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 14:58 (twenty-one years ago) link

no intro UNDER 5 seconds long should be included on this thread :)

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:06 (twenty-one years ago) link

perhaps '20th Century Boy' is caught out there then

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

Fishbone "Housework", "Party at Ground Zero"
System of a Down "P.L.U.C.K."
Dr. Octagon "No Awareness"
Mr. Bungle "Ars Moriendi"

My own band has at least 4 songs with intros that would fit this description on our album, and another 4 not on our album.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

'Eye Of The Tiger'
'Sweet Child Of Mine'
'Welcome To The Jungle'
Pharoach Monche 'Simon says' (someone remind me what the sample is?)
Beastie Boys use of 'Bear Mountain theme' in the 'Intergalactic' video version

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

theme from Rocky!

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

Jedi Knights 'Antacid' (samples old elektro/breakers intro)

Madness 'One Step Beyond', 'Shut Up', 'Night Boat To Cairo'

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

"21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson
"The Prophet's Song" by Queen
"Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

Metallica - Battery

― M Carty (mj_c), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:15 (twenty-one years ago) link

Tiesto - Magik Journey
Bal Sagoth - Black Dragons Soar Above The Mountain of Shadows
Felix Da Housecat - Silver Screen Shower Scene (Thin White Duke Remix)

― Siegbran (eofor), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:16 (twenty-one years ago) link

Slayer - Hell Awaits

― Siegbran (eofor), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:16 (twenty-one years ago) link

I always thought the intro to New Order's "Everything's Gone Green" was a brilliant piece of misdirection--it's even in a major key when the rest of the song is minor, and then that twittering synth starts up and Stephen Morris's snare slams in...

― Douglas (Douglas), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:19 (twenty-one years ago) link

Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On"

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:20 (twenty-one years ago) link

To be honest, Richard Wagner owns this thread.

― Siegbran (eofor), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:27 (twenty-one years ago) link

Slayer - Raining Blood

― M Carty (mj_c), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:42 (twenty-one years ago) link

Smashing Pumpkins, "Cherub Rock." It's all about those drum rolls.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

I really love that metal gliss at the beginning of Van Halen's "Running with the Devil."

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:45 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mahavishnu Orchestra's The Dance of the Maya.
The Doors' Soft Parade

Nothing special about the intro, but Daliance ala The Wedding Present has a gradual and progressive build up. However, since it's the first track on the album, unless you have the volume suitable loud when it starts, you find the need to contantly turn it up as the song progresses. ¥

― christoff (christoff), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 15:46 (twenty-one years ago) link

Roxy Music, "Manifesto"

TMFTML
http://intonation.blogspot.com

― TMFTML (TMFTML), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:03 (twenty-one years ago) link

Underworld 'King Of Snake'
Pet Shop Boys 'West End Girls', 'I Dont Know What You Want But I Can't Give ANymore'
Take That 'Never Forget'
Skinny 'Failure (Magitone mix)'

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:05 (twenty-one years ago) link

fushitsusha: first track of double live.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:06 (twenty-one years ago) link

Deep Purple, "Speed King" (UK album version)

Hey, I wanna know what that Pharoahe Monch sample is too!

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

Not kidding:
Stop Me if You've Think You've Heard This Before

Also:
Rock & Roll Animal version of Sweet Jane

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:14 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Wasteland" and "Beyond the Pale" by the Mission both feature histrionic intro-s that promise the slow-motion toppling-over of several gallon-drums of syruppy epricry.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

Queen 'Innuendo'

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

Murray Head 'One Night In Bangkok' (full version)

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:30 (twenty-one years ago) link

Nelly - Hot In Herre.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:31 (twenty-one years ago) link

Orbital - The Girl With The Sun In Her Head

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:31 (twenty-one years ago) link

El-P - Squeegee Man Shooting

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:32 (twenty-one years ago) link

Beck's "Novocaine" has kind of an opposite affect...the intro is very mellow and soothing, but you just KNOW it's gonna give way to something rowdy as hell.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 16:33 (twenty-one years ago) link

Moloko - Familiar Feelings

― sander, Wednesday, 29 January 2003 17:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

mekons - memphis, egypt
little richard - keep a knockin...doesn't go on that long, but, man, that drum intro!

― pauls00, Wednesday, 29 January 2003 17:55 (twenty-one years ago) link

release yo delf - method man

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN
WE FIRST CAME ON THE SCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENE.
NIGGAS WAS PETRIFIEDDDDDDDDD....

― gi66y, Wednesday, 29 January 2003 18:04 (twenty-one years ago) link

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER!!

― michael wells (michael w.), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 18:12 (twenty-one years ago) link

Jel to thread so I can hide.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 18:19 (twenty-one years ago) link

Love Will Tear Us Apart

― Ferg (Ferg), Wednesday, 29 January 2003 18:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

bombtrack, by rage against the machine.

― JOOLS, Thursday, 30 January 2003 06:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

Pink Floyd - "Time"

― Chris Barrus (xibalba), Thursday, 30 January 2003 08:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

"Little Doll" - Thin White Rope. Effin' TITANIC.

-Matt, who thinks it might not qualify anyways.

― Matt Maxwell (Matt M.), Thursday, 30 January 2003 15:11 (twenty-one years ago) link

Genesis - Firth of Fifth

― man, Thursday, 30 January 2003 15:22 (twenty-one years ago) link

De Niro by Disco Evangelists

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 30 January 2003 15:24 (twenty-one years ago) link

RE:Genesis - one word: Lamb.

― dave225 (Dave225), Thursday, 30 January 2003 15:32 (twenty-one years ago) link

David Bowie-"Width of a Circle"
Weather Girls-"It's Raining Men"
Jethro Tull-"Locomotive Breath"
Neneh Cherry-"Buffalo Stance"
Elton John-"Funeral for a Friend"/"Love Lies Bleeding"
Aerosmith-"Back in the Saddle"

Do spoken word intros count? Like Bowie's "Future Legend"/"Diamond Dogs", or Motley Crue's "In the Beginning"/"Shout at the Devil"? Or cheering crowd intros, like the Bay City Rollers' "Yesterday's Heroes" or the Sweet's "Teenage Rampage"?

― Arthur (Arthur), Thursday, 30 January 2003 16:01 (twenty-one years ago) link

The small electrical storm of feedback that flickers before the most powerful riff ever written kicks in on Pantera's 'By Demons Be Driven'.

― Roger Fascist (Roger Fascist), Thursday, 30 January 2003 16:26 (twenty-one years ago) link

Fishbone's "Black Flowers" has one of the most frighteningly heavy intros ever.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 30 January 2003 16:37 (twenty-one years ago) link

The Who -- Baba O' Riley

― jm (jtm), Friday, 31 January 2003 04:23 (twenty-one years ago) link

Iancu Dumitrescu - "Galaxy" probably owns this, really.
Beethoven - Symphony No 5

Rush - "Anthem"
Yes - "Heart Of the Sunrise"

Those two are easily the best things about their respective songs. "Anthem" might be the best intro to any album.

Def Leppard - "Women"'
Heart - "Crazy On You"
Voivod - "The Unknown Knows"
Fugazi - "Do You Like Me?"
Andrew WK - "It's Time To Party"

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Friday, 31 January 2003 04:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

Not all of those are necessarily epic builds though.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Friday, 31 January 2003 04:42 (twenty-one years ago) link

(Like, the Beethoven and Rush ones are more just giant statements.)

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Friday, 31 January 2003 04:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

snoop - what's my name
ja rule - do i do

― minna (minna), Friday, 31 January 2003 04:47 (twenty-one years ago) link

Smashing Pumpkins - "Cherub Rock"

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Friday, 31 January 2003 05:00 (twenty-one years ago) link

Deftones "Be Quiet and Drive"

― Julien S. (Julien Sandiford), Friday, 31 January 2003 06:46 (twenty-one years ago) link

Beethoven Symphony with epic intro = #9?

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Friday, 31 January 2003 07:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

Deep Purple - Lazy, from "Made in Japan"
quoting Louie, Louie in your intro ---> classic

― weatheringdaleson (weatheringdaleson), Friday, 31 January 2003 08:36 (twenty-one years ago) link

''Iancu Dumitrescu - "Galaxy" probably owns this, really''

oh yeah I forgot this. absolutely right!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Friday, 31 January 2003 11:22 (twenty-one years ago) link

Motorhead 'Ace Of Spades'

A-Ha 'The Sun Always Shines On TV'

Robbie 'Let Me Entertain You'

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 31 January 2003 12:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

Faithless 'Insomnia', 'Salva Mea'

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 31 January 2003 12:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

Smashing Pumpkins - "Cherub Rock"

This point has already been noted. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 31 January 2003 13:50 (twenty-one years ago) link

Did anyone mention My Forgotten Favourite yet?

― jm (jtm), Friday, 31 January 2003 17:56 (twenty-one years ago) link

Velocity Girl - "My Forgotten Favorite"

also on the Slumberland label, The Ropers - "You Have a Light." That band had a knack for great openings.

and for one nobody's heard, Curtain Society - "mouthwithout" ... a local (Boston) shoegazer band with a killer opening riff and powerful drum intro.

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Friday, 31 January 2003 18:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

"To Hell With Poverty" by Gang of Four

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 31 January 2003 18:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

sundar, and Paul in SC - on the Ludwig van tip, insted of (or, okey, alonside) #5 and #9, seventh symphony's 3rd movement has a helluva epic build-up, surely!

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Friday, 31 January 2003 23:29 (twenty-one years ago) link

The "Simon Says" sample is nicked from (read: "is") the theme from the 1960s Godzilla flicks.

― JS Williams (js williams), Saturday, 1 February 2003 14:16 (twenty-one years ago) link

ten years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKS4kXKkVN0

― nostormo, Monday, 16 September 2013 17:08 (ten years ago) link

Close to the Edge -- it's like you're having this relaxing day at the beach, and the electronic seagulls are gently cooing, but then you notice this speck in the distance -- a robotic surfer riding a devastating tidal wave that is getting closer and closer

― #fomo that's the motto (Hurting 2), Monday, 16 September 2013 17:27 (ten years ago) link

OTM

― EveningStar (Sund4r), Monday, 16 September 2013 17:35 (ten years ago) link

http://www.panicposters.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/f63dc5ec28f3175f8a7f615bd217eb71/p/g/pgp1405oasis.jpg

― bad bad disco (Eazy), Monday, 16 September 2013 17:44 (ten years ago) link

four years pass...

sin in my heart - siouxsie

― Week of Wonders (Ross), Tuesday, 10 October 2017 01:02 (six years ago) link

devo - gut feeling

― palko, Tuesday, 10 October 2017 17:27 (six years ago) link

Drive Like Jehu "New Math"

― JRN, Tuesday, 10 October 2017 17:43 (six years ago) link

not "Super Unison"? ;)

― andrew m., Tuesday, 10 October 2017 21:40 (six years ago) link

"Holiday in Cambodia"

― andrew m., Tuesday, 10 October 2017 21:41 (six years ago) link

does the brief Alan Parson Projecty arpegg guitar thing at the front of Simple Minds' "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" count? love that bit

― andrew m., Tuesday, 10 October 2017 21:44 (six years ago) link

A Night Like This - The Cure

― rip van wanko, Tuesday, 10 October 2017 23:08 (six years ago) link

The Flaming Lips - The Abandoned Hospital Ship

― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Tuesday, 10 October 2017 23:18 (six years ago) link

that new radicals song

― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 11 October 2017 01:43 (six years ago) link

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