“Them Bones,” Alice in Chains

Written by guitarist Jerry Cantrell, this juggernaut of thundering, low-end guitar and bass riffage bludgeons you relentlessly about the head and body. The song’s predominate 7/8 time signature (the most dastardly of time signatures – they’ve done studies) adds to the affect of keeping you off center. Cantrell and late vocalist Layne Staley’s beautiful harmonizing is haunting beyond despair. When the song’s 4/4 chorus kicks in, the abrupt shifting of gears takes you by surprise, almost like the boys are giving you a brief respite so you can catch your breath. Then pow! Back to the darkness for more pummeling. A metal masterpiece. – Sean Patrick Dooley