by Andrew Bohardt

Created on: September 22, 2010

For die-hard fans of rock 'n' roll, the past decade was a far cry from the glory days of the 1960s or even the early 1990s. Most modern rock bands have had their sound compromised by record labels or by the lure of money, making the majority of music crossing today's radio waves complete garbage.

That said, plenty of underground bands - and a few that have reached the mainstream - have been able to stay true to themselves and put out some classic tunes. Below is my list of the Top 10 rock/metal songs of the last 10 years.

10. Spirit Caravan - Dreamwheel (1999): While unknown to the masses, Spirit Caravan frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich is an absolute underground legend, working with doom metal acts such as St. Vitus and The Obsessed. Spirit Caravan's catalog may be limited, but with an entrancing, heavy guitar riff reminiscent of Black Sabbath, Dreamwheel is a masterpiece.

9. Nirvana - You Know You're Right (2002): Although it was actually recorded in 1994 and was just a demo, Nirvana's final single - released eight years later - served as proof that grunge could have survived had Kurt Cobain not committed suicide. You Know You're Right fits perfectly with the rest of Nirvana's work.

8. The Sword - Freya (2006): Another Sabbath-inspired outfit, The Sword's debut single gave the band truckloads of credibility from the start, which helped earn it a spot on Metallica's "World Magnetic Tour." The Sword has since gained mainstream fame and is about to release its third album, entitled "Warp Riders."

7. Pantera - Revolution Is My Name (2000): Off Pantera's final studio album, Revolution Is My Name sadly was one of guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell's final classic tracks. From the screeching intro to the brutal, chugging riffs, this song stayed true to Pantera's well-known power metal sound.

6. Metallica - All Nightmare Long (2008): After disappointing many of its hardcore fans for years with lackluster albums, Metallica answered its critics in 2008 by releasing "Death Magnetic." The latest effort from the American metal gods was largely a return to their thrash metal days, and All Nightmare Long - one of the album's singles - was perhaps the greatest example of such.

5. Rage Against The Machine - Sleep Now In The Fire (1999): Fueled by a controversial music video that, when shot, ultimately forced the New York Stock Exchange to be closed early, Sleep Now In The Fire maintained the aggressive assault on American politics that RATM started back in 1992.

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