Bard Heavy Metal Spell List

 

Bard Cantrips

Spell	Heavy-Metal Song	Rationale
Blade Ward	“Run to the Hills” – Iron Maiden	A defensive anthem about surviving against impossible odds.
Dancing Lights	“Rainbow in the Dark” – Dio	Ethereal, glowing imagery with mystical defiance.
Friends	“You've Got Another Thing Comin’” – Judas Priest	Charismatic persuasion through bravado and swagger.
Mage Hand	“Master of Puppets” – Metallica	Manipulation embodied — unseen hands pulling strings.
Minor Illusion	“Smoke and Mirrors” – Symphony X	Illusions and deception as art forms.
Prestidigitation	“The Trooper” – Iron Maiden	Flashy, theatrical flair in every gesture.
Vicious Mockery	“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Twisted Sister	Verbal rebellion as a weapon.

1st-Level Spells

Spell	Song	Why
Charm Person	“Poison” – Alice Cooper	Dangerous allure wrapped in charisma.
Cure Wounds	“Heaven Can Wait” – Iron Maiden	Defying death and pulling others back from the brink.
Detect Magic	“Electric Eye” – Judas Priest	Seeing beyond mortal sight through arcane sensors.
Disguise Self	“I Wanna Be Somebody” – W.A.S.P.	Reinvention and glam theatrics.
Faerie Fire	“Holy Diver” – Dio	Luminous righteousness amidst darkness.
Healing Word	“Hallowed Be Thy Name” – Iron Maiden	Power in a single invocation.
Heroism	“Stand Up and Shout” – Dio	Inspiring others through raw conviction.
Sleep	“Enter Sandman” – Metallica	Dreamlike and sinister lullaby.
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter	“Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne	Insanity as an unstoppable force.
Thunderwave	“For Whom the Bell Tolls” – Metallica	Rolling, concussive power.

2nd-Level Spells

Spell	Song	Why
Calm Emotions	“Silent Lucidity” – Queensrÿche	A dreamlike peace in chaos.
Cloud of Daggers	“Painkiller” – Judas Priest	Razor-sharp fury turned into sound.
Crown of Madness	“Am I Evil?” – Diamond Head / Metallica	The corruption of command.
Detect Thoughts	“Voices” – Disturbed	Hearing whispers from the mind.
Enhance Ability	“Fuel” – Metallica	Supercharged will and body.
Heat Metal	“Burn” – Deep Purple	Literal fiery fury through metal.
Invisibility	“Fade to Black” – Metallica	Fading into emotional and physical shadow.
Knock	“Breaking the Law” – Judas Priest	Kicking open what’s closed.
Lesser Restoration	“Nothing Else Matters” – Metallica	Healing through devotion.
Suggestion	“The Number of the Beast” – Iron Maiden	The devil’s whisper guiding minds.

3rd-Level Spells

Spell	Song	Why
Dispel Magic	“Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” – Megadeth	Banish the false; reveal the real.
Fear	“Raining Blood” – Slayer	Terror incarnate.
Glyph of Warding	“Ride the Lightning” – Metallica	Trapped energy waiting to explode.
Hypnotic Pattern	“The Beautiful People” – Marilyn Manson	Entrancing and grotesque display.
Leomund’s Tiny Hut	“Sanctuary” – Iron Maiden	Finding refuge from a hostile world.
Major Image	“The Illusionist” – Scar Symmetry	Crafting perfect falsehoods.
Sending	“Call of Ktulu” – Metallica (instrumental)	Psychic communication across distance.
Tongues	“Shout at the Devil” – Mötley Crüe	Universal expression through sound.

4th-Level Spells

Spell	Song	Why
Compulsion	“Symphony of Destruction” – Megadeth	Control through rhythm and manipulation.
Dimension Door	“Through the Fire and Flames” – DragonForce	Sudden traversal through chaos.
Greater Invisibility	“Invisible Kid” – Metallica	Hidden anguish and unseen power.
Polymorph	“Metamorphosis” – Trivium	Shifting self and form.
Freedom of Movement	“Breaking the Chains” – Dokken	Liberation and defiance.

5th-Level Spells

Spell	Song	Why
Animate Objects	“Metal Gods” – Judas Priest	Machines and tools awaken in rhythm.
Greater Restoration	“Resurrection” – Halford	Divine rebirth through power.
Hold Monster	“Caught in a Mosh” – Anthrax	Frenzied paralysis in chaos.
Mass Cure Wounds	“Heal the World” – (metal cover by Leo Moracchioli)	Collective salvation in sound.
Mislead	“Two Faced” – Slipknot	Deceptive duality.
Modify Memory	“Remember Tomorrow” – Iron Maiden	Rewriting the past through emotion.
Raise Dead	“Resurrection” – Halford (again fits perfectly)	Rising from death through sheer will.
Seeming	“Mirror Mirror” – Blind Guardian	False reflections and truth.

6th–9th-Level Highlights

Spell	Song	Why
Eyebite (6th)	“Eyes of a Stranger” – Queensrÿche	Gaze that pierces the soul.
Mass Suggestion (6th)	“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – (Lords of the New Church metal cover)	Charismatic mass control.
Otto’s Irresistible Dance (6th)	“Balls to the Wall” – Accept	Relentless rhythm possession.
Regenerate (7th)	“Rebirthing” – Skillet	Power of restoration and faith.
Mirage Arcane (7th)	“Dream Theater – Pull Me Under”	Reality twisted by artistry.
Power Word Heal (9th)	“The Spirit Carries On” – Dream Theater	Healing transcendence.
Power Word Kill (9th)	“One” – Metallica	Death uttered in a single line.
True Polymorph (9th)	“Becoming” – Pantera	Transformation as domination.
Foresight (9th)	“Prophecy” – Judas Priest	Seeing destiny unfold.