Bands bring in other artists to work on songs all the time. But few leave an impression as massive as the following songs have. We've narrowed down the field to these five songs, though we could have done a full length Top 10. We decided to keep it short and sweet.
To view our honorable mentions, and see more lists like this one, go to our Top 10/Quick Picks page via the link under the header of this page.
5) A Love like War (feat. Vic Fuentes) - All Time Low
Reissues aren't uncommon in the music industry these days. In all honesty, they're just excuses for record companies to rebrand and remarket albums. No to mention slap a bigger price tag on them, for a couple of acoustic tracks and maybe some new songs. All Time Low released this reissue of their 5th album, retitled "Don't Panic: It's Longer Now!", in 2013. With it came this single, featuring Pierce the Veil frontman Vic Fuentes. This was a match-up fan girls had been dreaming about for years. The song pairs Vic's melodic voice with All Time Low's unique brand of alt. rock. Rian Dawson gives one of his finest performances, his rhythms fueling the majority of the song. The song is slower than some of ATL's other "Don't Panic" hits like "Somewhere in Neverland" or "Backseat Serenade", but it has twice as much charisma and personality.
4) Angel Eyes (feat. Chris Motionless) - New Years Day
The dream pairing for the darker side of music. The only thing better would be Amy Lee + Chester Bennington. It's become New Years Day's signature song, and an obvious fan favorite. The song comes from a transitional period in the band's career, as they reestablished themselves as a much heavier, darker band with 2013's "Victim to Villain". The song mixes some of the band's later, more metal influences with their alt. rock stylings. It's also one of the album's more "gothic" and "eerie" songs. A light piano melody leads into the heavy guitar chugs and Ash Costello's vocals. Add Chris' to the chorus and bridge, you get a powerful love ballad. The band is like a junior Evanescence, if that isn't too bold to say.
3) Lion Skin (feat. Tyler Carter and Jonny Craig) - Hands Like Houses
Most people probably don't know this collaboration exists. The song starts off on the softer side. Then you are greeted with a knockout collab between some of post hardcore's biggest names. The starts with a classic HLH intro. Airy and building to the climax that is the chorus. The ending lines go, "Cast the sheep out of your mind. Count the wolves and we'll sleep tonight." Coupled with the pounding drums, high powered guitars and bass in the background, this a powerful arena sized chorus from the band's debut album. It remains a setlist staple, and one of the best examples of frontman Trenton Woodley's vocal range. He hits everything just right. And Carter and Craig aren't too far behind. The vocals blend seamlessly with Woodley's. For first time listeners, we doubt you would even be able to tell there were multiple vocalists, that's how well Carter and Craig's voices melding with Woodley's. 2) King for a Day (feat. Kellin Quinn) - Pierce the Veil
Pierce the Veil's lead single from their breakthrough 3rd album, "Collide with the Sky" would have been a hit regardless of guest vocals. There's "Tangled in the Great Escape (feat. Jason Butler)" and "Hold on till May (feat. Lindsey Stamey). But throw in Kellin Quinn's sweet voice on this already addictive track, and you get a definite hit. This is what all other collaborations should strive to be. Quinn isn't just brought in to do one verse, or just the bridges. He really does contribute to the song's dynamic. Being one of PTV's heavier songs, it opens with a quieter lead guitar melody before blasting the listener with Vic and Kellin's unclean vocals (which aren't too unclean for new listeners). The song is a whirlwind of emotions, dynamic ups and downs in sound, and spot on performances from every member of the band. It's the PTV's signature for a reason.
1) Bring Me to Life (feat. Paul McCoy) - Evanescence
Ya, you weren't expecting this to be on the top were you? It's been almost 13 years since this song was initially released. The only good thing that came from the "Daredevil" movie. Explanation for this song's inclusion on this list? Do we need one? Come on, this song is the SHIT. Amy Lee's voice is in a league its own. The duet between her and guest vocalist Paul McCoy isn't unlike the dual vocals utilized by Linkin Park or Issues. Hitting the high notes before the chorus charges through with a gut wrenching performance from both singers. It's not quite rap rock or nu metal, but it's close enough. And it's one of the few songs from the genre that mainstream has accepted.