Among a lot of the songs/albums I listen to, a big factor is how it ends. A perfect outro can keep me listening for a long time, but a meh or bad one can ruin an otherwise good song. So this is a simple question – what songs have the best outros?

Here are a few song examples I like. I dunno, I’m just a sucker for those guitars wailing away at the end.

Gojira – The Art of Dying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTr7bqKHvgE

Opeth – Face of Melinda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybC6iBWLZ6k

Lamb of God – Another Nail for your Coffin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcdbdLDYxUQ

At the Gates – The Night Eternal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po0idn8POlg

As for album closers, here are some more (the last two above also double as album closers).

Metallica – The Call of Ktulu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfGMinbSVI8

The Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation (Title Track)
[I couldn’t find the studio version on youtube unfortunately]

TOOL – 7empest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D2R69gVyZ0

These are some of my favorites. Any more you guys have to add? Do you feel the same way I do?

SOAD – Psycho (and Aerials)

“Brave Faces, Everyone” by Spanish Love Songs has a bridge that serves as a wonderful rally for the album as a whole:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1Mizd6nwJEc

Meanwhile, “Ender” by Dogleg has a calm, violin-led instrumental section beginning around 5:25 that beautifully closes out an otherwise quick and aggressive album:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y0H5xwaPAgU

Finally, we have one of my favorite endings to a song in “Only One” by Yellowcard, with another violin-led instrumental outro:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=D1ipuB_tcL4

…And Justice For All, the title track from Metallica’s 5th album (if you include garage days)

The outro while simple gives me goosebumps every time I listen and play it
the layers of chaotic distorted guitar chords and melodies create a beautiful sound in the chaos of this classic thrash song

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

@Metal_Mikey Wow. AJFA is my favorite album from Metallica, and I didn’t even think of putting the title track in here! Great pick.

@SayMyName23 All great! You like violin outros as much as I like the guitar outros, lol.

All great! You like violin outros as much as I like the guitar outros, lol.

@HowToMakeAHaterDisappear

Punk rock is my favorite genre of music, but I must admit I’m a sucker for strings. They’re beautiful.

Bend the Bracket by Chevelle is one of the most gorgeous atmospheric tracks I’ve ever heard. Shame the band was always written off as a formulaic radio rock band when they’re some of the most humble and talented performers I’ve ever met. Sucker for tracks that pull you in and tell a story. Same with Slipknot’s Scissors. Many people rank Iowa over S/T and as much as Iowa is a record of pure hate, S/T is the sound of a man unhinged and I find it infinitely more badass. Final track would probably be Time’s Cruel Curtain by Cattle Decapitation. Not for everybody, but it’s godlike.

Hot for Teacher – after that hilarious “OH MY GOD!” some simple yet epic shredding
Happy Home – an extensive one, that manages to be as heartwrenching as the parts with lyrics (the strings certainly help)

You know, I forgot I made this thread and I was just thinking about this again, so…bump, lol.

Death – Perennial Quest. Quite possibly one of the best outros ever, and it’s attached to one of their best songs. RIP Chuck Schuldiner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvENRRoTVg

Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams. A classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx1SPxGn-iU

My Dying Bride – Your Broken Shore. A nice string outro to finish off a great starter to their album Ghost of Orion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1jpzNoko78

Trivium – The Phalanx. The newest song on this list, coming out this year, yet its already become one of my favorites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMoOqlhC-l4

Black Sabbath – Children of the Grave. It’s not melodic or anything I usually like in an outro, but I like how chilling it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR1nZLeQl1A

Ohh, good thread. The song that came to mind was the one you said in OP, I could listen to that outro all day. I’m also gonna agree with every song ThatMetalContributor said, cause I happen to know all of them.

But now that I got Gojira on my mind, they have a couple more.

The Way Of All Flesh. A silent section starts at 6:51, symbolizing death. Then a beautiful ambient section starts at 12:33, symbolizing what lies beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzcUxTggvzc

Remembrance. Can’t forget this breakdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD9IQXxEi6s&t=203s

Grind. The outro to their new album Fortitude finishes off with a beautiful section starting at 2:39. What sticks with me the most is the bassline, which seems to quote The Chant, my favorite song from that album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A77sFIxiRQ0&t=159s