10 Darkest Rock Music Masterpieces

Led by the irrepressible George Clinton, Funkadelic (sometimes known as Parliament, or Parliament-Funkadelic) laid down the gold standard for psychedelic funk-rock during the 1970s. Featuring the mercurial talent of guitarist Eddie Hazel, plus a rotating line-up of always-excellent players, Clinton and co constructed a unique and outlandish, groove-laden galaxy of mother-ships, extravagant stage-shows and far-out, theatrical costumes.

Extended jams were bread and butter to these funk-masters but, amongst their sizeable discography, nothing quite comes close to the grand weirdness of Maggot Brain. This ten-minute masterpiece, taken from the band's 1971 album of the same name, has become a part of rock-mythology.

Partly this is due to Clinton's famous exhortation to Eddie Hazel to “play like his mother had died.” Then too, there is the uncorroborated rumour that the song's title references Clinton's gruesome discovery of his brother's dead and decomposed body. Whatever the truth, Maggot Brain deservedly tops this list, thanks both to its deep melancholy and its artistic worth.