The Top 10 Most Influential Hard Rock & Metal Albums of the 1980s
Heavy metal music exploded in popularity during the 1980s as bands like AC/DC, Metallica, Iron Maiden and Guns N’ Roses became household names thanks to MTV, radio airplay and constant touring. Many of these bands are among the biggest rock acts in the world, and their influence on on other bands and the music industry as a whole is certainly immense. So here are our top 10 most important and influential albums of the 1980s – note this is not a list of what we consider the “best” albums, but certainly the most pivotal.
10. Operation: Mindcrime - Queensryche, 1988
Queensryche’s seminal concept album, released in May 1988, is their third record and the one that put the Seattle art rockers on the metal map in big way. A timeless testament that’s aggressive and melodic, hard hitting and intelligent, Operation: Mindcrime continues to remain relevant musically and even politically. "Progressive Metal” may not even exist today had it not been for Tate and DeGarmo putting their balls on the line and birthing the first heavy metal concept record. Bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Power of Omens were all influenced by Mindcrime.
9. The Real Thing - Faith No More, 1989
Faith No More’s third album burst onto the scene in June, 1989, spearheaded by the breakout hit single ‘Epic’. One part funk, one part rap and two parts heavy metal, Mike Patton’s first record with this Bay Area outfit is a positively infectious salvo of killer heavy rock, worlds away from the chart-topping pop metal sounds of the Sunset Strip. With crunchy guitars and stellar production from Matt Wallace, The Real Thing influenced Nu Metal bands like Limp Bizkit and Korn. Nirvana, Metallica, Slipknot and Guns N’ Roses were also impacted by this stellar record.
8. Nothing’s Shocking – Jane’s Addiction, 1988
While all other Sunset Strip bands were busy spraying too much Aqua-Net onto their scalps, Jane’s Addiction crafted a major label debut that is both beautifully trippy and hypnotically epic. It’s the only album from the era that washes over you like the Pacific Ocean lapping the shores of Venice Beach. Produced by the legendary Dave Jerden and lead vocalist Perry Ferrell, Nothing’s Shocking combines uber heavy guitar with the swirls and trippy echoes of Ferrell’s soaring vocals. Cross Pink Floyd with Metallica and you get Nothing’s Shocking, a record that has more than stood the test of time and influenced the likes of Rage Against The Machine, while helping spawn the Alt Metal genre.
7. . . . And Justice For All – Metallica, 1988
It is utterly unpredictable and insane that this collection of sprawling progressive-metal epics (complete with one of the worst mixes in history) made such an impact. Make no mistake, this album marks the EXACT moment heavy metal went mainstream. The album shipped platinum, and with the subsequent release of the “One” video, Metallica became a household name, setting the stage for their impending world domination. Justice marks the end of Metallica’s “early days” as they would go on to record the Black Album, and eventually become the biggest band in modern rock and roll. While dozens of bands drew inspiration from Justice, fans are still waiting for an official remix with the bass turned up.
6. Back in Black – AC/DC, 1980
Some will argue the Aussie rockers’ tour de force doesn’t belong on this list; however, Back in Black was the blueprint for a host of bands like Jackyl, Airborne, and pretty much every three-chord rock band to follow. Masterfully produced by Mutt Lange, who recommended Brian Johnson as a replacement for the late, great Bon Scott, this album sounds as good today as it did when it was released on July 21, 1980. Demolishing all odds with a new singer, the record is rock solid and a career defining piece of work for AC/DC.
5. Reign in Blood – Slayer, 1986
Slayer’s ageless major-label debut is one of the best albums of the 1980s and one of the most influential with a host of bands. With the guidance of producer Rick Rubin, Reign in Blood is a 10-song, 28-minute manifesto of thrash metal that’s both brutal and uncompromising. Cannibal Corpse, Slipknot, Lamb of God, Pantera and bands like System of a Down, all were influenced by the thrash mastery of Reign in Blood. Suffice it to say Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo, with help from Rubin, created the ultimate thrash album that stands as the definitive piece of work from the genre.
4. Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden, 1980
Maiden’s raw self-titled debut, released in April 1980, cross-pollenated punk aggression with metallic riffs, resulting in a record that would hold sway with bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. At the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden literally explodes out of the speakers with its twin guitar harmonies, complex 70s-prog inspired arrangements, and plenty of punk attitude. There are more than a few classic albums in Maiden’s discography, but this is the one that started it all – the beginning of the modern heavy metal and thrash movement.
3. Pyromania – Def Leppard, 1983
Some might question its inclusion here, but this 10-million selling record paved the way for pretty much every 80s hair band that ever got on the radio. Pyromania is so much more than your typical album from that period. Built for radio, brick by brick, by producer Mutt Lange, with razor sharp guitars, space age drums, and killer hooks, Pyromania planted modern hard rock firmly into heavy radio rotation and on MTV and MuchMusic. “Photograph”, “Rock of Ages” and “Foolin” all enjoyed plenty of airtime.
2. Kill ‘Em All – Metallica, 1983
Our No. 2 album won’t surprise anyone, as Kill ‘ Em All is the record that put American thrash metal on the map. Taking inspiration from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the like of Motorhead and the Misfits, Metallica’s debut is a furious assault that showcases tight riffs, bombastic bass, and fast tempos. So many thrash metal bands were directly influenced by Kill ‘Em All, which is also the foundation for many thrash sub-genres that followed. We all know James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and the late Cliff Burton certainly knew what they were doing as they crafted an album for the ages.
1. Appetite For Destruction – Guns N’ Roses, 1987
Our consensus pick at No. 1, Appetite For Destruction is pure snarling Sunset-Strip street rock, loaded with timeless songs that single handedly swat away the sugary-pop poofters and wanna-be bad boys of the mid-80s. It's the explosive sound of five misfits coming together in Hollywood, fusing the swagger of Aerosmith with punk-rock’s “who gives a fuck” attitude. Appetite marked a turning point in the hard rock world as hair metal died shortly thereafter and grunge lumbered its way onto the mainstream music scene in the late 80s and early 1990s. You could say Appetite For Destruction is the very embodiment of hard rock/heavy metal in the 1980s .
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