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Author Topic: The Heavy Metal Albums That Everyone Should Hear  (Read 5006 times)
Jason
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« on: March 30, 2007, 09:54:05 PM »

In alphabetical order.

Le Secret by Alcest.

We start off our countdown with what is arguably the greatest EP ever released in heavy metal. French Alcest (a one-man band) plays black metal that calls forth the bleakness of winter. Called metal by many, more in common with post-punk in the guitar style. The vocals are almost lullabies. If the title track doesn't move you, you don't know music.

Blood Fire Death by Bathory.

Sweden's Bathory are remembered today for being the godfathers (or godfather) of so-called "Viking metal", as in metal with songs telling tales of the Viking past. Bathory main man Quorthon never did better than he did here. More epic than the grandiose progressive rock albums of the 1970s. "A Fine Day To Die" is a classic of European heavy metal.

The Oath Of Black Blood by Beherit.

Beherit is remembered today as the first band from Finland to play black metal. This release features the noise-mongers in their most brash and uncompromising form. If you ever wanted to know what it felt like to get a punch in the face by your music, listen to "Metal Of Death" and be amazed. You'll never look at music the same way ever again.

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath.

Whether or not this was the first heavy metal album is unknown, but this one deserved its legendary status. No-one in 1970 England (or anywhere else, for that matter) was making music like this at all, with such a negative vibe. The title track stays with you, and Ozzy Osbourne isn't the madman he would become. "WHAT IS THIS...THAT STANDS BEFORE ME?!?"

Hvis Lyset Tar Oss by Burzum.

Black metal demigod and imprisoned murderer Varg Vikernes heads Burzum, arguably the most notorious band in Norwegian metal. Vikernes constructs his songs in the same manner of ambient soundscapes, where guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards drone for long periods, only varying slightly throughout. "Tomhet" is completely ambient, and is one of the best examples of ambient music ever created. This one will stay with you.

Epicus Doomicus Metallicus by Candlemass.

Emerging from the rather dreamy pop-dominated landscape of Sweden in 1986, Candlemass pioneered the genre of doom metal (although Black Sabbath played virtually the same way). Music that evokes images of ancient medieval castles and demons in a war against humanity. Johan Langquist was the singer here (his only album with the band), and he was one of the best to ever emerge in heavy metal.

Morbid Tales/Emperor's Return by Celtic Frost.

From literally the middle of nowhere in Europe (Switzerland to be exact), Celtic Frost face-punched the word "hello" on everyone's forehead when this one dropped in 1984. Frost main man Tom G. Warrior (ok, it WAS 1984) had arguably the heaviest guitar tone ever in metal, and is regarded by many musicians and fans as Tony Iommi's true successor. If you don't like this, you will never understand metal.

Something Wild by Children of Bodom.

Finland spent much of the 1990s with bands lapsing into obscurity until Children of Bodom rolled along in 1997. Before commercial success and MTV fanboys came to them, they were one of the most technical bands on the planet. This was their first, and arguably most powerful album. However much commercial success comes to them will matter little in the end, because Alexi Laiho is still the greatest guitarist in heavy metal today (listen to "Red Light In My Eyes Part II for several quotes from classical music).

Focus by Cynic.

Progressive metal came about in the 1980s with bands like Dream Theater and Atheist as the main progenitors, but Cynic took progressive metal to its logical conclusion. Difficult time signatures, fusion-inspired solos, and electronic vocals abound. Criminally unappreciated at the time, now a classic. The best release of 1993.

Human by Death.

Death mastermind Chuck Schuldiner will always be remembered as the father of death metal, but on this one he skips the gore-related lyrics of the first three Death albums in exchange for philosophical and thoughtful lyrics. Read the lyrics to this one, they will impress you. Heavy metal isn't all about dumb ideas.

Deicide by Deicide.

Yeah, yeah, it's hard to escape the inevitable Satanism that began to pervade heavy metal, but Florida's Deicide were something quite different in 1990. This album looks, sounds, and FEELS evil all over the place, from the horrible production, the eerie riffage, and Glen Benton's inhuman vocal performance. A true classic, if you can ignore the lyrics. Listen to the guitar solos.

For All Tid by Dimmu Borgir.

Black metal was always an uncompromising music, but these Norwegian guys decided to add a whole lot of symphonic tendencies (read: keyboards, keyboards, and more keyboards) to the music, resulting in classically-inspired metal. "Det Nye Riket" is a haunting opener, and the title track is one of the best songs ever written, period.

In The Nightside Eclipse by Emperor.

Norwegian black metal was mostly ignored by the critics in the early 1990s, and was actually the recipient of more tabloid gossip. When Emperor came along in 1994, they made Norwegian black metal into an artform and a viable genre of music. Not so much an album as it is a trip to Norway during the ancient times of winter (it will make YOU feel cold when you listen to it, too).

Awaking The Centuries by Haggard.

As progressive metal evolved in the 1990s, bands began to add real classical influences to their music, and Germany's Haggard took classical metal to its logical conclusion. Nineteen people contributed to this album, and only three of the musicians were playing metal instruments. Lots of choirs, orchestral music, and folky atmospheres. More pretentious than a Yes album, but arguably more enjoyable.

Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz by Impaled Nazarene.

Funny, blasphemous name aside, these Finnish weirdos (well, maybe just the "singer") knocked Beherit off the Finnish black metal throne in 1992 with this one. Not exactly "serious" music, but a whole lot of fun. A few songs: "Goat Perversion", "The God (Symmetry of Penis)".

Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest.

Like all great bands, Black Sabbath eventually began to suck. Then Judas Priest rolled along and basically created the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with this one. Riffs, riffs, and more riffs abound here, and Rob Halford states his claim as the 1970s' most ballsy vocalist.

Abigail by King Diamond.

As heavy metal evolved, it eventually became a real artform, one which musicians tried to take to a new level. With this album, Danish god, Mercyful Fate frontman, and five-octave vocal range singer (eat that, Brian Wilson) King Diamond created arguably the first concept album in metal. Ok, so tales of witches were passe years ago, but the King makes this one work, if only by his incredibly vivid performance. You'll run for the hills when you hear his falsetto.

Gloom by Macabre.

Heavy metal bands beyond a select few always liked to be taken really, really seriously. Macabre was arguably the first "comedy" band in heavy metal. This Chicago trio (Nefarious, Corporate Death, and Dennis the Menace are the members) sings predominantly about serial killers and other deprativities, and take no prisoners in the process. No low is low enough for these guys. The vocals are hilarious.

De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas by Mayhem.

The "other" most notorious band in Norwegian metal, Mayhem are called the godfathers of black metal. This, their first album (ten years after they formed) is a black metal classic, and every song is killer. This lineup only existed for this album, as soon afterwards, guitarist Euronymous was murdered by bassist (and Burzum protagonist) Varg Vikernes. The vocals are some of the most twisted ramblings you'll ever hear.

Master of Puppets by Metallica.

They've sucked for well over a decade, but at one time, Metallica owned all that was heavy metal. This is their finest release, a classic of thrash metal, and a favourite on the radio. A contender for greatest heavy metal album ever. "Battery" rocks and "Damage, Inc." rules. Kirk Hammett shreds on the guitar here.

Bavarian Metal by Morke.

As black metal evolved throughout the 1990s, a true blue CULT of musicians decided to implement National Socialist politics into their lyrics. Ok, so preaching aside, National Socialism still sucks, but Morke succeeds, if only for shock value alone. Think Jim Morrison with a THICK German accent and a shitload of booze and uppers in his system and you have an idea how the vocals sound. This dude might very well have been possessed.

Scum by Napalm Death.

In the 1980s, if you wanted politics in your music, you listened to hardcore punk. Until Napalm Death came along, that is. This band of UK freaks evolved from hardcore punk into a sound that they called grindcore. Unintelligble vocals, 1987's fastest drumming, twenty-eight songs, and thirty-three minutes later, you have witnessed real musical mayhem. "You Suffer" is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the shortest song ever recorded (one second).

Goat Horns by Nokturnal Mortum.

As communism fell in Eastern Europe and Russia, metal bands sprung up like wildfire. The Ukraine's Nokturnal Mortum play folk-influenced black metal, heavy on the keyboards and Ukranian folk instruments. Pretension aside, in 1997, this stuff was unprecedented. Listen to "Unholy Orathania".

Ghost Reveries by Opeth.

Sweden's Opeth came about at a time when progressive metal was at a standstill, before the orchestral tendencies flowed into the music. This, their eighth album, is arguably their finest, with some of the best riffs in the history of the music. Vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt alternates from a bear growl to a lullaby voice like it's no-one's business here. Dig the MELLOTRONS on the album.

Rebel Meets Rebel by Rebel Meets Rebel.

Ok, so Pantera basically created dirty southern metal in the early 1990s. But Rebel Meets Rebel asks us a new question: "what if someone mixed country music with metal?". So the musicians from Pantera teamed up with outlaw country hick David Allan Coe for this one-off, arguably the first country metal album. You, too, will think Coe is a badass here.

In The Sign Of Evil by Sodom.

In 1984, if you asked a hardcore metalhead what the most extreme band was in the music, they would say Venom. Yeah, at least until Germany's Sodom came along with this freakin' ugly black metal EP. As was the norm in the mid-80s extreme metal scene, the members of Sodom took rather funny names (bassist/vocalist Tom Angelripper, guitarist Grave Violator, and drummer Witchhunter) and played faster and harder than anyone else had at the time. Metal is by far the most evil-sounding when the vocalist has a thick German accent.

Theli by Therion.

Here we have the godfathers of pretentious, symphonic, choir-based Swedish metal. In 1996, this stuff was never before heard in heavy metal, and still sounds fresh today. If this was unbelievable in 1996, Therion only became more pretentious (their 2004 double LP featured 170 musicians and singers). "To Mega Therion" is like Trans-Siberian Orchestra, only better.

Black Metal by Venom.

In the desolate landscape of the early 1980s United Kingdom, if you asked people what the scariest band was in the music, they'd say Iron Maiden. Then Venom came along in 1981 and unleashed this collection of blasphemy in 1982. An album of evil anthems now, a notorious room-clearer in 1982, and heavy metal classic today. You want to know where extreme metal came from? Listen to this.
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MBE
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« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2007, 03:09:40 AM »

Not a metal fan per se but always have like Ozzy and Sabbath. The first one is the best, very bluesy with a touch of jazz. The difference to me between Ozzy and other metal group to me is that he really has a great rock and roll voice in the tradition of a Steve Marriott, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltry. He doesn't scream, and can handle a ballad quite well.
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matt-zeus
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« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2007, 04:07:01 AM »

I can't get into Ozzys solo stuff but love Sabbath unconditionally probably up to 1983s Born Again. I even love slagged off albums like Never Say Die and Technical Ecstacy which are full of great songwriting, riffs and production though not as heavy as the first few. The Dio albums too kick ass, I hope to get to see the reformed lineup this year! Smiley
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MBE
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« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2007, 05:04:57 AM »

They were great with at ozzfest seeing the originals. Never got into the dio stuff, but I do like Technical a lot. I like some of Ozzy solo, the stuff with Randy is great. I also like a few of his late 80s early 90's things with Zach Wylde. There is a lot more filler on his solo stuff though the mid 80s LP's were terrible overall. So Tired is a good song though.
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halblaineisgood
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« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2007, 05:51:19 AM »

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
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Big Bri
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« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2007, 10:27:09 AM »

"No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith"- Motorhead
"Killer's-  Iron Maiden
"Number Of The Beast"-Iron Maiden
"Unleashed In The East- Judas Priest
"Them"-  King Diamond
"Conspiracy"- King Diamond

Big Bri
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Sheriff John Stone
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« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2007, 12:35:17 PM »

Just wanted to remind all Ozzy fans that he is appearing on VH1 Rock Honors on Thursday night, 5/24/07 at 9:00 PM. It will undoubtedly be rerun several times after that.

I'm a fan of Blue Oyster Cult, especially their early years. Their first four albums were excellent:

1, Blue Oyster Cult
2. Tyranny And Mutation
3. Secret Treaties
4. On Your Feet Or On Your Knees (live album)

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Mahalo
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« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2007, 12:35:37 PM »

Anyone hear,

   108    Songs of Seperation                 HuhHuh
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the captain
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« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2007, 01:41:43 PM »

You know, if a person is inclusive in his definiton of metal to include what the public often called metal (but what is really pop-metal), KISS' mid-70s albums probably deserve to be heard. I can't imagine being 12-15 and not having my Alive / Destroyer / Love Gun phase. Those are really hooky, well-produced albums.

(I realize that if you are using the term metal to mean metal, those albums don't fit the description.)
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« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2007, 02:06:54 PM »

You know, if a person is inclusive in his definiton of metal to include what the public often called metal (but what is really pop-metal), KISS' mid-70s albums probably deserve to be heard. I can't imagine being 12-15 and not having my Alive / Destroyer / Love Gun phase. Those are really hooky, well-produced albums.

I was there to hear 'em in the mid-70's, and they absolutely deserve to be heard. And I'll add Kiss' first album, Hotter Than Hell, and Dressed To Kill to the list.

I don't want to throw the thread off-track, but has anybody been watching the TV show, Gene Simmons' Family Jewels. I think it's a riot!
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Big Bri
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« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2007, 04:37:11 AM »

Sheriiff,
   Yeah,I've been watching "Family Jewels" and Gene is one money hungry Jew!  LOL  I say that with much humor so as not to offend.
   He looks like a China man since his face-lift.His kids are really cool and I love the way they parody their father.
BTW,Gene sucked at "Boot Camp".

I would add "KISS Alive" and "Rock and Roll Over" to that list of Metal albums.
Also "British Steel" by Judas Priest.

Big Bri
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