Top 20 Best Metal Albums of The 1980's
This is a list of my top 20 favourite metal albums of the 1980's. It includes one to three albums of each band that appears on the list already.
Though my list features Seasons in the Abyss witch was released in 1990, I class it as 1989 due to the date of the recording sessions. |
| 1 |  | Slayer
Seasons in the Abyss
One of the most successful and critically acclaimed releases of the 1980's, Seasons in the Abyss means a lot to me. Its memorable and catchy moments and its aggressive but melodic (in some ways) vocals from Tom Araya.
This album is classic from start to finish. A highly anticipated thrash metal masterpiece. |
| 2 |  | Metallica
Master of Puppets
The classic 1986 thrash metal gem, re-released and remastered several times, Master of Puppets is a fierce, fresh, raw and original album with a perfect production and jam-filled with catchy tunes, and solidness throughout. |
| 3 |  | Destruction
Eternal Devastation
My all-time favourite album to be released from the German scene, Eternal Devastation has always been one of my all-time favourite metal albums.
As the original LP sticker says "A thrash metal masterpiece for a true speed metal fan." |
| 4 |  | Death
Scream Bloody Gore
My favourite death metal album of all-time, Scream Bloody Gore was probably the most memorable, and is the most important release in death metal history.
Released in May 1987, the album featured drummer Chris Reifert (who currently is in the doom / death metal band Autopsy) and is important for Chuck Schuldiner's debut album!
R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner! |
| 5 |  | Sodom
Agent Orange
The third full-length studio album released by German thrash metal gods Sodom, Agent Orange had to be in my top five! With a perfect production, crustal-clear sound and talented playing, Agent Orange is another important album. It was Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik's final Sodom album before joining Kreator in 1990. |
| 6 |  | Megadeth
Rust in Peace
After leaving Metallica, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine formed a new band titled Megadeth. After three albums, Megadeth released their most successful and famous release to date, Rust in Peace.
Released in 1990, the release was probably the band's last best album. Another highly recommended album. |
| 7 |  | Venom
Black Metal
Ah yes! The early 1980's... That was when the New Wave of British Heavy Metal had started becoming popular. Then Venom came along and started the genre titled BLACK METAL.
After a successful debut release, Venom decided to name their second full-length after the genre's name witch was Black Metal.
One of my favourite albums in the 80's era and my all-time favourite Black Metal album. |
| 8 |  | Kreator
Terrible Certainty
Released by Noise Records in 1987, Terrible Certainty was the first studio release to contain Guitarist Jorg "Tritze" Trzebiatowski. Probably my favourite Kreator release, I must admit though I also love the first two Kreator releases, it is hard for me to choose witch one so later on in this list I will add another Kreator album... |
| 9 |  | Celtic Frost
Morbid Tales
The classic 1984 debut album from Swiss black metal band Celtic Frost, featuring my favourite CF song "Dethroned Emperor" as well as other memorable hits like "Into the Crypts of Rays", "Procreation of the Wicked", "Return of the Eve" among others.
One of my all-time favourite albums and a highly recommended album for those who are new to the black metal genre. |
| 10 |  | Judas Priest
Screaming for Vengeance
Released in July 1982, heavy metal band Judas Priest made one hell of an album! With the classic sound-quality on later Priest records such as 1990's 'Painkiller' and the early sounds of albums like Priest's 'Killing Machine' album from 1978, Screaming for Vengeance is full of classic Iron Maiden: Somewhere in Time-based vocals and classic guitar leads.
A classic heavy metal favourite! |
| 11 |  | Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
Another heavy metal release, The Number of the Beast features some of the best production sound quality ever made, with songs like the chilling "Children of the Damned" and the heavy performances of "The Prisoner", "22 Acacia Avenue" and the classic title-track.
The Number of the Beast is a fun and wild heavy metal performance! |
| 12 |  | Metallica
Ride the Lightning |
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