Most Influential Heavy Metal Records
In my opinion these records were extreme influential. |
| 1 |  | Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Their first 6 records were extreme influential. I pick the first for obvious reasons |
| 2 |  | Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
All their records up to Sabotage are Heavy Metal crucial landmarks. I choose also
their first because the title track is in my opinion probably the first real Heavy
Metal song. |
| 3 |  | Deep Purple
Machine Head
The previous is also important however Machine Head is, in my opinion, their best
record. Includes 2 amazing and influential songs: Highway Star and Smoke on the
Water, with probably the most popular riff in rock. |
| 4 | | Alice Cooper
School's Out
Alice introduced horror imagery to rock and he?s probably the grandfather of
glam (with Kiss and Hanoi Rocks). His early albums influenced hundred of US
bands like KISS or W.A.S.P. I choose School?s Out because it?s probably his
popular album (with Billion Dollar Babies) |
| 5 |  | Kiss
Destroyer
Alice introduce the imagery but Kiss took the concept even higher. Their make-ups,
dress code and live performances are legendary and changed the rock scene all over
the world. I pick Destroyer because it?s probably their influential record. |
| 6 |  | Judas Priest
Stained Class
Black Sabbath created the tune and concept but Priest, in my opinion, shaped the
sound. All their records of the first era (except Rocka Rolla) are extreme influential.
I pick Stained Class because it?s my favourite record of that era |
| 7 |  | Motorhead
Ace of Spades
To be honest I?m not a fan of this band however their speed punk rock fusion
influenced bands like Venom, Metallica, Megadeth or Bathory. Ace of Spades is
probably their best record |
| 8 |  | Van Halen
Van Halen
Eddie and his tapping technique amazed the world. Eruption was an inspiration
to hundred of young guitar players. Their sound influenced almost all the
Glam&Heavy Metal US bands of the early 80?s. Their first and 1984 are their
best albums |
| 9 |  | Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
NWOBHM at its finest. In my opinion this band and this record were a landmark
that shaped the 80?s. Even if some don?t admit this album influenced bands like
Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Helloween, Savatage,....and the
list goes on and on.... |
| 10 |  | Motley Crue
Too Fast for Love
Never was into Glam but this band and specially their first two records were
influential to the LA scene of the mid 80?s. |
| 11 |  | Venom
Welcome to Hell
Like Motorhead or Motley Crue I never was a fan of this band, however their
first two records were essential to all extreme metal. Their second album named
a subgenre but I pick their first for obvious reasons. |
| 12 |  | Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Their first LP is usually considered more influential, but in my opinion their
previous EP was an even major influence to the underground scene. Just ask
Metallica or Exodus. ?Doomed by the Living Dead? in my opinion had a strong
influence on Slayer?s Show No Mercy |
| 13 | | Metallica
Kill 'Em All
Need to say anything? The first Thrash Metal record ever made (months before
Slayer?s debut). Their first 4 record are absolute classics. I pick the first one for
obvious reasons |
| 14 |  | Slayer
Show No Mercy
Metallica come first but songs like Evil Has No Boundaries, Antichrist, Show No
Mercy or Black Magic are Thrash templates. Their first 3 records influenced all the
underground scene but their debut definitely deserves to be here. |
| 15 |  | Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Not 100% Metal I know, but songs like Institutionalized influenced the
Hardcore/Crossover Thrash scene. |
| 16 |  | Yngwie Malmsteen
Rising Force
His amazing Neo Classical technique influenced thousands of young guitar players
like Tony Macalpine, John Norum or Chris Impellitteri. His debut is definitely a
masterpiece. |
| 17 |  | Bathory
Bathory
Venom created the concept and the imagery but Quorthon invented the Black
Metal rough sound. Their third album is probably the most influential but I
choose the first one to include here. |
| 18 |  | Celtic Frost
To Mega Therion
Death-Metal? Thrash-Metal? Black-Metal? Avant-Garde? Who knows...I never
quite liked Celtic Frost but these guys were a huge influence to all extreme
underground scene. Just ask Sepultura, Obituary or Napalm Death |
| 19 |  | Possessed
Seven Churches
This Bay Area very young band made, in my opinion, the first Death Metal record,
so I believe they deserve to be here |
| 20 | | Megadeth
Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
Mustaine is already on the list with Kill?Em All but I believe this record also deserve
to be mentioned. Mustaine?s unique songs, lyrics and guitar riffs were a huge
influence to thousands of bands |
| 21 |  | Candlemass
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
I know Saint Vitus or Trouble were around before but in my opinion Epicus
Doomicus Metallicus somehow reinvented the genre (at least in Europe) |
| 22 |  | Anthrax
Among the Living
The previous is also an influential Thrash Classic but Among The Living was an
inspiration to thousands of bands around the world |
| 23 |  | Death
Scream Bloody Gore
Possessed made it first however it was Chuck Schuldiner that shaped the genre
(with Morbid Angel) |
| 24 |  | Helloween
Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. 1
This record is probably the first Power Metal album. The Keepers were a strong
influence to many bands of the 90?s like Stratovarius or Hammerfall |
| 25 |  | Napalm Death
Scum
I?m probably not being fair with Repulsion. But when you thought Extreme or
Grind Core in the 80?s you thought Napalm Death, and Scum is probably their
classic record |
| 26 |  | Sepultura
Beneath the Remains
Arise and Chaos A.D. are probably more influential but Beneath the Remains was
their turning point into something new. The only band that everybody thought
could face Slayer in the eyes (Somewhere around 90/95). Huge influence to Nu
Metal (Machine Head or Korn) |
| 27 |  | Morbid Angel
Altars of Madness
Essential and definitely influential album. This record was a template for
thousands of Death Metal bands around the world |
| 28 |  | Pantera
Cowboys from Hell
Cowboys from Hell practically invented Groove Metal. Influential to all Nu Metal
scene of the 90?s |
| 29 |  | Paradise Lost
Icon
Influential record for all Gothic bands (specially in Europe) |
| 30 |  | Darkthrone
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Never was a fan of the Scandinavian ?Inner circle? Black Metal bands. But this
record was extreme influential to the 2 wave. |
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