Bathory – Under The Sign Of The Black Mark Death left an incredible legacy in the genre, and this was their auspicious beginning. It helped establish the genre’s sonic framework of brutality and extremity, a raw sounding album with gory song titles like “Mutilation,” “Regurgitated Guts” and “Baptized In Blood.” It was just Chuck Schuldiner and Chris Reifert on this album, with Schuldiner the only constant throughout many lineup changes to come. After issuing numerous demos, creating a buzz among tape traders, Death emerged with their debut Scream Bloody Gore, one of the first death metal albums. While thrash was thriving in the mid-’80s, death metal was making a mark in the latter part of the decade, especially in places like Florida. Brownstone.” It was a hugely commercially successful album as well with massive radio hits like “Welcome To The Jungle,” “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” It wouldn’t be long before they went off the rails, but Axl Rose, Slash and company served notice with this album that being loaded like a freight train was their track to success. Their debut album Appetite For Destruction was lightning in a bottle, capturing the seedy underbelly of the rock and roll lifestyle with tracks like “Mr. They had all the decadence of bands like Motley Crue, but a much sharper edge, ushering in a new era of hard rock. In an era where hair bands were king, GNR were edgy and dangerous and brought in an entirely new vibe. Those who weren’t around during the late ’80s and know Guns ‘N Roses from classic rock radio won’t understand what they brought to the scene. There are ambitious songs like “Mesmerized” and “Rex Irae” alongside more traditional Celtic Frost numbers like “Inner Sanctum.” While polarizing for some, there’s no shortage of variety and creativity on this record. Opening with a cover of the new wave cover “Mexican Radio” was a bold choice, but it works. The band’s sound shifted in a more avant-garde direction, incorporating everything from doom to industrial to classical. (Spoiler alert: Cold Lake won’t be on 1988’s list). 3 on our best of 1985 list, and its follow-up, Into The Pandemonium, lands in a similar slot.
Celtic Frost – Into The PandemoniumĬeltic Frost’s debut album To Mega Therion made it to No. It was originally supposed to be a double album, but Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2 would have to wait until the following year, another power metal classic. The album’s centerpiece is the epic 13 minute track “Halloween,” surrounded by shorter, more accessible songs like “Future World” and “A Little Time.” When it comes to essential power metal albums, this one must be on the list. Massive melodies, Kiske’s powerful vocals and soaring guitars from Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath proved to be an unstoppable combination. Helloween’s second album was their first with singer Michael Kiske, and helped propel the genre which became known as power metal. Helloween – Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1 Beavis and Butthead fans may remember the video for “The Family Ghost,” but Abigail is not an album of singles, it’s a cohesive and engaging release from the opening notes of “Funeral” to the closer “Black Horsemen.” 3. It’s a concept album set in 1845, an engaging musical and lyrical narrative anchored by King’s piercing vocals and driven by the exceptional playing of guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner.
The following year would see the release of their best known and what many consider their best album, Abigail. King Diamond didn’t miss a beat transitioning from Mercyful Fate, with their debut Fatal Portrait landing at number 9 on our 1986 list. More than 30 years later Among The Living remains an essential thrash metal album. The thrashtastic guitar work from Dan Spitz and Scott Ian along with Joey Belladonna’s silky pipes make every song memorable. The album’s signature song is “Caught In A Mosh,” but it’s jam packed with iconic tracks such as “I Am The Law,” “Indians,” “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)” and the title track. While Spreading The Disease was a quantum leap from Fistful Of Metal, Among The Living was more of a natural progression that hit on all cylinders. With three of the “Big 4” releasing groundbreaking albums in 1986, it worked well for Anthrax that their masterpiece was issued the following year. Here are our picks for 1987’s best heavy metal and hard rock albums. Still, there ended up being several albums released that year that have stood the test of time. After 1986, arguably metal’s best year ever, 1987 was going to struggle to live up to that incredible standard.
0 kommentar(er)
