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(My) Top 100 Metal And Rock Albums Of All-Time
Created : Jul 5, 2024
Last updated : Jul 20, 2024
10 items
The list will be supplemented as I listen to old classic albums again and evaluate them in a modern light. The list will probably be ready by the end of the year.
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Piece of Mind (1983) "Piece Of Mind" continues where Iron Maiden's "The Number Of The Beast" left off, but the song material is mostly of higher quality and the album works better as a whole, where each song has its own role. The album's drums are played for the first time by the band's longtime drummer Nicko McBrain. When the album is full of gems like 'The Trooper' and 'Flight Of Icarus', it's destined to reach classic status. Great album, even though it doesn't hold up as the band's best work due to a few filler songs. |
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Powerslave (1984) A true classic, full of great songs, accompanied by great playing and Mr. Dickinson's wondrous voice. Although "Powerslave" has a few clearly weaker songs and the album cannot be called a particularly strong whole, it is still one of the best albums of all time. There are an outrageous amount of highlights for one record, and the production is of the usual Iron Maiden quality. You also have to give incense to the dazzling cover art, which is possibly the most amazing in the entire history of music. The level of Iron Maiden's albums rose steadily in the 80s and "Powerslave" also continues this stance, being a bit stronger than the previous album. And even if the album isn't the band's best, it's still pretty close and deserves all the praise it can get. |
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Even though "Ecliptica" is Sonata Arctica's most popular and possibly most respected album, "Reckoning Night" has still been the bravest and most successful work in Sonata's discography for me. The album combines the band's early power metal music with later experimental, even prog influences, creating an incredibly strong whole. The song material is very convincing and there are no major dips. Definitely one of the best albums of all time, unfortunately often overshadowed by the debut album. |
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A true power-metal classic that has inspired countless bands and together with the first part created the entire power-metal genre. The song material is strong through and through, and the only weaker song is "You Always Walk Alone", although it's not a terribly bad song either. The album is well mixed and every instrument gets enough space. Kiske's singing has also developed from the first part. All in all, "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Pt. 2" is a unique and legendary album that every self-respecting metal fan should include in their music dna. |
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Dream Theater's "Images And Words" is one of the most significant releases of all time. In addition to the fact that the album developed progressive metal and greatly increased its popularity, the album is also full of the most wonderful songs, and you won't find weak moments even if you look with a magnifying glass. A true classic, although it doesn't quite live up to the band's magnum opus, "Metropolis, Pt. 2". |
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The band's most successful work, which can also be considered one of the best albums of all time. "Operation: Mindcrime" is a concept album whose story manages to charm again and again, thanks to the well-constructed story and the diamond song material. Definitely worth its reputation, and one of the cornerstones of prog metal. |
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Painkiller (1990) Judas Priest's magnum opus, one of metal music's most classic works. The album is heavier and more multidimensional than the previous Priest albums. The drums on the album, unlike the previous albums, are played by Scott Travis. The song material is insanely strong and there are no filler songs. Definitely the band's best album. |
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Ride the Lightning (1984) Metallica's breakthrough album and one of the best albums of all time. The song material is full of works that can be classified as classics, and without 'Escape' and 'Trapped Under Ice', "Ride The Lightning" would be perfect, although it's pretty close to it even now. A true crown jewel in Metallica's discography. |
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Visions (1997) The best Power Metal album of all time, and one of the best albums of all time. Stratovarius' "Visions" skillfully combines neon classical music with heavy riffs, and the whole is crowned by Timo Kotipelto's insane vocal performance. There is not a single bad song on the album, and there are some classics to share with others. A truly remarkable release that everyone should listen to, regardless of music preferences. |
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Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" is a concept album about which you could write anything, but it's really unnecessary. The most important thing is to understand that the album is one of the best albums of all time, if not even the best. The song material is full of classics and you won't come across a single weaker song. The album's story and general look create an atmosphere that simply cannot be found elsewhere. In addition to this, the band plays with real charm and Bruce Dickinson's vocal performance is chilling. And when there isn't a single weak point in the album, these aspects make the album the best of all time (probably). |
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