What was the best year for metal during the 80s?

Best year for metal during the 80s. (multiple choice)


  • Total voters
    45
1984 was pretty solid, I reckon.

Jag Panzer - Ample Destruction
Slayer - Haunting the Chapel
Sodom - In the Sign of Evil
Metallica - Ride the Lightning
Manowar - Hail to England
Mercyful Fate - Don't Break the Oath
Dio - The Last in Line
Bathory - Bathory
Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids
Iron Maiden - Powerslave
Metal Church - Metal Church
Trouble - Psalm 9

Probably some more I'm missing...
 
I can't pick a specific year. I think the middle 80's is why we have more extreme things like death metal. I would say anywhere in the middle and towards the end of the 80's. I prefere the early 90's regardless that the 80's has the innovators and started the 90's. I like really thick sounding guitars and that is generally a 90's metal trait. A lot of 80's bands especially like slayer,mercyful fate seem to like more regular tuning and mids. Some of the bands are just taking things like iron maiden and judas priest to a tad more aggressive and dark level. I like the bands that are taking slayer,destruction and kreator to a more extreme which are the official death metal bands. Metallica and Slayer were still infleunced by rock and hard rock of the 70's, the bands are extreme for the time obviously but the main infleunce seems to be things still like judas priest and motorhead. I like the bands that start almost being like fuck the 80's by starting a new generation regardless existing because the 80's. if that makes any sense. By taking different vocal approach and sound of instruments and production. Sometimes you hear an album that just says look at me i'm the 80's. I get sick of that.
 
xxbigdavexx117 said:
88

"1988:
Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Pantera - Power Metal
Judas Priest - Ram It Down
Slayer - South Of Heaven
Overkill - Under The Influence
Sepultura - Schizophenia
Blind Guardian - Battalions Of Fear
Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys 2"

add "and justice for all" by metallica

The first three Metallica albums were way better than that album.
 
xxbigdavexx117 said:
88

"1988:
Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Pantera - Power Metal
Judas Priest - Ram It Down
Slayer - South Of Heaven
Overkill - Under The Influence
Sepultura - Schizophenia
Blind Guardian - Battalions Of Fear
Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys 2"

add "and justice for all" by metallica

South Of Heaven is about the only album on that list that I'd rate as a classic. Pantera - Power Metal? Please.
 
1984 is the best by far...
RTL, Psalm 9!, Metal Church, Iron Maiden's Best album, a good priest album, Ample FUCKING DESTRUCTION...etc. etc. '86 is the year of overrated thrash

Trouble Psalm 9
Manowar Hail To England
Metal Church Metal Church
Metallica Ride The Lightning
Manowar Sign Of The Hammer
Jag Panzer Ample Destruction
Mercyful Fate Don't Break The Oath
Helstar Burning Star
Brocas Helm Into Battle
Venom At War With Satan
Queensryche The Warning
Celtic Frost Morbid Tales
Slayer (EP) Haunting The Chapel
Dio The Last In Line
Maiden Powerslave
Priest Defenders Of The Faith
 
1984 is the best by far...
RTL, Psalm 9!, Metal Church, Iron Maiden's Best album, a good priest album, Ample FUCKING DESTRUCTION...etc. etc. '86 is the year of overrated thrash

Trouble Psalm 9
Manowar Hail To England
Metal Church Metal Church
Metallica Ride The Lightning
Manowar Sign Of The Hammer
Jag Panzer Ample Destruction
Mercyful Fate Don't Break The Oath
Helstar Burning Star
Brocas Helm Into Battle
Venom At War With Satan
Queensryche The Warning
Celtic Frost Morbid Tales
Slayer (EP) Haunting The Chapel
Dio The Last In Line
Maiden Powerslave
Priest Defenders Of The Faith

'84 the year W.A.S.P. released their debut!

Other great releases, not already listed by Audiophileguy:
Sodom - In the Sign of Evil
Destruction - Sentence of Death
Slayer- Live Undead
Accept - Balls to the Wall
Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry
Warlock - Burning the Witches (not in the league of the others but I got a soft spot for Doro)