Your top 10 metal albums!

[The Amazer]

Someone started this on another foram I posted and I thought it'd be fun here, seeing as the board is being lively of late. Just cross posting, so here ya go:

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Okay, my rough top 10 (which I haven't thought about MASSIVELY long - but is still a damn good top 10!)

10. Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

Hard to choose Megadeth's best album, and I thought they deserved to make the top 10. This is the album I chose because of the classic sound it has, plus the many MANY wondrous riffs and Chris Poland's sensational leads.

9. Stratovarius - Dreamspace

Not very well known album - before Timo Kotipelto even joined the band! But some of their best song writing. Very Yngwie Malmsteen feel about it but with such HUGE production! Very overlooked album.

8. Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys pt 2

The phenomenal Keeper of the Seven Keys pt 2! Chock full of classics such as Eagle Fly Free, Rise and Fall, Dr. Stein and I Want Out! Fun album - great to sing and air-guitar along to and full of humour.

7. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

Maiden obviously need to be in the list and I thought it'd be cool to put this one Seventh! But seriously, this is their best work with so many good melodies and so much consistency throughout. Just ahead of Piece of Mind for me.

6. Dream Theater - Images and Words

Pull Me Under really pulls you into this absolute masterpiece. So many good melodies, some of the best drumming you will hear and not too much wankery from Petrucci! Surrounded is one of the all time best metal ballads.

5. Enslaved - Isa

Wow! The once completely viking metal band became progressive and made an absolutely insanely brilliant and individual work with Isa. I've never heard anything like it and the songwriting is top notch.

4. Metallica - Ride The Lightning

Ahhh, Metallica. My favourite band. Has been since I was 7 and still is. Absolute monster of an album with so many classics - For Whom The Bell Tolls, Fade To Black, Creeping Death - amazing.

3. My Dying Bride - The Dreadful Hours

Probably my most listened to album ever. The melodies have so much DEPTH in them. The guitar work phenomenal and the best death/clean vocal combination EVER. Aaron Stainthorpe emits so much emotion.

2. Type O Negative - October Rust

My second favourite metal band with one of the best mood albums ever. The best review I have heard of it went something like: "many bands have captured the essence of summer, winter and spring... but this is the first album ever to truly encapsulate the feeling of autumn."

1. Metallica - Master of Puppets

I don't even need to type anything here

 

[Icarus]

Not including live albums mine would probably include, in no particular order (except for maiden at #1):

Iron Maiden - SIT

No question about it. Maidens best studio effort. The vocals, the drumming and oh god, adrians guitar work!

Judas Priest - Defenders of the faith

Either this or painkiller. This wins cause well I dunno it just kicks arse. Its got all the fast songs, mid tempo songs, ballady songs, metal theme songs and they are all brilliant. Robs vocals are spot on and glen and kk have never sounded better (7 part guitar trade off in the sentinal!!!)

W.A.S.P. - Crimson Idol

Either this or self titled. This album is just full of so much emotion and has a cool story line too not to mention the amazing drumming.

Megadeth - Peace Sells

Basically the same reasons as ceydn.

Exodus - Bonded the blood

Could this be the most perfect thrash album in existance? I think so.

Queensryche - Operation:Mindcrime

Dont think anything is needed to be said about this album. Shear absolute brilliance from beginning to end.

Manowar - Hail to england

Best Manowar album (even though nearly all of them kick arse) and manowar are so fucking metal I couldnt bear to dread a metal top 10 without a manowar album in it.

Skid Row - Self titled

Awesome. 'Nuff said!

Poison - Look what the cat dragged in

One of the best glam albums and poisons best. Filled to the brim with glam goodness.

Vinnie Vincent Invasion - self titled

Ear piercing razor sharp guitar work, superb vocals, pounding drum work not to mention brilliant songs. This album has it all. Top stuff!

I think that covers everything pretty well. Dont think I have missed any.

 

[KoichCPA]

10.Meshuggah- Destroy Erase Improve
It made something that has been impossible to replicate by anyone else ever. I get the same tingles when i listen to it, the same ones I got when I was 15.

9.Entombed-Morning Star
OH THE SLUDGE, THE SLUDGE OF IT ALL

8. The Crown- Deathrace King
The only really good thrash album ever, thrash is klind of shit, but this album isn't. This album is good.

7.At the Gates- Terminal Spirit Disease
fucking brilliant

6. Destroyer666- Pheonix rising

The only thing associated with black metal in this country that's good.

5. Napalm Death- Scum
'nuff said. Started what became the greatest musical movement of all time.

4. Carcass- Heartwork
Carcass perfected everything on this album, it's wonderful, with added artwork from Giger.

3.Nasum-Inhale/Exhale
This is what grind was meant to be, savagely political,brutal,fast, it's perfect. This album has no flaws.

2. Cryptopsy- None so vile
nothing is as brutal as this album, this is technical,brutal and wonderous. never ceases to amaze me.

1. Earth- The Bleeding Fields
I have listened to this album more than any album ever. It's just got so much groove in it, so much attitude. The biggest loss to the metal community ever was when these guys fucked it up for themselve. They could have been huge, and it upsets me that they didn't get what they deserved. that bit in human carnage when bren screams "PULL THE TRIGGER" gets me everytime.

 

[Goreripper]

Why don't you ask something hard, ceydn? Let me think about this one!

 

[Blitzkrieg]

This is just how I feel right now. Different to lists I have made in the past (though the bulk is pretty similar), and different to ones I will make in the future.

Narrowly missed out:

Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast almost ranks in as it is such a classic. Somewhere In Time and The X Factor also put up a fight as they are fantastic albums, but both Bruce's The Chemical Wedding and Accident Of Birth rank in higher.

Grim Reaper - Their best of would rate in the middle of my top ten, but none of their albums are strong enough to crack their way in.

Dungeon - Resurrection (1999) - Fantastic raw, shredding, anthemic metal. Still the bands finest hour in my opinion. What was to follow showcased some more amazing talent, but this release just has some kind of raw magic about it that cannot be replicated, which is the reason that I couldn't enjoy the 2005 version.

Die Krupps - I love a lot of their stuff to death, but there is no single album at is just brilliant throughout. If I was to make my own best of, it would easily be one of my favourite albums.

Katatonia - Another band that I love, but again they have no single release that is utterly brilliant.

Nevermore - Dead Heart In A Dead World - Strong as fuck album as most of us here know. One of the best releases of the current decade. I am so very keen to check out the newie when I get a chance.

Kreator - Enemy Of God - This is the best thrash I have heard in a long long time. Being such a recent album though, I am hesitant to put it in my list. I will give it more time, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it featured in a future list.

10. Pantera - Cowboys From Hell

It is such a shame that it took the tragedy of Dimebags murder for me to go back and revisit this album and realise how fucking awesome it really is. Since then, it is jumped back into rotation and I dig it more than ever. It is also a shame what happened to the band, and especially what happened to Phil. Some of the vocals on this album are downright amazing (Shattered anyone?), but you wouldn't think it listening to him now.

09. Dio - Holy Diver

Such classic stuff. In the past I would have been more likely to put Sabbath's Heaven And Hell or Dio's Strange Highways in over Holy Diver, but it is such a classic that it deserves a nod. Viv's guitar work is inspiring, the choruses are huge, the vocals amazing, and the lyrics both confusing and a little gay. What an album.

08. Megadeth - So Far, So Good ... So What!

Far more raw than anything they had done before or since, many fans don't take as well to SFSGSW, but I fucking love it. RAW 80s thrash at its finest. Brilliant songs, fun songs, awesome riffs, badarse choruses, a great Sex Pistols cover, an awesome intro instrumental....fantastic album. My fav 'Deth album by far.

07. Grave Digger - Excalibur

One of the best concept albums I have heard, it is more like the soundtrack to a heavy metal musical about King Arthur than simply a metal album. The bands 'power metal with balls' sound and Chris' raspy vocals fit the moods and story line perfectly. Brilliant story telling. Grave Digger are known for their concept albums, and overall this is probably the pick of the bunch.

06. Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding

Another brilliant concept album. Bruce entwines his own interpretations and lyrics around the words of Blake and serves it on a bed of Adrian and Roy Z's fantastic metal. Heavy as fuck, delicate in places, and always interesting, it is a fantastic album.

05. Cradle Of Filth - Nymphetamine

The most recent release in my top 10, Cradle's latest album features Dani's most accessable vocal performance, which makes the music far more enjoyable. If he had performed this way on previous releases, I may prefer those, it is hard to tell, but the songs on Nymphetamine are still fantastic regardless. Have loved this album since I bought it shortly after release, and has been on high rotation ever since.

04. Dream Theater - Train Of Thought

Another fairly recent release. Dream Theater were always a favourite band of mine, but I always thought they were capable of better things if they would just write a metal album, and not an album with so many mixed influences. Train Of Thought was the album I always wanted them to make. More stripped back than their classic material, but still very much 'Dream Theater', this album rocks your nuts off. Of the 7 songs, I would rate 5 of them a 10/10, and the other 2 an 8/10. That is a very high rating. Prog metal at its greatest.

03. Judas Priest - Painkiller

The title track to Painkiller is the most metal creation the world has ever known. Starting with a now classic drum solo, the in-your-face duel lead guitars wailing in over the top, and the metal god's best ever vocal performance, you know this is going to be something special. Priest's most consistent album, along with Defenders Of The Faith, is again chock full of classics. Heavy metal greatness.

02. Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings

Schaffer's unmistakable riffs reach their pinnacle on this thrash classic, accompanied by the debut vocal performance, and greatest vocal performance, of one of metal's finest. From the intro keys on the title track to the outro keys of Dante's Inferno, the music carries a haunting, dark emotional vibe that does more to chill the bones than any black metal I have heard. The anger is real and not manufactured. I love the cover art of the original release, but the remastered version sounds far superior. Brilliant.

01. Master Of Puppets

Possibly the most consistent metal album of all time, this album is still fantastic 20 years later. Classic cover art, timeless production, anthem after anthem of choruses and legendary metal lyrics, classic riff after classic riff, blinding solos...the album has it all. Metallica didn't become the biggest metal band of all time by accident. Master Of Puppets is the shit.

 

[ifyouwantblood]

Top "--" listings are ridiculous (but so temptatious). No real music fan is able to complete numbered listings.

So there's no top 10 list, but somewhere it would include these:

Sodom - In The Sign of Evil
Kreator - Endless Pain
Venom - Welcome To Hell (IT ALMOST DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS)
Vomitor - Bleeding The Priest
Destroyer 666 - Unchain The Wolves

 

[TRrEiTxIxRiE DTrash]

Vain - No Respect
Vinnie Vincent Invasion - Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Danger Danger - Danger Danger
Shotgun Messiah - Shotgun Messiah
Kane Roberts - Saints & Sinners
Wildside - Under The Influence
Ratt - Invasion Of Your Privacy
Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
Black N Blue - In Heat
KISS - Crazy Nights

 

[Sydo]

Iron Maiden - LIVE AFTER DEATH
Black Sabbath - HEAVEN AND HELL
Zakk Wylde - BOOK OF SHADOWS
Testament - LOW
Nevermore - DEAD HEART IN A DEAD WORLD
Anthrax - WE'VE COME FOR YOU ALL
James Murphy - CONVERGENCE

I wonder how this compares to my last list...

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Top "--" listings are ridiculous (but so temptatious). No real music fan is able to complete numbered listings.

Yeah, but it is still fun. That is why I said mine has changed in the past and will change in the future, but at the moment the list will do.

Actually, I think I will stand by my top 5 for a while, it is just the rest that chop and change.

 

[Cyclonus]

No order here, but I had to pick 11, and I really don't know if these are my favourites, they are just off the top of my head, and my favourite albums aren't normally metal these days, more prog rock, jazz and pop tbh...

Napalm Death - Scum
Grindcore, brutal, angry, raw. Just amazing.

Metallica - Kill Em All
Thrash at its finest other than the next album.

Anthrax - Among The Living
Best thrash album ever, amazing riffs.

Gorguts - Obscura
The most insane, technical, brutal and bleak album ever.

Spiral Architect - A Sceptic's Universe
Amazing bass work and well crafted experimental songs.

Cryptopsy - None So Vile
Brutal death metal was never so catchy, with technical moments.

Mithras - Worlds Beyond The Veil
Lush soundscapes that change from soothing to crushing in seconds.

Strapping Young Lad - City
One of the most aggressive albums of all time.

Isis - Oceanic and Neurosis - Times Of Grace
I considered Neurosis - A Sun That Never Sets but TOG has imprinted itself on my mind more, and Oceanic is amazing also. Similar styles of ambient/post-hardcore.

Dark Tranquillity - Projector
Some silly songs but they are so catchy. Mikael is an amazing emotional singer.

 

[Goreripper]

Still thinking about mine!

 

[ifyouwantblood]

Mithras - Worlds Beyond The Veil
Lush soundscapes that change from soothing to crushing in seconds.

Razor Of Occam - Pillars Of Creation is better motherfucker!

 

[Winmar]

9.Entombed-Morning Star
OH THE SLUDGE, THE SLUDGE OF IT ALL

I'm listening to this one now. What an awesome album.

How do you folk put photos up there like that? Do you host them elsewhere, then put up a link?

 

[mattt]

in no particular order
this will probably change next week
no explainations needed

The Eternal - Sleep Of Reason

Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done

Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory

Green Carnation - A Blessing In Disguise

Motley Crue - Too Fast For Love

My Dying Bride - The Dreadful Hours

Nevermore - Dead Heart In A Dead World

Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears

Type O Negative - October Rust

Skid Row - Slave To The Grind

 

[Bucko]

My personal Top 10

Black Sabbath:Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Deep Purple: Machine Head.
AC/DC: Back In Black
Ozzy Osbourne: Diary of A Madman.
Motorhead: Ace of Spades.
Iron Maiden : Number of the Beast.
Metallica:Metallica
Nazerath: No Mean City.
Buffalo: Only want you for your Body.
Def Leppard: Hysteria

 

[Goreripper]

How do you folk put photos up there like that? Do you host them elsewhere, then put up a link?

Yeah, or you just copy the link direct from where they are hosted. Right click on the picture, go to properties, and copy the URL for the image. Then paste it here.

 

[Winmar]

Ah cool, thanks. I'll compile my top 10, then give it a go.

 

[Priest of Evil]

This is practically impossible, i dont know if I'll ever be able to narrow down a life full of metal to 10 best albums. Meantime I'll say "you little ripper" to Blitzkreig for listin' Megadeth So Far and Grave Digger!

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Fuck yeah.