10 Best Metal Albums

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Some may or may not agree with this list and I can certainly respect other opinions . I hope there are many comments posted. I’ve listened to metal for a good 17 years and haven’t heard everything but have heard a bit. Here goes:

Number 1: Master of Reality by Black Sabbath. It opens masterfully with the slow but monstrous bone rattling of Sweet Leaf. Followed shortly with in my view the best track on the album: After Forever. Other highlights are the classic Children of the Grave and the fact that Sabbath could do a fine job without huge riffs on every song. This is evident in Orchid and Solitude.

Number 2: Killers by Iron Maiden. This album was the bands second effort and their greatest. Its number 2 on this list because of the sheer energy, rawness and creativity the band displays. I can listen to this album over and over again without losing interest. My favorite track is Murders in the Rue Morgue. Eddie should be proud.

Number 3: Kill Em All by Metallica. Many wouldn’t consider this their best album but I feel it is, as it was a defining moment of thrash. Blazing guitars on greats like The Four Houseman and the late great Cliff Burton’s bass solo (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth make this album a must have.

Number 4: Paranoid by Black Sabbath. Their is no denying War Pigs and the gigantic Iron Man which blew me away the first time I heard it.

Number 5: Aenema by Tool. A progressive metal masterpiece that showed how artistic metal can be. This is to me a creative effort that broke many bounds. I can’t recall how many times I’ve listened to it as its often played during the daily commute. My favorite track is Forty- Six & 2.

Number 6: Tyranny and Mutation by Blue Oyster Cult. This band is too often forgotten and helped make metal in the early days. This album is excellent all the way through with the classic Hot Rails to Hell.

Number 7: Rust in Peace by Megadeth. Megadeth was the first professional band I saw live (Corrosion for Conformity opened for them). Anyways Rust in Peace is remarkable high speed metal on a high level of refinement.

Number 8: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son by Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden’s best album with Bruce Dickinson at the helm (I’m sure I’ll be chided for this by Number of the Beast fans). Quite a concept with the songs flowing together and really great songs like Infinite Dreams.

Number 9: Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy comes back with a vengeance flying high again (no pun intended as its a track name on Dairy of a Madman) with legend Randy Rhodes.

Number 10: Lateralus by Tool. Rumors at the time spread that Tool was breaking up and then they came out with this masterpiece. A collection of undeniable complex arrangements that showcase this bands great talents.