 | Blog author: Alex Stojanovic The last couple of times I created lists of albums from the past, it was usually records from 5 years ago and I recently just did a list going back to 2007, but I thought this time, why don't we go further back this time to the golden age of metal: the 80s? |
Of course, I wasn't even alive yet in the 80s, but that doesn't matter. It's clear that the 80s was the greatest decade, not just for metal and hard rock, but for a lot of music in general. It's 30 years this year since 1987 and so many amazing and classic albums came out of that year, and I would love to share with you some of my favourite albums turning 30 this year.
10. PRETTY MAIDS - Future World
Talk about an underrated band and album. The first three Pretty Maids albums are absolute classics, but they hardly get mentioned in any conversation about metal and rock. I've always said that Ronnie Atkins has such a cool and unique voice while being able to go from majestic cleans to really heavy raspy and gritty style in the vein of Tom Keifer of Cinderella. Future World is one of the band's defining records, along with their debut Red, Hot & Heavy. The single "Love Games" is not only a great song, but a great definition of the 80s. This album, while still containing synths and keyboards, it has a lot of elements of the NWOBHM with the faster and heavier up-tempo riffs, combined with the more straightforward L.A. glam style. If you're new to Pretty Maids, check them out.
Talk about an underrated band and album. The first three Pretty Maids albums are absolute classics, but they hardly get mentioned in any conversation about metal and rock. I've always said that Ronnie Atkins has such a cool and unique voice while being able to go from majestic cleans to really heavy raspy and gritty style in the vein of Tom Keifer of Cinderella. Future World is one of the band's defining records, along with their debut Red, Hot & Heavy. The single "Love Games" is not only a great song, but a great definition of the 80s. This album, while still containing synths and keyboards, it has a lot of elements of the NWOBHM with the faster and heavier up-tempo riffs, combined with the more straightforward L.A. glam style. If you're new to Pretty Maids, check them out.
09. RUSH - Hold Your Fire
Any Rush fan knows that the 80s were a very synth-heavy period for the band. With Hold Your Fire, it was still a pretty synth-heavy record, but they headed in more of a pop direction. I remember when I was 10 years old, first getting into Rush, the track "Time Stand Still" was a song I always loved jamming to on the Chronicles DVD. This album also contains what is Geddy and Alex's least-favourite Rush song, which is "Tai Shan". I have to agree with them on that. It didn't do anything for me. This might not be the best Rush album, but there's still great songs on there that I thoroughly enjoy, namely the singles like "Time Stands Still", "Force Ten" and "Lock & Key", but also some of the underrated gems like "Second Nature", "Open Secrets", "Prime Mover" and "High Water".
Any Rush fan knows that the 80s were a very synth-heavy period for the band. With Hold Your Fire, it was still a pretty synth-heavy record, but they headed in more of a pop direction. I remember when I was 10 years old, first getting into Rush, the track "Time Stand Still" was a song I always loved jamming to on the Chronicles DVD. This album also contains what is Geddy and Alex's least-favourite Rush song, which is "Tai Shan". I have to agree with them on that. It didn't do anything for me. This might not be the best Rush album, but there's still great songs on there that I thoroughly enjoy, namely the singles like "Time Stands Still", "Force Ten" and "Lock & Key", but also some of the underrated gems like "Second Nature", "Open Secrets", "Prime Mover" and "High Water".
08. DEF LEPPARD - Hysteria
My introduction to Def Leppard was in 2002 when I was 10. When we got our first DVD player, my dad put together a disc with music videos and that was the first thing we put into the player. One of the videos on the disc was "Pour Some Sugar On Me". This also shouldn't come as a surprise, but I was surprised to see that Rick Allen had one arm. I'm sure it's surprising for anyone regardless of their age to hear something like that, but when you're a little kid, it hits you in a completely different way. Getting back to the album, here's an interesting story I heard for people that might not know this. When Hysteria initially came out, it bombed. There was a lot of buzz coming off of Pyromania, and with "Women" being the first single, the reaction wasn't positive, but when strippers at strip clubs started requesting "Pour Some Sugar On Me" to pole-dance to, that's when the album skyrocketed. However, one song that rarely gets mentioned, which I think is one of Leppard's best songs is "Gods Of War". I put it up there with "High 'N Dry", "Rock Of Ages", "Let It Go" and "Another Hit & Run". Many memories with this one.
My introduction to Def Leppard was in 2002 when I was 10. When we got our first DVD player, my dad put together a disc with music videos and that was the first thing we put into the player. One of the videos on the disc was "Pour Some Sugar On Me". This also shouldn't come as a surprise, but I was surprised to see that Rick Allen had one arm. I'm sure it's surprising for anyone regardless of their age to hear something like that, but when you're a little kid, it hits you in a completely different way. Getting back to the album, here's an interesting story I heard for people that might not know this. When Hysteria initially came out, it bombed. There was a lot of buzz coming off of Pyromania, and with "Women" being the first single, the reaction wasn't positive, but when strippers at strip clubs started requesting "Pour Some Sugar On Me" to pole-dance to, that's when the album skyrocketed. However, one song that rarely gets mentioned, which I think is one of Leppard's best songs is "Gods Of War". I put it up there with "High 'N Dry", "Rock Of Ages", "Let It Go" and "Another Hit & Run". Many memories with this one.
07. KING DIAMOND - Abigail
I would agree on the fact that Abigail is King Diamond's crowning achievement, with all respect to Fatal Portrait, Them and Conspiracy. It's heavy, melodic and creepy, just how we like it. I mean, "The Family Ghost", "The Possession", "Black Horsemen", "A Mansion In Darkness", classics! The last bunch of shows King has done over the last two years had Abigail performed in its entirety in celebration of the album's 30th anniversary, which is awesome. I just wish that he came up here to Toronto with the Abigail set because I would love to see that show.
I would agree on the fact that Abigail is King Diamond's crowning achievement, with all respect to Fatal Portrait, Them and Conspiracy. It's heavy, melodic and creepy, just how we like it. I mean, "The Family Ghost", "The Possession", "Black Horsemen", "A Mansion In Darkness", classics! The last bunch of shows King has done over the last two years had Abigail performed in its entirety in celebration of the album's 30th anniversary, which is awesome. I just wish that he came up here to Toronto with the Abigail set because I would love to see that show.
06. DEATH - Scream Bloody Gore
It just wouldn't be right to have a Best Of 1987 list and not have Death's Scream Bloody Gore on it. There will always be the on-going debate whether this album or Possessed's Seven Churches was the first death metal record. Possessed is an amazing band, Seven Churches is a fantastic record and they may have coined the name "death metal", but my vote would go towards Scream Bloody Gore because it's more of a real, straightforward death metal record, whereas Seven Churches still clings on to the thrash sound. With rampaging riffs, brutal vocals, awesome shrieks, and such ripping tracks like "Infernal Death", "Zombie Ritual", "Evil Dead" and "Torn To Pieces", Chuck Schuldiner established himself as the creator of death metal, Credit should also be given to drummer Chris Reifert for a blistering performance. R.I.P. Chuck and thank you for the beautiful gift of death metal.
It just wouldn't be right to have a Best Of 1987 list and not have Death's Scream Bloody Gore on it. There will always be the on-going debate whether this album or Possessed's Seven Churches was the first death metal record. Possessed is an amazing band, Seven Churches is a fantastic record and they may have coined the name "death metal", but my vote would go towards Scream Bloody Gore because it's more of a real, straightforward death metal record, whereas Seven Churches still clings on to the thrash sound. With rampaging riffs, brutal vocals, awesome shrieks, and such ripping tracks like "Infernal Death", "Zombie Ritual", "Evil Dead" and "Torn To Pieces", Chuck Schuldiner established himself as the creator of death metal, Credit should also be given to drummer Chris Reifert for a blistering performance. R.I.P. Chuck and thank you for the beautiful gift of death metal.
05. KREATOR - Terrible Certainty
Following up a classic like Pleasure To Kill isn't easy, but Terrible Certainty is a great follow-up for Kreator and a very very underrated album. You never really hear this album being talked about too much. This would also be the first album Kreator recorded with four members, which would remain that way for the years to come, as Pleasure To Kill and Endless Pain were recorded when the band was a trio. Songs like "Blind Faith", "Storming With Menace", "Toxic Trace" and "As The World Burns" are incredible. It would be awesome if Kreator brought back some of these gems into the setlist on future tours.
Following up a classic like Pleasure To Kill isn't easy, but Terrible Certainty is a great follow-up for Kreator and a very very underrated album. You never really hear this album being talked about too much. This would also be the first album Kreator recorded with four members, which would remain that way for the years to come, as Pleasure To Kill and Endless Pain were recorded when the band was a trio. Songs like "Blind Faith", "Storming With Menace", "Toxic Trace" and "As The World Burns" are incredible. It would be awesome if Kreator brought back some of these gems into the setlist on future tours.
04. SACRED REICH - Ignorance
If you're a die-hard thrasher like myself, you should know who Sacred Reich are. Their debut album Ignorance is not only one of the most underrated thrash albums of all time, but it's one of the most underrated metal records period, and the band as a whole are really underrated. For all of you who are new to Sacred Reich, or just discovering them through this list, they're an incredibly political band lyrically. I recently got to see Sacred Reich live for the first time ever on their 30 Years Of Ignorance tour and I got to hear them play tracks like "Ignorance", "Death Squad", "Victim Of Demise", "Violent Solutions" and "Administrative Decisions", which was awesome. I do wish they played "Rest In Peace" though.
If you're a die-hard thrasher like myself, you should know who Sacred Reich are. Their debut album Ignorance is not only one of the most underrated thrash albums of all time, but it's one of the most underrated metal records period, and the band as a whole are really underrated. For all of you who are new to Sacred Reich, or just discovering them through this list, they're an incredibly political band lyrically. I recently got to see Sacred Reich live for the first time ever on their 30 Years Of Ignorance tour and I got to hear them play tracks like "Ignorance", "Death Squad", "Victim Of Demise", "Violent Solutions" and "Administrative Decisions", which was awesome. I do wish they played "Rest In Peace" though.
03. DEATH ANGEL - The Ultra-Violence
How many albums can you name where all the band members were still teenagers when they recorded their first album and that album becomes a classic? Not many, exactly! However, that is the case with Death Angel and their legendary debut album The Ultra-Violence. Drummer Andy Galeon was only 15 years old when this album was recorded and all the other members were all in their late teens. Mark Osegueda's unique vocals and piercing shrieks are one of the elements that make both this album and Death Angel as a whole unique. To this date, "I've only heard the band play "Mistress Of Pain", "Evil Priest" and the intro to "The Ultra-Violence" during the times I've seen them live. I definitely hope that the next time they come around for a headliner, they'll put "Kill As One", "Voracious Souls" and "Thrashers" back in the set. "Final Death" and "I.P.F.S" would be nice too.
How many albums can you name where all the band members were still teenagers when they recorded their first album and that album becomes a classic? Not many, exactly! However, that is the case with Death Angel and their legendary debut album The Ultra-Violence. Drummer Andy Galeon was only 15 years old when this album was recorded and all the other members were all in their late teens. Mark Osegueda's unique vocals and piercing shrieks are one of the elements that make both this album and Death Angel as a whole unique. To this date, "I've only heard the band play "Mistress Of Pain", "Evil Priest" and the intro to "The Ultra-Violence" during the times I've seen them live. I definitely hope that the next time they come around for a headliner, they'll put "Kill As One", "Voracious Souls" and "Thrashers" back in the set. "Final Death" and "I.P.F.S" would be nice too.
02. ANTHRAX - Among The Living
Much like Death's Scream Bloody Gore and King Diamond's Abigail were monumental records of 1987, so is Anthrax's Among The Living. This album has been performed live in full on numerous occasions. Each time I saw Anthrax live, they always play "Caught In A Mosh" and "Indians", but they will also pull out some other gems like "Efilnikufesin (NFL)" or "I Am The Law" and "Among The Living", which they play pretty frequently, but I wish songs like "A Skeleton In The Closet" and "One World" would become more frequent setlist staples rather than saving them for the times the entire album is played live, because those songs kick ass. The production also stands out, especially with Eddie Kramer handling production duties. The guitar tone is one of the best tones for a thrash album from the 80s. I would put Among The Living's guitar tone up there with Ride The Lightning, Master Of Puppets and Peace Sells.
Much like Death's Scream Bloody Gore and King Diamond's Abigail were monumental records of 1987, so is Anthrax's Among The Living. This album has been performed live in full on numerous occasions. Each time I saw Anthrax live, they always play "Caught In A Mosh" and "Indians", but they will also pull out some other gems like "Efilnikufesin (NFL)" or "I Am The Law" and "Among The Living", which they play pretty frequently, but I wish songs like "A Skeleton In The Closet" and "One World" would become more frequent setlist staples rather than saving them for the times the entire album is played live, because those songs kick ass. The production also stands out, especially with Eddie Kramer handling production duties. The guitar tone is one of the best tones for a thrash album from the 80s. I would put Among The Living's guitar tone up there with Ride The Lightning, Master Of Puppets and Peace Sells.
01. TESTAMENT - The Legacy
Anyone that knows me should've known that this was going to be my #1 pick for 1987 because of the Testament fanatic I am. The Legacy had a big impact on me when I was getting into Testament and it will always remain as one of the greatest thrash albums of all time. I'm real happy that I got to hear this album played in its entirety in 2015 because I've been wanting to hear tracks like "Apocalyptic City", "First Strike Is Deadly", "Raging Waters", "Do Or Die" and "C.O.T.L.O.D.", which seem to be the only time Testament play these tracks live. Sure, they'll put out select deep cuts from the album on other tours, but to hear this album played in full was a real treat. For some bands, they usually don't have their breakthrough album until record #2 or #3, but The Legacy was already a breakthrough for Testament, just like Bonded By Blood for Exodus and The Ultra-Violence for Death Angel.
Anyone that knows me should've known that this was going to be my #1 pick for 1987 because of the Testament fanatic I am. The Legacy had a big impact on me when I was getting into Testament and it will always remain as one of the greatest thrash albums of all time. I'm real happy that I got to hear this album played in its entirety in 2015 because I've been wanting to hear tracks like "Apocalyptic City", "First Strike Is Deadly", "Raging Waters", "Do Or Die" and "C.O.T.L.O.D.", which seem to be the only time Testament play these tracks live. Sure, they'll put out select deep cuts from the album on other tours, but to hear this album played in full was a real treat. For some bands, they usually don't have their breakthrough album until record #2 or #3, but The Legacy was already a breakthrough for Testament, just like Bonded By Blood for Exodus and The Ultra-Violence for Death Angel.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (No Order)
| Dokken Back For The Attack  Dio Dream Evil  | Overkill Taking Over  U.D.O. Animal House  | Sodom Persecution Mania  Helloween Keeper Of The Seven Keys 1  |
I know some of you must be wondering where Appetite For Destruction is. Let me tell you this. I will never deny the success and the impact that record had on people and it's one of the biggest selling albums of all time, but it didn't have a huge impact on me. Thank you very much for reading. Stay tuned for our Top 10 Albums Of 2017 lists coming in the next few weeks.
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