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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:29:51 GMT -5
#41"The doll that looks at us from the cover art didn't know that he would give success to the group later, I guess he didn't even know that his name was Eddie, and who expected an urgent hairdressing session just to travel to the world like the giant heads of my town's great party. But I think Steve Harris was making an idea for the future, you know these things when you provoke it." ~WR95 (Metal Archives) "Here's where it all started. Iron Maiden, the definitive band and one of the forerunners of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Anyway, you gotta start somewhere, and this is where they started. One of the best Iron Maiden albums, and one of the best debuts ever. Almost every song here is a killer one, and the musicianship is just amazing. It's great listening to this with headphones and picking up the individual riffs, bass lines and drums. Take lesson." ~Starchild15 (Metal Archives) "All in all, a truly superb debut that was probably the finest album of the era in the NWOBHM boom. Certainly, it sums up that whole period in heavy metal extremely well, and is a more consistently excellent album than most of the other albums from 1980. Some, notably Steve Harris himself, have criticized the overly clean production, but it's professional sounding enough for me, and refreshingly doesn't suffer from the murk that many early NWOBHM albums unfortunately have. This is probably the most direct album the band ever made, even though future albums would improve on this already incredible blueprint. Still, it's a truly essential cornerstone of any metal, even music, collection." ~Ezdherenelzilith (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:31:51 GMT -5
#40"Cowboys from Hell is the Pantera that people have come to know and love over the years, whether they were a deep-digging metalhead or just someone who casually enjoyed the genre. It's the album that established their identity and personality. The Abbott brothers, along with Rex and Phil, abandoned their glam aesthetic in favor of a style much more fierce and punishing. They combine the sounds of Judas Priest, Metallica, and a little bit of ZZ Top to respectively show off the catchiness and melody of Priest, the rage, punch and intensity of Metallica, and the groovy, Texan rhythms of ZZ Top to create something that, while familiar as metal, sounded new and energetic. They took thrash and slowed it somewhat to put more of an emphasis on the riffing and rhythmic muscle behind their work. While still yet to evolve into the "slug-you-in-the-face" variety of groove metal that they would be known for later, there were signs that there was more intensity and punch in the riffs despite being mid-tempo. Cowboys From Hell is an album that goes for the neck and continues delivering punches, showing they can be as fierce as they want, regardless of speed." ~psychoticnicolai (Metal Archives) "For my money, this the essential Pantera album. Every album after this, they offer up the same music with less new ideas than before. Not that the following records were bad, but this is the only one I feel is really a "must have". That said, there are MANY Pantera die-hards that will take the other side of this argument, saying that Pantera redid the formula better and better each time, so it's really up for you to decide how you personally feel about that. But, one thing is for sure, we can all agree this is a great album, and one of the defining moments in 90's metal." ~Superreallycool (Metal Archives) "There is something everyone can get a kick out of on this seminal post-thrash album." ~southernmetal (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:33:05 GMT -5
#39"Practice What You Preach is the third full-length Testament album and probably the best of their first era, which starts with "The Legacy" and ends with "The Ritual". While it lacks the delightful eerie acoustic sessions that are spotted in some of the songs of the New Order (i.e. Eerie Inhabitants and Disciples of the Watch) it is full of superb riffs and impressive, fast and melodic solos. Greg's bass is enhanced so that the listener can get a full image of the band's sound and Louie's drumming is creditable and fast-paced. This one is a great thrash album, but you shouldn't expect to hear anything like "The Legacy". This one combines melody with speed and, as a result, elegant and elaborant thrash riffs are dominant in it. If you have a good taste in great underground music, then you should definately get your hands on this album." ~GuitarNick (Metal Archives) "I can't speak for your neck of the woods, but as a teenager here in New England suburbia, the buzz over Testament's third album was fucking enormous. Everyone from fellow high school metal nerds (-heads, I'm sorry folks, -heads), to magazine critics, to guitar magazine snobs, to radio personalities was hyping the living shit out of this thing, and why not? Clearly the Californians had offered us ample proof of their potential up to this point, with two flawed but fantastic records. More than one individual spoke of this band as the 'next Metallica', the band that would go absolutely batshit viral the world over, securing every instrument sponsorship available to them, and having mullet haired axe masters frothing and masturbating to their new manGod Alex Skolnick... When it finally landed, a few days before my birthday in 1989, I was elated, and couldn't wait to head over to the mall and pick up a copy. I was not disappointed." ~autothrall (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:34:30 GMT -5
#38"There are four albums I think of when I think of great thrash metal. Metallica's Ride the Lightning, Slayer's Reign in Blood, Megadeth's Rust in Peace, and Anthrax's Among the Living. These albums make up what I call the Thrash Starter Kit. You want to get into metal's most rewarding subgenre, you better do your homework. This album takes what makes those other three great and amalgamates them into a perfect example of how the fastest, heaviest, and finest thrash metal is created, but without being inaccessible to a non-thrasher." ~SirNoGinger "If you really want straightforward thrash with a lot of utterly hilarious and yet completely thought provoking lyrics and instrumentals that leave many bands standing throughout, this is definitely an album to purchase." ~psychosisholocausto (Metal Archives) "With the now well defined thrash scene, Anthrax was just another thrash band. Yes, they help invent the genre, and were the among the first thrashers out of New York, but they needed a masterpiece to secure their spot as one of the best and most influential and defining thrash metal bands. This masterpiece was called Among the Living." ~Loloj (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:36:04 GMT -5
#37"I highly recommend this album to those who may only have heard of only the Big Four. Unfortunately, Exodus never topped this album, after Baloff left and eventually passed in 2002, Exodus wasn't and isn't the same. Zetro doesn't hold a candle to Baloff. This is THE Exodus album, Bonded By Blood is a thrash masterpiece!" ~ThrashFanatic (Metal Archives) "Bonded By Blood is the most essential post big four thrash album to own. I would actually place this much higher than a hefty amount of that prestigious group's catalog. Crank up the stereo and batten down the hatches. On second thought, fuck the hatches. Hatches are for wimps and posers." ~TrooperEd (Metal Archives) "If you don't like this album, Paul Baloff is gonna come into your house and kick your face and rape and murder your wife. This is the best album in all of fucking music." ~ExodusAttack666 (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:37:00 GMT -5
#36"Well here it is ladies and gentleman, the album that started thrash! Metallica successfully took NWOBHM and fused it with hardcore punk on their 1983 debut. This album is pure speed throughout, it just doesn't let up!" ~ThrashFanatic (Metal Archives) "Overall, this album is a CLASSIC MASTERPIECE and it's only been 34 years since its release in 1983. The number of bands have SKYROCKETED thanks in part to this album and the band in general." ~Metalhead1997 (Metal Archives) "This is the best thing Metallica has ever put out. If you don't like this album, you don't like metal." ~ExodusAttack666 (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:38:49 GMT -5
#35"This is has to be one of the heaviest thrash metal albums to ever be released by a band. Seriously, the first time I heard this album, I was blown away and to be honest, quite shocked to be honest. I'm one of the few people who actually enjoyed Chaos A.D. and Roots. Those two albums were my introduction to not only Sepultura, but also Max Cavalera. So, imagine my surprise when I heard the title track for the first time. Arise is the heaviest thrash metal song I've ever heard in my life, and I'll fight anyone who disagrees with me. Seriously, the build up to the first minute of actual music on this song is so worth it, because after waiting for what feels like a lifetime, those blazing fast riffs coming flying right out the gate, and then Igor ABSOLUTELY FUCKS OUR FACES with how fast he plays on this song. LISTEN TO THAT DOUBLE BASS! Any drummer who can play that fast is automatically someone I'm gonna look up to, because I still can't do the double bass that fast even after a year of building up my chops. But anyway, back to the review. Arise is the perfect indication for what we're in for when one listens to Arise. Fast, skull-crushingly heavy riffs, and a vocalist who sounds like the perfect bridge between death and thrash metal." ~drummingnerd99 (Metal Archives) "Arise is the definitive Sepultura album, and arguably one of the best thrash albums of the 1990's. It cuts deep and focuses hard on what makes a fast song truly powerful. It takes the speed, the riffs, the grooves, the evil, the catchiness, and the rage, to weld together a sound so memorable and so deathly that it outmatched all others. Every song on here is worth a listen and hits harder than the arsenal of hell itself. I recommend this wholeheartedly, this is a classic that's not worth missing." ~psychoticnicholai (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:40:26 GMT -5
#34"This album is praised with a reason. Every second of this perfection confirms its status of being one of the most influential and essential black metal albums ever. There is not a single thing that is bad about this album, whether we're discussing atmosphere, vocals, riffs or song structure." ~CrnaMisa (Metal Archives) "Mayhem's album sounds "blacker than black". With regard to the numerous line-up changes, it is only logical that the band never reached this outstanding form again. Compared with "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", the majority of the further releases of Mayhem sound like a wet fart. On the one hand, this is regrettable, on the other hand, this fact underlines the singularity of the here reviewed giant. It is not the rawest genre release of all times, but it tramples every other album into the grave in view of its immaculate illustration of devastating blackness. Finally, it lives up to its name while revealing one of the best hidden secrets of Satan. We now know his most favourite album." ~Felix 1666 (Metal Archives) "If you don't like this album, you don't like black metal at all." ~ColdWindRider (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:41:30 GMT -5
#33"DT's best album. Labrie's singing is truly impressive. A very dynamic album. The sound is very close to Queensryche's one, but the music is more ambitious. Nice saxophone section by Spyro Gyra's main man on 'Another day'. 'Learning to live' is a very good epic. A milestone in prog metal!!" ~lucas (Prog Archives) "The beginning of modern progressive metal lies in "Images & Words". Although Queensryche, Fates Warning, and good ol' Crimson Glory were the first to "take hold of the flame" and marry Black Sabbath with Rush, Dream Theater took it to the next level with this release. Really, it'd be fair to say that all modern prog metal takes it's cues from Images & Words, Cynic's Focus, or Savatage's Streets: A Rock Opera, with the majority going the way of the flying-digits and warm melodies." ~Marc Baum (Prog Archives) " 'Images and Words' is a prog metal defining classic: that's an undisputed historical fact, given its great influence on the further development of prog metal as a genre with an identity of its own. Now, the question is: does 'I&W' deserve all the praise it got and still gets from lots of reviewers, fans and a bunch of music critics? My answer is: yes, it does." ~Cesar Inca (Prog Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:42:27 GMT -5
#32"This marks the first time that the many amalgams of underground punk, hardcore and metal successfully mutated into a strain of dissonance that bore only the barest resemblance to the genres that inspired it. While other bands pushed the stylistic and cultural boundaries between punk and metal (Deep Wound, DRI, Cryptic Slaughter, etc.), Napalm Death created an entirely new template that shattered the aural relationship been music and sound, pitting high-velocity hardcore and primitive death/thrash against each other with strategic uses of pure noise and amplifier feedback." ~Social Impeachment (Metal Archives) "This is the epitome of grindcore and a great album to introduce you to the genre." ~PersonalDisease (Metal Archives) "Scum is an enjoyable, groundbreaking, and revolutionary album in the world of extreme metal. One must be familiar with this album in order to fully understand genres such as Grindcore and Death Metal. Along with the fantastic song writing, the primitive, rough, dirty, fast, and absolutely inaccessible sound of Scum is the original blueprint for Grindcore and Death Metal." ~Grave Ritual (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 16:44:43 GMT -5
#31"Ronnie James Dio's highly volatile early career finally found some stability when the critically acclaimed singer with the skilled theatrical vocals formed his solo band and released the iconic Holy Diver. The record has everything heavy metal stood for in the eighties and is rightfully considered a classic. The talented singer moved away from his early progressive rock soundscapes and doom metal stylistics to release an album focusing on consistent, fast and short anthems and slightly more elaborate mid-paced atmospheric tracks." ~kluseba (Metal Archives) "Definitely, "Holy Diver" became an important record not just in the heavy metal scene, but in the rock world as well. Moreover, is one those cult albums that a real metalhead should have in his/her collection, and is also recommended for those who are interested in the genesis of power metal." ~ballcrushingmetal (Metal Archives) "I mean, it's Holy Diver, one of the easiest going and most simplistic Heavy Metal milestones you'll find. Yet we have endless cases of people who listen to this album expecting something other than what it is, which is basically a metal album from the days when the subgenre was just getting off its laurels to progress. It is an album that does not aim to offend a single soul, an album crafted from a simple and basic love of the rock and metal genres, of the sound of a distorted guitar, a wailing voice and a kick ass drum beat to go along with them, and the magic they produce. And that is a damn worthy cause." ~Empyreal (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:40:24 GMT -5
#30"Fierce, filthy, and full of blasphemy and overboard metal attitude, Welcome to Hell by Venom was a landmark change for metal in the early 1980s since it laid out the grittier side of the new wave of British heavy metal and brought a lot more dirt into metal as a whole, laying out a style of evil, thrashing motion, and grit that laid the groundwork for everyone from Metallica and Anthrax, to the Melvins, and of course... laying out the foundation for black metal. However, Venom were really far from black metal, more so establishing the rough production standards and obsession with Satan rather than the actual black metal sound. What we get on here is a lot like Motรถrhead, but nastier and more dedicated to an occult image. The music contained within is a series of catchy pieces of sleazy, crunching metal that snags you and swings you into the fire. There may be nastier and more evil bands nowadays, but there's no denying the strength of Welcome to Hell since it sill maintains a lot of its grimy crunch and signature songs to this day." ~psychoticnicholai (Metal Archives) "What can I say about this album that hasnโt been said before?" ~metalguy69 "Our underground owes so much to Welcome to Hell. Even if itโs not your cup of tea, thereโs no discarding its importance to metalโs heavy-handed development, and every fan of black, death, thrash, and speed metal should raise a goblet in its honor. Indeed it is the heaviest, dirtiest, and most unwholesome album of its day, and the unholy trinity couldnโt have started their reign with a worthier title." ~Gutterscream (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:41:56 GMT -5
#29"This album is obviously the album most famous for being the album Death goes from an amazing death metal band to the apex of Death metal." ~kcajremmerhcs (Metal Archives) "This album pushed boundaries of speed and technicality in metal music. I never liked death metal until I heard this album, but it totally changed my perspective on the genre. If you take the time to really listen and notice how amazing the musicianship is, it changes how you look at the death metal genre. Without this album, metal today would not be the same. Human is a timeless release that will continue to influence death metal bands for years to come." ~Cohesion (Metal Archives) "If youโre a Death fan and are lacking this album, youโre missing out on a plethora of tracks that will blow your mind. The music is the highlight of the release and no other death metal album that Iโve heard can compete with this one. The music, solos, vocals, drums and lyrics all fit together to make one hell of a monumental metal release that can never be duplicated. Chuck was an amazing musician who died too young. His music will live on as a legacy in the death metal world." ~Orbitball (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:43:12 GMT -5
#28Metal Archives Rating: 98% "This is one of the definitive death metal classics for sure." ~Writhingchaos "Left Hand Path is the epitome of the perfect death metal record." ~Iron Wizard "No collection is complete without โLeft Hand Pathโ in it." ~dismember_marcin "Left Hand Path is forever." ~televiper11 "Not even one thing is out of place. It is flawless. Period." ~GiantRex "MASTERPIECE" ~mad_submarine "It's spotless." ~autothrall "Possibly one of the greatest and most important death metal albums ever yet laid down." ~Crank_It_Up_To_666 "If you are looking for one classic Swedish death metal album to own... this should be your choice." ~kultofkraken
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:45:05 GMT -5
#27"It's a crucially important album to the genre, and to me personally. I hail it as a masterpiece." ~grimwinter13 (Metal Archives) "What we have here is a classic death metal album that's flaws aren't even flaws. That's how awesome this album is. If you're reading this I'm going to assume you like death metal, but trust me man, there is no death metal without Cannibal Corpse. Sure, they aren't the best death metal band ever, but they are definatly among the most memorable, and "Hammer Smashed Face" is easily one of the genre's best moments. Go pick up your copy today!" ~TheSunOfNothing (Metal Archives) "HEY! LOOK AT US! WE'RE EDGY! GET OFFENDED BY US! WE'RE SICK AND DISGUSTING AND YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO US! CONTROVERSY!!!" ~Satosuke (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:46:34 GMT -5
#26"A bona-fide thrash metal masterpiece, it possesses everything a fan of metal could ask for. Rapid-paced, heavy riffs that scream through the ears of listeners for the better part of 36 minutes; excellent musicianship from the entire band; and top notch song writing all propel this album to the top of the crowded thrash scene. This album is perfect for those who want to get into both Megadeth and metal, as it contains many of the genre's important aspects. It's pretty cheap too." ~Mikesn (SputnickMusic) "The album that defines Megadeth: increasing musical flair, lyrical complexity, more sophistication and more controlled yet fiery aggression." ~ShredderX (Metal Archives) "Mustaine succeeded in making one of the best heavy/thrash metal albums of all time. It's one of Megadethโs finest moments, and it's my personal favourite, although Rust in Peace sits comfortably alongside it. This album gets a 10/10." ~JohnHoxton (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:49:19 GMT -5
#25"If youโve ignored this album, because of the power metal tag or the sounds too much like Maiden tag, I urge you to reconsider and pick it up. You are missing out on too much joy (and metal) for you to afford otherwise." ~TrooperEd (Metal Archives) "No use writing an epistle. Just go get this album right away." ~morbert (Metal Archives) "As far as I'm concerned, this is Helloween's finest hour, although sadly it would be the last time that Kai Hansen would be in the band. As observed with how his music has evolved with Gamma Ray, it is clear that he was going in a different direction than the others in the band. This is a piece of power metal history that no current fan of the genre should be without." ~hells_unicorn (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:50:37 GMT -5
#24"All in all this is a total fucking MASTERPIECE. I could go on forever praising it and it still wouldn't be enough. I pity those who haven't listened to it yet. There comes a time when this album becomes a daily need and you can't do anything but listen to it again and again. So stop anything you're doing and listen to this NOW!" ~DSOfan97 (Metal Archives) "This is the album that set the bar for all heavy metal albums to follow." ~mjollnir (Metal Archives) "Well, there's almost no topping this album, really, it's just too incredible. I don't just hand this score out, after all. Abigail is undoubtedly the best King Diamond album, and in my opinion, there is some really big competition among his catalog, making best King album an incredible distinction. The vocals and all instruments are just performed brilliantly and written expertly. Abigail is not only a must for King Diamond and Mercyful Fate fans, but it is essential to any metal fan. Just sit back, enjoy the music, and headbang!" ~TwillightMoonReviews (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:52:26 GMT -5
#23"I believe this is one of the best albums in the history of Iron Maidenโs career. It is a disc that cannot be missing from your collection. Even when some claim that The Number of the Beast is their best and that album certainly contains great hymns, all songs from this record work perfectly together making a perfect symphony of metal. Nonetheless, many of Maidenโs classic fans hate this record because it was a 180ยบ change in the group's sound, so over the years it has gained some stupid bad reputation. But reality is that Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is truly an absolute classic of Maidenโs discography." ~WR95 (Metal Archives) "The album is flawless, it is one of the best metal albums ever. Iron Maiden never had a finer moment." ~UltraBoris (Metal Archives) "After 4 great/perfect albums in a row, who would've thought Maiden could make yet another masterpiece? I don't know. All I know is that "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" is close to perfect." ~RaZe (Metal Archives)
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Jul 15, 2018 22:55:47 GMT -5
#22"The final reason that this stands above most of the Ozzman's other solo work is that there isn't anything that I recoil at, as is the case with parts of other albums. Nothing is awful, some parts are really awesome, and even the mediocre bits are turned to account by the energy and freedom of the band. Really good stuff." ~gasmask_colostomy (Metal Archives) "Blizzard of Ozz is basically a who's who of immortal metal classics." ~octavarium (Metal Archives) "Rhoad's playing is the reason to own this album. Overall, it's a solid example of 80's metal, despite being somewhat mainstream, and should be a part of just about every metal collection, whether you love Ozzy Osbourne or despise him." ~DawnoftheShred (Metal Archives)
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