Revisiting: Alice Cooper's "Raise Your Fist And Yell"

Welcome to the first post in a whole new series I've decided to do. I've done a bunch of different reviews series by now but nothing quite like this. You see, I've decided to dig up old albums which I used to crank on a regular basis, but have kind of "forgotten" about in more recent years. I guess you could also call it nostalgia reviews, of sorts.

I will also review each album in this series differently to previous reviews. Instead of writing the review more like a summary of everything, I'm gonna do detailed commenting on each track as well as the albums' productions and overall sounds. What am I waiting for, let's get started!

Band/artist: Alice Cooper
Album: Raise Your Fist And Yell
Release year: 1987
Style: Heavy Metal 

Quick introduction: Alice Cooper goes far back with me. As a child I really enjoyed his music, although it was mostly some of his 70's hits. I always loved old school metal and hard rock music as a kid, having young metalhead parents and all, but when I got my own interest in the subject there wasn't much love for Alice Cooper. Apart from Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and AC/DC there wasn't really much 70's stuff that I liked. Being an 80's metal fanatic, however, I somehow stumbled upon this album around 2007 and it was my key into Alice Cooper, but I haven't really listened much to it since cirka 2009, though.

1. Freedom

Unlike any other AC album prior to this one, this album starts off with this king of raging metal statement. A statement against the infamous PMRC - metal music's number one enemy in the 1980's. It's an anthem, a call to arms against the censorist cunts who tried to ban what we all love. Killer drums and overall a very memorable and heavy tune. It really put Alice on the 80's metal map, that's for sure.

2. Lock Me Up

This was always somewhat of a favorite track on the album, at least back in the day. Very anthemic, melodic and super 80's style heavy metal. Some people will probably think it's dated and cheesy as hell, but that's one of the many things I love about 80's metal - lots of reverb, anthemic sing-along melodies and immense power in sound and spirit. The cameo by Freddy Krueger is a great touch as well.

3. Give The Radio Back

This is one of the tracks I remember best from ten years ago. Great riff, quite catchy although not as powerful chorus as the previous tracks, but overall a cool song. Not one of my favorites on the album but it's decent enough not to feel like filler material.

4. Step On You

Very cool track and one of my favorites. Super catchy melodies and memorable instrumentation. Glam Rambo a.k.a. Kane Roberts really busts out some chops on this one, from playful noisy stuff to showcasing his skill and finesse.

5. Not That Kind Of Love

Probably my least favorite track on the album yet still a decent track. It's just not as engaging as the others.

6. Prince Of Darkness

Probably the catchiest and possibly also the most memorable song on the entire album. This has got everything that makes for a classic 80's heavy metal tune. I also can't help but to feel like they took this one somewhat more seriously than the other tracks. Maybe it's because it was in the John Carpenter movie with the same name.

7. Time To Kill

Another killer track with some great guitar work. Probably my favorite track if judged by the guitars only, but the chorus is very catchy as well. A very competent and musically thought through song. Kane Roberts also shaped one of his finest solos in this one.

8. Chop Chop Chop

Part one in what's considered something of a "trilogy" on this album, namely the album's last three tracks. Great riff and song overall but I feel the chorus is perhaps a bit lazy. It's just like that Dio song "Shoot Shoot". I just don't like it when the chorus turns into a one word "mantra" for some reason.

9. Gail

This is as classic Alice Cooper as it gets. Very atmospheric. It could've also been something straight from a King Diamond album. Very ghastly sounding.

10. Roses On White Lace

Another favorite of mine, as well as for many other fans it seems. It's a very heavy and engaging track with a faster tempo. Great riffing, powerful solo, cuper catchy chorus, and the mid section is a slightly blissful moment amidst all the chaos. I bet this was a rippin' track during the live tour.

Overall impression:

This is a very good album with some real standout tracks. A few tracks are definitely not as strong but I never feel like the album truly dips into mediocrity. It keeps a good balance throughout its entire duration and I also find it catchy and revisitable. The production is also pretty crisp and clear enough. It's not polished like the Trash album and not as cheesy sounding as Constrictor. It's got a pretty organic feel, I'd say. It seems like the production was definitely made with the songs' sound and character in mind.

I really liked this album back when I first heard it over ten years ago. Having not listened to it much, if at all, since the very end of the last decade, I still find this album highly enjoyable not to mention extremely underrated. It might be a bit on the heavy side for an Alice Cooper album, but I for one am really happy he decided to embrace a heavier side as well. Hell, after hearing the Brutal Planet album this one is pretty tame in comparison. That is, by the way, another underrated but totally killer album from AC.

Being more of an Alice Cooper fan for these past ten years than I was during my first five as a metalhead, I can happily say that Raise Your Fist And Yell is one of my top-3 favorite albums of his. It really is a great album, if you can look past a few moments of extreme 80's cheese. If you're like me, however, it will probably just make you like it even more.

Black Sabbath: All Albums Ranked Worst To Best

Black Sabbath might just be the most important band of all time to me. My parents grew up listening to Sabbath, Ozzy, Dio and all that stuff during the 80's, then I got to grow up with all that stuff during the 90's and early 2000's. By 2002, I had become interested in music myself and metal was, of course, the best shit in the world.

So where did I start off? It was Ozzy and his solo stuff that really got me into music as a whole, but with him Sabbath obviously followed. From there I discovered Dio (the band) and his previous works with Rainbow. I also kept an open mind towards the post-Dio eras of Sabbath and thus discovered that both Ian Gillan and Glenn Hughes used to be in Deep Purple. You know, the list just goes on and on.

With Black Sabbath essentially being the centerpiece of my entire musical world, I just had to make one of these lists for their albums. That is all of their albums, i.e. anything labeled "Black Sabbath" which have guitars performed by Tony Iommi. So, let's begin!

Classic Sabbath: Geezer, Ozzy, Tony, Bill

19: Forbidden (1995)

 Last place and thus the worst album of Black Sabbath's career is none other than, surprise surprise, 1995's Forbidden. It's definitely the most disliked album of their career by the fan-base in general, and for quite obvious reasons in my opinion. I don't really find the album particularly bad like many others do. For instance, I don't really have a problem with the album's mix which tend to be a real earsore to some fans. I just think it lacks a lot of the essential things that make a Sabbath album being Black Sabbath. It sounds like one of those typically dated mid-90's metal records which tried too hard to be up-to-date at the time.

Favorite track: Kiss of Death


18. Born Again (1983)

The sole album featuring then former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan on vocals. This was where Sabbath kind of started to fall away from the public eye and it's quite easy to hear why. There's nothing wrong with Ian Gillan and his vocals at all, but he belongs in Deep Purple and not Black Sabbath. With that said, the bulk of the album itself was kind of lackluster and its horrible mix didn't help any of it one bit. It's still got a few great tunes, though.

Favorite track: The Dark/Zero The Hero

1983-'84: Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi, (touring drummer) Bev Bevan, Geezer Butler

17. 13 (2013)

Sabbath's first Ozzy-fronted album in 35 years just didn't quite fare all too well with me. If I'm being completely honest, then I think it's actually a really boring album. It does nothing for me. On top of that there is no Bill Ward playing drums. Yes, I am the super-biased kind of fan. After all, if anything without Ozzy no longer is "Black Sabbath", then how can it be without Bill Ward? It was always Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill. That was Black Sabbath. This isn't. Whatever. Then we have Rick Rubin's awful production. It just sounds raw in the most plastic way and, of course, it's also brick-walled to high heaven. I hate the guy's production work. Ultimately I could've just lived without this "reunion album".

Favorite track: Methademic


16. Cross Purposes (1994)

At this point it already starts to get difficult to chose where to rank a few of the lesser great albums which remain. I'd say that everything from this one and below is pretty effin' great and only gets better and better, but you know, I decided to do this so I've got to make up my mind. This album, which really is quite cool, gets the 17th place for sounding a bit too dated. It's a good heavy metal record but it also sounds like a typical product of its time.

Favorite track: Cross of Thorns


15. Never Say Die! (1978)

Another album that's been quite bashed throughout the years. Initially I wasn't too fond of it either, but it has really grown with me in recent years. It sure is different from the earlier stuff with Ozzy but I for one welcome the evolving change of their sound at the time. There are some seriously overlooked gems on this record.

Favorite track: Junior's Eyes


14. Tyr (1990)

This is quite an interesting and unusual Sabbath release. First off, it's with the most excellent (and majorly underrated) Tony Martin on vocals, but it's also the only Black Sabbath to rely more on viking themes rather than christian ones. As a Swede I find these lyrical themes quite interesting and Tony Martin was also a good writer of lyrics. The one thing that makes it a less awesome Sabbath record, however, is how it tends to sound more like a power metal band rather than Black Sabbath. It's not really anything wrong with it. I mean, they pull it off masterfully, but it's not what I want or expect(ed) from a Sabbath record.

Favorite track: Anno Mundi

1990: Tony Martin, Tony Iommi, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray

13. Vol. 4 (1972)

I know this one has a very dedicated fan-base who believes that it's Sabbath's very finest hour. I on the other hand always felt like it was lacking something. It was their fourth album in the span of two years and I think that it shows to some extent. Less memorable songs and the mix sounds more  primitive in a rushed kind of way. It's still a great record, don't get me wrong, but just not one of my favorites.

Favorite track: Snowblind


12. Dehumanizer (1992)

Sabbath's reunion album with Ronnie James Dio, at the time, and it's the heaviest shit they've cranked out since the mid 70's. The album itself, however, falls somewhat short in comparison to the earlier Sabbath records with Dio on vocals, as well as Dio's own solo material at the time. It's doomy and heavy as all fuck, but it just doesn't quite cut it anyway. It's one of those scenarios where you are just left like you expected something more.

Favorite track: Master of Reality


11. Seventh Star (1986)

It's up for debate whether this one should really be regarded as a Sabbath album or not. It was initially intended as Tony Iommi's first solo album, but record labels tend to be money hungry cunts without any respect for integrity. Still, seeing as Tony was the sole original member for most of the time after 1984, I view this as a Sabbath release anyway. It is quite different compared to most of the band's other albums, though. It's got a very melodic heavy metal sound which is quite typical of its time, but it's the exact kind of 80's sound I fucking love. Besides, Tony's rocking a mean guitar tone on this one.

Favorite track: Danger Zone

1986: Dave Spitz, Glenn Hughes, Tony Iommi, Eric Singer, Geoff Nicholls

10. Technical Ecstasy (1976)

I always thought this album was unfairly underrated for an Ozzy-Sabbath record. I love the bulk of this one, with a few exceptions. To me this is just another great Sabbath record, albeit a bit experimental but in a good way. Some moments on this one reminds me of Queen, in a good way. Some other stuff sounds like the typical riff-heavy Sabbath we all love. Bill Ward also proved to be a great singer on this record.

Favorite track: You Won't Change Me


9. Heaven And Hell (1980)

At this point it's become really hard to decide where to place the remaining albums. As classic and great as this record is, and I truly love it, it's got a few moments which don't hold up quite as well as the others. Regardless, it's more or less a flawless record and the band performs exceptionally. Bill Ward hits those drums like a beast and Dio's vocals are just as amazing as ever.

Favorite track: Die Young

1980: Bill Ward, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iomii, Geezer Butler

8. Headless Cross (1989)

Another album with the excellent Tony Martin on vocals. Sadly I don't think this album would made it as far up in ranks on most other fans' lists. I am a fan of Black Sabbath regardless of what era we're talking. Tony Martin's voice is one of my favorites of all time as well. This album is yet another slightly different kind of record for Sab, as it features some typical AOR-esque influences which were popular at the time. I guess one way to describe it would be a "satanic Whitesnake and/or Blue Murder". There certainly are some traits of those kinda bands on this record, while still sounding like Sabbath of course. Tony Iommi also brings out some of his greatest guitar work on this one.

Favorite track: When Death Calls


7. Black Sabbath (1970)

Black Sabbath's debut album is as classic as it gets. It also marks something of the "official" birth of heavy metal. It's without doubt one of the greatest records of all time, still it ends up on 7th place on my list. I really think that says something about it, the band and the overall quality and impact of their music. The title-track, as well as the first Sabbath track, amazed me in a way no other song has ever done when I first heard it. I didn't really know any metal at that point, nor any other "extreme music" for that matter. I was 12 in 2002 and heard it for the first time. It could've been 1970 for all I know. To me it was so dark and sinister in a really uncomforting way, yet so chilling and amazing.

Favorite track: Black Sabbath


6. Paranoid (1970)

"How come you place this as low as 6th?! It's the best!!" Well, first off, I am a Black Sabbath fan. I listen to everything they ever put out, not just this one album. Unfortunately, it seems like this is the only album a large majority of listeners go for. Looking at Last.fm, for instace, confirms this as well. I dunno. It's their "hit record" for sure, but these songs were never their "hits" to me personally. I always liked a lot of other songs more. As fuckin' great as this record is, it's just not that extra ordinary special to me.

Favorite track: Electric Funeral


5. The Eternal Idol (1987)

"Watt fockin' album's thiz?!" You see the title above. It's also the first album with Tony Martin. Inititially this was going to feature the late Ray Gillen on vocals but I'm glad they ended up with Tony Martin instead, seeing as I like his voice slightly more. Possibly the most underrated album of Sab's entire catalogue. It's not perfect but it's a damn good record. Powerful vocals, riffs and solos. Some more notable background keyboards as well. The mix is pretty much the only downside about this one. It sounds more like a rough mix rather than a finished product. I dunno. It works but it could've sounded better. The songs, however, are really good in my opinion. I just love this album!

Favorite song: Ancient Warrior


4. Mob Rules (1981)

My favorite Sab album with Dio on vocals. Just a great heavy metal record. Unfortunately it's a somewhat underrated/overlooked one as well. The band themselves, as well as fans, seem to think lesser of this compared to Heaven And Hell. I always thought this was a better record and the songs are really fuckin' good. Some more doom and groove on this one. I guess that appeals to me more. Vinny Appice is also one of my favorite drummers. The best drummer Sabbath ever had after Bill Ward.

Favorite track: Voodoo


3. Master of Reality (1971)

For a long time this used to be my favorite Sab album. I guess I wore it out to a slight extent while the top two grew on me more. Nonetheless this is still an amazing album to my ears. The songs with their heavy riffs, Ozzy's trademark vocals and the excellent rhythm section with Bill and Geezer is just a perfect combination. Definitely one of the most classic metal albums of all time.

Favorite track: Children of the Grave


2. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

This one also used to be my favorite for a while. This one had more variety than the previous records without going into the quite experimental routes which later Ozzy-Sabbath records did. It's just an amazingly mastercrafted piece of music. Ozzy also reached his vocal peak around this period of time and I always loved his nasally ways of singing.

Favorite track: Spiral Architect


1. Sabotage (1975)

And the winner is none other than this masterpiece right here. Initially it wasn't made favorite, as I've already pointed out, but it has grown and grown and grown on me over the years and it's just grandeur. Every single note is nothing but perfection. It's just the perfect Sabbath album in all ways imaginable. It's got great songs, a great flow and all the members are really peaking performance-wise. It's just a perfect mix of everything Sabbath was with Ozzy during the 70's.

Favorite song: Megalomania

That's a wrap, folks! I hope you enjoyed my list! And remember, it's just my personal opinions. Nothing to get butthurt over if they don't agree with your own.

Black Sabbath might be over now but their music and legacy will live on. Whereas their run has ended, my has merely begun. But at least I know that they will run with me until the day my own run ends, and hopefully beyond as well!

10 Hard Rock & Metal Bands: With great energy

Starting off this year will be a list of ten (10) bands which I believe to have great energy in their playing style. So, what do I mean by "energy"? I mean it as in feeling, delivery and dynamic style. To see what bands I chose, simply scroll down below.

Note: This isn't a top-list as in rate 1-10. It's just a list of ten bands fitting the description.

• Van Halen

Everybody knows Van Halen, right? They're something of a "love 'em or hate 'em" kinda band. You're also either a David Lee Roth-era fan or a Sammy Hagar-era fan. Personally I'm the DLR-era fan. Now, what I like in Van Halen's sound is their playful style. Eddie VH is a fantastic guitarist and his style is very unique and innovative, especially for its time. They're like one huge party thrown into a musical package. Just listen to the power of the drums accompanied by the playful guitar and driving bass, while Mr. Roth delivers his characteristic vocals.

• Motörhead

There is no other band that will rock 'n' roll harder than Motörhead ever did. They were pure, raw, intense and hard. Call it hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock or whatever. Lemmy always said that they play rock 'n' roll. My father also once told me that I was conceived to Motörhead's music. How could I him for that? It's great shagging music.

• Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy has had a great many musicians coming and going throughout the years. Some have been great while others have been somewhat more forgettable. The man has had a serious talent for finding great guitarists in particular, however, as he played with the late legendary Randy Rhoads as well as Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde among others. While not all of his line-ups and albums were particularly energized, a few of them was. Both albums with Randy Rhoads have great energy from all musical departments.

The nowadays greatly (and sadly) overlooked "The Ultimate Sin" also had some really great playing by guitarist Jake E. Lee and the late drummer Randy Castillo. After that, Ozzy's had a few more high-octane albums featuring Zakk Wylde as well. Unfortunately though, quite a few of his more recent albums have been lacking that good ol' pure rock 'n' roll energy from his 80's heyday.

• Dio

Ronnie James Dio played with some of the best musicians of the genres throughout his career. Many legendary names as well as just-as-good lesser known names. For me personally, however, I always prefered the man in his solo band the most. Every Dio album up until and including the massively underrated "Strange Highways" (1993) all have great energy to them. Well, "Lock Up The Wolves" (1990) kinda lacked that a bit here and there I'll admit, particularly in the drum department.

With musicians like Vinny Appice behind the drum kit on all releases up till 1996, it's hard to not get a great energy going. Add guitar players such as Vivian Campbell, Rowan Robertson and Tracey G. along with bassists Jimmy Bain and Jeff Pilson and you've got a great fockin' band. The only thing that saddens me about Dio's solo career is how his last few efforts got very stale. It's like the fire turned into a struggling spark. Anything from the band's first ten years is great, though.

• Manilla Road

Another classic example of a three-piece managing to make something sounding epic as fuck, despite the lack of more players in the band. Manilla Road's got some massively underrated guitar, bass and drum work. Every department is just on fire! Well, the vocals maybe not so much, but they're what keeps them down to earth in what is otherwise God-like. Seriously, some of the best heavy metal guitars you'll ever hear are available from this band.

• AC/DC

For being a relatively mid-paced and straight-forward king of hard rock band, they've got an awful lot of energy to their sound. Is there any other band in the genre (hard rock) which you can headbang to like you can with AC/DC? I think not. A solid proof less can be more.

• Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy was such an amazing and unique band which could really do music any way they liked, and still it would sound great. Hard rock, soul, blues, funk or heavy metal - all the same: awesome! Just listen to this clip above here. It's like all hell's breakin' loose, and that's exactly what I want in a band.

• Entombed

Entombed was the first death metal band I ever got into and perhaps still the most intense one. Their first two albums are fockin' legendary and the pure energy of riffs, crushing drums and deathly grunts are just as metal as it gets. The Stockholm death metal scene in general really knew their shit back in the day.

• Cro-Mags

My favorite band within the hardcore scene. They were heavy, raw, intense and overall very genuine. Their first three records never get old in my world. They kicked some major ass back in the day and they still kick the asses of all new-comers out there.

• W.A.S.P.

I've always loved this band for Blackie Lawless' great sound and style, vocally as musically. They always were somewhat in between being glam metal and heavy metal, but it's like they fused the two together and became a dynamite. In my book, when a band manages to make you imagine one thousand roaring motorcycles come ridin' on Route 66, it's something done real right.


And that was ten bands, folks! I hope you enjoyed my list and maybe you even found a new band or two in the process? Later!

Recommendation of the year: Sumerlands

So I wanted to do a little bit of a fan promotion right now. There's a relatively new band out there right now called Sumerlands featuring names such as vocalist Phil Swanson (Hour of 13, etc.) and musicion/producer Arthur Rizk (Eternal Champion, War Hungry, Power Trip, etc.). They come from Philly (Philadelphia), Pensylvania and they play some good old school-influenced American heavy metal.

If I were to describe their sound, I'd say they sound a lot like (80's) solo-era Ozzy Osbourne and also post-Ozzy Black Sabbath. Particularly the vocals are very reminiscent to that of Ozzy's, albeit a lot more cleaner and greater in vocal ranges. Phil Swanson simply sounds amazing! But then again, Ozzy and Sabbath are my very great musical idols, I love that kind of sound.

The guitar work is also very much in the same vein as Ozzy's solo stuff, particularly that of Randy Rhoads and maybe slightly more from Jake E. Lee. Influences of other bands such as Savatage, Queensrÿche and maybe even some Mercyful Fate are to be found here. But I think the band manage just fine to still make the music their own and with a unique touch to it.

Overall the sound is very organic as well as dynamic. The guitars are filled with details and a bit playful in their approach, kinda like Van Halen if you know what I mean? The drums are also very hard-hitting and provides a ferocious stampede throughout the album's run. They're also produced with a heavy 80's sound which I just love.

If you're a fan of Ozzy's "The Ultimate Sin" album and Sabbath's albums with Dio, Tony Martin and the others in between, then this will most likely appeal to you. Fans of other US heavy/power metal bands will likely also like this, as there are some influences of Manilla Road and the other bands which I mentioned before.

To give the album a try, simply use YouTube, Bandcamp or Spotify down below:

YouTube

Spotify

Bandcamp

To purchase the album you can go to Relapse Records or Bandcamp. I ordered the black vinyl edition from Relapse myself.

Sumerlands shop @ Relapse Records

Top-15 Best Songs: Judas Priest

Welcome to a new series I'm starting here, right now! A top-15 best songs list, because 10 is simply not enough most of the times. Debuting this new series will be the almighty Judas Priest. I will base the list on my personal preference rather than the general one, or which songs are hits or not. Screw that! No further description is really needed so let's get started!

15. Blood Red Skies (1988)

Powerful and epic. Rob Halford vocally in top shape. The productions sucks but it doesn't ruin the song's awesomeness. The song also sounds very good and heavy live on Epitaph (2013).

14. Dissident Aggressor (1977)

The song itself isn't anything special, I think. It's the riff and drums that totally do it for me. One of Priest's finest "harder" metal moments.

13. Diamonds And Rust (1977)

Amazing cover of the Joan Baez song. One of the finest covers of all time, as well. Just listen and feel it for yourself. Outstanding vocal performance from Rob.

12. Out In The Cold (1986)

Another one of Priest's more emotional semi-ballad tracks. I guess I'm just a sucker for those. This live version is also very nice. It says a lot about the song when the band opened up with this in 1986.

11. Victim Of Changes (1975)

The studio version is awesome. Live it's even better. My favortie official release of the song is from the Unleashed In The East live album (1979). This live clip is from the US Festival 1983.

10. You've Got Another Thing Comin' (1982)

This is the closest I get to a "given hit" on this list. Love the biker-esque sound, my kinda shit. Also GTA: Vice City back in 2002. It was the first Priest song I ever loved.

9. Turbo Lover (1986)

In one way this song is actually kind of bad, but in other ways (plural!) it's just fucking awesome! 80's cheesy, guitar synths and an infectiously good chorus. Very driving song. Great solo section.

8. Freewheel Burning (1984)

I had a crazy dream many years ago where I witnessed a cops-and-crooks car chase while I heard this song blast all over the world. High energy, great guitars. The production could be rawer, though.

7. Exiled (2008)

Many fans really disliked the Nostradamus (2008) album, but I loved it from day one. It's actually my favorite Priest record. This song is very powerful, very beautiful. I especially love the last two minutes - great build-up and conclussion.

6. Prophecy (2008)

The opening track from Nostradamus. Just listen to that riff, so heavy. It's like riding a great chopper-style motorcycle while waving around a nasty sledgehammer at people. Fuck! Yeah, that's how I feel when I hear this.

5. The Sentinel (1984)

The guitars! The intro always sounded like you stood staring against a giant concrete wall, just to have the Metallian burst through it when the song kicks off. Such a huge song.

4. Hellrider (2005)

One of those truly perfect Priest songs. Simple but most effective riffing, great dual soloing, driving drums and a catchy chorus. A modern classic from Priest.

3. Beyond The Realms Of Death (1978)

Perfection. I actually almost stole the song title once. My old band made a song back in 2006 and we needed a title. I named it "Beyond Reality Of Death" (no "the", I'm Swedish and that's our own grammatic logic! I was really bad at English back then, as well). I always felt like the title was too familiar, though. Then I realized... haha!

2. Rock Hard, Ride Free (1984)

Another metal biker anthem, just the way I like my Judas Priest. This song never stuck with during the first few years as a fan. It wasn't before a guitarist we used to have in my old band, who loved this song, played it for me and I was instantly sold. Just like that!

1. Desert Plains (1981)

A very mellow track from Priest. Yet another biker anthem, and my favorite one at that. Very emotional, powerful and with an almost dramatic chorus. It sounds like the album cover, I guess. I always imagine myself riding a chopper (motorcycle, of course) on Route 68 or something when I hear this. Anyway, it's my favorite Priest song of all time.

-------

OK, so that's a wrap! Some people are probably surprised or even disappointed (maybe pissed?!) that I didn't include anything from Painkiller (1990) or British Steel (1980). Don't get me wrong for that, I love those albums. Just not enough, I guess. It was really hard coming up with 15 songs. I'm a huge fan of Priest, even the Ripper albums, so there's really a whole lot to choose from. But this was a fair and honest try, and I hope you enjoyed it.

My Top-10 Best Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time [2016]

On December 13, two years ago, I did my first list consisting of my ten (10) favorite heavy metal albums of all time. I'll tell you; it's fuckin' hard coming up with only ten albums which are supposedly the ten best. I have 3300-something played artists on my Last.fm, with the majority of the artists being some kind of metal. Then have in mind most of them did at least a few to many albums each, as well. That's quite a lot to choose from.

Another thing I did which I found rather weird was how I chose one album to represent the artists respectively as a whole. Looking back on it now, it's more like a "best heavy metal artist and their best albums respectively"-list. With that said, I decided to re-make a list and actually keep true to the list's purpose. Besides, my opinions have changed a bit during the last two years. So here ... we ... go!

Extra note: Only classic heavy and traditional metal, and NWoBHM will be included in this list. Not the "general understanding" that heavy metal means "all" metal.

--------

10. Saxon - Innocence Is No Excuse (1985)

Saxon is one of the greatest, hardest working and long-lived classic NWoBHM bands ever. They have made a large amount of records and still to this day they put out a record every two years. Another great feature of theirs is that they never put out a bad album. Some albums were obviously not-as-good as others, but I never disliked or got truly disappointed by a Saxon album. I feel secure when I say they're the only band on this list to have that feature.

Speaking of this particular choice of album. It's probably what you'd call their "second most commercial" release. The winner being Destiny (1988), of course. This was an attempt to break into the American market, which ultimately didn't succeed. I think it's still very much British heavy metal here, with a few touches of American influences. It's mostly the production that sounds American - huge arena-like soundscape, but that's exactly one of the features I love about 80's metal - lots of reverb all around. The songs just sound so huge on this record.

9. Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time (1986)

My first favorite band for a few years when I first started listening to heavy metal. I'll love Iron Maiden to death, but I do think the massive hype around them is overrated. I mean, in the long run their stuff just tends to be somewhat repetitive, especially Steve's songs although his the master at writing epic songs. But Maiden still deserves a lot of credit for what they've done throughout their career.

I'm one of those fans who prefer the old stuff. Mostly because I love the actual 80's sound so much, and I also think Bruce's voice was in much better shape back in his younger day. But one thing that was so great about Maiden in the 80's was how they constantly evolved into something better, in my opinion. This album was where they truly reached their peek in my book. I just love the sci-fi themed Blade Runner-esque setting from the cover art to the guitar-synths gracing the musical landscape.

8. Madison - Diamond Mistress (1984)

One of those more "odd" or "unheard" choices on this list, I imagine. Madison was an old Swedish band much in the vein of Priest, Maiden and speed metal. They only did two records with this being the first one. Their second album, unfortunately, followed the band Europe's success and did a glam metal album, which was rather bad.

This album was a great heavy metal. From the fast guitars and drums to the young and somewhat naive, but still great vocals from Göran Edman (later in John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen's bands respectively, and more). Like many other Swedish bands in the 80's, there are also hints of ABBA influences in the bands music. As a Swede, you can kind of here that as you largely grow up with ABBA here (for reasons I'll leave obvious). It's just an amazing record!


7. Accept - Balls To The Wall (1983)

Accept is probably my favorite band coming from Germany, and there are a lot to chose from. They had a really great run in the 80's, not so much in the 90's, but then again in the 2010's (or currently). Just like with many other bands in this list, they've had such great records it's rather hard choosing one as the better. This has got to be it for me, however, as I just love the heavy sound of it. The drums in particular are real heavy and kick-ass.

The songs on this album are all great. Perhaps there isn't a real "hit", if you want to call it that, but as an album in its whole I think it's one of the strongest ones ever made. The guitars are heavy and loud, drums pounding, bass deep and Udo's vocals are in great shape. Udo even manages to do the album's ballad "Winter Dream" without sounding out of place, despite his unique vocal style.


6. Enforcer - From Beyond (2015)

I would suppose a lot of you are familiar with the Swedish band Enforcer which is currently very active and rocking throughout the world. They're a young band taking on the very best of old school metal. The recipes are all available today and Enforcer just takes that opportunity to re-do and refine the recipes, in my opinion. For not being one of the "old originals", I think they're very competent in what they're doing. Without a doubt the best band among the "revival/retro bands" these days, because they simply make it sound original again. #makeheavymetalgreatagain






5. Judas Priest - Nostradamus (2008)

I'm a huge Priest fan and love most of their catalogue except for the Tim "Ripper" records. I've got nothing against the fact that it's Ripper who sings on the two albums in question, I just didn't like the actual music on them. Other than that, I love everthing from Priest's 70's stuff to their modern stuff.

So here I come and present a rather strange choice in most fans' eyes, I suppose? The truth is, when I bought this album soon after its release, I've been amazed by it ever since. I've always thought that keyboards add a lot more to records, if done properly of course, but who can deny the quality work from a master such as Don Airey (Ozzy, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Priest, etc.)? This two-disc release is just an epic musical journey which I love to experience. It's like all the greatest JP ingredients being enhanced. Master craftmanship.


4. Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

The almighty (Black) Sabbath, the "start of it all", as we say. Tony Iommi a.k.a. the riff maker no. 1 has driven this band to great heights throughout its career, whether it being musical or commercial heights. It doesn't matter, I love all eras of Sab and I'm a fan of all their records, even though some are not up-to-par with some others, like with most bands.

I had a really hard time choosing a favorite from Sabbath, because I love so many of them dearly, but I always keep going back to this particular one. I honestly can't say why that is exactly, but the music is just great and perhaps there are one or two extra special songs which are dear to me. It's hard to say. Nonetheless, it's an amzing record from an amazing band and it's a great record to experience the band through.



3. Dio - Holy Diver (1983)

Dio (the band) is one of my favorites of all time, and so is Ronnie's amazing voice. Everything from the raw guitar riffs, live-feel drumming, stellar bass and keyboard soundscapes. It's a band that really managed to make their music sound like "pictures", if you know what I mean? It's impossible to just listen to the music itself. You hear it and it's like making up your own fantasy movie with Dio's music as its soundtrack, and that's exactly what I love about their music.

There are many great records done by this band and I've been going back and forth throughout the years about which one is my favorite. Right now, it's this one, but at some points I favored other albums (note, plural). They were such an amazing band and RJD is actually my very favorite vocalist. The man had such an emotional and powerful voice, and it truly saddens me that we'll never hear his voice grace some new wonderful heavy metal again.

2. Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath (1984)

The most sinister and evil heavy metal album ever made. This is one of those few gems that are just flawless. Everything from King Diamond's ghostly falsetto to his darker and twisted screams. All that in company with some amazing and Judas Priest-esque twin guitars, courtesy of Hank Shermann and Michael Denner. I just simply love their style and sound, and I've never heard any more evil-sounding guitars on a heavy metal album than those found here. The ultra-distorted guitar sound is just mindblowing and most unique, as I've never heard any other band using this particular sound before or after (some black metal bands have come close, though).

This one is one of the most definitive, perfect and most amazing metal albums of all time, no matter what sub-genre we're talking. It's got all of the essential ingredients of what defines a great heavy metal record. From the classic and powerful cover art, which just suits the musical content perfectly, to every band members' creative efforts and skills. This is one of those truly immortal classics, and also one of my true holy grails in my vinyl collection.

1. Ozzy Osbourne - Diary Of A Madman (1981)

And number one ...*drum roll*...*tss!*... Ozzy Osbourne! The Godfather of heavy metal, and the one and only who made my interest for heavy metal explode back in 2002. I owe so much to Ozzy, his music and the countless hours I've been enjoying his legacy, from Sabbath to his most recent solo stuff. However, my favorite work of his lies in his 80's solo career, or more specifically up till the No More Tears album. Most of his records up till that point was awesome, with the exception of Bark At The Moon (whose title-track is still kick-ass as fuck).

This album is the perfect example of what I love about Ozzy's music: his unique voice (in awesome shape on this record, just listen to "You Can't Kill Rock 'n' Roll"), his musicians (particularly the amazing Randy Rhoads) and the songs themselves. This is truly the man's finest hour, especially with his own singing efforts in mind. This is the one album I'd chose to have with me on a deserted island.

--------

Honorable mentions (bands) which were ultimately rejected for not quite meeting the list's criteria or simply outdone:

Motörhead - (Several)
Danzig - Danzig (1988)
Twisted Sister - Come Out And Play (1985)
Tygers Of Pan Tang - Spellbound (1981)
Thin Lizzy - Thunder And Lightning (1983)
Ozzy, Sabbath, Dio, Priest, Saxon, Maiden, Enforcer - (More choices)

My Favorite OZZY OSBOURNE Albums From 1 to 10

Yo everybody, 'zup? It's been a while, since last year actually oh HA HA... I suck at this.

... Anyway, I'm in quite some Ozzy period right now. Ozzy Osbourne is the Godfather of heavy metal. Everybody knows that for a fact. What people don't know is that he's kind of my Godfather as well. See, it was Ozzy who got me into metal. It was back in 2002 when I heard a couple of tracks that I really fell in love with his music. The two songs in particular that caught my attention was "Bark at the Moon" and "Hellraiser" (especially). Believe it or not, but "Crazy Train" was a song I actually was never too fond of. I always thought of it as highly overrated, you know? I never liked the poppy gallop-y verse riff. It's grown on me over the 13 years that I've listened to Ozzy, but I still roll my eyes a little bit every time I hear its verse. The chorus is cool, though!

I'm not gonna count compilations, singles, EPs, live albums or the cover album "Under Cover" on this list. Official studio albums only. Anyway, let's list this (good) shite!


10. Down To Earth (2001)

On tenth and last place is this sucker. This is very much not the Ozzman's (or Zakk Wylde's, for that matter) best effort to date. Actually, I think this is the opposite. It's by no means a bad album, but it's just somewhat dull and weak compared to Ozzy's other albums. Especially the older ones. What really makes this album one of his weaker is the repetitive and occasionally uninspired-like material, accompanied with a very muddy, stiff and boring production. It just sounds lifeless and none of the band members really get to shine here. There are, however, a few cool tunes here like "Gets Me Through", "No Easy Way Out", "That I Never Had" and "Alive". Of course "Dreamer" is quite nice, too. I don't listen to it very often, though. I also dig the B-side "Black Skies" from this album. That one should've replaced any of the unmentioned tracks, because the remaining album sounds very much like filler material.

09. Scream (2010)

Well, it wasn't too long ago since this came out. Or, yeah, it's almost five years so I guess it's quite some time, but I remember it like a month ago. Zakk Wylde had been let-go of and replacing him was the supposed power metal guru Gus G. (I never heard any of his other work). Ozzy wanted to change his sound away from Zakk's own band Black Label Society, and I can respect that. However, fans all over the world were quite disappointed with the result of this album - there's pretty much no musical difference to this album or any of the more recent Ozzy albums with Zakk (or BLS). This sounds like it's written by/with Zakk, and played by him as well apart from the many missing squeals. However, that was not the only disappointment with this album - the fans also thought it was pretty bad. I for one actually kinda like(d) this album a lot. It's certainly not bad, but once again not nearly Ozzy's best album. It's got a flow going, no fillers, no particular killers either, but a fine line of average to good quality tunes (for Ozzy's standard) throughout. One still standing disappointed for me, however, is Gus G. - I expected more from him after all the fuzz and Ozzy's wishes to change the sound. He's the most boring and characterless of Ozzy's guitarists to appear on an Ozzy album. Ozzy should've gotten Jake E. Lee back, or just as well kept Zakkie.

08. Black Rain (2007)

And here it is: the most perfect example of how unnecessary the trade from Zakk to Gus G. actually was. This album and Scream pretty much sound like brothers to me, musically. I guess I would say that this is somewhat darker and more swinging due to Zakk's squeals and overall more aggressive guitar playing. I think these songs are also slightly better then those on Scream, but to be quite honest: it was hard chosing which one of them to get this spot - they're pretty much at the exact same rate. What this album has most in its favor is its B-sides. The B-sides from this album are the best, in my opinion, from any Ozzy album. The song "Nightmare" is simply amazing and should've been on the regular version, no doubt. I don't know why it isn't, but it's one of my absolute favorite modern-era Ozzy tracks. This album has got some neat rockers overall, and the "fillers" are actually quite overlooked tunes by fans if you ask me. This is a good album. Ozzy looks awful on the album cover, though, but I like the title and concept of it.

07. Ozzmosis (1995)

I know what y'all probably thinking right now. Something like, "yeah, of course...", and yeah, maybe you're right. I'm the typical Ozzy fan, favoring all of his old albums before his newer stuff. I let the music speak for itself there. This album, however, is a real fan-base splitter. Some people tend to really (almost hate this and) place it last of all Ozzy albums, while some enjoy it a whole lot more, maybe even holding it rather close to their hearts. I'm somewhere in the middle. I don't think Ozzy has succeeded this album with any of his albums since Ozzmosis, but it's his worst up album until that point. It's also been a grower on me, for sure. What's perhaps hard about embracing this album, today, is it's very dated 90's feel and sound. Apparently this was a record company-controlled album in many ways where they wanted Ozzy to sound like Soundgarden at the time, while Ozzy had started off with this album as more of a "continuation" of No More Tears. That was a bad but ultimately interesting idea by the RC, I think. This is unarguably Ozzy's most experimental work and it's kind of interesting in that way, but it falls a bit short on delivering the real goods. My faves are "Thunder Underground", "See You On The Other Side" and "Tomorrow".

06. Bark At The Moon (1983)

This is perhaps Ozzy's most overrated albums ever. I will leave that up to debate with the next album on this list, but they together are his most overrated albums, no doubt. Anyway, this album is still a classic and important piece of 80's heavy ... metal, and a bunch of other stuff. Yes, that is the problem here - this album hasn't really got a red thread holding the material together. This album is not really experimental in that sense, but it's "all over" the place. I mean, we have some true heavy metal thunderstrucks like the classic title track and "Rock 'n' Roll Rebel", while we've got some weird attempts at keyboard-oriented gothic 80's metal in the otherwise cool and overlooked track "Waiting For Darkness". "Slow Down" is somewhere towards an AOR sound with it's silly-sounding chorus and, well... I don't know. It's all over the place. It goes into ballad territory as well, of course, with the excellent "You're No Different" and the instead awful grandma-loves-this-tune "So Tired". It's not a bad album, just not very solid either. There is one great thing about this album, though - the then-new guitarist Jake E. Lee, whose work with Ozzy I really like. Underrated and overlooked guy that not too many people, sadly, seem to remember or talk about.

05. Blizzard Of Ozz (1980)

Maybe this is more likely to be Ozzy's most overrated album, or maybe it isn't at all. I know many people love it and praise it, and so do I in many ways as well, particularly the talent of Randy Rhoads. The reason that this album isn't really my favorite, however, is the musical quality delivered here. What I can never understand with the praising of this album is how people tend to completely forget rather bland tracks like especially "No Bone Movies" and pretty much "Steal Away (The Night)", too. Those two tracks certainly don't help this album become a flawless masterpiece, even less Ozzy's best moment. Apart from that, there isn't much to discuss about this album. It's got Ozzy's most recognized tune "Crazy Train" and the fan favorite "Mr. Crowley", which is my favorite off this album as well. Randy Rhoads guitar work also stands the test of time - I love his playing - his tone, squeals, solos, classical overtones, and riffs. This is a very good album, without a doubt.

04. No More Tears (1991)

Times were a-changin' in the early 90's within the Ozzcamp, but maybe not really that different? This album is one of those critically acclaimed and fan favorited Ozzy albums, and I do see why. It was most likely very fresh in its time and packed with great tunes. It was the second album where Zakk Wylde handled the guitar duties and my guess is that he had more (of southern rock) input this time around. It's a very dynamic record, going from rockers to ballad-esque tracks to real heavy metal. What I really dig about this record is its variety and how it manages to still sound like an 80's Ozzy album, but with that early 90's attitude, feel and touch to it. Think maybe Ozzy's early solo stuff combined with early Alice in Chains and stuff. It was a winning concept nonetheless, as Ozzy was the only one, together with Metallica and (the) Red Hot Chili Peppers, amongst the 80's artists/bands who managed to remain successful and go multi-platinum in the new decade. But at the end of the day, I still miss something in this album. It hasn't got that special mystique that some of Ozzy's older albums have, or material quite up-to-par. Whatever this album has and hasn't got, it still is a quite unique Ozzy album as none of of his other stuff sounds like this one. And what else can I say? No other than Lemmy co-wrote four songs on this album, and like the best ones at that. This is an album that ages very nicely, and some of my absolute fave Ozzy tunes is on here: the title track, "Hellraiser", "Desire" and "Mama, I'm Coming Home". A very balanced, perfect all-around sounding middle-era album that combines the best of two worlds: what Ozzy did in the 80's and what he would later do up till this day.

03. The Ultimate Sin (1986)

One of Ozzy's more complicated albums, The Ultimate Sin has ever since it came out in '86 divided fans opinions all over the place, I believe. There seems to be a constant debate about where this album actually lies quality-wise. I wouldn't go on to call it underrated, overrated or misunderstood really, because most people seem to have given it a listen at some point at least. What I can feel about it, however, is that it's perhaps "wrongly accused". Some people bash this for being a sell-out album by Ozzy, which I can understand in one perspective - as it being a glam metal album released in the heydays of glam metal, but in any other perspectives, I cannot understand it. Ultimately I don't think it is an overly commercial album. I think it's still a bit too heavy compared to Mötley Crüe or Ratt, which were big glam acts at the time, and I still think it has more metal elements than those bands. It also sold "only" two million copies in the US, not really a too large amount compared to other glam metal bands. Some people also tend to think the material on this is simply weak, with no actual hits or memorable tunes present. I oppose them all. I think these songs are all great, even the ones generally considered "filler" (for instance - "Fool Like You", "Never") which are among my very favorites. It also spawns a few fan favorites, besides the obvious hit and classic "Shot In The Dark", which are the great "Secret Loser" and "Killer Of Giants". But what I think I dig the most about this album is the guitar playing by Jake E. Lee. The album cover is also my favorite one among Ozzy's albums.

02. No Rest For The Wicked (1988)

"What album did you say?", yes? This is like a mighty pearl thrown to the swines - a forgotten, totally underrated and overlooked heavy metal album. This truly is the one and only Ozzy album I can truly considered underrated and overlooked. Despite selling two million copies in the US alone, people seem to have genuinely forgot all about this one. Perhaps it's because it totally lacks anything called a "hit single", but perhaps it's just peoples ignorance as well. What this album is probably most (and sadly, only) remembered for is that it was the first album featuring a very young Zakk Wylde, and you can immediately recognize him and his style. This is very much a pure heavy metal album - a very dark and heavy one at that. I mean, in my opinion, this is without a doubt Ozzy's heaviest and darkest album ever. There is an eerie and sinister feeling throughout the album, with Zakk Wylde-ified Black Sabbath-y riffing and pentatonic scales all over. He just plays with an intense hunger and energy, and he sure had got the chops already at that early age. Ozzy's drummer at the time, the late Randy Castillo, also really shines on this one. To me, this album is the best Ozzalbum drum-wise. I really appreciate this album as a whole without really trying to pick any favorites, but I would totally call "Breakin' All The Rules", "Miracle Man", "Bloodbath In Paradise" and the epic ballad-esque track "Fire In The Sky" classics in Ozzy's catalogue. The Japanese bonus track "The Liar" is also when of Ozzy's better (piano) ballads to my ears.

01. Diary Of A Madman (1981)

Maybe this was a bit foreseen and obvious of a choice, but one cannot deny the greatness and epicness of this true masterpiece. This album is totally something purely outstanding that Ozzy had never done before, or would do again. It's just something that was done right at the perfect time. This album has been closest to my heart out of all albums featuring Ozzy (inc. the Sabbath catalogue).
   There is something dark and strange going on behind the musical curtains that you cannot quite see or understand, you can only hear it being present through these tracks. I don't know much about the recording of this album, but I wouldn't be surprised if they recorded parts of it, or at least composed/rehearsed these tracks, in a haunted or possessed place. The album's magnificence is largely because of the guitar work by the late, great Randy Rhoads. I just truly believe Ozzy did find the ultimate musician in him, because his playing rules this album, and you do understand the fuzz and legend about him when you hear this album.
   I don't think you can compare this and Blizzard Of Ozz. It's two similar records but yet so different from each other. That one is really more of a "basic" album made of album tracks and hits, I'd say, while this is very epic and more complex. This is where Randy really pushed his creative boundaries, which is most notable in the amazing title track, which ends this masterpiece just perfectly.
   Believe me, I cannot express in words what this album is for me. It's like a journey you have to join yourself in order to understand, but that is certainly something that can't quite be said about any of the other Ozzy albums. This is one the one, the magnum opus, the flawless masterpiece.

My Top-10 Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time

I did a top-10 list of my personal favorite thrash metal albums ever, with one album per band representing their style and musical peak, to my ears. I thought that I'd do the same, but with my top-10 heavy metal albums. The same rule applies for this list - one album per band, their finest moment in my opinion, will represent the band as a whole.

#10: Warlock - Burning The Witches (1984)

The best metal ever made with a female singer. At least that is my ears' opinion. Back when I discovered this at 14, I couldn't stop listening to it. It's some raw German heavy/speed metal with Doro Pesch. While I can admit that her vocal performance here, her as well as the band's debut, is not the best of her career, the album as a whole is. This is satanic-themed heavy metal, totally '84-like metal cliché, but nothing but great and headbang-addictive. The riffing here is especially great.

#9: Madison - Diamond Mistress (1984)

A pretty unknown old band from Sweden sounding like some Priest wanna-be's. This was the first band of singer Göran Edman who would later become known for his work with guitarists John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen's solo work respectively. This is some great, high-energy heavy metal somewhere in between 80's Priest and Maiden's '81-'82 era. This is one of those true "forgotten" heavy metal gems out there. Hunt this one down!

#8: Steelwing - Zone Of Alienation (2012)

A fun surprise! It was my dear love who introduced me into these guys back before we actually got together. I listened non-stop to this album after that. It's some great, young heavy/speed metal primarily influenced by Judas Priest, but also Iron Maiden and the others, of course (which band is not?). It sounds true to the genres origin, sounding like a product of the 80's that could've as well been released back in the day. It's got some great fucking tunes on it, I promise you!

#7: Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time (1986)

My very favorite Maiden album. This is where they started to explore wider areas and got more interesting, while maintaining their usual quality heavy metal sound. Everybody shines on this album, especially Adrian Smith and Nicko McBrain. Smith is my favorite songwriter in Maiden, and this is pretty much "his" album, so it's just amazing to my ears. "Stranger In A Strange Land" is one my personal, as well as my dad's, favorite Maiden tracks ever. That solo is the greatest thing ever in a Maiden song!

#6: Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath (1984)

Evil and like it was forged in hell itself. This album has got a neat fucking guitar tone that just shreds you into pieces. The best album ever featuring King Diamond at the mic stand. This album is nothing but a sinister heavy metal, or first wave black metal if you prefer, masterpiece that every headbanger must have in his/her collection. You don't break the oath!

#5: Enforcer - Death By Fire (2013)

This might come as a surprise to many, places so high and all, but when a band like Enforcer puts out records, they fucking do it right and truthfully - even more so than most of the bands that actually were around back in the day. Along with Watain, I probably have to say that Enforcer is my favorite young/modern heavy metal band. They play the best speed metal I've ever fucking heard, and their albums even sound like they were released back in '83. This album is fucking killer, which is why I changed my Iron Maiden - Live After Death backpatch to Enforcer's "Total Metal" backpatch! Oh, and I won tickets to a show with Enforcer and Skull Fist earlier this year. That was fucking intense!

#4: Judas Priest - Defenders Of The Faith (1984)

It was either this one or "Screaming For Vengeance", which has got a better production, but this one's got the slightly better songs. Classics like "The Sentinel", "Freewheel Burning", "Jawbreaker", and my personal favorite "Rock Hard, Ride Free", never lose my attention or energy. I think this album, maybe apart from it's shitty drum-sound, stands the test of time the best out of all Priest records.

#3: Accept - Balls To The Wall (1983)

There's one word that describes this album as a whole: Perfection. It's heavy, both musically and production/sound-wise. Sweet riffs and vocal melodies. The drums are loud and heavy, the best put on record since Kiss' "Creatures Of The Night" album. It's a pure classic from the start till the end. I have listened to this album countless times since I was a fat, short-haired fucking twelve year old wanker. It never gets old!

#2: Dio - The Last In Line (1984)

This is probably the hardest choice. I love Dio's solo work, and I mean like almost every album. Obviously the best era of his I believe was 1983-1994, with all records released in between there being simply great! But I have to choose one, so I chose this one. It's got great tunes on it, apart from maybe "Mystery" which I'm not too fond of, too poppy even for Dio's standards. Vivian Campbell was also the greatest guitarist Dio ever had, and he fucking nails every single note on this album. I'm also weak for the album's closer, "Egypt (The Chains Are On)". Amazing album.

#1: Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest For The Wicked (1988)

Ozzy Osbourne - the Godfather of heavy metal. MY Godfather of heavy metal. He was the one who made me love (heavy) metal music, my ticket into this world of amazing music. My idol. I have been going back and forth for years whether this one or "Diary Of A Madman" is my favorite album of his, but at the moment this one feels like the one. It's a pretty dark and heavy album coming from him, and the debut of Zakk Wylde. I for one actually dig Zakk and he's fucking great on this album. There are almost only songs that I love on this one - "Breakin' All The Rules", "Miracle Man", "Fire In The Sky", "Crazy Babies", and "Bloodbath In Paradise", and the others. It's full of great and thick riffing, sweet soloing and some of the Ozzman's greatest vocal melodies ever! I'll love this album to death!