Top 25 most influential heavy metal albums of all time

[outlawtorn]

METALLICA's classic 1986 album "Master of Puppets" :headbang: has been selected by Spence D. and Ed Thompson of IGN Music as the "most influential" heavy metal album of all time. In the accompanying blurb explaining their choice, Spence writes, "Heavy metal fans no doubt have argued till blue in the balls about which METALLICA album is the greatest. It's a tough argument, to be true, but after kicking all naysayers in the gonads, we came to the conclusion that the band's third magnum opus was easily their best. Why? Because it built upon and perfected everything they had experimented with prior. It's the album where all the pieces come together in glorious cohesion and it's the album that finally woke the general public up to the power and the glory that METALLICA was born to spread."

Top 25 Most Influential Heavy Metal Albums of All Time, according to IGN Music:

01. METALLICA - Master of Puppets (Elektra Records, 1986)
02. BLACK SABBATH - Paranoid (Warner Bros., 1971)
03. IRON MAIDEN - Number of the Beast (Capitol Records, 1982)
04. MEGADETH - Rust in Peace (Capitol Records, 1990)
05. METALLICA - Ride the Lightning (Elektra Records, 1984)
06. OZZY OSBOURNE - Blizzard of Ozz (Jet Records, 1980)
07. SLAYER - Reign in Blood (American Records, 1986)
08. DIO - Holy Diver (Reprise Records, 1983)
09. METALLICA - ...And Justice for All (Elektra Records, 1988)
10. MOTÖRHEAD - Ace of Spades (Castle Music, 1980)
11. PANTERA - Vulgar Display of Power (East/West, 1992)
12. ANTHRAX - Among the Living (Megaforce, 1987)
13. BLACK SABBATH - Black Sabbath (Warner Bros., 1970)
14. FATES WARNING - No Exit (Metal Blade, 1988)
15. JUDAS PRIEST - Screaming for Vengeance (Columbia Records, 1982)
16. MÖTLEY CRÜE - Shout at the Devil (Elektra Records, 1983
17. MASTODON - Blood Mountain (Reprise Records, 2006)
18. OPETH - Blackwater Park (Koch, 2001)
19. PANTERA - Cowboys from Hell (Atlantic Records, 1990)
20. DEEP PURPLE - Machine Head (Warner Bros., 1972)
21. IRON MAIDEN - Piece of Mind (Capitol Records, 1983)
22. OZZY OSBOURNE - Diary of a Madman (Jet Records, 1981)
23. SEPULTURA - Roots (Roadrunner Records, 1996)
24. QUEENSRŸCHE - Operation: Mindcrime (EMI, 1988)
25. SCORPIONS - Lovedrive (Mercury Records, 1979)

To read the explanation for each album's inclusion, visit Music.IGN.com.

[James Deuce]

I could argue with every single one of those choices - but isn't that the great thing about music?

(Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime? - Come on Richard!)

[Lias]

I'd definitly take issue with some of those choices.

I mean FFS they dont have any Testament, or Venom, and some of the stuff on that list just doesnt even rate in the annals of history.

[placidfemme]

Damn and I only own one of the above...

*thinks I need to buy some more CD's*

[TerminalAddict]

good to see machine head on the list .. :)

[James Deuce]

good to see machine head on the list .. :)

See, that's where I'd stick Fireball. I've never grokked Machine Head.

[MisterD]

Seems utterly ridiculous that Diamond Head don't appear on the list considering how big an influence they were on Metallica

[Superweetard]

Got 15 of them

[Paul in NZ]

I'm proud to say that I do not own any of those albums and only recognise half the band names. But as Jim says - thats the great thing about music (I assume this heavy metal is some form of music?)

[Lias]

Think of heavy metal as an err well.. heavier.. outgrowth of rock n roll :-)

Whether you like the particular style of music or not, it at least requires talent and an ability to play your instruments well.

Unlike rap / R&B / hiphop which require no musical talent whatsoever.

[riffer]

Damn. Got them all except the Scorpions and the Opeth one.

And boy, could I argue this one all day.

[riffer]

Unlike rap / R&B / hiphop which require no musical talent whatsoever.

Don't agree. Just because you don't like the music doesn't mean the performers have no talent.

[Hitcher]

There's a schoolboy metal band that lives in a garage a couple of doors up the street from my brother's place in Island Bay. A couple of years ago they were, simply, egregious. Last night they were rocking. Their rhythm section has come on leaps and bounds -- the drummer has learned to count, and has finally achieved a level of phatic communion with the bassist. They have also recently invested in amplification and I suspect will soon outgrow the basement that currently confines them.

[imdying]

Pretty good list, although I'd swap And Justice and Puppets over. Stoked that Rust in Peace rated to highly :yes:

[Indiana_Jones]

most influential heavy metal albums of all time?


<img src="http://www.avatune.com/pics/08110449.jpg">

-Indy

[Bytor]

WTF what about AC-DC, Kiss, UFO, Rush and ah yes as someone mentioned Diamondhead - where would I be without 'Am I Evil'.

80% of those bands would be nowhere without the influence of the above bands. Hell even Sir Ted Nugent has a lot to answer for...:headbang:

[Lias]

Don't agree. Just because you don't like the music doesn't mean the performers have no talent.

I didnt say that, I said musical talent :-)

Most of that genre consists of lyrics overlaid on a synthesised beat, and most of the time that artist doesnt actually create the beat(the producres do). Very few of them actually play instruments, so how can they possibly be described as having musical talent?

[Bytor]

and what about Metallica - 'Metallica', aaaarggghh people who don't know SFA about music

[riffer]

I didnt say that, I said musical talent :-)

Most of that genre consists of lyrics overlaid on a synthesised beat, and most of the time that artist doesnt actually create the beat(the producres do). Very few of them actually play instruments, so how can they possibly be described as having musical talent?

Ever tried to use a sequencer? It requires a lot more than just the ability to push a button. Music is about more than being able to play an instrument.

It could be argued that rap vocalisations require a particular ability in poetic and rhythmic syncopation which the average person would struggle with.

Again, it's not my thing - but I am amazed at the ability of some of these people. Of course some of them are just bad. But the majority of them actually do have some musical talent. It's just at a different level to instrumental talent. More of a choreographic/arranging/compositional level.

Just my $0.02


and what about Metallica - 'Metallica', aaaarggghh people who don't know SFA about music

puh-lease. When you can compose something better than Master of Puppets let me know. I'll be the first to line up and buy it.

And Indy - fuck off with your Kenny Loggins. :shutup:

[outlawtorn]

and what about Metallica - 'Metallica', aaaarggghh people who don't know SFA about music

The black album was not influencial, just well received at the time, there are some brilliant tracks on it, but it's nothing compared to Master Of Puppets.

[Bytor]

The black album was not influencial, just well received at the time, there are some brilliant tracks on it, but it's nothing compared to Master Of Puppets.

OK then if it's 'influential' then you really have to start going back to the fore fathers of metal - Deep Purple 'Machinehead'. Or Led Zep and Uriah Heep...

And describe 'influential'? Do they mean influential to the likes of the grunge movement or brit pop bands like Oasis

[98tls]

Damn i must be getting old....when i think of heavy metal i think Led Zepplin....and would assume stairway to heaven influenced a few.........

[James Deuce]

Stairway to Heaven has certainly influenced some fairly choice invective on my part, along with the bile I direct at those fools shallow enough to believe that the Smoke on the Water riff is strummed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_on_the_Water

[outlawtorn]

OK then if it's 'influential' then you really have to start going back to the fore fathers of metal - Deep Purple 'Machinehead'. Or Led Zep and Uriah Heep...

And describe 'influential'? Do they mean influential to the likes of the grunge movement or brit pop bands like Oasis

I reckon we have to put ourselves in the shoes of the younger kids today who are starting bands and listening to music from the past 20-25 years, the list isn't relative to some older people, like myself for examplem I would have some other bands in there and some out, but the list is of bands who are influential to the current generation of 'band-starters'.

BTW I don't see Uriah Heep, Deep Purple or Led Zep as fore-fathers of metal, just very good rock bands, Black Sabbath were the fore-fathers of heavy metal. Period. You ask every musician on the list who started heavy metal and they'll tell you Black Sabbath.

[MisterD]

and would assume stairway to heaven influenced a few.........

Certainly influenced me to :bash: they wrote so much better than that...

aaaand another thing..Thin Lizzy! Jailbreak has to be a top tenner surely?

[Hitcher]

[LEFT]the Smoke on the Water riff is strummed.


So the banjo players in Eltham were doing it right!

[Bytor]

BTW I don't see Uriah Heep, Deep Purple or Led Zep as fore-fathers of metal, just very good rock bands, Black Sabbath were the fore-fathers of heavy metal. Period. You ask every musician on the list who started heavy metal and they'll tell you Black Sabbath.

Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Led Zep even Bad Company created 'hard rock' which became renamed 'heavy metal' with Black Sabbath. So agreed Sabbath were the first heavy metal labelled band, but the others were just as influential to the creation of metal.
Heavy Metal (personally) only really took off the late 70's with the likes of Van Halen, Riot, Kiss, AC-DC, Scorps, Motorhead, Saxon (don't laugh!), Iron Maiden and the Priest.

[crash harry]

You missed MANOWAR!!!!


Oh wait, you did it deliberately...

[Street Gerbil]

Well, not a bad selection but I've got an issue with presence of Scorpions and absence of Rammstein (sp?).

[MisterD]

Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Led Zep even Bad Company created 'hard rock'

You could probably add Cream to that list

[James Deuce]

Well, not a bad selection but I've got an issue with presence of Scorpions and absence of Rammstein (sp?).

Johnny Come Latelies

[imdying]

Johnny Come LateliesYep, one hit wonders with a groovy sound, but not what I'd call influential.

[98tls]

Fuck it.......i am old,never heard of either of them......something tells me i may well be better off..................:innocent:

[Coyote]

My mate got Blood Mountain by Mastodon and said it was the best album he's heard. Must be pretty damn good if they consider it to be influential in under a year

And good to see Opeth making the list

[Devil]

Hrm, with the inclusion of Sepultura's Roots in there, I would have expected to see Fear Factory's Demanufacture, or Machine Heads Burn My Eyes. Probably more likely the former though.

[Chisanga]

OK then if it's 'influential' then you really have to start going back to the fore fathers of metal - Deep Purple 'Machinehead'. Or Led Zep and Uriah Heep...

And describe 'influential'? Do they mean influential to the likes of the grunge movement or brit pop bands like Oasis

Cream and Hendrix have been pretty influential as well. In more genres than metal as well :)

PLus some classical composers are quite "heavy" - like that violin dude - Paganni or something. Listen to some of their music and you might see what I mean. Or I could be crazy :)

[Skyryder]

What?? No Iron Butterfly.............In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, shit I still go all spastic when I here that. Someone mentioned Uria Heep. That takes me back todays I can hardly recall. What about that other dude, Barnstorming that's the name of the album. Jo someone............Jo Walsh. Yea that's the guy. Mind you Rainbow. They did not last long enough to influence anyone other than Deep Purple...:dodge: Yea I know dodge dodge.

Skyryder

PS

In July of 1968, Iron Butterfly released the monumental LP, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, featuring the 17:05 minute side-long track that shook the entire music industry with its phenomenal reception. 'Vida outsold every record in the history of recorded music within the first year of its release (over eight million copies sold) and therefore outgrew and outsold the standard of the music industry's "Gold Album" award. For this achievement, Iron Butterfly was subsequently awarded: The Industry's Very First "Platinum Album"! This historic award was created and presented by then-president of ATCO Records Ahmet Ertegun, who went on to become the current CEO of the WEA Group. Most recently, "Vida" received the Multi-Platinum award.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, stayed on the charts for 140 weeks, with 81 weeks in the Top Ten. To date the album has sold in excess of 30 million copies and remains an undisputed classic in the archives of rock with DJ's and audiophiles worldwide.

[Slayer]

Only 1 Slayer album, poor poor result.....:nono:

No Overkill.

No Cannibal Corpse/Six Feet Under

No Deicide.

Also, listening to the new Mastodon album (Blood Mountain) at work, damn good. Need to get in the appreciation for them before "You Know Who" April 21 at St James. :Punk:

[Chisanga]

Greatest metal band of all time = Bad News :)

"I could play Stairway To Heaven when I was twelve. Jimmy Page didn't actually write it until he was twenty-two. I think that says quite a lot."

[Skyryder]

Certainly influenced me to :bash: they wrote so much better than that...

aaaand another thing..Thin Lizzy! Jailbreak has to be a top tenner surely?

Yep that's for sure and the gutiarist fella what;s his name. He did some fairly decent stuff later on too.

Skyyrder

[El Dopa]

Pretty good list, although I'd swap And Justice and Puppets over. Stoked that Rust in Peace rated to highly :yes:

Pretty much my feelings, too.


and what about Metallica - 'Metallica', aaaarggghh people who don't know SFA about music

Metallica - the black album?

I've yet to see another band go downhill faster than Metallica betwen 'Justice' and 'Black'. If they'd recorded the sound of James Hetfield taking a shit the night after a curry, that would have made a better album.

Seriously, have you actually tried to listen to it? Actually listen, as opposed to 'its a metallica album so it must be good'?

'Of wolf and man'? 'don't tread on me'? 'sad but true'? You really think those are class tracks? They make me cringe.

They sound like something Manowar would reject as being too over the top. I'd rather listen to Manowar, in fact. Cos when they do that OTT 'kings of metal' stuff, its funny. Funnier than listening to a once great metal singer going through the necessary motions before he gets his paycheck, so he can fuck off and get another drink.

There is precisely one good track on 'Black' - 'the unforgiven'.

In my imaginary alternate universe, there was a band called Metallica. They rocked so hard that all through the 80's and up to August 11th 1991 no other band could touch them. They were in a league of their own. Sadly, they split up on this date and never released any more material. Ever.

They did however make a film in 2004, which was a spoof along the lines of 'Spinal Tap', and was an ironic pisstake of how the band might have turned out if they'd kept on turning out lame shit for 13 years or so after their passion for it had gone.

Oh, and before you ask, the last time I listened to the black album was yesterday. I pulled it out of the rack, thought 'hmm, haven't listened to this for a while. I wonder if it was really as bad as I remember?' Worse, if anything.

Let the shitfight commence.

[Bytor]

Pretty much my feelings, too.



Metallica - the black album?

I've yet to see another band go downhill faster than Metallica betwen 'Justice' and 'Black'. If they'd recorded the sound of James Hetfield taking a shit the night after a curry, that would have made a better album.

Seriously, have you actually tried to listen to it? Actually listen, as opposed to 'its a metallica album so it must be good'?

'Of wolf and man'? 'don't tread on me'? 'sad but true'? You really think those are class tracks? They make me cringe.

They sound like something Manowar would reject as being too over the top. I'd rather listen to Manowar, in fact. Cos when they do that OTT 'kings of metal' stuff, its funny. Funnier than listening to a once great metal singer going through the necessary motions before he gets his paycheck, so he can fuck off and get another drink.

There is precisely one good track on 'Black' - 'the unforgiven'.

In my imaginary alternate universe, there was a band called Metallica. They rocked so hard that all through the 80's and up to August 11th 1991 no other band could touch them. They were in a league of their own. Sadly, they split up on this date and never released any more material. Ever.

They did however make a film in 2004, which was a spoof along the lines of 'Spinal Tap', and was an ironic pisstake of how the band might have turned out if they'd kept on turning out lame shit for 13 years or so after their passion for it had gone.

Oh, and before you ask, the last time I listened to the black album was yesterday. I pulled it out of the rack, thought 'hmm, haven't listened to this for a while. I wonder if it was really as bad as I remember?' Worse, if anything.

Let the shitfight commence.

OK, OK I'm not saying that the Black album is their best, but it's surley better than the Scorps 'Lovedrive' at no.25 - although I do like 'Holiday' - fuck now I've done it...:nya:

[outlawtorn]

Pretty much my feelings, too.
Metallica - the black album?

I've yet to see another band go downhill faster than Metallica betwen 'Justice' and 'Black'. If they'd recorded the sound of James Hetfield taking a shit the night after a curry, that would have made a better album.

Seriously, have you actually tried to listen to it? Actually listen, as opposed to 'its a metallica album so it must be good'?

'Of wolf and man'? 'don't tread on me'? 'sad but true'? You really think those are class tracks? They make me cringe.

They sound like something Manowar would reject as being too over the top. I'd rather listen to Manowar, in fact. Cos when they do that OTT 'kings of metal' stuff, its funny. Funnier than listening to a once great metal singer going through the necessary motions before he gets his paycheck, so he can fuck off and get another drink.

There is precisely one good track on 'Black' - 'the unforgiven'.

In my imaginary alternate universe, there was a band called Metallica. They rocked so hard that all through the 80's and up to August 11th 1991 no other band could touch them. They were in a league of their own. Sadly, they split up on this date and never released any more material. Ever.

They did however make a film in 2004, which was a spoof along the lines of 'Spinal Tap', and was an ironic pisstake of how the band might have turned out if they'd kept on turning out lame shit for 13 years or so after their passion for it had gone.

Oh, and before you ask, the last time I listened to the black album was yesterday. I pulled it out of the rack, thought 'hmm, haven't listened to this for a while. I wonder if it was really as bad as I remember?' Worse, if anything.

Let the shitfight commence.
I'm afraid you will have to pull your head out of you close minded arse next time you listen to any MetallicA post Justice.

They grew as a band and decided to try something different and on the black album they had really good production, which was sorely lacking on Justice, it seems to be a natural progession of all bands, start out rough then try something different then go back to their 'roots', classic examples are Megadeth, Testament, Kreator etc etc.

You are probably one of those MetallicA fans that would go and see them life, but tell everyone 'I'm only into their old stuff, that's all I want to see"

Holiday by the scorpions has to be one of the best songs in the world, next to the balled "Daddy's Girl", Scorpions are a great rock band, I have all the time in the world for them.

[The Stranger]

Shit, this thread is turning into the special Olympics.

[Pixie]

What?? No Iron Butterfly.............In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, shit I still go all spastic when I here that. Someone mentioned Uria Heep. That takes me back todays I can hardly recall. What about that other dude, Barnstorming that's the name of the album. Jo someone............Jo Walsh. Yea that's the guy. Mind you Rainbow. They did not last long enough to influence anyone other than Deep Purple...:dodge: Yea I know dodge dodge.

Skyryder

PS

In July of 1968, Iron Butterfly released the monumental LP, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, featuring the 17:05 minute side-long track that shook the entire music industry with its phenomenal reception. 'Vida outsold every record in the history of recorded music within the first year of its release (over eight million copies sold) and therefore outgrew and outsold the standard of the music industry's "Gold Album" award. For this achievement, Iron Butterfly was subsequently awarded: The Industry's Very First "Platinum Album"! This historic award was created and presented by then-president of ATCO Records Ahmet Ertegun, who went on to become the current CEO of the WEA Group. Most recently, "Vida" received the Multi-Platinum award.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, stayed on the charts for 140 weeks, with 81 weeks in the Top Ten. To date the album has sold in excess of 30 million copies and remains an undisputed classic in the archives of rock with DJ's and audiophiles worldwide.

I enjoyed it when Bart put the lyrics in the church hymn book and got the congregation to sing it.

[Beemer]

I'm proud to say that I do not own any of those albums and only recognise half the band names. But as Jim says - thats the great thing about music (I assume this heavy metal is some form of music?)

Ditto, although I have heard of about two thirds of the bands named! I'm sure my husband has one or two, but thankfully he only plays them in the garage...

And as for the person who wondered why KISS was missing - do you REALLY have to ask?

[Bytor]

And as for the person who wondered why KISS was missing - do you REALLY have to ask?

eeerrrrr yes! Forget the make-up etc, they made some great stuff in the early years - Destroyer - pure class

[Beemer]

eeerrrrr yes! Forget the make-up etc, they made some great stuff in the early years - Destroyer - pure class

I think of them more as hard rockers than heavy metal. I could actually listen to KISS without wanting to kill myself...

[outlawtorn]

I think of them more as hard rockers than heavy metal. I could actually listen to KISS without wanting to kill myself...

Heavy Metal doesn't make you want to kill yourself.....it makes you want to kill someone else.......he he

[Beemer]

Heavy Metal doesn't make you want to kill yourself.....it makes you want to kill someone else.......he he

Ah, so that's why I never 'got' heavy metal!

[Bytor]

I think of them more as hard rockers than heavy metal. I could actually listen to KISS without wanting to kill myself...

I'm sure that I'm going to get shot down in flames here but Hard Rock & Heavy Metal are basically the same. Heavy Metal starts to get complicated with all the other metal off-shoots i.e. death metal blah blah blah.

Time to put on the tin hat and dive for cover....:whistle:

[Beemer]

You're probably right, death metal is perhaps the crap I'm thinking of!

[Waylander]

Well, not a bad selection but I've got an issue with presence of Scorpions and absence of Rammstein (sp?).
Rammstien started as industrial rock, more techno stuff than pure metal. They've only lately come over to the darker side.



What?? No Iron Butterfly.............In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, shit I still go all spastic when I here that. Someone mentioned Uria Heep. That takes me back todays I can hardly recall. What about that other dude, Barnstorming that's the name of the album. Jo someone............Jo Walsh. Yea that's the guy. Mind you Rainbow. They did not last long enough to influence anyone other than Deep Purple...:dodge: Yea I know dodge dodge.

Skyryder

PS

In July of 1968, Iron Butterfly released the monumental LP, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, featuring the 17:05 minute side-long track that shook the entire music industry with its phenomenal reception. 'Vida outsold every record in the history of recorded music within the first year of its release (over eight million copies sold) and therefore outgrew and outsold the standard of the music industry's "Gold Album" award. For this achievement, Iron Butterfly was subsequently awarded: The Industry's Very First "Platinum Album"! This historic award was created and presented by then-president of ATCO Records Ahmet Ertegun, who went on to become the current CEO of the WEA Group. Most recently, "Vida" received the Multi-Platinum award.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, stayed on the charts for 140 weeks, with 81 weeks in the Top Ten. To date the album has sold in excess of 30 million copies and remains an undisputed classic in the archives of rock with DJ's and audiophiles worldwide.Funny thing about that song, I played it for some of the 'Older' folks down here and they didn't have a clue what it was. I'm only 23 and I know that as good rock.

[El Dopa]

Shit, this thread is turning into the special Olympics.

The couriers on his way over with a saucer of milk. Can you accept delivery?

By the way, I do realise we're wasting our time discussing something that, y'know, doesn't actually matter.


OK, OK I'm not saying that the Black album is their best, but it's surley better than the Scorps 'Lovedrive' at no.25 - although I do like 'Holiday' - fuck now I've done it...:nya:

A very restrained reply to my ranty post. I raise my fist in salute to you, complete with studded leather wristband.


on the black album they had really good production, which was sorely lacking on Justice.

You and me are just going to have to agree to disagree on this.

Yes, they had good production. It's a pity nearly all the songs were shit. Best production in the world isn't going to compensate for that. The production on 'puppets' and 'justice' was awful. But the songs kicked arse.

I didn't buy 'black' back in '91 thinking 'i've paid for this so I'm going to hate it', I bought it thinking " 'enter sandman' wasn't great, but I bet this album kicks arse". I was sorely disappointed.

I've got all the time in the world for Lars and Kirk (and Jason, come to that). I also think Rob Trujillo is one of the best bassists in the world, full stop.

However, I think Hetfield lost something in the bottom of a bottle a few years back, and didn't regain it when he dried out. When I watched 'monster', I thought the INSTRUMENTAL stuff rocked as hard as it ever did. Hetfield looked like a stumbling old man trying too hard to remember what he used to be.

As Dover pointed out in another thread, middle-aged men shouldn't do angry metal, it doesn't suit them. Hetfields gone well past the point of no return.

[James Deuce]

I've got all the time in the world for Lars and Kirk (and Jason, come to that). I also think Rob Trujillo is one of the best bassists in the world, full stop.

Amen. Suicidal Tendencies, anything Cyco, Infectious Grooves - Mental and great fun.


As Dover pointed out in another thread, middle-aged men shouldn't do angry metal, it doesn't suit them. Hetfields gone well past the point of no return.

I'll raise your angry with F__king incandescent. You scooter riding midget.

[SlashWylde]

The black album was not influencial, just well received at the time, there are some brilliant tracks on it, but it's nothing compared to Master Of Puppets.

See, that's where I disagree wiht most Metallica fans. I reckon Justice was their best album. Certainly influenced my playing more than Puppets ever did.

[SlashWylde]

Stairway to Heaven has certainly influenced some fairly choice invective on my part, along with the bile I direct at those fools shallow enough to believe that the Smoke on the Water riff is strummed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_on_the_Water


Hunh. I always thought that sounded like a Hammond fed through a Fuzz Face or some such, but OK it was a distorted Marshall. Wicked sound in any case.

[98tls]

Ah, so that's why I never 'got' heavy metal! Dont worry your not alone.............best part of this thread is reading some of the groups names WTF.......then we have something called angry metal...is that opposed to non angry metal........:spudwhat: Then theres "middle aged men shouldnt do angry metal " :rofl:

[SlashWylde]

I'm sure that I'm going to get shot down in flames here but Hard Rock & Heavy Metal are basically the same. Heavy Metal starts to get complicated with all the other metal off-shoots i.e. death metal blah blah blah.

Time to put on the tin hat and dive for cover....:whistle:

:2guns: Eat lead!!! Hard rock is what high school girls listen to under the naive delusion that it will make them seem egdy, and give them street cred.

Metal is what the rest of us listen to because we love the music and revel in the catharsis of the mosh pit - real or imagined.

Bottom line, when attempting to differentiate between rock and metal, simply ask yourself "Is this band/music sexy?"

If it's sexy it's rock, if its ugly it's metal.

Simple example:
Guns 'n Roses, often billed as metal during the '80s and '90s but far to sexy to be metal therefore are (were) rock.
Godsmack, bordering on being metal but still too sexy.

Slayer, well nuff said really.
Pantera, likewise.

[El Dopa]

I'll raise your angry with F__king incandescent. You scooter riding midget.

Alright. Singers, then.

I hate to think what passes for midget in Wellington.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I was about in the 'Punk' era...and loved it...it seems to me that a lot of todays 'Thrash Metal' is very similar to some hard core punk bands...GBH?

And I know we're (well you guys are....I'm wandering off on a tangent I know)
talking about the most 'Influential heavy metal albums of all time'....but I know who most influenced me to get REAL cute with my pillow as a hormonal youngster.....Suzi Quatro! What a lil cutie, with a big raspy voice!
Fonzie was one lucky man.....:innocent:

[N4CR]

no cannibal corpse/six feet under

no deicide.


cc and 6ft are more... hrrmmm grindycore but wouldn't call them heavy metal.. bit different haha :)

deicide is more black metal listen to the lyrics.. thats the main distinction for black metal.

wonder what they'd do for top 10 black metal...

emperor - nightside eclipse
immortal battles int eh north and pretty much eveyr album they've made..
dark funeral - diabolis interium
vader - take ya pick
burzum - filosofem
lord belial - enter the moonlight gate
mayhem - de mysteriis
dimmu - stormblast/for all tid
deicide - scars of crucifix maybe
limbonic art - epitome of illusion or moon in the scorpio

i could keep going... tulus hahaha something liek that. forgot darkthrone too damnit... any of thiers too :) there are so many and so many people would disagree with whatever you come up with so blah.. haha ad ya own in there :)

great shoutcast station for black/death http://www.rothmetal.com probably one of the best. first church of belial radio was good but it's nto around anymore.

[kro]

Im loving that list, but Judas Priests British Steel album was by far their most influential.

[El Dopa]

Im loving that list, but Judas Priests British Steel album was by far their most influential.

Yeah, seems like they got the right bands, but the wrong albums.....

[Waylander]

:2guns: Eat lead!!! Hard rock is what high school girls listen to under the naive delusion that it will make them seem egdy, and give them street cred.

Metal is what the rest of us listen to because we love the music and revel in the catharsis of the mosh pit - real or imagined.

Bottom line, when attempting to differentiate between rock and metal, simply ask yourself "Is this band/music sexy?"

If it's sexy it's rock, if its ugly it's metal.

Simple example:
Guns 'n Roses, often billed as metal during the '80s and '90s but far to sexy to be metal therefore are (were) rock.
Godsmack, bordering on being metal but still too sexy.

Slayer, well nuff said really.
Pantera, likewise.

GO THE UGLY MUSIC!!! hahahaha

OK Rockstar what about Slipknot/Stonesour?

[blacksheep]

WTF what about AC-DC, Kiss, UFO, Rush and ah yes as someone mentioned Diamondhead - where would I be without 'Am I Evil'.

80% of those bands would be nowhere without the influence of the above bands. Hell even Sir Ted Nugent has a lot to answer for...:headbang:

is your kiwibike name derived from a rush song perchance?

[Bytor]

is your kiwibike name derived from a rush song perchance?

Snowdog is that you...?

[Bytor]

cc and 6ft are more... hrrmmm grindycore but wouldn't call them heavy metal.. bit different haha :)

deicide is more black metal listen to the lyrics.. thats the main distinction for black metal.

wonder what they'd do for top 10 black metal...

emperor - nightside eclipse
immortal battles int eh north and pretty much eveyr album they've made..
dark funeral - diabolis interium
vader - take ya pick
burzum - filosofem
lord belial - enter the moonlight gate
mayhem - de mysteriis
dimmu - stormblast/for all tid
deicide - scars of crucifix maybe
limbonic art - epitome of illusion or moon in the scorpio

i could keep going... tulus hahaha something liek that. forgot darkthrone too damnit... any of thiers too :) there are so many and so many people would disagree with whatever you come up with so blah.. haha ad ya own in there :)

great shoutcast station for black/death http://www.rothmetal.com probably one of the best. first church of belial radio was good but it's nto around anymore.

Thank fuck I'm an old bastard and didn't mention Whitesnake

[avgas]

Ill Nino for me....im not a big metal person anymore.
I've become too soft
Hang on, i love Sativa, Saliva and some slipknot
Right now have "Opiate for the Masses" playn - Intelect Metal

[Bytor]

I raise my fist in salute to you, complete with studded leather wristband.

Was going to mention '...like Rob Halford', but then realised that it would prob mean something else:sick:

[MaxB]

I was amazed to find out I had seen all but 4 of the acts on that list live. Rock and Roll.

There is a lot of good music on it and you can always argue what is the best but some things should be said. For example Spence D AFAIK is not a metal-head, he is a vegan jouno from the Bay area of California. Hey thats where Metallica comes from, what a surprise. I've read some of his other stuff and I was not that impressed. I still like Metallica.

IMHO the list is too full of American acts and is biased. Look at some of the 'honorable mentions'. FFS 'of all time'? Gimme a break.

Were Anthrax for example just copiers of earlier stuff like Venom and Accept or radical innovators? Yes I have seen them all live. Plus I like Anthrax.

And another thing for the young 'uns, remember that today concert arenas have strictly posted noise limits especially in the US where people get sued every day. The world record for the loudest concert ever is still the Who at 126dB, this figure was recorded by environmental health officers using calibrated equipment. Manowar allegedly got to 129dB but cannot back it up. Ted Nugent, Motorhead and Saxon have all been cited in the mid 120s. Not many of those guys made the list, eh?

And finally there seems to be an argument over what is metal. The list lets in the Scorpions, Fate's Warning and the Crue. So its open season, anything goes. As far as I'm concerned if its 'loud and proud' its most of the way there. Looking over the list I'd say that AC/DC should be in there somewhere as being influential and also Rush (2112) for doing what Fate's Warning did 10 years earlier. I would put the Scorps Love at First Sting in for Lovedrive. Plus I reckon that Dio's best moment was Heaven and Hell (or On Stage), his solo stuff was maybe not so good. Oh and boot out Fate's Warning for Tool while you are at it.

Rant off, I can stop foaming at the mouth now.

[kro]

By definition, Van Halen were officially a metal band, but tended to be classified toward the hard rock and glam metal end of the spectrum, and to be frank, they would have been one of my top 10 pics. Lee-Roth is one of the few front men who filled his position as band "spokesman" properly.

Although I am not a huge fan of any of these bands, Metallica, Megadeath and Anthrax started their music way back in the day, with certain values, which they stuck to, while alot of other acts were bending themselves to fit the accepted format for metal bands of the time.
While metal was metamorphosizing thru its glam/hair stages, these bands held fast, and eventually came out the other end with an even bigger following, as some metallers grew weary of what the genre had become, and looked to the "founding bands" such as these guys, for their angry metal fix.

Again, look at Zeppelin, now I would classify as metal. Their sound is hard and heavy in a lot of their songs, but due to a lack of a proper genre at the time (imo), these guys just got labelled "hard rockers", but if they had emerged in the late 70's. or 80's, they would have immediately dropped into the metal arena quite happily. Zeppelin would have been on my list, not because I am a huge fan, in fact I like but a handful of their songs, but because credit where credit is due, these guys were ahead of their time.

If you look at the grunge bands that emerged out of the early 90's, to me, these were just another coat of paint on the metal "wall", and were a progression of that type of music, into something different again. I would have put Pearl Jam on the list.

It;s easy to classify most music types, but metal/hard rock/grunge are a grey area, as although their basic sound revolves around the "heavy riff", they have been split up for some reason. If you put on any one of these types of music in the presence of someone over 60, they will call it heavy metal.

As you have all said, it's a great subject, and I love to yap about music.

[SlashWylde]

By definition, Van Halen were officially a metal band, but tended to be classified toward the hard rock and glam metal end of the spectrum

Interesting observation, but by what definition?

To expand upon my previous rule of thumb about how to differentiate rock from metal, I would also suggest rock is predominantly upbeat and joyful, in addition to having the capacity for being sexy. Metal on the other hand is predominantly angry and melancholic, and occasionally touching and sentimental through the use of ballads.

In this sense I don't consider Van Halen to be a metal band by any stretch of the imagination according to modern standards. This however is the key - back in the day they were legitimately regarded as being metal for the aforementioned reasons. Nowadays, the genre has developed and there is darker more heavier music being played which shifts the classification of the genre.

I don't mean to get bogged down in a long winded and pointless discussion of genre classification, but I've always found it very interesting to hear what people consider to be rock and what they consider to be metal, and their reasons for it.

[kro]

Interesting observation, but by what definition?
I thought they were a break out band. Metal had been, as you describe, quite dark and angry for the most part, and VH came along and showed us the fun and sexy side of hard riffs, and fast guitar. They were a key transitional component to bringing in the BonJovi's, and Def Leppards of this world, who again, were just another stage in the evolution of Metal.



To expand upon my previous rule of thumb about how to differentiate rock from metal, I would also suggest rock is predominantly upbeat and joyful, in addition to having the capacity for being sexy. Metal on the other hand is predominantly angry and melancholic, and occasionally touching and sentimental through the use of ballads.
I can see where you're heading, but this formula takes favourite bands of mine like Motley Crue, and labels them "rock", as they were fun and upbeat, and clowned around a lot, and reveled in the spoils of their fame. These antics are actually present in lots of bands like Poison, Ratt, Warrant, Winger, and many more that were losing audiences in the 80's due to the big shift away from glam and hair metal bands, but they all had shiny white teeth, and big smiles, and seemed relatively indifferent to the rules of what comprises a metal band. They were however, a key chain in the evolution of Metal, and cannot be excluded because of their refusal to follow the "doctrine"



I don't mean to get bogged down in a long winded and pointless discussion of genre classification, but I've always found it very interesting to hear what people consider to be rock and what they consider to be metal, and their reasons for it.

Me too, I'm not being an argumentative prat for the sake of it, I do love chin-wagging bout metal because it has such a rich history, and is so controversial.

I enjoyed reading your post Slash.