Top 25 most influential heavy metal albums of all time

**outlawtorn** · 26th January 2007, 08:05

METALLICA's classic 1986 album "Master of Puppets"

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** · 26th January 2007, 08:17

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** · 26th January 2007, 08:18

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** · 26th January 2007, 08:20

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

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

**TerminalAddict** · 26th January 2007, 08:31

good to see machine head on the list ..

**James Deuce** · 26th January 2007, 08:32

Originally Posted by TerminalAddict

good to see machine head on the list ..

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

**MisterD** · 26th January 2007, 08:35

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

**Superweetard** · 26th January 2007, 08:35

Got 15 of them

**Paul in NZ** · 26th January 2007, 08:36

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** · 26th January 2007, 08:43

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** · 26th January 2007, 08:43

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

And boy, could I argue this one all day.

**riffer** · 26th January 2007, 08:44

Originally Posted by Lias

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** · 26th January 2007, 08:53

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.