Guaporense top 100 albums (2019 edition)

[Guaporense]

It has been 5 years since I did my top 100 albums list. Although it contained a lot of my favorites I also think in retrospect that I was not "careful" enough in the selection of artists/bands as I notice now I left several favorites out and I did not order the albums perfectly. As well as the fact that I also discovered several new favorites since.

One who is not acquainted with my musical tastes might find it rather partial to heavy metal, I state here that in my view heavy metal is basically the combination of the catchiness of popular music with the grandeur of classical music and with augmented intensity. So, while I do enjoy most genres of music (with some exceptions), my degree of enjoyment peaks (and feels almost transcendental) with (good) heavy metal.

This is basically my most "serious" favorites list ever, as I carefully selected all the albums that appear here and carefully ranked the ordering to reflect my preferences to the best of my abilities. So, I begin my "best top list ever":

[Guaporense]

100. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/pt/1/1f/Iron_Maiden_-_The_Number_Of_The_Beast.jpg

To start out strong some real classic Iron Maiden. This was one of the first heavy metal albums I ever heard from start to finish and still remains a favorite of mine. Great album and an absolutely essential classic.

Some really great performance here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vP2hFFV57E

[Guaporense]

99. Bathory - Twilight of the Gods (1991)

https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/49305129c69cf8bb70a4d2f17c0eacc1/2573380

Quorton was perhaps one of the single most influential individuals in metal history: he had a direct influence in tens of thousands of extreme metal bands, with Bathory being perhaps the most influential extreme metal band of all time (even ahead of Slayer and Death if you measure influence by the number of covers in the metal-archives database).

This album, however, represented the consolidation of a new genre of metal that Quorton invented: "Viking Metal". To listen to it is a spiritual journey through gigantic riffs, such as in the song below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFHHnCbqpoE

[Guaporense]

98. Sodom - Agent Orange (1989)
https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/fc8928329d0447fda37f0350b8981dd6/1698403

Thrash metal is perhaps the first kind of extreme metal music that was developed out of a mix between hardcore punk and classic heavy metal. It is basically heavy metal minus melody and with aggression cranked up to the max. Sodom in particular is one of the bands that are quintessential thrash and their classic album Agent Orange remains one of the best examples of pure thrash metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnhc0gf7uSU

[Guaporense]

97. Helloween-*7 Sinners*(2010)
https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/37965e887343e0edba353529206a38f0/3310101

Helloween is the most influential metal band to come out of Germany as they created a genre of metal called "European power metal" when they decided to be a more extreme version of Accept (as they described it in an interview). Today, "European power metal" is perhaps the most popular genre of metal in the world thanks to its accessibility.

Helloween is perhaps the catchiest metal band ever and is the band I have listened the most to in the past 10 years since their stuff is so enjoyable and is also rather "happy sounding music". Kinda like Iron Maiden with energy and heaviness cranked up and still being a bit flowery sounding as well. This is their most recent album that I regard as one of my favorites.

This album also has some of the best live performance on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wg5FWzKN4o

[Guaporense]

96. Celtic Frost*-*To Mega Therion*(1985)
https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/06c7372b834046cd847cf91af8267615/1812208

Celtic Frost is a rather enigmatic band. They began as Hellhammer with was perhaps the rawest sounding extreme metal ever during the early 1980s. To Mega Therion, released in 1985, represents the culmination of this artistic project which heavily influenced all modern black metal, death metal, and other extreme metal genres. It is indeed an special album, as there is very little that sounds like it: it kinda sounds like thrash metal without the thrash. A truly unique experience of super bare-bones pure metal.

[Guaporense]

95. Yes - Close to the Edge (1972)

https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/7f41c8e8a8f54928803b4fefffedf983/1638254

Yes, I enjoy other genres of music besides metal. Another genre I enjoy is rock, in particular, Yes. Yes, Yes is good stuff indeed. Superslick progressive rock but without the issues that some other bands like Pink Floyd suffer from. Simply put, this is popular music of outstanding quality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcDU-vilgic

[Guaporense]

94. Destroyer 666 - Unchain the Wolves (1997)

https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/57e43bc7792848c68b0eed6996cd2351/1961914

Unchain the wolves indeed. That is some heavy stuff right there and perhaps the best thing to ever come out of Australia! ;) It is black metal but closer to the traditional heavy metal sound without sounding like early Bathory. The spirit of true metal rises from this genuine classic.

[Guaporense]

93. X-Japan*-*Blue Blood*(1989)
https://e.snmc.io/i/fullres/w/a75f78fb6b6aa1931a191dc7b3520e1d/1219586

X-Japan is the biggest rock/metal band in Asia. Yet, it is completely underground in the west. Their music is basically Speed Metal+Queen+Celine Dion and it rocks! Interestingly, they have this album played in the symphonic format as well, which shows that Japan lacks the prejudice against popular music that is so common in the west.

[Guaporense]

92. Metallica - ...And Justice for Ali (1988)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Metallica_-_...And_Justice_for_All_cover.jpg

Because of 'tallica's massive popularity it is hard to think objectively about their music and so I often find myself thinking of evaluating metallica as if they were some unknown band called "matellica" instead. Overall, I find this to be one of their best albums since it combines doom metal song compositions with thrash riffs. One thing that differentiates metallica from other popular thrash metal bands is the feeling of "gravitas" that their songs achieve, which are not present in let's say Testament, Sepultura, Megadeth, or Anthrax.

[Guaporense]

91. Fates Warning - Awaken the Guardian (1986)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/98/Awaken_the_guardian.jpg

The progressive metal band Fates Warning is an act I have had a rather "troubled" relationship with in the sense that I first listened to their Spectre Within album back in 2006 or so and I hated the vocals and the dissonance of the opening track. However, after many years my musical tastes matured and now I have the patience to listen to a whole album before passing judgement. This band hides it's qualities and demands multiple listening before one can grasp it's music but eventually the return pays off, specially this album which is their best IMO.

[Guaporense]

90. Schubert - 9th Symphony

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Schubert%27s_Letter_on_944.jpg/584px-Schubert%27s_Letter_on_944.jpg

If one is interested in complex music there is no need to listen to progressive metal at all! Since there is this music genre called "classical" which is not really a genre of music but the formation of music into musical notation, so that music is written down as formal compositions. That also means that music for movies that is formally composed is also, technically, classical music.

While classical music can be perceived as too slow and boring from the perspective of a speed metal fan such as myself, I find that some orchestral works to be really great. Among those one that really picked up my attention is Schubert's 9th symphony. A powerful and complex symphony that features rich and complex melodies.

Despite my strong personal preference for distorted guitars and heavy percussion when I want to listen to more complex music I often go to the classicals. The reason is that classical music manages to be beautiful, melodic and complex at the same time. If you contrast it to the disjointed progressive stuff like Dream Theater one cannot help but feel the discrepancy.

[Sedai]

Great list so far. I am curious to see where other Iron Maiden records end up. I am one of those people that think Number of the Beast, while perhaps an extremely well timed record, released just as metal was really taking off here in the US in the early 80s, is highly overrated, consisting of 3-4 good tracks and a bunch of forgettable filler. I like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son a whole lot more, and probably Killers, too.

Anyway, keep it up, Guap! Great work so far...

[pahaK]

Great list so far. I am curious to see where other Iron Maiden records end up. I am one of those people that think Number of the Beast, while perhaps an extremely well timed record, released just as metal was really taking off here in the US in the early 80s, is highly overrated, consisting of 3-4 good tracks and a bunch of forgettable filler. I like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son a whole lot more, and probably Killers, too.

Anyway, keep it up, Guap! Great work so far...

I (almost) completely agree with this. Piece of Mind, Powerslave and 7th Son of a 7th Son are my top-3 Iron Maiden albums.

I also like newer Deströyer 666 albums more than Unchain the Wolves. Also I'm quite sure there are quite a few better albums from Australia than anything this band has done :D First bands that come to mind are Ruins and Virgin Black.

Anyways, good to see an album list where I'm actually aware of practically all of the bands for a change.

[Guaporense]

pahaK, Yep, since Australia also has produced the movie The Road Warrior (1981), I guess Unchain the Wolves is actually my second favorite thing from that country.

89. Entombed - Left Hand Path (1990)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81x95r%2B8pNL._SX522_.jpg

Bringing in the big guns bois! While I am not a big fan of pure death metal there is some stuff in the genre that is so good that even I took notice. Amazing "dirty wicked" guitar tone in there and some amazing solos as well. Now, this is some wicked stuff indeed, its also very good material to scare people off as well like Cannibal Corpse but actually good. :D

[Guaporense]

88. Angra - Temple of Shadows (2004)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/6157PFJ30QL.jpg

Angra is a national treasure. A very rare band that combines a lot of Brazilian music with heavy/speed metal. While it is categorized as progressive power metal I would wonder if one could call this a folk metal album given the amount of local music incorporated in their album. Anyway, this is certainly one of the most impressive displays of virtuosity in popular music and is my favorite Angra album (among the stellar quality of all their output up to this album).

[Guaporense]

87. Dio - Holy Diver (1983)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81exki0oztL._SX522_.jpg

One of the best straight heavy metal albums ever is Dio's debut. After he left Black Sabbath, the timeless icon, Dio, started his solo band and his debut is amazing: one of the best straight heavy metal albums ever. I would say its only flaw is that songwriting might be more simple than the ideal according to my tastes but besides that, it is essentially perfect.

[Guaporense]

86. Lykathea Aflame - Elvenefris (2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IArBw3XIzF4

Tremendous. As I said before, while I am not the biggest fan of the genre of death metal when something as special as this comes out, well, it would be a crime to not appreciate it. Made in 2000, this is a symphony for the 21st century: equal parts brutal and beautiful.

[Guaporense]

85. Bathory - Under the Sign of the Black Mark (1987)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71C3EbjRdSL._SS500_.jpg

And now for the first band to repeat entry into the list. :D

This is perhaps the quintessential founding album of the most extreme form of music: Black Metal. It is indeed an impressive album. Its songs are not the most sophisticated in the genre but the raw intensity of emotion is amazing. It is also impressive that Quorthon not only developed Viking/folk metal but he is also a major influence on black metal (although the two genres are deeply related since both come from Scandinavian "folk culture", as opposed to Western culture).

[Guaporense]

84. Kreator - Endless Pain (1985)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A18t1VIT5ZL._SS500_.jpg

Thrash metal is a genre of metal that can be often boring and uninspiring, given it is basically music for banging your head. However, some bands manage to transcend the genre conventions and create something truly memorable. One of those records is Endless Pain, Kreator's debut and indeed one of the finest thrash metal albums of all time.

[Guaporense]

83. Black Sabbath - The Headless Cross (1989)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/Black-Sabbath-Headless-Cross.jpg

Now introducing Black Sabbath into the list (yeah!). While most people remember Black Sabbath from their early albums with Ozzy I think that the band reached its peak in the late 80s and early 90s with Martin. He is simply a perfect match for Sabbath's mature instrumental sound as the band's albums became more melodic and epic, incorporating both the developments of metal in the 80s as well as Sabbath's classic signature sound.

[Guaporense]

82. Elvellon - Until Dawn (2018)

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0534100688_10.jpg

One of the most recent additions to my favorite albums list is Elvellon's debut. While symphonic metal is a big genre there are relatively few albums that can be regarded as classics. However, Elvellon's debut is a mighty example of what symphonic metal is when we'll executed. Very memorable, elegant and pleasant, I can almost forget this is technically metal.

[Guaporense]

81. Ex Deo - Immortal Wars (2017)

https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Ex-Deo-The-Immortal-Wars-01-500x500.jpg

Fell the power of a thousand spears descending!!!!!!!!!!!! For ROME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, super-aggressive melodeath fits perfectly the history of the Second Punic War, perhaps the most brutal war in history. It always gets me all energic when I am listening to this.

[Guaporense]

80. Exodus - Bonded by Blood (1985)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f7/ExodusBondedbyblood.jpg

Exodus is one of those numerous thrash bands whose debut is by far their best album. There is a very good reason why thrash metal debuts tend to be the best album of a band's career: thrash metal is at its best an uncompromising slab of aggression without more sophisticated musical qualities underneath. When a thrash metal band releases its debut that means the band was recording its artistic statement in aggression, further albums following the same genre will be self-parody or the band should evolve into a different genre (which is what 'tallica did).

[Guaporense]

79. King Diamond - The Eye (1990)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/37/KingDiamondTheEye.jpg

One of King Diamond's best albums from one of the most consistent bands in metal. Everything about this album is very well balanced. Classic heavy metal done perfectly.

[Guaporense]

78. Iced Earth*-*Alive in Athens*(1999)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6f/Icedearthaliveinathens.jpg

IMO Iced Earth although an important band, has not released any truly great studio album, however, they have a great live album that basically incorporates all their best material and has excellent performaces all around.

[Guaporense]

77. Judas Priest - Firepower (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMU804-bjQA

Yeah, Judas Priest! And still delivering the goods after nearly 50 years on the road (although they have replaced the drums and one guitarist)! Their last album from 2018 (!!) is just excellent pure heavy metal, which sounds as if it was made in 1984 (but with modern digital production technology ;)) and in fact is superior to theis 80s albums! :eek:

[Guaporense]

76. Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (1989)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mfvSSl9L9M

Total chaos and brutality. This is super fast death metal but still retaining a sense of harmony (in a way it is superior to Elvenefris which tends to slip into cacophony too much, while this album sounds closer to extreme thrash metal such as early-Kreator). The production is also very impressive for a debut.

[Guaporense]

75. Joe Hisaishi - Nausicaa's Symphonic Suite (1984)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rpXOgyazRo

Now for something relatively different from the stuff posted right above. :D

The 80s were not only strong in metal, but they also had some great New Age minimalistic orchestral music. Film scores, in particular, tend to be simplistic and not good music when not combined with a movie. Some scores, however, are different. One of the best film scores of all time and among the most epic is Hisaishi's Nausicaa score. He was just discovered by Miyazaki in Nausicaa and went on to compose scores for over a hundred films. Still, his first major film score still stands as among the best scores ever made for a movie, unmatched in "epicness" (take note Dragonforce :p).

[Guaporense]

74. Artillery*-*By Inheritance (1990)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/710Kt6fn2zL._SX522_.jpg

Artillery is one of my favorite thrash bands. Although like other thrash bands they tend to have one album that is by far their best. In this case, it is this piece of progressive thrash metal/ Loved to hear this while driving.

[Guaporense]

73. W.A.S.P.*-*The Headless Children*(1989)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/db/The_Headless_Children_%28W.A.S.P._album_-_cover_art%29.jpg

One of the best traditional heavy metal albums of the 90s is W.A.S.P.'s The Headless Children. I remember I showed this to a friend and he told me "oh, this sounds just like Blind Guardian". :D That just reflects that the label "power metal" as something very distinct from traditional metal is kinda problematic (it is surely much closer to traditional than death or black metal).

[Sedai]

W.A.S.P. is a band I tend to get a lot flak for listening to. Most people only tend to remember a song or two, and the controversy surrounding the band during the PMRC trials. I think Blackie Lawless is a talented fellow, and perhaps doesn't get quite as much credit as he deserves for his creativity.

[Guaporense]

W.A.S.P. is a band I tend to get a lot flak for listening to. Most people only tend to remember a song or two, and the controversy surrounding the band during the PMRC trials. I think Blackie Lawless is a talented fellow, and perhaps doesn't get quite as much credit as he deserves for his creativity.

Well, W.A.S.P. had 2 albums in the metal-archives top 100 classic heavy metal albums poll:

https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?t=45511 ;)

Sadly Headless Children didn't make the cut.

[Guaporense]

72. 戸越まごめ*[Magome Togoshi],*折戸伸治*[Shinji Orito]*&*麻枝准*[Jun Maeda]*-*Clannad Original Soundtrack*(2004)

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/c__/images/a/aa/Clannad_Original_Soundtrack_Cover.png/revision/latest?cb=20100512012557&path-prefix=clannad

Videogame music makes the list yeah! In particular, Neoclassical-New-Age videogame music for a Japanese visual novel. While some tracks out of the 50 tracks in the soundtack are pretty bland because it has several hours of music since its the soundtrack of a videogame, other tracks have all the feels! Incredibly potent dramatic instrumental music in fact.

[Guaporense]

71. Overkill*-*The Years of Decay*(1989)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/15/The_Years_of_Decay.jpg

Overkill is perhaps the ultimate "classic" thrash band: they rock HARD and are a great band live. It's true that their sound is relatively "unsophisticated" compared to say Slayer or Kreator, but they rule and this album shows that with flying colors one of the best thrash metal albums of all time.

[Guaporense]

70. Heavenly*-*Dust to Dust*(2004)

https://img.discogs.com/l-W9vrRbZZxpcQ4KBIzC2wMUDIk=/fit-in/600x590/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3556511-1512925045-6504.jpeg.jpg

The only piece of french music on this list. A very, very, very good sample of power metal. In fact, one of the best albums of the genre ever made (well, it is on my favorites list, right?). Think of it as basically how Helloween would sound in 2004 if Kai Hansen never left the band.

[Guaporense]

69. Death - Human (1991)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a9/Human_Album.jpg

Death was one of metal's greatest acts. Although I am not a specialist in traditional death metal I can easily appreciate the greatness of this band as they have defined the genre and then progressed beyond it by the time they released this album, which is my favorite of theirs (I know Symbolic is supposed to be their best, which I rate it as my second favorite).

The incredible quality of riffing and composition combined creates a combination of brutality but also eerie beauty. The music is mostly "chromatic" instead of melodic but it also has a high level of appeal and is more accessible than Entombed or Lykathea Aflame's music.

[Guaporense]

68. Sacramentum-Far Away From the Sun(1996)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2BjhNQsvML.jpg

A awe-inspiring display of the highest quality of melodic black metal. Essential for fans of black metal or even metal in general as it is just top quality and as it is highly melodic Swedish black metal it is also more entertaining and accessible than the "pure" Norwegian black metal.

[Guaporense]

67. W.A.S.P.*-*The Crimson Idol*(1992)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/75/Waspcrimsonidol.jpg

Ze classic. The Crimson Idol is regarded by many as the best traditional heavy metal album of the New World, I agree. The atmosphere of this album is rather unique and unforgettable.

[Guaporense]

66. Joe Hisaishi - Mononoke Hime Symphonic Suite (1997)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82QHiUvY5E

Some of the best, if not the best, movie OST ever made. This is simply super good stuff, in fact I find it slightly superior to Nausicaa's soundtrack perhaps thanks to the incorporation of more classical influences and is the removal of minimalistic/electronic influences.

[Guaporense]

65. Sarcofago - INRI (1987)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7f/Sarcofago-Inri-front.png

One of our national treasures is this album. It is basically black metal before black metal came into being as well know it in Norway in the early 90s (with Blaze in the North Sky). As influential as Bathory's release from the same year but more catchy and entertaining.

[Guaporense]

64. Lost Horizon-Awakening the World(2001)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/Awakening_the_World.jpg

In their super melodramatic style they descend upon the earth! The greatest power metal band from Sweden, LOST f*k*ng HORIZON and their glorious debut! Think manowar but good!

[Guaporense]

63. Mayhem -*De Mysteriis dom Sathanas (1994)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Mayhem_demysteriisdomsathanas.jpg

The eternal classic of black metal, perhaps the quintessential album of the genre is this one. Cold as the north pole and more evil than hell itself.

[Guaporense]

62. Exumer-Possessed by Fire*(1986)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/Possessed_by_Fire.jpg

One of the PUREST thrash metal ever is Exumer's Possessed by Fire. An all-round excellent slab of headbanging yet highly entertaining material.

[Guaporense]

61. Mozart - 41st Symphony

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Jupiter-fragment.png

Mozart's last symphony is also my favorite of his. Of course, it is the one generally regarded as his best and from the set of symphonies I heard from him I agree. Mozart's style is rather robotic and formalistic but it works brilliantly here.

[Guaporense]

60. John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (1961)

https://img.discogs.com/TCQXZHtzINpgwOOmSR_5u6gF_4Q=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-410609-1306577221.jpeg.jpg

Jazz! O yeah, I heard a little bit of the genre and this album is my favorite, very catchy Sim City music!

[ahwell]

61. Mozart - 41st Symphony

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Jupiter-fragment.png

Mozart's last symphony is also my favorite of his. Of course, it is the one generally regarded as his best and from the set of symphonies I heard from him I agree. Mozart's style is rather robotic and formalistic but it works brilliantly here.

Mozart 41 is truly amazing, especially the last movement... I disagree that Mozart is robotic and formalistic, I think he is a very heartfelt and emotional composer. However, I'm so happy to see this piece on your list. What's your favorite recording of it?

[Hey Fredrick]

71. Overkill*-*The Years of Decay*(1989)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/15/The_Years_of_Decay.jpg

Overkill is perhaps the ultimate "classic" thrash band: they rock HARD and are a great band live. It's true that their sound is relatively "unsophisticated" compared to say Slayer or Kreator, but they rule and this album shows that with flying colors one of the best thrash metal albums of all time.

I haven't heard this album in about 25 years but I can still remember almost all the lyrics to I Hate and Elimination. Really good album all the way through, from what I remember, but it somehow fell through the cracks when I updated from cassette to cd.

[Sedai]

67. W.A.S.P.*-*The Crimson Idol*(1992)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/75/Waspcrimsonidol.jpg

Ze classic. The Crimson Idol is regarded by many as the best traditional heavy metal album of the New World, I agree. The atmosphere of this album is rather unique and unforgettable.

I have been listening to this a lot lately. Definitely one of the best from the traditional genre.

[Guaporense]

Mozart 41 is truly amazing, especially the last movement... I disagree that Mozart is robotic and formalistic, I think he is a very heartfelt and emotional composer. However, I'm so happy to see this piece on your list. What's your favorite recording of it?

I rate it based on this recent recording, as I listened to it when I wrote down this top 100 list: https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/le-concert-des-nations-jordi-savall/le-testament-symphonique-symphonies-39-40-and-41/

I used the terms "robotic" and "formalistic" when contrasting it with other classical composers who I find to be more "free" or unconstrained. It is not a bad thing though as I rated Mozart's 41th higher than the symphonies of Schubert's or Brahm's I know.

I haven't heard this album in about 25 years but I can still remember almost all the lyrics to I Hate and Elimination. Really good album all the way through, from what I remember, but it somehow fell through the cracks when I updated from cassette to cd.

Its a must for any fan of thrash metal since it is one of the best "traditional" (non-extreme) thrash albums.

[Guaporense]

59. Accept - Russian Roulette (1986)

https://img.cdandlp.com/2018/12/imgL/119383967.jpg

Yeah! ACCEPT! The greatest traditional heavy metal band from Germany and this is their zenith, combining catchy heavy metal with a higher degree of melodic depth.

[Guaporense]

58. Slayer - Show no Mercy (1983)

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/127/127634.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

The first of Slayer's masterpieces. While most people cite Reign in Blood in fact I believe this album is superior as it is an early thrash metal record that incorporates a lot of Iron Maiden-style sense of melody that was lost later on when Slayer focused on uncompromising brutality.

By the way, this cover perfectly describes the album.

[Guaporense]

57. Emperor - The Nightside Eclipse (1994)

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0158467393_10.jpg

Despite their crappy later albums, Emperor's The Nightside Eclipse remains one of the ultimate classic black metal albums. Producing a super atmospheric black metal by incorporating symphonic elements.

[ahwell]

I rate it based on this recent recording, as I listened to it when I wrote down this top 100 list: https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/le-concert-des-nations-jordi-savall/le-testament-symphonique-symphonies-39-40-and-41/

I used the terms "robotic" and "formalistic" when contrasting it with other classical composers who I find to be more "free" or unconstrained. It is not a bad thing though as I rated Mozart's 41th higher than the symphonies of Schubert's or Brahm's I know.

I'd agree on the Schubert part, not so much Brahms. Schubert is a bit of a formalistic composer, structure-wise, especially in the symphonies. Brahms, I think, has overall higher quality symphonies than Mozart, although he only wrote 4 and Mozart wrote 41. Brahms's Symphony No. 4 is one of the all-time greatest pieces, and the other three are magnificent as well. I think Brahms is one of the only composer who really never wrote a "flop" of a symphony. With Mozart and Haydn there were tons of filler symphonies, with Beethoven there was the 2nd and the 4th, with Schubert all except 8 and 9, with Shostakovich 2 and 3, with Mahler 7 and 8, with Schumann 2, with Prokofiev 3 and 4, with Vaughan Williams the last couple, and so on.

Sorry for going on and on:D, it's just that classical music is a topic I guess I'm obssessed with.

[Guaporense]

56. King Diamond - Conspiracy (1989)

https://http2.mlstatic.com/king-diamond-conspiracy-lp-vinil-1989-D_NQ_NP_979677-MLB28263394520_092018-F.webp

The Eye was not the last King Diamond album to show up on this list. I have concluded that Conspiracy is also one of his most excellent albums. Although it is hard to choose among his albums because they are almost always consistently great all-around (King Diamond being perhaps the second most consistently great band in heavy metal after Iron Maiden). Overall this is an essential horror-themed concept album featuring some of the best songwriting in King Diamond.

[Guaporense]

55. Ensiferum - Victory Songs (2007)

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1059/2286/products/brs-cd-ensiferum-victory-songs_800x.jpg?v=1488051848

The epicness! The music is exactly described by the cover and it rules! What can I say? This is classic Ensiferum, the best band to release their debut album in the 21st century.

[Guaporense]

54. Bathory - Nordland I (2002)

https://www.dunkelheit-produktionen.de/presta/9019-large_default/bathory-nordland-i-swe-cd-cd-irond-records.jpg

Oh, the epicness of this! Isn't this getting a bit repetitive? well, I have my taste and to satisfy my taste in music the most effective way is to achieve what this album does which is epic viking metal. Yes, I do rate this higher than Bathory's classic black metal albums, I guess I prefer their more mature melodic offerings. Well, Bathory is Bathory, perhaps the greatest metal band since the big 3 of Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.

[Guaporense]

53. Dissection - The Somberlain (1993)

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/267/267789.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

Oh yeah, the mighty! The Somberlain! Dissection's debut is certainly a classic, a perfect blend of black metal with melody*, yes, I do indeed rate it higher than Emperor's debut. Dissection rules (or used too back in the 1990s)! By the way, this music was composed by a person between the ages of 14 to 17. :eek:

*Some people say this is a melodeath album, I think "what? this is supposed to be like In Flames?, no...."

[Guaporense]

52. Beethoven - 7th Symphony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MqrBauptrE

Uncle Beetho's 7th Symphony remains one of my favorites. Watch out for the 2nd movement, its like the most dramatic thing in music before Iron Maiden. ;) Beethoven was truly godlike, not a mere mortal indeed.

[Guaporense]

51. Iron Savior - Iron Savior (1997)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Iron_Savior_-_Iron_Savior.jpg

Iron Savior's debut. I consider Iron Savior the most perfect sounding music, ever. Their compositions are nothing really special but the quality of the SOUNDS is amazing. It is a perfect balance between heaviness and melody. It is not too fancy, not minimalistic but not dissonant. It is almost a generic heavy metal sound, of the likes somebody who wants to parody the genre would make.

And their debut, with the genius of Kai Hansen added, is indeed a masterpiece. Later albums have been much inferior.

[Guaporense]

=====================================================================
======================= Halfway through! =======================
=====================================================================

The first half of this top 100 had a fair diversity of genres given my biased music tastes. However, the second half if much more genre consistent: it goes all the way into the gates of hell to select the best metal.

[Guaporense]

50. Iron Maiden - Live After Death (1985)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/pt/e/e6/Live_After_Death.jpg

The Number of the Beast was not Iron Maiden's last appearance on this list. This is the first live album to show up on this list and what a live album, what a setlist. This is nirvana indeed, it is not even higher on this list mainly because the quality of the recording leaves a little bit desired. ;)

Some nice video footage from the tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm5R3ClMmgo

[Guaporense]

49. Helloween - The Time of the Oath (1996)

https://www.hrrshop.de/bilder/produkte/gross/HELLOWEEN-Time-of-the-Oath-LP.jpg

The Time of the Oath represents the re-emergence of Helloween from the abyss that they fell into after the band broke up. And what a comeback! This is the real deal, the best of modern Helloween playing at 100%.

[Guaporense]

48. Judas Priest - Sin After Sin*(1977)

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1377/6983/products/[email protected]?v=1524506663

Sin After Sin was a weird inclusion on this list. It is not a super-consistent album, in fact it is a rather incredible one in the sense that it features a mix of songs varying from a super light pop-rock (Last Rose in Summer) to bone-crushing heavy metal (Dissident Aggressor, later covered by Slayer although the original version is superior). It is major development for heavy metal and represents the consolidation of the classic heavy metal sound after the pioneering efforts of Black Sabbath.

[Guaporense]

47. Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell (1980)

http://ximmix.mixeriksson.com/bilder/wp_black_sabbath_heaven_and_hell_logo_1024x768px_100420153043_2.jpg

Heaven and Hell represents Black Sabbath at the peak of their powers. They removed their weakest member(the rather untalented but charismatic singer Ozzy) and substituted it with the great Dio, who was able to fully extract all the potential out of Black Sabbath's. While this is a mature album in the sense that it was Black Sabbath's 8th studio album it felt like a debut in a sense since the band's style had evolved greatly.

[Guaporense]

46. Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out in Space (1997)

https://img.discogs.com/_ytJxZPz-srONIQjjff-VF4pKEo=/fit-in/600x583/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-821680-1399061556-1914.jpeg.jpg

The much maligned Gamma Ray, since they are the most "cheesy" of all power metal bands. Well, f*ck em, this is great stuff, specially Shine On!

Shine On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv18i6Oo0ho

[Guaporense]

45. Virgin Steele - Invictus (1998)

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzRIx_7GPF4/XCOQZxGG-WI/AAAAAAAAPpA/QiZaQI37iSQi75Totwlr0grUb-gMvz20ACLcBGAs/s1600/encartes%2B%252811%2529.jpg

That is the real deal bois! Virgin Steele is the world's most underrated band. While I previously said that the best traditional heavy metal albums from the Americas are W.A.S.P's albums I actually should correct that, Virgin Steele's Invictus should be categorized as a "heavy metal opera", not quite pure traditional heavy metal but also it is certainly not "power metal" as the genre is traditionally classified. All around excellent, this album possesses an eerie atmosphere that I find very attractive.

[Guaporense]

44. Candlemass - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986)

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/175/175880.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

Doom metal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, the genre shows up in this top 100. I have to admit, I am rather ignorant of it but of the little I know about it is that Epicus Doomicus Metallicus beats Black Sabbath's doom metal records (such as Master of Reality or Sabotage) at their own game.

[Guaporense]

43. Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/264/264347.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

With Somewhere Far Beyond Blind Guardian evolved from a basic speed metal band into a sophisticated power metal act that took power metal to the highest level of quality and sophistication. Easily one of the best melodic metal albums of all time: it is absolutely essential for any metalhead.

Interview with the crew regarding the impact of the album on the band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdHnSS7K10

[Guaporense]

42. Slayer - South of Heaven (1988)

https://2fnwas1oea9y31r31yme9a19-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/306847511478247630-1280x1280-600753501078.jpg

South of Heaven represents a massive turn for Slayer. From Show no Mercy to Reign in Blood their style was to play progressively faster and more aggressive thrash metal, peaking in Reign in Blood when their songwriting had to sacrifice coherence/harmony. Instead, in the following up album, South of Heaven is still heavy as hell but they decided to slow down and focus on improving the melody. It was win-win situation as they produced a masterpiece of thrash metal and what is perhaps their most memorable album.

[Guaporense]

41. Ensiferum - From Afar (2009)

https://img.discogs.com/9L2Nfhg3N8oatOwMypviGqRxO0s=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3542738-1372720796-4084.jpeg.jpg

Hah, Ensiferum, the best underground metal band of all time. What I mean by that is that among the bands that I list as my favorites they are indeed the least well known. I only discovered them much later than other bands (it took me about 10 years from becoming a metalhead to finding out about Ensiferum). The reason it took so long to discover then is that I was obsessed with traditional/thrash metal and bands closely related to the more traditional sound and I had bad experiences with more folkish bands (like the popular Amon Amarth).

Ensiferum, however, is a different kind of beast than any other folk metal band. Ensiferum is first and foremost a heavy metal band that has incorporated Finnish folk melodies into their riff-driven metal music. However, they are, as a musical artist, more firmly inside heavy metal genre than any other "folkish" band out there. From Afar is Ensiferum at the top of their game, featuring a wide array of diverse songs, some super long epics (Heathen Throne) others are lighter and smaller songs (such as the highly entertaining Stone Cold Metal).

[Guaporense]

40. Kreator - Coma of Souls (1990)

https://www.metal-archives.com/images/8/0/9/809.jpg?2223

Coma of Souls represents thrash metal at its purest and catchiest form. While it might not be as apocalyptic sounding as South of Heaven, it surpasses it in terms of technical riffing: hundreds upon hundreds of riffs fill up the band's sound. All around perfect, it is an excellent introduction to the thrash metal genre and essential for anybody who wishes to understand heavy metal.

[Guaporense]

39. Metallica - Ride the Lightning(1984)

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/5118/products/Metallica-Ride-The-Lightning-LP-Vinyl-2180097_1024x1024.jpeg?v=1460748095

Ride the Lightning, 'Tallica's best album and a triumph of thrash metal. Back from 1984 when 'Tallica was a great band. By the way, the fall in quality between Ride the Lightning in 1984 and the Load/Re-Load albums in the 1990s remains something so outlandish that it makes my head hurt just when I try to evaluate such a decline. How is that possible? They showed a level of talent here comparable to Iron Maiden and Helloween and after 15 years we got some pedestrian pop-rock? It is as if the band died and was replaced by replicas.

[Guaporense]

38. Running Wild - Death or Glory (1989)

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/263/263857.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

While metal was pretty much invented in Britain it really flourished in Germany. Running Wild is one of the best more traditional/speed metal bands in the world and perhaps my favorite traditional metal from Germany (some people classify this album as "power metal" but if you hear this and then put some Judas Priest or some Stratovarius it is obvious which one this one sounds closer too). A speed metal masterpiece, the songs are heavy, powerful and highly melodic and catchy, this album has the best of both worlds!

[Guaporense]

37. Kamelot - Karma (2001)

http://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/1486/cover_85492462017_r.jpg

Kamelot, the best flower metal band of all time and IMO the most pleasant and entertaining band from the Americas. Karma is perhaps their quintessential album, between their straightforward early power metal albums and their more pompous later symphonic albums.

[Guaporense]

36. Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time (1986)

https://thewallpaper.co//wp-content/uploads/2016/10/somewhere-in-time-iron-maiden-album-cover-background.jpg

Somewhere in Time is perhaps Iron Maiden's most underrated album. Has some of the best songwriting the band has ever done combined with first-rate production. This is just Iron Maiden at the peak of their powers.

[Guaporense]

35. Dark Angel - Darkness Descends (1986)

https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/store/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/67ee0bda53fcb76a0df57a2f1f9b6dfa/m/a/maxresdefault_2.jpg

Brilliant, just brilliant! Total chaotic mayhem! This is it bois, the real spirit of extreme metal in its immense heaviness.

[Guaporense]

34. Hibria - Defying the Rules (2004)

https://img.discogs.com/N4n4zFAe4XAD8Nf0G8OCXktCHMg=/fit-in/600x591/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3137289-1317495392.jpeg.jpg

My favorite Brazilian music album of all time: it is 100% non-stop speed metal glory delivered with great technicality and no dull moments.

It has zero influence of Brazilian folk music (which is actually an issue I have with Brazilian metal since, different from Scandinavian folk, the lighter sounding Brazilian folk does not mix well with the particular dark spirituality of metal). Instead, it is a display of technical virtuosity of the highest caliber combined with extremely inspired and highly melodic songwriting.

[Guaporense]

33. Kreator - Terrible Certainty (1987)

https://img.discogs.com/k5Kz8wTQvVPzAIee2-MwhB4zVMM=/fit-in/600x596/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-680170-1340970631-8366.jpeg.jpg

Thrash metal at its best: technical and aggressive. It strikes a perfect balance between the early super aggressive Kreator from 1985-1986 and the more melodic "neclassical" guitar style that Kreator developed from 1989-1990 (yes, thrash bands tended to evolve super-quickly back in the day, Kreator is my favorite thrash metal band of all time because they managed to evolve into something artistically more accomplished than Metallica and Slayer who degenerated into pop-rock in the 1990s).

The riffing on display here is some of the best ever and the songwriting is amazing because it feels like being hit in the head with bricks from unexpected directions: instead of the more "constant" barrage of typical thrash here with the constant tempo changes the songs take unexpected turns.

[Guaporense]

32. Joe Hisaishi - Spirited Away OTS (2001)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Y50p54AJL.jpg

It had to be Spirited Away, my favorite OST of all time. :D Hisaishi really pulled no punches here, as it is varied and incredibly beautiful at the same time. It is his masterpiece mainly because of the higher variety which allows this OST to stand as on its own as a masterpiece of instrumental music.

[Guaporense]

31. Iron Savior - Dark Assault (2001)

https://img.discogs.com/8zgeW5pSm85fx2qme3Nut45oXiY=/fit-in/600x584/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2765807-1482520522-9322.jpeg.jpg

Iron Savior is the world's most underrated band. ;) They are just great all around and yet they only have about 40 thousand followers on Spotify! This must be corrected! Everybody should listen to more Iron Savior as they are basically a more evolved version of Judas Priest and feature some of the most amazing guitar work from continental Europe.

[Guaporense]

30. Black Sabbath - Tyr (1990)

https://img.discogs.com/8R8qWTahOGlxug1wZSOx-BU0xiI=/fit-in/600x597/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-658726-1144831444.jpeg.jpg

Like Bathory on the same year, Black Sabbath decided to shift gears and move into a new direction after Headless Cross, a more "scandinavian" direction: yes, they did a Viking Metal album. :eek: In this album Black Sabbath achieved the peak of their artistic expression after 20 years of constant evolution. Simply massively and "dommy" epicness in grand scale as the band achieved a higher level from their simplistic (but obviously massively important) beginnings.

Yes, this is the best album Black Sabbath ever made. It is also different from the typical simplistic "one-riff one-song" compositional style they employed for most of their albums, instead the degree of melodic complexity here is higher, it sounds closer to "modern metal" after Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but still being clearly Sabbath with their "dommy" monster-riffs approach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFZVlY6oOWk

[pahaK]

Not much discussion here so I'll chip in. It's kinda hard to comment a list like this because 1) it's your personal opinion and 2) there's so many albums already. Anyways here's some of my opinions about your opinions.

I'm very happy about Bathory making your list even though my personal favorites are still missing at this point (them being Hammerheart and Blood Fire Death). Massively influential band (or person) and a proof that vision and desire are more important than technical skill.

I'm not a huge thrash metal fan. I have some favorites like Slayer, Metallica, Sabbat and Skyclad (if you can count them as thrash) but in general I mostly value it only as a transition from traditional metal to extreme metal. I've heard majority of the thrash albums on your list this far but in some cases I haven't listened to them in years.

I also don't think there's more clear "debut being the best" trend in thrash than in any other genre. Only clearly best debut that comes to mind is Annihilator's Alice in Hell; otherwise I actually prefer non-debuts from my favorites.

Helloween is influential for sure but I'm not really into German brand of power metal (their debut is their best album but it's more like speed metal). My taste in power metal is leaning more towards Southern Europe (Italy and Spain) and some bands that are little different from the norm like Sabaton or (old) Manowar.

About death metal. I used to listen quite a bit DM but as years go by more and more of it has started to sound dull. There are exceptions though and you've already mentioned one of them, Morbid Angel. Blessed Are the Sick is one of my absolute favorites and the album that converted me into harsh vocals. Altars of Madness isn't much worse (though it's kinda debatable whether it's their debut or not, Abominations of Desolation was recorded 3 years earlier but wasn't published until 1991 and it's also very good). I'd really need to give Death a proper chance though.

Albums on your list that could make my top-100: Holy Diver, The Eye, Altars of Madness, De Mysteriis dom Sathanas, Conspiracy, Heaven and Hell, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, South of Heaven, Ride the Lightning.

And then short comments on few individual bands/albums.

Black Sabbath: You seem to love Tony Martin era. I think those albums are somewhat good but wouldn't count them among my favorites. They don't sound like Black Sabbath anymore to me.

Elvellon: Biggest surprise on the list to me. Never heard of them before and gave them a spin after their list entry. I'm sorry but to me they sound completely generic example of the genre and couple of weeks later I don't remember anything of that album.

King Diamond: We like the same albums. Of my three favorites by him only Abigail hasn't showed up. Those three are absolute killers.

Emperor: Their debut is good but I disagree about the later albums. All of them are good.

Virgin Steele: I've listened Invictus couple of times and while it's OK it's far too long. Also it's way too blatant Manowar ripoff to really impress me.

[Guaporense]

pahaK, thanks for your opinions. I think you might be pleased with some entries of the rest of this list.

Elvellon to me sounds very much like an improved version of Nightwish. Since I enjoy the genre of symphonic metal I decided to include it on this list.

Regarding Black Sabbath, well it is a band that has evolved a lot over time. Their early albums have this jazzy sound that gradually gave away to a purer traditional heavy metal style as metal itself solidified in its own style. I am a fan of Black Sabbath's 3 eras but perhaps a bigger fan of the Tony Martin era (I love 3 albums by him, while from Dio I only really love 1, Heaven and Hell, with Ozzy I really like Master of Reality, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and Sabotage). I didn't include more Black Sabbath, because, well, I need space for the other bands.

[Guaporense]

29. Virgin Steele - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part 2

https://img.discogs.com/l_vYoha7KAuuffIGzxqmOkxt4bg=/fit-in/600x531/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4335478-1485701302-9137.jpeg.jpg

Virgin Steele is one of the world's most underrated bands IMO. In fact, according to my Last FM profile, Virgin Steele is the 4th most played artist there. :eek: I think that is because of their melancholic traditional metal style which really resonated with me, especially back in those depressing days of my grad school. Their style is also quite unique since they sound nothing like other bands tagged as "power metal".

[Guaporense]

28. Mercyful Fate - Melissa (1983)

http://www.metal-fi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MercyfulFate-Melissa-Cover.jpg

This is one of those essential albums in metal. It is like, if you are going to do a top favorite metal albums list them this obvious classic must be in there Why is that? Well, this is the real deal, pure unadulterated heavy metal in the classical sense. Both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond are absolutely essential for understanding metal and this is certainly one of their landmark albums.

By the way, the cover art really rocks.

[Guaporense]

27. Judas Priest - Stained Class (1978)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/Jpstandclass.jpg

Despite its poor production this is an absolute classic that redefined heavy metal. While Black Sabbath's early albums are regarded as the founding albums of the genre it was Judas Priest's three early albums (Sad Wings, Sin After Sin and Stained Class) that really helped to create a more distinct sound for the genre differentiating it from blues and rock. The basic riff work of Stained Class, in particular, really provided foundations for speed and thrash metal.

[Guaporense]

26. Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind (1983)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/pt/8/85/Iron_Maiden_-_Piece_Of_Mind.jpg

PIece of MInd is the album where Iron Maiden really became "Iron Maiden", exhibiting a tremendous sequence of iconic songs one after another, it is certainly a masterpiece. It's legendary status is a fully justified one.

[Guaporense]

25. Bathory - Hammerheart (1990)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1vwiS3GVkL._SL1500_.jpg

This is pure magic. Bathory's best (IMO) and a triumph of Viking metal, being the album that defined the whole genre. Packs a lot of great super-heavy riffs as well from Bathory's black metal "phase". Unforgettable experience.

[Guaporense]

24. Kamelot - Epica (2003)

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/32800000/-Epica-Official-Album-Cover-kamelot-32800024-1024-768.jpg

Kamelot's Epica is FLOWER METAL AND PROUD! Yep, this is it bois! The flower metal album of the century (so far). A triumph of melody and catchiness, it is the best pop music ever as it easily tops Celine Dion!

By the way, the cover is a perfect reflection of the music underneath. :D

[Guaporense]

23. Slayer - Hell Awaits (1985)

https://img.cdandlp.com/2015/01/imgL/117322533.jpg

I was thinking about my favorite Slayer album, sometimes I think it is South of Heaven, other time I considered Show no Mercy, but looking back there can be only ONE which is Hell Awaits, Slayer's masterpiece IMO as it perfectly expresses pure EVIL and the compositions inside the album are amazing and rather complex! Essential and Slayer's true masterpiece instead of the popular Reign in Blood (which still is a great record featuring great production IMO, I would have included it in this top 100 if I didn't have so many other Slayer albums).

[Guaporense]

22. Helloween*- Dark Ride (2000)

https://img.discogs.com/6lNQDvABGmSm4xnLhO11VX4T70Y=/fit-in/534x746/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-872464-1247412869.jpeg.jpg

The Dark Ride is Helloween at the peak of their powers as a mature band.

What a great album indeed, I actually listened to it while writing down this list and I was shocked by how much I actually loved it. Its atmosphere is just, I don't know any better words, special.

[Guaporense]

21. Mercyful Fate - Don’t Break the Oath (1984)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/pt/5/5b/Don%27t_Break_the_Oath.jpg

With Mercyful Fate this is indeed their masterpiece, although Melissa comes very close, this one has a certain "magic" that pushed it a bit higher in my favorite lists, the absolute peak of the band. Later own they would reform but the magic of their early output was completely lost.

[Guaporense]

And we arrived at the absolute best of the best now! :eek: At my top 20!

=========================
TOP 20
=========================

[Guaporense]

20. Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East(1979)

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3rUcnd32ksrWo5pbcemUn-970-80.jpg

Unleashed in the East as perhaps when Judas Priest became Judas Priest and heavy metal became a well established musical genre, being that this album is a synthesis of pure heavy metal played live, aggressively and with decent production. Actually, what this album is when Judas Priest's classic songs got their first decent production job and they sound like screaming heavy metal indeed: this album is not just a metal album, this album IS Heavy Metal.

[Sedai]

Just catching up after not getting back around to this list for a while. More great choices have appeared, and I look forward the the rest of the Top 20!

[Guaporense]

19. Blind Guardian - Imaginations of the Other Side (1995)

https://afontegeek.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/blind_guardian_-_imaginations_from_the_other_side.jpg

Simply the ultimate power metal album. Essentially perfect: amazing immersive atmosphere combined with bursts of tremendous aggression. Among the best of the best and most memorable albums, I have ever listened too.

[Guaporense]

18. Slayer - Haunting the Chapel (1984)

https://t2.genius.com/unsafe/1194x0/https%3A%2F%2Fimages.genius.com%2Fffd4c74f404291bf7ca0fd29543542f0.1000x1000x1.jpg

If Imaginations from Other Side is the ultimate in power metal this is the ultimate in thrash. Slayer's EP Hauting the Chapel has only 3 songs but each song is of godly quality: perhaps the world's first example of an extreme metal release (although Judas Priest's Dissident Aggressor from 1977 might be regarded as the first extreme metal song). Chemical Warfare is legendary as it annihilates everything on its path: an absolute masterpiece of the genre as it almost transcends thrash metal with higher levels of melody and aggression at the same time!

[Guaporense]

17. Helloween - Better than Raw (1998)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1c/Rawcover.JPG

Better than Raw is perhaps the album that I listened to the most (according to LastFM which is set to tracks some of my listening devices/apps since 2008 it was the second most listened album). While Imaginations from the Other Side is the ultimate power metal album this one, although often categorized as power metal, is actually closer to being a straight heavy metal album with a lot of progressive elements (which often sound similar to power), it has a lot of heaviness as well, sounding way heavier than typical Iron Maiden/Judas Priest heavy metal and closer to extreme metal territory. And the cover absolutely rocks, best cover ever!

[Guaporense]

16. Wintersun - Time I (2012)

https://http2.mlstatic.com/wintersun-time-i-D_NQ_NP_796855-MLB26881116260_022018-F.webp

Now this is what EPIC is supposed to sound like. Wintersun basically took melodic death metal and infused it with neoclassical symphonic metal to create this kind of beast. It is indeed magnificent and worthy of each of the 8 years that Jari has spent producing it: 3 songs took 8 years to be recorded into an album indeed :eek: But it was completely worth it!

[Guaporense]

15. Beethoven - 9th Symphony (19th century)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Beethoven_Ninth_Symphony.png

While I am not the world's biggest fan of classical music it is indeed true that Beethoven's 9th is an unparalleled masterpiece. Proof of its genius is that is has found itself very near the top of my top 100 albums list which is almost entirely populated by modern pop music. It is just EPIC (well this is indeed a characterization that applies to most music that I like, well I like this feeling the grandeur when I listen to music and nothing is more epic than this (except Wintersun ;))).

[Guaporense]

14. Iron Maiden - Powerslave (1984)

https://rockinzone.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/art_powerslave_1.jpg

Talking about epic, how about we check out Maiden's most EPIC epicness album! Powerslave is widely regarded as Maiden's best album and for very good reason: it represents the culmination of the band's super-fast evolution from 1980 to 1984, which evolved from a heavily punk-influenced metal to perhaps the definitive classic heavy metal sound with Powerslave. This is indeed a zenith and it is as timeless as the pyramids in the cover.

[Guaporense]

13. Kreator - Pleasure to Kill (1986)

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GaJ3AH9oZFY35wnE58C9n9-650-80.jpg

My favorite thrash metal album of all time. Pleasure to Kill is pure undiluted aggression: total destruction all over the place. It is one of the 3 classics of the unholy trinity of 1986, together with Reign in Blood and Darkness Descends. This one is the best because of its rather disjointed style: they are playing the fastest they could even though each bandmember fails to fully coordinate with each other which lends the album its atmosphere of complete mayhem. A masterpiece indeed.

[Mr Minio]

It has been 5 years since I did my top 100 albums list Well, I can't see much progression in your taste. It's still as bad as it used to be.

https://i.imgur.com/1RsZWW9.png

60. John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (1961) Okay, that one is spot on. And some metal picks like Melissa are fine, too.

[ahwell]

15. Beethoven - 9th Symphony (19th century)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Beethoven_Ninth_Symphony.png

While I am not the world's biggest fan of classical music it is indeed true that Beethoven's 9th is an unparalleled masterpiece. Proof of its genius is that is has found itself very near the top of my top 100 albums list which is almost entirely populated by modern pop music. It is just EPIC (well this is indeed a characterization that applies to most music that I like, well I like this feeling the grandeur when I listen to music and nothing is more epic than this (except Wintersun ;))).

Heck yeah it’s epic! So glad this made your list, it is a certified masterpiece and would make my list too if I ever made one.

[Guaporense]

12. Judas Priest - Painkiller (1990)

http://www.deathmetal.org/wp-content/uploads/judas-priest-painkiller.jpg

Painkiller is perhaps the definitive heavy metal album from the definitive heavy metal band. It is very rare that a band achieves a peak in their discography in their 12th album (although Black Sabbath's Tyr, released on the same year is also their 14th album if I recall correctly. eek:).

Painkiller's greatness is that it is just completely unpretentious and completely uncompromising: pure unadulterated speed metal, it is the quintessential Judas Priest album in many ways as it represents the culmination of the band as Judas Priest just removed all shackles from their sound, after selling out 5-6 million albums with Turbo they felt like they had enough money to go by and just do what they wanted to do. It rocks and it is one of the albums I have listened the most times according to LastFM.

[Guaporense]

11. Ensiferum - Iron (2004)

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1059/2286/products/BLOOD042R_800x.jpg?v=1505388411

Iron is a solid album, in fact, an IRON solid album. Hard as iron it exudes the purest feeling of uncompromising sublimity. This stuff is just soooooooooooooo good... Amazing music indeed of the greatest folk metal band in the world at its peak.

[Guaporense]

And opening the:

TOP 10

10. Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane (1995)

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/281/281679.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

It had to be Dissection, right? Perhaps not the purest but still the most effective album of black metal ever made. Darker than a black hole, colder than liquid nitrogen, more evil than Stalin and Hitler combined is Storm of the Light's Bane! By the way, I discovered this album rather recently, a couple of months ago and it prompted me to do this list. ;)

[Sedai]

16. Wintersun - Time I (2012)

https://http2.mlstatic.com/wintersun-time-i-D_NQ_NP_796855-MLB26881116260_022018-F.webp

Now this is what EPIC is supposed to sound like. Wintersun basically took melodic death metal and infused it with neoclassical symphonic metal to create this kind of beast. It is indeed magnificent and worthy of each of the 8 years that Jari has spent producing it: 3 songs took 8 years to be recorded into an album indeed :eek: But it was completely worth it!

One of my favorite concert moments of the recent years was during Wintersun's performance of Sons of Winter and Stars.

During this section:

"Until we fade away - Fate will find it's way
Until we drift into the dark
It's not too late to find a way - Fate will find it's way
And fly in cold embrace of stars"

The entire venue was singing along, while a giant group of people in the floor section (where I was at the time) all got down on the ground and acted like they were on a ship, rowing with invisible oars. Meanwhile, Jari et al. were just killing it on stage. Jari definitely seems happier now that he has handed his guitar duties off to Asim, so he can focus on singing and working the crowd. Teemu's playing was nasty, as well.

[Guaporense]

One of my favorite concert moments of the recent years was during Wintersun's performance of Sons of Winter and Stars.

During this section:

"Until we fade away - Fate will find it's way
Until we drift into the dark
It's not too late to find a way - Fate will find it's way
And fly in cold embrace of stars"

The entire venue was singing along, while a giant group of people in the floor section (where I was at the time) all got down on the ground and acted like they were on a ship, rowing with invisible oars. Meanwhile, Jari et al. were just killing it on stage. Jari definitely seems happier now that he has handed his guitar duties off to Asim, so he can focus on singing and working the crowd. Teemu's playing was nasty, as well.

I have to see them live! Among the bands with albums in my top 20 Wintersun is the only one I have not seem live. Too bad they never tour in South America.

[Guaporense]

9. Iron Savior - Unification (1999)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPERK3d1IZM/VTa-cFqgsHI/AAAAAAAAGUY/sezg8yB0Zv0/s1600/Encartes%2B(7).jpg

Iron Savior, the world's most underrated speed/power metal band. This album, in particular, is their masterpiece perhaps the best example of melodic speed metal ever made (sorry Painkiller). Iron Savior's style can be described as an evolution of 1980's metal with is faster and more melodic at the same time. After this album, which was their clear peak, their sound lost a bit of richness and complexity in the lead guitar department (especially since Hansen left the band after Dark Assault).

[Sedai]

Next record, please! ;)

[Guaporense]

8. Blind Guardian - Nightfall in Middle Earth (1998)

https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/264/264351.jpg/1000x1000.jpg

Nightfall in Middle Earth is perhaps the peak of symphonic power metal. It represents the culmination of everything that Bling Guardian stands for and their artistic development, in fact, this album is so great and enormously superior to anything they made in the last 20 years that it feels like it was their final album.

Now they exist mostly as a orchestral-metal band rather than a power metal band: As they started out as a speed metal, evolved into power metal, then became symphonic here, now they kinda lost themselves into their orchestral adventures, their latest album does not feature any guitar parts! This album, by contrast, still features tons of great riffs.

[Guaporense]

7. Ensiferum - Ensiferum (2001)

https://r.photo.store.qq.com/psb?/V10cGLiE1ye3Z8/gzovxA5rnduvDwksuEMuQp6ndez.7xbhKc2Im1s7Cr0!/r/dOMAAAAAAAAA

Ensiferum's classic debut remains their definitive album. While I considered placing Iron higher (as I did in my "preliminary top 10"), I decided that this album is the one I would place higher, mainly because both albums are of similar quality but this one has more songs, so it is stronger overall: it is the definitive Viking metal album, it does not get more epic than this.

[Guaporense]

6. King Diamond - Abigail (1987)

http://www.invisibleoranges.com/files/2012/06/7cc2cc7a-0350-44b4-99a1-5592419a21d9.jpeg

Define perfect? Perfection is Abigail, the one and only. Perhaps the best traditional metal album of all time? A strong candidate indeed.

[Sedai]

7. Ensiferum - Ensiferum (2001)

https://r.photo.store.qq.com/psb?/V10cGLiE1ye3Z8/gzovxA5rnduvDwksuEMuQp6ndez.7xbhKc2Im1s7Cr0!/r/dOMAAAAAAAAA

Ensiferum's classic debut remains their definitive album. While I considered placing Iron higher (as I did in my "preliminary top 10" I decided that this album is the one I would place higher, mainly because both albums are of similar quality but this one has more songs, so it is stronger overall: it is the definitive Viking metal album, it does not get more epic than this.

I listened to both this and Iron last night, and I do think this album gets the edge, even if Jari's clean singing is better on Iron. Alas, I just like the music a bit more on the debut, which is my favorite folk metal record ever. Great choice for your top 10!

[Guaporense]

5. Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

https://altavoltagemcamisetas.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/post-1.jpg

It actually pains me to put this in 5th place instead of higher. This is such a godly album: Judas Priest's seminal album, the album that made them immortal. It is also perhaps the first expression of pure heavy metal (yes, Black Sabbath was earlier but this album has a compared to Sabbath a reduced level of blues influence and instead has some songs that sound similar to thrash/speed metal, although these elements would come fully in Stained Class).

The production is pretty bad, however, the poor production actually lends this album a certain ethereal, mystic quality. Certainly, it has a unique atmosphere (with Priests' other albums being Sin After Sin and Stained Class completing their classic trilogy, with Painkiller being Priest's culmination in terms of their artistic trajectory).

[Guaporense]

4. Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys (1987-88)

https://http2.mlstatic.com/helloween-keeper-of-the-seven-keys-part-i-black-vinyl-D_NQ_NP_689011-MLB20460310318_102015-F.webp

Widely regarded as the seminal album of the power metal genre it is still the best album the genre has to offer. Kai Hansen has said that he disliked the label "power metal" instead he would name it "rock and roll metal" because it indeed sounds like a rock band like Led Zeppelin or Queen decided to make a speed metal album.

Amazing quality: this album has perhaps the highest entertainment value among all my favorite albums. It is so great because the songwriting is more sophisticated than classic heavy metal but it is not overly pompous as more modern power metal (which is the main flaw with Blind Guardian's last 20 years of albums).

[Sedai]

We dang. I had tried to guess your overall number 1 album, and I had Keeper of the Seven Keys in the slot. Now that this has been posted, I think I might know what your number 1 will end up being...

[Guaporense]

I actually considered Keepers as number 1 but on further re-listens, I decided that there were some albums I liked more. Keepers still is the only album that managed to distract me enough while I was driving to it that I crashed my car (and that was back in 2008).

[Mr Minio]

Keepers still is the only album that managed to distract me enough while I was driving to it that I crashed my car (and that was back in 2008). The ultimate proof that metal is indeed dangerous for your health!

[Guaporense]

3. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)

http://roadie-metal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SSOSS_Easy-Resize.com_.jpg

While listening to Abigail I was thinking "oh this must be the best classic heavy metal album ever, for sure" then I was listening to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, which is easily Iron Maiden's masterpiece, and yes, it tops Abigail. This album is not only perfect, it is of transcedental quality: it represents the peak performance of the greatest metal band of all time, combining the experience of being their 7th album when the band was still young and not suffering from the decadence that afflicts metal bands that are more than a decade or so on the road.

The discrepancy in quality between this album and No Prayer for the Dying is enormous which shows how losing Smith hurt the band back then.

[Guaporense]

2. Helloween - Walls of Jericho (1985)

https://img.discogs.com/QTdFNIK0jska1Udju3PYdr3MIyc=/fit-in/600x596/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-581893-1425574443-8090.jpeg.jpg

Walls of Jericho was my favorite album for about a decade. I love it so much because it is simple classic heavy metal but on steroids without losing its sense of melody or its catchiness and without being very pompous. It is not "thrash" nor "power" but it is more extreme than traditional heavy metal. In other words, it is the best of both worlds and as an album it is rather unique: there are very few metal albums that dabble in this album's territory (although one might claim Painkiller and Iron Savior are rather close, this album is more extreme than Painkiller and lacks the pomposity of Iron Savior's Unification, becoming even superior to both of these two great albums).

[pahaK]

Based on some later entries on this list (like Walls of Jericho) I'd suggest you check out few newer bands. There's quite a bit of 80s retro metal being made these days and some of it is really good.

https://youtu.be/u9kkCFFWyIA
https://youtu.be/-KbwI9LWjfk
https://youtu.be/U6FMRusftrI

[Zotis]

I'm just checking out some of these that I'm not familiar with. I can definitely hear the quality in stuff like Angra, but it just doesn't appeal to me. Something about Power Metal has never appealed to me. Maybe it's the vocal style.

Entombed are legendary though. I hear ya when it comes to Death Metal, there is a ton of mediocrity in the genre, but some gems really do stand out. Entombed have an incredible reputation, but I never really familiarised myself with them all that much. They kind of got lost in the sea of bands with an album and a handful of songs tacked onto some random playlists in my mess of playlists.

[Sedai]

Down to number 1! Bring on that frosty glowing ball in the sky...

;)

[Zotis]

Probably something cliche like Master of Puppets... Gosh, I'm going to hate it if I'm right... lol. (No idea if he already listed it because I'm still in the first page of checking them out.)

:P


(Edit: Revive the Extreme Music Tournament?)

[Sedai]

Probably something cliche like Master of Puppets... Gosh, I'm going to hate it if I'm right... lol. (No idea if he already listed it because I'm still in the first page of checking them out.)

:P


(Edit: Revive the Extreme Music Tournament?)

Definitely not Master of Puppets. I am 90% sure I know what it is, as my clue above alludes to. I don't want to steal Guap's thunder though, so I will refrain from calling it out.

I also have a recommendation for Guap, which I will post soon. Meanwhile, I am looking forward to the end of the list...

[Mr Minio]

His #1 is probably some obscure anime soundtrack and he will troll you all.

[Zotis]

His #1 is probably some obscure anime soundtrack and he will troll you all.

Come on, you know it's going to be Metal. Trolling his top 100 isn't something Guap would do.

[Mr Minio]

So it's metal anime soundtrack. Easy.

[Guaporense]

It's not Master of Puppets because I find it an above average thrash album but not among my favorites (I find Justice for All and Ride the Lightning superior, in particular Ride the Lightning is greatly superior). I would include it in a top 200 albums list. While Sedai's guess was right (also because I already said on the site it was my favorite album several times since it became my favorite album in 2016).

1st. Wintersun - Wintersun (2004)

http://www.invisibleoranges.com/files/2019/09/50930.jpg?zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=580

Wintersun's self titled debut, a piece of symphonic melodic death metal album attempts to make the listener feel like he or she is floating in the darkest reaches of the universe far away from everything and it is in a meditative state but at the same time experiencing a constant stream of aggression. I knew about it for several years but it took a couple of years to fully grow on me (same with Walls of Jericho and Sad Wings of Destiny).

[Zotis]

So it's metal anime soundtrack. Easy.

Hmm... I don't think there's much of that, and I doubt any of it's good.


It's not Master of Puppets because I find it an above average thrash album but not among my favorites (I find Justice for All and Ride the Lightning superior, in particular Ride the Lightning is greatly superior). I would include it in a top 200 albums list. While Sedai's guess was right (also because I already said on the site it was my favorite album several times since it became my favorite album in 2016).

1st. Wintersun - Wintersun (2004)

http://www.invisibleoranges.com/files/2019/09/50930.jpg?zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=580

Wintersun's self titled debut, a piece of symphonic melodic death metal album attempts to make the listener feel like he or she is floating in the darkest reaches of the universe far away from everything and it is in a meditative state but at the same time experiencing a constant stream of aggression. I knew about it for several years but it took a couple of years to fully grow on me (same with Walls of Jericho and Sad Wings of Destiny).

I see, well I figured often Metalica fans like Master of Puppets the most. Personally I never enjoyed bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, or Slayer. I can respect their early influence, but they just don't do anything for me. I feel the same way about bands like Bathory and Satyricon. They're heralded by so many fans of the genre as great bands, but I always found them boring. Anyway, I want to poke my way through your list and see which ones I like. I noticed Death and Morbid Angel on the second page, and Alter of Madness is my favorite Morbid Angel album.

I listened to a couple of songs off Wintersun's S/T and they were pretty decent.

So, when are we reviving the Extreme Music Tournament?

[Sedai]

It's not Master of Puppets because I find it an above average thrash album but not among my favorites (I find Justice for All and Ride the Lightning superior, in particular Ride the Lightning is greatly superior). I would include it in a top 200 albums list. While Sedai's guess was right (also because I already said on the site it was my favorite album several times since it became my favorite album in 2016).

1st. Wintersun - Wintersun (2004)

http://www.invisibleoranges.com/files/2019/09/50930.jpg?zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=580

Wintersun's self titled debut, a piece of symphonic melodic death metal album attempts to make the listener feel like he or she is floating in the darkest reaches of the universe far away from everything and it is in a meditative state but at the same time experiencing a constant stream of aggression. I knew about it for several years but it took a couple of years to fully grow on me (same with Walls of Jericho and Sad Wings of Destiny).

Excellent record. Not my favorite metal record of all time, but definitely my favorite from Wintersun. This record represents Jari at his most creative and inspired. After a couple of fantastic records with Ensiferum, he struck out on his own, and the unshackled creative freedom shows in this release.

Great list Guap!


Wanted to ask if you have listened to any Moonsorrow?

Check out the record called Verisakeet when you get a chance; I think you will really like it!

[Guaporense]

I have to check then out. There are so many great melodeath bands.

[Sedai]

I have to check then out. There are so many great melodeath bands.

They are more along the lines of Viking/Black/Folk metal.

Please let me know what you think! :)

[Zotis]

Need more Pornogrind: Lord Gore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YrnvpJI8Ns

[Guaporense]

They are more along the lines of Viking/Black/Folk metal.

Please let me know what you think! :)

Having listened to 6 of their albums so far I think that they are among my the best in the folk metal genre. Up there with Ensiferum although I haven't loved any of their albums as much as I loved Iron or their self titled I think they are more consistent than Ensiferum who declined a lot since their first two albums. They are easily better than bands like Equilibrium, Turisas, and Einherjer which tend to be too formulaic.

[Sedai]

Having listened to 6 of their albums so far I think that they are among my the best in the folk metal genre. Up there with Ensiferum although I haven't loved any of their albums as much as I loved Iron or their self titled I think they are more consistent than Ensiferum who declined a lot since their first two albums. They are easily better than bands like Equilibrium, Turisas, and Einherjer which tend to be too formulaic.

Awesome! So glad you are enjoying Moonsorrow. One of my favorite bands ever. The raw emotion in the singers voice really strikes a chord when listening. My wife and I especially like listening to them in the winter months. They are also masters at long arrangements, as I am sure you noticed.

[Guaporense]

Been listening to good'ol Iron Maiden. Have concluded that Brave New World is perhaps their second best album after Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, truly magnificent album full of very memorable songs and amazing atmosphere. In fact it is one of the 19 albums I rated 5 stars out of 5 in Rate Your Music.