Heavy Metal 1980s Albums

Eat the Heat brings David Reece into Accept and moves the band toward a more melodic, open sound than before.

Hunting Time is Anthem's fifth studio album, released on 21 May 1989. Their third with Chris Tsangarides, it was made as the decisive record for the line-up built around Yukio Morikawa and is counted among the band's best.

Headless Cross builds on Tony Iommi’s heavy riffs, joining gothic atmosphere to dramatic melodic writing.

Fabulous Disaster concentrates Exodus’s raw speed and hard-edged riff attack into a fierce third album.

Perfect Symmetry adds more complex rhythm and tense construction to Fates Warning’s heavy-metal force.

Soldier of Fortune, released on 17 September 1989, was the first Loudness album with the American vocalist Mike Vescera after Minoru Niihara's departure. Max Norman and Roger Probert produced; it opened the band's second era.

Blessing in Disguise introduces Metal Church with new vocalist Mike Howe and joins heavy guitar to a broader melodic range.

Save Yourself is a useful way to hear MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP from a different angle within the 1989 catalogue.

Outrage's second album, out on 7 April 1989, on which the riff-driven writing of the debut grows fiercer still.

Secrets in a Weird World places more complex, shadowed melody on top of Rage’s speed-metal drive.

Running Wild's fifth album, recorded at Studio M in Hanover in July and August 1989 and released by Noise Records on 8 November that year.

Savatage's fifth album, released in Europe in December 1989: their second with Paul O'Neill, led by its piano-driven title song, and a first step towards rock opera.

Practice What You Preach keeps Testament’s thrash-metal attack while making its hooks and vocal lines more immediate.

Mean Machine places Udo Dirkschneider’s singular roar at the center of short, forceful riffs and crisp rhythm work.

The Headless Children keeps W.A.S.P.’s rough hard-rock momentum while moving into heavier themes and more deliberate construction.

X Japan's major-label debut, recorded between January and March 1989 and released by CBS/Sony on 21 April that year, billed as X.

Gypsy Ways is Anthem's fourth studio album, released on 21 May 1988. It is the first record with Yukio Morikawa as singer, and its title track and "Shout It Out!" became fixtures of the band's sets.

State of Euphoria brings Anthrax’s fast riffs, bouncing rhythm and Joey Belladonna’s clear voice together in a record where weight and fun coexist.

Danzig's debut, recorded between September 1987 and April 1988 at Atlantic Recording Studios and Chung King in New York, produced by Rick Rubin.

Frolic Through the Park keeps Death Angel’s thrash framework but brings in funk, hardcore energy and unpredictable turns.

No Exit expands Fates Warning’s progressive-metal language through sharp riffs, shifting rhythms and long-form development.

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son keeps Iron Maiden’s traditional charge while adding keyboard color and a connected narrative.

Ram It Down puts Judas Priest’s heavy riffing, rapid drumming and Rob Halford’s high voice back at the front.

Jealousy is a mini-album released only in Japan on 25 May 1988. It was the last recording by the original line-up; Minoru Niihara left the band at the end of the domestic tour that supported it.

Dragon’s Kiss shows Marty Friedman using guitar not only for neoclassical speed but also for unusual melodic shapes, Eastern-flavored color and strong song feeling.

So Far, So Good... So What! drives Megadeth’s twisted riffs, sharp turns and Dave Mustaine’s abrasive voice into a volatile whole.

...And Justice for All builds a vast, hard-edged world through long forms, interlocking riffs and rhythm that sustains tension.

Outrage's major-label debut, out on 25 April 1988. It includes a reading of Flower Travellin' Band's Slowly But Surely.

No Rest for the Wicked sets Ozzy Osbourne’s uneasy, unmistakable voice against Zakk Wylde’s thick riffs and rough guitar attack.

Operation: Mindcrime binds social anger, personal doubt and a dramatic narrative to Queensrÿche’s hard-edged riffs and refined melody.

Perfect Man adds more ordered melody and structure to Rage’s speed-metal sharpness.

The seventh album, self-produced for Combat Records in America and the first with ex-Pentagram drummer Joe Hasselvander.

Thundersteel is Riot’s high-speed restart, driven by cutting riffs, urgent drumming and Tony Moore’s soaring voice.

Saxon's ninth album, from March 1988 and their last for EMI. It opens with a cover of Christopher Cross's "Ride Like the Wind".

Savage Amusement shapes thick guitars, clear rhythm and Klaus Meine’s bright voice into a polished hard-rock sound.

South of Heaven refuses to simply repeat the violent speed of Slayer’s previous record.

The fourth album, released in 1988.

The New Order connects Testament’s cutting riffs, Chuck Billy’s forceful voice and Alex Skolnick’s fluent lead guitar.

Ain't Misbehavin', a seven-track EP issued by FM-Revolver in 1988, was the last record Phil Mogg made with guitarist Atomik Tommy M.

OU812 expands Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar-era momentum through Eddie Van Halen’s inventive guitar and keyboards and Hagar’s open, powerful voice.

Odyssey brings Yngwie Malmsteen’s fluid guitar work into contact with songs that give melody a larger role.

Bound To Break is Anthem's third studio album, released on 5 March 1987. Made with Chris Tsangarides, it is the finest of their early records; the band played in the United States that June, and it was the last album of Eizo Sakamoto's first spell as singer.

Among the Living locks sharp riffs, rolling rhythm and Joey Belladonna’s clear high voice into a single, highly physical sound.

The Eternal Idol places Tony Iommi’s heavy guitar at the center while Tony Martin’s soaring voice adds a new dramatic range.

Candlemass's second album, recorded at Thunderload Studios in Stockholm between July and September 1987 and released by Axis Records on 9 November that year.

The Ultra-Violence is a debut built on speed and raw force, yet it refuses to travel in a straight line.

Dio's fourth studio album, released in July 1987, was the first with guitarist Craig Goldy and reached number eight in the UK and 43 in the US.

Back for the Attack lets Don Dokken’s expansive vocals and George Lynch’s cutting guitar playing sharpen one another.

Pleasures of the Flesh keeps Exodus at thrash speed while making its riff combinations and song structures more intricate.

King Diamond's second album and first full narrative work, recorded at Sound Track Studio in Copenhagen between December 1986 and February 1987.

Hurricane Eyes is the seventh Loudness album, released worldwide with English lyrics on 10 August 1987. Eddie Kramer — whose credits include Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix — produced. A Japanese-language version followed that December.

Perfect Timing is a useful way to hear MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP from a different angle within the 1987 catalogue.