1982 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

Mechanix, released by Chrysalis in February 1982, reached number 8 in Britain, the best UK placing of any UFO studio album, before Pete Way quit.

Queen's tenth album, from May 1982: the band took the funk of "Another One Bites the Dust" further, with horns, synth bass and drum machines.

Released by Bronze on 17 April 1982 and a UK No. 6, Iron Fist is the last studio album by the three-piece of Lemmy, Eddie Clarke and Phil Taylor; Clarke left after it.

Devil Soldier is the second Loudness album, issued by Nippon Columbia on 21 July 1982. No Japanese engineer at the time had the experience to record heavy metal, so the band brought in the American Daniel McClendon for the sessions.

The fourth studio album, issued by MCA Records in 1982 as MCF 3150. It is the last with John Sykes, and its eleven tracks include the cover "Love Potion No. 9".

The second album, recorded and mixed in six days alongside the Crash Bang Wallop EP, and released in May 1982.

The debut album, released by SL Records — the first record by the band Mat Sinner started in 1980.

Restless and Wild unites Accept’s sharp guitar attack, Udo Dirkschneider’s rough voice and tense drumming.

Rock in a Hard Place is a rough, tense Aerosmith record made during an unsettled period.

Asia is a debut in which highly skilled players turn toward concise, arena-sized melodies.

Oriental Beat finds Hanoi Rocks mixing raw rock and roll with punk speed and glam-rock color.

Self Destruction Blues gathers early Hanoi Rocks singles and B-sides, yet plays like one continuous rush of raw rock and roll.

Private Audition keeps Heart’s powerful rock foundation while deepening the shade and tension of its songs.

The Number of the Beast expands Iron Maiden’s world through racing guitars, leaping bass and a vocal performance that heightens every dramatic turn.

Screaming for Vengeance shapes Judas Priest’s twin-guitar precision, Rob Halford’s high attack and muscular rhythm into more refined song structures.

Creatures of the Night finds Kiss moving into heavier guitar riffs, bigger drums and a darker sound image.

Coda collects unreleased material and live recordings from different Led Zeppelin periods.

Assault Attack centers on Michael Schenker’s cutting guitar and builds tension and melody with care from track to track.

Dawn Patrol is Night Ranger’s bright debut, bringing together twin-guitar interplay, multiple vocal colors and clear choruses.

Straight Between the Eyes centers on Ritchie Blackmore’s sharp guitar and gives Rainbow a concise, clear-lined hard-rock shape.

Restless Breed puts Riot’s thick riffs, twin-guitar interplay and forceful vocal presence at the front.

Signals brings more synthesizer color and electronic texture into Rush’s precise rock foundation.

Standing Hampton distills the pleasure of American hard rock around Sammy Hagar’s soaring voice and thick guitars.

Three Lock Box brings Sammy Hagar’s open, powerful voice together with clear guitar riffs and radio-ready choruses.

Blackout brings Scorpions’ hard riffs, cutting solos and Klaus Meine’s open, soaring voice into lean, focused songs.

TNT is a debut that differs from the group’s later polished melodic-metal image, favoring a raw and direct approach.

Toto IV joins the band’s formidable playing to detailed, immediately appealing songwriting.

Under the Blade captures the rough force Twisted Sister had sharpened through years on the club circuit.

Diver Down by VAN HALEN: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Vandenberg is a debut built around Adrian Vandenberg’s singing guitar style, carefully balancing melody and weight.

Saints & Sinners keeps Whitesnake rooted in bluesy hard rock while bringing deeper shade and urgency into the songs.

Black Tiger gathers Y&T’s blues-tinged heavy riffs, strong vocal delivery and persistent rhythm.