1983 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

Making Contact, UFO's early-1983 album, was made by a four-piece without Pete Way and was followed by the band's break-up that spring.

Dio's debut album, recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and released on 25 May 1983, was later certified double platinum in the US.

Savatage's debut, released on Florida's Par Records in April 1983, just after the band changed its name from Avatar; recorded at Morrisound in Tampa.

Saxon's fifth album, from March 1983. It is the first with Nigel Glockler on drums and their best-selling record, over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Ministry's debut, issued by Arista in 1983: a record of polished electro-pop.

Another Perfect Day, released in 1983, is the only Motörhead album played by Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy. Official videos exist for "I Got Mine", "Shine" and "One Track Mind".

The Law of Devil's Land is the third Loudness album, released by Nippon Columbia on 21 January 1983 and later distributed in Europe by Roadrunner Records. That July the band played its first shows on the US west coast and in Europe.

The third album, co-produced by Michael Wagener and Accept's Udo Dirkschneider, and home to the song "Athletic Rock".

The second album, released by Scratch Records in the period before the band moved to Noise.

Flick of the Switch concentrates AC/DC’s force into thick rhythm guitar, hard beat and Brian Johnson’s shouted vocal attack.

Balls to the Wall layers thick guitar riffs, Udo Dirkschneider’s rough voice and marching rhythm into a forceful Accept statement.

Alpha centers on grand keyboards, smooth guitar and John Wetton’s emotional voice while moving toward more compact songwriting.

Born Again sets Tony Iommi’s sinking, heavy riffs against Ian Gillan’s rough, high vocal attack.

Pyromania combines sharp guitar riffs, stacked choruses and tightly controlled rhythm with remarkable density.

Breaking the Chains establishes Dokken’s basic shape through Don Dokken’s soaring voice and George Lynch’s cutting guitar.

Europe’s debut combines energetic guitar, bright keyboards and Joey Tempest’s clear high voice.

Back to Mystery City moves like a run through city nights, driven by lean guitar, bouncing beat and Michael Monroe’s voice—both glamorous and rough around the edges.

Passionworks places Ann Wilson’s powerful voice and Nancy Wilson’s guitar inside a tougher, more contemporary 1980s production.

Piece of Mind joins racing riffs, carefully built rhythm and Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocal into a confident Iron Maiden statement.

Frontiers places Steve Perry’s soaring voice at the center while Jonathan Cain’s keyboards and Neal Schon’s guitar paint a broad, dramatic frame.

Lick It Up puts thick guitar riffs, straight-ahead beat and the contrasting voices of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in the foreground.

Kill ’Em All throws together speed-metal momentum, punk urgency and riff instincts shaped by the NWOBHM.

Built to Destroy centers on Michael Schenker’s flowing guitar phrases, joining lyrical color to straight-ahead hard rock.

Shout at the Devil gathers Mick Mars’s heavy riffs, Nikki Sixx’s rolling bass and Vince Neil’s sharp vocal into a clear, aggressive statement.

Midnight Madness brings Night Ranger’s bright twin-guitar interplay, the voices of Jack Blades and Kelly Keagy, and clear choruses into a focused whole.

Bark at the Moon by OZZY OSBOURNE: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Metal Magic is a useful way to hear PANTERA from a different angle within the 1983 catalogue.

Metal Health brings rough guitar, Kevin DuBrow’s full-throated vocal and handclap-ready choruses together in a direct, physical attack.

Bent Out of Shape brings Joe Lynn Turner’s open vocal and Ritchie Blackmore’s sharp guitar into more polished songwriting.

Born in America centers on hard guitar riffs, direct rhythm and Rhett Forrester’s forceful vocal, delivering heavy metal with plainspoken conviction.

Once Bitten...Twice... is Shy’s debut, joining high, open vocals to bright guitar and keyboard color.

Show No Mercy is Slayer’s debut of fast riffs, rough vocal attack and drums that drive without mercy.

Thunder and Lightning keeps Thin Lizzy’s twin-guitar strengths while stepping into a harder, heavier sound.

You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll puts Twisted Sister’s sharp riffs, confrontational voice and crowd-built choruses at the front.

Heading for a Storm centers on Adrian Vandenberg’s fluid guitar and balances weight with melody carefully.

Mean Streak is a forceful Y&T record centered on Dave Meniketti’s voice and guitar.