Top Ten (+15) - The 1980s

The top ten lists from the 1980s included 243 bands and 595 albums. Now that I'm at the end, I know you've all been waiting for this, so without further ado, here are my top 25* albums from that decade. It's a pretty damn impressive list, with every album topping a 90 rating (without rounding up).

*Yes, there are indeed 26 albums listed here; there was a tie for 25th place.

Three bands -- Gillan, Iron Maiden, and Queensrÿche -- show up more than once. I was surprised that some of my favorite bands, including the Scorpions, Savatage, Black Sabbath, Metal Church, MSG and others only have one album listed here. But I wasn't surprised that 24 of the 26 albums were from 1980 - 1984. That was a special time in rock and metal history, and the strength of diversity of the music was evident.



Top 25 Albums:
96.37 -- Queensrÿche - Queensrÿche (EP) (1983)
94.86 -- Iron Maiden - Powerslave (1984)
93.73 -- Black Sabbath - Born Again (1983)
93.02 -- Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
91.90 -- Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind (1983)
91.79 -- Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack (1982)
91.78 -- Krokus - Headhunter (1983)
91.76 -- Metal Church - Blessing In Disguise (1989)
91.64 -- Savatage - The Dungeons are Calling (1984)
91.46 -- Fastway - Fastway (1983)
91.40 -- Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)
91.22 -- Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry (1984)
91.11 -- Gillan - Glory Road (1980)
90.86 -- Metallica - Ride the Lightning (1984)
90.73 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 (1988)
90.64 -- Gillan - Future Shock (1981)
90.57 -- Gillan - Double Trouble (1981)
90.54 -- Scorpions - Love at First Sting (1984)
90.51 -- Anvil - Metal On Metal (1982)
90.48 -- Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations (1981)
90.45 -- Saxon - Power and the Glory (1983)
90.36 -- Riot - Restless Breed (1982)
90.33 -- Kix - Kix (1981)
90.27 -- More - Blood & Thunder (1982)
90.22 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman (1981)
90.22 -- Def Leppard - On Through the Night (1980)
89.96 -- Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell (1980)

Top Ten - 1982

1982 was a strong year in rock. The 67 albums below are a good mix of top acts and lesser known bands, of heavy metal and classic rock, of bands on their way in and bands on their way out. Oh, and while the top two albums are great, don't ignore the four behind them.



Top Ten - 1982
91.79 -- Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack
91.40 -- Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
90.51 -- Anvil - Metal On Metal
90.36 -- Riot - Restless Breed
90.27 -- More - Blood & Thunder
88.44 -- Winterhawk - Revival
87.33 -- Triumph - Never Surrender
86.39 -- Baron Rojo - Volumen Brutal (english version)
86.27 -- Rainbow - Straight Between the Eyes
86.17 -- Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance

Other 1982 releases:
85.47 -- Diamond Head - Borrowed Time
85.12 -- Vandenberg - Vandenberg
84.83 -- Scorpions - Blackout
84.21 -- Picture - Diamond Dreamer
83.95 -- Demon - The Unexpected Guest
83.48 -- The Rods - Wild Dogs
83.28 -- E.F. Band - Deep Cut
83.26 -- Manowar - Battle Hymns
82.95 -- Pat Travers Band - Black Pearl
82.80 -- Raven - Wiped Out
82.79 -- Gary Moore - Cooridors of Power
82.78 -- Gillan - Magic
81.76 -- Uriah Heep - Abominog
81.47 -- Asia - Asia
80.18 -- Plasmatics - Coup d'Etat
79.47 -- Motörhead - Iron Fist
79.41 -- Y&T - Black Tiger
78.91 -- Whitesnake - Saints & Sinners
78.84 -- Bow Wow - Warning from Stardust
78.62 -- Axe - Offering
78.46 -- Rush - Signals
78.41 -- Nightwing - Black Summer
77.86 -- Aerosmith - Rock in a Hard Place
77.78 -- Bow Wow - Asian Volcano
76.12 -- Viva - Dealers of the Night
75.75 -- Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Somewhere in Afrika
75.72 -- Santers - Racing Time
75.66 -- Kiss - Creatures of the Night
75.62 -- Night Ranger - Dawn Patrol
74.91 -- Riff Raff - Robot Stud
74.80 -- Gaskin - No Way Out
74.22 -- Ted Nugent - Nugent
74.18 -- Heavy Load - Death Or Glory
73.80 -- Kim Mitchell - Kim Mitchell
72.32 -- UFO - Mechanix
72.31 -- Witchfinder General - Death Penalty
72.17 -- Billy Squier - Emotions in Motion
71.31 -- Jethro Tull - The Broadsword and the Beast
71.08 -- Talas - Sink Your Teeth into That
70.75 -- The Who - It's Hard
70.51 -- Manilla Road - Metal
70.46 -- Sweet - Identity Crisis
70.09 -- Robin Trower - Truce
69.63 -- Samson - Before the Storm
69.54 -- Hawkwind - Choose Your Masques
69.23 -- Budgie - Deliver Us from Evil
68.51 -- Golden Earring - Cut
65.33 -- Krokus - One Vice At A Time
65.00 -- Twisted Sister - Under the Blade
64.06 -- Tygers of Pan Tang - Crazy Nights
62.80 -- Hawkwind - Church of Hawkwind
62.50 -- Van Halen - Diver Down
61.10 -- Venom - Black Metal
59.50 -- Pete Townshend - All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
55.66 -- Alice Cooper - Zipper Catches Skin
52.96 -- Foghat - In the Mood for Something Rude
50.14 -- Queen - Hot Space

Top Ten - 1983

Here we go... the best year in rock and roll! Nine of the top ten albums topped a 90.00 rating (rounding up, of course), and 36 of the 68 albums listed topped an 80.00 rating. And just look at the top six: each and every one a classic metal album! It was good to be a metalhead in '83.



Top Ten - 1983
96.37 -- Queensrÿche - Queensrÿche (EP)
93.73 -- Black Sabbath - Born Again
91.90 -- Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind
91.78 -- Krokus - Headhunter
91.46 -- Fastway - Fastway
90.45 -- Saxon - Power and the Glory
89.81 -- Acid - Maniac
89.71 -- Jaguar - Power Games
89.64 -- Anvil - Forged In Fire
89.28 -- Silver Mountain - Shakin' Brains

Other 1983 releases:
88.91 -- Motörhead - Another Perfect Day
87.21 -- Savatage - Sirens
86.95 -- Metallica - Kill 'Em All
86.60 -- Oz - Fire in the Brain
86.55 -- Pretty Maids - Pretty Maids
85.90 -- Robin Trower - Back It Up
85.55 -- Savage - Loose 'n' Lethal
85.54 -- Blackfoot - Siogo
85.22 -- Zebra - Zebra
84.41 -- Killer Dwarfs - The Killer Dwarfs
84.29 -- Accept - Restless and Wild
83.86 -- Mercyful Fate - Melissa
83.43 -- Manilla Road - Crystal Logic
83.41 -- Kiss - Lick It Up
83.38 -- The Rods - In the Raw
83.30 -- Y&T - Mean Streak
83.28 -- Thin Lizzy - Thunder and Lightning
82.25 -- Mötley Crüe - Shout at the Devil
82.10 -- Chateaux - Chained and Desperate
82.00 -- Dio - Holy Diver
81.47 -- ZZ Top - Eliminator
80.49 -- Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll
80.09 -- Molly Hatchet - No Guts No Glory
79.91 -- Rainbow - Bent Out of Shape
79.84 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Bark at the Moon
78.85 -- Quiet Riot - Metal Health
78.41 -- UFO - Making Contact
77.92 -- Michael Schenker Group - Built to Destroy
77.22 -- Manowar - Into Glory Ride
77.02 -- Witchfinder General - Friends of Hell
76.81 -- Axe - Nemesis
75.93 -- Highway Chile - Storybook Heroes
75.66 -- Raven - All for One
73.94 -- Waysted - Vices
73.37 -- Dokken - Breaking the Chains
73.12 -- Def Leppard - Pyromania
73.05 -- Alcatrazz - No Parole From Rock 'N Roll
72.84 -- Demon - The Plague
72.35 -- Vandenberg - Heading for a Storm
72.04 -- Torch - Torch
71.93 -- Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood
71.13 -- Quartz - Against All Odds
70.75 -- Axewitch - The Lord of Flies
69.00 -- Alice Cooper - Dada
67.53 -- Styx - Kilroy Was Here
67.45 -- Cozy Powell - Octopuss
67.42 -- AC/DC - Flick of the Switch
66.16 -- Diamond Head - Canterbury
65.58 -- Grand Funk - What's Funk?
63.62 -- Moody Blues - The Present
63.40 -- Uriah Heep - Head First
62.91 -- Heavy Load - Stronger than Evil
62.78 -- Blue Öyster Cult - The Revolution by Night
58.10 -- Kix - Cool Kids
55.98 -- Atomic Rooster - Headline News
51.57 -- Venom - At War with Satan
47.06 -- Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
45.39 -- Foghat - Zig-Zag Walk

Top Ten - 1984

Unlike 1985, 1984 was a huge year in rock and metal. Major players populate the list literally from top to bottom. And I believe this is the strongest top ten so far, with eight albums above a 90 rating (rounding up, of course), and a ninth just barely missing the cut. Even more impressive is that out of the 70 albums I rated, 40 top an 80 rating.



Top Ten - 1984
94.86 -- Iron Maiden - Powerslave
91.64 -- Savatage - The Dungeons are Calling
91.22 -- Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry
90.86 -- Metallica - Ride the Lightning
90.54 -- Scorpions - Love at First Sting
89.72 -- Sortilège - Métamorphose
89.60 -- Buzzard - Gambler
89.52 -- Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith
89.45 -- Dokken - Tooth and Nail
88.51 -- Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers

Other 1984 releases:
88.21 -- Fates Warning - Night on Bröcken
87.17 -- Metal Church - Metal Church
86.49 -- Saxon - Crusader
86.42 -- W.A.S.P. - W.A.S.P.
86.09 -- Cutty Sark - Die Tonight
86.04 -- Rush - Grace Under Pressure
85.94 -- Mercyful Fate - Don't Break the Oath
85.93 -- Riot - Born in America
85.56 -- Killer - Shock Waves
85.07 -- Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force
83.67 -- Gravestone - Victim of Chains
83.55 -- Accept - Balls to the Wall
82.73 -- Manowar - Hail to England
82.69 -- Box of Frogs - Box of Frogs
82.08 -- Grim Reaper - See You In Hell
81.88 -- The Rods - Let them Eat Metal
81.85 -- Bow Wow - Beat of Metal Motion
81.71 -- Pat Travers Band - Hot Shot
81.57 -- Brocas Helm - Into Battle
81.48 -- Exciter - Violence & Force
81.39 -- Ostrogoth - Ecstasy and Danger
80.86 -- Krokus - The Blitz
80.68 -- Whitesnake - Slide It In
80.59 -- Triumph - Thunder Seven
80.48 -- Hexx - No Escape
80.28 -- Armored Saint - March of the Saint
80.27 -- Trouble - Psalm 9
80.13 -- Silver Mountain - Universe
79.79 -- Queensrÿche - The Warning
79.63 -- Warlock - Burning the Witches
79.08 -- Ratt - Out of the Cellar
78.47 -- Dio - Last In Line
77.90 -- Helix - Walkin' the Razor's Edge
77.88 -- Van Halen - 1984
77.82 -- Heavy Pettin' - Lettin' Loose
77.69 -- Fastway - All Fired Up
77.56 -- Grave Digger - Heavy Metal Breakdown
77.10 -- Great White - Great White
76.87 -- Zebra - No Tellin' Lies
76.35 -- Pretty Maids - Red, Hot And Heavy
74.53 -- Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi
73.74 -- Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand the Weather
72.53 -- Stone Fury - Burns Like A Star
72.25 -- Torch - Electrikiss
71.87 -- Cirith Ungol - King of the Dead
71.33 -- Kiss - Animalize
70.80 -- Y&T - In Rock We Trust
70.14 -- Billy Squier - Signs of Life
67.89 -- Blackfoot - Vertical Smiles
67.79 -- Ted Nugent - Penetrator
65.01 -- Kim Mitchell - Akimbo Alogo
64.01 -- Tyran' Pace - Eye to Eye
61.76 -- Running Wild - Gates to Purgatory
61.46 -- Lee Aaron - Metal Queen
57.76 -- Manowar - Sign of the Hammer
55.48 -- Molly Hatchet - The Deed is Done
55.31 -- Queen - The Works
51.03 -- Golden Earring - N.E.W.S.
50.27 -- Samson - Don't Get Mad, Get Even
30.90 -- Jethro Tull - Under Wraps

You Wanted the Best...

Recently I cautioned against getting too wrapped up in the ratings numbers. After all, an album rated 91.18 is not significantly different from an 87.27. The point is, both are excellent albums.

So, while writing this post on my top-rated albums (those above 90.00), what did I do? That's right... I fell into my own trap. Of the 2,200 albums I rated, only 99 received a rating of 90.00 or higher (this includes albums I rounded up from 89.51 - 89.99).

While looking over the albums that just missed the cut, I decided there were some that I should re-evaluate. I didn't go crazy and re-evaluate everything that was close to a 90.00 rating; instead, I scanned the 152 albums that were rated 87.00 - 89.49 and chose 21 albums that I knew I liked and thought had a chance to top 90.00 (or at least 89.50) after a minor adjustment or two to the individual song ratings.

As my top 50 list changed, I realized that I wasn't quite finished yet. You see, it's hard to put aside emotional connections to some albums, especially those I bought and listened to as a kid. So I re-evaluated a few newer highly-rated albums as well, looking to move them down the list to below albums I've liked for awhile. (For example, how can I like Wolf's Black Wings album more than Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast? One is really good, but the other is a classic.)

I consider the 90.00 threshold to be the best of the best. Some of the re-evaluated albums deserve to be there, while other albums, although very good, probably shouldn't have been there in the first place. In the end, I re-evaluated 35 albums and made adjustments that I'm happy with. It's interesting to note, however, that the number of albums above an 89.50 rating only increased by seven. Before, there were 99 albums in that group; now there are 106. (FYI, percentage-wise, it works out to just under 5% of the total albums reviewed.)

The updated ratings affected the Top 50, some of the Top Ten lists, and the Deep Purple,  Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden discographies. All lists have been updated accordingly.

I'm reposting the Top 50 here, but if you're curious about what changed, check out the original list in my first post, From the Beginning... (which you should check out anyway if you haven't already, as it explains everything you need to know about how and why this blog came to be).

I'm sure the list of top-rated albums will continue to grow, albeit slowly at this point. I may also tweak the list again at some point (but to be honest, it was a pain in the ass updating the various affected posts). So stay tuned. If anything changes, you'll be the first to know.

Top 50 Albums:

98.14 -- Deep Purple - In Rock (1970)

97.98 -- Rainbow - Rising (1976)

96.37 -- Queensrÿche - Queensrÿche (EP) (1983)
95.70 -- Deep Purple - Machine Head (1972)
94.86 -- Iron Maiden - Powerslave (1984)
94.24 -- Sweet - Give Us A Wink (1976)
93.73 -- Black Sabbath - Born Again (1983)
93.67 -- Ted Nugent - Free-for-All (1976)
93.55 -- Megadeth - Rust In Peace (1990)
93.02 -- Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
92.75 -- Scorpions - Lovedrive (1979)
91.90 -- Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind (1983)
91.79 -- Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack (1982)
91.78 -- Krokus - Headhunter (1983)
91.76 -- Metal Church - Blessing In Disguise (1989)
91.67 -- Anthem - Heavy Metal Anthem (2000)
91.64 -- Savatage - The Dungeons are Calling (1984)
91.52 -- Murasaki - Impact (1976)
91.47 -- Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)
91.46 -- Fastway - Fastway (1983)
91.45 -- Uriah Heep - Wake the Sleeper (2008)
91.40 -- Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)
91.28 -- Domine - Stormbringer Ruler (2000)
91.22 -- Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry (1984)
91.18 -- Iced Earth - Something Wicked this Way Comes (1998)
91.18 -- Armored Saint - Symbol of Salvation (1991)
91.16 -- Buffalo - Volcanic Rock (1973)
91.11 -- Gillan - Glory Road (1980)
91.04 -- October 31 - Meet Thy Maker (1999)
91.00 -- Sweet - Desolation Boulevard (US) (1974)
90.97 -- Aria - Armageddon (2006)
90.86 -- Jethro Tull - Aqualung (1971)
90.86 -- Metallica - Ride the Lightning (1984)
90.85 -- Black Sabbath - Tyr (1990)
90.85 -- Metal Church - Light In the Dark (2006)
90.82 -- Elixir - The Idol (2003)
90.80 -- AC/DC - Let there Be Rock (1977)
90.73 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 (1988)
90.71 -- Deep Purple - Fireball (USA) (1971)
90.64 -- Gillan - Future Shock (1981)
90.57 -- Gillan - Double Trouble (1981)
90.55 -- Saxon - Metalhead (1999)
90.54 -- Scorpions - Love at First Sting (1984)
90.52 -- Black Sabbath - Master of Reality (1971)
90.51 -- Anvil - Metal On Metal (1982)
90.51 -- Gamma Ray - Majestic (2005)
90.49 -- W.A.S.P. - Dying for the World (2002)
90.48 -- Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations (1981)
90.45 -- Saxon - Power and the Glory (1983)
90.41 -- Bow Wow - Era (2005)

Top Ten - 1990

I rated 45 albums from 1990, and sadly, it was the last great year for three top metal bands - Black Sabbath, Scorpions and Judas Priest. Never again would these bands crack the top ten. Kinda sad, but there's still hope that they'll once again find some of that past metal magic.



Top Ten - 1990:
93.55 -- Megadeth - Rust in Peace
90.85 -- Black Sabbath - Tyr
90.04 -- Blind Guardian - Tales from the Twilight World
89.52 -- Warrior Soul - Last Decade Dead Century
89.16 -- Jeff Healey Band - Hell to Pay
87.85 -- Anthem - No Smoke without Fire
87.68 -- Scorpions - Crazy World
86.73 -- Judas Priest - Painkiller
84.90 -- Rage - Reflections of a Shadow
82.93 -- Artillery - By Inheritance

Other 1990 releases:
82.49 -- Iron Maiden - No Prayer for the Dying
82.33 -- Riot - The Privilege of Power
82.23 -- Manilla Road - Courts of Chaos
82.23 -- Deep Purple - Slaves and Masters
82.12 -- Desperado - Bloodied but Unbowed
81.78 -- Lynch Mob - Wicked Sensation
81.17 -- Queensrÿche - Empire
81.16 -- Elixir - Lethal Potion
80.20 -- Sanctuary - Into the Mirror Black
80.12 -- Testament - Souls of Black
79.71 -- Warrant - Cherry Pie
79.48 -- Reverend - World Won't Miss You
78.50 -- AC/DC - The Razor's Edge
77.76 -- Bow Wow - Mountain Top
77.74 -- Extreme - Extreme II: Pornograffitti
77.39 -- Damn Yankees - Damn Yankees
75.61 -- Spread Eagle - Spread Eagle
72.87 -- Pat Travers Band - School of Hard Knocks
72.21 -- Ratt - Detonator
72.16 -- ZZ Top - Recycler
69.95 -- Dio - Lock Up the Wolves
69.90 -- Blues Traveler - Blues Traveler
69.88 -- Yngwie Malmsteen - Eclipse
69.45 -- Vixen - Rev It Up
69.02 -- Pantera - Cowboys from Hell
68.72 -- Slaughter - Stick It to Ya
68.40 -- Blackfoot - Medicine Man
67.96 -- Hawkwind - Space Bandits
67.40 -- Bruce Dickinson - Tattooed Millionaire
67.27 -- Morgana Lefay - Symphony of the Damned
65.63 -- Pretty Maids - Jump the Gun
63.37 -- Styx - Edge of the Century
58.31 -- Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss
57.20 -- Axxis - Axxis II
54.66 -- Eric Johnson - Ah Via Musicom

Iron Maiden discography

Wow, talk about consistency! Fourteen albums, and none rate lower than 80.43. This is what makes Iron Maiden such a great band. I could end the discography review right now by simply recommending you buy their entire studio discography, but because I like to write, you're stuck with 14 (largely unnecessary) reviews. But I'll try to make them interesting, if not very informative (kind of like everything else posted here).

Powerslave (1984) - 94.86

I remember buying the LP (remember those?), tearing off the plastic wrap, and placing it on the record player for the first time. I was at a friend's house, and man, were we excited to hear the album. Everyone loved it (well, maybe not the women, but the guys certainly did). Powerslave floored me then and still does today. And a 13 1/2 minute metal song? You've got to be kidding! Killer album, both visually (what incredible cover art!) and musically. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Aces High, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Powerslave, Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Piece of Mind (1983) - 91.90

The album kicks into high gear immediately with Where Eagles Dare, and doesn't back off until the last notes of To Tame A Land. Flight of Icarus was the big hit off the album, and it's a great song that brings back fun memories of my college days, but my favorite song is the aforementioned To Tame a Land. It's based on the book Dune, and I believe the band wanted to use the book title as the name of the song, but (Dune author) Frank Herbert refused. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Where Eagles Dare, Revelations, Flight of Icarus, To Tame a Land

The Number of the Beast (1982) - 91.40

Ex-Samson vocalist Bruce Dickinson (a.k.a. Bruce Bruce) joins the band, replacing Paul Di'Anno. It's absolutely a classic album, but it's also just a little too inconsistent for me to rank at the top of the list. And although it appears that Dickinson didn't contribute to the album, in fact, he did, but wasn't credited due to contractual issues with Samson. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Hallowed be Thy Name

A Matter of Life and Death (2006) - 87.70

Their most recent studio album contains 10 tracks, nine of which are at least five minutes long. Lengthy tracks can be disastrous to an album's rating (see my first post, From the Beginning..., for an explanation), but this is Iron Maiden we're talking about. They know how to pull this off better than anyone. Only one quibble... why are we still waiting for a new studio album? It's been over three years since this was released! Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: For the Greater Good of God

Brave New World (2000) - 86.68

The first album recorded by the new and improved six-piece Iron Maiden (following the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, while keeping Janick Gers) is a solid return to the classic Iron Maiden sound. Nine of the ten songs were good to excellent, with only The Thin Line Between Love and Hate as the exception. Because of the song's length, its low rating bumped the album below A Matter of Life and Death. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: The Wicker Man, Ghost of the Navigator, Blood Brothers

Virtual XI (1998) - 85.47

The second album with Blaze Bayley on vocals received this rating on the strength of three long tracks (Angel and the Gambler, Clansman, and Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger), although ironically, the best track, Futureal, is the shortest. The rating is no fluke, though, as the remaining tracks are all good as well. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Futureal, Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger

Killers (1981) - 84.66

Iron Maiden's second album is similar to the punk/metal sound of the first, but with more consistent song-writing. The first seven of the 11 songs are very good to excellent, but the quality drops a bit on the last four songs. This is the last album with Paul Di'Anno on vocals, who was fired due to his erratic behavior while touring. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Wrathchild, Killers

Somewhere in Time (1986) - 84.30

A decent album in a vacuum, but relatively weak when compared to its predecessors The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and Powerslave. The songs are likable enough, but that's not very high praise considering the standards set by the previous albums. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Caught Somewhere in Time

X Factor (1995) - 83.34

After Bruce Dickinson left the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career, Blaze Bayley was brought in as his replacement. Fans didn't react well to this album and the follow-up, Virtual XI, but if you can accept the style change in vocals, you'll find the songs are worthy of the band. The lack of a favorite track here is a bit misleading as all the songs are good; there are just none that stand out as spectacular. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: none

No Prayer for the Dying (1990) - 82.49

A personnel change as guitarist Adrian Smith left the band and was replaced by Janick Gers (who played guitar on Bruce Dickinson's solo album Tattooed Millionaire). The band moved away from the progressive elements on the two previous albums and returned to more traditional metal sound. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Tailgunner, Run Silent Run Deep

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988) - 81.74

The last album with the classic lineup of Harris, Dickinson, Murray, Smith and McBrain continues the progressive sound of Somewhere In Time, only not as well. The title track, however, is simply fantastic, and may contain the fastest solos and bass playing of any Iron Maiden track. Worth it for that track alone. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

Fear of the Dark (1992) - 80.83

There are quite a few very good songs here (including the radio-friendly ballad Wasting Love), but two average songs (Judas Be My Guide and Weekend Warrior) severely affect the rating. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Fear Is the Key

Iron Maiden (1980) - 80.50

Iron Maiden's first album is a mix of punk energy and metal riffs, which fit well with singer Paul Di'Anno's style, both vocally and visually. Song quality alternates between good and very good, with one great track (see below) and one not-so-good track (Charlotte the Harlot). Mascot Eddie the 'Edd ('Edd, as in Head... get it?) also makes his first official appearance, and has graced every album cover since. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Remember Tomorrow

Dance of Death (2003) - 80.43

The band's "worst" album is still better than almost 1,300 other albums I've rated. All the songs are good, but only No More Lies really stands out. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: No More Lies

Rock Island - Chapter Seven

Everyone's exhausted after a long day of fighting off a tribe of headhunters. They didn't look that threatening with their silly war-painted faces and straw skirts, but they fought hard. You're not sure how, but everyone finally scared them away. Now you're relaxing, nursing a few minor wounds and drinking coconut milk (yuck), and wishing it was spiked with something from Dovey's hidden stash.

Cinnamon sits down next to you, also drinking coconut milk (the fresh water ran out long ago and it takes time for the infrequent rains to replenish the supply). She asks you about other songs on your MP3 player. You pick up from where you left off:

• Guns 'n' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle; Sweet Child O' Mine; You Could Be Mine
• Heavenly - Chapter One: Lust for Life
• Helloween - Time of the Oath; Departed (Sun Is Going Down); King for a 1000 Years; Occasion Avenue; The Bells of the Seven Hells
• Iced Earth - I Died for You; Melancholy (Holy Martyr); Devil to Pay; Hold at All Costs; High Water Mark
• Iron Maiden - Remember Tomorrow; Wrathchild; Killers; The Number of the Beast; Run to the Hills; Hallowed Be Thy Name; Where Eagles Dare; Flight of Icarus; To Tame a Land; Aces High; 2 Minutes to Midnight; Powerslave; Rime of the Ancient Mariner; Seventh Son of a Seventh Son; Tailgunner; Futureal
• Jaguar - Eighties
• Joe Stump - Blackmore's Boogie
• Jon Oliva's Pain - Through the Eyes of the King
• Judas Priest - Victim of Changes; Sinner; Exciter; Hell Bent for Leather; Breaking the Law; Hellion/Electric Eye; Freewheel Burning; Love Bites; Painkiller; Night Crawler
• Kamelot - The Fourth Legacy; Silent Goddess; Desert Reign; Nights of Arabia; Lunar Sanctum; Forever; Mirror Mirror (Elizabeth Part I); Requiem for the Innocent (Elizabeth Part II); Fall from Grace (Elizabeth Part III); Center of the Universe; Farewell; III Ways to Epica; Rule the World

It's late and everyone's tired, so once again it's time to stop. But it's good to look forward to tomorrow (as long as there are no headhunters).

Top Ten - 1998

Two non English-singing bands made the 1998 top ten list. I do like both bands a lot, even if I can't sing along to the songs. There are many big names among the 43 albums rated for that year, and while most released albums worth buying (or at least worth considering), there were a few notable duds.

1998 Top Ten:
91.18 -- Iced Earth - Something Wicked this Way Comes
89.74 -- Helloween - Better than Raw
89.18 -- Mägo de Oz - La Leyenda de la Mancha
88.59 -- Molly Hatchet - Silent Reign of Heroes
87.81 -- Savatage - Wake of Magellan
85.47 -- Iron Maiden - Virtual XI
84.96 -- Joe Stump - Rapid Fire Rondo
84.67 -- Symphony X - Twilight in Olympus
84.40 -- Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
84.00 -- Aria - Generation of Evil

Other 1998 releases:
83.97 -- Angra - Fireworks
83.80 -- Riot - Inishmore
83.52 -- Blue Öyster Cult - Heaven Forbid
83.35 -- Running Wild - The Rivalry
82.84 -- Stratovarius - Destiny
81.22 -- Threshold - Clone
80.64 -- Kiss - Psycho Circus
80.46 -- Blackmore's Night - Shadow of the Moon
79.84 -- Axel Rudi Pell - Oceans of Time
79.52 -- Vanderhoof - Vanderhoof
79.27 -- Iron Savior - Unification
79.10 -- Edguy - Vain Glory Opera
79.04 -- Labyrinth - Return to Heaven Denied
78.67 -- Blind Guardian - Nightfall in Middle-Earth
78.64 -- Balance of Power - Book of Secrets
76.84 -- Monster Magnet - Powertrip
76.46 -- Blitzkrieg - The Mists of Avalon
76.46 -- Nightwish - Oceanborn
76.15 -- Angel Dust - Border of Reality
75.92 -- Rage - XIII
75.79 -- Gov't Mule - Dose
75.06 -- Kamelot - Dominion
74.94 -- Kamelot - Siege Perilous
74.23 -- Brainstorm - Unholy
73.56 -- Motörhead - Snake Bite Love
72.54 -- Hammerfall - Legacy of Kings
71.21 -- Therion - Vovin
70.27 -- Whitesnake - Restless Heart
68.55 -- Anvil - Speed of Sound
68.23 -- Praying Mantis - Forever in Time
68.21 -- Liquid Tension Experiment - Liquid Tension Experiment
60.93 -- Deep Purple - Abandon
59.79 -- Van Halen - Van Halen III

Rock Island - Chapter Three

You're sick of coconuts. Coconut milk for breakfast. Coconut-crusted fish for lunch and dinner. Big hairy balls of... and suddenly you're lost in thought. Big Balls. AC/DC. But it's not on your MP3 player. Should it be? It's a great song. You'll have to consider adding it. And then the thought passes as Cinnamon asks if you want to join her in gathering coconuts. You immediately say yes, you love coconuts.

She asks about the music you listen to. You smile and tell her you're a metalhead, and rattle off some classic metal bands. You have Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Metallica and Scorpions with you. But wait, there's more. You also have some great Euro-metal bands like Helloween, Gamma Ray, Kamelot, Nightwish, Stratovarious, and Threshold. "I'd love to hear them sometime," she says. You leave happy, in spite of the coconuts.

Top Ten - 2000

Euro-metal ruled the releases in 2000, including the top eight albums. Perhaps many U.S. bands were taking a break or on tour, but seeing as I only rated 41 albums, I have a feeling the numbers will increase, if not change, as I review other releases from 2000. (Update: Anthem took over the top spot with their excellent re-recording of older material featuring Graham Bonnett on vocals.)

2000 Top Ten:
91.67 -- Anthem - Heavy Metal Anthem
91.28 -- Domine - Stormbringer Ruler
89.80 -- Ayreon - Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator
89.72 -- Bow Wow - Beyond
88.64 -- Helloween - The Dark Ride
86.68 -- Iron Maiden - Brave New World
86.39 -- Tad Morose - Undead
86.15 -- Motörhead - We are Motörhead
85.92 -- UFO - Covenant
85.68 -- Mob Rules - Temple of Two Suns

Other 2000 releases:
85.65 -- Persuader - The Hunter
84.83 -- Seven Witches - City of Lost Souls
84.78 -- Symphony X - V: The New Mythology Suite
84.25 -- Stratovarius - Infinite
84.22 -- Kamelot - The Fourth Legacy
84.01 -- Fates Warning - Disconnected
83.90 -- Lefay - . . . _ _ _ . . . (S.O.S.)
83.39 -- Alice Cooper - Brutal Planet
83.39 -- Therion - Deggial
83.05 -- Mägo de Oz - Finisterra
82.89 -- Running Wild - Victory
82.32 -- Silent Force - The Empire of Future
81.13 -- Nightwish - Wishmaster
79.47 -- Hammerfall - Renegade
78.77 -- Axel Rudi Pell - The Masquerade Ball
78.03 -- Molly Hatchet - Kingdom of XII
77.01 -- Brainstorm - Ambiguity
76.93 -- Nostradameus - Words of Nostradameus
75.09 -- Gov't Mule - Life Before Insanity
74.77 -- Dark Moor - The Hall of the Olden Dreams
74.00 -- Dio - Magica
71.97 -- Angel Dust - Enlighten the Darkness
69.19 -- Pretty Maids - Carpe Diem
69.10 -- AC/DC - Stiff Upper Lip
69.00 -- Thy Majestie - The Lasting Power
68.23 -- Chinchilla - Madness
64.09 -- Heavenly - Coming from the Sky
63.03 -- Shadow Keep - Corruption Within
61.96 -- Mötley Crüe - New Tattoo
60.94 -- Praying Mantis - Nowhere to Hide
50.09 -- Cornerstone - Arrival