Top Ten - 1981

After his initial foray into jazz rock, Ian Gillan renamed his band to Gillan and returned to a hard rock sound. 1981 was a high point as he took the top two spots with the excellent Future Shock and Double Trouble albums. NWOBHM bands also started coming on strong, placing four bands placed in the top ten. I rated 67 albums from that year.



Top Ten - 1981
90.64 -- Gillan - Future Shock
90.57 -- Gillan - Double Trouble
90.48 -- Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations
90.33 -- Kix - Kix
90.22 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman
89.60 -- Killer - Wall of Sound
88.46 -- More - Warhead
88.37 -- Gaskin - End of the World
86.00 -- Riot - Fire Down Under
85.84 -- Y&T - Earthshaker

Other 1981 releases:
85.32 -- Anvil - Hard'n'Heavy
85.30 -- Triumph - Allied Forces
85.28 -- Holocaust - The Nightcomers
84.66 -- Iron Maiden - Killers
84.23 -- April Wine - The Nature of the Beast
83.54 -- Tygers of Pan Tang - Spellbound
83.37 -- Rush - Moving Pictures
82.66 -- Rainbow - Difficult to Cure
82.62 -- Danny Joe Brown - Danny Joe Brown and the Danny Joe Brown Band
82.42 -- Robin Trower - B.L.T.
82.18 -- The Rods - The Rods
81.75 -- Mötley Crüe - Too Fast for Love
81.74 -- Peter Frampton - Breaking All the Rules
81.56 -- Saxon - Denim and Leather
81.31 -- Fist - Back with A Vengeance
80.60 -- Grand Funk - Grand Funk Lives!
80.52 -- Demon - Night of the Demon
80.43 -- Warning - Warning
80.29 -- Michael Schenker Group - MSG
80.05 -- Krokus - Hardware
79.25 -- Budgie - Nightflight
79.15 -- Lucifer's Friend - Mean Machine
79.05 -- Blackfoot - Marauder
78.59 -- Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry
78.30 -- Billy Squier - Don't Say No
77.95 -- Vardis - The World's Insane
77.89 -- Raven - Rock Until You Drop
77.63 -- Cirith Ungol - Frost and Fire
77.34 -- Venom - Welcome to Hell
77.12 -- UFO - The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent
77.09 -- Heavy Load - Metal Conquest
76.27 -- Molly Hatchet - Take No Prisoners
76.17 -- Neil Young - Re-ac-tor
76.17 -- Styx - Paradise Theater
75.47 -- Manilla Road - Mark of the Beast
75.34 -- Whitesnake - Come an' Get It
74.60 -- Pat Travers Band - Radio Active
74.34 -- Hawkwind - Sonic Attack
74.25 -- Graham Bonnet - Line Up
73.97 -- The Who - Face Dances
72.14 -- Praying Mantis - Time Tells No Lies
71.88 -- Samson - Shock Tactics
71.58 -- Blue Öyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin
71.30 -- Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
71.02 -- Van Halen - Fair Warning
69.74 -- ZZ Top - El Loco
69.53 -- Accept - Breaker
69.20 -- Judas Priest - Point of Entry
68.02 -- Cozy Powell - Tilt
67.29 -- Thin Lizzy - Renegade
65.20 -- Kiss - Music from "The Elder"
64.64 -- Foghat - Girls to Chat & Boys to Bounce
64.58 -- Moody Blues - Long Distance Voyager
64.20 -- Foreigner - 4
63.81 -- Bow Wow - Hard Dog
62.40 -- AC/DC - For Those About to Rock
56.07 -- Alice Cooper - Special Forces

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 - 1988

1988 was a strong year in metal, with four of the 47 bands rated achieving or topping a 90.00 rating (if you round up). Queensrÿche's powerhouse album Operation: Mindcrime easily ruled supreme that year, which is particularly impressive considering Helloween also released their excellent Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2.



Top Ten - 1988
93.02 -- Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime
90.73 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2
89.59 -- Suicidal Tendencies - How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today
88.99 -- Attacker - Second Coming
88.74 -- Apocalypse - Apocalypse
87.90 -- Kingdom Come - Kingdom Come
87.63 -- Riot - Thundersteel
87.57 -- Cinderella - Long Cold Winter
86.78 -- Anthem - Gypsy Ways
86.61 -- Blue Öyster Cult - Imaginos

Other 1989 releases:
86.24 -- Fates Warning - No Exit
86.14 -- Dark Quarterer - Etruscan Prophecy
86.02 -- W.A.S.P. - The Headless Children
85.13 -- Crimson Glory - Transcendence
84.95 -- Metallica - …And Justice for All
84.04 -- Liege Lord - Master Control
83.75 -- Kix - Blow My Fuse
81.74 -- Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
80.88 -- Girlschool - Take a Bite
80.62 -- Heretic - Breaking Point
80.29 -- Skid Row - Skid Row
80.22 -- Judas Priest - Ram it Down
79.70 -- Rage - Perfect Man
79.23 -- AC/DC - Blow Up Your Video
78.51 -- Running Wild - Port Royal
78.40 -- Vixen - Vixen
75.44 -- Blind Guardian - Battalions of Fear
75.33 -- Anvil - Pound for Pound
75.19 -- Scorpions - Savage Amusement
74.43 -- Saxon - Destiny
74.16 -- Megadeth - So Far, So Good...So What!
74.04 -- Hurricane - Over the Edge
73.25 -- Bow Wow - Vibe
68.01 -- Masters of Reality - Masters of Reality
67.96 -- Poison - Open Up and Say...Ahh!
67.55 -- Ted Nugent - If You Can't Lick 'Em...Lick 'Em
66.94 -- Ratt - Reach for the Sky
66.72 -- Bon Jovi - New Jersey
65.81 -- Steeler - Undercover Animal
64.73 -- Jeff Healey Band - See the Light
64.01 -- Hawkwind - Xenon Codex
63.05 -- Van Halen - OU812
59.60 -- Angel Dust - To Dust You Will Decay
58.96 -- Manilla Road - Out of the Abyss
57.96 -- UFO - Ain't Misbehavin'
56.01 -- Silver Mountain - Roses & Champagne
52.57 -- Manowar - Kings of Metal

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

Top Ten - 1994

Judging by how quickly the ratings drop into the 70s and below, 1994 looks like a weak year in music. This may be misleading, though, because I only reviewd 31 albums, due in part because of the popularity of Grunge at the time. But things could change if I eventually include some of those bands.

1994 Top Ten:
89.52 -- Running Wild - Black Hand Inn
86.23 -- Savatage - Handful of Rain
85.66 -- Pat Travers Band - Blues Magnet
84.14 -- Axel Rudi Pell - Between the Walls
83.61 -- Bruce Dickinson - Balls to Picasso
83.42 -- Threshold - Psychedelicatessen
83.32 -- Warrior Soul - Space Age Playboys
83.21 -- Megadeth - Youthanasia
82.26 -- Dream Theater - Awake
82.00 -- Riot - Night Breaker

Other 1994 releases:
81.78 -- Doctor Butcher - Doctor Butcher
80.17 -- Helloween - Master of the Rings
79.74 -- Dio - Strange Highways
78.64 -- Foghat - The Return of the Boogie Men
78.11 -- Stratovarius - Dreamspace
76.95 -- Mötley Crüe - Mötley Crüe
76.00 -- Pretty Maids - Scream
74.14 -- Black Sabbath - Cross Purposes
74.09 -- Helloween - Chameleon
73.70 -- Mägo de Oz - Mägo de Oz
70.97 -- Alice Cooper - The Last Temptation
70.81 -- Fight - War of Words
70.33 -- Symphony X - Symphony X
70.18 -- Blues Traveler - Four
69.12 -- Annihilator - King of the Kill
68.05 -- Yngwie Malmsteen - Seventh Sign
66.51 -- Queensrÿche - Promised Land
65.25 -- Emerson, Lake & Palmer - In the Hot Seat
61.35 -- ZZ Top - Antenna
58.87 -- Pink Floyd - The Division Bell
57.09 -- Fates Warning - Inside Out

Top Ten - 1996

1996 might have been a down year in rock and metal. Or I just haven't gotten around to listening to many albums from that year. Whatever the case, I've only reviewed 28 albums, so the numbers are not impressive at all. The drop into lower ratings happens quickly, and more than half the bands shown are below a rating of 80. That doesn't necessarily mean you should avoid these albums, but it may be best to try before you buy.

1996 Top Ten:
87.13 -- Stratovarius - Episode
85.72 -- Blitzkrieg - Ten
83.84 -- Morgana Lefay - Maleficium
83.18 -- Axel Rudi Pell - Black Moon Pyramid
82.81 -- Riot - The Brethren of the Long House
82.67 -- Helloween - The Time of the Oath
82.58 -- Randy Holden - Guitar God
82.22 -- Iced Earth - The Dark Saga
82.21 -- Molly Hatchet - Devil's Canyon
81.02 -- Joe Stump - Supersonic Shred Machine

Other 1996 releases:
80.76 -- Rage - End of All Days
80.33 -- Dio - Angry Machines
79.66 -- Motörhead - Overnight Sensation
79.58 -- Deep Purple - Purpendicular
79.30 -- Bow Wow - Led by the Sun
78.95 -- Metallica - Load
78.38 -- Bruce Dickinson - Skunkworks
77.54 -- Angra - Holy Land
77.47 -- Manowar - Louder than Hell
77.06 -- Mägo de Oz - Jesús de Chamberí
75.84 -- Warrior Soul - Fucker
75.09 -- Michael Schenker Group - Written in the Sand
71.35 -- Anvil - Plugged In Permanent
67.26 -- ZZ Top - Rhythmeen
64.36 -- W.A.S.P. - Still Not Black Enough
61.40 -- Def Leppard - Slang
60.65 -- Scorpions - Pure Instinct
58.19 -- Rhea's Obsession - Initiation

Rock Island - Chapter Nine

You're gathering firewood with Cinnamon when you hear someone whispering, "86, is that you?" You look around but see no one. Then you hear it again, a little louder this time. Suddenly a palm tree shakes.

"Over here," it whispers.

"Um, hello?," you say to the tree.

"86?" the tree asks.

You answer "no" and the tree starts sobbing. "Can you help me?" it pleads. "I don't think I belong here."

 

"Sorry about that Chief," you answer. "I wish I could help, but we're stuck here too."

You quickly lead Cinnamon away as the tree sobs louder. "That was weird," she says as you find another spot to gather firewood. Before you can answer, she asks for more songs you have with you. You happily continue:

• Mägo de Oz - Réquiem; Van a Rodar Cabezas
• Masterplan - Enlighten Me
• Masters of Reality - She Got Me (When She Got Her Dress On)
• Megadeth - Peace Sells; Holy Wars…The Punishment Due; Hangar 18; Rust In Peace…Polaris; Symphony of Destruction; Foreclosure of a Dream; Countdown to Extinction; Kick the Chair
• Mercyful Fate - Gypsy
• Messiah's Kiss - Prayer for the Dying
• Metal Church - Fake Healer; Rest In Piece (April 15,1912); Date with Poverty; Monster
• Metallica - Fight Fire with Fire; For Whom the Bell Tolls; Fade to Black; One; Enter Sandman
• Michael Schenker Group - Victim of Illusion; Into the Arena; Lost Horizons; Rock You to the Ground; Captain Nemo
• Mob Rules - Pilot of Earth; Outer Space
• Monster Magnet - Powertrip
• Morgana Lefay - Madness
• Mötley Crüe - Live Wire; Shout at the Devil; Looks that Kill; Too Young to Fall in Love; Wild Side; Dr. Feelgood; Kickstart My Heart
• Nightwish - She Is My Sin; Bless the Child; Dark Chest of Wonders; Wish I Had an Angel; Ghost Love Score
• Overlorde - Snow Giant; Metallic Madness
• Ozzy Osbourne - Over the Mountain; Believer; S.A.T.O.; Diary of A Madman
• Queensrÿche - Revolution Calling; Operation: Mindcrime; Speak; Spreading the Disease
• Rage - Heartblood; Immortal Sin; Dies Irae
• Ratt - You're in Love
• Red Wine - Sombra De Poder
• Riot - Hard Lovin' Man; Dream Away
• Rob Rock - The Hour of Dawn
• Running Wild - Treasure Island
• Samson - Vice Versa

Cinnamon wants to listen to some songs, and you happily oblige.