Harder...Faster
Artist: April Wine
Community Score: 3.50

As suggested by its title, Harder...Faster sees veteran Canadian rockers April Wine taking things up a notch with relentless slabs of hard rock in "I Like to Rock" and "Ladies Man." Also on hand is a memorable cool groover called "Say Hello," a curious cover of King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man," and the dual personality of "Tonite,"... Read More

Heaven & Hell
Artist: Black Sabbath
Community Score: 8.28

Many had left Black Sabbath for dead at the dawn of the '80s, and with good reason -- the band's last few albums were not even close to their early classics, and original singer Ozzy Osbourne had just split from the band. But the Sabs had found a worthy replacement in former Elf and Rainbow singer Ronnie James Dio, and bounced back to issue... Read More

Mean Streak
Artist: Y&T
Community Score: 6.38
Abominog
Artist: Uriah Heep
Community Score: 10.00

By the dawn of the 1980s, Uriah Heep was considered to be a relic in the heavy metal world and no one was surprised when they disbanded shortly after 1980s half-hearted Conquest album. However, everyone listening received an unexpected surprise when the band returned with a new lineup and a sleek, revamped sound on 1982's Abominog. If one can... Read More

Fire Down Under
Artist: Riot
Community Score: 10.00

Unquestionably the best offering from New York's Riot, Fire Down Under is considered by many to be an early-'80s metal classic. After two marginally successful LPs, 1977's Rock City and 1979's Narita, bandleader Mark Reale worked out all the kinks in Riot's membership and musical delivery, and the results are dramatic. The songs are tight and... Read More

Iron Fist
Artist: Motörhead
Community Score: 6.33

Another first-rate Motörhead album -- the fifth in a row, to be precise -- Iron Fist is the final one to feature the band's classic lineup, as guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke would depart following the album's completion. Released in 1982, Iron Fist is mostly distinguished from its predecessors in terms of production, and not favorably. Clarke... Read More

Ace of Spades
Artist: Motörhead
Community Score: 7.83

With the 1980 release of Ace of Spaces, Motörhead had their anthem of anthems -- that is, the title track -- the one trademark song that would summarize everything that made this early incarnation of the band so legendary, a song that would be blasted by legions of metalheads for generations on end. It's a legendary song, for sure, all two... Read More

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith
Artist: Motörhead
Community Score: 8.40

Released in 1981, the live album No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith recaps the highlights from the legendary run of albums Motörhead released during the prior few years, namely Overkill, Bomber, and Ace of Spades. The band's lesser self-titled debut album is also accounted for here with two inclusions ("Motörhead" and "Iron Horse"), but by and large, the... Read More

Killing Time
Artist: Massacre

Of the many obscure and wonderful albums recorded by members of the downtown avant-garde elite in the early 1980s, this is one of the most obscure and most wonderful. Massacre (despite its heavy-metallish moniker) was a challenging but quirkily charming "power trio" consisting of guitarist Fred Frith, bassist Bill Laswell and drummer Fred Maher,... Read More

Out of the Silent Planet
Artist: King's X
Community Score: 7.67

After nearly a decade struggling for recognition, Houston's King's X finally obtained a record deal with Megaforce Records, issuing their debut Out of the Silent Planet in 1988. The band's unique sound combines Beatles-esque vocal harmonies and melodies with heavy guitars, complex arragements, and singer Doug Pinnick's incredible, gospel-tinged... Read More

British Steel
Artist: Judas Priest
Community Score: 8.59

With Hell Bent for Leather, Judas Priest had begun the task of developing their image for increased mainstream attention, reveling in leather-and-motorcycle trappings while beginning to simplify and streamline their sound. British Steel brings that process full circle, offering the band's catchiest, most accessible set of tunes yet, while... Read More

Heavy Pettin'
Artist: Heavy Pettin'

Heavy Pettin', while created by a group of obviously talented musicians, is a classic illustration of the wisdom of the A&R man's maxim, "it ain't nuthin' without a hit song." Produced by the venerable Brian May of Queen, the guitars are big, the drums are bigger, and the vocals are appropriately high pitched and screechy. Unfortunately, there... Read More