RE: What Are You Listening To?
I'm proud to be a metalhead. As such, my listenings include a wide variety of hard rock and heavy metal music. Here's a few albums and bands. I've tried to cover many aspects of the genre.
Iron Maiden-The Number of the Beast
In my opinion, one of the greatest albums ever, metal or else. This is Iron Maiden at their best. An album where the worst song (Gangland) is great, and the best song (Hallowed be Thy Name) is something from out of this world. The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal at all of its glory.
Black Sabbath-Paranoid
Black Sabbath are the patriarchs of heavy metal, and this album is their most well-known, and one of their best (if not the best). With songs like Paranoid, Iron Man and Electric Funeral and Ozzy Osbourne's alien voice combining with the skills of some of the best musicians of the 20th century makes up for a devastating result that every metalhead, new or old to the genre, should listen to.
Metallica-Master of Puppets
Considered one of the Big 4, the first bands to play what would later be called thrash metal, Metallica are not as harsh as the bands that followed, but they are unique at what they play, and good at it. Master of Puppets is probably their best album, a display of musical prominence. Cliff Burton signs with his unique bass playstyle, giving a whole new meaning to the instrument, and really boosting all songs.
Manowar-Into Glory Ride
The term of metal warriors, and the epicness of the genre, had already been used in the past, but Manowar brought it to a whole new level. Though extreme in cases, the passion is seen in their first five albums (after that they began to decline), and their songs literally shake the ground. Into Glory Ride is their best album, an album that makes you wanna roar and fly into battle yourself.
Judas Priest-Painkiller
Classic metal. Judas Priest have always been like it. Among the first to add a heroic feel to their songs, they didn't take it as far as Manowar, but it is enough to set you on fire. Leather Rebel and Touch of Evil are among the greatest metal songs, and this album as a whole is a heavy metal hymn. In my opinion, the best work of Judas Priest (and unfortunately, again in my opinion, their last good work).
Blind Guardian-Nightfall on Middle Earth
Epic metal with the fantasy gene. Many bands have used it, but among them Blind Guardian reign supreme. The songs are taking you to another plane of existence, where you see the heroes and monsters fighting before you. Great music from a great, dedicated band.
The Haunted-The Dead Eye
Thrash. Simply thrash. Although considered more "melodic" than other works of the band, The Dead Eye is still a great way to let out your rage. Songs that make you wanna break down the world. You just can't stop headbanging at them.
Dream Theater-Images and Words
Progressive metal is a hard genre. These people are experimenting with playstyles that would scare many prominent musicians. Dream Theater are the undoubted masters of the genre, and this is among their best works. Listening to them can be hard. But if you ever want proof that heavy metal is music and not noise, try and listen to them. Or just do it for your enjoyment.
Paradise Lost-Draconian Times
Doom metal is hard to listen. Really hard. But if you can understand this kind of music, then you're in for a great band in Paradise Lost. With music that seems to loom over you, imposing and heavy, Paradise Lost foretell the apocalypse with every note. But it doesn't matter, 'cos you listen to them.
