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If you're looking to start listening to metal music, here are ten essential albums that are widely regarded as classics in the genre. These albums span a range of styles within metal and were chosen for their impact on the genre, musical influence, and cultural significance.
Black Sabbath - "Paranoid" (1970)
Considered by many to be the first true heavy metal album, Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid' established the sound and aesthetic of heavy metal. With crushing riffs, dark lyrics, and a foreboding atmosphere, this album remains a classic of the genre and a must-listen for any metal fan.
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Iron Maiden - "The Number of the Beast" (1982)
Iron Maiden's third album is a classic of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement and features the iconic vocals of Bruce Dickinson. The album's title track remains a staple of their live shows and is considered one of the greatest metal songs of all time.
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Metallica - "Master of Puppets" (1986)
'Master of Puppets' is widely considered to be Metallica's masterpiece, blending thrash metal with progressive song structures and intricate arrangements. The album's title track and 'Battery' remain fan favorites to this day.
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Slayer - "Reign in Blood" (1986)
With lightning-fast riffs, aggressive vocals, and brutal lyrics, Slayer's 'Reign in Blood' is a landmark album in the development of thrash metal. Clocking in at just 29 minutes, the album is a relentless assault on the senses and remains a classic of the genre.
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Pantera - "Cowboys From Hell" (1990)
Pantera's major label debut marked a shift in the sound of metal, with its blend of thrash, groove, and heavy blues influences. The album's title track and 'Cemetery Gates' remain some of the band's most beloved songs and helped pave the way for the rise of nu-metal in the 1990s.
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Megadeth - "Rust in Peace" (1990)
Megadeth's fourth album features virtuosic guitar playing from Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman and is considered a landmark in the development of thrash metal. The album's technical proficiency and intricate song structures have influenced countless metal bands in the years since its release.
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Death - "Symbolic" (1995)
Death's sixth album saw the band moving away from their early death metal sound and incorporating more progressive and melodic elements. The album's complex arrangements and thoughtful lyrics have earned it a place as one of the most influential metal albums of the 1990s.
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Opeth - "Blackwater Park" (2001)
Opeth's fifth album is a masterclass in progressive death metal, featuring intricate song structures, acoustic interludes, and soaring vocals from frontman Mikael Akerfeldt. The album's blend of aggression and beauty has earned it a place as one of the greatest metal albums of all time.
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Mastodon - "Leviathan" (2004)
Mastodon's second album is a concept album based on Herman Melville's 'Moby-Dick' and features a blend of sludge, progressive, and traditional heavy metal elements. The album's technical proficiency and unique songwriting have earned it a place as one of the most influential metal albums of the 2000s.
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Gojira - "From Mars to Sirius" (2005)
French band Gojira's third album features a blend of death metal, progressive metal, and environmental themes. The album's intricate song structures and technical musicianship have earned it a place as one of the most important metal albums
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| Black Sabbath | Paranoid | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Iron Maiden | The Number of the Beast | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Metallica | Master of Puppets | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Slayer | Reign in Blood | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Pantera | Cowboys From Hell | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Megadeth | Rust in Peace | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Death | Symbolic | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Opeth | Blackwater Park | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Mastodon | Leviathan | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |
| Gojira | From Mars to Sirius | apple | youtube | spotify | tidal |