# Heavy Metal Fans Must Have Top 10 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 2, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230 "2011-03-02T16:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/41 "2011-03-05T17:37:49Z")
I think the Black Album was their intro to a mainstream audience, and had their biggest song on it, so a lot of people think of it as the representative Metallica album, but in my opinion, their albums with Cliff Burton were their best and most important. I don’t think they were ever really the same after Cliff died. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/42 "2011-03-05T17:46:54Z")
Only have this to add: [http://www.comicvsaudience.net/images/flow\_heavymetal.jpg](http://www.comicvsaudience.net/images/flow_heavymetal.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/43 "2011-03-05T17:50:35Z")
A list of essential metal without **Manowar** is not fit for the purpose. I’d suggest Into Glory Ride, but any album apart from Gods Of War will do. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/44 "2011-03-05T17:54:38Z")
Manowar bordered on self parody in my opinion, but if you’re going to include them in the pantheon, I’m going to insist on putting Gwar in as well. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/45 "2011-03-05T18:03:31Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m going to insist on putting Gwar in as well. Shut up, Beavis! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/46 "2011-03-05T18:13:51Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I’ve seen you mention this album twice now, and I’m curious…why this one over any of their other first four (5?) full releases? I like this album too, but there’s not really any denying that this one marked the transition point between them being a truly good, awesome heavy metal band and becoming the corporate machine they are now, and the slick production of this album reflects that. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I think the Black Album was their intro to a mainstream audience, and had their biggest song on it, so a lot of people think of it as the representative Metallica album, but in my opinion, their albums with Cliff Burton were their best and most important. I don’t think they were ever really the same after Cliff died. If you just want something representative of pure thrash, you don’t need Metallica for that. The Black Album was a point where they found (IMHO) a perfect balance between speed and melody. I can’t stand any of the albums that followed it (including _Death Magnetic_), but it has more depth than the stuff that came before, including _Puppets_. You’ll notice I didn’t go so far as to include anything from the W bands (or any hair or glam metal). Not because I think they all sucked (they mostly sucked), but because they’re hard rock bands, not metal. I think Burton was way overrated, incidentally. Not because he wasn’t a good player, but because the early records were so badly mixed that you can’t really hear him anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/47 "2011-03-05T18:16:57Z")
I cannot agree that he was overrated. I think that he made significant contributions as a composer, and that he had some harmonic and melodic sensibilities that were amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/48 "2011-03-05T18:21:02Z")
Sure, but that’s not really what people talk about; they talk about him as a player. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/49 "2011-03-05T19:21:35Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Manowar bordered on self parody in my opinion, but if you’re going to include them in the pantheon, I’m going to insist on putting Gwar in as well. That maybe true from The Triumph Of Steel onwards, but not for the early stuff, and even now I don’t believe it’s intentional parody. I’m also hoping that the re-recording of the debut will inspire them to write some new actual metal songs instead of faffing around with orchestras. Also, if you’re having GWAR, I’m having Lawnmower Deth! ---
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/50 "2011-03-06T02:09:49Z")
Another vote to leave off the Black Album, not because of the way it sounds, but because its so divisive. The first wave of Metallica fans jumped ship at this point, and quite a few of the older fans absolutely hate it. Albums on a “Heavy Metal must have” list should be (as close to possible) universally regarded as masterpieces of the genre. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/51 "2011-03-06T03:53:49Z")
+1 for the Queensryche \*Mindcrime \*vote and Motorhead _Ace Of Spades._ I’d replace \*Mercyful Fate \*with _King Diamond’s **Them** _ Add _Scorpions **Blackout.** _ I’d like to put some KISS in here, but I don’t think they’re really metal. They do put on a hell of a live show, though. I’ll check back in when I have more to add. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/52 "2011-03-06T05:14:56Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You’ll notice I didn’t go so far as to include anything from the W bands The what now? Joe ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/53 "2011-03-06T05:31:24Z")
It’s a reference to a sub-genre of /metal/hair bands/the W’s. Warrant Winger Whitesnake (the kings of hair bands) Wang Tango White Lion You can see the pattern. There were a few others, but these are just off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/54 "2011-03-06T07:18:17Z")
> [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](#): > > It’s a reference to a sub-genre of /metal/hair bands/the W’s. > > Warrant > Winger > Whitesnake (the kings of hair bands) > Wang Tango > White Lion > > You can see the pattern. There were a few others, but these are just off the top of my head. Believe it or not, thst thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed the idea. Thanks. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/55 "2011-03-06T16:20:45Z")
Warrant just played in my building last night. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/56 "2011-03-06T20:02:42Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Warrant just played in my building last night. You live at an Applebees? Joe ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/57 "2011-03-06T20:34:44Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > You live at an Applebees? Heh, I meant the building where I work. I’m a chef at my city’s convention center, and the building also includes the local Performing Arts Center. A separate entity, but in the same building. Warrant did a concert last night at the PAC, and it was actually something of a scheduling snafu because this was the same weekend we were hosting and feeding the Washington State Winter Special Olympics - 1,400 Special Olympics athletes and support staff in one half of the facility, and a sold-out Warrant show in the other half. Yeah, that made parking fun. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/58 "2011-03-07T14:01:39Z")
Looking at my original list, I’d be willing to remove either Shout at the Devil or Don’t Break the Oath for my rather glaring omission of Ozzy’s post Sabbath work. I’d probably throw Tribute on there, although Diary of a Madman or Blizzard of Ozz both deserve love. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/59 "2011-03-08T12:17:58Z")
> [@Sigmundex](#): > > This list is defective… seriously. > > It should go… TO… 11! Yes, I feel shame. .. Let it be written that he 11th album will be the original Spinal Tap Black album! (not the copycat Metallica one). ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230/60 "2011-03-08T13:07:04Z")
> [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](#): > > No Manowar, or Alestorm, or Saboton? I find this list shallow and pedantic. That’s more my kind of list! And I’d swap the Metallica album for “Justice for All”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heavy-metal-fans-must-have-top-10/573230.md?page=4)