Image: Sam Moghadam Khamseh
As a beginner in the world of Metal, you don't even know where to start with so many bands and albums? Then you've come to the right place, because we're going to introduce you to 5 albums by established bands of the genre that will give you a perfect place to start!
Of course, there are countless subgenres in metal, from Heavy Metal to Death Metal or Black Metal. But we don't want to start with that today. First of all we want to introduce you to five absolute classics, which you can listen to at your own pace and get a first feeling for your own taste in Metal.
1. Metallica - Master of Puppets
Metallica is one of the biggest and most successful Metal bands in the world, and Master of Puppets is their third studio album from 1986. To this day, it is mentioned by numerous musicians as a source of inspiration and is considered one of the most defining albums of the genre worldwide. Awarded platinum several times, great reviews and over 7 million copies sold; the record managed to do all this with only eight tracks. Most famous are the singles "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and "Master Of Puppets". In addition, it is the last album on which their bassist Cliff Burton played. He died in a severe accident in 1986 during one of their European tours. The album deals with a variety of topics, including war with the song "Disposable Heroes".
Image: Master of Puppets album cover
You might even have seen the album cover before, because it's also one of the most famous ones ever. It was inspired by the cover of the album Taken By Force by the Scorpions.
2. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
The Number of the Beast is one of the first albums of the British Heavy Metal band Iron Maiden. The band is best known for Bruce Dickinson's distinctive vocals, and this is the very first album to feature him as a vocalist. If melodies and guitar solos are your world, then you will surely get a lot of joy from this album. For starters, you can listen to the popular songs "Run To The Hills" and "Hallowed By Thy Name," but also the title track "The Number of the Beast".
Image: The Number of the Beast album cover
Iron Maiden's album covers have featured their mascot Eddie since their early days in the 70s. He is depicted in various versions and even appears on stage with them: A true part of the Iron Maiden family.
3. Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Not only the album Paranoid, but also the song with the same title are universally known in the metal and hard rock scene. It was released in 1970 in Great Britain and 1971 in the USA. Among the eight tracks there are two more popular singles: "War Pigs" and "Iron Man". You may already know the name of singer Ozzy Osbourne, who is also known as the godfather of heavy metal. With Paranoid, Black Sabbath delivered a trend-setting album for the genre - to this day it is the band's most successful record. And that despite the fact that all the songs were recorded in only six days!
Image: Paranoid album cover
4. Slayer - Reign In Blood
Next up is Trash Metal by Slayer and an influential album especially in this subgenre. Reign in Blood is not long, although with 10 tracks it contains more songs than some albums on this list. Within half an hour you've already listened to all of it. In return, the songs really kick in, with fast tempo and really hard music. Just the thing if you need a good dose of energy. The themes are pretty dark too: violence and death and controversial topics like religion and occultism. It's one of the top albums in the metal world that you should definitely check out.
Image: Reign In Blood album cover
5. System of a Down - Toxicity
Toxicity came out in 2001 as the second album of the band System of a Down from America. Again, it is by far the most successful record of the group, which is known for influences from various subgenres. Therefore, the album is also very versatile and you certainly won't get bored listening to it. Some of the tracks are very well-known singles that you might have heard even without any previous knowledge of Metal. There's "Chop Suey!" for sure, but also "Toxicity", which have absolute cult status.
Image: Toxicity album cover
