20 greatest metal albums ever – as voted by you

1
Pantera – ‘Vulgar Display Of Power’

Pantera – ‘Vulgar Display Of Power’

A countdown of the top 20 metal albums, as voted for by users of NME.COM. 20. Pantera – ‘Vulgar Display Of Power’ (1992) The title of their sixth album comes from a line in the 1973 film The Exorcist. In America, the album was a slow burner, charting at No. 44, but ultimately going multi-platinum.

2
Rage Against The Machine – ‘Battle Of Los Angeles’

Rage Against The Machine – ‘Battle Of Los Angeles’

19. Rage Against The Machine – ‘Battle Of Los Angeles’ (1999). Their third album, and something of an under-rated masterpiece, featuring the jaw-dropping likes of ‘Sleep Now In The Fire’. The album art featured an image created by the “LA Street Phantom”.

3
Pantera – ‘Cowboys From Hell’

Pantera – ‘Cowboys From Hell’

18. Pantera – ‘Cowboys From Hell’ (1990) Pantera’s fifth album, and their first released through Atco Records (after being turned down by 28 other labels). To celebrate the 20-year anniversary of its release, a reissue was released featuring all manner of bonus tracks and demo versions.

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4
Slayer – ‘Reign In Blood’

Slayer – ‘Reign In Blood’

17. Slayer – ‘Reign In Blood’ (1986) Slayer’s third studio
album marked their first time working with record producer Rick Rubin. It
peaked at No. 47 in the UK, despite being surrounded by controversy – the
initial release was delayed due to concerns of pro-Nazi content (which the
band denied).

5
Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’

16. Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’ (1970) It was the band’s second album – and their only one to reach the top of the UK chart. Originally
titled ‘War Pigs’, it was changed by the record company, who were cautious of offending, er, war fans presumably.

6
AC/DC – ‘Highway To Hell’

15. AC/DC – ‘Highway To Hell’ (1979) The last album to feature
Bon Scott achieved gold certification, making it into the top ten on the UK
charts. The album was recorded from February to April 1979 at Roundhouse
Studios, London.

7
Iron Maiden – ‘The Number Of The Beast’

14. Iron Maiden – ‘The Number Of The Beast’ (1982) The band’s third album, and their first with Bruce Dickinson on vocals. It peaked at
No. 1 in the UK charts and achieved Platinum status, and has sold 14 million copies worldwide.

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8
Guns N’ Roses – ‘Appetite For Destruction’

13. Guns N’ Roses – ‘Appetite For Destruction’ (1987) It was a
successful debut album – in fact, the best-selling debut album of all time
(selling more than 33 million copies). The original album artwork was based
on a painting by Robert Williams, but was banned from some shops – so the
artwork was moved to the inside.

9
AC/DC – ‘Back In Black’

12. AC/DC – ‘Back In Black’ (1980) The band’s first album
without Bon Scott on vocals, it was dedicated to the late musician. Selling
approximately 49 million copies worldwide, this is one of the highest
selling albums of all time.

10
Avenged Sevenfold – ‘Waking The Fallen’

Avenged Sevenfold – ‘Waking The Fallen’

11. Avenged Sevenfold – ‘Waking The Fallen’ (2003) This was their second studio album, and their first with Johnny Christ on bass. It sold more than 370,000 copies worldwide and achieved gold status.

11
Slipknot – ‘Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)’

Slipknot – ‘Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)’

10. Slipknot – ‘Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)’ (2004) The band’s third album cover features a “maggot mask”, which can be seen in the video for the album’s second single ‘Vermilion’. This album peaked at No. 5 in the UK and received platinum certification in the US.

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12
Rage Against The Machine – ‘Rage Against The Machine’

9. Rage Against The Machine – ‘Rage Against The Machine’ (1992) Rage’s debut album peaked at No. 17 in the UK chart, but the band have since sold more than 16 million copies of their albums worldwide. The cover artwork features an image from 1963 of a protesting Vietnamese Buddhist monk, burning himself to death.

13
Parkway Drive – ‘Horizons’

Parkway Drive – ‘Horizons’

8. Parkway Drive – ‘Horizons’ (2007) This was their second
album, and was produced by Killswitch Engage’s Adam Dutkiewicz. It achieved
multi-platinum status in Europe.

14
Bullet For My Valentine – ‘The Poison’

Bullet For My Valentine – ‘The Poison’

7. Bullet For My Valentine – ‘The Poison’ (2005) Their debut
album sold well over one million copies worldwide, earning the first RIAA
gold certification for record label Trustkill Records.

15
System Of A Down – ‘Toxicity’

System Of A Down – ‘Toxicity’

6. System Of A Down – ‘Toxicity’ (2001) Although it only
reached No. 13 in the UK charts, the album achieved No. 1 in both the US and
Canada and sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. This was the band’s
only album that didn’t feature a Parental Advisory label (despite containing
quite a few profanities).

16
Metallica – ‘Ride The Lightning’

5. Metallica – ‘Ride The Lightning’ (1984) This was the band’s
second album, and their fifth best-selling release overall. There are 400
rare copies of the album with green covers (instead of blue), mistakenly
printed by French label Bernett Records.

17
Slipknot – ‘Slipknot’

Slipknot – ‘Slipknot’

4. Slipknot – ‘Slipknot’ (1999) Slipknot’s debut album, it was
certified Platium in 2008 by the British Phonographic Industry. In 2009, the
band released a special edition version to commemorate its tenth anniversary
– releasing it on 09/09/09 to honour the nine members of the band.

18
Metallica – ‘Master Of Puppets’

3. Metallica – ‘Master Of Puppets’ (1986) This was Metallica’s third offering, and marked their first gold record. Selling more than six million copies in the US alone, it continues to be praised as one of the best albums of all time. This was also the band’s last album with bassist Cliff Burton.

19
Avenged Sevenfold – ‘City Of Evil’

Avenged Sevenfold – ‘City Of Evil’

2. Avenged Sevenfold – ‘City Of Evil’ (2005) This was their
third studio album, and the first of their albums be released trough a major
label. Selling 2,500,000 copies worldwide, it remains the band’s
best-selling album, as well as their longest album.

20
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Suicide Season’

Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Suicide Season’

1. Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Suicide Season’ (2008). The BMTH online fan army was out in force, ensuring a somewhat, er, unexpected all time number one spot for the band’s second studio album, recorded at producer Fredrik Nordström’s studio in Sweden. What can we say? The people have spoken. For daily rock news head to NME.COM/metal.

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