KaiKaspareK's Kremling Kreator

     1987 was when metal became a type of pop music, thanks to the likes of  Appetite For Destruction , Whitesnake, Hysteria,  or  Slippery When Wet .  It's also another odd year where the major players who released an album in 1986 are either touring/writing/catching their breath. As a result, many filthy casuals might think 1987 was nothing to talk about beyond the above mentioned pop-metal releases.  Well, those people would be dead wrong, as the spotlight is snatched by those whom, when you think about it, sew the seeds for metal's direction in the 90s.  While this might not be a "better" year for metal than 1986, it's easily a more interesting one.  No EPs this time, for reasons that will be explained: 1. Candlemass- Nightfall       Huh… I mean I love Nightfall and it should absolutely be here, but #1?  Under The Sign of The Black Mark must have been star-bombed by hipsters.  Still, Nightfall is arguably...

      1986 and heavy metal, in the minds of classic aficionados they go together like peanut butter and chocolate.  Some important albums came out this year for sure, but does RYM know what those are, mainstream, and underground?  Or do disproportionate voting calculations vote never-weres up, and important records down, like usual?  We're including still including EPs, but I'm beginning to feel like that's a bad idea.....letsago! 1. Metallica- Master Of Puppets     So, I actually misspoke in the 1984 entry where I said that 1986 was one of a handful of years where a heavy metal album legitimately tops the albums of the year list of any genre.  Which is hilarious because I also knew this in the back of my head, but my brain farted.  This is #2 of all genres for 1986.  #1 is The Smiths The Queen Is Dead .  I agree with the RYM fanbase.  At least in that the latter is better than the former.  That said, The Smiths'...

       1985 is interesting because no immediate A-listers put out an album this year (there's an exception to the rule, which without looking at the chart I just know will not  be in the top 10; We'll address that at the end).  We have bands that would become A-listers releasing albums this year, but while they were great albums, none of them can be really classified as "putting them on the map."  At least not the map where Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica etc., dwell.  Reason for this is all the heavy hitters had put out the albums the previous year, and had become big enough to where they kept touring for it (the general rule was if the album was still selling, keep em touring).  Hell, Iron Maiden's legendary World Slavery Tour (which Live After Death  was recorded ) took place in 1985.  So big bands were spending one year putting out an album, the next year touring for it, then the following year the follow-up would be...

      Back again.  1984?  Let's do it. Also, a couple of fairly important EPs are released this year, so I decided to turn the ol' EP button back on. 1. Metallica- Ride The Lightning     No waiting here, and for relatively good reason.   I need to note that this is isn't just rated #1 for the metal chart, this is #1 for the whole year.  As in, Ride The Lightning is #1, Cocteau Twins Treasure is #2, two symphony orchestra performance albums of the music of Dvorak and Beethoven are #4 & #5.  There's only 2* other years where a bonafide heavy metal album is #1 of the year, 1970 and 1995.   Only 1970 is correct of any of these by the way, and that includes this one.  1990 was another one for a while (yes, it's the album you're thinking of), but again, fucking Kendrick hipsters.          But ok yes, this is a great album, and deserving to be #1 for the year, #3 at the absolute lowest.  But it does ...