Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

A classic hard rock masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.

Freelance music writerTakashi Hoshino
I’m Takashi Hoshino, a freelance writer currently juggling work with parenting. I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years since I first picked it up when I started high school, and I’m still active in a band today. Ever since I began playing, I’ve been drawn to hard rock and heavy metal, and I enjoy intense music, whether Japanese or Western. At the same time, I keep in mind something I was told long ago: “If you want to play rock, you should know more than just rock!” With that in my heart, I make a point of listening to a wide range of genres every day. My experience as a writer is still growing, but I’ll keep working hard to recommend all kinds of music to as many people as possible!
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

The music genre known as hard rock is an outgrowth of rock influenced by the blues, defined at its core by an aggressive sound with loud, high-volume guitars.

That said, many people aren’t quite sure how it differs from heavy metal, and interpretations can vary depending on the listener.

In this article, we introduce classic hard rock albums that have gone down in music history, aimed at those who are interested in bands labeled as hard rock or are thinking of giving them a listen.

We’ve highlighted many “start here” albums, so be sure to check them out!

Hard rock masterpieces: Must-hear recommended albums (31–40)

LIVE ALBUM

Are You ReadyGrand Funk Railroad

Grand Funk Railroad Live – Are You Ready (1969)

Are You ReadyGrand Funk Railroad

With its continental, crisp production, straightforward song structures, and a sound built around catchy melodies and riffs, it’s no exaggeration to say they helped lay the very foundation of American hard rock.

Formed in 1969, Grand Funk Railroad earned high praise for their outstanding live performances right from their debut and racked up numerous hit singles.

They boldly took on covers of oldies classics, and their unapologetically pop-leaning, straight-ahead musicality—combined with the superb musicianship that was said to have outshone even Led Zeppelin—made their live shows spectacular, winning them huge popularity not only in the U.

S.

but also here in Japan.

The aptly titled Live Album, often cited as one of their signature works despite being a live recording, is a disc where you can fully savor their early, rough-and-ready style as a three-piece.

The unique chemistry of a trio packs in all the coolness and fun of ’70s hard rock.

By all means, crank it as loud as you can!

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

As mentioned at the outset, there are various theories about a clear definition of the hard rock genre, and it’s also a fact that interpretations differ from listener to listener.

The classic albums we’ve picked out this time are all fundamentals that most people would agree on, so beginners in particular might use this article as a reference and take a first step into the world of hard rock—where many lesser-known masterpieces also exist.