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[For Beginners] Metal Masterpieces: A Curated List of Must-Listen, History-Making Albums

Even within the broad label of “metal,” did you know there are many subgenres built around a heavy, muscular sound—such as thrash, death, black, power, and progressive? Heavy metal, which began in the 1970s, has evolved over time and has become a major genre that encompasses a wide variety of musical styles.

This time, we’ll introduce a selection of classic metal albums that are especially well-suited for beginners.

These works let you fully savor metal’s depth and appeal, so whether you’ve just started getting interested or want to dive deeper, be sure to check them out!

Playlist

[For Beginners] Metal Masterpieces: A Curated List of Must-Listen, History-Making Albums
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1east(sic)SlipknotA monstrous heavy rock act born in the late ’90s…
2eastHoly Wars… The Punishment DueMegadethThe so-called 'Big 4' of thrash meta…
3eastParanoidBlack SabbathThe inaugural year of heavy metal, a masterpiece by Black Sabbath
4eastShout At The DevilMötley CrüeMotley Crue’s Greatest Hits
5eastMaster of PuppetsMetallicaA quintessential example from the heyday of 80s thrash metal…
6eastSymbolicDEATHThe masterpiece 'Symbolic' by Death, the death metal pinnacle
7eastDream HouseDeafheavenDeafheaven’s innovative metal album
8eastBe Quiet And Drive (Far Away)DeftonesDeftones’ masterpiece, a shocking sound
9eastSchismToolTool’s masterpiece “Lateralus,” mathematical
10eastRaining BloodSLAYERStanding alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax…
11eastPainkillerJudas PriestJudas Priest’s monumental masterpiece “Painkiller.”
12eastThe Number Of The BeastIron MaidenWhen discussing the history of heavy metal, it is indispensable...
13eastHoly DiverDioDio’s masterpiece “Holy Diver” is a classic album.
14eastTo SiriusGOJIRAAn epic metal album that saves the universe
15eastChop Suey!System Of A DownAmid the late-’90s nu metal boom...
16eastPull Me UnderDream TheaterIn the genre known as progressive metal...
17eastLaid to RestLamb Of GodLamb of God’s signature album
18eastBlackwater ParkOpethOpeth’s classic album “Blackwater Park”
19eastWalkPanteraHeavy metal and loud rock since the 1990s...
20eastBlindKornNowadays, even in Japan, the veteran—who now enjoys stable popularity—
21eastWould?Alice In ChainsA grunge masterpiece: a collection of iconic songs that depict the darkness of the heart
22eastBlinded By Fearat the gatesA melodeath milestone: At The Gates’ masterpiece.
23eastPhotographDef LeppardDef Leppard’s revolutionary masterpiece
24eastOblivionMastodon
OblivionMastodon
A metal masterpiece: Mastodon’s epic saga
25eastThe Hellion / Electric EyeJudas PriestA quintessential heavy metal band that Britain is proud of...
26eastKilling In the NameRage Against The MachineWith this one sensational debut album, Re...
27eastNever DieYngwie MalmsteenA renowned guitarist born in Sweden, and…
28eastCarry OnAngraThe period of the 1990s was one in which alternative...
29eastCaught In A MoshANTHRAXOne of the Big Four—the Four Emperors of thrash metal…
30eastRoots Bloody RootsSepulturaThe opening track, “Roots Bra…”
31eastDavidianMachine HeadSlash metal band from San Francisco…
32eastThe EruptionEmperorA masterpiece born from the genre known as black metal…
33eastFuture Breed MachineMeshuggahOver a career spanning more than 30 years, progre...
34eastDevoured by VerminCannibal CorpseYou must never show this to anyone who isn't tolerant...
35eastHeartworkCarcassIn Japan, he is nicknamed “the Brutal King of Liverpool”…