Below, we've selected the 11 years that most marked the history of Heavy Metal worldwide. Whether through releases, lineup changes, or deaths, these are the years we consider most impactful for the genre.
Check out the choices and leave a comment with any significant years that were left out!
11. Year 1979
In 1979, Iron Maiden released their first EP, "The Soundhouse Tapes." And if that wasn't enough, the legendary Ronnie James Dio replaced Ozzy in Black Sabbath.
– Foundation of the bands Europe, Faith No More, Michael Schenker Group, Venom
– Release of the albums “Highway To Hell” (AC/DC), “Unleashed In The East” (Judas Priest), “Dynasty” (Kiss), “In Through The Out Door” (Led Zeppelin), “Bomber” and “Overkill” (Motörhead), “Live Killers” (Queen), “Strangers In The Night” (UFO), “Van Halen II” (Van Halen)
10. Year 1971
The year 1971 was marked primarily by its releases: starting with the historic "Led Zeppelin IV" (Led Zeppelin), we also had "Master Of Reality" (Black Sabbath), "Fireball" (Deep Purple), "Love It To Death" (Alice Cooper), "Look At Yourself" (Uriah Heep), "Aqualung" (Jethro Tull), "Who's Next" (The Who).
09. Year 1985
In 1985, Brazil was graced with an unparalleled Rock in Rio: a festival featuring Queen, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, and Whitesnake. Can you imagine?
Furthermore, Metal gained bands that made history. In 1985, the following were founded: Guns N' Roses, Dream Theater, Extreme, Iced Earth, David Lee Roth, King Diamond
– Release of the albums “World Wide Live” (Scorpions), “Walls Of Jericho” (Helloween), “Live After Death” (Iron Maiden), “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!” (Megadeth) “Come Out And Play” (Twisted Sister), “Marching Out” (Yngwie Malmsteen)
08. Year 1986
In 1986, despite being historic in terms of releases (known as a golden year for Thrash), it was a year marked by tragedy: the loss of bassist Cliff Burton in the bus accident that changed the course of Metallica. In the same year, the English magazine Metal Hammer, one of the largest and most respected Heavy Metal publications, was founded.
– Releases of the albums “Master of Puppets” (Metallica), “Reign in Blood” (Slayer), “Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?” (Megadeth) “Rage for Order” (Queensrÿche), “Morbid Visions” (Sepultura), “Who Made Who” (AC/DC), “5150” (Van Halen)
07. Year 1984
In 1984, Sepultura was formed in Brazil, a band that would forever change our image in the world of Heavy Metal. Furthermore, in the rest of the world, bands like Blind Guardian, The Cult, Nuclear Assault, and Yngwie Malmsteen emerged. In the same year, Def Leppard's drummer Rick Allen lost an arm in a car accident.
– Release of the albums “Powerslave” (Iron Maiden), “Ride The Lightning” (Metallica), “Perfect Strangers” (Deep Purple), “The Last In Line” (Dio), “Stay Hungry” (Twisted Sister), “Love At First Sting” (Scorpions), “Slide It In” (Whitesnake), “1984” (Van Halen), “Hail To England” and “Sign Of The Hammer” (Manowar), “Don't Break The Oath” (Mercyful Fate), “Defenders Of The Faith” (Judas Priest), “Animalize” (Kiss), “Rising Force” (Yngwie Malmsteen), “Metal Church” (Metal Church), “No Remorse” (Motörhead), “The Warning” (Queensrÿche), “Grace Under Pressure” (Rush), “Crusader” (Saxon)
06. Year 1982
In 1982, the world lost one of its greatest guitarists when Randy Rhoads died in a plane crash at only 26 years old. That same year, Ace Frehley left Kiss, Ian Gillan joined Black Sabbath replacing Dio, Clive Burr left Iron Maiden, and Nicko McBrain joined the band. That year, Iron Maiden released their first album with Bruce Dickinson, which reached #1 in Great Britain.
In '82, Metallica moved to the Bay Area in San Francisco, the place where the Thrash Metal scene would later emerge.
– Foundation of the bands Destruction, Dio, Kreator, Voivod, Warlock and WASP
– Release of the albums “The Number Of The Beast” (Iron Maiden), “Screaming For Vengeance” (Judas Priest), “Live Evil” (Black Sabbath), “Black Metal” (Venom), “Battle Hymns” (Manowar), “Iron Fist” (Motörhead), “Restless And Wild” (Accept), “Metal On Metal” (Anvil), “Creatures Of The Night” (Kiss), “Signals” (Rush), “The Eagle Has Landed” (Saxon), “Blackout” (Scorpions), “Diver Down” (Van Halen)
05. Year 1975
In 1975, the world gained Iron Maiden and Motörhead. As if that weren't enough, Quiet Riot, Rainbow, Riot, and Triumph also emerged.
– Release of the albums “TNT” (AC/DC), “A Night At The Opera” (Queen), “Physical Grafitti” (Led Zeppelin), “Fly By Night” (Rush), “Dressed To Kill” (Kiss), “Toys In The Attic” (Aerosmith), “Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow” (Rainbow), “Sabotage” (Black Sabbath), “Come Taste The Band” (Deep Purple)
04. Year 1983
1983 was an eventful year. Metallica released their first album, "Kill 'Em All," and later, Dave Mustaine was fired and founded Megadeth. Kirk Hammett then joined Metallica.
Forever known as a controversial year for Kiss, it was in 1983 that the band removed their makeup.
Another milestone of the year was the worldwide success of "Cum On Feel The Noize ," and it's already possible to see Hard Rock and Heavy Metal moving towards becoming mainstream.
– Foundation of the bands Bon Jovi, Fates Warning, Helloween, Megadeth and Testament
– Release of the albums “Kill 'Em All” (Metallica), “Piece of Mind” (Iron Maiden), “Holy Diver” (Dio), “Born Again” (Black Sabbath), “Into Glory Ride” (Manowar), “Bark at the Moon” (Ozzy Osbourne), “Pyromania” (Def Leppard), “Restless and Wild” (Accept) (Quiet Riot), “Power & the Glory” (Saxon), “Show No Mercy” (Slayer), “Thunder and Lightning” (Thin Lizzy), “You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll” (Twisted Sister)
03. Year 1970
Need I say more? In 1970, Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album, forever changing all of our lives. Considered by many to be the year that marked the beginning of Heavy Metal, 1970 also saw several legendary releases: “Paranoid” (Black Sabbath), “In Rock” (Deep Purple), “Led Zeppelin III” (Led Zeppelin), “UFO 1” (UFO), “American Woman” (The Guess Who).
02. Year 1981
In 1981, a certain Bruce Dickinson joined Iron Maiden. Want more? In the same year, these small bands were founded: Anthrax, Metallica, Slayer, Queensryche, Mercyful Fate, Mötley Crüe, and Pantera.
– Release of the albums “Killers” and “Maiden Japan” (Iron Maiden), “Point Of Entry” (Judas Priest), “For Those About To Rock We Salute You” (AC/DC), “Mob Rules” (Black Sabbath), “High 'N' Dry” (Def Leppard), “Night Of The Demon” (Demon), “Too Fast For Love” (Motley Crue), “No Sleep 'Till Hammersmith” (Motorhead), “Diary Of A Madman” (Ozzy Osbourne), “Moving Pictures” (Rush), “Denim And Leather” (Saxon), “Allied Forces” (Triumph), “Fair Warning” (Van Halen).
01. Year 1980
First of all, unfortunately in 1980 Rock lost two great icons: Bon Scott and John Bonham. Despite this, we also had good things.
Brian Johnson's subsequent entry into AC/DC resulted in the release of the second best-selling album in history, "Back In Black".
Iron Maiden has released their self-titled debut album.
Black Sabbath released their first album with Dio, the unforgettable "Heaven and Hell".
And you think Ozzy let it go easily? No, he released the excellent "Blizzard Of Ozz".
If that wasn't enough, we also got Judas Priest's "British Steel" and Motörhead's "Ace Of Spades".
Want even more? “Unmasked” (Kiss), “On Through the Night” (Def Leppard), “Permanent Waves” (Rush), “Animal Magnetism” (Scorpions), “Women And Children First” (Van Halen). Phew!
There's one more detail from 1980: At Samson, Bruce Dickinson emerged onto the world stage with the album "Head On".
– Founding of the bands Exodus, Grave Digger, Manowar, Metal Church, Ozzy (solo career) and Overkill
Check out other lists in the Top 11 section.
