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Top 200 Metal Masterpieces of All Time


RANKING CRITERIA :

- Originality [ 35% of the rating ]
- Songwriting [ 35% of the rating ]
- Performance [ 30% of the rating ]

Neither the popularity among the fans nor the commercial success (or unsuccess) of the albums were taken into account in the selection.

Created by: Vasil de Shumen | 10.03.2012



1. Metallica - Ride The Lightning
1984
2. Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast
1982
3. Metallica - Master Of Puppets
1986
4. Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality
1971
5. Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind
1983
6. Iron Maiden - Powerslave
1984
7. Anacrusis - Screams And Whispers
1993
8. Megadeth - Rust In Peace
1990
9. Black Sabbath - Paranoid
1970
10. Manowar - Hail To England
1984
11. Rainbow - Rising
1976
12. AC/DC - Let There Be Rock (Australia)
1977
13. Van Halen - Van Halen
1978
14. Deep Purple - In Rock
1970
15. King Diamond - Abigail
1987
16. Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
1986
17. Rainbow - Long Live Rock 'N' Roll
1978
18. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
1980
19. Metallica - Kill 'Em All
1983
20. Megadeth - So Far, So Good... So What?
1988
21. Death - The Sound Of Perseverance
1998
22. Pantera - Cowboys From Hell
1990
23. Death - Symbolic
1995
24. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II
1988
25. Manowar - Sign Of The Hammer
1984
26. Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance
1982
27. Anthrax - Among The Living
1987
28. Metallica - ...And Justice For All
1988
29. Judas Priest - Painkiller
1990
30. Coroner - Grin
1993
31. At The Gates - The Red In The Sky Is Ours
1992
32. W.A.S.P. - The Headless Children
1989
33. Coroner - Mental Vortex
1991
34. Psychotic Waltz - A Social Grace
1990
35. Savatage - Hall Of The Mountain King
1987
36. Cynic - Focus
1993
37. Judas Priest - Sad Wings Of Destiny
1976
38. Dio - Holy Diver
1983
39. Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
1986
40. Savatage - Streets: A Rock Opera
1991
41. Candlemass - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
1986
42. Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime
1988
43. Pantera - Vulgar Display Of Power
1992
44. Slayer - Reign In Blood
1986
45. Dream Theater - Images And Words
1992
46. W.A.S.P. - W.A.S.P.
1984
47. Paradise Lost - Gothic
1991
48. Avenged Sevenfold - City Of Evil
2005
49. My Dying Bride - Turn Loose The Swans
1993
50. Savatage - Gutter Ballet
1989
51. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
1988
52. Mercyful Fate - Melissa
1983
53. Voivod - Nothingface
1989
54. Opeth - Blackwater Park
2001
55. Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory
1999
56. Dream Theater - Awake
1994
57. Metal Church - Metal Church
1984
58. Death - Human
1991
59. Opeth - Morningrise
1996
60. Depressive Age - Symbols For The Blue Times
1994
61. Voivod - Dimension Hatröss
1988
62. Fates Warning - Awaken The Guardian
1986
63. Annihilator - Alice In Hell
1989
64. Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss
1990
65. Anacrusis - Manic Impressions
1991
66. Toxik - World Circus
1987
67. Alice In Chains - Dirt
1992
68. Holy Terror - Mind Wars
1988
69. Death - Individual Thought Patterns
1993
70. Opeth - Still Life
1999
71. Accept - Restless And Wild
1982
72. Helloween - Walls Of Jericho
1985
73. Motörhead - Overkill
1979
74. Arcturus - Aspera Hiems Symfonia
1996
75. Raven - Wiped Out
1982
76. Paradise Lost - Shades Of God
1992
77. Bathory - Hammerheart
1990
78. Annihilator - Never, Neverland
1990
79. Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond
1992
80. Twisted Sister - Under The Blade
1982
81. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath Vol. 4
1972
82. Crimson Glory - Crimson Glory
1986
83. Atheist - Unquestionable Presence
1991
84. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I
1987
85. Destruction - Eternal Devastation
1986
86. Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath
1984
87. Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry
1984
88. Coroner - No More Color
1989
89. Fates Warning - The Spectre Within
1985
90. Motörhead - Ace Of Spades
1980
91. King Diamond - Conspiracy
1989
92. Judas Priest - Stained Class
1978
93. Helstar - Nosferatu
1989
94. Manowar - Into Glory Ride
1983
95. Manowar - Battle Hymns
1982
96. Coroner - Punishment For Decadence
1988
97. Diamond Head - Lightning To The Nations
1980
98. Voivod - The Outer Limits
1993
99. Anthrax - Spreading The Disease
1985
100. Crimson Glory - Transcendence
1988
101. Dream Theater - When Dream And Day Unite
1989
102. Candlemass - Nightfall
1987
103. Accept - Metal Heart
1985
104. Queensrÿche - The Warning
1984
105. Sepultura - Beneath The Remains
1989
106. Iron Maiden - Killers
1981
107. Overkill - Feel The Fire
1985
108. Hammers Of Misfortune - The August Engine
2003
109. Mekong Delta - The Music Of Erich Zann
1988
110. Psychotic Waltz - Into The Everflow
1992
111. Savatage - Edge Of Thorns
1993
112. King Diamond - "Them"
1988
113. Edge Of Sanity - Crimson
1996
114. Paradise Lost - Icon
1993
115. King Diamond - The Eye
1990
116. Cacophony - Speed Metal Symphony
1987
117. Slayer - Hell Awaits
1985
118. Dio - The Last In Line
1984
119. Holy Terror - Terror And Submission
1987
120. Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness
1989
121. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force
1984
122. Death - Leprosy
1988
123. Kreator - Coma Of Souls
1990
124. Dissection - Storm Of The Light's Bane
1995
125. Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
1998
126. Toxik - Think This
1989
127. Testament - The New Order
1988
128. Psychotic Waltz - Bleeding
1996
129. Death - Spiritual Healing
1990
130. Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction
1992
131. W.A.S.P. - The Crimson Idol
1992
132. Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
1997
133. Raven - Rock Until You Drop
1981
134. Trouble - Psalm 9
1984
135. Exodus - Bonded By Blood
1985
136. Wrathchild America - 3-D
1991
137. Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses
1993
138. Legend (JER) - Legend
1981
139. Sabbat - History Of A Time To Come
1988
140. Judas Priest - Defenders Of The Faith
1984
141. Megadeth - Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
1985
142. Fear Of God - Within The Veil
1991
143. Dissection - The Somberlain
1993
144. Heir Apparent - Graceful Inheritance
1986
145. Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse
1998
146. Fatal Opera - The Eleventh Hour
1997
147. Ozzy Osbourne - Diary Of A Madman
1981
148. Satan - Court In The Act
1983
149. Sanctuary - Into The Mirror Black
1989
150. Skid Row - Slave To The Grind
1991
151. Death Angel - The Ultra-Violence
1987
152. Skyclad - Irrational Anthems
1996
153. Metal Church - Blessing In Disguise
1989
154. Disharmonic Orchestra - Pleasuredome
1994
155. Fatal Opera - Fatal Opera
1992
156. Autopsy - Mental Funeral
1991
157. Ophthalamia - A Journey In Darkness
1994
158. Nuclear Assault - Game Over
1986
159. Overkill - The Years Of Decay
1989
160. Mastodon - Remission
2002
161. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
2005
162. Emperor - Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
1997
163. Realm - Endless War
1988
164. The Lord Weird Slough Feg - Down Among The Deadmen
2000
165. Manilla Road - The Deluge
1986
166. Flotsam And Jetsam - Doomsday For The Deceiver
1986
167. Angel Witch - Angel Witch
1980
168. Edge Of Sanity - Unorthodox
1992
169. Control Denied - The Fragile Art Of Existence
1999
170. Avenged Sevenfold - Waking The Fallen
2003
171. Watchtower - Energetic Disassembly
1985
172. Voivod - Killing Technology
1987
173. Testament - The Legacy
1987
174. Opeth - Orchid
1995
175. Slayer - South Of Heaven
1988
176. Hammers Of Misfortune - The Locust Years
2006
177. Marty Friedman - Dragon's Kiss
1988
178. Entombed - Left Hand Path
1990
179. Znowhite - Act Of God
1988
180. Sacred Blade - Of The Sun + Moon
1986
181. Anacrusis - Suffering Hour
1988
182. Dark Quarterer - Dark Quarterer
1987
183. Chastain - Ruler Of The Wasteland
1986
184. Riot - ThunderSteel
1988
185. Savatage - Sirens
1983
186. Warlord - Deliver Us
1983, cassette edit.
187. Mercyful Fate - Time
1994
188. Bitches Sin - Invaders
1986
189. Savatage - Poets And Madmen
2001
190. Death - Scream Bloody Gore
1987
191. Deathrow - Deception Ignored
1988
192. Phlebotomized - Immense Intense Suspense
1994
193. Savage - Loose 'N' Lethal
1983
194. Legend (JER) - Death In The Nursery
1982
195. Razor - Violent Restitution
1988
196. Heavy Load - Full Speed At High Level
1978
197. Pagan Altar - Volume 1
1998
198. Slauter Xstroyes - Winter Kill
1985
199. Lazarus Sin - Intracranial Mass
1988
200. Dark Millennium - Ashore The Celestial Burden
1992



Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by Vasil de Shumen ]



Comments page 2 / 3

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Comments: 77   Visited by: 872 users
07.04.2012 - 15:19
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
And that's why it comes off as incredibly elitist.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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07.04.2012 - 18:34
@gent_-_orange

So it is something other than the actual music then? If that's the case I am not on board because the only thing that should be judged is the music, Not some sort of Subjectively defined spirit the music might possess.

I feel sorry for a lot of the US black metal musicians who have their work put down that way purely because they are not from Europe.
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07.04.2012 - 20:11
Vasil de Shumen

Written by @gent_-_orange on 07.04.2012 at 18:34


... Not some sort of Subjectively defined spirit the music might possess.



My friend, metal music has always had a special Spirit. This is not something subjective. A true metal fan unmistakably recognize this Spirit. Am I right ... ?
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07.04.2012 - 20:56
@gent_-_orange

Written by Vasil de Shumen on 07.04.2012 at 20:11

Written by @gent_-_orange on 07.04.2012 at 18:34


... Not some sort of Subjectively defined spirit the music might possess.



My friend, metal music has always had a special Spirit. This is not something subjective. A true metal fan unmistakably recognize this Spirit. Am I right ... ?


Maybe , But I disagree with you if you think the American Black Metal band's don't have the spirit that many of the European ones do, I just think its a bit unfair to criticise the US bands for that, When their contributions to Black Metal are very relevant nowadays. But we may just have to agree to disagree.
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07.04.2012 - 21:29
Vasil de Shumen

Written by @gent_-_orange on 07.04.2012 at 20:56

Written by Vasil de Shumen on 07.04.2012 at 20:11

Written by @gent_-_orange on 07.04.2012 at 18:34


... Not some sort of Subjectively defined spirit the music might possess.



My friend, metal music has always had a special Spirit. This is not something subjective. A true metal fan unmistakably recognize this Spirit. Am I right ... ?


Maybe , But I disagree with you if you think the American Black Metal band's don't have the spirit that many of the European ones do, I just think its a bit unfair to criticise the US bands for that, When their contributions to Black Metal are very relevant nowadays. But we may just have to agree to disagree.


I respect all sincere metal musicians. But let they be authentic.
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07.04.2012 - 22:36
@gent_-_orange

Written by Vasil de Shumen on 07.04.2012 at 21:29


I respect all sincere metal musicians. But let they be authentic.


So do I
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08.04.2012 - 17:39
theFIST

Written by Vasil de Shumen on 07.04.2012 at 09:05

Written by theFIST on 05.04.2012 at 18:43


And maybe Az I Dahak by Black Funeral also qualifies, but i"m not sure how avant garde it is


This is ambient black metal ... but American. In my opinion, the genuine black metal is Scandinavian

some of their works are somewhat ambient, that one not really
also, "genuine" black metal is by definition excluded from avant garde lists
----
http://metalstormmusicianscorner.bandcamp.com
Written by Warman on 07.11.2007 at 22:39
Haha, that's like saying "compose your own Metal album and upload it here, instead of writing a review of an album". :lol:
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08.04.2012 - 21:42
Vasil de Shumen

Written by theFIST on 08.04.2012 at 17:39


"genuine" black metal is by definition excluded from avant garde lists



correct statement
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22.04.2012 - 19:41
Vasil de Shumen

Have I missed any great metal masterpiece ....... ?
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22.04.2012 - 20:43
Cynic Metalhead
Paisa Vich Nasha
Top 200 Metal list is also featured on MS, it's just that you just shuffled the bands positions. So in terms of excitement? to be honest this list gonna be very boring. on the other hand, guys out here won't be too intrigued about "200 master list bor" cause all this stuff has already happened. let the gates should be open for the new bands or hunting of new talent.

but pat on the back for your efforts towards this list.
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22.04.2012 - 22:48
Vasil de Shumen

" ... let the gates should be open for the new bands or hunting of new talent.
but pat on the back for your efforts towards this list. "


I respect all young metal musicians.
The new bands are interesting and virtuoso musicians play . But ? somehow they aren't persuasive. The immediacy and the naturalness of 80s and 90s are gone There are too many influences and quotations.
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23.04.2012 - 03:15
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Vasil de Shumen on 22.04.2012 at 22:48
The new bands are interesting and virtuoso musicians play . But ? somehow they aren't persuasive. The immediacy and the naturalness of 80s and 90s are gone There are too many influences and quotations.

Maybe in terms of revivalism and old band rehashing an old sound, but there are so many new bands nowadays - and even new genres - so while you feel like the "naturalness" of the 80s/90s is gone, contemporary metal is in no way weakening.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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23.04.2012 - 20:13
Vasil de Shumen

Written by Troy Killjoy on 23.04.2012 at 03:15

Written by Vasil de Shumen on 22.04.2012 at 22:48
The new bands are interesting and virtuoso musicians play . But ? somehow they aren't persuasive. The immediacy and the naturalness of 80s and 90s are gone There are too many influences and quotations.

Maybe in terms of revivalism and old band rehashing an old sound, but there are so many new bands nowadays - and even new genres - so while you feel like the "naturalness" of the 80s/90s is gone, contemporary metal is in no way weakening.


and again - I respect all new bands

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The HISTORY OF METAL MUSIC ( in my opinion) :

1. The Beginning ( 1969 - 1974 )

2. Pre-Classical Years ( 1975 - 1979 )

3. Classical Years - GOLDEN Age ( 1980 - 1990 )

4. Experimental Years - SILVER Age ( 1991 - 1996 )

5. Pre-Decadent Years ( 1997 - 2006 )

6. Decadent Years ( 2007 ----- now ----->
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23.04.2012 - 20:16
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
It must really suck to judge thousands of hours' worth of music so negatively based solely on the fact of what year it was released...

Oh well, to each their own.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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23.04.2012 - 21:11
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Written by Troy Killjoy on 23.04.2012 at 20:16

It must really suck to judge thousands of hours' worth of music so negatively based solely on the fact of what year it was released...

Oh well, to each their own.


I felt the same, which is why I probably won't bother to even recommend any "masterpieces" considering who they belong to some tag called "decadent" years. LOL.
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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24.04.2012 - 20:09
Vasil de Shumen

Written by X-Ray Rod on 23.04.2012 at 21:11


I felt the same, which is why I probably won't bother to even recommend any "masterpieces" considering who they belong to some tag called "decadent" years. LOL.



The decadence of metal music has many aspects, but mostly :

1. In the new millennium fresh ideas are scarce, many of the new metal musicians often are "inspired" from the old originals.

2. The excessive use of digital technology destroys the music of many new bands. The recordings sound sterile and unnatural.


and again - I respect all new ( young ) metal musicians !!!
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30.04.2012 - 08:58
Vasil de Shumen

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 22.04.2012 at 20:43

Top 200 Metal list is also featured on MS, it's just that you re shuffled the bands positions...


Not true, my friend The MS Top 200 includes only 64 of these (my list) albums.

My Top 200 contains several almost unknown bands : Doctor Butcher, Disincarnate, Chastain, Deathrow, Anacrusis, Mekong Delta, Watchtower.
Also solo albums of Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine.
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30.04.2012 - 20:01
Cynic Metalhead
Paisa Vich Nasha
Written by Vasil de Shumen on 30.04.2012 at 08:58

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 22.04.2012 at 20:43

Top 200 Metal list is also featured on MS, it's just that you re shuffled the bands positions...


My Top 200 contains several almost unknown bands : Doctor Butcher, Disincarnate, Chastain, Deathrow, Anacrusis, Mekong Delta, Memento Mori, Watchtower.
Also solo albums of Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine.


Adding salt to the fucking tasteless dish won't change the taste of the food boi.

I really appreciate the way you introduces some of the "unknown" bands but it won't change the fact that some of the bands in your list had almost covered up by half of millions of Metalheads.
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30.04.2012 - 22:46
Vasil de Shumen

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 30.04.2012 at 20:01

Written by Vasil de Shumen on 30.04.2012 at 08:58


My Top 200 contains several almost unknown bands : Doctor Butcher, Disincarnate, Chastain, Deathrow, Anacrusis, Mekong Delta, Watchtower.
Also solo albums of Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine.



... I really appreciate the way you introduces some of the "unknown" bands but it won't change the fact that some of the bands in your list had almost covered up by half of millions of Metalheads.


I don't understand - what is the problem that many bands of my list are known to most fans
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01.05.2012 - 07:59
Cynic Metalhead
Paisa Vich Nasha
The problem is that this list is very common and boring.
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01.05.2012 - 10:05
Vasil de Shumen

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 01.05.2012 at 07:59

The problem is that this list is very common and boring.


If I wanted to be interesting, the list would have include many new and underground bands. But my purpose is to point the most valuable in the metal history - the Masterpieces. Therefore, the presence of classical groups is necessary and justified. Also - the old band's music is known art, but of such a kind that it cannot be surpassed by any later metal pieces, precisely because it isn't only form but SPIRIT. As we find it hard to part from the first spring days and pass into the season of full unfolding and ripening, so we tear ourselves almost regretfully away from this known and "boring" art, with its buds full of the coming wealth of IDEAS and forms, in order to see what ultimately became of it. In metal music, as in everything else, is not all unfolding and ripening a kind of withering, since in the full bloom we no longer have truth and reality appealing to us with that mysterious directness that is more magically eloquent than even perfection itself?

And again - my list contains and several almost unknown bands.
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01.05.2012 - 11:04
Cynic Metalhead
Paisa Vich Nasha
Masterpieces aren't the only stuffs which have evolved way back and having a consequences on the new bands. What Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Sabbath, Maiden, DT, Ozzy, Opeth, DT and many more classical metal bands did have a impact on new generation of Metal bands but classifying only them and saying " precisely because it is not form but SPIRIT" is utter biased. There are loads of masterpieces new generations( including underground) bands existing and will exist that will have their own influential way of defining history. 80's scene came and went drastically so do the 90's and 00's but this is 2012 and will follow up till the World ends, bands will come and gone by leaving their precious history with the fans all over the world. Like yesterday? Motorhead and Big 4 Tomorrow? Ensiferum, Insominium, Ahab and Future? um will wait and lets see.
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01.05.2012 - 13:42
Vasil de Shumen

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 01.05.2012 at 11:04

... There are loads of masterpieces new generations( including underground) bands existing and will exist that will have their own influential way of defining history ... this is 2012 and will follow up till the World ends, bands will come and gone by leaving their precious history with the fans all over the world ... Ensiferum, Insominium, Ahab and Future? um will wait and lets see.



Time will sort finest albums. Today is always biased ?
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01.05.2012 - 15:27
Cynic Metalhead
Paisa Vich Nasha
We are in today era so we have to deal with that only.
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21.06.2012 - 19:53
Vasil de Shumen

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 01.05.2012 at 15:27

We are in today era so we have to deal with that only.


We must not forget that albums from the 80s and 90s are the foundations of modern metal music - the rhythmical schemes, vocal lines, the riffs of main styles, lyrical themes, image of the musicians ... Many young fans have heard only names of the albums, but they haven't listened to these records.

If you want a good assessment of The Present, you must listen the masterpieces of The Past
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22.03.2014 - 07:48
Dr. Strawberry

It's a waste of my time to browse this list.
Certainly it's a Black Sabbath fan boy's list.
Yes, Black Sabbath is the most overrated Metal band in the universe !
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22.03.2014 - 07:53
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Dr. Strawberry on 22.03.2014 at 07:48
Yes, Black Sabbath is the most overrated Metal band in the universe !

You might not like their sound but you can't deny the influence they've had on the metal scene even now.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.03.2014 - 08:20
Dr. Strawberry

Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.03.2014 at 07:53

Written by Dr. Strawberry on 22.03.2014 at 07:48
Yes, Black Sabbath is the most overrated Metal band in the universe !

You might not like their sound but you can't deny the influence they've had on the metal scene even now.

Ozzy's vocals sound unique, no one can copy that.
A lot of people though he could not sing, it's actually a biggest overlooked, his vocals are flawless but Black Sabbath songs' composition are too simple. Today we can name it - "commercial" (which did not widely be used in the 70's - 80's).

Even nowadays none of any Judas Priest's album gives me that "cheesy feelings", so Black Sabbath can be regarded as today's Bon Jovi in the 70's and Judas Priest is still immortal.

As for the influence...they are only a copy cat, a rip-off of Coven, almost 85% similar !
Their fame came from the supports from the label - Advertisement & Publicity.
I mean They "Buy" Their Fans !
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22.03.2014 - 16:12
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
I think it's probably safer if we just agree to disagree.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.03.2014 - 16:25
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.03.2014 at 16:12

I think it's probably safer if we just agree to disagree.

The best course of action when dealing with someone who thinks Bloodbath are an experimental death metal band.
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