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Heavy Metal Albums I Used to Listen To

Classic Album Review | February 27, 2026



Here are some old Heavy Metal albums dusted off that I used to enjoy many years ago. Warning, this video may feature spandex.

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Written by Classic Album Review

Comments

This post currently has 36 comments.

  1. @ShadowCommander1167

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Great video. I saw Krokus on the Headhunter tour with Blackfoot and Twisted Sister. What a show! Great album. Saw the band again several years ago. Met them as well. Nice guys. They're from Switzerland by the way.

  2. @michaelsterckx4120

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    The New Wave of British Heavy Metal labelling of 79 – 80, and the EMI Metal for Muthas compilation in early 1980 switched things from Heavy Rock to Heavy Metal, and Quo were definitely considered Heavy Rock at the time.

  3. @jasonladd6400

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    I was a big Demon fan also. Unexpected Guest is as good as a Mob Rules in its own way. I didn't like the Plague or British Standard approved that followed but I listened back to them during the pandemic recently and can see they are concept masterpieces, just not for my youth as I wasn't proggy until much later.

  4. @oliverl.5834

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Krokus are from Switzerland. They and Lea Aaron are the only ones on this list I know. If not those particular albums. I don't think you said why you don't listen to them anymore?

  5. @starkillerclub3755

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Man, it's not always easy to come clean about one's 80's metal listening habits, so hats hats off to you for putting yours out there.
    Here go a few of my own guilty pleasures (not including the obvious, Maiden, Priest, Scorpions, etc)

    Manowar – Hail to England
    Saxon – Denim and Leather
    Accept – Restless and Wild
    Savatage – Hall of the Mountian King
    Riot – Fire Down Under
    Queensryche – Warning
    Axe – Offering
    Pretty Maids – Future World
    TT Quick – Metal of Honor
    Armored Saint – March of the Saint

  6. @pjtheory

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Headhunter is a heavy metal masterpiece and it demonstrated that Krokus was not simply an AC/DC clone. Marc Storace's prodigious vocal talents were in full bloom on this album as he seamlessly switched from hard rockers (e.g., Headhunter, Eat The Rich) to the power ballad Screaming In The Night. Headhunter was a critical (e.g., Kerrang magazine lauded it as one of 1983's best albums) and commercial (e.g., platinum record) success, and IMO, it is almost (e.g., not a fan of Ready To Burn) a perfect album.

  7. @markedwards3927

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Evening Barry! What a great list, as ever. As a 'late 50's something' I grew up listening to a lot of metal, in hindsight a lot of it not very good. I do remember Krokus, but in my case it was Metal Rendez-Vous, and the opening track Heatstrokes. Madam X was also in my collection, and I was at the Hammersmith Odeon for Scorpions on their Savage Amusement tour – still waiting for your ranking of the teutonic titans albums! Something I particularly remember from this period was the Metal for Muthas compilation albums, featuring everything from Samson to Toad and the Wet Sprocket – my personal favourite being Lady of Mars (no, not Ash) by Dark Star. Brilliant.

  8. @Dibbdroid

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    I wouldn't be too fussed about categories and genres in music, it's for the media and marketing people.
    In the later 70s my local record store had Deep Purple under "progressive rock" and Black Sabbath as "heavy rock". If it's good and you like it who cares?

  9. @aitechnasus1041

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Hello Barry Robinson I Hope You Have A Great Wonderful Week Ahead Blessed With Beautiful Accomplishments And Achievements Great Success Total Happiness Sunshine And Smiles That Will Allow To Enjoy Your Life As A Happy And Successful Person In The World.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  10. @ImTheDudeMan471

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    The first 2 or 3 "Helmet" albums seared my metal soul in the 90's. My neighbors did not appreciate it. The thing about the early stuff is that you could also use their songs as strip club songs 🤘

  11. @terryjohnson5275

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Other than the Krokus (swiss) and Helix I also had all the albums mentioned. Roxy Petrucci, Madam X's drummer is the connection with Vixen. Waysted became a big favourite, especially after Tonka Chapman joined, though Ronnie Kayfield was pretty good on Vices (and yes it was their first) and when I got to meet them backstage after they supported Dio at Bristol in 1983 I mentioned that his guitar solo in Night of the Wolf replicated the sound of the wolf prowling and laughing -thought that was pretty obvious, however he was pretty stoked that I got the reference. At that backstage meet Pete Way after first being given a can of Heineken to drink was then given a can of Special Brew and proclaimed that the former felt like having a change of blood. There was aslo a moment why =en he and PAul RAyond disappered for a few minutes , duirng whihc time we got chatting to Reuben Archer who was also backstage. When they returned they appeared somewhat rejuvenated – have no idea why that could have been though 🤔🤔🤔
    I also bought the Madam X after seeing them on ECT however I already had the Lee Aaron, not sure why I bought it – possibly the cover and/or review in Kerrang.
    Demon's Night of the Demon was a favourite of mine when I was at college – side 1 far outweighed side 2 though, and I got to see them at the old Marquee in summer 82. They should have been a lot bgger than gey ever were.

    And being of a certain age, I have to agree with you in that a lot of bands who would never now be called Heavy Metal were labelled Heavy Metal back in the late 70's and early 80's. Many of them would now be calssed as heavy or hard rock, even AOR but back then even a band like Journey would be considered to be HM.

  12. @pkats9093

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Nice blast from the past! All I can say is thank goodness for bands like Metallica, Megadeth, etc. They certainly brought metal to another level. A very welcome change back in the day

  13. @danielmcevoy976

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    I'm so sick of the what's Heavy Metal argument. I'm 51 and I remember when everyone called Deep Purple heavy metal. Personally I think there's Rock and Roll and Hard Rock (with no roll)…both can be Heavy. Motorhead is R&R and Megadeth is hard rock…it doesn't roll at all. I don't care if all the tough guys disagree. Most people who only like heavy stuff are insecure and trying desperately to be tough.

  14. @louderthanlife

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    Excellent call on Helix, Madam X & Krokus. I will defend that Madam X album to the death. It's truly an unsung classic of the genre. Goofy? Damn right, but sooooooo much fun.

  15. @kellywann3794

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    I agree with the confusion about genres and sub genres. I remember the music that far preceded their labels, prog, alternative, gothic and on and on. I learned my lesson early by working in a bookstore where my coworker insisted on sub categorizing everything. The philosophy section was maddening.

  16. @greattunesking1

    February 27, 2026 at 11:03 pm

    When I heard Silver Machine by Hawkwind in 1974 it blew my mind. That is when my Album collection got very big. And "Helix." "No West For The Wicked." "Heavy Metal Love." kicked butt. Also. A band called; "Heavy Pettin." And the album called; "Lettin Loose."Was a killer album. And I loved all the "Riot." Albums. "Krocus." from Switzerland burned when they did "Screaming In The Night." And also "Heatstroke." by "Krokus." was a killer track. This guy knows his stuff.

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