Best heavy metal albums
Heavy metal is the genre's classic core: riff-led songs, virtuosic guitar solos, and commanding vocals, codified by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Its iconography and album-length ambition shaped every extreme style that followed.
According to Riffiter listeners, the best heavy metal album is Reign in Blood by Slayer, rated 4.6/5 by 32 listeners.
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- 2
Battle CryJudas Priest · 20164.3 score · 4.4 avg · 17 ratings4.34.4 avg · 17 ratings
- 3
Pale CommunionOpeth · 20144.2 score · 4.5 avg · 14 ratings4.24.5 avg · 14 ratings
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Cowboys From HellPantera · 19904.2 score · 4.3 avg · 196 ratings4.24.3 avg · 196 ratings
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Ride the LightningMetallica · 19844.2 score · 4.3 avg · 163 ratings4.24.3 avg · 163 ratings
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The Lost ChildrenDisturbed · 20114.2 score · 4.3 avg · 28 ratings4.24.3 avg · 28 ratings
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Death on the RoadIron Maiden · 20054.2 score · 4.4 avg · 22 ratings4.24.4 avg · 22 ratings
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ParanoidBlack Sabbath · 19704.2 score · 4.3 avg · 28 ratings4.24.3 avg · 28 ratings
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Dealing with Demons IDevilDriver · 20204.2 score · 4.4 avg · 13 ratings4.24.4 avg · 13 ratings
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Rust in PeaceMegadeth · 19904.2 score · 4.2 avg · 241 ratings4.24.2 avg · 241 ratings
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Master of RealityBlack Sabbath · 19714.2 score · 4.3 avg · 21 ratings4.24.3 avg · 21 ratings
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Van HalenVan Halen · 19784.2 score · 4.3 avg · 26 ratings4.24.3 avg · 26 ratings
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Master of PuppetsMetallica · 19864.2 score · 4.2 avg · 328 ratings4.24.2 avg · 328 ratings
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1984Van Halen · 19834.2 score · 4.3 avg · 21 ratings4.24.3 avg · 21 ratings
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Diary of a MadmanOzzy Osbourne · 19814.2 score · 4.3 avg · 21 ratings4.24.3 avg · 21 ratings
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=1Deep Purple · 20244.2 score · 4.3 avg · 30 ratings4.24.3 avg · 30 ratings
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Hail to the King: Deathbat (Original Video Game Soundtrack)Avenged Sevenfold · 20154.2 score · 4.3 avg · 13 ratings4.24.3 avg · 13 ratings
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Screaming for VengeanceJudas Priest · 19824.2 score · 4.3 avg · 13 ratings4.24.3 avg · 13 ratings
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Digital Noise AllianceQueensrÿche · 20224.2 score · 4.3 avg · 13 ratings4.24.3 avg · 13 ratings
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PainkillerJudas Priest · 19904.1 score · 4.2 avg · 59 ratings4.14.2 avg · 59 ratings
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Seasons in the AbyssSlayer · 19904.1 score · 4.2 avg · 37 ratings4.14.2 avg · 37 ratings
- 22
Ace of SpadesMotörhead · 19804.1 score · 4.3 avg · 14 ratings4.14.3 avg · 14 ratings
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Blood MountainMastodon · 20064.1 score · 4.3 avg · 11 ratings4.14.3 avg · 11 ratings
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Rock the Night: The Very Best of EuropeEurope · 20044.1 score · 4.3 avg · 12 ratings4.14.3 avg · 12 ratings
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The Number of the BeastIron Maiden · 19824.1 score · 4.2 avg · 36 ratings4.14.2 avg · 36 ratings
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Defenders of the FaithJudas Priest · 19844.1 score · 4.2 avg · 27 ratings4.14.2 avg · 27 ratings
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Under CoverOzzy Osbourne · 20054.1 score · 4.3 avg · 10 ratings4.14.3 avg · 10 ratings
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Distance Over TimeDream Theater · 20194.1 score · 4.2 avg · 28 ratings4.14.2 avg · 28 ratings
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Vulgar Display of PowerPantera · 19924.1 score · 4.1 avg · 294 ratings4.14.1 avg · 294 ratings
- 30
Live at the Grand Olympic AuditoriumRage Against the Machine · 20034.1 score · 4.2 avg · 17 ratings4.14.2 avg · 17 ratings
- 31
Among the LivingAnthrax · 19874.1 score · 4.2 avg · 27 ratings4.14.2 avg · 27 ratings
- 32
Ceremony And DevotionGhost · 20174.1 score · 4.2 avg · 13 ratings4.14.2 avg · 13 ratings
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Rite Here Rite Now (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Ghost · 20244.1 score · 4.2 avg · 19 ratings4.14.2 avg · 19 ratings
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Train of ThoughtDream Theater · 20034.1 score · 4.1 avg · 81 ratings4.14.1 avg · 81 ratings
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City of EvilAvenged Sevenfold · 20054.1 score · 4.1 avg · 146 ratings4.14.1 avg · 146 ratings
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Brave New WorldIron Maiden · 20004.1 score · 4.2 avg · 20 ratings4.14.2 avg · 20 ratings
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MelioraGhost · 20154.1 score · 4.1 avg · 36 ratings4.14.1 avg · 36 ratings
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Divine InterventionSlayer · 19944.1 score · 4.2 avg · 16 ratings4.14.2 avg · 16 ratings
- 39
The Ultimate SinOzzy Osbourne · 19864.1 score · 4.1 avg · 28 ratings4.14.1 avg · 28 ratings
- 40
Machine HeadDeep Purple · 19724.1 score · 4.1 avg · 272 ratings4.14.1 avg · 272 ratings
- 41
Greatest Hits: The Atlantic YearsP.O.D. · 20064.1 score · 4.1 avg · 30 ratings4.14.1 avg · 30 ratings
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CMFTCorey Taylor · 20204.1 score · 4.2 avg · 12 ratings4.14.2 avg · 12 ratings
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Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live in DeutschlandVolbeat · 20204.1 score · 4.2 avg · 14 ratings4.14.2 avg · 14 ratings
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Holy DiverDio · 19834.1 score · 4.1 avg · 21 ratings4.14.1 avg · 21 ratings
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Around the FurDeftones · 19974.1 score · 4.1 avg · 365 ratings4.14.1 avg · 365 ratings
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A Real Live Dead One (Live; 1998 Remaster)Iron Maiden · 20134.1 score · 4.1 avg · 22 ratings4.14.1 avg · 22 ratings
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Giants & MonstersHelloween · 20254.1 score · 4.1 avg · 23 ratings4.14.1 avg · 23 ratings
- 48
Metal Works '73-'93Judas Priest · 19934.1 score · 4.1 avg · 38 ratings4.14.1 avg · 38 ratings
- 49
Black Wind, Fire and Steel: The Atlantic Albums 1987-1992Manowar · 20204.1 score · 4.1 avg · 17 ratings4.14.1 avg · 17 ratings
- 50
Blood of the SaintsPowerwolf · 20114.1 score · 4.1 avg · 18 ratings4.14.1 avg · 18 ratings
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