The roots of heavy metal in the 1980s stretch back to the classic rock era of the 1970s, where a handful of albums laid the groundwork for the genre's explosive rise in the following decade. While these records may not have been widely recognized at the time, they were instrumental in shaping the sound and style of 80s metal. From the seamless interplay of vocals and guitar riffs to the introduction of prototype speed metal, these albums were ahead of their time. In my opinion, the 70s were a golden age for rock music, and these albums are a testament to that. Let's take a closer look at 10 classic rock albums from the 70s that unintentionally paved the way for heavy metal in the 80s.
Uriah Heep - Demons And Wizards (1972)
Uriah Heep's 'Demons And Wizards' is a masterpiece that, despite being critically panned upon release, has since been revered. The seamless interplay between vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box is a standout feature, accented by fantastical lyricism and heavy riffing. This album is a prime example of how classic rock bands were experimenting with heavier sounds, and it's fascinating to see how it influenced the development of metal in the 80s. Personally, I think the album's impact on the genre is often overlooked, and it's a detail that I find especially interesting.
BlueÖyster Cult - Tyranny And Mutation (1973)
Blue Öyster Cult's 'Tyranny And Mutation' is a record that exposes the band's metal roots better than any other. With their molten riffs and infectious hooks, they paved the way for the genre. The lineup of Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma, Allen Lanier, and Albert and Joe Bouchard was truly nuanced, and their influence on the development of 80s metal cannot be overstated. In my opinion, this album is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition.
Nazareth - Hair Of The Dog (1975)
Nazareth's 'Hair Of The Dog' is an important link between the 70s and 80s, with its bone-crushing rhythms, huge guitars, and monster vocals. The album's influence on Guns N' Roses is well-documented, and it's fascinating to see how it set the stage for the rise of 80s metal. One thing that immediately stands out is the album's impact on Axl Rose, who credited Nazareth as an influence on his own music.
Budgie - Never Turn Your Back On A Friend (1973)
Budgie's early albums ushered in a heaviness rivaled only by Black Sabbath, but 'Never Turn Your Back On A Friend' further pushed the envelope. The album introduced some prototype speed metal in 'Breadfan', and its importance is best illustrated by Metallica's cover of the same song. This album is a testament to the band's willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of rock music.
Led Zeppelin - Presence (1976)
Led Zeppelin's 'Presence' is a pivotal album in the development of 80s metal. The classically-inspired epic 'Achilles Last Stand' is a standout track that lent itself to the more ambitious musings of bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. In my opinion, this album is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition, and it's a detail that I find especially interesting.
Starz - Starz (1976)
Starz's self-titled debut album is a blend of glam and hard rock, with tracks like 'Night Crawler' and 'Detroit Girls' being gritty, pop-oriented cuts. The band's influence on 80s hair metal cannot be overstated, and it's fascinating to see how they set the stage for the rise of the genre. What many people don't realize is that Starz's impact on the development of 80s metal is often overlooked.
Kiss - Kiss (1973)
Kiss's debut album may not have blown the lid off the scene, but the success of 'Alive!' ensured that classics like 'Deuce' and 'Black Diamond' would set the standard for melodic hard rock in the 70s. The band's over-the-top stage shows also set the stage for the rise of 80s metal. In my opinion, Kiss's influence on the genre is often underestimated.
Aerosmith - Rocks (1976)
Aerosmith's 'Rocks' is a heavier record that laid the sleaze-rock blueprint for Guns N' Roses and Skid Row to follow in the late 80s. The album's impact on the development of 80s metal is undeniable, and it's fascinating to see how it set the stage for the rise of the genre. One thing that immediately stands out is the album's influence on Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, who became icons of 80s metal.
Rainbow - Rising (1976)
Rainbow's 'Rising' is a record that hit the reset button for 70s rock, with vocalist Ronnie James Dio and guitarist Richie Blackmore pairing up to create a musical tour de force. The album's envelope-pushing bombast is a harbinger for 80s power metal, and it's fascinating to see how it set the stage for the rise of the genre. In my opinion, this album is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition.
Van Halen - Van Halen (1978)
Van Halen's debut album is a musical tour de force that set the stage for 80s metal. The band's hot-rodded guitars, aggressive riffs, shredding solos, and soaring choruses created a blueprint that 80s bands would imitate ad nauseam. In my opinion, this album is a masterpiece that deserves to be recognized as a cornerstone of 80s metal.
Takeaway
These 10 classic rock albums from the 70s were instrumental in shaping the sound and style of 80s metal. From the seamless interplay of vocals and guitar riffs to the introduction of prototype speed metal, these albums were ahead of their time. In my opinion, the 70s were a golden age for rock music, and these albums are a testament to that. If you take a step back and think about it, you'll realize that these albums were the building blocks of a genre that would go on to define an entire decade.
