The Best Metal Albums of the 1970s

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.

1. 1
   ParanoidBlack Sabbath

   Paranoid

   Black Sabbath · 1970 · Metal

   The album that effectively founded heavy metal, riff after monstrous riff from 'War Pigs' to 'Iron Man'. Heavy, doom-laden and impossibly influential. Year zero for the genre.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
2. 2
   Black SabbathBlack Sabbath

   Black Sabbath

   Black Sabbath · 1970 · Metal

   The debut that effectively invented heavy metal, dark and doom-laden. Heavy and historic. Year zero for the genre.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
3. 3
   Master of RealityBlack Sabbath

   Master of Reality

   Black Sabbath · 1971 · Metal

   Down-tuned and even heavier, the record that seeded both doom and stoner metal. Sludgy, dark and pioneering. Essential Sabbath.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
4. 4
   Vol. 4Black Sabbath

   Vol. 4

   Black Sabbath · 1972 · Metal

   A heavier, more experimental peak, home to 'Supernaut' and 'Snowblind'. Sludgy and assured. A devotee favourite.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
5. 5
   Sabbath Bloody SabbathBlack Sabbath

   Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

   Black Sabbath · 1973 · Metal

   A more sophisticated peak balancing heaviness with melody and strings. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
6. 6
   OverkillMotörhead

   Overkill

   Motörhead · 1979 · Metal

   A fast, raw peak that helped birth speed metal. Loud and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
7. 7
   SabotageBlack Sabbath

   Sabotage

   Black Sabbath · 1975 · Metal

   A heavy, varied peak of the original line-up. Powerful and underrated. A fan favourite.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
8. 8
   Sad Wings of DestinyJudas Priest

   Sad Wings of Destiny

   Judas Priest · 1976 · Metal

   An early, ambitious landmark that helped define metal's template. Dramatic and influential. A cornerstone.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
9. 9
   BomberMotörhead

   Bomber

   Motörhead · 1979 · Metal

   A fast, raw hard-rock peak. Loud and beloved. A high point.

   Vinyl →CD →More →