Best 1980s Metal Songs

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   Breaking the Law

   Judas Priest · from British Steel (1980) · Album scores 92/99

   Metal streamlined into a perfect anthem.

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   Ace of Spades

   Motörhead · from Ace of Spades (1980) · Album scores 80/99

   Fast, dirty and immortal.

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   Crazy Train

   Ozzy Osbourne · from Blizzard of Ozz (1980) · Album scores 81/99

   Randy Rhoads' riff and a huge hook.

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   The Trooper

   Iron Maiden · from Piece of Mind (1983) · Album scores 84/99

   The gallop riff and the Charge of the Light Brigade: pure NWOBHM.

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   Master of Puppets

   Metallica · from Master of Puppets (1986) · Album scores 81/99

   The thrash metal landmark — eight minutes of unrelenting tension and release.

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   Raining Blood

   Slayer · from Reign in Blood (1986) · Album scores 78/99

   Four minutes of the most hostile thing on vinyl in 1986.

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   Peace Sells

   Megadeth · from Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986) · Album scores 92/99

   The bass intro and the political fury: Mustaine at his sharpest.

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