Twenty Five years ago was 1988, and it was a fantastic year for the awareness of metal. Some might say it was busting at the seams and possibly reached its height in popularity. Our beloved genre had bands on the charts, dominated MTV countdowns, and several arena tours simultaneously roaming the country.
Marty Friedman released my favorite record ever, Motley Crue entered rehab, and Pantera still wore spandex. Bands like Nine Inch Nails, Cannibal Corpse, and Paradise Lost were just starting to form while Metallica, Megadeth, Danzig, Slayer and Queensryche released some of their most celebrated work to date.
The following is a list of new albums I was rocking out to, many of which my dad also blasted on a daily basis!
Marty Friedman – Dragon's Kiss
Danzig – Danzig
Metallica – …And Justice For All
King Diamond – Them
Jason Becker – Perpetual Burn
Testament – The New Order
Death – Leprosy
Slayer – South of Heaven
Manowar – Kings of Metal
Queensryche – Operation: Mindcrime
Suicidal Tendencies – How Will I Laugh Tomorrow…
Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Living Colour – Vivid
Megadeth – So Far, So Good… So What!
Anthrax – State of Euphoria
For more, check out Frank's top list of 1987.
