The Best Metal Albums of 1983

1982 had been a watershed year for heavy metal and in particular, the development of the future sound of metal. Bands like Anvil, Venom, Manowar and Twisted Sister helped shape the genre on all fronts, leading to the formation of the thrash and power genres. In the Bay Area of Los Angeles a new breed of metal musicians inspired by the music of Britain and Germany, created the fastest and meanest metal on the planet. Leading the brigade was Metallica, who essentially took the aesthetics of bands like Motorhead and Diamond Head to create a more ferocious form of metal than any that had ever been served up in America before. Soon, many bands would follow suit, including Anthrax, Slayer and Exodus.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, the glam movement took a turn that year with Motley Crue, Ratt, Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister taking prominence. This wave began well enough, but would soon fall apart as the decade continued onward. Classic bands like Accept and Iron Maiden were still creating fine records, and for many, this would be they’re finest year. Recently ejected from Black Sabbath, the beloved Ronnie James Dio, embarked on a solo career that would solidify  his reputation for all times, with Holy Diver.

 It was considerably difficult to really access what the best album of 1983 would be. Like the previous three years, several candidates could be seriously considered for the number one spot. Looking back at my previous articles, it was probably more than a tad eccentric to pick Fire Down Under as the album of 1981 over Killers, but melding personal preference with objectivity is a fine line. For 1983, the logical contenders seem to be between the trendsetting, Kill ‘Em All, the incredible Piece of Mind and the majestic, Holy Diver. All these albums are A+, and are all tied in my metal heart, but its Holy Diver as my first album pick. Yes, it’s sort of a cheat considering his experience in the genre, but the album is perfection. Then again, so was much of 1983.

1.Holy Diver-Dio

Man, this is a classic! After his glorious years in Rainbow and Black Sabbath, Dio’s persona comes full circle here, setting the standard for so much in the power metal genres. There were so many masterful debut records throughout the 1980s, and Holy Diver is one of the most legendary. Teaming with young axeman, Vivian Campbell of Sweet Savage, Dio spins tales of alienation and living on the fringe of society, marked by killer riffing. The title track and radio favorite, Rainbow in the Dark, are obvious genre classics, but other anthems like opener, Stand Up and Shout, Invisible and Shame on the Night, still endure. Holy Diver is a spot on production that combines a clean production, but with enough dirt and grime to make this indelible. Easily, one of the 25 greatest metal records of all time, this is a must-listen.