20 Rock and Metal Albums That Changed Everything
Rock music has evolved over the years, and so many sub-genres have been born through it. We've had plenty of significant shifts in the rock landscape, and a vast array of stunning albums. But, there are 20 rock albums that, in their time, changed a great deal. The movement was shifted, and rock music evolved.
Here, in chronological order, are the most significant game changing rock albums...
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 'Are You Experienced' (1967)
If we’re talking game-changers (and we are), there were few who shifted the focus of heavy rock music like Jimi Hendrix. This is an album that took guitar work to a whole new area, which left the doors open to what could be achieved. Hendrix’s snake-charming ability to control massive volume swells made him the most sonically aggressive six-stringer.
The Beatles, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1967)
If we were ranking this list in order of significance, then we'd be hard pushed to find a more important album that Sgt. Pepper. Love it or not, this absolute masterpiece took music to a whole new level, and cemented The Fab Four's place in the history books. The genius of Lennon and McCartney pushed the band's music into new, undiscovered territories, that were never seen before.
Led Zeppelin, 'Led Zeppelin' (1969)
Before rock really began distancing itself from its blues roots, Led Zeppelin came along with sultry riffing and unconventional playing from their six-string master Jimmy Page. Robert Plant’s voice careened into the heavens, ushering in a new brand of rock ‘n’ roll singers that completely moulded the hard rock scene in the '70s. They've done better albums, but none would be more significant that their self-titled debut.
Black Sabbath, 'Black Sabbath' (1970)
We don’t need to explain this one to you, do we? Well, if we must… Black Sabbath was ominously released on Feb. 13 in 1970 and changed music forever. Hard rock was turned on its head, and this was the formation of heavy metal. And just look at what has happened since! Without Sabbath's debut album, we'd not have been blessed with the long line of metal bands that followed. Hardcore metal fans owe it all to Sabbath.
Deep Purple, 'Deep Purple In Rock' (1970)
Hard rock music was already on the rise with Led Zeppelin well into the flow of things, but, hugely significantly, Deep Purple played a crucial role in its development, and entered the mix with their popular album Deep Purple In Rock. Big or small, everyone needs a rival to push them to their very limits, and it seems, for that golden period in the '70s, Zep and Purps brought out the very best from each other.
David Bowie, 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' (1972)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is the fifth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released on 16 June 1972 in the United Kingdom. This was hugely significant because it spoke to so many people on so many levels. Described as a rock opera and also a loose concept album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is about Bowie's titular alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous bisexual rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings.
Pink Floyd, 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' (1973)
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 1 March 1973 by Harvest Records. Primarily developed during live performances, the band premiered an early version of the record several months before recording began. This album is easily regarded as the band's best work, and as one of the greatest ever albums of any music genre.
Van Halen, 'Van Halen' (1978)
We’re not saying there weren’t some mean, ripping guitar players before Eddie Van Halen, but he instantly erased any mention of them when Van Halen dropped their debut album. Bringing in new techniques like tapping, Eddie changed the whole dynamic of guitar playing, and set the tone for rock music in the '80s.
Sex Pistols, 'Never Mind the Bollocks' (1977)
The Sex Pistols, who placed a higher value on attitude and image than they did playing (or even learning) their instruments smashed their way onto the scene in the late '70s. Their one and only album Never Mind the Bollocks was all they needed to hit the heights never reached before by a punk rock band. The album represents all of punk’s unbridled, anti- mentality in one short batch of songs, lauded for its musical ignorance, lyrical venom and carefree mindset.
AC/DC, 'Back In Black' (1980)
When you consider the circumstances of this album, its significance is even more telling. Still the biggest ever selling hard rock album (£40 million + copies sold), Back In Black is widely regarded as the best rock album in history, and with tracks like "Hells Bells," "Shoot To Thrill," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and the title track, it's hard to argue with that.
Guns N' Roses, 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987)
By the late ‘80s, hair metal had driven a wedge into the rock community, leaving one side which found the style to be pop music for rockers and those who finally starting listening to heavier music. Guns N’ Roses united fans on both of these sides with the explosive, feral Appetite for Destruction. They changed the rock landscape, giving it the gritty edge it had been missing. Guns N' Roses had a short spell at the top, but, heck, it certainly was explosive.
Jane's Addiction, 'Nothing's Shocking' (1988)
With glam metal hogging so much of the '80s, we didn't see much in the way of genre mashing, as bands continued to work from the 'script', with less emphasis on innovation. Jane’s Addiction changed this all on Nothing’s Shocking, giving the world its first real taste of alternative hard rock. This was a newly formed style of rock that would help set the tone of what was to follow in the '90s.
Nine Inch Nails, 'Pretty Hate Machine' (1989)
Ministry may have gotten the ball rolling on the industrial movement of the late '80s, but Nine Inch Nails took it to the masses with the groundbreaking debut 'Pretty Hate Machine.' With the heavy and creative use of synthesizers creating a moody tone, the unique sound captured on such classics like "Head Like a Hole," "Terrible Lie" and "Sin." Trent Reznor's genius would pave the way for NIN's multiplatinum success with 'The Downward Spiral' five years later, and influence countless imitators who never reached the heights of NIN.
Nirvana, 'Nevermind' (1991)
With glam metal waning in popularity, the official end to the craze can be marked on the same day Nirvana released Nevermind. In fact, if there ever was a final nail in the glam metal coffin, Nirvana were the ones to hammer it in, firmly. The albums perfected the grunge style which was already blooming, stripping away metal’s excess in favour of slack-wristed riffs and a woeful attitude that spoke to listeners on a more human, relatable level. Behind it all was Kurt Cobain, who would be heralded as the “Voice of a Generation.”
Metallica, 'Metallica' (1991)
After their hugely successful thrash metal albums in the '80s, Metallica veered off into a completely new musical direction, leaving them with a new, more commercially friendly hard rock sound. Sticking mostly to plodding mid-tempos, Metallica (often referred to as 'The Black Album') placed an emphasis on hook-laden riffs further executed through even more memorable refrains. The palpable sense of angst kept Metallica grounded in the metal world, but this album was much bigger than just their four members.
Green Day, 'Dookie' (1993)
Pop and punk, in theory, could never mix into one. I mean, seriously? Would anyone even try to attempt it? Well, Green Day did, and it worked. In fact, it shot them to the very top and paved the way for the commercial pop-punk movement to flourish. Dookie took punk’s no frills songwriting approach with a sense of fun and positivity, centring songs around undeniable hooks, spurring a wave of copycats, and a new generation of punk-rockers.
Korn, 'Korn' (1994)
Nu-metal’s birth can be traced to Korn’s self-titled debut in 1994. Though their influences were scattered, ranging from grunge and hip-hop to metal and hardcore, Korn tied it together with downturned rhythms. This is an album that sounds very heavy and true to its principles, but it still had commercial appeal. It Set the tone for a whole generation of mainstream nu-metal bands.
Radiohead, 'OK Computer' (1997)
OK Computer is the third studio album by English rock band Radiohead, first released on 21 May 1997 on EMI subsidiaries Parlophone and Capitol Records. The members of Radiohead self-produced the album with Nigel Godrich, an arrangement they have used for their subsequent albums. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest music albums of any genre.
Linkin Park, 'Hybrid Theory' (2000)
Nu-metal was already thriving, and so was rap metal, so, when Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory smashed its way onto the scene in 2000, it wasn't expected to do all that well. But, it did. In fact, it did extremely well, and it is still widely considered to be the most influential nu-metal album ever created. Chester's voice had a certain scream that could be traced back to the original rock vocalists from the '70s, and with his meaningful lyrics, this album spoke to people on a level that hadn't been seen since the early grunge movement.
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