OK..here's the first 5!
50- Judas Priest- Screaming For Vengeance (1982) I put this in as a last minute switch with one of my honoroable mentions. As much as I am a huge clssic metal guy, I've always only been a casual fan of Judas Priest. I mean, i like them as much as the next guy, but they have never really ranked as a favorite band of mine.
But this is one album that I absolutely treasure. It colntains probably the greatest album opening in the history of metal. And the album never really lets up. Even the secondary tracks I enjoy. I don't think Rob Halford ever sounded better.
Fave tracks: Screaming For Vengeance, Riding On The Wind, Hellion/Electric Eye
49- Blackfoot-Siogo (1983)Some consider 1983's Siogo as the beginning of the end of this southern (hard) rock band. They hired Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) on keyboards. But oddly they make a terrific album here. Sort of a Southern Rock meets NWOBHM. Ricky Medlocke was a great frontman. Currently, he is the face of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
This album was preceeded by 1981's Marauder. Again, classic hard rock meets southern rock. Maurauder gets an honorable mention here along with Tomcattin, and Strikes. Together these 4 albums are classics is the TAC collection.
Fave tracks off Siogo: Send Me An Angel, Teenage Idol, Sail Away
48- Heavy Pettin'- Lettin' Loose (1983)Scotland's entry into the NWOBHM. To me, this album captures that time perfectly. Musically it sits right in the middle of Def Leppard's High And Dry and Pyromania. If you are a fan of either of those albums, you MUST check out Lettin' Loose. Heavy Pettin' would go on to release two more albums, but I was less than impressed. Lettin' Loose ais a great "moment in time" album that is a must for any classic NWOBHM fan.
Fave tracks: Victims Of The Night, Hell Is Beautiful, Broken Heart
47- Heavenly- Dust To Dust (2004)Released in 2004, this to me is what it would be like if Queen released a metal album. I stumbled upon Heavenly while on Kai Hansen's website and noticed his work with the French band on their debut Coming From The Sky. I blind bought that and their second album Sign Of The Winner. Now Sign Of The Winner is a GREAT album, but their third, Dust To Dust goes "next level". There's is of course power, thrash, and melodic rock on this, a blending of styles to create a grand album. This album also has some of the best double bass drumming I've ever heard courtesy of Max Pilo. Unfortunately, the band spli in two after this release, with guitarist Frederic LeClerq now wasting his time as Dragonforce's bassist. Too bad because he is a phenominal musician.
Fave Tracks: Evil, Victory, Fight For Deliverance
46- Led Zeppelin- Physical Graffiti (1975)I am not a huge Zeppelin guy. I mean I like them and all, and recognize their influence, but they are NOT one of my favorite bands. Still I feel the inclusion of Physical Graffiti is necessary on my Top 50. To me, the double album is a "one stop shop" for Zeppelin. It is a showcase for all the band does. To me, it's their creative peak.
Fave Tracks: In My Time Of Dying, In The Light, The Wanton Song
Next update will be Wednesday morning, but there's 10 albums to chew on!