Inspired by the discussion in the Iron Maiden and Van Halen Roth era threads , I started to think about albums that were "game changers" in their genre. Albums that are generally respected most of the fans of a particular genre, and considered to be the album that either established a particular movement within, or a major shift within their genre. The album doesn't exactly need to be the best by that particular artist, or even the best in that particular genre. It doesn't even really need to be the first album in that particular style by that artist. But it should be highly regarded ect ect
With that being said, here are some of the albums that come to mind when I think about this. In no particular order of importance (except maybe the first entry).
1. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
The World's introduction to Heavy Metal. In mainstream rock circles, flower power was still all the rage when this album was given birth. If you put this album in context of when it was released, it might be the most brutal and heavy album ever produced. Almost 50 years later, this album's influence on the genre is still very clear and apparent.
2. Judas Priest - Stained Class
The band was already well on its way by the time that they made this album, but this is the one that cemented them as one of the greatest of all time. Saints in Hell and Beyond the Realms of Death are heavy metal staples.
3. Rainbow - Rising
Building on his ground breaking efforts in Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore took things a step further with Rainbow. This is the band's second album, but songs like Tarot Woman and Stargazer helped establish a sound that would be copied by neo-classical metal bands to come in the next decade and beyond.
4. Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell
Not only is this the band's second mention on my list, it's Ronnie James Dio's second mention as well. The band reinvented themselves with this record and heavily influenced everything that would come after it in the genre.
5. Fates Warning - Awaken the Guardian
Probably the least known album and band on this list, I think it's safe to say that this website might not exist without them. This band and album were a huge influence on every ProgMetal band to follow it. My personal favorites from this record is Guardian and Prelude to Ruin.
6. Yes - The Yes Album
The band's third record seen them find their footing and establish the direction that they would take in the decade to follow it. I'm a huge fan of every track except Adventure, but it's still a strong track that's surrounded by brilliance.
7. Genesis - Nursery Cryme
The band's third album, and first with their classic line-up. The Musical Box still has the power to move me a quarter of a century after I first discovered it.
8. Dream Theater - Images and Words
This being a DT fan site, everything that can or will be said has already been said about this album.
9. Queensryche - Rage for Order
The band's third studio effort, and second full length album. The band at this point would completely alter their sound for each effort, so in a way it's difficult to say that it was a game changer in that regard. However, this is the one that forced everyone else to thing outside the box. Combining synth-pop and heavy metal was probably on nobody else's radar before this album hit.
10. Metallica - Master of Puppets
Thrash in its most perfect form. There were arguably better album to come (Rust in Peace), but this is the blueprint without question.
11. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
This album took the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" movement in the early 80's to new heights, and established a blueprint for the rest of the decade. To call this album hugely influential would be a gross understatement.
12. Van Halen - Van Halen
Guitar playing would never be the same. To say that about an album that is entrenched in a genre that is "guitars first" is a huge statement.
13. Journey - Infinity
I'm usually a bigger fan of their earlier work, but the influence on Power Pop that this album has can't be over-stated. Songs such as Lights and Wheel in the Sky have been staples on rock/classic rock stations since this album came out. Winds of March might be one of the most powerful and emotional ballads ever recorded.
I'm sure that some other albums might come to mind later, but in my opinion these albums are major pieces of works that deserve all of the praise that they can get. I'd also like to give bands like UFO(Lights Out), Dio(Holy Diver), Deep Purple(Machine Head) and Led Zeppelin(ZOSO) an honorable mention.
Thoughts?