Bands whose first album was their best.

Even though I'm a fan of all their stuff, I think Death Angel's first album is probably their best.

I gree with:

Living Sacrifice
Believer
Fifth Angel
Helloween

Haven't seen mentioned:

Warrior
Brutality
Terrorizer ( I know there were many years between releases)
Malevolent Creation

Definitely agree with Living Sacrifice.

Wurthless wrote:

brokentulsa wrote:

Queen

If it wasn't for A Night at the Opera, I'd have to agree with you.

I'd put ANATO and Queen II ahead of their S/T. I think their songwriting developed hugely between these two, leaving the S/T in the shade.

I'll also add Veni Domine to the list. Their first album was a perfect blend of classic metal with doomy touches and epic song structures. Nothing since has measured up to that for me.

ultmetal wrote:

As far as Napalm Death, I think they've released many great albums and have expanded their sound, while the debut was sort of a speed-for-speed-sake one trick pony. It was an important album in the history of heavy metal, not unlike Metallica's Kill 'Em All. However, much like Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, I think Napalm Death have released many great records. Inside the Torn Apart is actually the album that got me back into Napalm Death again. It's a kick-ass record that I prefer over Scum.

personal choice i guess.

to me however, everything after the first two is run of the mill death metal that everyone was playing with at that time. the particular period that you mentioned, they were further experimenting with their sound to make it more commercial. well done & good songs, but nothing unique. those first two albums championed something fresh & untouched. they created a genre & helped inspire the many styles within it. i'm glad you acknowledge it's (their) importance.

there was never a bad ND album though...

mc666 wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

As far as Napalm Death, I think they've released many great albums and have expanded their sound, while the debut was sort of a speed-for-speed-sake one trick pony. It was an important album in the history of heavy metal, not unlike Metallica's Kill 'Em All. However, much like Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, I think Napalm Death have released many great records. Inside the Torn Apart is actually the album that got me back into Napalm Death again. It's a kick-ass record that I prefer over Scum.

personal choice i guess.

to me however, everything after the first two is run of the mill death metal that everyone was playing with at that time. the particular period that you mentioned, they were further experimenting with their sound to make it more commercial. well done & good songs, but nothing unique. those first two albums championed something fresh & untouched. they created a genre & helped inspire the many styles within it. i'm glad you acknowledge it's (their) importance.

there was never a bad ND album though...

I guess I prefer the more 'commercial' sound, though no ND is really all that commercial.

ultmetal wrote:

mc666 wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

As far as Napalm Death, I think they've released many great albums and have expanded their sound, while the debut was sort of a speed-for-speed-sake one trick pony. It was an important album in the history of heavy metal, not unlike Metallica's Kill 'Em All. However, much like Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, I think Napalm Death have released many great records. Inside the Torn Apart is actually the album that got me back into Napalm Death again. It's a kick-ass record that I prefer over Scum.

personal choice i guess.

to me however, everything after the first two is run of the mill death metal that everyone was playing with at that time. the particular period that you mentioned, they were further experimenting with their sound to make it more commercial. well done & good songs, but nothing unique. those first two albums championed something fresh & untouched. they created a genre & helped inspire the many styles within it. i'm glad you acknowledge it's (their) importance.

there was never a bad ND album though...

I guess I prefer the more 'commercial' sound, though no ND is really all that commercial.

yeah that's a credit to them.. they always retain that death/grind sound.

Queen had an amazing run of albums in the 70s, not a truly bad album until Hot Space, so I'm a bit surprised to see people voting for the debut as their best.

I would put Sheer Heart Attack, Night At The Opera, Day At The Races and News Of The World ahead of the s/t.

S.D. wrote:

Queen had an amazing run of albums in the 70s, not a truly bad album until Hot Space, so I'm a bit surprised to see people voting for the debut as their best.

I would put Sheer Heart Attack, Night At The Opera, Day At The Races and News Of The World ahead of the s/t.

Agree! I would even put The Game ahead of the debut!

Wildside - Under the Influence is awesome, that grungy s/t follow-up is horrible
Ugly Kid Joe - America's Least Wanted is their best
Crashdiet - Rest in Sleaze, altough i wonder how their second album would've sound had the singer not commited suicide
Benedictum - Somehow they get weaker with every new album
Def Leppard - I think On through the Night is their best album
Spread Eagle - good debut, mediocre follow up
Nile - Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka was never topped, though In their darkened Shrines came really close.
Asia - Ever album after the debut was pretty mediocre
Hanoi Rocks - Even though the remake of Don't you ever leave me is miles better, i think the debut is their best album

From what i saw, i agree with all who named Dio and Cynic and disagree about Queen

I agree with Spread Eagle,GNR,Annihilator,Living Sacrifice,Boston.

I disagree with Exodus( I prefer the Zetro era),Forbidden(Twisted Into Form is as good as Forbidden Evil)

S.D. wrote:

Queen had an amazing run of albums in the 70s, not a truly bad album until Hot Space, so I'm a bit surprised to see people voting for the debut as their best.

I would put Sheer Heart Attack, Night At The Opera, Day At The Races and News Of The World ahead of the s/t.

I for the most part agree,except with 'Day at the Races' great album but IMO the debut trumps that disc

I would pick Def Leppard's High N Dry. OTTN was good but the songwriting was better on HnD.

Guardian

Holy Soldier

kmorg wrote:

Guardian

Holy Soldier

No and yes - I thought Fire & Love was Guardian's best album. Totally agree on Holy Soldier

Did anybody mention Bang Tango yet? If not, now I did.

Rex wrote:

Guns n' Roses

+1

I would add Fastway to this list. Loved the first one!! All Fired Up and the Trick Or Treat soundtrack are good albums but nowhere near the greatness of their first.

nevermore wrote:

I would add Fastway to this list. Loved the first one!! All Fired Up and the Trick Or Treat soundtrack are good albums but nowhere near the greatness of their first.

x2

thejokeriv wrote:

kmorg wrote:

Guardian

Holy Soldier

No and yes - I thought Fire & Love was Guardian's best album. Totally agree on Holy Soldier

Also a no and yes for me, though I think Guardian's best was Miracle Mile.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Did anybody mention Bang Tango yet? If not, now I did.

Yeah, I agree with that.

S.D. wrote:

nevermore wrote:

I would add Fastway to this list. Loved the first one!! All Fired Up and the Trick Or Treat soundtrack are good albums but nowhere near the greatness of their first.

x2

X3

I totally agree with Ugly Kid Joe, and Holy Soldier. Danger Danger... Not so much, Screw It was such a stronger album. IMHO, Guardian really found their sound with Fire & Love.

On that note, Winger nailed it with their first album. Reb Beach absolutely nailed the riffs on songs like Madeline and 17.

thejokeriv wrote:

S.D. wrote:

nevermore wrote:

I would add Fastway to this list. Loved the first one!! All Fired Up and the Trick Or Treat soundtrack are good albums but nowhere near the greatness of their first.

x2

X3

x4

tohostudios wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Did anybody mention Bang Tango yet? If not, now I did.

Yeah, I agree with that.

I dunno. I tend to spin Dancin on Coals more than their debut. Probably just personal choice though. That album might have been my intro to the band.