Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s
by mrmcrook 
The 80's was the decade when a lot of premium metal came out. It was the time when I was obsessed with it. My tastes expanded in future years but overall the albums of the heavier nature put out during this time massively dominate this list.
I realize my chart has a few compilations and many people believe compilations shouldn't count. I'm slowly weening them out as I discover an artists superior studio albums
Any footnotes are just personal ramblings for my own entertainment.
And to remind me of the joy the music brings before all memory is erased.
My top 100 from the 188 albums from the 80's I own
- Chart updated: 02/08/2026 02:45
- (Created: 10/02/2020 00:23).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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99.12* If you were explaining the definition of NWOBHM to someone, this is the album that perfectly summarizes it. Absolute fucking perfection. Was once the favorite Maiden album. Was once overtaken by Powerslave. Now back to favorite
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,126
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95.05* One of my favorite Dead Kennedy albums. Not always but over time resonated more and more. Overall much faster paced than there other albums hence how they crammed 21 songs into it. Fantastic from start to finish. Short, fast, furious songs with the always present slap in the face lyrics. One of the most truth bearing bands on the planet but delivered in the happiest way. Love them.
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
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95.00 Most under rated of all the 'Big 4'. This album is among the best that any of them done. All killer, no filler. One of the greatest thrash albums ever released hands down. Every song is just pure brilliance.
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
797
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94.87* This was the first Metallica I discovered. Still my favorite. The ultimate thrash metal album
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,553
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94.50 By far Leppard's best album. This rocks right through. One of the greatest albums from the NWOBHM heyday. An absolute classic. All downhill after this as they went more commercial.
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
656
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92.55 Always in the battle for favorite Maiden album
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,964
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92.22 First Maiden I bought. Hooked forever more so I got a soft spot for this album so I've probably rated it a bit higher than it deserves. Doesn't have the overall quality in songs that are on a few of their other albums but overall still a damn fine record.
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1983
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,745
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91.846* This is the album that has had the biggest influence on me. Lyrically, this is the greatest album ever. This tells it how it is, a great reality dose. Probably the album I've listened to more times than anything else. Still love it every time. 'Halloween' being my favorite of all DK songs. 11/25
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
936
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91.78 Debut from the greatest ever punk band. Not there best but better than almost anything put out from all other bands of this genre. Fast, furious, brilliant. 03/24
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,686
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91.25 'Creeping Death' being one of the greatest ever metal songs. They were just so fantastic back in their youth and prime.
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,156
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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 18 | 18% | |
| 1981 | 14 | 14% | |
| 1982 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1983 | 13 | 13% | |
| 1984 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1985 | 6 | 6% | |
| 1986 | 8 | 8% | |
| 1987 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1988 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1989 | 5 | 5% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Dead Kennedys | 6 | 6% | |
| Iron Maiden | 5 | 5% | |
| Metallica | 4 | 4% | |
| Motörhead | 3 | 3% | |
| Judas Priest | 3 | 3% | |
| Girlschool | 3 | 3% | |
| AC/DC | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
42 | 42% | |
 |
34 | 34% | |
 |
9 | 9% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 1 from 15th to 14thFor Those About To Rock (We Salute You) by AC/DC |
| Up 1 from 14th to 13thBritish Steel by Judas Priest |
| Up 1 from 13th to 12thAce Of Spades by Motörhead |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 7 from 8th to 15thHeaven And Hell by Black Sabbath |
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Other decade charts by mrmcrook
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 2 Music Albums of the 2020s | mrmcrook | 2020s decade chart | 2024 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | mrmcrook | 2010s decade chart | 2026 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | mrmcrook | 2000s decade chart | 2026 | |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
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N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 5 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 02/08/2025 11:07 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,096 | 85/100 |
| ! | 02/24/2024 11:27 |  doombringer | 15 | 88/100 |
| ! | 10/26/2022 03:17 | DJENNY | 4,340 | 100/100 |
| ! | 07/09/2021 20:12 |  Rhyner | 1,454 | 99/100 |
| ! | 01/31/2021 14:54 | MasterOfPuppets | 174 | 91/100 |
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s comments
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From doombringer 02/24/2024 11:37 | #302184
doombringer 02/24/2024 11:37 | #302184
From one open-minded metalhead to another :
Your Top 100 is also very interesting . ( Icehouse !!! Grace Jones ! )
Thanx for the kind comment on my chart.
At the moment i'm ''working'' on my 90's list .
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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