My Top 10 picks are personal favorites. You may disagree with some, but all of them could be No. 1 on my list. I don't want to hear about how I left out bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. When you guys get to pick your own 10 albums, you can do what you want.
But before I give you my top 10, I want to tell you that I saw three of the best metal bands of all time Tuesday at the Meadows Music Theater in Hartford, CT. Rob Halford (former lead singer for Judas Priest) is touring with Queensryche and Iron Maiden to promote his new band which bears his name. He played a wide array of songs including old Judas Priest classics, songs recorded with the band Fight and great stuff from the new album. Halford still rocks; he didn't miss a note in the 45 minute set.
Queensryche followed with a 45 minute set of their own that showed they're still on the top of their game. They played tons of hits from their 20+ years in the business; some old, some new; all great.
The night was capped by a two-hour set from headliner Iron Maiden. They were sharp as ever, and certainly didn't sound anything like a group of guys who are pushing 50. As it is with athletes in the twilight of their careers, these musicians probably appreciate playing to an audience of adoring fans more now than they did when they were younger. It really showed in their performances, and the crowd loved every minute of it.
Now, back to my top 10. . .
10. Static-X: Push It (2000, Warner Bros. Records)
One of the hardest albums I've ever heard and one of the best live shows I've ever seen.
I lift to it almost every night.
9. White Zombie: Astro-Creep (1995, Geffen Records)
Every song on this album is good. Very dark lyrics that fit my personality. If my wife would let me look like Rob Zombie, my life would be complete.
8. Def Leppard: Hysteria (1987, Mercury)
When I was in the minor leagues in the early '80s, my teammates and I would wait up until 3 a.m. to catch Def Leppard on MTV. The only band I've seen live more often is Megadeth.
7. Deep Purple: When We Rock, We Rock And When We Roll, We Roll (1978, Warner Bros. Records)
"Smoke On The Water" was the song they played over the public address system when I entered a game in Cincinnati. This is one of the best albums I've ever heard. You know when you play an album a couple hundred times and you still like it, it's a good album.
6. Journey: Frontiers (1983, Columbia)
This album saved my life on long bus rides in the minors. Steve Perry's voice is awesome and so versatile it could get me pumped up for a game or sing me to sleep on those 13-hour road trips to Canada.
5. The Doors: Best of the Doors (1985, Elektra Entertainment)
This by far is one of my favorite albums. I have every album the Doors ever made, and I love all of them. This is one of the only rock CDs I'm allowed to play while my wife is in the car.
4. Pantera: Cowboys From Hell (1990, Atco)
This album got me ready for our world championship year in 1990. It has some of the best songs you'll ever hear from a heavy metal band. And there's a bonus: You'll never hear any distortion when your radio is all the way up.
3. Megadeth: Rust In Peace (1990, Capital/EMI Records)
Hands down, one of the best albums ever made. Could easily be top two, but since it was the third heavy metal album I fell in love with, I'm placing it third. Listening to this album was when I discovered I would never be a pro drummer, but I still love to try and play along with "Hanger 18."
2. AC/DC: Back In Black (1980, Atco)
Speaks for itself. For 20 years this album has rocked cover to cover. All 10 of these albums get me fired up, but when you see this band do some of these songs live, you understand why they are one of the greatest rock bands ever.
1. Metallica: And Justice For All (1988, Elektra Entertainment)
My all-time favorite. I was a huge fan of MTV before I bought the album, but when I saw the video for the song "One," it blew me away. This album kicks ass.
