After 1980 was one of the all-time greatest years for hard rock and metal releases, 1981 was a step back. Still, there were plenty of outstanding albums released that year. Our list of 1981’s best releases is very British-centric, but there are a couple of bands from elsewhere in the world included as well.
1. Iron Maiden – Killers
After their debut album landed at No. 6 on our 1980 list, Iron Maiden moved to the top of the class in 1981 with Killers. It would be their last album with vocalist Paul Di’Anno, and was the first with guitarist Adrian Smith. It would also mark Maiden’s long and fruitful collaboration with producer Martin Birch.
The album doesn’t include any of their instantly recognizable hits, although “Wrathchild” has always been a concert staple. However, top to bottom it’s a cohesive and well-played release that really holds up well. Tracks such as “Purgatory,” “Murders In The Rue Morgue” and the title track help make Killers our choice for 1981’s best album.
2. Black Sabbath – Mob Rules
Black Sabbath’s Ronnie James Dio era would come to an end (at least for a decade or so) with Mob Rules, his second album with the band. It was also their first release with new drummer Vinny Appice. And like the number one album on our list, it was also produced by Martin Birch.
Though it received mixed reviews upon its release, more than three decades later it’s evident the album is a worthy one. From the streamlined “E5150” to the epic “The Sign Of The Southern Cross,” it’s an enjoyable release with great vocals from Dio and stellar performances from the rest of the band.
3. Venom – Welcome To Hell
If this list had been written in 1981, Welcome To Hell may not have been on it, and certainly would not have ranked this high. But time has shown the influence and staying power of this very important album, one that was very extreme for when it was released.
Though the musicianship and production left a lot to be desired, the power and originality of the songs still came through. Songs like “Witching Hour” would establish the template later used by countless extreme metal bands. Venom’s style would influence genres ranging from thrash to death to black metal.
4. Ozzy Osbourne – Diary Of A Madman
Another artist who is on both our 1980 and 1981 lists, Ozzy Osbourne’s second solo album Diary Of A Madman would unfortunately be the final one with guitarist Randy Rhoads, who died in a 1982 plane crash.
Many fans prefer this album to Blizzard Of Ozz because of Rhoads’ stellar guitar work, even though the songs aren’t as iconic. There are some excellent tracks on this album, such as “Flying High Again” and “Over The Mountain” that showcase Rhoads’ brilliance and Ozzy’s unmistakable vocal style.
5. Saxon – Denim and Leather
Saxon’s early days were prolific ones, releasing four albums in just over two years. For the second consecutive year they make our list, this time for Denim And Leather. It was their last album with drummer Pete Gill.
It included their most successful U.K. single “And The Bands Played On,” and the album’s opening track “Princess Of The Night” also landed on the chart. There are several other excellent songs on the disc such as the title track, “Out Of Control” and “Rough And Ready.”
6. AC/DC – For Those About To Rock We Salute You
You’re seeing a pattern here. Numerous bands that were on our 1980 list are also on 1981’s, but for the most part, the follow-up albums were also good, but not quite as good as their 1980 release. That’s the case with AC/DC’s For Those About To Rock We Salute You.
It’s tough to follow up one of the most iconic albums of all time, but AC/DC were up for the challenge. It ended up going all the way to the top of the U.S. album chart, something Back In Black did not do. The title track remains one of their most popular songs, and the disc has other strong songs such as closer “Spellbound” and “Let’s Get It Up.”
7. Motley Crue – Too Fast For Love
In the midst of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, an American band put the world on notice that they were a force to be reckoned with. Motley Crue’s debut Too Fast For Love helped set the wheels in motion for the success of countless other Sunset Strip bands.
Originally released on their own label, the album was raw and sleazy, just like the band’s decadent rock and roll lifestyle that was immortalized in the book The Dirt. Vince Neil is the frontman and drummer Tommy Lee is high profile, but bassist Nikki Sixx was the main songwriter and creative force behind the band. “Live Wire” remains one of their best songs, with the title track and “Piece Of Your Action” other notable songs.
8. Raven – Rock Until You Drop
By the time Raven’s debut album Rock Until You Drop was released, the band had already been together for several years. They are one of those bands that are very well respected and influential, but never had the commercial success many had envisioned.
In their earlier days they were a quartet, but had pared down to a trio of John and Mark Gallagher and Rob “Wacko” Hunter by their debut. Their energetic speed metal was a precursor to the wave of thrash bands that would soon follow. Opener “Hard Ride” and “Don’t Need Your Money” are standouts on a very consistently good release. One of the more underrated albums of the era, it is well worth seeking out.
9. Def Leppard – High ‘n’ Dry
Their commercial breakthrough would come a couple years later, but Def Leppard’s sophomore release High ‘n’ Dry was a step up from their debut and an indicator of what was to come.
It would be the last album for guitarist Pete Willis, who co-wrote the album’s best-known songs: “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak” and “Let It Go.” The album had the catchy, radio-friendly songs of their subsequent albums, and even though Mutt Lange also produced this one, but there was still a hint of youthful rawness and not as much polish as you’d hear on Pyromania and Hysteria.
10. Riot – Fire Down Under
Our list of 1981’s best albums wraps up with another American band. Riot were founded in New York in the mid-’70s, and their breakthrough album Fire Down Under was their third release.
The straightforward songs have a definite NWOBHM influence along with an American hard rock flavor. On his last album with the band, vocalist Guy Speranza gave a strong performance. It’s definitely front-loaded, with the quality of the first few tracks giving momentum to the entire disc. Speranza and guitarist Mark Reale have both passed away, and the band is still around under the name Riot V with no original members.
Other ’80s Best Albums Lists
shpostal
Okay, this is an article from 2017, but I’m a newcomer to this site so who cares? This series on best ’80’s albums is a good one as far as metal is concerned. I’d have to go back into my storeroom where my collection is to really root for other albums and bands who were not metal but still made ultra great and important albums themselves. REM’s “Murmur”, Midnight Oil’s “Red Sails In The Sunset”, The Church’s entire catalogue, etc. but you get the point.
A worthy list here, about two years after my high school graduation, and when I was in college getting one helluva lesson in rock and roll history thanks to a great friend at the time from Chicago who saw that I loved rock and roll, was a very enthusiastic learner, and starting up some passable guitar, that would improve quite a bit to lead guitar before too long. Anyway, I’m really happy to see Raven’s “Rock Until You Drop”. They headlined over Metallica in support of that album, and my friend and I got to talk to John Gallagher for about 20 minutes before they had to get onstage – a very very super nice guy, and I must admit while liked Metallica, and liked that punk fury and metal precision, we had no clue at that time who they were, as we were from Arkansas and news of thrash was just getting there. But Raven blew the roof off the barn so to speak. Even though it was a weekday on a hot muggy summer night with maybe 15 of us down by the stage, the redneck pool players pretty much plastered up against the back wall, both bands gave us a great effort. I have got to get a new copy of “Rock Until You Drop”.
Black Sabbath’s “Mob Rules” as I recall wasn’t quite gangbusters, but that’s the problem of anybody who didn’t bother to listen to it. I thought then, as I do now, in terms of sheer Sabbathian heaviness, plus a more innovative guitarist in Tony Iommi, who has always expanded his capabilities, that this album could be their heaviest one of all. Especially on – hell – the whole damn thing. Turn up “Sign of the Southern Cross” and that really eerie “E5150” when you see your local church cultists coming up your sidewalk. They’ll leave quickly.
Oh, and has anybody from the Rolling Stones ever seriously considered suing Motley Crue for ripping off their “Sticky Fingers” album cover?