Top 10 Albums Of 1981 - You Have Voted!

You have voted - and here´s the results. The Top 10 albums released 30 years ago, in 1981 - is a brilliant list full of excellent music. 



Ozzy Osbourne "Diary of a Madman"


"Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" are landmark albums that took metal in a new direction in the early 1980's, inspiring whole new generations of rock bands and fans. The second album of Ozzy Osbourne's solo career, "Diary of a Madman" was his last to feature the talents of guitarist Randy Rhodes, who died in a plane crash soon after the album´s release. While it's not as furious as Osbourne's first solo album, it still captures Ozzy's maniacal glory. Highlights include "Over the Mountain" and the kinetic "Flying High Again," which benefit as much from Rhodes's blistering musicianship as from Ozzy's heavy, melodic songwriting.








AC/DC "For Those About to Rock"


This album became AC/DC's first US No. 1 album. After its release the band embarked on its first arena tour of North America (late 1981 through early 1982). Lesser bands might have been put off their stride by the death of their lead singer, but not AC/DC. No sooner had Bon Scott met his whiskey-sodden end in 1980 than AC/DC recruited a new singer, Brian Johnson, and released "Back In Black",  the biggest-selling album of their career. "For Those About to Rock...We Salute You" is a suitably triumphant follow-up.







Black Sabbath "Mob Rules"


"Mob Rules" is Black Sabbath´s 10th studio album, the 2nd with Ronnie James Dio on volcals and the 1st to feature Vinny Appice on drums. The lyrical themes are dark, notably on tracks such as "The Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Falling Off the Edge of the World". The "Live Evil" album was recorded on the "Mob Rules" tour. Both "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" are classic albums that should be in your collection.







Iron Maiden "Killers"


"Killers" is the first Iron Maiden album made with veteran producer Martin Birch, who went on to produce their next eight albums before retiring after "Fear of the Dark" in 1992. It´s of course tha last Maiden album to feature Paul DiAnno on voclas. The first two Iron Maiden albums is more punk/metal oriented. When Dickinson joined the band for "The Number of the Beast" they went on to more pure heavy metal. Still, "Killers" is a killer album, and a true metal classic.






Motörhead "No Sleep ´Till Hammersmith"


With the exception of "Iron Horse / Born To Lose" which was from a 1980 show, the album was recorded at the Leeds and Newcastle shows during the "Short, Sharp Pain In The Neck" five-date tour in 1981. The name of the tour was a reference to the injury sustained by Phil Taylor when he was dropped on his head during some after-show horseplay. Despite the title of the album, the London venue the Hammersmith Odeon was not played on the tour.






...and here´s the rest of the list; Five great albums by five great bands:


6 - Rush "Moving Pictures"


7 - Van Halen "Fair Warning"


8 - Whitesnake "Come `An Get It"


9 - Rainbow "Difficult To Cure"


10 - Journey "Escape"


Thank you for voting!