A classic hard rock masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.

PAINKILLERJudas Priest

Judas Priest – Painkiller (Official HD Video)

Painkiller, the album by the legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest, formed in the UK in 1969.

Released in 1990, it reached No.

26 on the Billboard charts and became a massive hit, selling over two million copies worldwide.

Rob Halford’s operatic vocals are a defining feature, and the speed and agility of the performances seem to distill the very essence of metal.

The title track, Painkiller, remains celebrated as one of the band’s signature songs.

It’s a must-listen not only for metal fans but also for those who find it daunting to dive into Western metal—highly recommended.

Good To Be AliveSlash’s Snakepit

Slash’s Snakepit – Good To Be Alive – HQ

Slash from Guns N’ Roses formed the band Slash’s Snakepit, whose album “IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE” was released in 1995.

This work is characterized by a hard rock sound rooted in the blues.

While Slash’s distinctive guitar playing stands out, the talents of the other band members are also fully showcased.

It’s a recommended album not only for hard rock fans but also for anyone who wants to be captivated by Slash’s guitar work.

Don’t Treat Me BadFireHouse

Firehouse – Don’t Treat Me Bad

FireHouse is an American hard rock band that gained popularity in the 1990s.

Their debut album, FireHouse, was released in August 1990 and went double platinum in the United States.

Featuring hit songs like “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “Love of a Lifetime,” it became a major success.

The album is packed with hard rock tracks that are enjoyable no matter which part you focus on—powerfully distorted guitar tones, pop and catchy melodies, and C.J.

Snare’s glossy vocals.

With heavy riffs and technically dazzling solos driving the guitar sound, this classic record distills the very essence of hard rock.

According to YouOrianthi

Orianthi – According To You

Australian guitarist Orianthi’s second album, Believe, is a much-talked-about release that came out on October 26, 2009.

Having started on acoustic guitar in childhood before switching to electric and launching her professional career, Orianthi made a global splash with the track “According to You,” which was named iTunes Single of the Week on October 7, 2009.

The album also features instrumentals that showcase her guitar technique, including a collaboration with Steve Vai titled “Highly Strung,” making it a must-listen for rock fans.

So Far AwayStaind

Staind – So Far Away (Official Video)

Formed in Massachusetts in 1995, Staind released their fourth studio album, 14 Shades of Grey, in 2003.

While carrying on their post-grunge sound, the album features songs that focus on frontman Aaron Lewis’s emotions.

From the powerfully distorted guitars and piercing bass to Lewis’s dirty yet lustrous vocals, every part is a pleasure to listen to.

Certified platinum, this work is likely to captivate both hard rock enthusiasts and those who wouldn’t normally gravitate toward the genre.

JumpVan Halen

Van Halen – Jump (Official Music Video) [HD]

In October 2020, the legendary guitarist Edward Van Halen, whose name is etched in music history, sadly passed away.

Van Halen, the band named after Eddie and his older brother, drummer Alex Van Halen, is both a pioneer and a quintessential act of American hard rock.

The Van Halen brothers, who received classical music training from a young age, formed the band with charismatic frontman David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony, known for his adept harmony vocals.

From their 1978 debut, they rocketed to explosive success.

As they dominated the late ’70s through the ’80s with their innovative hard rock sound, the album I especially recommend is their sixth studio release, 1984, put out in 1984.

The collection of classics—featuring Eddie’s shimmering keyboards, technical guitar work, and irresistibly catchy melodies—makes it an album packed with the bright, upbeat sound that defines the 1980s.

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HysteriaDef Leppard

DEF LEPPARD Hysteria Official Music Video

Def Leppard is one of the flagship bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that erupted in the early 1980s—known as the NWOBHM—and they achieved global commercial success.

They were scoring hits from their 1980 debut, but a major setback struck when their youngest member, drummer Rick Allen, lost his left arm in a car accident.

Even so, the band waited for Allen’s recovery.

Thanks to the development of an electronic drum kit that he could play with his right arm and both legs, and to Rick’s own relentless practice, he returned as the band’s drummer.

The album released in 1987, which can be considered their magnum opus, is Hysteria.

With high-quality sound production, superb songwriting, and tracks crafted by a united band, it’s packed with classics—supremely pop and catchy.

It’s an easy-to-listen-to masterpiece even for those who find overly heavy sounds a bit much.

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