A classic hard rock masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
The music genre known as hard rock is an outgrowth of rock influenced by the blues, defined at its core by an aggressive sound with loud, high-volume guitars.
That said, many people aren’t quite sure how it differs from heavy metal, and interpretations can vary depending on the listener.
In this article, we introduce classic hard rock albums that have gone down in music history, aimed at those who are interested in bands labeled as hard rock or are thinking of giving them a listen.
We’ve highlighted many “start here” albums, so be sure to check them out!
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Hard rock masterpieces: Must-hear recommended albums (31–40)
Look at YourselfUriah Heep
Uriah Heep is a long-established British hard rock band that adopted its current name in 1969 after its predecessor and continues to perform even now in the 2020s.
They are a band that epitomized the heyday of hard rock in the 1970s, and their beautiful harmonies achieved through skillful choral work and their sound, which puts the Hammond organ front and center, have earned them great popularity here in Japan as well.
Their early landmark Look at Yourself, released in 1971 as their third album, was given the Japanese title Taijikaku, a term with a somewhat esoteric ring.
It’s a superb record that, while rooted in quintessentially British wet, wistful lyricism, dazzling twin leads, and progressive song structures, also possesses a distinctiveness that reflects the influence of American rock.
It’s a sound tailor-made for Japanese tastes, packed to the brim with the stylistic beauty of 1970s hard rock, freely shifting between quiet and explosive dynamics!
(Don’t Fear) The ReaperBlue Oyster Cult
Many of you are probably familiar with the song “Godzilla,” which baseball player Hideki Matsui used as his walk-up music around 2003 when he joined the New York Yankees.
The track was created by Blue Öyster Cult, a hard rock band from the United States.
They formed the precursor to the band in New York in 1967 and made their full-fledged debut in 1972.
While they may not be widely known to the general public, they are a monumental presence that has had an enormous influence on later artists and bands.
Their 1976 album Agents of Fortune, which earned a Gold record, is one that can be called a signature work.
It features their biggest hit, the melodic “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” as well as rock ’n’ roll numbers like “True Confessions,” showcasing music that is far from being just hard rock; every track boasts high quality.
At the same time, the album’s distinctive character is marked by an occult-tinged madness that shimmers throughout.
HELL IS REALmiwa
The second album from MIWA, a Japanese female vocalist based in Los Angeles, and her band project.
Powerful shouts that reaffirm the allure of ’80s heavy metal, and a high-velocity sound that rumbles like an earthquake.
The backing lineup is star-studded, featuring guitarist Mitch Perry and bassist Billy Sheehan, both active in projects around the world.
It’s an unadorned, straight-ahead sound that, in today’s scene, even feels rare—a must-have for hard rock fans.
Here’s hoping we’ll be able to experience it live up close at clubs and small venues.
The Boys Are Back In TownTHIN LIZZY
Centered around Phil Lynott, who stood at the front as bassist and vocalist, Thin Lizzy’s hard rock sound—marked by melancholy twin leads from two Les Pauls and tight yet supple drumming—looked and sounded incredibly cool.
Ireland’s pride on the world stage, Thin Lizzy initially pursued an experimental sound that fused traditional Irish music with rock, but later shifted to the lineup mentioned above and joined the ranks of popular bands.
Their landmark album Jailbreak, released in 1976 as their sixth record, is well known in Japan under the title “Datsugoku” (Escape).
It’s a classic packed with fan favorites that scored single hits, starting with the immensely famous and catchy The Boys Are Back in Town, whose flowing twin-lead riff is iconic.
The album captures the band’s momentum and individuality at their peak in pure sonic form.
It’s also highly recommended for hard rock beginners, with plenty of catchy, pop-leaning melodies that are easy to enjoy.
Ace Of SpadesMotörhead
Motörhead is a band that puts smiles not only on fans of hard rock and heavy metal, but also on those who love punk and hardcore.
Since their formation in 1975 until the passing of their charismatic frontman Lemmy Kilmister in 2015, they blasted out fast, hard, runaway rock ’n’ roll at full volume for four decades, earning outspoken admirers from musicians across genres.
While their musical style remained fundamentally consistent, the first album to pick up should be the 1980 masterpiece Ace of Spades.
It’s no exaggeration to say it contains everything about the band’s hard-edged sound; faced with the runaway rock ’n’ roll unleashed by their trio’s stripped-down ensemble, any fussy theorizing just melts away.
Try their wall-of-sound approach—distinct from the more “orthodox” brand of hard rock—and crank it up!