Top 10 for 1984

TheBigBlack's Rock Top 10

Public Image Ltd. (PiL)
This Is What You Want. This Is What You Get

Post-Punk | Album | 7 July 1984

Deep Purple
Perfect Strangers

Classic Rock | Album | 16 September 1984

'Perfect Strangers' is the eleventh studio album by Deep Purple. It was the most successful album recorded by the re-formed 'Mark II' line-up. It was the first Deep Purple studio album in nine years, and the first with the Mk II line-up in eleven years, the last being 'Who Do We Think We Are' in 1973. Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover arrived from Rainbow, Ian Gillan from Black Sabbath, Jon Lord from Whitesnake, and Ian Paice from Gary Moore's backing band. The album was a commercial success, reaching #5 in the U.K. charts and #17 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. It was only the second Deep Purple studio album to be certified platinum in the United States, following 1972's 'Machine Head'. The tour was so successful that the band had to book many additional dates to the U.S. arena tour, as tickets sold out very quickly. Their U.S. tour in 1985 out-grossed every artist that year except Bruce Springsteen.

David Gilmour
About Face

Rock | Album | 27 March 1984

U2
The Unforgettable Fire

Rock | Album | 1 October 1984

Midnight Oil
Red Sails In The Sunset

Rock | Album | ?? October 1984

Cold Chisel
Twentieth Century

Rock | Album | 1 April 1984

INXS
The Swing

Rock | Album | 10 May 1984

'The Swing' is the fourth studio album by INXS. Overall, the album featured a slightly harder-edged sound than their previous releases. It peaked at number one on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart for five non-consecutive weeks from early April to mid-May 1984.

Twisted Sister
Stay Hungry

Hard Rock | Album | 10 May 1984

The Angels
Two Minute Warning

Hard Rock | Album | 28 November 1984

TheBigBlack's Metal Top 10

Dio
The Last In Line

Heavy Metal | Album | 13 July 1984

'The Last In Line' is the second studio album by Dio. It is the first Dio album to feature former Rough Cutt keyboardist Claude Schnell. It became the band's highest-charting album in both the U.K. and the U.S., reaching number 4 and number 23, respectively. It was certified gold (500,000 units sold) by the RIAA on September 12, 1984, and was the first Dio album to be certified platinum, achieving the feat on February 3, 1987. In the U.K., it attained Silver certification (60,000 units sold) by the British Phonographic Industry, achieving this in January 1986.

Venom
At War With Satan

Black Metal | Album | 16 April 1984

'At War With Satan' is the third studio album by Venom. It is a concept album that tells the story of a war between Heaven and Hell which the latter side wins. It was touted as Venom's crossover into mainstream music, but failed to do so. Shortly after it went on sale, the HMV record chain withdrew the album from its shelves because of its anti-Christian content.

W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.

Heavy Metal | Album | 17 August 1984

'W.A.S.P.' is the debut studio album by the band W.A.S.P. The album has been known under three different names - the spine of the original European vinyl release had Winged Assassins printed on it, while early cassette releases of the album had the name of the album's first track, "I Wanna Be Somebody", printed in bold letters on the cover. The album is officially entitled simply W.A.S.P., which it is typically referred to as. The album has been certified as gold by the RIAA.

Judas Priest
Defenders Of The Faith

Heavy Metal | Album | 4 January 1984

'Defenders Of The Faith' is the ninth studio album by Judas Priest. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Bathory
Bathory

Black Metal | Album | 2 October 1984

Anthrax
Fistful Of Metal

Thrash Metal | Album | ?? February 1984

'Fistful Of Metal' is the debut studio album by Anthrax. This is the band's only album to feature original frontman Neil Turbin and original bassist Dan Lilker, who were replaced by Matt Fallon (and eventually by third vocalist Joey Belladonna) and Frank Bello, respectively.

Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force
Rising Force

Heavy Metal | Album | 5 March 1984

'Rising Force' is the first studio album by Yngwie Malmsteen. This was originally planned as an instrumental side-project of his then-current band Alcatrazz, but due to singer Jeff Scott Soto's appearance on the album, Malmsteen opted to release it as a solo album. It reached No. 14 on the Swedish albums chart and No. 60 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and received a nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1986 Grammy Awards. The album is regarded as a landmark release in the shred and neoclassical metal genres.

Slayer
Haunting The Chapel

Thrash Metal | E.P. | 4 August 1984

'Haunting The Chapel' is an E.P. released by Slayer. During the recording sessions drummer Dave Lombardo first had a double bass drum added to his kit. Although originally featuring three songs, the E.P. evidenced a marked evolution from the style of their previous album, 'Show No Mercy', and is considered the first demonstration of the band's "classic" style displayed on later albums.

Iron Maiden
Powerslave

Heavy Metal | Album | 3 September 1984

'Powerslave' is the fifth studio album by Iron Maiden. It is notable as the band's first album to feature the same personnel as their previous studio release. This lineup would remain intact for two further studio releases. It is also their last album to date to feature an instrumental piece, and the only one until 'Senjutsu' (2021) in which longtime member and guitarist Dave Murray does not have a songwriting credit.

Metallica
Ride The Lightning

Thrash Metal | Album | 27 July 1984

'Ride The Lightning' is the second studio album by Metallica, released by the independent label Megaforce Records. Whilst still rooted in the thrash metal genre, the album showcased the band's developing musical maturity and lyrical sophistication, partially because bassist Cliff Burton he had more input in the songwriting. It was the last album to feature songwriting contributions from former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine.

TheBigBlack's Metal Honourable Mentions

Manowar
Hail To England

Heavy Metal | Album | ?? February 1984

'Hail To England' is the third studio album by Manowar.

Celtic Frost
Morbid Tales

Black Metal | E.P. | 28 June 1984

'Morbid Tales' is the debut E.P. by Celtic Frost. The band retrospectively refers to the release as the band's debut studio album, even though it only has a short run time.