What are your top 10 "PERFECT" Metal albums?

Jesus, Ben. This is difficult. I would definitely agree with Powerslave, and, because this will take me awhile, I won't answer in any set order. So:

1. Powerslave - Iron Maiden. This album was ******* fantastic. It has my five favourite Maiden songs on it (2 Minutes to Midnight, Flash of the Blade, Powerslave, Aces High, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and it's really hard to fault the other three songs.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L75ikjK1vaI

2. Mercy Falls - Seventh Wonder. You know how much I love concept albums. This album flows amazingly, each song is brilliant, and the story behind it is amazing. Plus, it's really hard to rate a concept album based on each song. Thanks Kali <3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwg58wfB798 (I hate you for making me choose one song)

3. Winterheart's Guild - Sonata Arctica. This song actually contains all of my favourite Sonata Arctica songs, and it's not a compilation album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et-MMLcq7_s

3.5 >Only if Live Albums Count< Songs of Silence - Sonata Arctica. I HATE live performances, and I will listen to this album on repeat for hours. Tony Kakko, live, sends shivers down my spine.

4. United Abominations - Megadeth. **** on me all you want, I love this album. I used to listen to it on the way to and from work every day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFhgv-eTkXo (Yeah yeah)

5. Reaching Horizons - Angra. Angra's guitar work is nothing short of breathtaking, and a lot of the songs on this album really demonstrate that. I love the singer's voice, it's consistently powerful and sounds amazing. He has so much range. The album also has Carry On, which opens up with an orchestra, and it's really breathtaking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZldhDIe48zI

6. Twilight of the Thunder God - Amon Amarth. Is it odd that I shower (every morning, without fail) to this album? I found this album, the special edition, for $15 last year. It's still my favourite Amon Amarth album (even though Surtur Rising has my favourite songs by them on it, Twilight of the Thunder God is a much more solid album, I don't rate any song on it under 8.5) and I'm really glad I own a hard copy of it. It's one of my most treasured possessions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhwHH9zimW4

7. I'm lumping both albums by Alestorm in one. Alestorm, while being incredibly gimmicky, are incredibly catchy, and I don't rate a single one of their songs less than 9/10. For what they are, and what they do, I respect them immensely, and usually get a good laugh out of their music. They don't take themselves seriously, and I think that's helped them write better music in the long run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZExQz9VV_o

8. Epica + The Black Halo - Kamelot. Once again, concept albums. Now, I put these in the same category because they tell a story together, and, as such, you really have to put them together. Now, neither of my favourite songs (Love You to Death on Ghost Opera and the Great Pandemonium on Poetry for the Poisoned) are on either of these albums, but that's okay, because the two albums are amazing. They stand apart just fine, but when put together, they're a masterpiece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I438RH1oUJc (I hate you even more)

9. Ghost Opera - Kamelot. You had to expect that. I've been looking for this album since 2009, when I first heard Love You to Death at my friend's house, but I can't find a copy anywhere, which is really odd considering they're a rather popular metal band. I find it hard to find fault in most Kamelot songs, but there are the occasional ones (see: Almost every song on Poetry for the Poisoned) that I don't like at all. That being said, Ghost Opera is probably my favourite metal album of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9BwQGYDLXg (Go figure, I've only spent the past two albums jizzing over it)

10. Dopethrone - Electric Wizard. This album is so ridiculously heavy. It's a well-known fact that I like heavy, but I REALLY like this album. It's my favourite doom metal album, and I really can't find anything I don't love about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO7VP34n2Ps (This song is just... holy ****.)

MA2: I have to give each song a 7.5, and the album itself an 8 (out of ten), and there has to be something noteworthy about it (Which is why I love concept albums)

MA3: Yes. Very much so. I love Maiden, but a lot of their music really gets on my nerves.

BA: No, sorry.

BA2: I used to play a Star Wars RPG, except my DM was a retarded douchebag, so everyone quit. I'm pretty sure he still cries about it. - So, yeah, Jedi knight. Although I'd honestly rather be a pilot in the star wars universe.

In no order...

1. Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion ("Circle Of The Tyrants")

2. Metallica - Kill 'Em All ("Metal Militia")

3. Iron Maiden - Powerslave ("Powerslave")

4. Diamond Head - Lightning To The Nations ("Lightning To The Nations")

5. Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality ("Into The Void")

6. Mercyful Fate - In The Shadows ("Is That You, Melissa?")

7. Carcass - Heartwork ("Heartwork")

8. Saxon - Denim And Leather ("Midnight Rider")

9. Witchfinder General - Friends Of Hell ("Love On Smack")

10. Megadeth - Killing Is My Business... ("Last Rites/Loved To Deth")

Measuring stick? I guess just a vibe thing for one, and that I like the album the way it is, flaws and all. Especially with oldschool metal, the imperfections in production, guitar sounds, etc. sort of gave it character. Some records just have the "IT" factor.

I don't really know too many people who blindly love bands that way to be honest.

Spartan shield? Nope.

Kung Fu, because it's real.

1) Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Electric Funeral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3mkaPFFHHw

2) Morbid Angel - Alters of Madness

Blasphemy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tBA6zUtiZg

3) Metalica - Ride the Lightning

Creeping Death

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO_84C3fpuI

4) Rob Zombie - Hellbilly Delux

Superbeast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHBtpqbOKXk

5) Behemoth - The Apostasy

At the left hand ov God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzz0YVEgT5U

6) Pantera - Cowboys from Hell

Primal Concrete Sludge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DOamgay6Mw

7) AC DC - High Voltage

You Aint got a hold on Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2CeACFX2-A

8) Slayer - Reign in Blood

Postmortem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNfGhFYvwvk

9) Kiss - Alive

Parasite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSWNMkOGOHg

10) Guns and Roses - Apetite for Destruction

Welcome to the Jungle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_enNmzWn6Y

MQ2: I call an album great when I want to listen to it a lot and keep hearing new things when I hear it. It keeps me interested and is slam bang hard asskicking Metal.

MQ3: I have more respect for people that are passionate about what they like than people that can't admit to really enjoying something just to play like they are cool.

BQ: I don't know KP. You'd probably be better off with a viking shield! You KNOW how vikings kick the Celtsass don't you?...lol ; )

BQ2: Kung Fu. Had my boy going to classes when he was the smallest at his bus stop and would get picked on. After he showed a bully a little of his "training" he never got picked on again.

1. Poweslave- Iron Maiden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02AkdlLf-gU

2. Master of Puppets- Metallica

Master of Puppets

3. Master of Reality- Black Sabbath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=236Lquwq22A

4. Century Child- Nightwish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZMraAGlpwc

5. Painkiller- Judas Priest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhvUpykF7OM

6. Peace Sells- Megadeth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGagJervtMc

7. Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt: 2- Helloween

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuO3hHwQ-Sc

8. The Sound of Perseverance- Death

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpfz5Vnr-_A

9. The Real Thing- Faith No More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUx_bk0jCvk

10. Iron Maiden- Iron Maiden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvxzvJicwLY

MQ2- My measuring stick measures every song on the album. Every song has to be great and there should be none I would be tempted to skip. Also there has to be something "special," about the album and it has to "stick," when it comes to this I consider everything down to the album art. I guess some would say Master of Puppets and Painkiller would void this because of Damage Inc. and A Touch of Evil. I don't see what's so bad about Damage Inc. but A Touch of Evil is kinda weak, still the rest of the album compensates for this one track.

MQ3- A little, it's definitely something you'd see in fanboyism, and fanboys can be pretty blind and annoying.

BQ- Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Greek-Spartan-shield-custom-st...

BQ2- Kung Fu Master since one could perform without the aid of special effects or CGI and look just as awesome

1. A Matter Of Life And Death- Iron Maiden

2. The Final Frontier- Iron Maiden

3. Killers- Iron Maiden

4. Dance Of Death-Iron Maiden

5. The Number Of The Beast- Iron Maiden

6. Power Slave- Iron Maiden

7. Iron Maiden- Iron Maiden

8. Brave New World- Iron Maiden

9. Fear Of The Dark- Iron Maiden

10. Holy Diver- Dio

yes i know i love iron maiden... get over it

In chronological order:

Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)

Motorhead - Overkill (1979)

Holocaust - The Nightcomers (1981)

Venom - Welcome To Hell (1981)

Metallica - Ride The Lightning (1984)

Possessed - Seven Churches (1985)

Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion (1985)

Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986)

Sadus - Hallucinations (1988)

Death - Leprosy (1989)

These are simply metal classics. All these albums are very important and influential. If you don't know them you're not a metalhead. And don't try to tell me they are "overrated" and some bands with stupid names like Cannibal Corpse, Vomitory or Bloody **** Of Satan are better and more important than these classics.

MQ: all of them

MQ2: their influence on genre developement

MQ3: no

Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt.2 (sorry man, DT is my favorite band xD) (Finally Free)

Born Of Osiris - The Discovery (Recreate)

Warning - Watching From A Distance (Footprints)

Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain (Fire Above, Ice Below)

Opeth - Blackwater Park (The Funeral Portrait)

Cynic - Traced In Air (King Of Those Who Know)

Virgin Black - Mezzo Forte Domine)

While Heaven Wept - Of Empires Forlorn (Sorrow Of The Angels)

Death - The Sound Of Perseverance (To Forgive Is To Suffer)

Summoning - Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame (Ashen Cold

MA2: Where every or most of the songs contains some great emotions, plus vivid imagery in lyrics and some technicality, plus if i stay interested through the whole album.

MA3: Meh. lol

BA: Sorry brah, can't help you here =/ Use a cardboard or something. Creativity

BA3: Jedi Knight

1. The Sound of Perseverance by Death - Voice of The Soul

2. Master of Puppets by Metallica - Disposable Heroes

3. So Far So Good So What by Megadeth - Mary Jane

4. The Formation of Damnation by Testament - The Formation of Damnation

5. Bonded By Blood by Exodus - Metal Command

6. Show No Mercy by Slayer - The Final Command

7. Number of The Beast by Iron Maiden (I didn't overlook any tracks) - Children of the Damned

8. Eternal Nightmare by Vio-Lence - Kill On Command

9. Ashes of The Wake by Lamb of God - Omerta

10. The Crusade by Trivium (if you want to classify them as metal... I do) - Unrepentant

MQ: see above

MQ2: albums that I still find interesting to listen to all the way through after hearing them multiple times

MQ3: ya it can get irritating

BQ: I have no idea

BQ2: jedi knight, no question about that

Spreading the Disease - Anthrax (Medusa)

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (Your Time is Gonna Come)

Demigod - Behemoth (Before the Eons Came)

Scream Bloody Gore - Death (Scream Bloody Gore)

Pleasure to Kill - Kreator (Pleasure to Kill)

Show No Mercy - Slayer (Evil Has No Boundaries)

Agent Orange - Sodom (Agent Orange)

Powerslave - Iron Maiden (Rime of the Ancient Mariner)

...And Justice for All - Metallica (Blackened)

The Great Southern Trendkill - Pantera (Floods)

My 'measuring stick' for perfect albums is if I think that every track is awesome and a stand-out track. I'll listen to it a few times afterwards to make sure it wasn't just a spur of the moment thing, and then I'll decide if it's a perfect album.

I don't get annoyed by people who blindly love every track from their favourite band... I am sort of like that with Pantera, although I accept that there are some songs by other bands that are better than a lot of Pantera songs, and I don't think that Pantera are infallible. I just genuinely love them.

BQ: No, I've no idea how to make them and nor do I know any site with genuine versions.

BQ2: Jedi knight - I've always wanted to be able to control the force, haha.

for me:

1: Alchemist - Jar of Kingdom (wandering & wondering)

2: Absu - Tara (pillars of mercy)

3: Dissection - The Somberlain (a land forlorn)

4: Hypocrisy - The Fourth Dimension (apocalypse)

5: Alchemist - Spiritech (chinese whispers)

6: Death - Individual Thought Patterns (mentally blind)

7: Darkane - Rusted Angel (bound)

8: Strapping young Lad - City (oh my f*cking god)

9: Dark Tranquillity - The Gallery (punish my heaven)

10: Embraced - Amorous Anathema (the end... and here we all die)

MA2: I really don't know. I figure if I like an album as much as the above albums, it's perfect to me :)

MA3: Oh yeah, could point out a few of those...

BA: Whoa, hang on a sec... Are we Chicken-Wing buddies??

BA2: Kung Fu Master, all the way brother-man.

1. Hell Awaits (Slayer)

2. Rust In Peace (Megadeth)

3. Among The Living (Anthrax)

4. Christ Illusion (Slayer)

5. Bonded By Blood (Exodus)

6. Killing Is My Business... And Business is Good (Megadeth)

7. Blood Mountain (Mastodon)

8. Individual Thought Patterns (Death)

9. South Of Heaven (Slayer)

10. No Time To Bleed (Suicide Silence)

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HOLD ON! Now before you criticize my tenth pick. Let me explain that Suicide Silence is a hardcore and heavy *** band. The vocals of Mitch Lucker attracted the ***** scene kid crowd and that is what ruins this bands reputation. Listen to the album, it's great.

MQ2: I am more attached to thrash metal due to the fact I like fast music. I'm not much of a fan of classic metal such as Sabbath or Dio and such.

MQ3: Yeah, but I'm kind of a counter or contrast to that kind of person where I kind of heavily criticize other bands that are not in my range of musical interests. (Especially pop.)

BQ: Sorry, I wouldn't have any knowledge of that.

BQ2: Neither. Everyone knows that the Sith ******* owns everyone.