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10 classic rock albums from the 70s that unintentionally paved the way for heavy metal in the 80s
This Louder Sound feature traces the roots of 1980s heavy metal back to a set of 1970s classic rock albums, arguing that the genre's key sounds—heavy riffing, fantastical lyricism and proto-metal energy—emerged unintentionally from bands operating in the glam and progressive rock scenes of the earlier decade. The piece highlights how personnel and musical ideas carried directly across eras, with band members and songwriting approaches later resurfacing on landmark 80s metal records.
The article opens its list with Uriah Heep's 1972 album Demons And Wizards, noting it was critically panned on release but is now considered a classic, praised for the interplay between vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box. It draws a direct line to 80s metal by noting that Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake went on to play on Ozzy Osbourne's 1981 album Blizzard Of Ozz. The full piece lists ten such albums in total, though only the first entry was provided in the extracted text.
In short
- Louder Sound lists 10 1970s albums that shaped 1980s heavy metal
- Uriah Heep's Demons And Wizards (1972) leads the list
- Drummer Lee Kerslake later played on Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard Of Ozz
Explained simply
Heavy metal became one of rock's dominant genres in the 1980s, defined by thunderous guitar riffs and dramatic vocals. A music feature highlights ten 1970s albums by glam rock and progressive rock bands that unintentionally shaped the genre's core sound. The story reveals how musical genres develop and influence each other in unexpected ways.
Several bands from that earlier era created the heavy guitar textures and fantastical storytelling that would later define metal, though not intentionally pioneering a new genre. The influence crossed directly from one era to the next through the musicians themselves: players who performed on major 1970s rock albums later collaborated on landmark metal records of the 1980s. One example cited is drummer Lee Kerslake, who played on Uriah Heep's 1972 album Demons And Wizards before joining Ozzy Osbourne's band for his 1981 release.
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