5 Dark Classic Rock Albums That Are Undeniable Masterpieces

The article names five classic rock albums it considers masterpieces for their dark moods, arguing that each helped shape its corner of rock music. It highlights how artists including The Cure, The Doors and Black Sabbath turned unsettling emotions into distinctive, enduring records.

The Cure’s *Seventeen Seconds* was recorded in seven days in 1980 and sold fewer than 50,000 copies worldwide in its first year, but Robert Smith valued its artistry over sales. The Doors’ *Strange Days* explored psychedelic darkness, with “People Are Strange” emerging from a dawn walk and a conversation with Jim Morrison. The supplied article text ends partway through its discussion of Black Sabbath and does not include details about the remaining albums.