Let’s take a look at albums turning 40 this year

It’s time again to marvel at how quickly time has passed. Amidst this crisis, we can also take a look at which albums are celebrating anniversaries this year. Today it’s time to check out albums turning 40 this year:

1. Dire Straits – “Brothers In Arms”:

Dire Straits‘ fifth studio album can certainly be called the band’s breakthrough album. “Brothers In Arms” was the first CD release to sell over a million physical CDs. And no wonder, as the album features nine amazing tracks, three of which – “Money For Nothing,” “Walk of Life,” and “Brothers in Arms” – continue to play on the radio today.

2. W.A.S.P. – “The Last Command”:

W.A.S.P. was living its golden years. The previous year’s debut album “W.A.S.P.” gained the band wider recognition with its shock value. The band’s second album “The Last Command” followed in the footsteps of the debut, churning out classic track after classic track. The album features songs like “Wild Child,” “Blind In Texas,” and “Fistful of Diamonds

3. Mötley Crüe – “Theatre Of Pain”:

Mötley Crüe‘s third album, “Theatre of Pain”, offered a bluesier sound compared to their earlier “Shout At The Devil” album. The album features a cover of Brownsville Station‘s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” but perhaps the most iconic track on the album is the ultimate power ballad, “Home Sweet Home.” “Theatre of Pain” is dedicated to Hanoi Rocks‘ drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley, who tragically passed away in a car accident caused by an intoxicated Vince Neil.

4. Megadeth – “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good”:

After being ousted from Metallica, Dave Mustaine was determined to prove himself to his former bandmates. Megadeth‘s debut album, “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good”, features highly aggressive and fast thrash metal compared to their follow-up album “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?”. A middle finger to Metallica, the track “Mechanix” is the original version of Metallica‘s “The Four Horsemen.”

5. Exodus – “Bonded By Blood”:

Exodus’ debut album, “Bonded By Blood”, took a while to materialize. Founded in 1979, the band didn’t release their debut until 1985. And the wait was worth it, as the album’s violent lyrics and tight guitar riffs, particularly on the title track, solidify it as an essential thrash metal classic. The album was initially going to be called “A Lesson In Violence”, but after struggling to find a fitting cover art, the band ultimately decided on “Bonded By Blood” as the title.

6. Anthrax – “Spreading The Disease”:

After releasing their debut album “Fistful of Metal” the previous year, Anthrax parted ways with their original singer, Neil Turbin, following their album release tour. The band went into the studio to record their second album, “Spreading The Disease”, without a lead vocalist. In the worst-case scenario, guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Frank Bello would have handled the vocal parts in a Paul Stanley–Gene Simmons fashion. Fortunately, they found Joey Belladonna to take over the role, and in my opinion, he is the only true Anthrax frontman. The first album by Anthrax’s classic lineup (Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Joey Belladonna, and Dan Spitz) delivered a collection of unforgettable Anthrax classics such as “Madhouse,” “Medusa,” and “A.I.R.”.

7. Slayer – “Hell Awaits”:

SLAAAYEEEEEERRR!!!! The second full-length album by thrash metal legends Slayer, “Hell Awaits”, took a step toward the familiar Slayer sound compared to their debut “Show No Mercy”. On “Hell Awaits”, you can hear the same elements that the band would refine and bring to perfection the following year on their legendary “Reign in Blood” album. The album features Slayer gems such as the title track “Hell Awaits,” “At Dawn They Sleep,” and “Necrophiliac.”

8. AC/DC – “Fly on the Wall”:

“Fly on the Wall” suffered the same fate as AC/DC’s previous album, “Flick of the Switch” (1983), and was overshadowed by the band’s earlier classics, “Back in Black” and “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)”. However, it’s not as bad an album as one might think. The guitar riff in the chorus of “Playing With Girls” is top-notch, and the chorus of “Shake Your Foundations” will definitely haunt your mind in the signature AC/DC way. “Fly on the Wall” also marks the first AC/DC album featuring Simon Wright on drums, replacing the band’s original drummer Phil Rudd.

9. Twisted Sister – “Come Out And Play”:

Twisted Sister‘s fourth album, “Come Out and Play”, wasn’t as successful as their previous release, “Stay Hungry” (1984). The single “Leader of the Pack,” originally by The Shangri-Las, was one of the key tracks from the album, and Twisted Sister had actually been performing it live since the 1970s. The second single, “Be Chrool to Your Scuel,” featured guest stars Alice Cooper and Billy Joel, adding extra star power to the track.

10. Faith No More – “We Care a Lot”:

Mike Patton is best known as the lead vocalist of Faith No More, but on their debut album “We Care a Lot”, the original vocalist Chuck Mosley handled the mic. Mosley left the band in 1988. He later returned for Faith No More‘s 30th-anniversary tour, performing songs from “We Care a Lot” and “Introduce Yourself” (released in 1987). The band also recorded a new version of the title track for the latter album. Tragically, Mosley passed away in 2017 due to a drug overdose.

11. Accept – “Metal Heart”:

German heavy metal band Accept‘s sixth album, “Metal Heart”, revolves around the concept of mechanical body parts and the idea that in the future, human organs (including the heart) will become mechanical machines. The title track features quotes from two classical music pieces: Tchaikovsky‘s “Slavonic March,” which appears at the beginning, and Beethoven‘s “Für Elise,” incorporated into the guitar solo.

12. ZZ Top – “Afterburner”:

Released in 1985, “Afterburner” was ZZ Top‘s ninth album and followed in the footsteps of the band’s 1983 hit “Eliminator”, which had been a commercial success. Like any savvy musicians, ZZ Top decided to bring back the elements from “Eliminator”, but they took things a step further with “Afterburner”, introducing synthesizers, drum machines, and even more sexual references in their lyrics. As a result, “Afterburner” didn’t receive the same level of praise as “Eliminator”. However, the album still left behind memorable tracks like the lovely “Rough Boy“, the ’80s-tinged “Sleeping Bag“, and the rocking “Can’t Stop Rockin’“, which continue to be enjoyable to listen to even today.

13. Kreator – “Endless Pain”:

In the mid-’80s, the thrash metal wave spread across Germany, and one of the bands leading the charge was Kreator. Their debut album, “Endless Pain”, released in 1985, wasn’t quite the sound that would define the band later on, but it laid a strong foundation for their career. The album blends the early ’80s thrash metal fury of Metallica with the speed and black metal elements of Venom. Vocals are split between Mille Petrozza and drummer Ventor Reil, creating a raw, aggressive dynamic throughout the record. “Endless Pain” is an intense and powerful debut that captures the essence of thrash at its rawest, setting the stage for Kreator’s rise in the genre.

14. Dio – “Sacred Heart”:

After the massive success of “Holy Diver” and “The Last in Line”, Dio‘s third album, “Sacred Heart”, was a somewhat underwhelming follow-up. While it still delivered some solid tracks, it didn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessors. “Sacred Heart” also marked the end of the original Dio lineup, as guitarist Vivian Campbell was replaced by Craig Goldy during the album’s promotional tour. Despite this internal turmoil, the album gave rise to memorable tracks like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children” and “Hungry for Heaven”. The album remains an important part of Dio‘s discography but is often overshadowed by the brilliance of his earlier works.

15. Possessed – “Seven Churches”:

Possessed‘s debut album, “Seven Churches”, is often regarded as a cornerstone of extreme metal, particularly for its influence on the birth of death metal. The album combines elements of thrash metal with a darker, more aggressive sound that foreshadowed the evolution of death metal. The opening track, “The Exorcist”, draws heavy inspiration from the 1973 horror film of the same name, adding a chilling atmosphere to the record. The final track, “Death Metal”, is a significant moment in metal history, as it not only gives the album its name but is also cited as one of the earliest instances of the death metal genre, cementing Possessed‘s place in its creation. The raw energy and brutality on “Seven Churches” helped pave the way for future death metal bands, making it a seminal release in the genre’s development.

16. Bathory – The Return……

Bathory’s second album “The Return……” (full title The Return of the Darkness and Evil) is considered a cornerstone album of the early black metal scene. Bathory’s influence on black metal and extreme music in general cannot be overstated, and “The Return…” remains a landmark release in metal history. It retained much of the raw, thrashy sound of their debut album “Bathory” (1984), but with a greater emphasis on atmosphere, darkness, and speed. In various interviews, Fenriz of Darkthrone praised the album and defined it as “the essence of black metal”

17. Venom – “Possessed”

Venom‘s fourth album “Possessed” received mixed reviews at the time of it’s release. However, it was widely praised by fans of heavy metal and thrash, and it went on to become a cult classic in Venom’s discography. While it may not have achieved the same commercial success as some of their earlier albums, it is regarded by many as one of the band’s most intense and influential works. “Possessed” was the last album to feature guitarist Jeffrey “Mantas” Dunn before his first departure from the band in 1986.