5 Hair Metal Albums You Should Own

Last call fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

I got one last bit of nostalgia for all of you! As usual with my music festivals, it’s time to talk about some albums you should go out and buy, or at the very least listen to at least once. We obviously finished up looking at some Hair Metal legends, so it’s obvious that I’d be talking about some records from that genre. This list was perhaps one of the easiest to make for the most part, since I got a personal connection with most of the choices here. So, without further delay, here are 5 Hair Metal albums you should own. Enjoy!

1) Van Halen - 1984 (Sample Song)

1984 is a significant album in the history of Van Halen. It would be the last time that iconic frontman David Lee Roth would sing with them (Until A Different Kind Of Truth in 2012), and because of that the band seemed to go all out with this release. Instrumentation is a perfect mix between rock & metal, the vocal work from David was up to his usual standard, and the keyboard was a nice complement to everything else. 1984 goes by a little faster when compared to everything else on this list (Along with their own albums as well), but it’s an example of a faster band worth listening to a few times!

2) Steel Panther - Feel The Steel (Sample Song)

Steel Panther are such a conflicting band for me. On the one hand, they’ve essentially made the same album over & over. Kinda like the Gothic Power Metal stylings of Powerwolf, every record sounds almost like everything else they put out. On the other hand, it’s obvious that they sincerely love what they do, and are genuine Hair Metal fans. Feel The Steel is perhaps the best thing they put out, and it shows! They’re turning the knob to 11 with the instrumentation, vocal work, and sleaze. This album will make you laugh, and you’ll also be impressed by just how much they don’t give a crap about what anyone politically correct might say about them. That alone should make it a record to seek out!

3) W.A.S.P. - Still Not Black Enough (Sample Song)

I was torn between picking either their starting record and this one. Both are fantastic, but I decided to pick Still Not Black Enough for the list. It’s an example of a Hair Metal band simultaneously trying new things, yet not completely losing sight of their past. Yes, the record is perhaps one of the most obscure releases of the 1990s. Yes, W.A.S.P. fans might not pick it out in comparison to the rest of their discography, but it’s perhaps the most powerful record emotionally wise. I’ve already done a review for it, and took a look at it again earlier this month in part 2 of the overview, so all I can say is to give it a try. Whether you somehow manage to find a physical copy or listen to it on youtube and/or itunes, it’s definitely worth your time!

4) Dokken - Under Lock And Key (Sample Song) & Back For The Attack (Sample Song)

I will fully admit that I only knew about Dokken through their music video for Dream Warriors, and by extension the song. It’s only been in recent years that I’ve really delved into their discography, so I find it appropriate that I put the first 2 albums I ever listened to from these icons here. Both are absolutely fantastic records, and despite the commercial nature of Hair Metal, the band always tried something at least a little different on each release. Under Lock And Key comes across like the lost soundtrack to a spy movie, while Back For The Attack (More specifically the opening track) deals with AIDS.....in 1987! Even if Heavy Metal has never interested you, I say at least give these two albums a try. It’ll certainly be an experience, regardless of the end result.

5) Whitesnake - Flesh & Blood (Sample Song)

I was genuinely shocked that Whitesnake had put out a brand new album in 2019. While they have more of a cult-like following here in the states, over in Europe (Especially in their home country of England) they’re still pretty big. Flesh & Blood is the 4th album in their return since 2008, and the 13th in their just over 40 years of existence. I absolutely dig this record: David Coverdale’s voice still sounds incredible after all this time, the band is great on guitar, bass, and drums, and the music straddles the line between Hair/Heavy Metal & Blues/Hard Rock perfectly without falling into one side. If for whatever reason you’re not a fan of older Whitesnake, maybe this modern release is what you’re looking for.

And with those last words typed out, Hair Metal Hysteria has come to an end. It was fun to talk a walk down metal’s memory lane, and examine a style that many oldschoolers still hold to their hearts to this day. I was born late to enjoy it when I was young, but when I got into it when I was older, I can’t say I was anything short of happy when I did. With that said, see you all in September for a very special birthday, as this blog.....turns 5 years old.