The German music magazine Metal Hammer marks its 50th anniversary with its 500th issue, available on newsstands starting Friday, June 21, 2024. This special edition features a ranking of the 500 greatest metal albums of all time, as chosen by a jury of nearly 100 editors, musicians, industry professionals, and notable metal fans.
Topping the list is METALLICA‘s Master Of Puppets. “Complex structures, musical depth, yet massive sing-along potential — and guitar solos for the ages,” Metal Hammer said in a review. “The compositional lessons instilled in [James] Hetfield and [Lars] Ulrich by Cliff Burton since the band’s inception reach their full bloom here. For Metal Hammer, this is now officially the best opus in metal history!”
METALLICA features five times on Metal Hammer‘s list of the 500 greatest metal albums. The list also includes heavy metal pioneers like MOTÖRHEAD, AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, MANOWAR, and SLAYER, as well as some more modern acts such as SLIPKNOT, TOOL, NIGHTWISH, GHOST, IN FLAMES, and SLEEP TOKEN.
“Compiling this list was certainly a mammoth task – but one we gladly took on for the extra-thick 500th issue,” says Metal Hammer editor-in-chief Sebastian Kessler. “What an intense trip through the history of metal; perfect for celebrating Metal Hammer‘s 40th anniversary! There’s rarely been so much discussion, philosophy, weighing, and argumentation. And with the release of the results, it’s likely just the beginning.”
The complete list is available in Metal Hammer‘s July 2024 issue, which features a golden cover and includes 32 additional pages.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.
