Facts about Heavy Metal

1. 08

   Iron Maiden's 1982 album The Number of the Beast debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making it the first new wave of British heavy metal band to achieve this commercial milestone.

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2. 07

   At 139 decibels, Manowar's 1984 performance at the Guinness World Records held the loudest concert ever officially recorded, requiring hearing protection for audience members within 100 feet.

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3. 06

   Ozzy Osbourne's 1980 solo album Blizzard of Ozz featured guitarist Randy Rhoads, whose neo-classical technique and intricate solos revolutionized heavy metal guitar playing and influenced countless musicians throughout the 1980s.

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4. 05

   Judas Priest's 1978 album Stained Class introduced the twin lead guitar harmony technique that became a cornerstone of heavy metal musicianship for decades.

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5. 04

   Led Zeppelin's 1969 song Whole Lotta Love contains a backwards guitar solo recorded at 45 rpm then played at 33 rpm to create an otherworldly effect that influenced heavy metal production techniques.

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6. 03

   In 1991, Pantera's album Vulgar Display of Power peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200 and helped establish groove metal as a dominant subgenre throughout the 1990s.

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7. 02

   Metallica's 1986 album Master of Puppets spent 47 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the longest-charting thrash metal album of the 1980s.

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8. 01

   Black Sabbath's 1970 debut album featured the song Iron Man, which used a distinctive guitar riff tuned down to B flat to achieve its heavy, crushing sound.

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