10 Greatest Extreme Metal Albums of All Time

2023-06-11

Promo photo of the metal band Slayer.

Audio Ink Radio names their 10 best extreme metal albums of all time (Slayer pictured) – Story by Anne Erickson, photo by Martin Jausller

Here are Audio Ink Radio’s picks for the 10 best extreme metal albums of all time

Extreme metal music means different things to different metalheads, but overall, the genre spits out music that’s more punishing and caustic than your average metal fare. It’s an underground style that often takes from thrash metal, black metal, dealt metal, speed metal, doom metal and more.

No matter the exact riffs or grinding vocals, extreme metal is there to usher musicians and fans out of their comfort zones and to be as radical as possible. These are bands that you won’t hear on rock radio, and you might not even hear them on metal radio. They’re simply too brutal and abrasive for the mainstream world.

So, which extreme metal records can we thank for building this intense genre? Read on for Audio Ink Radio’s list of the 10 best extreme metal albums of all time. Give us your picks on social media here.

10. Bathory, “Bathory” (1984)

Some might wonder why this release made the cut over Bathory’s “Under the Sign of the Black Mark.” But, we really consider “Bathory” one of the first extreme or black metal albums ever. On it, there are elements of black metal, thrash, speed and all kinds of subgenres of metal, tucked into a brutally bloody set. It’s certainly one of the greatest extreme metal albums of all time.

9. Venom, “Black Metal” (1982)

Here’s another black metal classic. In 1982, Venom unleashed “Black Metal,” bringing a relentless offering of heavily distorted guitars, fast rhythms, odd song structures and lo-fi recording. It was a game-changer upon its release, both for the black and extreme metal genres.

8. Suffocation, “Pierced from Within” (1995)

Suffocation were one of the early pioneers in death metal, and they pushed the boundaries of the genre early on. With “Pierced from Within,” the band served up a head-spinning amount of technical guitar playing and complex song structures, as well as some of the heaviest riffs of the time.

7. Carcass, “Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious” (1991)

You can’t have a best-of extreme metal list without Carcass. “Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious” really stands out in the band’s discography, because it moved them from goregrind to a more extreme metal sound, complete with relentless riffing and strong melodies.

6. Napalm Death, “Scum” (1987)

We just spoke of Carcass in regards to being pivotal in the evolution of grindcore. But, another one at the top of that tally is Napalm Death. Napalm Death released “Scum” in 1987, and it was a game-changer. It was, in essence, the first true grindcore record, complete with a whopping 26 songs that only came to about 33 minutes. Punk or metal? The latter, but you can’t tell from those song lengths.

5. At The Gates, “Slaughter of the Soul” (1995)

Sweden’s At The Gates released a metalcore gem with “Slaughter of the Soul.” While some might not consider metalcore an extreme metal genre, this album offers some of the heaviest music you’ll ever hear. It became an instant classic, especially when it comes to the greatest extreme metal albums.

4. Death, “Human” (1990)

Death, as their band name suggests, really pioneered the death metal genre. “Human” is a shining example of the band’s technical skills and how they influenced the death metal genre to be one of the most complex and intricate of all metal genres.

3. Morbid Angel, “Altars of Madness” (1989)

Morbid Angel were another one of the early pioneers of death metal music, and that’s one reason they land high on this list. With “Altars of Madness,” the band introduced a new twist to death metal, with a less thrash-based and more melodic release, which became one of the pillars of the genre.

2. Dissection, “Storm of the Light’s Bane” (1994)

Sweden’s Dissection birthed one of the most important extreme metal albums of all time with “Storm of the Light’s Bane.” This release packs a heavy punch with black metal and melodic death metal, as well as pristine production. It stands on its own when it comes to ingenuity and imagination.

1. Slayer, “Reign in Blood” (1986)

Are you surprised that Slayer with “Reign in Blood” is our No. 1 extreme metal album of all time? You shouldn’t be, really. Sure, Slayer are considered a thrash band today. But “Reign in Blood” was pure, unabashed extreme metal. Now, years later, it’s still considered one of the most powerful and prominent extreme metal albums of all time. For its legacy and influence, Slayer, “Reign in Blood,” tops the list of the greatest extreme metal albums of all time.

Want more metal? Read Audio Ink Radio’s list of 13 under-the-radar metal albums here.

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Metal, Music