Best First Wave

Under the Sign of the Black Mark is the third studio album by the Swedish metal band Bathory, released in 1987. It was primarily recorded by frontman Quorthon and is noted for its raw production, high-pitched vocal delivery, and dark lyrical themes. This release is heavily cited as a foundational bl...

Don't Break the Oath is the second studio album by the Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, released in 1984. Characterized by the high, theatrical falsetto vocals of lead singer King Diamond and the intricate guitar work of Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, the album is a landmark of occult-theme...

To Mega Therion is the second studio album by the Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost, released in October 1985 on Noise Records. The album features Tom G. Warrior on vocals and guitar, Martin Eric Ain on bass, and Reed St. Mark on drums, with additional orchestral arrangements contributed by Aust...

20 Jazz Funk Greats is the third studio album by the English industrial music group Throbbing Gristle, released in 1979 on their own Industrial Records label. Despite its ironic title and deceptively cheerful cover art, the album features a mix of dark, proto-industrial sounds, eerie synthesizers, a...

Melissa is the debut studio album by Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate, released in 1983 on Roadrunner Records. The album features vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann, showcasing a style combining heavy metal with occult and horror-themed lyrics. King Diamond's operatic vocal appro...

"Morbid Tales" is the debut release by the Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost, originally issued as an EP through Noise Records in 1984. The group was formed earlier that year by Tom Gabriel Warrior and Martin Eric Ain following the dissolution of their previous band, Hellhammer. Characterized by...

"Black Metal" is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Venom, released in 1982 by Neat Records. The record is characterized by its raw sound, aggressive tempo, and dark lyrical themes, marking a significant departure from the more polished heavy metal of the era. Its title directly...

Bathory is the self-titled debut studio album by the Swedish extreme metal band Bathory, released in 1984. Primarily recorded by multi-instrumentalist Quorthon, the album features a raw, low-fidelity production style and dark lyrical themes. It is considered a foundational release in the first wave...

D.O.A.: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle is the second studio album by English industrial music group Throbbing Gristle, released in 1978 through their own Industrial Records label. The album showcases the band's experimental approach to sound creation, incorporating tape manipulation...

The Return...... is the second studio album by the Swedish heavy metal band Bathory, released in 1985. It was recorded in Stockholm and features an even rawer, lo-fi production style than their self-titled debut. The album primarily consists of early black metal and speed metal tracks, heavily influ...

The Second Annual Report is the 1977 debut album by the English group Throbbing Gristle, recognized as a foundational release of the industrial music genre for its confrontational noise.

Welcome to Hell (1981) is the debut album by British band Venom from Newcastle, a proto-black metal record that directly inspired the first generation of black metal musicians.

Reproduction is the 1979 debut album by the English electronic band The Human League, notable for its dark, experimental synth sound that predates their mainstream pop breakthrough.

Apocalyptic Raids (1984) is the sole EP by Swiss proto-black metal band Hellhammer, led by Tom G. Warrior, released just before the band dissolved to form Celtic Frost.

The Quality of Mercy Is Not Strnen is the 1979 debut album by English band the Mekons, noted for its raw, satirical approach to punk rock and its playful cut-and-paste album cover artwork.