Here are 10 essential metal albums from the 1970s that you should absolutely own on vinyl.
Look, there’s no real way to accurately describe the sound of '70s metal, mostly because the genre was somewhat in its infancy at the start of the decade.
Black Sabbath were pioneers of the sound, starting in the 1970s with a string of solid albums that helped establish what it actually meant to be “metal.” Others, like UFO and Budgie, would follow suit.
READ MORE: 11 Essential ’90s Metal Albums You Need on Vinyl
Then, you had acts that incorporated hints of what Sabbath was doing into a hard rock base. That’s where bands like Deep Purple and Rainbow carved out a place among music fans.
But let’s be honest here, more than half of this list could have been solely comprised of Black Sabbath albums and no one would have batted an eye. We didn’t do that, instead opting to show the broad definition of metal in the 1970s.
(Don’t worry, there is still a ton of Sabbath about to come your way as you scroll)
If you’re looking to start collecting some of the best metal of the 1970s, here are 10 albums that need to be on your shelves.
Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath (1970)
Black Sabbath, ‘Black Sabbath’
Key tracks: “Black Sabbath,” “The Wizard,” “Wicked World”
Buy it here.
Black Sabbath, Paranoid (1970)
Key tracks: “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “War Pigs/Luke’s Wall”
Buy it here.
Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
led zeppelin IV
Key tracks: “Stairway to Heaven,” “Back Dog,” “Rock and Roll”
Buy it here.
Budgie, Squawk (1972)
Key tracks: “Whisky River,” “Bottled,” “Drugstore Woman”
Buy it here.
Deep Purple, Machine Head (1972)
deep purple machine head album cover
Key tracks: “Smoke on the Water,” “Highway Star,” “Space Truckin'”
Buy it here.
UFO, Phenomenon (1974)
Key tracks: “Doctor Doctor,” “Rock Bottom,” “Lipstick Traces”
Buy it here.
Black Sabbath, Sabotage (1975)
black sabbath, sabotage
Key tracks: “Symptom of the Universe,” “Megalomania,” “Thrill of It All”
Buy it here.
Rainbow, Rising (1976)
cover of rising by rainbow
Key tracks: “Stargazer,” “Starstruck,” “A Light in the Black”
Buy it here.
Scorpions, Virgin Killer (1976)
scorpions virgin killer
Key tracks: “Pictured Life,” “Catch Your Train,” “Virgin Killer”
Buy it here.
Motorhead, Overkill (1979)
Bronze Records
Key tracks: “Overkill,” “Damage Case,” “Stay Clean”
Buy it here.
If you were lucky and got a hand-me-down copy of one of the albums on this list. If not, it might be time for you to inspire the next generation of vinyl collectors.
If you want to pass on some great music to your children, consider these 25 essential albums from the 1970s that should be shared with them.
25 Essential Rock + Metal Albums of the ’70s to Pass on To Your Children
Avoid the bell bottoms but definitely pass on these ’70s albums to your children.
Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire
