Favorite Album From Each Year

...says the guy who still needs to get through 238 albums in the next 3 days to stay on track. :huh:
Less because I’ve been listening to albums while not recording them on MaidenFans.

edit: I’m tired of it all.
 
Went through these all last night, some years are a little sparse in terms of music I've listened to, those which I don't feel represent an album I enjoy have an N/A in the place until I find an album I like, I excluded EPs and Live Albums. Some things stuck out pretty quick like that every Alter Bridge record is featured here, and Iron Maiden also has a naturally strong showing. They nearly had 7 but I had to pick Blackout over The Number Of The Beast.

2019 - Alter Bridge - Walk The Sky
2018 - Judas Priest - Firepower
2017 - W.A.S.P. - ReIdolized: The Soundtrack Of The Crimson Idol
2016 - Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
2015 - Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
2014 - Slash Ft Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators - World On Fire
2013 - Alter Bridge - Fortress
2012 - Rush - Clockwork Angels
2011 - Evanescence - Evanescence
2010 - Alter Bridge - AB III

2009 - Dream Theater - Black Clouds And Silver Linings
2008 - Scorpions - Humanity: Hour 1
2007 - Alter Bridge - Blackbird
2006 - Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life and Death
2005 - Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution
2004 - Alter Bridge - One Day Remains
2003 - Evanescence - Fallen
2002 - Dream Theater - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
2001 - N/A
2000 - Iron Maiden - Brave New World

1999 - Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
1998 - Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
1997 - N/A
1996 - N/A
1995 - Bon Jovi - These Days
1994 - Dream Theater - Awake
1993 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell II: Back To Hell
1992 - W.A.S.P. - The Crimson Idol
1991- Temple Of The Dog - Temple Of The Dog
1990 - Queensryche - Empire

1989 - W.A.S.P. - The Headless Children
1988 - Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
1987 - Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
1986 - Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
1985 - N/A
1984 - Iron Maiden - Powerslave
1983 - Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind
1982 - Scorpions - Blackout
1981 - Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules
1980 - Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell

1979 - Scorpions - Lovedrive
1978 - Rainbow - Long Live Rock N Roll
1977 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
1976 - Rainbow - Rising
1975 - Scorpions - In Trance
1974 - Scorpions - Fly To The Rainbow
1973 - Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
1972 - Black Sabbath - Vol 4
1971 - Led Zeppelin - IV
1970 - Black Sabbath - Paranoid
1969 - Led Zeppelin - I

By Artist:
Alter Bridge – 6
Iron Maiden – 6
Scorpions – 5
Black Sabbath – 4
Dream Theater – 4
Led Zeppelin - 3
WASP – 3
Evanescence – 2
Judas Priest – 2
Meat Loaf – 2
Queensryche – 2
Rainbow – 2
Bon Jovi – 1
Bruce Dickinson – 1
Guns N Roses – 1
Rush – 1
Slash Ft Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators – 1
Temple Of The Dog – 1

Figured I would update this. Dream Theater has claimed 3 of the unclaimed years. Depending on how A Dramatic Turn Of Events sticks with me it may take 2011 from Evanescence
 
Update, you say? excellent idea

1990: Judas Priest - Painkiller
1991: Metallica - Metallica
1992: Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond
1993: Motorhead - Bastards
1994: Virgin Steele - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, part I
1995: Virgin Steele - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, part II
1996: umm . . . maybe The Time of the Oath? weak year.
1997: Nightwish - Angels Fall First
1998: Blind Guardian - Nightfall in Middle Earth
1999: Virgin Steele - The House of Atreus, Act I

2000: Maiden - Brave New World
2001: Saxon - Killing Ground
2002: Nightwish - Century Child (haven't heard Dream Theater's SDOIT yet, so might change)
2003: Epica - The Phantom Agony
2004: Mastodon - Leviathan
2005: Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
2006: Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death
2007: Crystal Viper - The Curse of the Crystal Viper
2008: Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God
2009: W.A.S.P. - Babylon

2010: Crystal Viper - Legends
2011: Alestorm - Back Through Time
2012: Sabaton - Carolus Rex
2013: Battle Beast - Battle Beast
2014: Sabaton - Heroes
2015: Maiden - The Book of Souls
2016: Amon Amarth - Jomsviking
2017: Unleash the Archers - Apex
2018: Judas Priest - Firepower
2019: Frozen Crown - Crowned in Frost
 
Did another bit of an update, took my top 3 albums percent wise, aboce 85% and then chose the one which I go back to the most for my album of each year. This resulted in some additions of Yes in the 70s due to some of their albums being super consistent, while some of these albums may not be my go to they are higher quality as a whole than some of the others. 1985, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2008 are the years which I would consider weaker but figured best to put something down for each year. Some bands I've warmed up to more over the past few months. I couldn't decide between a couple years so I did ties.

2019 - Alter Bridge - Walk The Sky
2018 - Judas Priest - Firepower
2017 - W.A.S.P. - ReIdolized: The Soundtrack Of The Crimson Idol
2016 - Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
2015 - Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
2014 - Slash Ft Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators - World On Fire
2013 - Alter Bridge - Fortress
2012 - Rush - Clockwork Angels
2011 - Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2010 - Alter Bridge - AB III

2009 - Dream Theater - Black Clouds And Silver Linings
2008 - Scorpions - Humanity: Hour 1
2007 - Alter Bridge - Blackbird
2006 - Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life and Death
2005 - Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution
2004 - Alter Bridge - One Day Remains
2003 - Evanescence - Fallen
2002 - Dream Theater - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
2001 - The Mayfield Four - Second Skin
2000 - Iron Maiden - Brave New World

1999 - Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
1998 - Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
1997 - Bruce Dickonson - Accident Of Birth
1996 - Iced Earth - The Dark Saga
1995 - Dream Theater - A Change Of Seasons
1994 - Dream Theater - Awake
1993 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell II: Back To Hell
1992 - TIE: W.A.S.P. - The Crimson Idol and Dream Theater - Images and Words
1991- TIE: Guns N Roses - Use Your Illusion I and II
1990 - Queensryche - Empire

1989 - Black Sabbath - Headless Cross
1988 - Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
1987 - Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
1986 - Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
1985 - Rush - Power Windows
1984 - Iron Maiden - Powerslave
1983 - Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind
1982 - Scorpions - Blackout
1981 - Journey - Escape
1980 - Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell

1979 - Scorpions - Lovedrive
1978 - TIE: Rainbow - Long Live Rock N Roll and Rush - Hemispheres
1977 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
1976 - Rainbow - Rising
1975 - Scorpions - In Trance
1974 - Yes - Relayer
1973 - Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
1972 - Yes - Close To The Edge
1971 - Yes - The Yes Album
1970 - Black Sabbath - Paranoid
1969 - Led Zeppelin - I
 
This one's particularly tough but here goes nothing. The albums in bold are the ones I'm almost dead certain they were their year's #1.

2019: Tool - Fear Inoculum
2018: Zeal And Ardor - Stranger Fruit
2017: Anathema - The Optimist
2016: Cult Of Luna And Julie Christmas - Mariner
2015: Rosetta - Quintessential Ephemera
2014: Peter Murphy - Lion
2013: Cult Of Luna - Vertikal

2012: Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage
2011: Devin Townsend - Epicloud
2010: Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent

2009: Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue
2008: Cynic - Traced In Air
2007: Rosetta - Wake/ Lift

2006: Fields Of The Nephilim - Mourning Sun
2005: Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
2004: Samael - Reign Of Light
2003: Killing Joke - Killing Joke 2003
2002: Peter Murphy - Dust
2001: Tool - Lateralus
2000: Devin Townsend - Physicist

1999: Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile
1998: Devin Townsend - Infinity
1997: Paradise Lost - One Second

1996: Cubanate - Barbarosa
1995: The Young Gods - Only Heaven
1994: The Cult - The Cult
1993: Paradise Lost - Icon
1992: Alice In Chains - Dirt
1991: Skyclad - The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth
1990: Judas Priest - Painkiller

1989: The Young Gods - L'Eau Rouge

1988: Sabbat - History Of A Time To Come
1987: The Young Gods - The Young Gods
1986: Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
1985: The Cult - Love

1984: Iron Maiden - Powerslave
1983: Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind
1982: Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance
1981: Iron Maiden - Killers
1980: Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden

1979: Gary Numan - The Pleasure Principle
1978: Judas Priest - Stained Class
1977: Judas Priest - Sin After Sin
1976: Judas Priest - Sad Wings Of Destiny
1975: Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

1974: King Crimson - Red
1973: Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
1972: Black Sabbath - Vol 4
1971: Led Zeppelin - IV
1970: Black sabbath - Paranoid

1969: Led Zeppelin - II
1968: Pink Floyd - A Saucerful Of Secrets
1967: Pink Floyd - Piper At The Gates Of Dawn


And prior to this, well... too little to keep track (some Elvis, Dale, Kurt Weill, Ravel, Wagner, Carl Orf)
And even so... it's so hard to keep track of everything unless it comes to absolutely all time favorites.
 
Last edited:
Finally got around to doing this. Came up with a list of all the album I can remember having heard, so I think my choices are pretty accurate but will likely change in future. For some years I’m including the runner-up if it was also particularly memorable.

1963
The Beatles - With the Beatles

1964
The Beatles - A Hard’s Day Night

1965
The Beatles - Rubber Soul

1966
The Beatles - Revolver

1967
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

1968
The Beatles - The Beatles

1969
The Beatles - Abbey Road
(Runner-up: Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II)

1970
Black Sabbath - Paranoid

1971
Led Zeppelin - [Untitled]

1972
Uriah Heep - Demons and Wizards

1973
Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies
(Runner-up: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon)

1974
ABBA - Waterloo

1975
Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

1976
Rush - 2112

1977
Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell

1978
Judas Priest - Stained Class

1979
Pink Floyd - The Wall

1980
Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden

1981
ABBA - The Visitors

1982
Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance

1983
Dio - Holy Diver

1984
Iron Maiden - Powerslave
(Runner-up: Mercyful Fate - Don’t Break the Oath)

1985
Possessed - Seven Churches

1986
Metallica - Master of Puppets

1987
King Diamond - Abigail

1988
Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime

1989
Pandora’s Box - Original Sin

1990
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
(Runner-up: Judas Priest - Painkiller)

1991
Iced Earth - Night of the Stormrider

1992
Alice In Chains - Dirt

1993
Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell
(Runner-up: Carcass - Heartwork)

1994
Bruce Dickinson - Balls to Picasso
(Runner-up: Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse)

1995
Iron Maiden - The X Factor
(Runner-up: Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings)

1996
Bruce Dickinson - Skunkworks
(Runners-up:
Metallica - Load
Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy)


1997
Bruce Dickinson - Accident of Birth

1998
Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
(Runner-up: Iced Earth - Something Wicked This Way Comes)

1999
Iced Earth - Alive in Athens

2000
Poe - Haunted
(Runners-up:
Iron Maiden - Brave New World
Symphony X -
V: The New Mythology Suite)

2001
Iced Earth - Horror Show
(Runner-up: Rammstein - Mutter)

2002
Nightwish - Century Child
(Runner-up: Buckethead - Bermuda Triangle)

2003
Iron Maiden - Dance of Death

2004
Nightwish - Once

2005
Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny of Souls

2006
Ahab - The Call of the Wretched Sea

2007
Nightwish - Dark Passion Play

2008
Sabaton - The Art of War

2009
Amputated - Wading Through Rancid Offal

2010
Sabaton - Coat of Arms

2011
Nightwish - Imaginaerum

2012
Sabaton - Carolus Rex

2013
Sabaton - Swedish Empire Live

2014
Alestorm - Sunset on the Golden Age

2015
Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls
(Runner-up: Nightwish - Endless Forms Most Beautiful)

2016
Blaze Bayley - Infinite Entanglement

2017
Iced Earth - Incorruptible

2018
Judas Priest - Firepower

2019
Rammstein - [Untitled]

2020
Nightwish - HVMAN. :||: NATVRE.
 
Last edited:
1969- Led Zeppelin II
1970- Black Sabbath- Paranoid
1971- Black Sabbath- Master of Reality
1972- Black Sabbath- Vol.4(runner up: Wishbone Ash- Argus)
1973- Black Sabbath- Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
1974- Thin Lizzy- Nightlife
1975- Black Sabbath- Sabotage
1976- Judas Priest- Sad Wings of Destiny
1977- Judas Priest- Sin after Sin
1978- Judas Priest- Stained Class
1979- Judas Priest- Unleashed in the East
1980- Ozzy Osbourne- Blizzard of Ozz(Runner-up: Iron Maiden- Iron Maiden)
1981- Ozzy Osbourne- Diary of a Madman(Riot- Fire Down Under)
1982- Judas Priest- Screaming for Vengeance
1983- Iron Maiden- Piece of Mind(runner-up: Grim Reaper- See you in Hell)
1984- Metallica- Ride the Lightning( runner-up: Judas Priest Defenders of the Faith)
1985- Exodus- Bonded by Blood
1986- Iron Maiden- Somewhere in Time(runner-up: Metallica- Master of Puppets)
1987- Savatage- Hall of the Mountain King
1988- Metallica- And Justice for All(runner-up Iron Maiden- Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1989- Black Sabbath- Headless Cross
1990- Judas Priest- Painkiller(runner-up Megadeth- Rust in Peace)

No favorites between 1991-2012

2013-Black Sabbath- 13
2015-Iron Maiden- Book of Souls
2018-Judas Priest- Firepower
 
Seeing as it has been over a year and some of these have changed. Previous lists were almost soley based on the percentages from Random Album reviews and 365 albums in 1 year. This list is a bit more in regards to looking at my list of albums and thinking what do I listen to the most. Live and rerecorded albums do not qualify.

2021 - Dream Theater - A View From The Top Of The World
2020 - Deep Purple - Whoosh!

2019 - Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal
2018 - Judas Priest - Firepower
2017 - Sons Of Apollo - Psychotic Symphony
2016 - Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
2015 - Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
2014 - Slash - World On Fire
2013 - Alter Bridge - Fortress
2012 - Rush - Clockwork Angels
2011 - Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2010 - Alter Bridge - AB III

2009 - Dream Theater - Black Clouds And Silver Linings
2008 - Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy
2007 - Alter Bridge - Blackbird
2006 - Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death
2005 - Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
2004 - Nightwish - Once
2003 - Evanescence - Fallen
2002 - Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
2001 - The Mayfield Four - Second Skin
2000 - Halford - Resurrection

1999 - Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory
1998 - Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse
1997 - Bruce Dickinson - Accident Of Birth
1996 - Porcupine Tree - Signify
1995 - Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings
1994 - Dream Theater - Awake
1993 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell II: Back To Hell
1992 - Dream Theater - Images And Words
1991- Guns N Roses - Use Your Illuion I
1990 - Queensryche - Empire

1989 - Black Sabbath - Headless Cross
1988 - Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime
1987 - Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
1986 - Iron Maiden - Somwhere In Time
1985 - Fates Warning - The Spectre Within
1984 - Scorpions - Love At First Sting
1983 - Dio - Holy Diver
1982 - Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast
1981 - Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules
1980 - Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell

1979 - Scorpions - Lovedrive
1978 - Rush - Hemispheres
1977 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
1976 - Rainbow - Rising
1975 - Scorpions - In Trance
1974 - Yes - Relayer
1973 - Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
1972 - Yes - Close To The Edge
1971 - Yes - The Yes Album
1970 - Black Sabbath - Paranoid
1969 - Led Zeppelin - I


Comparring to the first two lists I posted, Bold = choice remained
Feb 2019, 1969-1989, 14/21 remained the same
1969 - Led Zeppelin I
1970 - Deep Purple In Rock/Black Sabbath Paranoid
1971 - Led Zeppelin IV
1972 - Deep Purple Machine Head
1973 - Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy
1974 - Deep Purple Burn/Scorpions Fly to The Rainbow
1975 - Rainbow Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow/Scorpions In Trance
1976 - Boston Boston/Rainbow Rising
1977 - AC/DC Let There Be Rock
1978 - AC/DC Powerage/Scorpions Tokyo Tapes
1979 - Scorpions Lovedrive/UFO Strangers In The Night
1980 - Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell/AC/DC Back in Black
1981 - Black Sabbath The Mob Rules
1982 - Iron Maiden The Number of the Beast/Scorpions Blackout
1983 - Def Leppard Pyromania/Dio Holy Diver
1984 - Scorpions Love At First Sting/Iron Maiden Powerslave
1985 - Iron Maiden Live After Death/Scorpions World Wide Live
1986 - Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet/Iron Maiden Somewhere In Time
1987 - Whitesnake 1987/Guns N Roses Appetite for Destruction
1988 - Iron Maiden Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son/Queensryche Operation:Mindcrime
1989 - Whitesnake Slip Of The Tongue/Skid Row Skid Row

Dec 2019 All years (27/51 remained the same)
2019 - Alter Bridge - Walk The Sky
2018 - Judas Priest - Firepower
2017 - W.A.S.P. - ReIdolized: The Soundtrack Of The Crimson Idol
2016 - Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
2015 - Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
2014 - Slash Ft Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators - World On Fire
2013 - Alter Bridge - Fortress
2012 - Rush - Clockwork Angels
2011 - Evanescence - Evanescence
2010 - Alter Bridge - AB III

2009 - Dream Theater - Black Clouds And Silver Linings
2008 - Scorpions - Humanity: Hour 1
2007 - Alter Bridge - Blackbird
2006 - Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life and Death
2005 - Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution
2004 - Alter Bridge - One Day Remains
2003 - Evanescence - Fallen
2002 - Dream Theater - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
2001 - N/A
2000 - Iron Maiden - Brave New World

1999 - Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
1998 - Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
1997 - N/A
1996 - N/A
1995 - Bon Jovi - These Days
1994 - Dream Theater - Awake
1993 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell II: Back To Hell
1992 - W.A.S.P. - The Crimson Idol
1991- Temple Of The Dog - Temple Of The Dog
1990 - Queensryche - Empire

1989 - W.A.S.P. - The Headless Children
1988 - Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
1987 - Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
1986 - Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
1985 - N/A
1984 - Iron Maiden - Powerslave
1983 - Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind
1982 - Scorpions - Blackout
1981 - Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules
1980 - Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell

1979 - Scorpions - Lovedrive
1978 - Rainbow - Long Live Rock N Roll
1977 - Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
1976 - Rainbow - Rising
1975 - Scorpions - In Trance
1974 - Scorpions - Fly To The Rainbow
1973 - Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
1972 - Black Sabbath - Vol 4
1971 - Led Zeppelin - IV
1970 - Black Sabbath - Paranoid
1969 - Led Zeppelin - I
 
My list from 1981-2021, with the added constraint of no artist repeats:

2021Noora Louhimo ExperienceEternal Wheel Of Time And Space
2020Unleash The ArchersAbyss
2019Battle BeastNo More Hollywood Endings
2018GhostPrequelle
2017The Night Flight OrchestraAmber Galactic
2016Amon AmarthJomsviking
2015The DarknessLast Of Our Kind
2014AmarantheMassive Addictive
2013StratovariusNemesis
2012HalestormThe Strange Case Of
2011NightwishImaginaerum
2010Bullet For My ValentineFever
2009ParamoreBrand New Eyes
2008DisturbedIndestructible
2007Allen LandeThe Revenge
2006ShakiraOral Fixation Vol. 2
2005DragonforceInhuman Rampage
2004FirewindForged By Fire
2003EvanescenceFallen
2002AvantasiaThe Metal Opera Pt. II
2001Sum 41All Killer No Filler
2000Linkin ParkHybrid Theory
1999Red Hot Chili PeppersCalifornication
1998Blue Oyster CultHeaven Forbid
1997Foo FightersThe Colour & The Shape
1996ScorpionsPure Instinct
1995QueenMade In Heaven
1994WeezerWeezer (Blue Album)
1993Meat LoafBat Out Of Hell II
1992Dream TheaterImages & Words
1991MetallicaMetallica
1990MegadethRust In Peace
1989Alice CooperTrash
1988EuropeOut Of This World
1987Def LeppardHysteria
1986Bon JoviSlippery When Wet
1985Dire StraitsBrothers In Arms
1984Judas PriestDefenders Of The Faith
1983DioHoly Diver
1982Iron MaidenNumber Of The Beast
1981Electric Light OrchestraTime
 
I will post my list from 1970 onwards at the end of the year. Logically, it should look pretty different compared to my embarrassing 2019 list.
 
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