Unknown Soldier

Now this is where you go to 'spank your plank'

Overview
Unlike any other band and album on here so far, Led Zeppelin arrived like a nuclear bomb and played louder than any other band around at that time. It was obvious from the word go, that they had a musical chemistry more electrifying and dynamic than any other rock 'n' roll band that had gone before them. This had a lot to do with the diverse musical background of its band members, as both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page had come from a heavy blues and R&B background, and had featured in bands such as the Band of Joy and the far better known Yardbirds, which had also served as a base for guitar maestros Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Whilst the rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John Bonham had come from a jazz and soul background. In fact the band were originally known as the New Yardbirds, but quickly adopted the far more original Led Zeppelin moniker. From the word go, it was obvious that the band had an amazing grasp of dynamics that put most of their contenders into the shade and each band member wielded their instruments like a weapon. The band also had an enviable live show that was often highlighted by musical solos and band improvisation, that would quickly turn into legendary musical events and like any great heavy band of the era, they were hugely disliked by the musical press, an opinion that would later change after the true impact of the band had been revealed. The amount of best ever albums list that this band would make, would be an enviable record in the history of rock.

Robert Plant-Vocals
Jimmy Page- Guitar
John Paul Jones- Bass/Organ
John Bonham- Drums

Production- Jimmy Page

Album
Good Times Bad Times- We're quickly introduced to the groovy and bluesy shuffles of the band. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You- One of the most mesmerizing songs ever recorded with its stunning dynamics, gentle acoustic sections, all of which contrast with the louder pummelling sections, along with Robert Plant getting all hot and bothered throughout. You Shook Me- A Willie Dixon cover, its heavy and sweaty blues at its very best and some great work by John Paul Jones. Dazed and Confused- Psychedelic blues and the showpiece track on the album with a career defining display by Robert Plant and with Jimmy Page's guitar trawling the depths of black despair throughout, all this combined with the trademark pummeling rhythm section of the band. Your Time is Gonna Come- With the drums and guitars working in perfect unison, this song kicks off the B-side. Black Mountain Side- An instrumental and introduction to the folky leanings of the band, something they would explore on later albums. Communication Breakdown- A power drill delivery by the band with its frenzied attack. I Can't Quit You Baby- The second Willie Dixon cover on the album and one of those legendary heavy blues tracks by the band. How Many More Times- The 8 minute finale to the album where the band probably indulge for a bit longer than they should, but who cares when they sound this good.

Verdict
Not only is this one of the best and most blistering debut albums ever recorded, along with the Doors and Jimi Hendrix Experience debuts that had been recorded a couple of years earlier, but it's also one of the best albums ever recorded in the history of rock regardless of genre. In just thirty hours studio time, the band had laid down a collection of power drill rhythms, climactic blues and blazing riffs that would be the hallmark sound of the band. Jimmy Page as guitarist and producer combined his joint duties to startling effect and in Robert Plant they instantly had one of the most recognizable vocalists around, with his orgasmic bluesy wail that often sounded all hot and moany. In hindsight, this album ushered in a new benchmark for all albums at the heavier end of the musical spectrum with its sweaty power blues sound. Furthermore, the album is actually more diverse than initially meets the ear, because throughout the heavy onslaught, diversity such as psychedelic blues and folky leanings can all be detected, making this musical masterpiece a slightly eclectic affair at times. Even today I would still pick this as my personal favourite Led Zeppelin album and it easily makes my top 10 all-time favourite albums list. Hell this album is just pure sex for the ears, with Robert Plant moaning and groaning his way through proceedings!

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Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History

Unknown Soldier

Also Check This Out........
This is an extra album from the same year that I've chosen, that either just missed the final cut, I think could be of interest, or even from a different genre that could be of interest or influence on the hard rock/heavy metal genre.


This album of course, comes under the category of interest and influence, as its one of the most innovative and influential albums ever recorded. It of course, gains all its plaudits and fame from being one of the most pivotal albums in the history of progressive rock. But at times this album was just freaking heavy and powerful for its time, despite the fact that it was mostly folky in feel. But it can be enjoyed by anybody into music at the heavier end of the spectrum as well. In fact many years ago, I saw a review of this album where somebody had described King Crimson as "heavy mental" an obvious pun on heavy metal, surely in reference to the amazing "21st Century Schizoid Man" Here is an album where the listener can enjoy both faces of the early King Crimson sound, which go from dark and overpowering pretensions to gentle musical passages that demonstrate great beauty. Probably around 99% of current prog-metal bands got their musical grounding with this album. I know a lot of people wouldn't consider putting this album up on this thread but I can see the necessity. As for how good this album is, well it would easily challenge Led Zeppelin for the top two spots.

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Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History

Howard the Duck

well, that's strange

have you actually heard it back to back?

only 21st Century Schizoid Man is actually any "heavy"

most of it is whimsical folksy stuff

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Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

Unknown Soldier

This is the section for a classic borderline album, that I feel belongs in with another genre, but is always worthy of being mentioned here. Any album I place here, is easily worthy of a placing on my top 10 list. It's either a highly acclaimed album of just a forgotten or underrated gem. I'll try and include at least one album per year in this section and in some cases possibly two if I can't just decide on one album.

Primal nihilism from an underground sensation.

The Album
I won't waste words introducing the Stooges's frontman Iggy Pop as he's one of the most iconic figures in the history of rock music, but what I will say is that Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander are often forgotten, given the huge shadow that Iggy Pop cast over the rest of the band. As for the Stooges themselves, let's just say that after figuring in different line-ups, the Stooges really started to get things together when Iggy saw Jim Morrison performing in Detroit and realised this was what a frontman was all about and the rest was history as they say! So when the Stooges hit the ground with their debut album in 1969, nobody had heard anything quite like it, with its primal nihilism, fuck flower power attitude, howling garage classics and psychedelic tendencies. Like the Doors and the Velvet Underground before them, they took a dark view on proceedings and the legend of the band was built up over just two albums. This debut album and its follow-up Funhouse released the following year, firmly established the Stooges as a cult classic of their time. The album starts of with the Rolling Stones influenced "1969" where Iggy sounds just like Mick Jagger and then onto "I Wanna Be a Dog" which as far as I'm concerned, is probably the first out and out punk song. "We Will Fall" is a lengthy psychedelic track and a favourite of mine from the album, even though some might find it lengthy and "No Fun" which is another proto-punk classic. Now the rest of the tracks "Real Cool Time" "Ann" "Not Right" are a weaker selection of songs than the first four tracks but they do have their moments. The best latter album track is surely "Little Doll" and John Cale was one production duties.

No other band at the time with the exception of Detroit neighbours MC5 packed so much aggression into their sound. To differentiate, I'd say MC5 had focused their aggression around a genuine anger at the state of things and revolutionary ideas, whereas the Stooges just came across as aggressive energy. You could say the Stooges were all about an out and out attitude, making the proto-punk label with heavy psychedelic tendencies the most accurate label for the band and not the hard rock label which was far more suited to MC5, and for that reason alone MC5 remain on the main list and the Stooges here. So how good is this album? Well the album lacks songcraft, the musical ability and singing at times are limited and there are some weaker tracks littered around the place. But as the album is not about songcraft, or musical ability......who cares! Where the album gains it's plaudits is in its attitude, originality and the feel of a group unwilling to compromise their sound for commercial reasons. The album belongs in any music collection.

Iggy Pop- Vocals
Ron Asheton- Guitar
Dave Alexander- Bass
Scott Asheton- Drums

Production- John Cale

__________________
Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History

Unknown Soldier

Albums that missed the cut.........
Other good albums worth checking out that were also released in 1969, but weren't quite good enough to make the top 10 and are listed below in no set order, So the best of the rest:

Humble Pie
Town and Country 1969
Almost entirely acoustic based and shows a different side of the band, with some great work by Peter Frampton. The band really wouldn't do anything like this ever again. It pains me to leave this off the list.


Free
Free 1969
More subdued than than the debut set as Paul Rodgers would assert greater control over the band and in "Free Me" they put out one of their best ever tracks. This is great rock music for a Sunday afternoon drive.


Jeff Beck Group
Beck-Ola 1969
This album is certainly nowhere near as essential as his debut solo album, but Beck-Ola does have some good material on it and great guitaring as you'd expect from Jeff Beck.


Leslie West
Mountain 1969
Often thought of as the first ever Mountain album but this is officially classed as a Leslie West solo album. The album is highlighted by Leslie West's throaty voice and his bluesy guitar playing.


Spooky Tooth
Spooky Two 1969
Early Pacesetters, whose thunder would be stolen by Deep Purple (who beat them to the list as well) Bassist Greg Ridley would soon jump ship to Humble Pie and go on to greater success in Humble Pie.

__________________
Metal Wars

Power Metal

Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History