Top 25 Rock and Metal Albums of All Time, Ranked by Discogs Users

Most of the “best albums” of all time are rock or metal according to a recent poll of Discogs users.

For the uninitiated, Discogs is a database for record collectors to log their collections. Users can also buy, sell, and create wish lists for must-have albums.

Determining the best albums wasn’t an exact science, but Discogs users, known for their deep vinyl collections, offered plenty of insights. Discogs first reached out to its followers on social media, asking for an album they’d rate a perfect 10 without any skips. Over 40,000 responses came pouring in from all their platforms.

The albums with the most “likes” were compiled into a list, and each artist was allowed only one spot. This precaution prevented any single fanbase from dominating the list too much, an acknowledgment of the fervor of groups like the Swifties.

Leading the charge on Discogs’ all-time best albums list is Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. This album also holds the distinction of being the most collected among Discogs users, with over 600,000 copies added to profiles.

The rock genre continues to reign supreme with other notable entries in the top ten. Nirvana’s Nevermind takes the No. 4 spot, followed by The Cure’s Disintegration at No. 9. Meanwhile, Radiohead’s In/Rainbows clinches the 10th position despite not being the band’s most collected album; that honor goes to their 1997 release OK Computer.

Expanding beyond the top ten, rock and metal albums secure 10 of the remaining 15 slots. Pearl Jam’s iconic Ten sits at No. 12, while Linkin Park’s groundbreaking Hybrid Theory holds the No. 13 position. Black Sabbath’s monumental Paranoid takes the No. 21 spot, and Guns N’ Roses squeeze in at No. 24 with their explosive debut Appetite for Destruction.

These findings underscore the enduring appeal and dominance of rock and metal music in the culture of dedicated vinyl collectors. The albums listed are more than just records; they embody seminal moments in the history of music that continue to resonate with fans new and old alike.

Source: Discogs