My Top 6 albums from 1988 + "Glaring Omission"

[@TheVandal69]

Those are all still masterpieces... What an amazing year for metal!

[@AttackFromDownunda]

I had to skip through your other videos to this year. I was 19 and loved Metal, no-one else I knew did . Love all those albums, and this year was an all-time favourite. " And Justice .. " was mind blowing. It would take me years to know some of the others you mention. Great Fun.

[@metalmickey]

@@AttackFromDownunda Really? I thought these were all big deals everywhere. Cheers mate

[@AttackFromDownunda]

@@metalmickey The Metal selection where I was, back then, was woeful. The Peruvian folk dancing section was better equipped!.

[@stephanniebrewster2968]

I knew that Sabbat History of a Time to come would be your number 1 record of 1988. Great list.

[@metalmickey]

@@stephanniebrewster2968 😂 Predictable eh.

[@MosherBear]

1988 was a good year for metal; it was also the year that I really got into the genre, thanks to Top of the Pops showing the video for Can I Play with Madness one Thursday evening and I bought the single the following Saturday. Glad to see Sabbat get a well deserved mention there. Other British gems I'd include would be Holosade and Virus - though hand on heart, I was introduced to those bands via Metal Hammer but didn't get round to listening to much later. Slayer's South of Heaven and King Diamond's Them are also classics, and I could mention more because it was that good. Look forward to the next one.

[@metalmickey]

@@MosherBear I love Top of the Pops back then. Just getting a glimpse of a metal band who had managed to chart that week was exciting. I'm sure I remember WASP being in the studio one a song. We were stiffled back then and I think we savoured things more.

[@HM2dylanpowell]

Another tip top video here Mike from another year of stunning albums! Im on the side of seventh son being one of their best mind you I love no prayer 😛 great series here mate! Justice is their finest hour for me 🤘🏻

[@metalmickey]

Yeah Justice is my favourite from Metallica they were on fire back then.

[@tainted_lord87]

Top albums from 1988, Mike! Iron Maiden, Metallica, Testament, Megadeth and Helloween. All absolute classics!

[@CorabicrueJ]

First off 88’ was a freaking awesome year, great list indeed can’t argue with any of em, and lastly finally So Far gets some praise from someone other than me as I think it’s a masterpiece and is highly underrated, cheers for being in the gang that loves that Megadeth album,

[@metalmickey]

@@CorabicrueJ Oh definitely! I'm really in a Megadeth mood after that video . I know you always are lol

[@seanbeast939]

Another great list, Mike. You raised an interesting point about having mates into the same stuff or you might not have stuck with things. I was the polar opposite in that none of my mates liked metal. It was a long time before I began to hang with people who had similar tastes in music. That's probably why I still struggle to accept being a part of the VC. A few thrashterpieces on show here and then you showed Sabbat. That is a thrashtermasterblasterpiece. The first time I heard that it blew me away and continues to do so every time I play it. Flawless album. I do hope one day you record your version of "ONE" with Gene as guest drummer 😂 See you next year 🤘

[@metalmickey]

@@seanbeast939 😂😂😂 Oh thats made me laugh this morning mate. I don't think I quite know what you mean about the VC but you're certainly part of it mate.

[@johnmckee4252]

I thought I'd comment before watching this time and what a hard year to pick just 6, but here goes 1.and justice for all 2.leprosy 3.state of euphoria 4.south of heaven 5.the new order 6.crimson glory-transcendence now to enjoy your video 😀

[@majorleerager7126]

Glaring Omission: Slayer "South of Heaven". Awesome list, can' t agree more with So Far... always love that album Cheers !

[@oliviasukamto947]

lol you call that great ? Slayer is noise . It’s only clueless casual who don’t know anything about great music who into that kind of noise you call great music!

[@sichinook3793]

Could not agree more about the Seventh Son analysis and especially the Donnington footage. I was there and it was my first Maiden gig. It was fucking incredible.. I still remember most of it and definitely the opening moments. It's a crime that it was never filmed. Possibly their best gig from that era. ..And Justice For All is still my favourite ever record. I remember buying the vinyl and taking it home and playing it all day. Still play it relentlessly. It's such a heavy record. The riffs fucking crush. I totally agree what you say about the bass. I've been saying it for years. It's almost like a hardcore record. The guitars are the best they've ever sounded. The bass is there driving the riffs, you can hear it. I think a lot of the criticisms about the bass production and drums stem from the awful analogue to digital transfer that went on the CDs.. it's nothing like the vinyl production, which was on 45rpm so that it could let the tracks open. It is still an amazing sound. Testament... nuff said.. what a year for big Metal. I think I started dipping with Megadeth after this record.. I still hate Mary Jane and that awful Anarchy in the UK cover.. loved at the time, it's very of that age I think.. very teen. I was 17 so it's just wanted to be a rebel. They absolutely were the second best band at Donnington that day. Ripped it. I'm going to have to revisit this album again. Helloween- What a record that is. I've listened to both Keepers records back to back a few times. I was always surprised that Kai Hanson didn't replace Bruce when he left Maiden. Sabbat- aces.. look at that John Blanche artwork as well..... I was a huge Warhammer fan at that time as well, so I bought it on that strength alone. This is a great Top 5. I'd choose all the same records to be honest, but like Eric Morecambe, not necessarily in the same order. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@metalmickey]

@@sichinook3793 😂😂😂😂 Love LOVE that Eric Morecambe reference! Wish I'd been allowed to get to Donnington before 92. It felt a bit dated by then to me.

[@ClarkOVision]

88 was my favourite year too.... followed by 87... just loved the 80's. Maiden and Helloween are my fav picks here followed by Justice. Good stuff.

[@metalmickey]

Oh I'm pleased you got into Justice to that degree Bev.

[@ClarkOVision]

@@metalmickey I do like it a lot now…. Much more than I did back in 88 for sure

[@christianbaker6962]

Good selection. Not heard the sabat album they are just one of those bands that passed me by. I'll give it a listen in the van in the morning.

[@metalmickey]

@@christianbaker6962 As fantastic as it is mate, a first listen in the van is not the place to try it. It's way way too complicated for a first time

[@christianbaker6962]

@metalmickey ok I'll have to wait till I get home

[@markyogapark]

1988 was THE year for me also and you talking about takes me straight back to it. It started with buying the April edition of Aardschok and seeing Mindcrime being album of the month and buying it. Than of course the Monsters of Rock in Tilburg. Changed my life forever! And like you, I have fond memories of being together with all the headbangers from surrounding villages, coming together and listening to the ghetto blaster at the swimming pool, all wearing band shirts, long hair, people looking at us like we were dirty :) Good times..great friendships

[@metalmickey]

@@markyogapark That's what it's all about isn't it. The world doesn't feel quite like that these days I don't think.

[@markyogapark]

@@metalmickey without sounding like a grandpa: you’re absolutely right!

[@under-one-flag]

And Justice for all, Seventh Son, South of heaven, From enslavement to obliteration, State of Euphoria, Keeper pt 2, The New Order, Them, Survive, Reek of Putrefaction, Skyscraper, So far so good....Yes, agree with Seventh Son, the last great Maiden album for me. Also, you know what grinds my gears? When bands put cover songs in the middle of an album.

[@metalmickey]

@@under-one-flag Can't stand that first Carcass to be honest. Just a noise to me. Yeah cover dongsvin general are a bit annoying I'd rather have a dedicated covers album that I can leave in the shop lol

[@albertampel4175]

I don´t think young bands were "bullied" to do what the lable says, it´s of like being blackmailed... I loved the "Anarchy..." cover when I was a 13 year old kid, I even bought the shaped picture disc. Great album indeed. My No.1 is a tie between Sabbat and Death "Leprosy"... not to forget "South of Heaven"...

[@thegreyman]

All great choices mate, I would rank Megadeth over Helloween though for sure.

[@wm-nu1yf]

1 - Metallica_And Justice for All 2 - Queensryche_Operation Mindcrime 3 - Megadeth_So Far, So Good, ... So What 4 - Iron Maiden_Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 5 - Judas Priest_Ram It Down 6 - Van Halen_OU812 Maiden's newer albums are good, but aren't the same as the Bruce/Adrian albums from the 80s. The Maiden and Priest albums from this year weren't their best, but I still like them well enough. And Justice for All is my favorite album. Bought it the day it came out and didn't like it at first, but it definitely grew on me. I never had a problem with the production. I like the way it sounds. So Far, So Good, So What is my favorite Megadeth album. I don't understand why people have a problem with it either. I've heard Keeper a few times, but I'm not that familiar with it other than a few songs. I definitely liked Part 1 better. Eagle Fly Free is probably the best thing they've ever done, though.

[@metalmickey]

@@wm-nu1yf Ram it Down is a great underappreciated album I really like that one. Some great stuff on Mindcrime too. Cheers mate

[@phrancklynbillsonmc2581]

I love watch all story of benediction ! 🤘

[@metalmickey]

I only have the debut

[@phrancklynbillsonmc2581]

@@metalmickey Ok ! .... in future if possible is all recension i am at tv ... bye ! ✌🎧

[@This-Is-Music]

As usual, excellent picks. 'Justice...' was my introduction to Metallica, and it sounded so weird and awesome it was mpossible not to get drawn in once I got into the right headspace. I remember that there was a rumor back in the day that Metallica had hired an unemployed person to run around the drumkit and mute the cumbals because Lars wasn't able to catch himself. I like 'So Far...', but I'm thinking that maybe people don't like the production. Agreed on "Eagle Fly Free".

[@metalmickey]

@@This-Is-Music Yeah production on So Far is a distinct sound. Similar to Refuge Denied but I like it.

[@stephanniebrewster2968]

Hello Mickey. "Problems" appeared on the "Hidden Treasures" cd.

[@metalmickey]

Cheers Steph yes I need to try it out

[@Triggervidz]

I have so Far So Good So What on picture disc, and the shaped disc of Anarchy. There is a cover of Problems on the Hidden Treasures CD that I got with my copy of Youthanasia. I also met Megadeth after a gig on the Youthanasia tour and got a programme signed

[@metalmickey]

Nice one Ive never met them, a few others but never them

[@cheerless3]

´..And Justice For All´ : my first proper metal album as a youngster back then. Have never understood the criticism of the production, the opinion that it sounds 'bad' because the bass isn't prominent is just old and stale. It sounds great on OG vinyl, there is an audible low end to the guitars. You're right, it would have sounded awful with bass prominent.

[@metalmickey]

People just like to jump on the bandwagon I think

[@mrboulder9714]

Excellent picks mate. Again the only one I don't Know is Helloween. Megadeth covered Problems on their excellent Hidden Treasures CD. Will be watching 89 later on mate

[@metalmickey]

Yeah i didnt' know the tracklisting on that Hidden Treasures. Crazy about Helloween though lol

[@mrboulder9714]

@@metalmickey Hidden Treasures is worth it for Go To Hell, 99 Ways To Die and Angry Again on its own mate

[@skottcoucill8343]

Great Metal year, 88 like. I am in the minority on a big level, but I love Ram It Down! 😂

[@metalmickey]

@@skottcoucill8343 No I love that one too mate

[@MarcoReusel]

cool serie cool stuff thanks man

[@JoshKeech]

Great picks for 88' Mike! Seventh Son is probably my least favourite Maiden album of the 80's, just never gravitated to it. Love And Justice For All, The New Order and So Far So Good, all amazing albums for me. So Far is the forgotten gem in Megadeth's discography for me. Need to check out some Sabbat, especially that album! For some reason I thought the glaring omission would have been South of Heaven, but thats fair enough. Never been a huge fan of State of Euphoria, too long and ploddy for me. Look forward to the next one🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@metalmickey]

@@JoshKeech There is just so many in 88 I could have gone with and South of Heaven definitely could've been one. I can see why you might look at State of Euphoria the way you do really. It's certainly not South of Heaven. Funny how some thing age better than others but at the time they both seem great. Cheers mate 🤘

[@JoshKeech]

@@metalmickey Oh yeah, 88' is one of the best years in Metal. South of Heaven could easily have made this list. Ahh yeah, I'm glad you understand. Yeah, it's just an album I've never quite got it. For me, South of Heaven is miles better. Yeah that's true, I can totally get back in the day there wasn't much difference between them. I just think Sout of Heaven has aged much better than State of Euphoria. You're welcome mate 🤘🏻

[@craigdavies1747]

Love these countdowns. Im late 40s now and grew up on the 80s metal scene. Operation mindcrime would be in there for me. I mostly agree with the others. I only like maiden up to fear of the dark and can't be arsed after that. Helloween up to better than raw. I like Andy deris but didn't like much after that bar a few tracks.

[@metalmickey]

@@craigdavies1747 I've struggled with the Deris era but I like it now. Did you like the new album?

[@craigdavies1747]

@@metalmickey I will check it out but haven't liked much since 98.

[@bvdaussiemetalhead9338]

I first heard And Justice on a dubbed cassette and I thought my mates cousin who dubbed it for me botched the EQ up😝 I had the Mary Jane shirt back in the day also and I recently found that it was officially redone you can get it from Plastic Head in the UK. stellar year and awesome picks

[@metalmickey]

@@bvdaussiemetalhead9338 cheers mate I might get a new Megadeth shirt soon

[@bvdaussiemetalhead9338]

@@metalmickey I grabbed it earlier this year 🤘

[@darcysixstringsninelives3493]

1988 is my favourite year for Thrash, none of the Traditional Metal that came out that year could compete with this stuff! “ Pull over shithead, this is the cops” ha ha so awesome! I’m surprised you haven’t heard Megadeth Hidden Treasures, they cover Problems on it.

[@metalmickey]

@@darcysixstringsninelives3493 oh good shout I'll check that out. I didn't know that.

[@jamesbedford3774]

No mention of 'Operation: Mindcrime'? I'm stunned. Easily the best album from that year, in my opinion.

[@metalmickey]

I made a video about that album recently. I think it's got some good songs on it but I find them ultimately a boring band I'm afraid

[@cristianosorio2517]

Hi Mike!!! you're right 88's will always be a huge year in hardrock/metal with those huge and cool albums you showed..... To me that's the last "perfect" Maiden album fro the classic 80's era. For some reason that Mgeadeth album "sounds" to short to me, like it needs another song or maybe a better cover, like Metallica did later. The UK thrash scene was not a thing here, never heard or knew about Sabbat, Acid Reign, Xentrix...... really need to catch up with a lot of those releases. cheers and be well

[@metalmickey]

Megadeth albums are a bit short until Rust in Peace. I didn't think the UK thrash bands would be known in your area they didn't get enough attention. So have you never checked any of them out? They've certainly been mentioned a ton in the last 5 years or so in the VC.

[@cristianosorio2517]

@@metalmickey Yes, thanks to you (UK) guys i have discover some cool bands like the big ones (Xentrix, Acid Reign, Sabbat) and some lesser know ones (Holosale, D.A.M, Toranaga, Slammer) and a couple i can't remember now and you know what? all sounded really good and i need to get a lot of studio albums!!!

[@glennandreasen3152]

Another cool watch Mickey.....All great picks from you...I tried to guess your glaring omission as 'South of Heaven'....lucked out there haha....I would have album that in my picks instead of Helloween just because i haven't listened to them that much and I would include Eternal Nightmare. I met Sean Killian last year when Vio-lence toured here with Sacred Reich and they played 90% of that album 🙂 I also saw Dave Ellefson's Megadeth tribute band play the whole So Far So Good album with Jeff Young....absolutely fantastic.....last time I saw Metallica in 2010 they played the song AJFA and Lars fucked it up🤪 A History of time to come is fantastic.....a very honourable mention/essential listening album.......Anyway see you in 1989 🍻🍻🍻

[@metalmickey]

Who is singing in the tribute band? Ifdlike a listen to that. Cheers Glenn. 89 might rub a few up the wrong way I think.

[@glennandreasen3152]

@@metalmickey The singer is Chaz Leon.....i don't know much of him apart from this band with Ellefson and Young.....here's a couple of live clips from the gig last year....kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZKbhmZ4dqlrbaM and kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rCZJ-teMiMhZo

[@metalmickey]

@@glennandreasen3152 The singing is awful unfortunately

[@iancaley2347]

I started to wane my interest just a tad in the later 80's, much more so early 90's. But yeah, i remember getting the first Sabbat album and thinking just how good this was/is. From what i'd heard, certainly best i'd heard from a UK 'thrash' band. Vocals slightly nauseating i thought as to the 'ah' type thing after ever line, but stuff like Behind the Crooked Cross i could kinda ride with it, lol. Agree about Anarchy and these iconic songs. They were iconic because of the time and who played them at that time. And you should try varifocals, no faffing about with different specs : )))

[@metalmickey]

Yeah I know I'm taking some getting my head around glasses. My interest changed if I do a 90s video there's going to be a bit different styles

[@thegrimmfluencer]

1988 ruled. First big year for me after startung listening to music. Justice with the bass in sounds killer, dunno if you've heard the version with bass in it.. New Order is good, but the record before and kne after are way better. So FarSoGood is fucking flawless, even the Pistols cover. Helloween.....nooooooo!!! The Sabbat is a masterpiece, absolute weapon! I love State Of Euphoria, such a good record. Who Cares Wins is massively underrated. Great picks here Mike!!

[@metalmickey]

You need to get that Helloween a closer listen Dave even if it's the Walls of Jericho era

[@robertmorris8371]

Seventh son is still my favourite maiden album there's an atmosphere on that record that they never repeated don't know if I should give megadeth another chance as there's some used copies of so far at my local shop for £3 on cd and see if my opinion of dave's vocals have changed

[@metalmickey]

@@robertmorris8371 I think that's Dave's best vocal performance.

[@garethdavies9881]

All great albums although I can’t comment on Sabbat I’ve never heard it, I’ve wanted to get the cd but can’t find it anywhere for a decent price. My second favourite Megadeth album and my 3rd favourite maiden album. Which do you prefer keepers 1 or keepers 2?? I love state of euphoria never got the negativity for it.

[@metalmickey]

@@garethdavies9881 Those Keepers albums are so close I don't know which I prefer. Maybe 2 ever so slightly but there's nothing in it.

[@garethdavies9881]

@@metalmickey yes I’m the same I’ve always picked number 2 but only just. Great video again, probably my favourite year too. Look forward to the next one 👍🏻

[@therockbeast6214]

Winger winger Helloween keeper seven keys2 Yngwie malmsteen rising force Iron maiden seventh son Queensryche operation mindcr LA guns la guns

[@metalmickey]

@@therockbeast6214 I have been playing Rising Force this week!

[@therockbeast6214]

@@metalmickey great album

[@Strimbles]

Not a great list. By 1988 metal was on the way out, heavy underground "alternative" indie bands had the best albums of 1988

[@metalmickey]

@@Strimbles such as what? You e come with half a crack 😂

[@Strimbles]

@@metalmickey 1. Jane's Addiction- Nothing's Shocking 2. Mudhoney - Superfuzz Bigmuff. 3. Pixies- Surfer Rosa 4. Danzig- Danzig 5 Soundgarden - Ultramega OK. 6.Soul Asylum, Hang Time. All heavy and ultimately more original, fresh, and creative then all the albums you listed. Listen to them and tell me I'm wrong! Don't get me wrong I like Justice etc..., but by 88' Metal was just not fresh and ideas on every album you listed were getting tired and drawn out imho. Maybe you were like 14 years old then so you've got some mega nostalgia going on idk. How's that for half a crack?

[@metalmickey]

@@Strimbles Janes Addiction is ok for a handful of songs but I find that guy so annoying. That Mudhoney album is decent but it's only a mini album but yes it's good. Danzig 1 is a 5 out of 10 album unlike Danzig 2 which destroys it. Ultramega ok did that have Flower on I can't remember? That was an ok one the others aren't my thing at all. I was 15 in 88. I still listen to these albums. I haven't listened to your list in 20 years I'd say.

[@Strimbles]

@@metalmickey You might want to listen again if it's been 20 years. You're not 15 anymore mate!😂 Sorry but Maiden, Megadeth, Anthrax, and even Metallica had all seen better days by '88. And the others, well sub-par imo. Anyhoo fun discourse with you. Cheers.