3 Hard Rock Albums That Are Undeniably Perfect From Start to Finish

I doubt many classic rock fans out there would consider the following hard rock albums to be anything other than perfect. They yield no skips, feature some of their bands’ best songs, and remain popular today. Let’s take a look at a few hard rock albums that are a wild ride from start to finish!

Videos by American Songwriter

‘Led Zeppelin IV’ by Led Zeppelin (1971)

There was no avoiding this one. Few hard rock fans would say that Led Zeppelin IV isn’t the band’s greatest release. And it’s hard to argue with that notion. Just about every song on this album is legendary.

Led Zeppelin IV was an immediate commercial and critical success, and remains the band’s best-selling record. It originally peaked at No. 1 on the UK Albums chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Honestly, every song on this album is essential listening.

‘Machine Head’ by Deep Purple (1972)

A hard rock classic, Machine Head is on the lean side of hard rock and heavy metal, but manages to be heavy all the same. Few records, in my opinion, are as easily replayable as this one. And while most non-fans just know Deep Purple from “Smoke On The Water”, there are very few opportunities that call for a skip on this album.

Machine Head remains Deep Purple’s most commercially successful studio record, and it is considered a pioneering piece of work in the early years of heavy metal. Back in 1972, the album peaked at No. 1 on several charts, including the UK Albums chart. It was a No. 7 hit on the Billboard 200. “Smoke On The Water” and “Pictures Of Home” are essential listening.

‘Appetite For Destruction’ by Guns N’ Roses (1987)

Guns N’ Roses has always been pure chaos from its inception in 1985. So, I imagine listeners back in the day were shocked to hear just how tight and well-orchestrated Appetite For Destruction was. It’s aggressive and classically Guns N’ Roses, of course. But its production was a welcome and pleasant surprise.

This entry on our list of perfect hard rock albums dropped in 1987 and quickly became one of the band’s most acclaimed records. Appetite For Destruction peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “Welcome To The Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” are essential listening.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images