📚 Homework Alert! Dig into the Metal Albums of 1985

Rediscover the Metal Albums of 1985 – Glam, Thrash, and Arena Anthems Collide in Our Upcoming Episode

Metalheads, it’s time to hit the books (or rather, the vinyl) because in this week’s episode of Dig Me Out, we’re revisiting 1985, a year when teased hair and ripping guitar solos ruled the world. This era gave us epic arena anthems, the rise of MTV metal, and some albums that quietly built a cult following over time. Whether you were cranking the volume to Ratt’s “You're in Love” or diving deep into Slayer’s dark world of Hell Awaits, 1985 had something for everyone.

But that’s not all—this episode will feature two metal maniacs who know their way around a riff and a rock legend story:
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Paul Lefebvre

(writer of Bang Your Head)—the go-to source for discovering both classic and new rock, hard rock, and metal. His newsletter delivers quick, entertaining, and informative rock updates to your inbox three times a week. Tired of the same old playlists? Paul’s got you covered with music recommendations, reviews, interviews, and concert highlights.

🎶 Tom Beaujour, co-author of Nothin' But a Good Time and co-host of the Axe Lords podcast, where shredding is the law of the land. Tom’s got stories and insights from the frontlines of metal, having worked with Rolling Stone, Guitar World, and more.

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1985 – Bridging Metal’s Past and Future

What made this year so special? Let’s take a quick tour:
Mötley Crüe turned up the glam drama with Theatre of Pain, going quadruple platinum and unleashing "Home Sweet Home" on an unsuspecting world.
Rush gave us synth-laden soundscapes with Power Windows, expanding their prog-metal palette.
Twisted Sister told us to Come Out and Play… but fans were a little confused by their glam-meets-concept-album experiment.
AC/DC, Scorpions, and Dokken all dropped heavy hitters, while KIX cranked up the party vibes with Midnite Dynamite, a fun blend of hard rock hooks and glam swagger.

Yet not every album was a chart-topper! Albums like Armored Saint’s Delirious Nomad and Malice’s In the Beginning may have slipped under the radar but have grown in reputation over the years.

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Your 1985 Metal Homework

You’ve got some prep work to do, class. Don’t worry, this is the kind of assignment you’ll enjoy! 🤘

1. Listen to the metal of 1985.
We’re covering albums from platinum beasts like Theatre of Pain to cult faves like Metal Heart and Thunder in the East. What still rocks your world today? Which albums have faded with time? Which ones deserve a resurrection?

2. Meet our guests:

• Check out Bang Your Head for deep dives into rock, hard rock, and metal—new music, interviews, news, and more, three times a week.

• Give Nothin' But a Good Time a read and listen to Axe Lords for legendary shredding stories.

3. Get ready to talk trends.
From soaring vocals and blazing guitar solos to the rise of concept albums and more polished production, what trends defined metal in ’85? Which ones still echo in modern metal, and which ones faded into the neon haze?

What’s your pick for the best metal album of 1985? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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