Metal of 1985 Mixtape

Experience the Year Metal Transformed: From Sunset Strip Sleaze to Thrash Fury

The year was 1985. The neon glow of arcade screens and denim jackets. MTV was our lifeline, and our Walkman headphones blasted the sounds of an era caught between the wild excess of glam metal and the razor-sharp rise of thrash. It was a transitional year—some bands were finding their groove, others were losing their way, and a new wave of underground heaviness was bubbling up from the depths.

Inspired by the Dig Me Out: 80s Metal roundtable episode Metal Albums of 1985, we’ve compiled a mixtape that captures the spirit of this in-between year. Some of these songs stood the test of time, some divided the panel, and others sparked heated debates. But each one tells a story of where hard rock and metal were headed as the ‘80s rolled on.

Dust off your cassette deck, crank up the volume, and let’s rewind to 1985.

▶️ Playlist on Apple Music

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Side A

Dokken – “The Hunter” (Under Lock and Key)

The sleek, polished sound of Under Lock and Key made Dokken a household name, even if they weren’t everybody’s favorite band. George Lynch’s guitar tone is undeniable, and this track represents the peak of their commercial era.

Kix – “Midnite Dynamite” (Midnite Dynamite)

A wild, infectious anthem from a band that never quite got their due. Kix had the energy, the hooks, and the attitude—this song is a testament to their underrated legacy.

Ratt – “You’re in Love” (Invasion of Your Privacy)

Sleazier, heavier, and somehow sharper than Out of the Cellar, this album showed Ratt refining their sound. This track is all Sunset Strip swagger and razor-wire riffs.

The Cult – “She Sells Sanctuary” (Love)

Straddling the line between goth and arena rock, Love is an outlier in this mix, but its influence is undeniable. The Cult would go full hard rock soon, but this track captures them at their most ethereal.

W.A.S.P. – “Wild Child” (The Last Command)

Blackie Lawless and company delivered one of the last truly dangerous records before glam metal went mainstream. This song is dark, theatrical, and undeniably catchy.

Bon Jovi – “In and Out of Love” (7800° Fahrenheit)

The album before they really took over the world. 7800° Fahrenheit is the last time Bon Jovi sounded more rock than pop, and this track is a glimpse at what could have been.

KISS – “Tears Are Falling” (Asylum)

With Gene Simmons checked out, Paul Stanley took the reins on Asylum, leading to this neon-drenched tune. A divisive album, but this song still slaps.

Aerosmith – “Let the Music Do the Talking” (Done with Mirrors)

Before Permanent Vacation relaunched them into megastardom, Aerosmith’s comeback album was a messy, drug-fueled stumble. But this track? This track still rocks.

Motley Crüe – “Home Sweet Home” (Theater of Pain)

Love it or hate it, this song defined the power ballad. The album may have been a letdown, but Home Sweet Home became the prototype for every hair metal slow-burner to follow.

Twisted Sister – “Come Out and Play” (Come Out and Play)

Twisted Sister tried to follow up Stay Hungry with a grandiose concept. It didn’t work. But this title track still captures Dee Snider’s defiant spirit.

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Side B

Anthrax – “Madhouse” (Spreading the Disease)

Joey Belladonna’s first album with Anthrax, and suddenly thrash had a melodic edge. This is the sound of a band realizing they were onto something big.

Slayer – “Hell Awaits” (Hell Awaits)

Dark, menacing, and a sign of things to come. If you didn’t know thrash was about to take over, this track would have been a terrifying wake-up call.

Megadeth – “Mechanix” (Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!)

Faster and meaner than Metallica’s version, Dave Mustaine’s Mechanix is pure speed metal fury. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s pure Mustaine.

Faith No More – “We Care a Lot” (We Care a Lot)

Before The Real Thing, before Mike Patton, Faith No More sounded like this—funky, weird, and ahead of their time.

Trouble – “Fear No Evil” (The Skull)

Doom metal before doom was a thing. Black Sabbath’s influence runs deep here, but Trouble made the genre their own.

Gary Moore – “Out in the Fields” (Run for Cover)

A Celtic hard rock anthem featuring Phil Lynott, this track is melodic, powerful, and often overlooked.

Iron Maiden – “Aces High (Live)” (Live After Death)

One of the greatest live albums of all time. This version of Aces High is proof that Maiden was at the peak of their powers in ‘85.

AC/DC – “Shake Your Foundations” (Fly on the Wall)

A rough year for AC/DC, but even their weakest albums had a few gems. This song is one of the better moments from Fly on the Wall.

Black ‘n Blue – “Miss Mystery” (Without Love)

Before Tommy Thayer joined KISS, he was in this underrated LA band. This song is a glimpse of what could have been a much bigger career.

Yngwie Malmsteen – “I’ll See the Light Tonight” (Marching Out)

The most celebrated track from Yngwie’s second album, featuring his signature neoclassical shredding. A perfect mix of technical mastery and metal theatrics.

Keel – “The Right to Rock” (The Right to Rock)

Ron Keel’s battle cry. Pure ‘80s metal excess in the best way possible.

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