10 of the Best Live Metal Albums

The first live album from KISS was also my first live album as a kid. It helped to shape my childhood and start me down the heavy metal path. It’s considered the bands breakthrough, and a landmark for live albums. Tt captured an intensity and energy not captured in the studio. While the term ‘live’ is a bit of a stretch (the record was substantially reworked in the studio) Alive! remains one of the band’s most well-received albums.

Arguably the most famous album on this list, IRON MAIDEN raised the bar for live albums with 1985’s Live After Death. Multiple critics have even deemed it the greatest live album of all time. The album contains everything an IRON MAIDEN fan could hope for: 102 minutes of classic tracks and great performances during the band’s peak.

OZZY OSBOURNE‘s Tribute was released in honor of the late Randy Rhoads. The album was recorded in 1980/1981 and was released five years after the death of Rhoads. The album reached number 6 on the Billboard 200 and is most known for two items: the standout guitar performance of Rhoads and the live recording of “Crazy Train”.

Another live album recorded during a band’s peak, SLAYER‘s Decade of Aggression came out immediately after the bands ‘big 3’ albums (Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss). It would also be the last recording with all four original members until 2006. The album contains an onslaught of classic Slayer tracks. While it does not truly capture the overblown intensity of the unit in a concert setting, it comes closer than one may imagine.

PANTERA‘s first, and only, live album hits on most of the high points of the groups career. It draws mostly from Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven. The performances are strong all around, as you’d expect, and the band packs a live punch that translates on this album.

The Tim “Ripper” Owens era of JUDAS PRIEST is largely discounted as a forgettable period for the band. I attribute this to the direct comparions with the group during Rob Halford’s tenure on vocals. Had the band changed it’s name in the 90’s, the Owens-led albums likely would have been much more well-received. ’98 Live Meltdown is an example of this. Recorded during the Jugulator tour, it showcases the Owens’ abundance of talent and the band playing it’s classics with a heavier sound.

This is the ultimate live album. Alive in Athens is the end result of ICED EARTH recording shows on back-to-back nights, each with vastly different set-lists. In total, the album contains 31 of the best ICED EARTH songs, each performed to near perfection. As for Matt Barlow’s vocals? He is at is absolute prime here and it shows.

Live Insurrection was released near the end of Rob Halford‘s solo career (prior to his return to JUDAS PRIEST). What you’ll find here is one off the best vocal performances ever recorded. Rob Halford was still in his prime and it shows from the very first song. Just listen to the opener “Resurrection” and you’ll see what I mean. Consisting of tracks from throughout his career (including JUDAS PRIEST, FIGHT, and the HALFORD band), the album is packed with great songs and great performances.

The first live album from GHOST, Ceremony and Devotion, is not really revolutionary but it does includes all the elements needed for a good live record. It is well performed, well produced and the 15 track set-list includes nothing but fan favorites from across the band’s catalog.

POWER TRIP‘s live album makes this list for one very good reason: the tracks generally sound better live than the studio recordings! How many live albums can make that claim? The album was also released as a total surprise to fans. In a time where live music is non-existent thanks to COVID-19, Live in Seattle 05.28.18 provides some comfort for those craving the buzz of a live metal show. And who better to provide that comfort than one of the bands spear-heading the charge for heavy metal in the modern era?