# What is the best debut metal album ever released?

> Some of the most explosive and genre-defining albums in metal history were debut records — bands arriving fully formed with a statement that would change everything. Vote for the greatest debut metal album of all time.

*By YPB Team · Published April 19, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-debut-metal-album-ever-released*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Black Sabbath**
   Black Sabbath's 1970 self-titled debut that single-handedly invented heavy metal in one thunderous opening riff.
2. **Kill 'Em All**
   Metallica's 1983 debut that unleashed thrash metal on the world with raw power and unprecedented speed.
3. **Left Hand Path**
   Entombed's 1990 debut that defined Swedish death metal with the iconic 'buzzsaw' HM-2 guitar tone.
4. **Scream Bloody Gore**
   Death's 1987 debut considered the first true death metal album, setting the brutal template for the entire genre.
5. **Iron Maiden**
   Iron Maiden's 1980 self-titled debut that fired the opening shot of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
6. **Seven Churches**
   Possessed's 1985 debut widely considered the very first death metal album, predating the genre's name.
7. **Epicus Doomicus Metallicus**
   Candlemass' 1986 debut that codified epic doom metal and remains the genre's most influential starting point.
8. **Leviathan**
   Mastodon's 2004 debut concept album based on Moby Dick that announced them as the future of progressive metal.
9. **Bonded by Blood**
   Exodus' 1985 debut that established Gary Holt's thrash guitar style and the Bay Area sound in one ferocious statement.
10. **Altars of Madness**
   Morbid Angel's 1989 debut that defined Florida death metal's technical and occult foundation.
11. **Orchid**
   Opeth's 1995 debut that already showcased their unique blend of death metal aggression and acoustic beauty.
12. **When Dream and Day Unite**
   Dream Theater's 1989 debut showing the technical foundation that would make them progressive metal legends.
13. **Ember to Inferno**
   Trivium's 2003 debut that showed a precocious mastery of melodic metalcore and classic heavy metal elements.

Tags: music, rock, bands, classics, metal