Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: live updates
  • Mad World
  • The Cure's "happy land"
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Singles And Albums

Metal Hammer's 10 best debut albums of the last 25 years

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 21 October 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Metal Hammer readers vote for the best debut albums of the last 25 years

Metal Hammer readers vote for the best debut albums of the last 25 years

Infamous mask-wearing US rockers Slipknot have triumphed in a Metal Hammer poll to find the best debut album of the last 25 years.

More than 16,000 people took part in the poll, arranged to celebrate Metal Hammer’s 25th anniversary.

And Slipknot’s eponymous debut got almost a third of the vote in an emphatic result. The double-platinum 1999 release beat off competition from some huge albums... click through the gallery to find out what other albums made the top 10.

"Metal Hammer has a long history of championing the new while celebrating the metal gods who created our wonderful culture,” says Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas. “As we commence our next quarter-century of covering both kinds of music: heavy, and metal, we congratulate Slipknot on their astounding victory.

“Like all the nominees whose tremendous contributions to the world of metal have made the last 25 years so fantastic, Slipknot's success is proof our music has never been more exciting or vibrant. Horns up!"

Metal Hammer’s 25th anniversary special is out today, clocking in at a biggest-ever 164 pages and – in a tribute to the old skool – featuring an exclusive Machine Head 10-inch vinyl EP.

The Metal Hammer 25th Anniversary Party, featuring Orange Goblin, Malefice, TRC and more, is at London’s Islington Academy on 24October. Advance tickets are available via Ticketweb at the special 1986 price of £2.50.

Metal Hammer’s 25th anniversary special is out now priced at £4.99. To buy a digital edition visit iTunes or www.zinio.com/metalhammer. For more info visit www.metalhammer.co.uk.

Click onwards to see the rundown of Metal Hammer's top 10 debut albums of the last 25 years.

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine (1992)

Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine (1992)

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Bullet For My Valentine - The Poison (2005)

Bullet For My Valentine - The Poison (2005)

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Machine Head - Burn My Eyes (1994)

Machine Head - Burn My Eyes (1994)

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (2000)

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (2000)

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
System Of A Down - System Of A Down (1998)

System Of A Down - System Of A Down (1998)

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Pantera - Cowboys From Hell (1990)

Pantera - Cowboys From Hell (1990)

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Rammstein - Herzeleid (1995)

Rammstein - Herzeleid (1995)

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction (1987)

Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction (1987)

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Korn (1994)

Korn (1994)

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Slipknot (1999)

Slipknot (1999)

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Latest in Singles And Albums
Arctic Monkeys in black and white
“We hope the record will make a positive difference”: Arctic Monkeys contribute brand new track to HELP(2) album
 
 
Chuck D and John Densmore
“A meditation on responsibility and legacy”: Chuck D and John Densmore have made a concept album about ageing
 
 
Taylor Swift 2024, Aphex Twin, circa 2000 composite image
“Emotional and soul crushing”: Aphex Twin has more Youtube listeners than Taylor Swift and this is the reason why
 
 
Steve Lukather of Toto performs live on stage at 'Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands, 26th September 1982
“All of these guys were behind the glass looking at me like, ‘You better bring it, kid’: Steve Lukather on his first solo for Toto
 
 
Paper Craft Music Audio Equalizer on Beige Background Directly Above View
“It does not have the right to be on the top list”: Sweden bans AI-generated song from its charts
 
 
Singer Stevie Nicks poses for a portrait in circa 1974.
“I was like, "I'm not happy. I am tired”: How being alone in snowy Aspen inspired Fleetwood Mac’s sleeper hit
 
 
Latest in News
JBL BandBox Trio press image
"A brand new amp and speaker with AI vocal and instrument separation tech": JBL’s new BandBox makes it easier than ever to craft the perfect backing track
 
 
Kurzweil SP8
Kurzweil’s performer-focused SP8 looks like a bomb-proof stage piano that’s also a powerful synth
 
 
Magnatone Slash the Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo amp press image
“Its sound kicks the ass of amps three times its size”: Slash’s latest Magnatone Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo can go toe-to-toe with the big boys
 
 
Scorpions
“You get the old albums and listen to them until four in the morning”: Ex-Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz dies at 71
 
 
Polyend Endless customisable effect pedals
Polyend Endless is a customisable stompbox with a text-to-effect generator that will create any effect you describe
 
 
A lifestyle press image of the Sterling By Music Man StingRay Baritone SR50 in Toluca Lake Blue leaning against a Marshall amp in an empty room with concrete walls
“A deeper low-end presence within the StingRay lineup”: Sterling by Music Man launches its first ever baritone electric guitar
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...