4. Iron Maiden, "The Wicker Man" - Brave New World
It would be very difficult to compile a gateway list of metal albums without including one from Iron Maiden who began making great music during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement of the early 1980's. In many educated opinions 2000's Brave New World was Maiden's best studio effort in more than a decade and the opening track is represented here. Featuring a memorable chorus with a great guitar hook, The Wicker Man was inspired by the British cult film of the same name and is easily the strongest track on the album as well as an excellent proselytisation tool.