10 Best Debut Rock Albums

While Van Halen helped kick-start the hair metal scene of the 1980's, things were looking pretty dire by 1987. Many bands were coming out with mediocre albums and the newer bands rising to prominence seemed like nothing more than just gimmicks. Then Guns N Roses kicked down the door with their cowboy boots and redefined the LA scene.

Appetite for Destruction helped ignite the next rock movement, with songs that were more punk than glam. Slash's guitar tone was something that was completely fresh: a smooth soloing technique that pulled from guitar heroes of old like Eric Clapton and Joe Perry. His riffs on songs like "Paradise City" and "Welcome to the Jungle" would become landmark tracks and a blueprint for modern rock. Alternatively, Axl Rose spewed venom with his lyrics about the dangers of the city while also finding time to write more heartfelt material like "Sweet Child O' Mine."

This record marked the death knell of the hair metal scene. Guns N Roses were able to stomp out the glam-rock tendencies by making songs that hit like a sledgehammer. With all the hairsprayed repetion, Guns N Roses made the streets of LA seem dangerous and exciting again.