10 Classic Rock Albums That Changed Music Forever

Whenever writing a piece of music, you always want to see if you can make something that will leave a lasting impact. No matter how you choose to express your musical vision, there's always an innate desire for it to still have relevancy long after you have departed from this Earth.

While many great albums have come and gone in rock history, some great material still feels like a product of the time it was written. These albums are the exception to the rule, with songs that have shaped the entire musical landscape going forward. Once these tracks worked their way to the general public, things were never going to be the same again.

Whether it was introducing new sounds to the rock world or a completely different approach to recording, these songs have set the benchmark for how rock music was to be made going forward. Suddenly, all of the bands coming up had to step up their game because the rulebook had been rewritten. These are the tunes that still rattle around in our brains and keep us reaching for the guitar whenever they come on. Even though someone's favorite album comes down to personal taste, these records have left an even greater impression by changing the entire music scene around them.

Coming as the latest entry on the list, Guns N Roses' Appetite for Destruction came out on the hard rock scene and set the world on fire. With a single record of classic songs, these gutter punks put the glam metal pretty boys to shame and made the rough streets of LA feel exciting again.

Every single cut on this record goes for the throat, as the band perform like rabid dogs let loose upon their audience. The chemistry between the band members was something unprecedented for the time, with Slash's soulful guitar parts being accentuated by Axl Rose's madman stage presence. Just shy of the spotlight, Duff McKagan's punk background gave the band a greater edge with some of the most dangerous sounding riffs the band had ever played.

For anyone interested in any type of rock and roll, there is a song on here that fits the bill. If you're looking for just a hard rock groove, "Welcome to the Jungle" has got you covered, while "Sweet Child O Mine" is one of the greatest ballads of the entire genre. The band had fantastic moments after this debut, but there's no disputing this is closest they came to absolute perfection.