8. Judas Priest - Nostradamus
EpicIt is tempting swap-out this album for 1986s Turbo, as with poppy tunes and intrusive synthesisers, Turbo was a blatant and pandering attempt by Priest to keep up with the times (even though Metallicas more stripped-down approach was truly the cutting-edge of the genre). While derided by diehard Priest fans as catering to the MTV-hair metal crowd, the anthem-heavy Turbo isnt really that far removed from British Steel, widely considered their best album (all through the 80s, Priest had always tried to achieve the same crossover appeal of such pop-metal bands as Kiss or Def Leppard). But really, for an iconic band whove proudly waived the heavy metal banner for 40 years, 2008s bloated two-disc concept album, Nostradamus (their second record after legendary vocalist Rob Halford returned to pick up where they left off in the early 90s), was the most creatively-misguided release in their entire catalogue. Granted, at this point in their career Priest had nothing left to prove and could do whatever the hell they wanted, but to record such a pretentious, bloated, fantasy-based storytelling album - complete with orchestral interludes - showed just how out-of-touch they were. Not that anyone wanted Priest to suddenly appeal to the Hot Topic crowd or sound like Five Finger Death Punch, but lyrically, stuff like this was rendered ridiculous the very second This Is Spinal Tap was released in 1984. Despite Halfords stellar vocals, even the most ardent fan must admit lyrics were never Priests strong point, and on Nostradamus, such silly choruses as the one from the title track (Heeee haaaas seized the daaayHeeee iiiiis heeere to staaay) make Breaking the Law sound like All Along the Watchtower.