10 Perfect 1980s Hard Rock Albums With No Bad Songs

So when you talk about the greatest albums of the '80s, what genres of music usually spring to mind? Well, for any of the enthusiasts, you're normally going to talk about the sounds of hair metal on the Sunset Strip, maybe a few nods to the thrash metal scene, and the entire slew of pop rock acts that were getting into a more synthesized sound than before. But what happens when you take that same synthesizer and end up using it for evil?

Inspired by the dark pop he was hearing out of bands like Depeche Mode, Trent Reznor gave the thesis statement for what Nine Inch Nails were going to be on Pretty Hate Machine, combining pop hooks with some of the most abrasive production seen at the time. While not always having pummeling riffs like Metallica, this was the genesis of industrial rock almost half a decade before it would hit its peak, with people like White Zombie coming in the next few years.

That's not to say that this is only rough and ragged from start to finish, since songs like Something I Can Never Have brings a sudden sense of calm and desperation in between the madness. Trent wasn't really content to stay in this fun headspace forever. By the time he had hit the road for this record, he was practically halfway to the Downward Spiral.