Balls to the Wall

These German gravel grinders’ fifth studio album was their Back in Black/Black Album, a commercially-friendly distillation of the band’s strengths – although neither AC/DC nor Metallica had the cojones to use a Robert Mapplethorpe homage as their cover. Inexplicably, the title track (which features vocalist Udo Dirkschneider threatening to “plug a bomb in everyone’s ass”) became their biggest hit single and a metal anthem for the ages. The second track, “London Leatherboys,” attracted controversy for some reason. Other highlights include “Turn Me On,” “Head over Heels,” and closing ballad “Winterdreams.” The guitars rival peak Priest; there’s no earthly explanation for how Dirkschneider still has a voice, though.