Here are five hair metal bands whose biggest-selling records were definitely not their best.
The hair metal era is often remembered for the big hair, the overuse of Aqua Net, flashy videos, and overall an over-the-top image, but behind all that were bands made up of truly solid players and sharp songwriters. Before the major label pressure and radio formulas took over, many of these bands put out albums that were more honest, more interesting, and musically stronger even if they didn’t sell as much.
In a lot of cases, the band’s biggest album wasn’t their best. Sometimes it was the record just before or just after; the one with fewer hits but better songs, stronger performances, or a clearer sense of identity. These albums often captured the band at their most focused, before the polish and commercial expectations smoothed out the edges.
READ MORE: The 9 Best Non-Hair Metal Albums by Hair Metal Bands
Let’s take a look at five bands whose top-selling album isn’t the one that deserves the most praise. Whether it’s better songwriting, more adventurous playing, or simply a more accurate snapshot of what the band was capable of, these are the records that show fans the bigger picture.
5 Hair Metal Bands Whose Biggest-Selling Album Isn’t Their Best
Just because an album went platinum doesn’t mean it was the band’s finest hour. Sometimes, the real magic happened on the records that flew a little lower under the radar.
Gallery Credit: Sydney Taylor
The Most Underrated Album By 11 Big Hair Metal Bands
Think you know every classic from hair metal’s finest? These underrated albums prove the biggest bands still have hidden gems waiting to be cranked to eleven.
Gallery Credit: Sydney Taylor
1922