What do you guys think the best year for metal as a whole was and why?
It has to be between '80 and '08.
I'm going to have '88 due to the fact that's the year power metal rose. I mean Helloween is the obvious one that became uber famous this year(And in '87) but Blind Guardian are also now a stable band that are actually recording + touring(Not famous yet though), but then look at Stratovarius, hammerfall, Iced Earth and Manowar. They are all becoming famous.
Then some power metal bands are beginning to form this year such as Gamma Ray, Edguy and Kamelot.
Definitely '88 is the best year for power metal, '87, '99 and some of the 2000 years were also good. (Power metal is my favorite genre so I know the most about that)
Another reason why '88 was great for metal as a whole: The thrash metal scene was alive and thriving at it's peak, death metal, black metal and grindcore were all beginning to form, hair metal bands and glam bands were losing steam and the grunge scene and core scenes were yet to arive.
Plus in '88 sexism in metal was starting to end with several bands with female members.
So my verdict for the best year in metal: 1988.
What do you guys think has been the best year for metal and why?
Blind Guardian - Somewhere far beyond(Both song + CD). I don't know who the guest bassist was on this album but hes AMAZING! :O