The Georgia Thunderbolts: Our Ten Favourite Metal Records

As album ideas begin to take shape, it isn’t uncommon for bands to look through their record collections and lose themselves in their influences. After all, what are we if not an amalgamation of our greatest musical loves? With their freshly baked debut, Can We Get A Witness, southern rock boys THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS prove they are no exception. Listing AUDIOSLAVE, OZZY OSBOURNE, and LYNARD SKYNARD among their many influences, this band caught our attention. We asked THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS which ten metal records own their collective hearts.

Rust In Peace – MEGADETH

Holy Wars is our pick from this album. This song was in relation to the times before anyone ever knew it. We feel Dave [Mustaine] could foresee the future. The killer guitar riffage just adds to the awesomeness of Dave’s lyrics.

Vulgar Display Of Power – PANTERA

From Phil [Anselmo]’s vulgar vocals, to Dimebag’s screaming guitar, to Vinnie [Paul]’s double bass, this album had to be on the list. This album set the tone for what 90s metal was all about. Our song of choice is By Demons Be Driven.

Metallica (The Black Album) – METALLICA

This album from the founders of thrash metal is a sheer hit. The God That Failed is our pick for this album. Again, very strong lyrically with heavy hitting guitars and aggressive amplifiers. The production is astounding.

1919 Eternal – BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

Mass Murder Machine is our pick from this album. Good Lord! The riff that carries through the entirety of the song is insane. So heavy and low, makes the song persuade you to bob your head every time.

Master Of Reality – BLACK SABBATH

Into The Void is our choice for this album. This was a hard one. The pioneers of metal really nailed it with this one. Such a sick rhythm and melody. The breakdown will never get old. So fat and heavy. This will never be re-created.

No More Tears – OZZY OSBOURNE

Where do we start? The fact that Ozzy has two bands on this list should never be questioned. We chose this album because our favourite Ozzy guitarist is on it: Mr. Zakk Wylde. Zakk brought a heavier side to Ozzy, and we love it. We have chosen Desire as our song from this album.

NOLA – DOWN

DOWN is a band not everyone knows about, but should. This album was a complete smash. Phil Anselmo is vocalist for the great PANTERA and made it happen with the boys in DOWN too. His brutal, but soulful vocals really make this album. We chose Swan Song for our song on this album.

Live After Death – IRON MAIDEN

IRON MAIDEN is a power metal band with a three guitar army. You can’t beat the harmonies the guitarist pulls off and the intricate riffs made by the band. We know this is a live album and has a lot of hits on it, but it had to be the one for MAIDEN. Aces High is our choice from this album.

Hellyeah – HELLYEAH

Heavy… that’s the word we would use to describe this album. Man, from one great band to another, Vinnie Paul brought the thunder to this group. God rest his soul. We have chosen You Wouldn’t Know as our song from this album. Such a melodic, but in your face tune.

British Steel – JUDAS PRIEST

This album is a trademark for classic metal. Rob Halford’s vocals really made this band, but he had four metal gods backing him up with powerful rock n’ roll riffs. Speaking of Metal Gods, that is our favourite track on the album. Melodic chorus, and driving rock n’ roll rhythm carries this song to the end.

Can We Get A Witness is out now via Mascot Records.

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