We kick off Round 1 of the Devil Horn region of Loudwire's 2013 March Metal Madness with AC/DC's huge-selling 'Back in Black' disc squaring off against black metallers Mayhem and their influential album, 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.'

AC/DC were in a period of transition after the death of Bon Scott, but who had any idea that their biggest work was right around the corner. New frontman Brian Johnson joined the group and they only gained momentum in the years to follow. 'Back in Black' cranked out hit after hit, with 'You Shook Me All Night Long,' 'Hells Bells' and the title track all becoming radio staples for years to come. The disc going on to become the biggest selling album by a hard rock band in history, with over 50 million copies sold.

Mayhem, meanwhile, also suffered their own tragedies en route to their releasing their best-known record. They started writing for what would become 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' in 1987, but before the album was released seven years later they dealt with the suicide of vocalist Per "Dead" Ohlin and the murder of guitarist Oystein "Euronymous" Aarseth. The furious hard rocking disc is widely regarded as one of the most influential black metal records, with 'Freezing Moon,' 'Funeral Fog' and 'Cursed in Eternity' among the standout cuts.

So there you have it -- AC/DC's 'Back in Black' against Mayhem's 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.' Which one do you think deserves to advance in the challenge to crown the best metal album of all-time? Vote in the poll below.

(This poll will end on Monday, March 18 at 11:59 PM EST. Fans are able to vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure your favorite album wins!)

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