![Top 30 Nuclear Blast Albums](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2017/07/Nuclear_Blast_Albums_Featured1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Top 30 Nuclear Blast Albums
After spreading its roots for much of the 1970s, heavy metal really flourished as a commercial force in the 1980s, opening the floodgates for, not only lots more bands, but the first specialized heavy metal independent record labels: launched specifically to exploit and nurture this suddenly hot musical commodity.
By the end of the decade, these labels included names like Megaforce, Metal Blade, Combat, Roadrunner, Noise, Music for Nations, Century Media and many more. Another label, Nuclear Blast, got off the ground in Germany, in 1987, with a few hardcore releases, but quickly developed into a heavy metal kingmaker after sniffing out some of the most compelling death metal bands in the underground.
Other strains of metallic expression soon rounded out Nuclear Blast’s roster, as the label grew into a true powerhouse, helping to drive the global scene and building from strength to strength throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Looking back now, well into the 2010s, Nuclear Blast has remained impressively steadfast in their loyalty to the metal arts and it continues to offer a safe haven for many a legendary act, from Kreator to Carcass to Immolation.
So get ready to duck and cover! It's time to celebrate 30 years of this iconic metal label with the Top 30 Nuclear Blast Albums in the gallery above.
10 Try Not to Headbang Challenges (Expert)
More From Loudwire
![Fans React to Gojira Playing at 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Gojira-Reactions-Olympic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Photos – Gojira Play 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, France](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-olympics_gojira.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gojira Become First Metal Band to Play Olympics Opening Ceremony – Watch](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Gojira-2024-Olympic-Games-Opening-Ceremony.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Eight New Rock + Metal Tours Announced This Past Week (July 19-25, 2024)](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Metallica-Fit-for-an-Autopsy-Deftones.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Five Most Metal Soundgarden Songs](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-soundgarden_jesus_christ_pose.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2024 Hard Rock + Metal Album Release Calendar](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-new_rock_metal_albums_july_26_2024.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bill Ward Addresses Black Sabbath Reunion Show Speculation](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-Black-Sabbath-Bill-Ward-2012.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Letter Glenn Danzig Wrote to Cliff Burton About Metallica Covering Misfits](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-cliff_burton_metallica_glenn_danzig_misfits.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gojira Are Playing 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris – How to Watch](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2024/07/attachment-paris_2024_olympics_gojira.jpg?w=980&q=75)