by Jason Roche for The Village Voice

New York has a very rich history of strong contributions to heavy music. While the NYHC pioneers get worshipped (and justly so), New York often gets overlooked in discussions of other influential heavy music scenes. Our below choices for the Top 20 New York Hardcore and Metal Albums of All-Time will hopefully get those discussions going again, with New York getting the proper respect it deserves this time.

Twisted Sister – Under The Blade (1982)
Their biggest hits may have come later, but as far as we’re concerned this is the best TS album. Dee Snider’s vocals sound genuinely threatening on the Iron Maiden-esque “Under The Blade” and the ominously slow burner “Destroyer.” The catchy sing-along greatness that would come with their later hits would also be hinted at on “Bad Boys (of Rock ‘N’ Roll),” but overall the group’s debut is a credibly heavy slice of pure metal.