Top Ten Lists - 1989

1. Voivod Nothingface
2. Godflesh Streetcleaner
3. Watchtower Control And Resistance
4. Annihilator Alice In Hell
5. Dream Theater When Dream And Day Unite
6. Holocaust The Sound Of Souls
7. Nirvana Bleach
8. Exodus Fabulous Disaster
9. King Diamond Conspiracy
10. Rage Secrets In A Weird World

1. Sepultura Beneath The Remains
2. Testament Practice What You Preach
3. Exodus Fabulous Disaster
4. Annihilator Alice In Hell
5. Savatage Gutter Ballet
6. King Diamond Conspiracy
7. Morbid Angel Altars Of Madness
8. Metal Church Blessing In Disguise
9. Dream Theater When Dream And Day Unite
10. Voivod Nothingface

An especially influential year, as three bands (Nirvana, Dream Theater, and Godflesh) release albums that would become definitive albums in their respective genres. In addition, a NWOBHM favorite, Holocaust, returns with a style that both borrows from their past and pushes towards the future.

Here, there are some surprises -- I would not have expected bands like Morbid Angel and Annihilator, however deserving, to make the list.