1972

Despite song titles like "As the Moon Speaks (To The Waves Of The Sea)", the self-titled CAPTAIN BEYOND album is not an exercise in Floydish prog . This album is an absolute riff monster that any metalhead should melt over. Featuring former DEEP PURPLE frontman Rod Evans and ex-JOHNNY WINTER stickman Bobby Caldwell, this debut is an arrangement of some of the best '70s riffage of all time that would inspire oodles of future metal bands like MERCYFUL FATE. The tracks weave in and out of dreamy acoustic passages, breakneck tempo changes, and bone-rattling guitar blasts. Just check out the intro to "Raging River of Fear" -- a lead that justifies purchase of the album by itself.

It is very difficult to come up with ten picks for this year, as it was literally crammed with greatness. 1972 brought us ZAPPA's horny sequals to the "Hot Rats" album (composed in a wheelchair), as well as YES' stunning prog masterwork "Close to the Edge" , and the first taste of STEELY DAN's irresistable coke jazz guitar insanity.

Picks of the litter, 1972: