From Saudi Arabia to Glam Rock: How Heavy Metal Changed My Life

Growing up as a young boy in Saudi Arabia was tough. Opportunities were limited, especially in art, literature, and music. Back then, the country struggled to develop its cultural scene, and finding resources for artistic expression took a lot of work. Saudi Arabia has come a long way since then, but it’s essential to remember past challenges, appreciate how far we’ve come, and recognize how much further we can go.

In Turkey, similar challenges were valid. It took a lot of work to get the latest releases from my favourite music groups, and the culture differed from what I was used to. However, I discovered the power of copied cassettes while I was there. This discovery was a game-changer for me. It opened up a new world of music, and I became even more passionate about it. Finding an album in the market was a miracle, but it could be duplicated onto a cassette. Of course, those cassettes were expensive, and you had to wait on lists to get a copy. But the wait was worth it for the chance to listen to the music I loved.

In Saudi Arabia, things were challenging too. My school was separated into boys and girls, which made it difficult to socialize with the opposite sex. As far as I recall, my first interaction with the opposite sex other than my mom and sister was maybe around when I was 18. However, my friends and I found ways to make the best of it. We listened to music together and talked about the lyrics and the messages behind them.

This was how I discovered heavy metal glam rock – the long-haired male (females – very rare) rockers from the USA, Europe, and Britain.

Heavy metal glam rock opened up a new world for me. It was an escape from everyday challenges and gave me a world of creativity and imagination. I read biographies, memorized discographies, song lyrics, and everything else I could find about my favourite bands. But documentation was difficult to find in Saudi Arabia, and getting my hands on albums was even more complicated because they were often banned. But I was not going to let anything stop me. I saved up my weekly allowance to buy every album that came out. Even though the covers were often censored, I knew the music inside mattered.

For those who are still not aware, heavy metal, glam metal, and hard rock are all sub-genres of rock music that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. Heavy metal is characterized by its aggressive sound, distorted guitar riffs, and powerful vocals, while glam metal incorporates elements of glam rock, such as androgynous fashion, makeup, and theatrical performances. Hard rock is a catch-all term that encompasses many different rock music styles but is typically characterized by its heavy use of guitars, drums, and bass.

The origins of heavy metal can be traced back to the mid-1960s when bands like Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience began incorporating elements of hard rock into their music. The term “heavy metal” was first used by music critics in the early 1970s to describe bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Glam metal emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with bands like Kiss, Alice Cooper, and David Bowie paving the way for acts like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Bon Jovi. Hard rock has been around since the 1960s, with bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who laying the groundwork for future bands like AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Van Halen.

Despite their differences, all three sub-genres were popular in the 1980s and continue influencing rock music today.

As I listened to more music, I explored different genres like pop and jazz. During my discovery period, Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was the talk of the town, and I couldn’t get enough. But the glam rock was where it all started for me. I was obsessed with every new group and album and could name every member of the bands I loved. I followed them when they separated and formed new groups or went solo. It was like a cult of glam-rockism. Writing this article allowed me to revisit those days of my youth and reflect on the music that shaped me.

While Saudi Arabia presented many obstacles, music was a source of joy and inspiration, and heavy metal glam rock was at the heart of this. It helped me escape everyday challenges and created a world of creativity and imagination. I am grateful for the music that shaped me into who I am today, and I hope it will continue to inspire future generations. Music is a universal language that can bring people together. The more we listen to different genres and styles, the more we can appreciate the diversity and richness of the world’s cultures.

Here is a list of some of the best heavy metal glam rock albums for me of the 1980s and 1990s, along with a brief description.

These heavy metal glam rock albums originated from different bands from the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the most popular bands include Poison, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Cinderella, Skid Row, Warrant, Ratt, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Motörhead, Stryper, Kiss, Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper, Quiet Riot, Europe, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Aerosmith, Tesla, Kix, and Cinderella. These bands had different styles and influences but were all part of the heavy metal glam rock scene.

1. Poison – Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986): Poison’s debut album, “Look What the Cat Dragged In,” is a classic example of glam metal. The album features a mix of upbeat, catchy songs like “Talk Dirty to Me” and “I Want Action,” as well as slower ballads like “I Won’t Forget You.” Poison’s over-the-top image, complete with heavy makeup and flamboyant clothing, helped cement their status as one of the most iconic bands of the era.
2. Mötley Crüe – Shout at the Devil (1983): Mötley Crüe’s second album, “Shout at the Devil,” helped define the sound of glam metal. The album features heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and intense vocals; all wrapped up in a package of theatricality and excess. Hits like “Looks That Kill” and “Too Young to Fall in Love” helped make the album a commercial success, and the band’s wild image made them one of the most notorious acts of the era.
3. Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction (1987): “Appetite for Destruction” is considered one of the greatest rock albums ever. The album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Mr Brownstone,” as well as slower, more introspective tracks like “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “November Rain.” Guns N’ Roses’ gritty, hard-edged sound helped them stand out in the glam metal scene, and their rebellious image helped make them one of the era’s most popular and controversial bands.
4. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986): Bon Jovi’s third album, “Slippery When Wet,” was a massive commercial success, thanks in part to hit singles like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” The album features upbeat, catchy tracks and slower ballads, all infused with Bon Jovi’s trademark mix of hard rock and pop sensibilities. Bon Jovi’s good looks and polished image helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
5. Def Leppard – Hysteria (1987): “Hysteria” is Def Leppard’s fourth album, one of their most iconic. The album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Armageddon It,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Love Bites” and “Hysteria.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and it remains one of the best-selling albums of the era.
6. Cinderella – Night Songs (1986): Cinderella’s debut album, “Night Songs,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers and slower ballads, all with a touch of bluesy swagger. Hits like “Shake Me” and “Nobody’s Fool” helped make the album a commercial success, and Cinderella’s image, with their big hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
7. Skid Row – Skid Row (1989): Skid Row’s debut album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Youth Gone Wild” and “18 and Life,” as well as more melodic tracks like “I Remember You.” The album’s gritty sound and rebellious attitude helped make it a favourite among fans of the genre, and Skid Row’s image, with their leather jackets and tattoos, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
8. Warrant – Cherry Pie (1990): Warrant’s second album, “Cherry Pie,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers and more melodic tracks, all with pop sensibility. Hits like “Cherry Pie” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” helped make the album a commercial success, and Warrant’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
9. Ratt – Out of the Cellar (1984): Ratt’s debut album, “Out of the Cellar,” helped define the sound of glam metal. The album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Round and Round” and “Wanted Man,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Back for More.” Ratt’s image, with their big hair and spandex pants, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
10. Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987): Whitesnake’s self-titled album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers and more melodic tracks, all with a touch of bluesy swagger. Hits like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” helped make the album a commercial success, and Whitesnake’s image, with their big hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
11. Van Halen – 1984 (1984): Van Halen’s sixth album, “1984,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Jump.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Van Halen’s image, with their flashy clothing and wild stage antics, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
12. Motörhead – Ace of Spades (1980): “Ace of Spades” is considered one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever. The album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Ace of Spades” and “Love Me Like a Reptile,” as well as more melodic tracks like “The Chase Is Better Than the Catch.” Motörhead’s raw, unpolished sound helped make them a favourite among fans of the genre, and their image, with their leather jackets and mutton chops, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
13. Stryper – To Hell with the Devil (1986): Stryper’s third album, “To Hell with the Devil,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers and more melodic tracks, all with a touch of Christian spirituality. Hits like “Free” and “Honestly” helped make the album a commercial success, and Stryper’s image, with their black and yellow spandex and references to Bible verses, helped make them one of the most unique bands of the era.
14. Kiss – Creatures of the Night (1982): “Creatures of the Night” is considered one of Kiss’s heaviest albums. The album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “I Love It Loud” and “War Machine,” as well as more melodic tracks like “I Still Love You.” With their elaborate makeup and costumes, Kiss’s image helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
15. Twisted Sister – Stay Hungry (1984): Twisted Sister’s third album, “Stay Hungry,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock,” as well as more melodic tracks like “The Price.” Twisted Sisters’ image, with their outrageous makeup and costumes, helped make them one of the most notorious bands of the era.
16. Alice Cooper – Trash (1989): “Trash” is Alice Cooper’s 18th studio album, featuring a mix of hard-hitting rockers and more melodic tracks. Hits like “Poison” and “Bed of Nails” helped make the album a commercial success, and Cooper’s image, with his theatrical stage shows and macabre imagery, helped make him one of the most iconic figures in rock history.
17. Quiet Riot – Metal Health (1983): “Metal Health” is Quiet Riot’s third album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Metal Health” and “Cum On Feel the Noize,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Don’t Wanna Let You Go.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Quiet Riot’s image, with their big hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
18. Europe – The Final Countdown (1986): “The Final Countdown” is Europe’s third album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like the title track and “Rock the Night,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Carrie.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Europe’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
19. Ozzy Osbourne – Diary of a Madman (1981): “Diary of a Madman” is Ozzy Osbourne’s second solo album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Over the Mountain” and “Flying High Again,” as well as more melodic tracks like “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll.” The album’s dark, brooding sound helped make it a fan favourite, and Osbourne’s image, with his bat-biting antics and wild stage shows, helped make him one of the most notorious figures in rock history.
20. Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988): “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” is Iron Maiden’s seventh studio album. It features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Can I Play with Madness” and “The Evil That Men Do,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Infinite Dreams.” The album’s epic, progressive sound helped make it a fan favourite, and Iron Maiden’s image, with their elaborate stage shows and Eddie the Head mascot, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
21. Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance (1982): “Screaming for Vengeance” is Judas Priest’s eighth studio album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” and “Electric Eye,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Bloodstone.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Judas Priest’s image, with their leather and studs, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
22. Whitesnake – 1987 (1987): Whitesnake’s seventh studio album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers and more melodic tracks, all with a touch of bluesy swagger. Hits like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” helped make the album a commercial success, and Whitesnake’s image, with their big hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
23. Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988): “New Jersey” is Bon Jovi’s fourth studio album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Bad Medicine” and “Lay Your Hands on Me,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Born to Be My Baby.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Bon Jovi’s image, with their good looks and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
24. Guns N’ Roses – Use Your Illusion I and II (1991): “Use Your Illusion I and II” are two separate albums released simultaneously by Guns N’ Roses. The albums feature a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “November Rain” and “Don’t Cry,” as well as more experimental tracks like “Estranged.” The albums’ sprawling, ambitious sound helped cement Guns N’ Roses’ status as one of the most innovative bands of the era.
25. Aerosmith – Permanent Vacation (1987): “Permanent Vacation” is Aerosmith’s ninth studio album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Rag Doll,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Angel.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Aerosmith’s image, with their wild stage shows and flamboyant
26. Tesla – The Great Radio Controversy (1989): Tesla’s second album, “The Great Radio Controversy,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Hang Tough” and “Love Song,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Paradise.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Tesla’s image, with their long hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
27. Kix – Blow My Fuse (1988): Kix’s fourth album, “Blow My Fuse,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and “Cold Blood,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Blow My Fuse.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Kix’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
28. Cinderella – Long Cold Winter (1988): Cinderella’s second album, “Long Cold Winter,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Gypsy Road” and “The Last Mile,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone).” The album’s bluesy sound and gritty image helped make it a fan favourite, and Cinderella’s image, with their long hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
29. Whitesnake – Slide It In (1984): Whitesnake’s sixth studio album, “Slide It In,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Slow an’ Easy” and “Love Ain’t No Stranger,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Slide It In.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Whitesnake’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
30. Van Halen – Women and Children First (1980): Van Halen’s third studio album, “Women and Children First,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “And the Cradle Will Rock…” and “Everybody Wants Some!!,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Could This Be Magic?” The album’s raw, unpolished sound helped make it a fan favourite, and Van Halen’s image, with their wild stage shows and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
31. Mötley Crüe – Girls, Girls, Girls (1987): Mötley Crüe’s fourth album, “Girls, Girls, Girls,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Wild Side” and “All In the Name of…,” as well as more melodic tracks like “You’re All I Need.” The album’s gritty sound and rebellious image helped make it a fan favourite, and Mötley Crüe’s image, with their leather jackets and wild hair, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
32. Poison – Open Up and Say… Ahh! (1988): Poison’s second album, “Open Up and Say… Ahh!,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Nothin’ But a Good Time” and “Fallen Angel,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” The album’s upbeat, catchy sound helped make it a commercial success, and Poison’s image, with its big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
33. Guns N’ Roses – G N’ R Lies (1988): “G N’ R Lies” is Guns N’ Roses’ second album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Reckless Life” and “Mama Kin,” as well as more acoustic tracks like “Patience.” The album’s raw, unpolished sound helped make it a fan favourite, and Guns N’ Roses’ image, with their wild hair and rebellious attitude, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
34. Dokken – Tooth and Nail (1984): Dokken’s second album, “Tooth and Nail,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Into the Fire” and “Alone Again,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Just Got Lucky.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Dokken’s image, with their big hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
35. Ratt – Invasion of Your Privacy (1985): Ratt’s second album, “Invasion of Your Privacy,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “You’re in Love” and “Lay It Down,” as well as more melodic tracks like “What You Give Is What You Get.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Ratt’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
36. Tesla – Five Man Acoustical Jam (1990): “Five Man Acoustical Jam” is Tesla’s first live album, and it features acoustic versions of some of their most popular tracks, including “Signs” and “Love Song.” The album’s stripped-down sound and raw energy helped make it a fan favourite, and Tesla’s image, with their long hair and leather jackets, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
37. Skid Row – Slave to the Grind (1991): Skid Row’s second album, “Slave to the Grind,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Monkey Business” and “Slave to the Grind,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Wasted Time.” The album’s gritty sound and rebellious image helped make it a fan favourite, and Skid Row’s image, with their leather jackets and wild hair, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
38. Warrant – Dog Eat Dog (1992): Warrant’s fourth album, “Dog Eat Dog,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Machine Gun” and “The Bitter Pill,” as well as more melodic tracks like “All My Bridges Are Burning.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Warrant’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
39. Mötley Crüe – Theatre of Pain (1985): Mötley Crüe’s third album, “Theatre of Pain,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” and “Home Sweet Home,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Tonight (We Need a Lover).” The album’s gritty sound and rebellious image helped make it a fan favourite, and Mötley Crüe’s image, with their leather jackets and wild hair, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
40. Poison – Flesh & Blood (1990): Poison’s third album, “Flesh & Blood,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Unskinny Bop” and “Ride the Wind,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Something to Believe In.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Poison’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
41. Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987): Whitesnake’s self-titled album features a mix of hard-hitting rockers and more melodic tracks, all with a touch of bluesy swagger. Hits like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” helped make the album a commercial success, and Whitesnake’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
42. Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992): “Keep the Faith” is Bon Jovi’s fifth studio album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Keep the Faith” and “Bed of Roses,” as well as more melodic tracks like “I’ll Be There for You.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Bon Jovi’s image, with their good looks and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
43. Guns N’ Roses – The Spaghetti Incident? (1993): “The Spaghetti Incident?” is Guns N’ Roses’ fifth studio album, featuring cover versions of punk and glam rock songs from the 1970s and 1980s. The album’s raw, unpolished sound helped make it a fan favourite, and Guns N’ Roses’ image, with their wild hair and rebellious attitude, helped make them one of the era’s most popular bands.
44. Alice Cooper – Constrictor (1986): Alice Cooper’s “Constrictor” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Teenage Frankenstein” and “Give It Up,” as well as more melodic tracks like “The World Needs Guts.” The album’s heavy sound and horror-inspired imagery helped make it a fan favourite, and Alice Cooper’s image, with his theatrical stage shows and macabre imagery, helped make him one of the most iconic figures in rock history.
45. Poison – Native Tongue (1993): Poison’s “Native Tongue” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Stand” and “Until You Suffer Some (Fire and Ice),” as well as more melodic tracks like “The Scream.” The album’s more mature sound and introspective lyrics helped show the band’s growth over the years, and Poison’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
46. Mötley Crüe – Dr Feelgood (1989): Mötley Crüe’s fifth album, “Dr Feelgood,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like the title track and “Kickstart My Heart,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Without You.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Mötley Crüe’s image, with their leather jackets and wild hair, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
47. Skid Row – B-Side Ourselves (1992): Skid Row’s EP “B-Side Ourselves” features cover versions of classic rock songs by bands like Judas Priest, Kiss, and Jimi Hendrix. The album’s raw, unpolished sound helped show the band’s love for these classic acts, and Skid Row’s image, with their leather jackets and wild hair, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
48. Aerosmith – Pump (1989): “Pump” is Aerosmith’s tenth studio album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Janie’s Got a Gun” and “Love in an Elevator,” as well as more melodic tracks like “What It Takes.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success, and Aerosmith’s image, with their wild stage shows and flamboyant clothing, helped make them one of the most iconic bands of the era.
49. Warrant – Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989): Warrant’s debut album, “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich,” features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Down Boys” and “Sometimes She Cries,” as well as more melodic tracks like “Heaven.” The album’s polished sound and catchy hooks helped make it a commercial success, and Warrant’s image, with their big hair and flashy clothing, helped make them one of the most recognizable bands of the era.
50. Van Halen – OU812 (1988): “OU812” is Van Halen’s eighth studio album, and it features a mix of hard-hitting rockers like “Black and Blue” and “Finish What You Started,” as well as more melodic tracks like “When It’s Love.” The album’s polished, radio-friendly sound helped make it a commercial success,