Using data to rank best 20 live albums of the 1980s is still contentious

Focusing on a data-backed ranking of the top twenty live albums of the 1980s doesn't stop it from being controversial.
David Coverdale
David Coverdale / Michael Putland/GettyImages
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8 - Motorhead - No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith

Well here’s a blast of metal. Hard, driven rock and roll. The band’s set kicks off with “Ace Of Spades” at a blistering pace and doesn’t let up. Song quality and performances are great, many sound better than their studio versions. The live recording adds a bit more dirt and grit, no bad thing for a Motorhead fan. 

7 - Iron Maiden - Live After Death

The highest featuring heavy metal band on this list. But deservedly in at number seven with Live After Death is Iron Maiden. The band is in top form here and plays out some absolute classics in great style. Live albums can be criticized for too much studio production; this one avoids that issue and has a real, authentic, live feel to it.

6 - U2 - Under a Blood Red Sky

U2 were a great live band at this still relatively early stage of their career in 1983. This was just a single album and not the usual run of greatest hits live. But it did have eight terrific songs, including some of their absolute best. It captures the band live and although it is often thought it was recorded at an atmospheric gig in Red Rocks, Colorado, the majority of the album was recorded in Germany. 

 

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