The Top 12 Greatest Comeback Rock Albums of All Time
The greatest comeback rock albums are amazing not just because of the music but also due to the stories. Everybody loves a good comeback story. The idea of someone rising from the ashes and overcoming the odds is something everybody loves.
In that regard, these are the greatest comeback rock albums of all time because of that combination. These records have both quality and a great story to tell. This is something that shows that music is a lot more than just what people hear in the songs.
Therefore, these are the greatest comeback rock and metal albums based on a number of factors that were key to showing them on this list. It’s also worth pointing out that the list is in no particular order.
Also check the best 12 guest performances in rock and metal of all time.
The 12 greatest comeback rock albums of all time
It’s worth pointing out that this list is entirely subjective and only focuses on some factors in choosing the albums. They are picked based on their success, mainly commercially and artistically. These records were also picked by the impact that they had on their respective bands moving forward.
If people don’t see a record they like, that’s perfectly fine. Feel free to drop a comment about why they think X or Y album should be on this list.
Which are the greatest comeback rock albums of all time?
- Aerosmith – Permanent Vacation
- Accept – Blood of the Nations
- Alice Cooper – Raise Your Fist and Yell
- Judas Priest – Painkiller
- AC/DC – Back in Black
- Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell
- Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers
- Iron Maiden – Brave New World
- Helloween – Master of the Rings
- Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue
- Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
- Blue Oyster Cult – Imaginos
1. Aerosmith – Permanent Vacation
To say Aerosmith was a mess in the mid-80s would be an understatement. The band was having a lot of internal strife, their records were not selling, and addictions were taking over their sanity. Vocalist Steven Tyler in particular was struggling greatly with drug addiction and had to be dragged out to recovery.
This makes the story of 1987’s Permanent Vacation one of the greatest comeback rock albums of all time. Not just because of its quality but rather because it put Boston’s finest back on the map. Especially considering that 80s rock was ruled by glam bands that were inspired by Aerosmith to begin with.
“Dude (Looks Like a Lady)“, “Rag Doll“, and “Angel” were huge hits for Aerosmith but deeper tracks like “Heart’s Done Time” and “Magic Touch” sell the album. It put Aerosmith on the map in the mid-80s and went on from strength to strength afterward.
2. Accept – Blood of the Nations
Accept was a band that most people thought was dead in the 2000s. This band was huge in the 80s, arguably becoming the most influential metal band in its home country, Germany. 1983’s Balls to the Wall album was a huge hit and cemented the band’s place as heavy metal royalty.
However, the band had problems with the lead vocalist, Udo, and decided to try a more commercial record in the late 80s, Eat the Heat. American vocalist David Reece is an amazing singer but the matchup never fully worked. Udo came back in the 90s and the albums never fully hit either.
The group broke up in the mid-90s and it wasn’t seen except for one-off concerts. Then, in the late 2000s, they recruited American vocalist Mark Tornillo and produced a legendary comeback album, Blood of the Nations.
This album came out in 2010 and is widely regarded as one of Accept‘s finest. Great riffs, strong vocals, catchy melodies, and a modern production that enhances the band’s sound. It’s an extremely strong record and kickstarted their resurgence, now constantly producing great albums.
Perhaps it wasn’t a commercial juggernaut but is still one of the greatest comeback rock albums of all time.
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3. Alice Cooper – Raise Your First and Yell
This is one of the greatest comeback rock albums not only because it sold well and had great music. This was also the album that pretty much saved Alice Cooper‘s life.
Constrictor had been a step in the right direction but it was Raise Your Fist and Yell what made a huge difference. Alice was close to dying due to alcoholism and drug addiction in the early 80s but found God and managed to get his act together. After fixing his marriage and the rest of his private life, he was ready to conquer the music industry again.
Alice has always been capable of adapting to different eras of rock music. This time around, he went for a heavier, more metallic sound and it worked like a charm. Guitarist Kane Roberts, rock and metal’s Rambo, was a valuable ally in terms of songwriting too.
4. Judas Priest – Painkiller
Perhaps the most metal album of all time.
Judas Priest wasn’t struggling greatly in the late 80s but was far from hitting its stride. 1986’s Turbo and 1989’s Ram It Down had some good moments but were mostly lackluster affairs. Thrash, speed, and death metal had arrived, making Priest‘s brand of the style feel a bit outdated too.
Then 1990’s Painkiller arrived. A metal masterpiece that showed Judas Priest at its heaviest, fastest, and most dangerous. Rob Halford‘s vocal performance here is the stuff of legends and the band as a whole is firing on all cylinders.
This record showed that Priest could compete with the younger generations and that this band was far from done.
5. AC/DC – Back in Black
One of the greatest comeback rock albums and one of the highest-selling records of all time. AC/DC had to deal with the tragic loss of singer Bon Scott and overcame that tragedy with an album that made them worldwide superstars.
New singer Brian Johnson has been a perfect fit ever since and the band’s success speaks for itself. Almost every song on this record is a massive hit and cemented AC/DC as one of the genre’s all-time greats.
6. Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell
Black Sabbath was in a tough spot when they decided to let vocalist Ozzy Osbourne go in the late 70s. Ozzy was a major part of the group’s sound because of his unique singing style. How can you replace someone with such an iconic song? Simple: you don’t. You go for one of the genre’s greatest singers, and who also happened to be available.
Ronnie James Dio saved Black Sabbath. He injected new life into the band because of his singing style, songwriting abilities, and his role as a lyricist. It changed guitarist Tony Iommi‘s songwriting approach and bassist Geezer Butler didn’t have to carry the burden of the lyrics anymore.
1980 arrived and Sabbath stormed in with Heaven and Hell. The title track, “Neon Knights“, “Children of the Sea“, “Die Young“… all heavy metal masterpieces. And one of Iommi and Dio‘s crowning achievements as musicians. Perhaps the best album they did in their respective careers.
7. Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers
The very definition of this list. Perfect Strangers is one of the greatest comeback rock albums as it was Deep Purple‘s glorious return. The band had broken up in the mid-70s and came back in 1984 with this masterpiece of a record.
This album was also the return of the legendary Mark II lineup, which was the one that made the band’s greatest hits. It was amazing watching vocalist Ian Gillan and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore together again. And alongside Roger Glover, Jon Lord, and Ian Paice they crafted this amazing album.
8. Iron Maiden – Brave New World
The 1990s were not kind to Iron Maiden. The band had lost a lot of popularity, vocalist Bruce Dickinson left, replacement Blaze Bayley was good but an ill fit for their sound, and the recent albums had struggled. So when it was announced that Bruce and guitarist Adrian Smith were coming back, there was a lot of excitement.
2000’s Brave New World is a return to form. One of the best comeback rock albums of all time, for sure. Both Bruce and Adrian had formed a great partnership in the former’s solo albums and their influence with Maiden was much appreciated. The band combined its classic sound with some progressive and modern elements.
It was pure Maiden but not trying to copy the past. This was Maiden for the modern generations and it was the comeback that the genre needed. Steve Harris and the rest haven’t looked back ever since.
9. Helloween – Master of the Rings
Helloween had to let vocalist Michael Kiske go because of a lot of internal strife. Kiske wanted the band to go to a more pop-oriented sound and other members didn’t like this. Once he was gone, guitarist and band leader Michael Weikath hired vocalist Andi Deris, and 1994’s Master of the Rings was born.
Andi Deris might not have Kiske‘s natural talent for singing but his role in the band’s history is very important. He was pivotal in getting the band back to its metal room and Master of the Rings is not a cheap cash-in attempt either. It’s Helloween with a new sound and a new attitude but faithful to who they were.
This record is a phenomenal introduction for people who want to get into Helloween. It was also the injection of quality and stability that this German band needed back then.
Also read the 18 best German metal bands you should listen to.
10. Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue
The greatest comeback rock albums, as mentioned earlier, also have great stories. 2009’s Black Gives Way to Blue was the band’s comeback after the death of iconic singer, Layne Staley. No one thought Alice in Chains could do it without Layne because the latter was so instrumental in their sound. And then vocalist William DuVall appeared.
DuVall was a very good fit for the band’s sound and also had his own style. Guitarist and second vocalist Jerry Cantrell also played a greater role by singing most of the songs. The crunchy guitar riffs, coupled with the beautiful and somber vocal melodies, were prime Alice in Chains.
It was also a fitting tribute to Layne Staley and the band has been going from strength to strength ever since.
11. Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
Scenes From a Memory is not only one of the greatest comeback rock albums but also a huge hit for Dream Theater. A lot of fans consider this the band’s creative peak. Keyboard player Jordan Rudess joined the band for this record and added another layer to their progressive metal sound.
The previous album, 1997’s Falling Into Infinity, had struggled greatly. They were aiming for wider commercial appeal and failed at that. There was talk of breaking up but decided to do one last swing at it. The last swing in question was Scenes From a Memory.
The album itself combines a lot of different influences. There is rock, there is metal, it has some gospel elements, and also some softer moments. It is also a concept album involving elements of past lives and a murder mystery. This album was extremely ambitious and paid for the band as it brought them back into the band of progressive music.
12. Blue Oyster Cult – Imaginos
This is an interesting case when it comes to the greatest comeback rock albums. Imaginos didn’t sell very well but it showed that Blue Oyster Cult could still make great music. It’s one of their heaviest and most ambitious records to date.
“Imaginos” is a concept album with a very deep story involving a cult. However, the music is the big selling point here. It is a heavy album, with strong riffs, and very catchy melodies, and it flows extremely well. The fact it never became a hit makes it all the more compelling for newcomers as well.
A very underrated album that deserves a lot more attention.
