Most influential metal album of the 80s?

Motley Crue Shout at the Devil, Ozzy Bark at the Moon, Judas Priest Screaming for Vengeance, Iron Maiden Powerslave, Accept Balls to the Wall, Dio Holy Diver, Metallica Ride the Lightening or Master of Puppets

Oh… Its one of those listed. Pick whatever one you want.

But if a band has released more than one influential album – such as Motley Crue, for instance, whose albums Shout at the Devil and Theatre of Pain were both hugely influential – why shouldn't they all be listed? To wit, and just off the top of my head:

Metallica - Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets
Motley Crue - Shout at the Devil, Theatre of Pain, Dr. Feelgood
Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast, Powerslave
Quiet Riot - Metal Health, Cum on Feel the Noise
Def Leppard - Pyromania, Hysteria
Guns ’n Roses - Appetite for Destruction
Scorpions - Love at First Sting

Incidentally, I wouldn't really consider Slayer influential. Influence means that you motivate others to be like you. And there are a lot more Crue, Maiden and Metallica wannabes out there than Slayer wannabes. That's not a knock, I dig Slayer, but there's a difference between loving a band, and that band you love being influential. Just sayin'.

You make a point though Lon. And Theatre Of Pain was horrible. Smokin In The Boys Room and Use It Or Lose It was great though

As I wasn't born in the 50s, I'm not qualified to comment on the most influential Rock n Roll record of that decade because I would have had to have been there to hear them all, know what I'm saying