After 1986 any year would be a letdown, but 1987 was pretty strong in its own right. Once again it was a great mix of genres, with thrash bands like Anthrax and Testament, more extreme groups such as Death and Napalm Death, and other bands that encompassed doom, death and black metal. Here are my selections for the best heavy metal albums of 1987. And as always, if you disagree or have your own best of list, please post it in the comments section below.

Best Heavy Metal Albums Of 1987

When Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch announced in 2005 that he had found religion and was quitting the band, everyone was shocked. It blindsided his bandmates, and fans couldn't understand how someone could walk away from one of the most successful and financially lucrative bands in the world. There was a war of words in the press between Welch and frontman Jonathan Davis, and Welch took a barrage of criticism.

Last fall he got the chance to tell his story when Save Me From Myself was published. It's now available in trade paperback. After reading the book, it is crystal clear that Welch had two choices. He could stay in Korn and eventually die from his massive drug addiction, or he could quit and try to save his life. Welch chose life.

Read the complete Brian "Head" Welch - Save Me From Myself Book Review

(book cover courtesy Harper Collins)