As the countdown nears its end in the thrilling Best ’80s Album March Madness contest, Guns N' Roses and Van Halen are engaged in an electrifyingly close competition. With less than twelve hours left, the excitement is palpable!

After the passionate participation of nearly 10,000 readers casting their votes, the margin is razor-thin, with only 61 votes distinguishing 1984 from Appetite for Destruction. This nail-biting scenario showcases the immense impact both albums have had on the rock genre.

In this critical moment, we have invited four of our esteemed writers to share their insights and preferences regarding which album deserves to win this intense battle. Their expert opinions will guide you before you cast your own vote below.

You have the opportunity to vote once per hour until tonight, April 3, at 11:59 PM ET. The victorious album will advance to the finals, where it will face either AC/DC’s Back in Black or U2’s The Joshua Tree, both iconic records in their own right.

Bryan Rolli shares his perspective: I hold a deep appreciation for both albums, but Appetite for Destruction carries a special significance for me as it is the only one permanently inked on my body. To burst forth with such a groundbreaking album marks a rare achievement in the music realm, akin to what Van Halen accomplished with their sensational 1978 debut. After a prolonged era dominated by increasingly extravagant and artificial glam metal on the Sunset Strip, Guns N’ Roses revitalized the essence of rock ‘n’ roll, infusing it with a sense of danger and authenticity that had been sorely lacking. Their unique blend of blues-rock, punk, glam, and a hint of metal was refreshingly raw, provocatively rebellious, and irresistibly catchy. This album serves as an essential guide to hard rock guitar mastery and concise hook composition. Axl Rose’s dynamic vocal range is nothing short of transformative: He embodies a twisted beggar, a tough street fighter, a lavish party host, and a lovesick poet simultaneously. In my view, Appetite for Destruction stands as an exemplary album with a perfectly fitting title. The hunger and fearlessness exuded by Guns N’ Roses is genuine and unreplicable, capturing a fleeting moment of brilliance that not only defined their career but also left an indelible mark on the decade.

Michael Gallucci weighs in: I firmly believe that Appetite for Destruction takes precedence. While 1984 certainly opened new avenues for Van Halen, particularly in terms of sound, Appetite for Destruction transformed the very landscape of hard rock music by the end of the decade. Today, 1984 sounds distinctly like a product of its era, whereas Appetite continues to influence a multitude of contemporary records, showcasing its timelessness and relevance.

Matt Wardlaw expresses his thoughts: My choice is Appetite for Destruction. This iconic album successfully bridged the gap between punk rock, hard rock, and hair metal, embodying a sense of danger that is rarely seen in today’s rock music. Tracks like “Out Ta Get Me” encapsulate a grit that GNR has not replicated since, featuring an inherent edge that resonates powerfully. Additionally, Appetite stands out as the band’s most cohesive effort, where all members shared a unified vision for their music, avoiding the pitfalls of overindulgence and theatricality.

Moreover, the album exemplifies variety, showcasing the fierce metal intensity of “Welcome to the Jungle” alongside the melodious beauty of “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” highlighting Guns N’ Roses‘ impressive range. Axl and Slash, in particular, displayed remarkable synergy on this record, continuing the legacy of the legendary Toxic Twins, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. While I hold a deep respect for Van Halen’s 1984, I firmly believe that Appetite emerges as the superior album.

Matthew Wilkening offers his insights: Despite the fact that these albums were released just three years apart in the heart of the decade, they each represent significant bookends in the narrative of ’80s hard rock. While Van Halen operated on a higher level than many bands they influenced, the introduction of keyboards in the chart-topping hit “Jump” and the amusing music videos from 1984 paved the way for Motley Crue‘s “Home Sweet Home” and a significant influx of other hair metal bands.

Although Guns N’ Roses initially embraced some of the genre’s trappings, they ultimately reintroduced a sense of authenticity and danger to rock with Appetite for Destruction, rendering much of the hair metal excess and extravagance quickly outdated, long before Nirvana‘s Nevermind and the grunge movement finalized that transition. Nevertheless, while Appetite for Destruction may have left a profound legacy on the history of rock music, 1984 had a more significant influence on the cultural landscape of the ’80s, which is the focus of our current discussion.