Iron Butterfly-Heavy (1968)

Iron Butterfly is a true legend of 1960s psychedelic rock; however, their career is overshadowed by the worldwide hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", an album and single that have sold a staggering 30 million copies worldwide to date. Such a feat would overshadow any other album in their discography, something that has unfairly happened to this iconic band. Part of the West Coast psychedelic movement, they released their debut album, "Heavy" in 1968. While they are considered early pioneers of avant-garde rock and heavy metal, it's also true that at that time the term "heavy" was used for any style of heavy and dark music, not the fast-paced, frenetic, and strident style of today. On this debut album, the quintet comprised of Darryl DeLoach (vocals and percussion), Danny Weis (guitar), Doug Ingle (organ), Jerry Penrod (bass), and Ron Bushy (drums) showcases a series of psychedelic-tinged songs with hints of garage, soul, and rhythm and blues. Standout tracks include the melancholic "You Can't Win", the hypnotic "Look For The Sun", the upbeat "Gentle As It May Seem", the catchy "Possession", and the acid-tinged instrumental "Iron Butterfly Theme". Ultimately, this was an intriguing debut brimming with creative and promising ideas that would be brilliantly developed on their subsequent albums.