Minor Threat

Responsible for introducing the term and concept of "straight edge" to the world, these two seven-inches are the Rosetta Stone for American hardcore music in the '80s: utterly simple power chords that go in violent circles, a drummer playing so fast he might as well be outrunning light itself, and lyrics so vital they couldn't possibly be delivered in any way other than the most pained shouting. Minor Threat would play better (though not louder) on their debut full-length, making these songs the best documents of a legendary band at its most primal.