I think the album that made me a full on metalhead and became my gateway for the heavier stuff was Unleashed in the East! I remember listening to that on my walkman as my folks drove us to Disneyland in HS!
Marshallheads, SD Sat Night Specials, Motor City 2nd degree black belts are all in that vintage med/hot range and so far have sounded good through nearly every amp. I know they use different magnets (A5, A4, A2 I think) but they are all in that 8-9 range. I've found the underwounds just sound...