Albums of the Week: 90's Giants

Ok so because I've already done an 80's albums of the week this week.  I thought I'd start a 90's week as well.  I'm jamming the 80's records right now, and thought I could mix a little of the 90's as well.  The 90's was a pretty mixed time period musically.  We had a lot of hip hop, and rap getting its start in the early 90's with Dr. Dre, Tupac, Big E, and Snoop Dog.  We also had the grunge movement get started in the late 80's early 90's but really didn't come to world wide popularity until acts like Nirvana, and Pearl Jam really took the genre to new heights.  Both of those bands being totally different but some how being put in the same category.  I don't really consider Pearl Jam grunge especially if you compare to Nirvana or like Alice In Chains.  Metal on the other hand was steadily building, and evolving as well.  We had acts like Pantera, Rob Zombie, Static-X, In Flames, Fear Factory, and Meshuggah get their starts, so the 90's are full of metal evolution.  There was a decline of the thrash movement that was started in the 80's, and an increase of death metal, and black metal with acts like Cannibal Corpse, and Deicide.  We also had one of the most beat up genres get started and that was Nu-Metal.  With acts like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Coal Chamber, Orgy, Adema, Slipknot, Deftones, and Godsmack.  So there were a lot of different things being built in the 90's to really bring on a lot of what is being played today.  So here are 10 albums that I really caught onto in the 90's.  I'm gonna do 10 to catch up with the 80's stuff, and keep it pretty heavy so enjoy.

Slayer - Seasons In the Abyss - 1990



With the 80's passing we saw bands like Metallica, Kreator, and Anthrax along with others evolve their sound a little.  Most notable was Metallica of course with their so called Black album released showed them leaving behind a lot of the speed that defined them in the 80's, but the stubborn giants that are Slayer showed no signs of slowing down, or changing their assault on the masses with this release.  Some say this is one of the best records released in the 90's.  It packs so much punch, and what made Slayer a power house in the 80's.  Bringing their storm into the 90's was destined to dominate and destroy everything in its path with Seasons In the Abyss.  Great record from a great metal band. 

In Flames - Colony - 1999



In Flames are definitely one of my favorite metal bands for sure.  Colony being my favorite In Flames record of the 90's.  In Flames in the 00's are a different animal, and now into the next generation of metal the still continue to grow and evolve.  Some may say that's a bad thing, but I enjoy change, and embrace it.  In Flames by the time Colony came out had already built their name in the melodic metal scene that was steadily building with acts like Soilwork, Dark Tranquility, and At the Gates.  It seems that In Flames though for me takes the crown for being the kings of melodic metal, and still today hold it strong.  These Swedish metal heads are top notch musicians that really know how to mix aggression, with melody and do it time and time again with each release. 

Rob Zombie - Hellbilly Deluxe - 1998



Rob Zombie has become a house hold name in many places of entertainment these days.  Everything from his amazingly done movies like House of A 1000 Corpses, to the remarkable re make of the classic horror film Halloween.  To his music from White Zombie, and now his so called solo stuff Rob Zombie.  He has worked with many great musicians over the years.  Classic guys like Alice Cooper, and Ozzy.  To working with guitarists like John 5.  Nothing he's done though can compair to this record though for me.  I remember getting this record, and it scaring people because of the super offensive cover, and the scary horror film heavy metal.  That's really what I can call Rob's music is horror film metal.  I will put this in and still get pumped from tracks like Demoniod Phenomenon, to Meet the Creeper.  Great release, a must get for any Rob Zombie fan for sure.

Opeth - Still Life - 1999

As you guys know I"m a huge Opeth fan and I love everything they've ever done for many different reasons.  I feel that out of the 90's material Still Life is the best.  It's been debated many times among Opeth fans because many would say Morningrise, or My Arms, your Hearse.  I say Still Life hands down.  There are people that agree with me so I'm not the only one.  Opeth now are defining themselves as one of the only bands that are truly thinking outside of their box in metal.  They have been a main if not the sol influence in melodic death metal since they got started in the early 90's, and now with their new release Heritage show signs of pushing their influences to the limits, and really embracing their roots.  If you haven't heard this release and you're an Opeth fan I'd say drop everything and go buy it right now.  NOW you won't be sorry. 

Megadeth - Youthanasia - 1994

Megadeth also along with Slayer didn't show signs of stopping when they entered the 90's.  Dave Mustaine has been feeding us with some of the best guitar riffs in metal of all time, and the majority of them can be felt on this record for sure.  This record has some of the best drum production I've ever heard.  It's thunderous, and super punchy as well.  Top notch release, from an amazing band.  Everything about this record is amazing and I recommend it for any heavy metal fan.  An essential get for sure.

Acid Bath - When the Kite String Pops - 1994

Acid Bath were short lived but while they were gracing us with their sonic presence this record  was created and really helped the hole stoner metal, sludge, whatever you wanna call it type of metal really get more recognition.  Along with guys like Fu Manchu, Orange Goblin, Clutch, Sleep, Kyuss, and Monster Magnet Acid Bath really helped their style become a pretty popular style now in the later years of metal for sure.  I love this record and can jam it any time of the day.  I highly recommend this record for anyone who likes any of the bands I just mentioned you won't be sorry.

Pantera - Cowboys From Hell - 1990

Pantera is another one of the house hold names in heavy metal these days.  You can't talk about heavy metal and not mention Pantera just like Slayer, or Metallica.  Pantera helped the southern groove metal style really take shape and help many bands in heavy metal and hard rock quite frankly with every one of their releases starting with this masterpiece.  I love this record and can listen to this record any time of the day, and just get motivated in so may ways.  Everything from Vinny's thunderous drumming, Rex's deep bass, to Dimebag's iconic guitar chops nothing screams metal perfection like Pantera.  Everything musically pilled in together topped off with Phil's amazing diverse voice.  Phil Anselmo is one of the best heavy metal singers for sure with his ability to match the intensity of the guitars with his outrageous scream, and accompany it with his melodic thickness.  You can't go wrong with Pantera, you just can't



Tool - Aenima - 1996

This album is absolutely amazing.  I can't really say a single bad thing about this record.  Everything is done beyond perfect.  This is by far my favorite Tool record.  Tracks like Stinkfist, Eulogy, Forty Six & 2, Jimmy, and Aenima you can't' go wrong.  I love Maynard's voice and Adam Jone's guitar playing is amazing.  Danny Carrey will go down as one of the greatest drummers of all time fore sure, as well as Tool will go down as one of the greatest bands of all time as well.  Tool still is one of my favorite bands, and this album really gets me pumped everytime I listen to it.  Definitely a must get for any prog metal, or prog rock fan for sure.



Fear Factory - Demanufacture - 1995

When Fear Factory graced us with their presence in the early 90's they really brought an industrial element to heavy metal that hadn't been heard quite like it before.  This record really exemplifies that take on heavy metal very well.  I love the guitar and bass vibes, and the way the melodies are snuck in there very well.  This is by far my favorite Fear Factory record, but they have released some great material over the years like Digimortal, and Obsolete.  You can't talk about industrial metal and not mention Fear Factory.



Sepultura - Chaos A.D. - 1993

Sepultura had built their name as a driving force in metal in the 80's, and with this release really stapled themselves in the rankings of best metal bands of all time.  Max Cavalera is one of metals best vocalists for sure, and one the coolest personalities as well.  This record really pokes fingers at a lot of the worlds hate, murder, crime, and corruption which is nothing new on a Sepultura record but it just seems to really drive home with this release for me.  I love the drum textures, and the thrash like guitar riffs, and of course the lyrics are very personal, and motivating.  Definitely an essential album for any metal head.



Ok so there they are 10 records from the 90's that  Ithough rocked and still do.  If you haven't heard any of these records yet I highly recommend picking them up.  They are amazing in each of their own ways.  I will continue doing stuff from the 80's and 90's, and try to do albums of the week posts of newer stuff but we will see how it goes.  There are tuns more to do for albums of the week so I've got my work cut out for me.  In making a list from my collection alone I filled like 3 pages front and back of just essential albums that I must do a post of.  So yeah I've got a lot of different albums that I want to talk about so we will continue this for sure.  So until next time stay hard, stay heavy.

Albums of the Week - Classics Revisited 2

  So I did a post a while back called Classics Revisisted, and I want to continue on that same road for this one.  I picked 5 more records from my collection that I wanted to talk about from the 80's.  I could go further back into the 70's if I wanted but I want to focus on the 80's right now for the classics.  So here they are 5 more records from the 80's that really rocked hard in the metal world.

Slayer - Reign In Blood - 1986



You can't talk about heavy metal and not mention Slayer.  Slayer has been a staple in heavy metal since they started killing the compition in the early 80's.  Along with Metallica and other giants like Megadeth, Slayer really have created a iconic metal style and sound that is hear in pretty much every type of heavy metal these days.  This record really is fist pumping, and crunchy the whole way through.  Everything from the drumming, guitars, to the lyrics are just screaming heavy metal.  Reign In Blood has been said to be the best thrash record of all time, and it really posses a serious threat to every competitor in that world of metal.  I absolutely love this record, and the only thing I could say bad about it is that it's to damn short and I don't want it to end.  That's really it.

Danzig - Danzig - 1988

 I am a huge Danzig fan.  I absolutely love his first 4 records for sure.  Some of the later years is in my opinion were definitly not as good, but with his new one released in 2010 Deth Red Sabaoth he really returned to what made Danzig a driving force in rock, and metal in general.  Danzig has a sound all his own, and can't really be put into one main catagory of music.  At times he has a real bluesy type of sound, and then he'll have a real rock N roll sound, and then he'll kick your ass with his heavy metal side.  Danzig's voice is one of the most recognizable voices in music today.  If Ozzy is the creator of heavy metal, and Lemmi is the Godfather, what does that make Danzig.  The Prince, or demon child of Ozzy, and Rob Halford haha.  Great record that I still get chills from when I listen to it many times later.

AC/DC - Black In Black

Back In Black is a legendary album in the history of Rock N Roll.  I don't think I've met a single person who doesn't know who AC/DC are.  AC/DC are a house hold name in music, and have the right to be.  These legends of rock have given us so many timeless Rock N Roll tunes over the last 40 years, adn will go down as one of the greatest bands of all time for sure.  Back In Black marks the first album to not feature Master Bon Scott on Vocals after he tragically died that same year in 1980.  So with the passing of Bon comes the replacement Brian Johnson.  Let me just say while I really respect the early year of AC/DC Brian Johnson does an amazing job, and Back In Black just wouldn't be what it is honestly without him on vocals giving it that certain flair it has.  This record is an essential record for any fan of rock n roll.

Judas Priest - British Steel - 1980

I had Screaming For Vengance on my previous classics post, and this one has to go down next.  I love Judas Priest, almost more than Black Sabbath.  Man it's close.  This record though really has so many good things in it.  Tracks like Metal Gods, Grinder, Living After Midnight, and of course Breaking the Law really are just bliss in my opinion.  In 1980 Judas Priest really showed their power and drive to push their sound into the next generation of metal.  Still today these guys seem to perserver in a genre that is very quickly evolving.  Britich Steel will go down as one of the best metal records of all time.

Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying - 1986

After Dave Mustaine was stupidly kicked out of Metallica in comes Megadeth, and honestly leaving Metallica was the best thing that could've happened to Dave.  Megadeth, along with Slayer, and Metallica own the statement Thrash Metal, and honestly along with Slayer have been the only guys to really uphold the name through out the generations.  There has been a few rocords that haven't hit as close to home as others.  I mean Risk was not a great record by any means, but pretty much everything Dave Mustaine has done has been inovative, interesting, and challenging none the less.  Peace Sell marks the beginning of the metal giants Megadeth, and honestly command more praise than Metallica now a days, for the sole reason of keeping the thrash alive and still going just as strong as they were in the past.  As Metallica obvously have not done. 

Ok so there they are.  Another five records that are a must have for any fan of rock or metal.  I will continue going with the classic 80's records that I really respect as some of the greatest records ever released.  Maybe I'll do some Kreator, or Candlemass or something.  I don't know we will see.  So until next time stay hard, and stay heavy.

New Post Finally

Ok so I know it's been a while since my last post, and for that I'm sorry.  I've been pretty busy.  I started school at the start of the year, and it's awsome.  I really enjoy going to school and learning about the music industry.  I have great teachers, and people to work with.  I'm going to MediaTech Institute of Austin if you were wondering.  I highly recommend the school to anyone who enjoys music and has thought of making a career out of it.  So on top of school through out the week I also have to work to pay the bills on the weekends as well, so pretty much everyday is filled with something to do, and when I have any time to post it's usually spent resting, or spending time with my family.  So here it is my first post of the year.  I guess I'll do a what I'm in to right now post.  I've been jamming a lot of stuff lately and I'd have to say that right now I'm really into stuff like stoner metal, or drone, sludge like stuff.  I really respect the classic nature of the sounds, riffs, and atmospheres in the music.  Some of the artists have been around for a long time, and some not so much. I'm also into some softer stuff from last year.  2011 was a great all around the board of music.  I mean there were some really really good releases this last year that I'm still really digging.  So here it is my What I'm Into Right Now Post.

Alcest

Alcest have like a melodic Black Metal vibe going on.  They are from France and speak in their native tongue which adds a bit of mysticysim to their music.  Well for thos of us who don't speak French.  They are much more than melodic black metal though.  They cary a real Shoegaze quality.  I won't go into what Shoegaze means thats for another day, because there's so many things to take in to concideration when you talk about shoegaze artists.  They aren't slaves to any one style.  I highly recommend these guys for people that like Les Discrets, maybe Agalloch, Daylight Dies, or something like that.  It's hard to compair them.  Great great band.  Theyr new album is amazing and it will definitly be on the top of whats coming out this year for me.

Witchcraft

I'm sure I've mentioned these guys already in the past.  I'm still jamming these guys stuff all the time.  I can't get over the classic nature these guys possess.  At times they sound like Black Sabbath, Pentagram, THe Doors, Zeppelin, and then they kick in their own sound that really gets me pumped.  I think these guys will be at the fore front of classic metal soon, and I can't wait to see what everyone else will try to do to top Witchcraft, because these guys pose a huge threat to the throne of the style that the many artists take very seriously.

Bon Iver



Bon Iver was definitly on top of my softer lists last year, and made the number one spot for best alternitive record of the year for me.  To be fair Bon Iver isn't really alternitive.  It's hard to place him in a certain genre of music.  His 2011 is a must get for anyone that loves real music, and real people playing their instruments.  It's full of lush synth, and distortion.  Great high pitch melodies, laced with mind blowing low vocal harmonies.  There are hornes spread out through out the record.  There are two full drum sets being played on this record.  So it's a huge step up intrument wise from his previous working For Emma, Forever Ago.  The lyrics are still very Bon Iver esk.  Very poetic, mystical, confusing, intelligent, passionate, and motivating if nothing else.  I have recommend these guys to a few people and they are now considering Bon Iver their favorite group.  I highly recommend checking it out.

Pentagram

Along with Sabbath, Priest, and Iron Maiden.  Pentagram stand right next to them as the giants of metal.  If you don't know who Pentagram is you don't know a damn thing about heavy metal.  Pentagram is one of the greatest heavy metal band of all time hands down.  Right up there with Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest.  They've helped cary the Sabbath sound and keep it alive for sure.  They really have helped so many bands define themselves and achieve their sound.  Everything from Candlemass, My Dying Bride, to Kyuss, or Acid bath even.  There are influences of these guys sprinkled in all of that stuff.

Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu have been around since the early 90's and have been kickin it hard ever since.  I really love their groovy stoner metal style.  They have at times like a Kyuss mixed with the Queens of the Stoneage, toped with Monster Magnet or something like that.  They are just s great hard rock band that everyone should check out.  Their sound is so natural, and ritch sounding you can't go wrong.

Orange Goblin

Orange Goblin are another top notch stoner metal group that are really keeping this sound rushing through on to the next generation of metal, cause as we all know the majority of metal, and music in general for that mater isn't really music anymore.  There are two differences in music today.  There are intertainers, and musicians, and it seems that we are loosing what made music good.  And that was having the total package.  The Beatles, Led Zeppilin, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Who, Lynard Skynard, AC/DC, Black Sabbath I could go on, but these guys are really keeping the true meaning of music alive with their very groovy heavy classic metal approach. 

Ghost Brigade

I'm really enjoying Ghost Brigade right now.  I got into them this last year with their 2011 release Until Fear No Longer Defines Us.  Now I'd have to say I don't like that one as much as their earlier works.  They have really cool mix of progressive drone sounding guitar melodies, and a cool mix of clean and scream vocals.  The production on all of their stuff is top notch.  I hope they start to climb the ranks because they are definitly a band that possess the talent and courage to do so.

Opeth

Come on you guys could've guessed this one.  I am absolutly in love with this band now.  I've been into Opeth for a few year now, and they have changed my life in music forever.  I consider them my favorite band now, which for me is really really hard to do because I love a lot of different bands for many different reasons.  But every time I try and say I love this band for this reason and that reason Opeth has always come out of my mouth for everyone of the reasons.  With their new on released last year though really has just craped on everything else out that year except for like Graveyard, and Mastodon.  It's a must get for every music fan out there.  I will never stop loving this band.  They are the greatest band on the face of the Earth.

Mastodon

You could've guessed this one as well.  Matodon are really a great band as well that have shown with their new one The Hunter put out this last year that they are set to dominate the world with this one.  I think they can do it.  They are on tour with Opeth right now which I really really would love to go to the San Antonio show but probably won't be able to.  which sucks the big one.  I respect Mastodon a lot and ever metal fan needs to check these guys if you haven't yet.  You won't be sorry. 

Graveyard

Graveyard and Opeth were fighting for the number one spot for best record of the year.  I absolutly loved Hisingen Blues, and still can't get enough of it.  I gave it to Opeth because I just favor them more than Graveyard, but if these keep it up they will be fighting with Opeth for the one spot every time.  They are a great representation of the classics, and everything that made the 70's rock great. 

Ok so there they are.  Everything that I'm jamming right now.  While making this post I had a mix of these artists playing and it just really gets me pumped for every one of them on here.  I respect all of them for many different reasons.  Some of them are definitly softer than others, and some are pretty heavy, but none the less all of these guys possess imense talent and are doing great things with music, in an age where the music isn't the focal point anymore.  It's about what you're wearing, what people think of you, your image, the friends you have, the people you know, and how much money your're making.  Everything that music is not about for me.  Music is a way of life.  It's theropy, it has carried me through my lowest lowes in my life, and has seen me through some of the brightest times in my life.  It's my best friend.  I'd say the happiest time in my life so far was the birth of my son, and you know what I had my acoustic guitar in the delivery room, and played it for my son minutes after he came to see the world.  So music for me is very important, and next to my family there is nothing of higher love.