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.