Few metal albums have attracted non-fans of metal quite like this one has. While it might be black metal at its most extreme, its songs prove surprising accessible and enjoyable for even non-metal fans.
Chuck Schuldiner and his ever-evolving lineup rewrote death metal history with this brilliant album, while drum maestro Gene Hoglan makes sure everything comes together seamlessly.
Pantera
Pantera’s first album since Dimebag Darrell died, Far Beyond Driven is a testament to their strength and influence in metal music. A must-listen for any heavy metal fan. Vinnie Paul lays down powerful drumming while Kirk Hammett shreds guitars while Michael Kiske (from Helloween) offers powerful vocals – this truly marks one of metal music’s classic releases.
Pantera’s latest album also marks their first collaboration with new vocalist Phil Anselmo, who brought a more aggressive sound than that seen on past albums by using more thrash metal vocals than their earlier glam metal approach. His addition helped redefine Pantera as a hardcore metal act; music on this record is heavier than anything they have done so far.
Vulgar Display of Power is one of Pantera’s classic albums and beloved among metal fans worldwide. As its most successful release and an integral component to establishing Pantera as an influential rock group, it helped cement Pantera as an influential rock act. The album featured both 80s glam metal and thrash metal elements; even some songs seamlessly fused both genres together into single tracks! Commercially successful and certified platinum in America.
After the success of Vulgar Display of Power, Pantera embarked on an extensive tour through the Southwest. They opened for such heavy metal acts as Stryper and Dokken at local Texas clubs; ultimately gaining enough notoriety to be noticed by music executives at Atco Records, leading them to sign a recording deal with them.
Queensryche
Queensryche had amassed an audience by the end of the ’80s due to their string of excellent albums and high-profile tours, but it wasn’t until 1988 when they truly burst onto the scene with “Operation Mindcrime”, one of metal’s most poetic albums.
The album opened with “Disconnected,” which addressed America’s dissonant consumer culture and featured Rockenfield tape effects, DeGarmo/Wilton twin guitar attacks from DeGarmo/Wilton and Tate’s debut on sax. Additionally, their sound had become more sophisticated; using less glam and more hair, yet adding brainy prog-rock elements into what had traditionally been considered hard rock sounds of that day.
One year later, the band issued Rage for Order as an efficient followup and to showcase their musical growth. “Take Hold of the Flame,” an inspirational track which encourages listeners to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams, also boasted powerful guitar riffs and melodic vocals that made an impressionful statement about pursuing dreams with perseverance and never giving up hope.
Queensryche continued their exploration of their musical soundscape and lyrical themes with 1988’s Operation Mindcrime, an album which serves as an incendiary sociopolitical commentary that could easily have been written today and is routinely included among lists of best metal albums of all time. Operation Mindcrime proved metal wasn’t just loud music – its social commentary tackled issues like racism, war and religious conflict head on – with over one million copies sold selling and headlining arena shows shortly after its release – further cementing their place within metal’s vibrant metal scene.
Eyehategod
1995 saw many bands release new music and explore fresh sounds. Groove-oriented nu-metal began taking shape, giving metalheads plenty of choices for satisfying their heavy cravings.
Eyehategod was an iconic Sludge Metal band hailing from New Orleans. Their initial demo releases, Garden Dwarf Woman Driver and Lack of Almost Everything had a more raw sound to them before they released their debut album In the Name of Suffering on French label Intellectual Convulsion for more hardcore fare.
Following its release, the band took an unofficial hiatus while members pursued other projects such as Soilent Green and Corrosion of Conformity. But several years later they reconvened with a different bassist to record 2000’s Confederacy of Ruined Lives which turned out to be more polished, subdued sounding album than its predecessor.
At that time, vocalist Mike IX Williams experienced health problems that required him to temporarily step away from the band. Later that year he underwent a liver transplant. Phil Anselmo from Pantera and Down filled in on one show while Mike IX Williams was absent; also during this period the band released their compilation album Southern Discomfort that compiles all singles, seven inches, and splits from Take as Needed for Pain and Dopesick era releases.
Steve Albini produced it and the rough production complements them perfectly; guitars sound thick and warm while Williams sounds superb, and Joe LaCaze’s drumming is huge and crisp.
Immortal
Immortal are veterans and pioneers of Norwegian black metal scene. Arguably the best-known band ever in this genre, Immortal have helped set the foundation of what black metal music has become today. Unlike some older black metal peers (Mayhem, Burzum and Enslaved), Immortal have shunned an ultra-serious approach towards their music; instead embracing tongue-in-cheek ridiculousness instead. Since forming in 1997 they have released nine albums, each featuring its own style; though internal drama has caused internal turmoil but familiar tropes have always maintained consistency while remaining consistent and familiar over time.
War Against All is an impassioned return to Immortal’s original style from the 1990s, providing a blend of varied melo-death with Listenenangel’s stellar vocal performance and guitar work reminiscent of early recordings – without using distortion pedals as seen on later albums – giving War Against All an enjoyable nostalgic feeling.
Black metal fans should check out this album. Available in multiple formats, it features an original oil painting by Jeroen van Valkenburg on its cover and offers additional bonus tracks and posters with this limited edition CD release.
Following a six year hiatus, the band reunited in 2007 for a series of summer shows, headlining at the Inferno Festival, Tuska Open Air and Metal Camp festivals in Norway as well as Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. Meanwhile, drummer Horgh founded Aura Noir while bassist Abbath took over lead vocal duties – currently working on new material.
Ministry
Ministry is one of the most iconic and influential bands of all time, having revolutionised heavy metal for decades with their sound that blends brutal, hypnotic riffs with catchy melodies – making their songs both engaging and political! Uncle Al’s unapologetic attacks against Bush, Fox News and war in their music are always engaging and memorable; their 1995 album Psalm 69 has often been considered as one of the first mainstream extreme metal albums that gained major acclaim.
Though some metalheads might have been offended by the band’s political message, it was evident they weren’t taking themselves too seriously in live performances. Their frontman donned a gas mask, while large video screens displayed constantly changing images – creating the ideal atmosphere for their fiery performance!
Slaughter of the Soul emerged as a prominent thrash metal band in 1995 with their debut. Fronted by guitarist/vocalist Blaze Bayley (in place of Bruce Dickinson), their debut shone light on Gothenburg sound, pushing musical boundaries further than ever. Slaughter of the Soul have had an incredible effect on subsequent generations of metal bands since their success began.
While Death founder Chuck Schuldiner had explored death metal on earlier albums, Symbolic was an uncompromising yet highly catchy record that redefined thrash and gave birth to extreme global offshoots such as black metal. Furthermore, it’s an incredibly enjoyable listen.