Metal: Cult Classics Pt. XV
Figured I'd do a part 15.
Same rules: less than 100 votes at the time of writing. |
| 1 |  | Vicious Rumors
Digital Dictator
Prime quality US heavy metal featuring topnotch musicianship and show-stopping vocals by the late Carl Albert. |
| 2 |  | Omen
The Curse
The lesser known of Omen's three classic releases, but any reason to hear more of JD Kimball's testosterone-fueled vocal performances is good enough. |
| 3 |  | Black Hole
Land of Mystery
Old school doom metal from Italy that manages to convey this typical Italian feel of obscure unease and eccentricity similar to the Argento or Fulci cult movies of the 80's. |
| 4 |  | Skyclad
Prince of the Poverty Line
Folk metal with its testicles intact. It's got the folk, it's got the riffs, it's got the twisted song structures and it's got Martin Walkyier on vocals being his usual great self. |
| 5 |  | Devastation
Idolatry
Thrash metal that's about one step away from being death metal. This one will either enlarge your balls or it will completely squash them into a bloody pulp - depending on how much brute force you can take. |
| 6 |  | Manilla Road
Voyager
Possibly my favorite Manilla Road release of the 2000's. As per usual, a keen balance between the mightiness of the riff and the ethereal; this time spiced up with some death metal influences as well.
There will never be another Mark the Shark; a musician that will be truly missed in this great genre. |
| 7 |  | Realm
Endless War
Somewhere between tech-thrash and US power metal, you'll find Realm. Complicated song structures, superb riffing and terrific vocals. What's not to like? |
| 8 |  | Mekong Delta
The Principle of Doubt
Probably my preferred Mekong Delta release (together with Lurking Fear, but that's a story for another time). Original, quirky tech-thrash with an equally all-over-the-place vocal performance. At first you'll want out, but then you want back in: the characteristic of a truly interesting record. |
| 9 |  | Helstar
Vampiro
Helstar's comeback record and one that touches upon the same level of greatness as of days of yore. Riffs and leads firing at you like rounds out of an AK47 and Rivera being as great as ever - don't let people tell you otherwise and if they do, punch them in the mouth. |
| 10 |  | Secrecy
Art In Motion
Forgotten slice of prog metal greatness. It progs and it riffs.
Oh, and if you complain about the vocals, you're a pansy. |
| 11 |  | Target
Master Project Genesis
Belgium's not known for many things (except for beer, soccer and Amenra). Matter of fact, Belgium might not be known at all. What it should be remembered for is for one of the greatest tech-thrash records with one of the greatest covers. Excellent musicianship and brainy songwriting. Get on this. |
| 12 |  | Slugathor
Echoes from Beneath
The swan song of what was probably the best Finnish OSDM of the 2000's. While it may not resemble the otherworldliness of Demilich, Demigod or Adramelech, nor the swamplike battering of Convulse or the murky desolation of Rippikoulu...it manages to create a hypnotically hellish and pummeling experience through repetitive rumbling riffs and demonic double-tracked vocals. |
| 13 |  | Agent Steel
Skeptics Apocalypse
Speed metal classic featuring a batshit insane vocalist in John Cyriis who gives his all in a (low and behold) batshit insane vocal performance. I don't know how they did it, but this is probably one of the most "galactic" sounding speed metal records in existence. |
| 14 |  | Dark Millennium
Ashore the Celestial Burden
Progressive death/thrash/doom...how's that for a meal?
It probably shouldn't work, but it does. A fine showcase of unique forward-thinking metal already being created as early as the mid 90's - most importantly all without introducing cringe-inducing rockabilly, French polka or Nigerian world music into their sound (I'm looking at you, BtBaM). |
| 15 |  | Sacral Rage
Illusions In Infinite Void
A flawless mash-up of speed metal and tech-thrash by another promising band from Greece's ever-expanding metal scene. Don't sleep on this. |
|
