Average Rating: 3.60 Rating Variance: 1.28 Objectivity Score: 75% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicAlice in Chains Jar of FliesJar of Flies is easily one of the best EP's ever made, and the best of Alice in Chains' 2 fully original ones. You simply cannot say you've experienced this band if you haven't heard this. Essential grunge.Bloomfield, Kooper and Stills Super SessionTwas a crime to keep this album out of Sputnik. Bloomfield was, quite simply, one of the best guitarists of all time. This album should be heard by any guitar enthusiast, but, especially, by any blues lover. Jazz lovers might also find this appealing.Camel MoonmadnessOne of the best prog albums ever made, 'nuff said.Chuck Berry Chuck Berry Is on TopEvery song here is an absolute classic. Those interested in old-school rock n' roll can't miss this. This here is the definitive Chuck Berry, the perfect sampler of his music. Look no further.Death SymbolicSymbolic may very well stand as Death's crowning achievement. It definitely takes more than one listen to comprehend, but behind all the speed and thrashyness in this record, there are also remnants of the jazzy elements present on Individual Thought Patterns. From the epic riff that opens the album on the title track, to the acoustic outro on "Perennial Quest", this album is a real treat. Hell, the case could even be made for this album being the pinnacle of all things metal, it is just THAT good.Deep Purple Made in JapanAs impressive as the first 3 Mark II Era albums are (and I dig Who Do We Think We Are as well, unpopular as it may be), they never quite captured the band's full potential. That potential is truly unleashed live, as demonstrated by this recording. It captures the band in their prime, delivering an energy you won't quite get in their studio work. it might well be said that this is the essential Deep Purple recording.Dick Dale Surfer's ChoiceThis is one of the most unique releases ever. Dale's technique feels quite ahead of its time, and I've a feeling Satriani himself listened to this.Eurythmics Be Yourself TonightHeroes del Silencio Senderos de TraicionKansas Song for AmericaFantastic album. Arguably their best. Fantastic musicianship.Led Zeppelin Physical GraffitiPhysical Graffiti towers head and shoulders above all the previous studio LP's. Not one track is weak. Without a doubt, this record was a template for many bands to come. More than a rock n' roll achievement, Physical Graffiti is a music essential, period.Los Jaivas Alturas de Machu PicchuIf you're really looking to expand your musical horizons, seeking something different in the realm of prog, etc., then you can't go wrong with this. Alturas... is truly a breathtaking journey into new waters for progressive rock. While not one of the "indispensable" prog gems, you really can't go wrong with this one.Miles Davis Bitches BrewThis album simply changed the face of jazz forever. Not only that, but it has also influenced artists of diverse genres ever since. You just can't go wrong with this gem.My Bloody Valentine LovelessThe atmosphere conjured in Loveless is quite unlike any other. You need to be in the right mood for this album, otherwise it won't hit you.rPearl Jam Vs.Ten may be better, but this is still one hell of a runner-up. It opens and closes perfectly, and is the band at their grittiest and most unvarnished. Together with that fantastic debut, Vs. is the other essential PJ album and played a crucial role in reaffirming the band as titans of their time.rPersonal rating: 4.9Pet Shop Boys ActuallyThe formula in Please is greatly expanded on Actually. An essential for music fans.Phish A Picture of NectarPorcupine Tree SignifySignify is the last of the band's psychedelic space rock works. That this band took the effort to create 3 fine albums in this vein is astonishing; to say that they would go on to create an equally fine commercialized output defies expectations.Red Hot Chili Peppers Freaky StyleyWhat gives Freaky Styley the edge over all other RHCP albums is how catchy, fresh and fun it is. Extremely underrated, this is a true gem, and revolutionized music in general. One of my all-time fave albums.Sade Love DeluxeAlbum is just soooo goood!!! Every song on here's a gem, you can't go wrong with this. Call me a sap, but I don't care, this woman's a goddess.Santana AbraxasThe best Santana album. Caravanserai is great as well, so I was a bit torn between the two. But I think this one represents Santana better. Seal Seal IIThis album kicks ass. Seal is at the peak of his powers in this sublime record.Sublime 40 Oz. to Freedom40 Oz. to Freedom is nothing if not a classic of its generation. Fantastic album, extremely diverse and eclectic, with some solid guitar leads courtesy of the underrated Nowell, tight drumming and wicked bass playing. Truly an album of the ages.Symphony X Paradise LostThe Moody Blues Days of Future PassedI don't often say this, but this isn't only an exceptionally awesome album; it's also one of the greatest albums of all time, period. You must hear "Nights In White Satin" before you die.Toxik Think ThisTraffic TrafficOne of the best albums you'll ever hear. Period.Tygers Of Pan Tang SpellboundInteresting arrangements throughout. Will definitely listen to more stuff from these guys.Watchtower Control and ResistanceEasily the essential Watchtower album. Great jazz influences, great guitar work, epic bass, epic guitar work, fantastic record. If you are interested in progressive metal, you have to hear this.Yngwie Malmsteen Rising ForceThe album that introduced shred guitar to the world. While Yngwie might not be my fave guitarist, this is still an excellent record. Worth the listen.4.5 superbAgalloch Pale FolkloreAgalloch The MantleAlice Cooper Billion Dollar BabiesAlice in Chains DirtDirt is truly an album for the depressed. Ten is a hybrid of emotional ups and downs and Superunknown is a dense, layered trip of introspection. But if ever you were looking for an album that understood your angst, suffering and pain Dirt is that album. From the sudden metallic opening of "Dem Bones" to the impressive closure of "Would?", AiC gave us here one of the indispensable albums of the 90's.Alice in Chains FaceliftAnsur Warring FactionsI didn't expect to enjoy this record this much. But it's a great recording, and these guys outdid themselves a lot.Anthrax State of EuphoriaState of Euphoria is pure aggression and speed. My favorite on here is probably "Misery Loves Company".Anthrax Persistence of TimePersistence of Time probably has the best production out of any Anthrax album. You just gotta love the way the instruments are so perfectly welded together to create a sonic avalanche. My favorites on here are probably "Blood" and "Keep it in the Family".Anthrax Spreading the DiseaseThere's never a dull moment on Spreading the Disease, indeed, you'll have a hard time keeping up with this album. Spitz and Ian play like madmen on here, and Benante whips up some wicked fills. Easily one of the band's finest efforts.Blind Melon Blind MelonBlind Melon is far and away one of the most overlooked bands of the grunge movement. With this album they prove that they were more than a match for the Big 4. In my opinion, this album easily surpasses any Nirvana record.Blue Oyster Cult Secret TreatiesCamel MirageIt's really pointless to determine which Camel album is best, since both Mirage and Moonmadness rule hard. Mirage, Camel's sophomore release, has a strong, jazzy feel to it, and is definitely one of the most interesting things the 70's produced. Quite simple, you can't go wrong with this one.Camel The Snow GooseCandlebox CandleboxA refreshing listen. These guys did some interesting stuff back in the day.Coroner Mental VortexCorrosion of Conformity DeliveranceDark Tranquillity The GalleryDeath Individual Thought PatternsA highly jazzy record, Individual Thought Patterns is notable for the dominant presence of bassist Steve DiGiorgio, alongside guitar wizard Andy LaRocque. While lacking a proper bookending (opener "Overactive Imagination" has no buildup and instead gets straight to business, while closer "The Philosopher" simply fades out), this is still a highly solid and interesting album, and in my opinion slightly better than Human due to the fact that it feels more complete musically thanks to the bass audibility. Essential death metal. Death HumanOnly a select few bands can claim to have perfected heavy metal, and Death lies among those select few. This album is really a roller-coaster, packed with impressive riffs and leads. Guitar enthusiasts should be more than happy with this album, as it's definitely one of the finest the death metal subgenre has to offer. The drum intro in "Flattening of Emotions" is very memorable, as is the guitar work on closer "Vacant Planets". Essential death metal classic.Death Spiritual HealingSolid from top to bottom, and generally overlooked in Death's discography, Spiritual Healing flows impeccably. It also features some of Chuck's best lyrical work.Deep Purple Deep Purple In RockIn Rock was highly groundbreaking for its time. It was extremely influential for much hard rock and heavy metal that would follow. Bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest definitely borrowed from this. Also of note: you get a fantastic opening/closing combo with "Speed King" and "Hard Lovin' Man".Deep Purple Deep PurpleDeep Purple is clearly Jon Lord's album. His classical leanings dominate this work, but that makes the album all the more special. Blackmore does shine though, on magnificent tracks like "The Painter" and "Why Didn't Rosemary?". Perhaps the more obvious standout is the epic "April", which clocks in at over 12 minutes. With this album, Deep Purple demonstrated just how insightful a band they were, and this deserves to sit right next to the classics In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head and Burn.DMX It's Dark and Hell Is HotDokken Breaking the ChainsDokken Under Lock and KeyEric B and Rakim Paid in FullFaith No More The Real ThingI was told this was cheesy, and was pretty much disuaded from finishing this. However, I gave it another shot and it paid off. A fantastic, highly experimental album.Foreigner 4Garbage Version 2.0Garbage improve dramatically from the experiments of their debut to deliver us a masterful blend of alt rock, hard rock and electronica elements. A true 90's gem.Genesis Wind & WutheringGenesis Nursery CrymeThe greatness of this record lies in Hackett's lead work, he shines very well on here. Fantastic album.Genesis FoxtrotFoxtrot is easily one of Genesis's finest accomplishments. The band as a whole is in top form, and the songwriting is untouchable. Definitely a prog essential. Can't go wrong with the mighty combo of "Watcher of the Skies" and "Supper's Ready".Gentle Giant Acquiring the TasteFantastic old-school prog. I probably liked Free Hand and Octopus a tad more, but this one comes close.Gentle Giant OctopusOctopus is one of the finest prog albums I've ever heard. Impeccable musicianship and highly varied experimentation. Highly recommended for fans of old-school prog.Gentle Giant In a Glass HouseThis is a fantastic album. I slightly prefer Octopus, but this one comes pretty close. Great old-school prog.Gentle Giant Free HandGong Camembert ElectriqueA fantastic prog gem. Highly recommended Canterbury scene stuff.Heart Little QueenHeart Dreamboat AnnieIron Maiden Iron MaidenThis album is the reason why Iron Maiden is so relevant to heavy metal. Yes, their live shows are legendary, and yes, Dickinson is a major showman. But this, the one that started it all, is what makes the band's name worth it's weight in gold. Even if the Dickinson Era had never happened, Maiden would still have their place in history secured with this one album. Definitely an essential listen for metal fans.rPS: What keeps this from being a full-blown masterpiece is the ineffectiveness of the title track (which carries the band name) as a closer. While the song is good, it just falls short in such a position.Iron Maiden KillersWhether or not Killers is better than Iron Maiden is a debatable matter. The two albums are very similar in nature, and remarkably consistent as well. One thing remains clear however: both records were highly revolutionary for heavy metal. Without a doubt, Iron Maiden had taken over from Judas Priest, since the "Metal Gods" had become a lot less relevant musically after their release of Stained Class.Jewel Pieces of YouJohn Mayall A Hard RoadAn impressive tour-de-force, A Hard Road is, quite possibly, one of the missing links between blues and hard rock/heavy metal. Here we see an album which is essentially blues, but at the same time, paving the way for the Unholy Trinity (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple) to take the blues and convert them to hard-rockin' music.Kansas KansasKansas gets off to a fantastic start. Their sophomore is better in my opinion, but this is still quite good.Kansas LeftovertureKansas MasqueThis is a badass album. Musicianship is impressive, and the band really shines. Symphony X was doubtlessly influenced by these guys.King Crimson Larks' Tongues in AspicLark's Tongues in Aspic is probably one of King Crimson's most underrated records. It demands multiple listens (meaning I still need to listen to it a lot more. Nevertheless, this is one of those albums that definitely has a sporting chance against the slightly overrated debut.King Crimson RedRed is one of the strongest efforts by King Crimson. Unlike the debut, it is much more focused on the music, which has that jazzy feel typical to the band. The highlight here is "Starless", an instrumental which ranks amongst the best closers in the history of progressive rock. A true work of genius.King Crimson In the Wake of PoseidonLed Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IVIt's impressive to see how this band released 4 albums in an unbelievably short time. "Black Dog" easily ranks among the band's best openers, while "When the Levee Breaks" has a similar standing as a closer. Nevertheless, "Four Sticks" feels out of place here; which is a shame, because this is easily one of Zep's best achievements.Led Zeppelin Houses of the HolyLet me start by saying that this album deserves its reputation as an essential listen for those wishing to gather a better understanding of rock n' roll. Most of the songs on here are flat out excellent. However, "Dancing Days" proves to be the dud on here, impeding this from being a fully consistent listen. Still, if you're a fan of the band, this should be on your collection.Mahavishnu Orchestra Birds of FireManeige Les PorchesLes Porches is far and away one of the most sublime prog records never to have become famous. It's not hard to see why though, gems like these can only be understood by few.maudlin of the Well BathImpressive album. Feels like an odd collage of musical ideas, but it's really well executed.Megadeth So Far, So Good... So What!Production is the main issue here, but this is still a very consistent record with fantastic guitar work.Mekong Delta The Music of Erich ZannMichael Jackson ThrillerSome albums deserve their reputation, and Thriller is close to being one of them. Close, but no cigar. With the cheesy "The Girl is Mine" on here, the album fails to achieve perfection. Nevertheless, this is one pop album truly worth hearing, and it's not hard to see why it became such a phenomenon in the 80's.Morbid Angel Altars of MadnessThis is pure aggression. Riffs galore, intense drumming, you get the idea.Motorhead Ace of SpadesMotorhead OverkillConsistent from top to bottom, Overkill is a fine example of quality songwriting. Motorhead never intended to be a technical band nor to be metal icons. They just did what they wanted, and without meaning to, became key in influencing metal. Very interesting, and fun album to look into.Nelly Furtado FolkloreDiverse, intriguing album. Better than Loose in my opinion.Nine Inch Nails The Downward SpiralNo Doubt Tragic KingdomCatchy, poppy album. Honestly, what's not to like?Oceansize EffloresceOpeth HeritageHeritage is possibly Opeth's biggest achievement since My Arms, Your Hearse. Extremely consistent, with nary a bad song, it's probably the most interesting album they have ever produced, even if it's not their best.Ozric Tentacles Waterfall CitiesOzric Tentacles Jurassic ShiftOzric Tentacles The Hidden StepOzric Tentacles StrangeitudePallas (UK) The SentinelFantastic example of neo-prog.Clearly, there's a lot of Rush influence here, but there's also a hint of pop experimentation as well. Parliament Mothership ConnectionFew albums in music history are must-listens for every self-respecting music fan. Well, this is one of 'em. An amazing example of funk and an excellent introduction to those who are just starting out with the genre. Great stuff, all in all.Paul Gilbert Get Out of My YardPet Shop Boys PleasePeter Tosh Legalize ItPink Floyd AnimalsAn interesting concept album, Animals features 3 long songs book-ended by the brief "Pigs on the Wing" tracks. Many argue that this is the band's magnum opus, but what really matters is that, objectively, this was a major game changer for progressive rock.Pink Floyd Wish You Were HereWish You Were Here is far and away one of the cornerstones of progressive rock. The highlight is definitely "Have a Cigar", which features one of Gilmour's very best leads. Essential prog.Pink Floyd The Piper at the Gates of DawnIt took time for me to appreciate the genius behind Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Featuring one of prog's first ever epics ("Interstellar Overdrive"), it's hard to believe that this was the same band responsible for Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and Animals. So comparing this to either of those is a tough task.Porcupine Tree The Sky Moves SidewaysThe Sky Moves Sideways is a fantastic statement for prog. Flowing effectively as a single unit it easily ranks among Porcupine Tree's biggest achievements.Porcupine Tree Up the DownstairThis is the first of the band's masterworks. Few bands have sustained a creative streak like this band has. Pretty much everything starting here and ending with In Absentia is essential PT in my opinion.Primus Frizzle FryEncompassing a diverse array of influences into an eccentric whole, Frizzle Fry is a debut quite unlike any other. Solid from top to bottom, few debuts have been this good.Prince Purple RainQueens of the Stone Age Lullabies to ParalyzeUnderrated in QotSA's catalog, Lullabies to Paralize is, in my opinion, one of their best records. It has a nice experimental vibe to it and invites repeated listening. I'll go further and say that it surpasses both Rated R and Songs for the Deaf.Queens of the Stone Age ...Like ClockworkQueens of the Stone Age Era VulgarisEra Vulgaris is probably QotSA's most underrated record. Full of fun/experimental jams, this album proves how exceptionally well Josh's songwriting has been aging over the years. Like a fine wine, he just gets better and better.Radiohead In RainbowsCharming, atmospheric, and consistent, In Rainbows easily stands among Radiohead's best works. Rainbow RisingRay Charles The Genius of Ray CharlesRed Hot Chili Peppers The Uplift Mofo Party PlanThe Uplift Mofo Party Plan is by far one of RHCP's most underrated works. Lying in the shadow of albums like Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication, it is, in fact, far more solid than people give it credit for. From the solid opener "Fight Like a Brave" to the awesome closer "Organic Anti-Beat Box Band", this is the band giving justice to their name in a way few of their fans coul've imagined. Yes, you read right, they are spicy as hell on this album, seemingly possessed by a fiery spirit that nowadays seems long gone. Don't judge it too quickly on first listen, take your time to enjoy and it will reveal to you just how powerful it really is.Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili PeppersRunning Wild Port RoyalYou'll be hard-pressed to find metal better than this. This is the kind of band I sometimes wish Priest and Maiden were: here, it's pretty much a marriage of the killer twin guitars of the former with the effective basslines of the latter. The drums are good and effective as well. Recommended for those looking into new metal. Running Wild Blazon StoneRush A Farewell to KingsEasily one of Rush's best, a true prog classic. You really can't go wrong with this one. My only complaint is that "Madrigal" is too short for my taste; other than that this is a perfect record.Rush Moving PicturesPretty consistent record. Rush does have better songs than Tom Sawyer, but it does the job as the opener, even if many of us have heard it múltiple times.Rush Permanent WavesThe first of Rush's "transition albums". Features great experimentation on the band's part, and is overall one of Rush's most diverse and intriguing records.Sade PromiseThis album is quite underrated next to Diamond Life. In fact, it is superior to it both lyrically and musically. It has a deeper feel and Sade seems to show more energy here than on her debut. Highly recommended.Sade Stronger Than PrideVery impressive record. Fine musicianship and great songs. For personal reasons, I prefer Love Deluxe, but this might be close second (along with Promise).Santana SantanaSantana Santana IIISantana CaravanseraiMagnificent record; in my opinion, this is his last essential album.Scorpions BlackoutScorpions Savage AmusementUndoubtedly one of the best releases within their 80's output. Well worth the listen.Scorpions Fly to the RainbowFull of interesting use of melody, complex songs, and musical ideas beyond their time, Fly to the Rainbow is arguably the most underrated of Scorpions' releases, overshadowed by later albums. Fans of their latter-day work might not easily get into this, but it's worth every minute spent. Sheryl Crow Tuesday Night Music ClubThis is a very good record. I doubt that Sheryl has done a better one since.Slayer Show No MercySlayer's debut is nothing less than a pummeling roller-coaster ride packed/stuffed/filled with riffs, riffs and more riffs; as well as some fast drumming and leads. Definitely an essential release.Slowdive SouvlakiOften contrasted with Loveless, Souvlaki showcases the smoother side of shoegaze. A diverse, spacey album, it definitely keeps the listener hungry for more. Sodom M-16Sodom Agent OrangeSteely Dan Pretzel LogicSweet Smoke From Darkness To LightSymphony X The Divine Wings of TragedySymphony X Twilight in OlympusSymphony X The OdysseyTAD InhalerAn awesome ball of riffs, basslines and drums. If you're already into bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, this album is for you. If you're looking for riffs, this album is for you. If you're a metal fan looking for something different, this album is for you. Hell, if you're a rock fan bored with the same old same old, just jam this shit and crack up the volume. Hard. Tesla Mechanical ResonanceTesla The Great Radio ControversyThe Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandHighly varied and creative, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band rightfully deserves the acclaim it gets, to some degree at least. Those who claim it as the magnum opus of the Beatles sure have a strong case going for them.The Cult DreamtimeThe Dillinger Escape Plan Calculating Infinity3 things make The Dillinger Escape Plan's debut one of the most fascinating albums of the last generation. 1) The originality: you'll be hard-pressed to find a similar album out there. 2) The songwriting: tight as fuck, without a single wasted moment. 3) The musicianship: tremendously well-executed, with layers upon layers of interesting points. So yeah, amazing album.The Doors Morrison HotelBluesy, moody, dark; these are all adjectives associated with the controversial 60's legend The Doors. And this album certainly fits the description. Although the hit "Waiting for the Sun" is an obvious highlight, this album has plenty of underrated jams: "Ship of Fools", "You Make Me Real", "Peace Frog", and others. Essential classic rock.The Doors Strange DaysDark, moody and very bluesy (as is expected of The Doors), Strange Days proves to be a worthy follow up to The Doors, proving to be even more consistent than its predecessor. The Doors L.A. WomanA worthy swansong if there ever was one, L.A. Woman is as bluesy and introspective as it got for The Doors. Fantastic album.The Jimi Hendrix Experience Axis: Bold as LoveMore fluid and cohesive than the slightly mismatched Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love truly feels like an album, something the debut blatantly lacked. Where the songs on the debut feel as though they are best heard cherry-picked, in here they feel as though they belong in the album. Essential classic rock.The Mothers of Invention Freak Out!The Rolling Stones Their Satanic Majesties RequestAn underrated gem, often written off as a weak imitation of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Their Satanic Majesties Request is, in my opinion, one of the Stones' very best records. It definitely played a hand in influencing the development of progressive rock, so we can no doubt thank them for that. The Smashing Pumpkins GishGish is truly an amazing record, and might well be my favourite SP. It just flows wonderfully, without a single bad track. Siamese Dream was/is more popular but this just might be their magnum opus musically.The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese DreamThe brilliance of Siamese Dream is difficult to explain. It's not even because standouts like "Hummer", "Mayonaise", "Soma", "Disarm" and "Cherub Rock" exist. No, that is not the reason this is such a classic of its era.rThe reason this is such a classic is because of how mind-blowingly innovative the album is on the whole. It shattered conventional thinking on what rock n' roll could be. To this day, Siamese Dream still has the same power it did in the early 90's. rProblema with this álbum: Luna's an underwhelming closer.The Who Who's NextWarlock Burning the WitchesAn impressive debut album. The guitar work is amazing, a pity this band is so overlooked.Warlock Triumph and AgonyYonin Bayashi Ishoku-SokuhatsuAmazing Japanese prog gem. Suggested for fans of Genesis and Camel.ZZ Top Tres Hombres4.0 excellent'Til Tuesday Voices CarryAC/DC Highway To HellAgalloch Ashes Against the GrainAlchemist SpiritechAlice in Chains SapAlice in Chains Black Gives Way to BlueAlphataurus AlphataurusAmon Amarth Versus the WorldAnthrax Among the LivingAmong the Living is frequently touted as one of the "Big 4 thrash masterpieces" together with Master of Puppets, Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? and Reign in Blood. It certainly feels similar to the first of those in terms of structure and overall sound. It also shares with that album a bit of sameyness on the riffs and the general structure. Production is another clear flaw of this album: it feels bone-dry and some might need to exert patience to get used to it. The tracks "A Skeleton in the Closet" and "A.D.I./Imitation of Life" feel unnecessary and are outright boring. Having said that, the standouts for me are "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" and "One World", but, generally speaking, this is a pretty solid album, with great basslines, drumming, etc.Anthrax Fistful of MetalFistful of Metal is a solid, albeit flawed, debut from Anthrax. The biggest flaw is the production: Turbin's vocals are barely audible and the instruments in general could've benefited from better audio quality. The "I'm Eighteen" cover and "Death From Above" feel somewhat out of place, at least in my view. All the same, this is the sound of a band that's trying to come to terms with itself. They would sound a lot more mature on Spreading the Disease.Bardo Pond AmanitaOverall, a very good record. A pity the songs are often inaccessible.Bjork PostBjork is one of the most original artists I've ever come across. She literally can't be pinned down to a single genre, and she handles all musical waters with great skill. You must listen to understand this, as it lies beyond the realm of words.Black Flag DamagedI don't know how often I would listen to this. But the raw agression on display here is undeniable, and there's also a sense of density that I don't think many punk acts have portrayed (disclaimer: I'm not really a punk guru, so that last bit is based on conjecture from the sample of punk I have heard).Blue Cheer Vincebus EruptumVincebus Eruptum is more a historical relic than a musical masterpiece per se. Worth looking into for those interested in the roots of bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. It definitely feels dated, and although it is indeed a clear missing link between psychedelia and metal, it will only interest those looking for a deeper insight in the roots of heavy metal.Blue Oyster Cult SpectresBolt Thrower War MasterBryan Adams RecklessBudgie Never Turn Your Back on a FriendCandlemass Epicus Doomicus MetallicusOne of the most revered doom metal records, Epicus Doominus Metallicus offers enough to impress the listener throughout it's running time. I won't go as far as saying it's one of the best metal albums I've ever heard, that's saying a bit too much as far as I'm concerned. But, it's an interesting enough listen and should be of interest to most riff lovers out there.Cream Disraeli GearsLadies and gentlemen, one of the most iconic albums of the late 60's: Cream's Disraeli Gears. A respectable album in every sense, it's ruined by closer "Mother's Lament", which is very annoying. Other than that, this remains an interesting collection of songs all the same.Danzig DanzigDawnbringer NucleusDecent metal record, but nothing too exceptional. Needs more creativity.Death Scream Bloody GoreLet me start by saying that Death has no outright bad album, and that songwriting was pretty much impeccable on each of them (with the possible exception of The Sound of Perseverance, where it was near-perfect)> Having said that, what limits Death's debut is the limited scope of the musicianship. The band was barely beginning to transcend thrash metal, and in this album the thrash influences are dominant. Quite a few choruses are memorable ("Evil Dead", "Sacrificial", "Baptized in Blood", "Mutilator" and the title track stand out in this matter). While the band's musicianship would improve on later releases, this album still remains, in and of itself, a major turning point in the rise of death metal.Death The Sound of PerseveranceThe Sound of Perseverance is very different from the rest of the Final Four (which, admittedly, doesn't mean much since they're all different). For this one, Chuck raised his pitch and opted for a full-on progressive approach. He mostly succeeds, but at the end of the day, the material just isn't on the same level as that on Symbolic, Individual Thought Patterns or Human. "Scavenger of Human Sorrow" while a solid track, just doesn't compare as an opener to "Flattening of Emotions" or "Symbolic" (at best, it lies third in that regard above "Overactive Imagination"). And worst of all, the "Painkiller" cover just feels out of place and unnecessary, making it rank easily at the bottom regarding the closers in the Final Four. Nevertheless, tracks like "A Moment of Clarity", "Spirit Crusher" and "Voice of the Soul" make this album more than worth your time.Death LeprosyDeep Purple Come Taste the BandCriminally underrated, Come Taste the Band is the last in Deep Purple's impressive 7-year run. It is the funkiest of the bunch, which might explain the undeserved hate it gets. Nevertheless, it's good for what it is. It's just best to avoid comparing it to the best of Mk. II and simply see it as the end of an era. The band would not release any more studio material until 1984.Deep Purple StormbringerDeep Purple Who Do We Think We AreIn my opinion. Who Do We Think We Are is a criminally underrated record. While it doesn't possess the highs of the other Mk. II albums, Burn or even the often overlooked Deep Purple, it is a solid album in its own right. Also, "Place in Line" is, in my opinion, one of their very best songs.Deep Purple The Book of TaliesynBuilding slightly on the overwhelmingly psychedelic debut, this album still feels in that vibe, and the band still has room for improvement in terms of songwriting. Nevertheless, this is still a very good album.Deep Purple Shades of Deep PurplePsychedelic as fuck, this definitely merits a listen, although it's not as immediate as other works by the band. The band definitely had room for improvement at this point, but this remains an interesting debut. Only fans of Mk II and/or III should check this out, this one is for diehards only.Depeche Mode Some Great RewardExcellent album, however I think the next 3 are more mature and therefore better.Depeche Mode Construction Time AgainConstruction Time Again is very consistent, but lacks the maturity of later albums. Basically, the best was still yet to come.Dokken Back for the AttackDream Theater Images and WordsWhile I find the stuff between the opener and Metropolis pt. 1 uninteresting, I can't deny that the second half is pretty solid.Dream Theater AwakeNot much to say about this album, other that it's decent enough to get by.Edge of Sanity CrimsonInteresting prog-metal work. Might grow in time, we'll see.Emerson Lake and Palmer Brain Salad SurgeryIt's slightly better than the cartoonish Trilogy, since it has the greatness of the half-hour "Karn Evil 9". However, it doesn't quite achieve the level of the debut or Tarkus.Eurythmics TouchFates Warning Perfect SymmetryFates Warning was one of the major pioneers of progressive metal, and Perfect Symmetry showcases them exposing their style. Why is this a 4? While it's an enjoyable album, I wouldn't say it's one I'd revisit often. The vocals feel out of place at times, the guitar leads sometimes feel too technical, and the lyrics are a bit too abstract for my liking. Nevertheless, this is worth your time if you're a fan of the subgenre.Funkadelic Maggot BrainThere's a world of difference between Maggot Brain and Parliament's Mothership Connection. While the latter is a straightforward funk bomb, the former is an experiment of sorts, a hybrid of musical ideas. It might not appeal to all, but it's certainly interesting enough.Genesis AbacabGenesis GenesisGenesis Invisible TouchGenesis The Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayThe Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is an interesting concept album which also happens to be the swansong of Gabriel Era Genesis. Although I won't argue that it is indeed a solid album, I don't quite consider it as perfect as others claim. While the first disc is flawless, the second disc has a bit of filler which makes the experience a bit dull. Also, I feel the band is rather restrained here, somewhat sacrificing all-out musicianship in favor of the grand-scale concept. That being said, I highly suggest any prog fan who hasn't heard this to do so ASAP and come to his/her own conclusions.Gotic EscenesIron Maiden The Final FrontierA tough pill to digest, but worth hearing all the same. My mind's not entirely made up with it, but maybe later I'll have a stronger opinion on it.Iron Maiden A Matter of Life and DeathArguably the best of Maiden's first 3 comeback era records. There are interesting songs like "These Colours Don't Run", "Brighter than a Thousand Suns", and "For the Greater Good of God", however I didn't care much for the last 2 tracks. Nevertheless, this destroys anything Priest did post-Painkiller, with the possible exception of Redeemer of Souls, which I haven't heard.Iron Maiden The X FactorHighly underrated album. People most likely judge it due to the change in vocals. Nevertheless, The X Factor marked a significant improvement over the mediocre No Prayer for the Dying and the decent-but-lacking Fear of the Dark.Iron Maiden Virtual XIHarshly criticized to this day, Virtual XI is a decent album and easily superior to the likes of No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark.John Mayer Room for SquaresA fine recording by Mayer. It feels a tad repetitive at times, but overall a solid debut.Journey EscapeMost of this is really good, save for Lay it Down. I'm also tired of hearing Don't Stop Believin'. Still, this album rocks.Khan Space ShantySolid album, however I have issues with the vocals, plus it kinda gets old after a while and isn't the most interesting or the most original prog album around.King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson KingWhile In the Court of the Crimson King is indeed one of the most seminal albums in progressive rock, that doesn't necessarily make it a masterpiece. Don't get me wrong: the musicianship on here is impressive as it is. But "Moonchild" just drags too much after the first 2 and a half minutes. Another fault is the production: it could've been much better. Having said all this, In the Court of the Crimson King still stands as an essential listen for fans of progressive rock. King Crimson Starless and Bible BlackKing Diamond AbigailKreator Coma of SoulsKrokus Metal Rendez-vousIn several ways, I might say this is something of a rock n' roll dream come true. Nice riffs, good solos, plenty of the good stuff here.Kylie Minogue FeverMegadeth Cryptic WritingsUnderrated record. IMO, it's the best thing they did after RiP.Melvins LysolImpressive collection of material. However, I find it too short to impress.Melvins HoudiniSome impressive tracks on here, but the filler tracks "Pearl Bomb" and "Spread Eagle Beagle" really ruin the experience.Melvins Stoner WitchMorbid Angel Formulas Fatal to the FleshFormulas Fatal to the Flesh is, quite simply, a relentless onslaught of riffs, which kinda softens when you get to the last 2 tracks. The highlight here is definitely the epic "Invocation of the Continual One", which easily ranks among the band's very best songs. Highly recommended.Morbid Angel Abominations of DesolationThere's an aggression and energy on Abominations of Desolation that you won't find on several MA records. The fact that this album is so well-executed is a testament to this band's potential at the time. Of special note is the role of Browning as both drummer and vocalist. He lacks Vincent's depth in his growls, and doesn't quite have Sandoval's punch, but makes up for both with his sheer intensity. Where this ranks for you in MA's discog will depend on how raw you like your MA.Morbid Angel CovenantMorbid Angel Gateways to AnnihilationWith a dark atmosphere, bone-crushing riffs and impressive leads, Gateways to Annihilation follows up Formulas Fatal to the Flesh quite well.Motley Crue Too Fast for LoveBar Merry Go Round and Starry Eyes, this is a fun jam.Nelly Furtado LooseFun album. Good stuff for when you're tired of music that takes itself too seriously.Neurosis Souls at ZeroNeurosis Enemy of the SunNine Inch Nails Pretty Hate MachinePretty Hate Machine is, as far as debuts go, in the "fairly impressive but not mindblowing" category. While it boasts what is arguably one of the best 5-track successions in the history of rock music, the second half doesn't quite have the same level of strength. Still, this is a good place to start with NIN.Nirvana NevermindNosound AfterthoughtsOasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory?Overkill The Years of DecayOzzy Osbourne Diary of a MadmanOzzy manages to make good songs; but, album-wise, he doesn't deliver that much punch. Nevertheless, it's the last of the Rhoads-Era albums. RIP R.R.Pearl Jam BackspacerBackspacer is a continuation of the return-to-roots phase that the band is currently going through. It's a very good album, but it's not without flaws; the main one being that the album feels a tad oversimplified in general. That being said, it's still a very consistent listen and it's good to see that they can still enjoy themselves after 2 decades of rock n' roll.rPersonal Rating: 4.2Pearl Jam Riot ActLike other records of the band's experimental era, Riot Act is a grower. At first it might not seem like much, but this album is in fact more inspired than Binaural. Give it a try, you won't regret it.rPersonal rating: 4.4Pearl Jam Pearl JamThe "Avocado Album" is easily my third favorite PJ record. Why? Because it's arguably their most inspired work since Ten and Vs.. It opens and closes wonderfully, and McCready shows off some of his best lead work. The band demonstrates not only that they've still got it, but that they can still make something that equels the best of their prime. Don't miss this if you're a fan.rPersonal Rating: 4.2Pearl Jam No CodeVitalogy ended the band's classic era on a messy note (definitely not the band's most inspired moment). With No Code, the band reinvented themselves as experimentalists. Grunge was beginning to wane at this point, however, and many began to desert the band by this time. This is still one fine release though, and the overlooked "Red Mosquito" is among the band's best songs overall.rPersonal Rating: 4.2Pearl Jam BinauralBinaural definitely falls in the grower category. It takes several listens to truly appreciate this album, and it definitely hasplenty of texture to it. However, it's also somewhat subdued in terms of musicianship, so it's definitely not the best place to start with the band.rPersonal rating: 4.2Pearl Jam YieldYield proves two things: 1) the band wasn't going to repeat itself, and 2) they were willing to persevere despite the fact that grunge was pretty much passe by this time. And they do a good job of it. If you're a fan, don't miss this one.Pet Shop Boys IntrospectiveActually owns this, but it's still a good album. The last song is a tad dull, sadly.Pink Floyd A Saucerful of SecretsPink Floyd MeddleConsisting of reasonably tight songwriting, Meddle is one of Floyd's most experimental records. Some might even claim it's their best, however, in my view, "Seamus" impedes that possibility. The one weak point in an otherwise stellar record, it just detracts from the album as a whole. However, this is still a fine accomplishment by Floyd.Porcupine Tree Lightbulb SunLightbulb Sun continues on the path initiated with Stupid Dream. The band continues experimenting, dabbling on different textures as they go along. This may not top Stupid Dream, but that's no real reason not to listen to this.Porcupine Tree On the Sunday of LifeThis needs more love. Sure, on first listen it feels weak, but after a while it has plenty of growing power. Much like JP's Rocka Rolla, I think this album is undeservedly overlooked in light of later releases.Primus Sailing the Seas of CheeseWhile there's interesting material on Sailing the Seas of Cheese, as a whole this album lacks cohesion and feels like a directionless collection of tracks. That's not to say that this is bad, there are some sweet tracks for sure, but it could've been much better.Prince ParadeQueen A Night at the OperaQueens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone AgeQotsa's debut demands repeated listening to be truly understood. Not the band's best album by any means, but nevertheless a very interesting record. The downers here are "Walkin' on the Sidewalks", "I Was a Teenage Hand Model", and "I Can't Quit You Baby", but don't let that stop you from experiencing this album.Queensryche Hear in the Now FrontierHitNF is the last album with Chris DeGarmo as an official member. A lot of people despise this album, and it isn't hard to see why. Here, they sound nothing like on their first four albums, and it seems that internal issues were coming to a head. The song "Hero" is my track pick for this, but the album is generally decent. Granted, it can be harder to get into than the others, but repeated listens can help you enjoy it more.rPersonal Rating: 4.0Queensryche Queensryche EPThis EP definitely gives promise of the band's future. All 5 tracks (4+bonus) are fantastic, but "Nightrider takes the cake on here. Great riffs, fastastic soloing, and Tate's voice is in top shape. Don't miss this stellar debut.rPersonal rating: 4.2Radiohead OK ComputerWhile OK Computer is a solid album, in my opinion it isn't perfect. "Fitter Happier" and "Electioneering" slightly ruin its flow. However, the rest is impressive enough.Radiohead Kid AA spacey, trippy album. Slightly prefer it to OK Computer at the moment.Radiohead The BendsA solid album for Radiohead, The Bends no doubt features some of the band's best material. Having said that, it isn't quite perfect: "Just" and "My Iron Lung" slightly ruin the experience. Nevertheless, this album is certainly worth your time.Ranger Knights of DarknessRaven Wiped OutThese guys impressed me tbh. The music isn't too original, but it does give you a heckuva good time. Recommended for bored rockers.Red Hot Chili Peppers Mother's MilkRed Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex MagikWhat makes Blood Sugar Sex Magik such a good album is how everything works so well on here. The weakest tracks are probably the well-known singles "Give It Away" and "Under the Bridge", along with the title track, since they don't match up with the rest of the songs. Highlights for me include: "Suck My Kiss", "My Lovely Man", "Funky Monks", and "Apache Rose Peacock". But the album in general is worth your time.Red Hot Chili Peppers One Hot MinuteOne Hot Minute is quite the oddity in RHCP's discography. Not quite a top-tier record and yet not a bottom-tier one either, it sits in the middle. To be completely honest, I feel this is one of their most interesting records. Yes, you read right. It still has some of that spirit from BSSM remaining, even if it doesn't execute things on the same level. Not the best place to start, and only worthwhile to fans of the band, it will take a patient listener to enjoy this record. But listen to it. Even if it's not their best, there are gems to be found on here. The major weakness is the midsection: "Pea", "One Big Mob" and "Walkabout" ruin the album's flow are are completely skippable. Even so, I encourage those into the band to check this out, it might be worth your time.Riverside Anno Domini High DefinitionI was surprised with this record. Fresh sounds and new ideas. I don't say this too often, but I might listen to this record again sometime to see if I "get it".Run-D.M.C. Raising HellRunning Wild Death or GloryDecent album, but feels a tad draggy sometimes. IMO the follow-up is better.Rush 2112Impressive musicianship, however I take issue with the Temples of Syrinx section of 2112 as well as Lessons. Geddy wasn't the best vocalist, and he could at times be a bit much, however the band works well as a whole otherwise.Rush Caress of SteelVery underrated album. The 2 epics at the end simply destroy. And to think they would outdo themselves on later releases.Rush Hemispheres I wouldn't go as far as to say this is my fave Rush record, but it's possibly their most influential.rIn terms of my opinion of it, most of it rules, especially the epic Book 2. However, Circumstances doesn't work for me, it's another singing misfire for Geddy.Sade Lovers RockSade Diamond LifeWhile it has good songs, I'm pretty sure that Sade did better things in her career (Love Deluxe certainly tops this). Nevertheless, a strong debut in my book.Santana BorbolettaSaxon SaxonAn interesting slice of NWBHM. Worth checking out if you're into bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.Scorpions LovedriveWhile it's entertaining enough, it lack a bit of the punch that makes other albums by the band so special. Nevertheless, it should be worth your time if you're a fan of classic hard rock.Scorpions Animal MagnetismDoesn't have as much punch as some of the earlier and later releases, but still a worthwhile album.Scorpions Love At First StingSave for I'm Leaving You and especially Crossfire, most of the album is pretty solid and damn entertaining rawk.Seal Human BeingSebastian Hardie Four MomentsSilversun Pickups SwoonSlayer Hell AwaitsThere are significant differences between Hell Awaits and Show No Mercy. Where that album focused on pure balls-out riffage, this one is more cerebral and atmospheric. Definitely not for the squeamish.Slayer Reign in BloodMy only complaint with Reign in Blood is it's rather excessive focus on speed for speed's sake. Unlike the previous 2 records, this one just isn't quite as strong musically. However, it does deserve the praise it gets, to a point.Slayer South of HeavenExtremely heavy stuff. Some badass riffs, as well as some of Lombardo's best drumming.Slayer Seasons in the AbyssSonic Youth GooSortilege MétamorphoseSoundgarden Screaming LifeA solid offering courtesy of the grunge sledgehammer. Out of the two major underground EP's, Screaming Life is easily the stronger sibling. A pulse pounding 6-track journey, Screaming Life might well be SG's most overlooked effort.Steve Vai Alien Love SecretsSublime SublimeThe last Sublime album has some of the bands best material, but some of it comes off as a bit more than is needed for it. For instance, the album could well have ended on "Caress Me Down", but instead we get a reprise of "What I Got" and the rather odd "Doin' Time". For what it's worth however, it still features some of the band's best material.Sublime Robbin' the HoodAn underrated gem, Robbin' the Hood is so good it's almost a shame 40 Oz. to Freedom exists. Give it time and jam it patiently, you'll be glad you did.Super Furry Animals RadiatorI haven't listened to these guys in a long while. Might want to give them another try once the time is right.Taylor Swift ReputationThe Doors The DoorsAh, the iconic, legendary, classic debut of controversial California rock band The Doors. Yes, this is an album quite representative of the band; and for the most part, the songwriting is ace. The weaker tracks here are "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)", and "Looked at You".The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You ExperiencedThe main issue with Are You Experienced? is the lack of cohesion. This could be explained by the fact that it has two versions with different track listings. The good songs work well on here, but, in my opinion, this album is slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, this still has some of his best material, but I wouldn't say it's his best work. For all intents and purposes, my soundoff shall refer to the 11 tracks on the North American edition.The Mothers of Invention One Size Fits AllTherapy? TroublegumThin Lizzy JailbreakAn interesting ball of hard rock, Jailbreak is probably ne of the most influential albums in the subgenre. The one drawback is that it feels dated, as opposed to feeling like something that transcends its time. Thompson Twins Into the GapAmazing pop perfection. If you're into Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys or Tears for Fears, you should love this.Tyr Eric The RedThis is a pretty solid album from a pretty solid band. I look forward to checking out more of their stuff in the future.U2 The Unforgettable FireUnivers Zero HeresieA dark, brooding, KC-ish album, Heresie is an interesting enough listen for those who have an avid interest in obscure prog. There's definitely a lot of things going for this album, but it's certainly not for everyone. Don't judge it too quickly, there's plenty of intelligence behind the music.Van Halen BalanceIn my opinion this is the best of the Hagar Era. The spark of the Roth Era is somewhat revived here, and musicianship is in quite good form.Vanilla Fudge Vanilla FudgeCarmine Appice does a fine job on this one. However, this album is more of a historical relic than anything else. Worth looking into for the influence it had on bands like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.Venom Welcome to HellVinnie Moore Mind's EyeWhile it doesn't rank among the great classics of the Guitar Virtuoso subgenre (and certainly isn't in league with the Big 4 albums [Surfing With the Alien, Passion & Warfare, Rising Force and Ah Via Musicom]), it's a fine one in it's class, and Moore is no doubt more talented than a lot of wannabes out there.Voivod Killing TechnologyThis is an interesting record. Not at all recommended for thrash neophites; but metalheads looking for something new might be pleased with this.Watchtower Energetic DisassemblyWhite Lion PrideYes Close to the EdgeWell yes, this is a solid prog record. However, Anderson's vocals prevent me from giving it a higher rating.Yes FragileNot a fan of this band, but it's easy to see that this album was extremely influential, not just for prog, but for heavy metal as well.Yes The Yes AlbumYngwie Malmsteen Marching OutYngwie Malmsteen TrilogyYngwie Malmsteen OdysseyYngwie Malmsteen EclipseZZ Top EliminatorZZ Top Degüello3.5 greatAerosmith PumpAgalloch Marrow of the SpiritAlice in Chains Alice in ChainsThe main issue with Alice in Chains' self-titled swansong (Layne Era anyway) is that it drags more than it should. It's definitely the worst place to start when it comes to this band. You're better off jamming the two previous LP's along with Jar of Flies and SAP before getting into this one. Beardfish The VoidGreat work. I was a bit disappointed with the guitar soloing though, not what I was hoping for. All the same, I liked this enough to consider another possible album in the future.Biohazard Urban DisciplineBlue Oyster Cult Cultösaurus ErectusBuckethead Population OverrideDr. Dre The ChronicGood record, but often too repetitive and saturated. Snoop's Doggystyle tops this imo.Genesis We Can't DanceEven if the album has interesting moments, it lacks some of the punch that made earlier Collins-Era works worthwhile. Had this album had fewer balladry and more attitude, it could've been better. Collins did well in leaving the band after this.In Vain (NO) The Latter RainDecent offering. Nothing too exceptional, but it's not too bad either. If you're an average death metal fan, this should suit your tastes.Iron Maiden Brave New WorldWhen compared to the likes of No Prayer for the Dying or Fear of the Dark, Brave New World comes out as a return to the classic Dickinson Era sound, at least for the most part. And while this album doesn't quite match up to the likes of any of the First 7, it easily tops the two that followed. Dickinson still sounds fresh and the band still delivers here, it's just that on points it seems that the band overdid things for their own sake, retaking the concept behind their classic epics and attempting to deliver the same feel. It clearly isn't gonna happen, and that, along with the fact that the 2nd half is weaker than the first, sums up my complaints regarding this album.Iron Maiden Dance of DeathFollowing a similar approach to Brave New World, Dance of Death feels a bit safer, although not in a negative sense. Maiden has aged well and remains an interesting metal act at this time, which is more than can be said for bands like Judas Priest. There are weak points, but, overall this album doesn't feel like a sign of decline or anything. A worthwhile listen for fans of the band.King Crimson DisciplineThe main issue with Discipline is that while 4 tracks are fantastic, 3 are outright dragfests (Matte Kudesai, The Sheltering Sky & the title track). Probably KC's first dissapointment.Led Zeppelin PresencePresence is a rather disappointing affair when compared to the greatness of its predecessor. While it does possess a fine opener/closer combo in "Achilles Last Stand" and "Tea for One", " For Your Life", "Candy Store Rock" and "Hots for Nowhere" just flat-out suck. Also, as a whole, the album reflects a worn out band that no longer had the level of inspiration that got them through their first 6 records. Recommended only for diehard fans.Machine Head Through the Ashes of EmpiresMastodon Crack the SkyeWhere you stand on Crack the Skye will have a lot to do with what you expect out of this band, and out of music in general. One thing is plain and clear: this is very different from the sludgier first 3 records. Here, Mastodon almost completely embraces a psych-prog vibe, which can easily alienate fans of the band's earlier stuff. But there are those who stand on the other side of the fence, and think that it was good for this band to drop the sludginess. And where do I stand? I say that this is a record with good songs, but a slight step down from the previous 3 records. And why is this so? More than having to do with the lack of sludginess (although that's certainly a factor), it has to do with the fact that some parts do feel a tad draggy, and the band seems to be attempting to execute something a la Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (less overwhelming riffage and more stretched-out composition). Another issue is the vocals: they stick out like a sore thumb, which detracts from the experience. At the end of the day, all this makes out of Crack the Skye an endurance test; although some might claim this to be a masterpiece.Megadeth YouthanasiaLike CtE, the 2nd half is the weak point of this album. Nevertheless, I find it overall more enjoyable than that album. Better riffs, more entertaining, yeah, I think I explained myself.Megadeth Countdown to ExtinctionThe first mainstream-era 'Deth, Countdown to Extinction is a bit disappointing: production is flat-out lame and the second half is rather weak, being saved by the last 2 songs.Mudhoney Every Good Boy Deserves FudgeNightwish OnceNile In Their Darkened ShrinesPomegranate Tiger EntitiesGreat ideas, but monotone execution. The album is a passable listen, but respectable musicianship, but gets dull at times. Bottom line: there's lots of room for improvement.Porcupine Tree Fear of a Blank PlanetPorcupine Tree In AbsentiaMy main issue with In Absentia is that several songs on here get old after several listens.Porcupine Tree DeadwingNot best PT by a long shot, but still an enjoyable release. The opener is fantastic, and the closer is good too. But 4 songs ("Shallow, "Lazarus", "Mellotron Scratch" and "Glass Arm Shattering") feel a tad out of place.Primus Pork SodaWhile it features several strong tracks ("My Name is Mud", "Welcome to This World" and "Nature Boy"), this is one crazy fillerfest. Recommended for diehards only.Queensryche TribeThe main issue with Tribe is that it lack inspiration. It's not terrible, but the band doesn't bother to rock out at all. "Rhythm of Hope" is a great song (the best here in my opinion), but this will only interest hardcore fans of the band.rPersonal Rating: 3.4Queensryche QueensrycheRacer X Second HeatRadiohead AmnesiacAmnesiac pieces together some of Radiohead's best material with some of their weakest. Although it's not one of their strongest efforts, it still manages to hold up in regards to the quality of most of the individual songs. It just fails when taken in as a whole.Red Hot Chili Peppers By the WayLike Californication before it, By the Way has issues with regards to consistency. While the first 6 tracks are solid, after that the album goes hit-and-miss. There are no less than 5 weak tracks on here. My fave on here is possibly "Midnight", followed by "The Zephyr Song" and "By the Way".Running Wild Pile of SkullsEntertaining listen, but drags on a tad too long. Metal albums like this should only be about 35-40 minutes long. Plus, the songs themselves feel a tad repetitive at times.Santana WelcomeSeal Seal IVSoundgarden FoppFopp is pretty much the weaker sibling of the two major cult EP's of Soundgarden's underground era. Out of the 4 tracks herein, 3 are fairly strong, but the dub version of the title track feels totally unnecessary and out of place. Recommended only for diehard SG fans.Soundgarden Down on the UpsideTaylor Swift 1989Entertaining stuff, but there's little here that can be called great pop imo.The Cult ElectricDecent album, but several instrumental inconsistencies make it a step down from Love.The Smashing Pumpkins AdoreThe Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessThe major issue with Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the concept itself. Corgan's ambition definitely went overboard when it came to effective songwriting. While the first disc is very solid, with only two weak tracks ("Love" and "Cupid de Locke") the second disc is absolutely bursting with filler, especially on the second half (this would be the 4th quarter of the album). It's a shame that this album fails in that regard, because songs like "Bullet With Butterfly Wings", "1979, "Zero" and "Tonight, Tonight" rank amongst the Pumpkins' very best.The Smashing Pumpkins Machina/The Machines of GodWhile slightly more interesting than Adore, Machina is nevertheless an inconsistent affair. The main problem lies in the second third of the album, it's pretty much useless. Recommended only for serious fans of the band.3.0 goodDio The Last in LineGenesis Calling All StationsI don't find this as bad as many people do, but the musicianship is definitely lacking. All the same, Wilson does a good job on the vocals.Genesis From Genesis to RevelationIn Flames The Jester RaceIron Maiden Fear of the DarkWith 5/12 songs on the weak side, Fear of the Dark is slightly better than it's predecessor, but still a far cry from the legendary First 7. Having said that, "Childhood's End", the title track, and "Judas Be My Guide" are well worth the time of any Maiden fan.Mastodon The HunterOkay, it's true: this is the band's sellout album. But is it a bad album? As with Crack the Skye opinions can be split here. Some will argue that this is a fun album, while others will claim that it's a sign of decline. In my opinion, it's a decent record, certainly not in the same league as Leviathan, Remission or Blood Mountain, but still enjoyable enough. My only major gripe is the vocals: Hinds seems to be struggling too much to sound like Peter Gabriel, and it doesn't suit him at all (he's at his best when he sounds menacing/threatening/etc. Nevertheless, this album is still inspired enough to be worth the listen, even if it doesn't touch the mighty first 3.Megadeth United AbominationsMegadeth EndgameVery overrated album. Don't get me wrong: Broderick is highly talented, but his leads lack passion. Also, the midsection and closing are weak. It seems Dave's running out of ideas.Morbid Angel DominationMotorhead OrgasmatronBy this point, it becomes obvious that the band is running out of ideas. Lemmy should've stopped recording at this point. I personally have little to no interest in anything he has done since the mediocre Rock N' Roll.Nickelback Silver Side UpNirvana In UteroIn Utero is neither fantastic album nor terrible album. It's just an album, plain and simple. If you're into repetitive punkish numbers, this might be in your league. Otherwise, steer clear from this.Pearl Jam VitalogyThe main issues I have with Vitalogy are: 1) Poor production, and 2) Excessive filler. In particular, the closer "Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me" is terrible, and makes one wonder what the band was thinking at that point. But don't get me wrong, some of the band's best songs are on here. Just skip all the filler and close it on "Immortality". That would've made a better closer anyway.rPersonal rating: 3.2Porcupine Tree The IncidentThis right here is a crazy fillerfest. A few cool songs like "The Blind House", "I Drive the Hearse" and "Time Flies", but I think this is an overblown concept. Now I understand why SW put the band on hiatus. If PT ever get back together, they should just get back to basics and stray from these concepts.Queens of the Stone Age Rated RWhile Rated R contains great songs like "Auto Pilot", "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret", and "Better Living Through Chemistry" (best on here), it also drags a lot, specifically in the 2nd half. The presence of filler and the lack of cohesion make this a bit of a tedious listen in full, which is a shame for such a fantastic band. Quiet Riot Metal HealthRed Hot Chili Peppers CalifornicationWhile Californication is often regarded as a triumphant return-to-form by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the fact of the matter is that it's reputation far exceeds it's actual quality. While the first 6 tracks and the closer are all fairly solid, the album gets pretty hit-and-miss from there. Doesn't even come close to Blood Sugar Sex Magik.Republica Speed BalladsThis album does have interesting concepts, but sadly it fails to do anything exciting. Rather, it just stays muddled in a sea of synths without any real musicianship to show for it. Listen to Garbage's Version 2.0 instead.Seal SystemThis album is nice, but feels rather uninspired in almost every sense. A decent continuation of Seal's career, but a step down from Seal IV and two steps down from Human Being.Seal CommitmentSeal manages to put out decent recordings throughout his career. While perhaps a bit cheesy, this is nonetheless a good record.Soundgarden King AnimalThe main issue with King Animal is energy, this album severely lacks it. While it keeps a decent momentum up to "Taree", after that the album loses steam. Recommended only for diehards.Tool LateralusSadly, this is a rather dull record. Since I managed to finish it, it gets a 3. Some decent songs, but the album pretty much becomes a borefest after a while.2.5 averageAngra Temple of ShadowsAngra RebirthAnthrax Stomp 442Anthrax We've Come for You AllA very lackluster comeback attempt. Good thing Bush left after this.Big Wreck AlbatrossAverage alt rock album. Doesn't bring at all anything new to the table. Nothing original, innovative or refreshing to hear here.Black Sabbath Never Say Die!Blue Oyster Cult Club NinjaBloated, overproduced album. While at first it may seem on par with their best, the problem here is that the formula that had previously worked wonders for this band has now backfired. You might as well ignore this one (unless you like overproduced/overindulgent albums).Bulldozer The Day of WrathDeicide DeicideEiffel 65 EuropopFoo Fighters The Colour and the ShapeGeneric, even by alt rock standards. Easily one of the most overrated albums of the 90's.Immolation Close to a World BelowIn Mourning Shrouded DivineGarden variety death metal. Nothing special here, just what you'd expect from an average band in the subgenre.Iron Maiden No Prayer for the DyingWhile possessing gems like "Mother Russia", this is a far cry from Maiden's first 7. Here, the band gave up it's complex style in favor of a more straightforward, 80's approach. A sad low point in the band's career.Megadeth The System Has FailedRegarded as the band's "return to form", The System Has Failed is a rather boring record. The first 4 songs are easily the best on here, I honestly don't care much for the rest.Motorhead Rock 'N' RollI was rather disappointed with this. It's a rather dull record, and Motorhead clearly were stuck in a rut at this point.Muse AbsolutionNirvana BleachWhile the first few tracks on here are promising, the album goes down midway. Many fans will defend this album, but eh, to each their own.Pain of Salvation Remedy LaneGuess this band isn't really my cup of tea. A lot of people praise them; I just see them as an overrated band.Pet Shop Boys BehaviourBehaviour is the PSB's first subpar album. It has its moments, but is nowhere near the heights of their first three.Queensryche Operation: Mindcrime IIWhile there are some okay songs in it, O:MII is mostly a train wreck. The songs are very poorly arranged, the concept itself is weak, and the good songs lack punch. An album that only diehards might be interested in, but casual QR fans should stay away from.R.E.M. GreenDespite a few good songs, Green is mostly a bland affair. Too many songs are dull and uninteresting.Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium ArcadiumBloated, overproduced and way too radio friendly, Stadium Arcadium feels devoid of the virtues that used to make the band so great. There's hardly any creativity to be found here, and too many songs are bland and uninspired. Hard to believe that this was the same band responsible for albums like Freaky Styley, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan and Blood Sugar Sex Magik.Sodom Tapping the VeinSteppenwolf SteppenwolfThe Angelic Process Weighing Souls With SandThe Smashing Pumpkins ZeitgeistSometime later, I might give this another chance. Definitely not their most inspired work though.Van Halen OU812Too many disposable songs. IMO When It's Love is the only great track on here.2.0 poorBeyond the Bridge The Old Man and The SpiritGets a 2 because while it's not flat-out terrible, it's just plain uninteresting.Blue Oyster Cult Fire of Unknown OriginDestruction Eternal DevastationDruid Toward the SunBoring, uninteresting album. The similarities to Yes (my least fave of the Big 5) don't help at all.Dysrhythmia Test Of SubmissionEgonon RisveglioSorry guys, but I find this boring and uninteresting. To each their own.Gamma Ray Land of the FreeJay-Z Reasonable DoubtDidn't enjoy this album that much. Too dull and repetitive.Led Zeppelin In Through the Out DoorIn Through the Out Door is easily Zeppelin's weakest studio effort (pre-breakup). While I applaud the band for venturing into uncharted waters here, they simply come up dry. The songs simply lack comeback value and this just feels like a botched-up experiment in general.Marillion Misplaced ChildhoodMegadeth Th1rt3enJamming this in full is a waste of time. A very weak and uninspired album with poorly made lyrics.Megadeth RiskMotorhead March Or DieWhy, oh why didn't Motorhead stop making albums after releasing Orgasmatron? It's one thing to stick to what works for you musically, but it's something else to be doggedly afraid to experiment. Only the first 2 songs are any good, the way I see it.Ne Obliviscaris Portal of IFar too repetitive. Generic extreme metal with hints of prog. Nothing special to see here. By Sputnik standards, I consider this album overrated.Pain of Salvation The Perfect Element, Part 1Psychotic Waltz A Social GracePretty generic prog record. Pretty much more of the same, nothing too original.Ramones Rocket to RussiaThe Smashing Pumpkins OceaniaBoring, bland, uninteresting, generic tripe. Miles away from the greatness of the first 2 albums.Yngwie Malmsteen The Seventh Sign1.5 very poorAnthrax Volume 8: The Threat Is RealAsking Alexandria Stand Up and Screamblink-182 Enema Of The StatebrokeNCYDE I'm Not a Fan, but the Kids Like It!Chickenfoot ChickenfootDoomThrone Skeleton Veiled in FleshDragonForce Inhuman RampageDragonForce Valley of the DamnedDuff McKagan Believe In MeDuff McKagan is truly an overrated bassist. Fans give him far more credit than he deserves. And yeah, this album is very bad.Emmure Goodbye To The GallowsJudas Priest NostradamusMegadeth The World Needs a HeroMegadeth Super ColliderFirst 2 tracks are passable, after hearing "Burn", I won't bother with the rest.Metallica LoadThis album really sucks, Ain't My Bitch is probably one of the worst intro songs ever.Motorhead BastardsMotorhead 1916Lemmy has lost his touch since Orgasmatron, possibly his last good album. 1916 shows a band stuck in the same horrid riffs and rhythm sections. The music just feels too monotonous and uninspired here.Motorhead InfernoSputnikers overrate this album. While the first song is passable, the second is too dull. Don't be fooled, and skip this. Not even Steve Vai could save this piece of shit.Pantera Reinventing the SteelPantera Far Beyond DrivenUnlike the fun of Cowboys From Hell or the addictive heaviness of Vulgar Display of Power, Far Beyond Driven feels like a dull chore.Queensryche Dedicated to ChaosAlbum is a mess, and while I usually 2.5 albums I get halfway through, the level of ridiculousness here is so high that this gets a 1.5.The Smashing Pumpkins Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern MusicAfter you're a few songs in, you realize this pretty much sucks major dick.The Strokes Is This ItVan Halen Van Halen IIIWithin the Ruins EliteWeak, weak album. Album covers can be deceiving, and this one deceived me quite well. Great cover, sucky album.1.0 awfulBlack Sabbath ForbiddenBlack Sabbath Seventh Starblink-182 Take Off Your Pants And JacketDischarge Grave New WorldEdguy Vain Glory OperaGulaggh VorkutaIced Earth Horror ShowJustin Bieber My World 2.0Lady Gaga Born This WayLady Gaga The FameLady Gaga The Fame MonsterLamb of God Ashes of the WakeMarilyn Manson Antichrist SuperstarMetallica St. AngerMetallica ReloadMotorhead SacrificeCouldn't even get past the first track, it's that bad.Motorhead Overnight SensationTerrible, terrible album. I can't say anything else.Motorhead Snake Bite LoveDon't waste your time with this, it's just not worth it.Motorhead We Are MotorheadMotorhead HammeredMotorhead Kiss of DeathMotorhead MotorizerMotorhead The World Is YoursMy Chemical Romance The Black ParadeNapalm Death ScumPantera The Great Southern TrendkillThe Great Southern Trendkill is a dull listen. Can't add anything more to that statement.Queensryche Frequency Unknown (Tate's Queensryche)Yeah, this is utter shite. Complete garbage, a shame my fave vocalist of all time spearheaded this bucket of bullshit.Red Hot Chili Peppers I'm With YouThe bloated production issues that first reared their heads on One Hot Minute have finally reached their climax (or should I say, their unclimax) on I'm With You. This album is just unbearable, with the worst mixing job in the history of mixing jobs (no joke). Worst album ever made? Debatable. Worst RHCP album? Far and away.Simple Plan Still Not Getting Any...Skrillex Scary Monsters and Nice SpritesSlipknot Vol. 3: The Subliminal VersesSlipknot All Hope Is GoneTony Macalpine Maximum SecurityJust a self-indulgent shredfest, nothing more. MacAlpine's talented, but his overindulgent bombast ruins this album.Trivium AscendancyTrivium The Crusade
Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
