Before They Found Their Sound (vol 2)
With new discoveries of groundwork from more famous bands, I decided to
make a sequel. To find the sound that makes a band famous, they need to
start somewhere. These albums are forerunners to the later great work that
these famous bands put out after adopting their own signature sound. Be
sure to leave suggestions for a possible part 3 and tell me what you think! |
| 1 |  | Pantera
Metal Magic
Kicking off this list is a pretty obvious one. Before the adrenaline pumped, beer
tossing, groove metal days of the Anselmo era of Pantera, the band was just
another glam act of the 80?s, sporting permeated hair, makeup, and striped tights.
The band continued producing hair music until the departure of then-vocalist Terry
Glaze, after which Phil joined up and signed with producer Terry Date. From there
the band drastically refined their sound into the traditional Pantera style that made
them famous. |
| 2 |  | The Offspring
The Offspring
These guys made quite a name for themselves in the 90?s with hit albums such as
Smash, Americana, and Ixnay on the Hombre which still receive considerable
airplay. These albums helped usher in a melodic punk style along with bands like
Pennywise and Rise Against. However back in 1989 with their self-titled debut, they
displayed a more traditional hardcore sound much like Gorilla Biscuits or 7 Seconds.
The copies are in limited print but this album is considered a necessary find for any
true offspring fan. |
| 3 |  | Slipknot
Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.
MFKR in a way can be considered Slipknot?s most inventive and interesting release.
At the time the band was a six-piece experimental metal group fronted by Anders
Colsefni which incorporated many genres of music such as funk, jazz, groove, and
death metal in one collective sound. Songs such as ?Confessions? and ?Do
Nothing/Bitchslap? show possible influence from Mr. Bungle in terms of song styles.
Once Corey Taylor jumped into Slipknot?s roster and signed them to Roadrunner
Records, the band dropped this style of playing and dismissed the album as a demo.
Sadly, the album is in very limited print and chances of obtaining a copy are slim to
none. |
| 4 |  | Corrosion of Conformity
Eye for an Eye
Corrosion of Conformity established themselves as an essential Sludge act of the
90?s. Eye for an Eye displays their entry into the music world as a
hardcore/crossover outfit which, unlike any work on Blind or Deliverance, features
fast and relentless thrash riffs and gibbered hyperactive vocals by Eric Eycke.
Bassist Mike Dean would soon take over vocal duties for the follow up album,
Animosity, before being switched over to Pepper Keenan. |
| 5 |  | Sepultura
Morbid Visions
Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura have been known to change their sound on
multiple occasions. They?ve tampered with thrash metal, groove metal, and more
recently, nu-metal. However their most interesting shift was after the release of
their debut album Morbid Visions in which the they abandoned a sound that could
only be described as raw, dirty blackened death metal. Before Andreas Kisser
joined, Max Cavalera and his brother Igor were just an inexperienced band looking
to create metal (without even knowing how to speak English) before they began to
sharpen their unique brand of heavy music. |
| 6 |  | Napalm Death
(Appears on) Bullshit Detector 3
In 1984, English punk band Crass released the third edition of their compilation
series Bullshit Detector. The album was made up of mostly nameless acts with the
exception of Napalm Death who grew up to be an essential band of the grindcore
genre. But before all of that they were just a local skate/hardcore punk band that
were considered nothing out of the ordinary. Their one song ?Crucifixion of
Possessions? would be the start of their journey to fame in the metal world. |
| 7 |  | Alice Cooper
Pretties For You
In the 70?s, Alice Cooper was king of the shock rock scene with his terrifying
makeup and outrageous stage performances. In the 60?s, Cooper fronted a band
(that wasn?t at the time named after him) which played psychedelic rock common
to the time period. Their sound was not so ominous nor offensive as we may
expect, but was instead reminiscent of other bands in the genre such as Cream or
Strawberry Alarm Clock. Pretties for you was labeled generic by critics who would
soon praise the same band for their complete music turn around. |
| 8 |  | Powerman 5000
True Force [EP]
Spider One was to be remembered more than just Rob Zombie?s brother when he
formed the industrial nu-metal band Powerman 5000. He shared much of the same
interest in unusual stage garb as Rob and at times integrated some of his brother?s
style in his own music. Before producing spacey singles such as ?Bombshell? and
?When Worlds Collide,? Powerman 5000 released two albums and an EP sporting a
funk metal style strikingly similar to early 311 and Incubus. The music was
considered by some to be more creative and diverse than the music that would
soon make the band famous. |
| 9 |  | Talk Talk
It's My life
Talk Talk were initially one of the many new wave acts flooding the radio of the
80?s with hit singles like ?It?s My Life.? However by 1986 they began to slowly
change their sound from traditional new wave to a more post-rock style. Finally
with their 1988 album Spirit of Eden they had completely morphed their style into
what many fans consider a major step up from any of their previous work. |
| 10 |  | Social Distortion
Mommy's Little Monster
Social Distortion helped manufacture a new style of punk in the late 80?s and 90?s
which was to be dubbed ?cowpunk? (meaning the fusion between country/folk and
punk rock). Other bands such as the Beat Farmers also began adopting this unique
style. Social Distortion didn?t adapt to this genre until after their debut, Mommy?s
Little Monster, who?s essence displayed more traditional hardcore punk roots. Even
though the album does not express their soon-to-be unique style, it is still referred
to by many as a punk classic. |
| 11 |  | Slightly Stoopid
Slightly Stoopid
In the 90?s reggae rock bands began appearing all over especially in California.
Slightly Stoopid of Ocean Beach California started out as a simple high school band
who had the luck of being signed to Sublime?s record label by frontman Brad Nowell
after viewing one of their performances. At the time the trio played reggae fused
with hardcore punk as well as other genres. As the band began releasing more
material, they gradually dropped their hardcore roots and smoothed themselves out
into the reggae hip-hop fusion group known today. |
| 12 |  | Meshuggah
Contradictions Collapse
Progressive metal icons Meshuggah have a very distinguished sound setting them
apart from other contemporaries of the genre. On their debut album Contradictions
Collapse however they have yet to find their signature style leaving their music to
be pretty average sounding thrash. It?s quite obvious that traditional thrash is not
their expertise judging by the many extreme/progressive elements that are
incorporated into the album. The band would eventually expand on these elements
on their follow up album which served as a drastic improvement in their musical
style. |
| 13 |  | Voivod
War and Pain
Much like Meshuggah, Voivod?s musical roots lie in the thrash craze of the mid 80?s.
Voivod?s style also incorporated speed metal and occasional punk influences, but
showed little influence on their future progressive style. However this is not
necessarily a bad thing as their attempt at traditional thrash is much more
successful than that of early Meshuggah. Both bands began to see a rise in
progressive influence on their style which is credited for making their music more
refined and unique. |
| 14 |  | Meat Puppets
Meat Puppets
The Meat Puppets certainly show signs of a punk background through their
alternative/post punk rock style. Their 1982 self-titled album shows proof of this
claim with a more raw energetic sound. Like many rock bands of the early 80?s (and
the Beastie Boys) the Meat Puppets indulged in good ol? adolescent punch drunk
hardcore punk. Certain songs on the album, such as ?Walking Ross,? show signs of
the style that greatly influenced their later work. |
| 15 |  | Brand New
Your Favorite Weapon
Last but not least, the much loved poster child of indie/punk genre, Brand New,
display much of their unique style on Deja Entendu. However the album that came
before it is often overlooked because of its pop punk sound deemed inconsistent
with their other works. Your Favorite Weapon?s sound falls in line with bands like
Donots and Funeral For a Friend. For fans of traditional pop punk music, the album
charm will come naturally. As for those who are used to their later sound it may
take some getting used to. |
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