Average Rating: 3.67 Rating Variance: 0.54 Objectivity Score: 70% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicIn Flames The Jester RaceSanctuary Into the Mirror BlackA golden gem hidden under the dying tide of late-80's thrash metal, this album shines in every imaginable way. Every part is played skillfully, the production is outstanding, and musically it is almost perfect. The lyrics seem silly at times, and Dane's operatic voice overdoes it occasionally. The drumming is spectacular, the bass sticks in the pocket but has some flair, and the guitars boost each song nicely. The only downfall of this album is the fact that there are no outstanding solos. But I never really liked the guitar anyways. Too bad this band disbanded soon after this album (goddamn grunge rock). Luckily, it led to the creation of metal greats Nevermore.Slayer Reign in BloodThis album is an undeniable classic of thrash metal, whether the lyrics make sense or not. Although the middle of the album is some of the most fillerific metal I've ever heard, Slayer never lets it show and never lets up. Although one of the pinnacles of metal, the genre has evolved much since then. Anyone can list Slayer as one of their influences and get patted on the back for it. It's simple music with a simple purpouse: to make you scream and bleed. For that, it succeeds it every possible way.4.5 superbDimmu Borgir Death Cult ArmageddonDio Holy DiverIron Maiden Dance of DeathMastodon LeviathanMetallica Master of PuppetsMetallica Kill 'Em AllNevermore Dreaming Neon BlackNevermore In MemoryShort and sweet, this Nevermore EP is a lethal dose of dark and philosophical metal that Big N has been using in watered-down quantities for over a decade. The only fault on this album is the questionable "Silent Hedges/Double Dare" cover, which throws the album off it's dark, brooding path. However, the power and quality of the rest of the tracks makes for a short, black tale that has been repeated many a times by NM.Slayer Seasons in the AbyssSlayer swings their hammer one last time to try to hit the sweetspot, and succeeds for the most part. The lyrics are powerful and put across the somewhat cliche political stance being taken on this album. However, no one can argue that thrash metal that's anti-war is a perfect combination. The riffs on this album are great, and although some are a little too drawn out, most hit the mark just perfectly. The thrashes are much more powerful than in SoH, almost to the point of RiB, and the slow grinds are just as potent. An influential album, it just doesn't pack quite the character and force of RiB which made it such a landmark.System of a Down System of a DownThe Showdown A Chorus of ObliterationI usually can't stand this so-called "hardcore" metal. It just isn't musical at all. However, The Showdown is different. They manage to inject enjoyable southern-style riffs, incredible drumming, and clean vocals into just the right places. The vocals and riffs are really what saves this album from being with the rest of the herd. Check out "From the Mouth of Gath Comes Terror" for pure progressive hardcore bliss. I hope to see this band refine it's ability and musicianship and really stand out from the nobodies within the next few years.4.0 excellentArch Enemy Doomsday MachineCommunic Waves Of Visual DecayDimmu Borgir Puritanical Euphoric MisanthropiaDimmu Borgir Enthrone Darkness TriumphantDio The Very Beast of DioIron Maiden A Matter of Life and DeathThe usual Iron Maiden effort, with a dash more progressive rock. Each song is well-written and performed, especially in the drums and bass. The solos are enjoyable, but due to some odd production decision not even the three axes IM wields can cut through Steve Harris on the bass - but I never liked the guitar anyways. Although pretty much each song is a gem, most get repetitive and there is almost no momentum at all between songs. Some odd train-of-thought lyrics thrown in, and IM misses some easy-to-achieve points that could have made this album really shine. Instead, it's just another nice-looking trophy on a crowded shelf. I have to give them some credit, though: their age really hasn't slowed them down at all. It just hasn't made them any more creative.ISIS PanopticonKreator Pleasure to KillMetallica Ride the LightningNevermore Enemies of RealityAn amazing album by Nevermore. This, I believe, is the best show of the band's overall talent - if not musically, technically. It starts with one of my most favorite Nevermore songs and never lets up except for a powerful ballad and a build-up into the final song. The riffs and solos on this CD absolutely slay, and the drumming is really outstanding. Warrel seems to faulter a little in some parts, but he makes up for it with aggression. By the way, this is a review of the remastered version.Nevermore The Politics of Ecstasy Like said before, this album is very technical and doesn't have much substance. However, that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable! The political lyrics aren't as atrocious as they've gotten on "Godless Endeavor", atleast. Despite the awful title track and the completely useless "Precognition", this album is powerful, but a little repetetive. "The Learning" is an epic, and one of my favorite Nevermore tracks. Overall, a good album, but not one to look to for any kind of spiritual depth.Nevermore This Godless EndeavorNevermore's latest effort. Everyone seems to hail it as a masterpiece, but I beg to differ. First off, Nevermore has never played poorly and this album is proof of their experience. Every song is masterfully performed. However, that's where everything begins to fall apart. Right from the beginning you can tell Warrel Dane's voice has lost much of its timbre, and the poor lyrics don't help much either. Seriously, tossing in random metaphors and ranting "Death, consume, conform, suffering" does not a good album make. Musically, each song moves along well, and Nevermore has made sure not to be as repetitive as they occasionally are. However, there's just something about this album and how Nevermore has used this same philosophy over and over that makes it unimpressive. It just gets down-right annoying.Nile Annihilation of the WickedPantera Cowboys from HellPantera Vulgar Display of PowerRed Sparowes Every Red Heart Shines Toward The Red...Sanctuary Refuge DeniedSlayer Hell AwaitsLike a rusty knife to the chest, Hell Awaits provides the same euphoric agony as every other Slayer album. However, it misses the heart, and the music is put across messy and single-minded. Not like that's anything bad, but there is rarely a time on this album where everything comes together to completely slay you out of your seats. There aren't any masterful lyrical moments and the riffs are too quickly run through and not musically mastered as they would later be. Still, it's great metal, and a powerful first step into true Slayer.Slayer Haunting the ChapelSlayer South of HeavenAfter Reign In Blood, the only way to go was slower. Seeing this, Slayer pumps as much sinistry as they can into a slicker, smoother style. However, their attempts to mishmash sounds gives them weaker thrashes but magnificently morbid melodies where it counts. The lyrics aren't as sharp as RiB or SitA, but yet again it's great metal and yet another step forward for the Slayer war machine. Note: This is possibly the best album to get someone into Slayer, or even metal for that matter.The Absence From Your GraveThe Absence Riders of the PlagueThe Chemical Brothers Singles 93-033.5 greatAs I Lay Dying Shadows Are SecurityDark Tranquillity FictionGod Forbid IV: Constitution of TreasonISIS In the Absence of TruthKreator Terrible CertaintyMastodon Blood MountainMetallica ...And Justice for AllNevermore Dead Heart in a Dead WorldAn impressive effort by Nevermore, and outstanding playing as usual. However, momentum is thrown back and forth all over, and once again their attempt to inject a cover faulters (after listening to the original, it just sounds bad). Musically, the album's alright, but the ballads seem to be just thrown in for just for the sake of depth to an overall unrelenting - but not efficiently aggressive - album. They followed this formula through into Enemies of Reality, and I believe that, overall, they succeeded more then than with DHiDW.Nevermore NevermoreA great start for Nevermore. The playing isn't up to par with their current work, but musically they keep it together. The lyrics are a little iffy at times, especially during the laughable "Timothy Leary". Overall, an obviously unexperienced effort laced with questionable decisions. Definately a step in the right direction though.Slayer Show No MercySlayer God Hates Us AllSlayer Christ IllusionSystem of a Down Steal This Album!Weird Al Yankovic Running With Scissors3.0 goodIn Flames Come ClarityKreator Extreme AggressionNile IthyphallicOpeth Ghost ReveriesShadows Fall The War WithinSystem of a Down ToxicitySystem of a Down MezmerizeSystem of a Down HypnotizeThe Chemical Brothers Push the ButtonThe Chemical Brothers We Are the NightThe Sword Age of Winters2.5 averageMetallica St. AngerMudvayne Lost and FoundOpeth Blackwater ParkThe Showdown Temptation Come My WayThe vocals are no longer growled and the music is no longer very metal. A complete style change for the worse. Their vocalist is mediocre and sings with absolutely no confidence. Their guitarists are still very good, but nothing on this album is all that technically challenging or very exciting. Very, very good lyrics though.Unearth III: In the Eyes of FireWeird Al Yankovic Poodle Hat2.0 poorDark Angel Darkness DescendsDeath Angel The Art of DyingStatic-X Start A WarStatic-X does what it does best: make static. Start a War is simply a bunch of noisy angst with absolutely no point. Is it meant to be danced to? Is it supposed to be metal? It certainly is about as unmusical as you can get, the lyrics are down-right atrocious, and it's mind-numbingly repetitive and simple. The only thing saving this album from a 2 is the fact that it's loud and it has some punch, and not just mindless fist-flinging. Check out "Dirthouse" for the pinnacle of this album.
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