Suicidal Tendencies - The Art of Rebellion (1992)

I think the era of when Robert Trujillo was in the band and Infectious Grooves was my favorite, they were playing harder and less hardcore especially with this album. I think they were way cooler doing thrashy stuff than punk. I think riffs on this album is why I like it other than obviously the bass playing is a treat with Mike Muir's intensity. There production is awesome I might have the remastered version though. The album also features the fan favorite "Asleep at the Wheel" is definitely one of there best songs in my opinion they've ever done. Songs to check out "Asleep at the Wheel", "Nobody Hears" and "I'll Hate you Better".


1. "Can't Stop" 6:39
2. "Accept My Sacrifice" 3:30
3. "Nobody Hears" 5:34
4. "Tap into the Power" 3:43
5. "Monopoly on Sorrow" 5:13
6. "We Call This Mutha Revenge" 4:51
7. "I Wasn't Meant to Feel This / Asleep at the Wheel" 7:07
8. "Gotta Kill Captain Stupid" 4:02
9. "I'll Hate You Better" 4:18
10. "Which Way to Free?" 4:30
11. "It's Going Down" 4:27
12. "Where's the Truth?" 4:14

The Cult - Love (1985)

I am a big fan of The Cult but, I've always struggled into liking there album Love. It's possibly there most popular but, it's awfully light compared to my two favorite albums by them Electric and Sonic Temple. Throughout the album it sounds like they have that eighties new wave thing going which was completely dropped after the album. I mean there debut album before this one sounds like Duran Duran so they've come a long way. Some of the stuff on here sounds like U2 for some reason but, better. They do have the standout track "She Sells Sanctuary" that has past the test of time and probably one of the greatest rock songs of all time. It's hard to describe there musical approach, they had the psychedelic, goth, post punk and new wave thing going on so it's difficult to classify. One of the interesting aspects about this album is how the vocals of Ian Astbury completely take over like usually the music layers everything but, when he sings people pay attention. Songs to check out "Rain", "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Nirvana".

1. "Nirvana" – 5:24
2. "Big Neon Glitter" – 4:45
3. "Love" – 5:35
4. "Brother Wolf, Sister Moon" – 6:49
5. "Rain" – 3:55
6. "The Phoenix" – 5:06
7. "Hollow Man" – 4:45
8. "Revolution" – 5:20
9. "She Sells Sanctuary" – 4:23
10. "Black Angel" - 5:22

Testament - Low (1994)

This is Testament's sixth album and first without guitarist Alex Skolnick and Louie Clemente on drums. They were replaced with James Murphy from Death and John Tempesta whose played with various bands such as Exodus, White Zombie and more recently with The Cult. Low is a completely different ride as the other five released before it. I wouldn't call it thrash metal, more like heavy hard rock n metal. I never hear about people mentioning Low as it seems forgotten and unappreciated. It certainly doesn't get the recognition like Practice What You Preach got or Legacy for that matter. I remember doing the review on The Gathering which came out in 1999, a horrible spot for the band at the time because thrash bands were losing there ranking to other sub genres like nu metal. I just think in 1994, you have alternative rock taking over and Low got lost within time. I mean Testament wrote killer stuff and they still do, it's unfortunate they don't have the popularity of a Slayer or Megadeth. I can't speak highly enough about them as this is another Testament record that will make average heavy metal albums not sound heavy. Songs to check out "Dog Faced Gods", "Low" and "Ride".


1. "Low" – 3:33
2. "Legions (In Hiding)" – 4:17
3. "Hail Mary" – 3:32
4. "Trail of Tears" – 6:06
5. "Shades of War" – 4:44
6. "P.C." – 2:50
7. "Dog Faced Gods" – 4:02
8. "All I Could Bleed" – 3:37
9. "Urotsukidōji (Instrumental)" – 3:40
10. "Chasing Fear" – 4:56
11. "Ride" – 3:16
12. "Last Call" – 2:41

Fields - Everything Last Winter (2007)

A nice day for something totally different. Every know and then I like to listen to lighter stuff. I'll be the first one to tell you that indie rock ain't my thing. Someone once called me out and said that I didn't have a diverse music taste and we kept on arguing to the point I had to delete him off my msn. I think a major reason for making this blog and influencing people to different kinds of music is why I do it. I love how people tell me, thanks these guys are awesome or whatever. It may soothe my ego but, ultimately music is my life and passion. If anyone wants to even compare themselves to me I'll shoot that down in a heartbeat HAHA. Okay.. Fields is a band I discovered on the itunes and I think the first mention I ever heard of them was on Blabbermouth because they were opening for Wolfmother and some really gay band. I want to say like fucking Carrie Underwood but no way Wolfmother would share the same stage I would imagine, it was something like that though. Anyways, this is really light stuff..don't get use to it Andrew stay metal is something I bet one of you reading think. Songs to check "Songs for the Fields", "Your Brought This on Yourself" and "If You Fail We All Fail".


1. "Song For The Fields" - 5:47
2. "Charming The Flames" - 4:35
3. "You Don't Need This Song (To Fix Your Broken Heart)" - 4:10
4. "School Books" - 5:01
5. "The Death" - 4:55
6. "You Brought This On Yourself" - 5:31
7. "Skulls And Flesh And More" - 4:51
8. "Feathers" - 5:41
9. "If You Fail We All Fail" - 5:45
10. "Parasite" - 2:56

Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King (1987)

One of the bands I've gotten into really big this year despite them being rather old. This reminds of King Diamond or Accept sounding like but, with not as cool vocals even though the music is better. Unfortunately for me, I don't have the remastered version so it sounds like it's from eighties which I have been spoiled with all the reissues because now it's like I can't listen to Megadeth's originals releases without it being the remastered version because it sounds like crap compared to the 2004 version remasters. I really had no clue Savatage would evolve into the freaking Trans-Siberian Orchestra. After hearing "Prelude to Madness" may make some sense after all. This is nothing like my first exposure to the bands release of Edge of Thorns which had me eyes wide open. Supposedly this is there most popular release. Good album if you're really into new wave of british heavy metal even though there not british. Songs to check out "Hall of the Mountain King", "24 Hours Ago" and "Prelude to Madness".


1. "24 Hours Ago" – 4:56
2. "Beyond the Doors of the Dark" – 5:07
3. "Legions" – 4:57
4. "Strange Wings" – 3:45
5. "Prelude to Madness" – 3:13
6. "Hall of the Mountain King" – 5:55
7. "The Price You Pay" – 3:51
8. "White Witch" – 3:21
9. "Last Dawn" – 1:07
10. "Devastation" – 3:37

Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape (1997)

Sorry, I didn't do a post yesterday as I was attending Blackdiamondskye in San Jose. The Colour and the Shape is the Foo Fighters second record which I honestly am not familiar with anything from the self entitled album. Obviously this is there most popular as I know it sold millions and you still hear some songs on the radio. I was never or still am a big fan of Dave Grohl as a frontman but, he was an awesome drummer especially with Nirvana. The thing I could admire about Grohl is that he had all the money made from being in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters was his attempt to move on musically and probably mentally when he could have easily hung it up like former bandmate Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. I bought the remastered version but, for some reason I didn't get the extra tracks. I hear there a good live band, I wouldn't be surprised because they do have some high energy songs like "Monkey Wrench". When it comes to nineties alternative rock you can't miss this despite if you like the band or not. Songs to check out "Monkey Wrench", "My Hero" and "Everlong".

1. "Doll" 1:23
2. "Monkey Wrench" 3:51
3. "Hey, Johnny Park!" 4:08
4. "My Poor Brain" 3:33
5. "Wind Up" 2:32
6. "Up in Arms" 2:15
7. "My Hero" 4:20
8. "See You" 2:26
9. "Enough Space" 2:37
10. "February Stars" 4:49
11. "Everlong" 4:10
12. "Walking After You" 5:03
13. "New Way Home" 5:40

Great White - Once Bitten (1987)

Is it hard to imagine that this album sold over a million records? Not really, the thing is being on MTV was the quickest way to stardom if you could have one music video hit and everybody would go out and buy it. It still proves to be the same these days not so much MTV but VH1 loads indie rock music videos whenever you flip the channel it seems. The time being of the release was perfect for Great White's sound of like a glam metal/pop metal band. I can not mention the album without mention of the horrible but awesome album cover. It's definitely one of the worsts you'll ever see. The shark in the background is obviously plastic and I bet the members of the band are really embarrassed by it today. I was actually one of those people who watched one of the those music videos like twenty something years later. I like to watch a show on Vh1 Classic called "Metal Mania", I was really intrigued at 3am in the morning by a song called "Rock Me" and goddamn I couldn't the chorus out of my head for a week. I do not really find them appealing but, very infectious. Songs to check out "Rock Me", "Lady Red Light" and "Save Your Love".

1. "Lady Red Light" — 4:53
2. "Gonna Getcha" — 4:13
3. "Rock Me" — 7:19
4. "All Over Now" — 4:21
5. "Mistreater" — 5:49
6. "Never Change Heart" — 4:27
7. "Fast Road" — 3:40
8. "On The Edge" — 6:01
9. "Save Your Love" — 5:46

Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge (1993) Part 3 of 3

The marathon is almost over. Today is the last part of the three day review. Without a doubt, this seems to be the mess around CD as this whole thing is just a mess! James was so drunk and a lot of these songs were the ones used at the longer in the set. They do "So What" right before "Battery" as it's not even labeled. You know something's not right when you see "Battery" at a staggering ten minute edition. I actually wouldn't mind if they went into So What right before Battery as like the end of the show kind of thing. "The Four Horsemen" definitely sounds like it doesn't belong on this side I mean if you listen to a bootleg of one of there shows perhaps from 1986, I notice it doesn't blend well with all the black album stuff. I have video bootlegs from shows from the tour and it was in such a horrible spot after "Nothing Else Matters" or after "Sad But True". They didn't do it every night but, they did it at a couple of shows a month on the Black tour and it was just put in a weird spots whenever I got a new show in the mail. Not to say it didn't belong in there, it's kind of like them playing "Motorbreath" on the new tour. I didn't care for the spot they put some songs in. Unfortunately day three CD is my least favorite but, ultimately it's Metallica and is killer regardless. Three days of Metallica officially over. I feel like trading Metallica shows again! My DVD list is located at http://db.etree.org/gsprulz. Songs to check out "Am I Evil?", "Battery" and "One".


1. "Nothing Else Matters" 6:22
2. "Wherever I May Roam" 6:33
3. "Am I Evil?" 5:42
4. "Last Caress" 1:25
5. "One" 10:27
6. "So What?"/"Battery" 10:05
7. "The Four Horsemen" 6:08
8. "Motorbreath" 3:14
9. "Stone Cold Crazy" 5:32

Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge (1993) Part 2 of 3

As of the second part of the review I will be discussing disc two. Yesterday, I went over part one of probably the best box set I own. I didn't get into sound production in the last post but, I think people would understand it's not as good as S&M which nothing tops that in live recordings either in my opinion. As far disc two goes, it's only six tracks but, being six tracks doesn't mean this is the slouch part of the set. They do "Seek and Destroy" for over 18 minutes and do one of my favorites performances of "Whiplash" I've ever heard as you've probably of seen the live music video of Whiplash while they were promoting the box set. They only do seven songs from the Black Album on the span of the discs which they played with there catalog. It was nice hearing "Through the Never" which mostly after that tour they stopped playing the song until the Death Magnetic tour I believe. Which two songs that has been left out of that tour and to this day remain to be seen which are two of my favorite songs from Black "Struggle Within" and "Don't Tread on Me". Metclubbers who win meet and greet, we need answers pronto!! Songs to check out "Whiplash", "Seek and Destroy(Jason Newsted Edition)" and "Fade to Black".

1. "Through the Never" 3:47
2. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" 5:48
3. "Fade to Black" 7:12
4. "Master of Puppets" 4:35
5. "Seek & Destroy" 18:08
6. "Whiplash" 5:34

Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge (1993) Part 1 of 3

This is a monster setlist from the monster Nowhere Else to Roam tour which spanned over seventy shows including the run in with Guns n' Roses. Along with the three CD's, there were two videos that came along being Seattle 1989 on the Damaged Justice Tour and San Diego on the Wherever We May Roam tour which constantly they were doing three hour unprecedented shows. I'm going to focus on the audio which was recorded the five nights they were in Mexico City in 1993. A 25 song setlist of recordings from those nights of Metallica is crazy and is probably a little too extreme for anybody that isn't a Metallica fan. I mean there's three different kinds of people when it comes to Metallica. They're either spectators, never will be fans or probably one of you reading this post as we are the crazy Metalicohlics that will wait all day and miss school or work just to be in front at one of there live shows. Especially the Metclubbers were the hardcore of the hardcore. I've never listened to Live Shit completely without taking a break myself though. I remember after the "Justice Medley" which is pretty long but, killer they like mess around doing solos for half an hour it seems. After sitting down and listening to the first part today, I always seem to forget Jason's importance in the band like he had to of been the best back up singer in metal of all time. Instances of him backing up and leading on songs like Whiplash I always admired. Lars was socializing, James was getting drunk, Kirk would probably be zoning out at art stores around the world and Jason was the only guy headbanging listening to heavy metal on his free time at this point. We owe Jason Newsted big time for all the things he did for our band during the nineties. Songs to check out "Justice Medley", "Harvester of Sorrow" and "Of Wolf and Man".

1. "Enter Sandman" 7:28
2. "Creeping Death" 7:28
3. "Harvester of Sorrow" 7:19
4. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" 6:39
5. "Sad but True" 6:07
6. "Of Wolf and Man" 6:22
7. "The Unforgiven" 6:48
8. "Justice Medley" 9:38
9. "Solos (Bass/Guitar)" 18:49

Guns N' Roses - "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993)

Interesting enough, GNR decided to a cover release as they were on there way out. I suppose once you play stadium shows every night and day you turn into a piece of shit like Axl Rose. The title of the album came up with Steven Adler filed a lawsuit against Axl, and this spaghetti food fight between them. Bands they cover range from the Misfits, Soundgarden, Nazareth, The Stooges and more. I've heard someone say they already had a lot of these songs done while in the Use Your Illusion recording sessions such as "Knockin on Heaven's Door" and "Live and Let Die" which brings up the conclusion that they pretty much threw this out to make a quick buck which they did as the album debuted at #4 on the billboards. The Charles Manson cover song "Look at Your Game, Girl" posed a bit of controversy being that Charles Manson is notoriously the sickest man alive. Not as in sick cool but sick as in twisted. Rose said the track would not be featured on the reissues of The Spaghetti Incident but, of course Axl Rose lied. That's just his way I guess. Songs to check out "Hair of the Dog", "New Rose" and "Ain't it Fun".


1. "Since I Don't Have You" 4:20
2. "New Rose" 2:38
3. "Down on the Farm" 3:29
4. "Human Being" 6:48
5. "Raw Power" 3:12
6. "Ain't It Fun" 5:06
7. "Buick Mackane (Big Dumb Sex)" 2:40
8. "Hair of the Dog" 3:55
9. "Attitude" 1:27
10. "Black Leather" 4:09
11. "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" 3:35
12. "I Don't Care About You" 2:07
13. "Look at Your Game, Girl" 2:34

Pantera - The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)

I've found out that after listening to Vulgar and Cowboys from Hell on a day to day basis can get boring to the point I completely stopped listening to Pantera period. Was I burned out or was I not expanding my mind to other music by them which I figured out that The Great Southern Trendkill would later become my favorite Pantera record. While the time of the release the band and vocalist Phil Anselmo were not connecting and became distant. Anselmo blamed his moody actions on his back where he would abuse himself with alcohol and heroin noted big time in Vh1's Behind the Music: Pantera. I thought the vocal layering was perfectly done with the Pantera groove metal style specifically in this one as the vocals seem more aggressive but, not as angry as Vulgar Display of Power or Far Beyond Driven. The songs itself deal with Phil Anselmo's problems with drugs as I think he was the only one doing anything hardcore as the band had became the new alcohollica of the nineties. They'd literally kick people off the tour if they weren't getting drunk with them. Always were a confrontational band especially to the demise of the band, it's a good piece of rock history sadly missing in the community now that Dimebag Darrell is deceased. Songs to check out "Floods", "10's" and "War Nerve".

1. "The Great Southern Trendkill" 3:46
2. "War Nerve" 4:53
3. "Drag the Waters" 4:55
4. "10's" 4:49
5. "13 Steps to Nowhere" 3:37
6. "Suicide Note, Pt. 1" 4:44
7. "Suicide Note, Pt. 2" 4:19
8. "Living Through Me (Hell's Wrath)" 4:50
9. "Floods" 6:59
10. "The Underground in America" 4:33
11. "(Reprise) Sandblasted Skin" 5:39

Prong - Cleansing (1994)

The fifth Prong record is there most commercial and probably ultimately there most memorable one. A average metal fan should know of the heavy driven massive sound from Cleansing either if it's there most popular single "Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck" or "Whose Fist is This Anyway?". This was Paul Raven and John Bechdel's first Prong album after they had just left Killing Joke. It's easily there best produced album, the riffs are thick and just as lethal as you'll hear. I always say there one of the most underrated bands along with Faith No More, I don't feel they get the credit they deserve. Tommy Victor did great work wherever he went whether it was his time being frontman in Prong, playing guitar in Danzig and Ministry as well. This is probably close to as good as Beg to Differ, there in the same ballpark. I have fond memories of listening to Prong on my iPod for instance on the way to my first Metallica concert back in 2005, all I listened to on the three hour trip was Prong. Songs to check out other than the video hits "Cut Rate", "Another Worldly Device" and "Whose Fist is This Anyway?".


1. "Another Worldly Device" – 3:23
2. "Whose Fist is this Anyway?" – 4:42
3. "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" – 4:11
4. "Cut-Rate" – 4:52
5. "Broken Peace" – 6:11
6. "One Outnumbered" – 4:58
7. "Out of this Misery" – 4:25
8. "No Question" – 4:17
9. "Not of this Earth" – 6:25
10. "Home Rule" – 3:57
11. "Sublime" – 3:53
12. "Test" – 6:40

Life of Agony - Broken Valley (2005)

The fourth Life of Agony album is easily the most disliked and probably the reason there hasn't been another album. It sounds like they were trying to sound like the Stone Temple Pilots, I wouldn't call this a metal album. They had just done the reunion shows and I suspect everyone thought they would be hearing River Runs Red part two or something. To make things worse there's evidence by playing the CD can give your computer viruses caused by a rootkit intended for people trying to copy songs. Which is unfortunate for me because I have the US Catalog-Nr. EK93515 which is the ones that were recalled. There's some songs that sound like Velvet Revolver, maybe Keith Caputo is a big Scott Weiland fan? Songs to check out "Last Cigarette", "Wicked Ways" and "The Day He Died".


1. "Love to Let You Down" – 3:40
2. "Last Cigarette" – 2:56
3. "Wicked Ways" – 4:02
4. "Don't Bother" – 3:30
5. "Strung Out" – 3:59
6. "Junk Sick" – 3:18
7. "The Calm That Disturbs You" – 3:15
8. "No One Survives" – 1:34
9. "Justified" – 6:21
10. "The Day He Died" – 3:23
11. "Broken Valley" – 5:17
12. "Room 244" – 4:54

Rush - Roll the Bones (1991)

This is the fourteenth album by the Canadian phenoms Rush. Roll the Bones is them returning to a familiar style as some of there eighties stuff is hard to identify with as I'm still getting into that era because it's not as easily enjoyable as something from Moving Pictures or Hemispheres which are just so classic. With this album, it has a dark sensation to it unlike most of the stuff that come to my head from other albums like the references to death I assume is the vocal point from what I got from it which I could be totally wrong. Rush always has cool instrumentals as "Where's My Thing"(first instrumental since "YYZ" in Moving Pictures) is a pretty good listen even though it's brand new to me but, a cool addition for me to discover another song I didn't know about. What the heck was up with that rap part in "Roll the Bones", I think that's a first and only time thing. As a band, this is proof of the growth and evolution of the band overtime. Songs to check out "Roll the Bones", "Ghost of a Chance" and "Dreamline".

1. "Dreamline" – 4:38
2. "Bravado" – 4:35
3. "Roll the Bones" – 5:30
4. "Face Up" – 3:54
5. "Where's My Thing? (Part IV, "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy)" – 3:49
6. "The Big Wheel" – 5:13
7. "Heresy" – 5:26
8. "Ghost of a Chance" – 5:19
9. "Neurotica" – 4:40
10. "You Bet Your Life" – 5:00

Dio - The Last In Line (1984)

The second studio album by Dio is a little more upbeat than Holy Diver. You can debate Ronnie James Dio was the best singer in metal, even at his later years I saw him I was blown away that at his age he could sing that good. I don't know if his voice can ever be duplicated but, that dude was truly gifted as if he were born to sing. At this time, Dio could do no wrong after singing on the Black Sabbath records such as Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules and previously before that run he was in Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. Holy Diver his solo debut is a heavy metal classic too which you can say he ruled heavy metal in the eighties. The hot topic was always Ozzy vs Dio after Sabbath dropped Ozzy for him while Dio would excel even though it was probably seen as an impossible mission to replace Ozzy for some of the older fans of Black Sabbath. I think that some forget that Dio represented America in heavy metal a genre that was dominated by European acts in the early eighties. This is pure as metal gets, nothing generic just heavy fucking metal. Rest in peace Dio.. Songs to check out "Last in Line", "Mystery" and "Egypt(The Chains Are on)".

1. "We Rock" – 4:33
2. "The Last in Line" – 5:46
3. "Breathless" – 4:09
4. "I Speed at Night" – 3:26
5. "One Night in the City" – 5:14
6. "Evil Eyes" – 3:38
7. "Mystery" – 3:55
8. "Eat Your Heart Out" – 3:50
9. "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" – 7:01

Fear Factory - Archetype (2004)

Archetype is Fear Factory's fifth album. After there breakup after Digimortal, they redeemed themselves by going back to going heavy and leaned off the experimental/nu metal stuff a tad bit. It could be there best album, it's a toss up between Demanufacture. Raymond Herrera's drumming is absolutely amazing, it's fast and technical in a way it seems to blend well with the music which is good like I feel it's a turn off if the drummer is going at a faster speed than everyone else. This album doesn't feautre longtime Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazeres, I know I'm not the only one that didn't miss the lyric "the infection has been removed, the soul of this machine has improved" from the titled track. Top through bottom it's brutal song after brutal song, good release. Songs to check out "Slave Labor", "Bite the Hand That Feeds", and "Cyberwaste".

1. "Slave Labor" – 3:53
2. "Cyberwaste" – 3:18
3. "Act of God" – 5:08
4. "Drones" – 5:02
5. "Archetype" – 4:36
6. "Corporate Cloning" – 4:24
7. "Bite the Hand That Bleeds" – 4:09
8. "Undercurrent" – 4:05
9. "Default Judgement" – 5:24
10. "Bonescraper" – 4:12
11. "Human Shields" – 5:16
12. "Ascension" – 7:05
13. "School" (Nirvana cover) – 2:38

Babes in Toyland - Nemesisters (1995)

The final studio album Babes in Toyland did was a creative change. I think it's sounds clean for them, I'm not sure if I wouldn't call this alternative or power pop. It's tough to say this is probably there worst album and is horrible compared to what they did on Fontanelle which is average to me if I graded it. I've seen this album on the worst of 1995 along with a David Hasselhoff record. I was stunned that Hasselhoff's discography dated back from 1985 to 2004 he had of material, you have to give the guy credit he didn't give up. I don't want people to think I'm misogynistic because whenever a girl lead singer or female bands period I bury them. In this case I'm not burying the album, I'm burying them because they could've done a lot better. Nothing is memorable in particular as I'm trying hard to say something good about it. When it comes down to it perhaps I didn't like it because this is something my brother would listen to and maybe it's a girl thing I don't know. This brings an interesting point up, I always read that there's no such thing as a girl Metallica fan maybe this is for girls and not me kind of thing. It's a different realm, as we all know testosterone goes well with music and not having little testosterone makes things harder for me to listen. This could be influential to females, I unfortunately don't have an answer. I just had an amazing epiphany! I think I'm on to something.. Songs to check out "Sweet 69", "Ariel" and "We Are Family".


1. "Hello" - 4:45
2. "Oh Yeah!" - 3:16
3. "Drivin'" - 3:17
4. "Sweet '69" - 4:05
5. "Surd" - 4:43
6. "22" - 3:15
7. "Ariel" - 4:24
8. "Killer on the Road" - 4:02
9. "Middle Man" - 4:46
10. "Memory" - 3:43
11. "S.F.W." - 3:59
12. "All by Myself" (Eric Carmen) - 4:37
13. "Deep Song" (George Cory/Douglas Cross) - 2:45
14. "We Are Family" (Nile Rodgers/Bernard Edwards) - 4:11

Nine Inch Nails - Broken (1992)

After the success of Pretty Hate Machine in 1989 and doing Lollapalooza in 1991, Nine Inch Nails recorded an EP in 1992 entitled Broken. At the time, Trent Reznor was having a difficult time with the labels power over the music so he created his own label. The sound quality was hands down improved with the release of Broken. While the first album seemed to be electronic, this one utilized heavy guitars as the primary as this is the heavy metal NIN record for short. Trent Reznor sounds angry throughout the album. The weird thing about Broken is that there are 92 one second tracks. There are really 99 tracks but only 8 songs. I think that's the Nine Inch Nails way of being different and doing whatever they want especially Trent Reznor and problems with TVT. This is the heavy metal Nine Inch Nails and it kicks ass. Nothing like Pretty Hate Machine more like Ministry. Songs to check out "Wish", "Gave Up" and "Physical".

1. "Pinion" 1:02
2. "Wish" 3:46
3. "Last" 4:44
4. "Help Me I Am in Hell" 1:56
5. "Happiness in Slavery" 5:21
6. "Gave Up" 4:08
98. "Physical" 5:30
99. "Suck" 5:08

Fight - War of Words (1993)

An album that I consider the best heavy metal record release of the nineties, Rob Halford had departed from Judas Priest to form a new heavier and faster band. I've heard someone say I'm the biggest Fight fan there is so I might be biased or just a little crazy. This album is exactly what I'm looking for these days, something raw something dark and something vicious. Everything from the demonic "Kill It" to the personal betreyal of "Vicious" there's no song not to like! In a way Fight can be seen as Pantera and Priest mixed as Halford was inspired by what Pantera were doing. The only bad thing about the legacy of Fight is it didn't last and thus couldn't maintain a legacy. Lead guitarist Russ Parrish is now playing for the band Steel Panther whom you could see on Comedy Central now. Halford is doing solo dates opening up for Ozzy Osbourne. Can I make it another goal in life to get the band together for a reunion tour. I know Mr. Halford is 59 but, hey anything is possible and hopefully my dreams will come true. This is one of the most underrated metal albums you'll ever hear. Not a bad track, stuff will make you want to get a gun and shoot yourself in the head as Rob Halford once put it in a interview previously before the album came out in stores. Songs to check out "Contortion", "Into the Pit" and "Kill It".

1. "Into the Pit" - 4:13
2. "Nailed to the Gun" - 3:38
3. "Life in Black" - 4:34
4. "Immortal Sin" - 4:39
5. "War of Words" - 4:29
6. "Laid to Rest" - 4:40
7. "For All Eternity" - 4:42
8. "Little Crazy" - 3:49
9. "Contortion" - 4:35
10. "Kill It" - 3:30
11. "Vicious" - 3:11
12. "Reality, a New Beginning" - 13:18

* "Jesus Saves" - hidden track, starts at 9:43

Judas Priest - Jugulator (1997)

The follow up release to Painkiller and the exit of Rob Halford, Tim "Ripper" Owens had to fill the shoes in the highly anticipated album. The album itself doesn't sound like the eighties material Priest were doing. A lot of people didn't like it for obvious reasons. Tim Owens formally was a singer in a Judas Priest cover band. Jugulator seems to be more in the style of thrash/speed than there usual heavy metal style. People tend to focus on the abandoning of heavy metal as this could be seen as of doing since in 1997 there were no really heavy metal bands from the last decades really in the spotlight as there were faster and louder guys like Pantera influencing the kids. For me, not as familiar with the album as with the Halford stuff is really not that bad. If you can be open to it, and keep in mind this is Judas Ripper Priest than all should be well. Songs to check out "Jugulator", "Blood Stained" and "Burn in Hell".

1. "Jugulator" 5:50
2. "Blood Stained" 5:26
3. "Dead Meat" 4:44
4. "Death Row" 5:04
5. "Decapitate" 4:39
6. "Burn in Hell" 6:42
7. "Brain Dead" 5:24
8. "Abductors" 5:49
9. "Bullet Train" 5:11
10. "Cathedral Spires" 9:12

Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991)

The first major release by your least favorite band Primus is a one of a kind band. No one utilized the bass like Les Claypool did. The genre itself could be defined as funk metal or Primus itself! Sailing was successful in many ways on creating a different musical atmosphere they created as I bet many were confused what they were listening to on MTV since I'm sure everyone is like what the heck still when they watch the music video for "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver". Perhaps some people didn't understand there humor as it's probably really weird to people that don't listen to experimental metal stuff. I would say if this album didn't do it for you, you'll probably never like Primus. Of course I don't know anyone that particular dislikes them that I know but, they put on a killer live show from what I see. Just check out there Woodstock 1994 performance, unreal mud throwing during "My Name is Mud". Songs to check out "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver", "Tommy the Cat" and "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers".


1. "Seas of Cheese" 0:42
2. "Here Come the Bastards" 2:55
3. "Sgt. Baker" 4:16
4. "American Life" 4:32
5. "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" 3:11
6. "Eleven" 4:19
7. "Is It Luck?" 3:27
8. "Grandad's Little Ditty" 0:37
9. "Tommy the Cat" 4:15
10. "Sathington Waltz" 1:42
11. "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers" 5:20
12. "Fish On (Fisherman Chronicles, Chapter II)" 7:45
13. "Los Bastardos" 2:39

Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience (1992)

This is one of my favorite pop rock bands of the nineties, Gin Blossoms breakthrough album was so instrumental to the scene at the time. It's one of those albums you couldn't escape since the singles were playing on the alternative radio stations. I clearly remember hearing the Gin Blossoms a ton back when I was living in the bay area. My dad wasn't a hard rock guy, he was listening to all that alternative stuff. Perhaps it's one of those deals where I have a feel for the songs because it's part of my past. Doug Hopkins the guitarist and lyricist of the band was fired for his alcohol problems and later committed suicide. He had shot himself with a pistol at the rehabilitation center he was at. It kind of in a way helped the band grow in popularity even though there strongest material of there career I would say is the stuff Hopkins did which was done in so much emotion. Being the lead guitarist, I think he gave them kind of an edgy sound. It's constant but, you wouldn't recognize the difference until the next album. The next album would be even more successful somehow I think because a year previous to the new record a song called "Till I Hear From You" came out on a soundtrack and exploded. The next album Congratulations I'm Sorry was titled in reference to the deceased member I think had a lot of help from that specific song. I think they got lucky with "Follow You Down" but, I hope the best for them as they have a new album entitled No Chocolate Cake coming out this Tuesday in stores. Songs to check out "Found Out About You", "Hey Jealousy" and "Allison Road".

1. "Lost Horizons (Gin Blossoms song)" – 3:20
2. "Hey Jealousy" – 3:56
3. "Mrs. Rita" – 4:25
4. "Until I Fall Away" – 3:51
5. "Hold Me Down" – 4:50
6. "Cajun Song" – 2:56
7. "Hands Are Tied" – 3:17
8. "Found Out About You" – 3:53
9. "Allison Road" – 3:18
10. "29" – 4:18
11. "Pieces of the Night" – 4:33
12. "Cheatin'" – 3:25

Mushroomhead - XIII (2003)

Mushroomhead is a nu metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Today i'm trying to be open minded for alternative metal listeners. This is another freak band, with weird stage names. I had no clue they had been around since the mid-nineties. I've never been into theatrical bands who have to wear costumes to seem outrageous like Gwar or the band there compared to the most which I shouldn't even have to say it's obvious. I don't know too much about them but this is the most popular album by them. It's kind of like the new shock deal here being weird and different at such the worst time period to be doing since Slipknot had a similar gimmick, each others music is different sounding though. They have a lot of music videos out and they've pretty much been non existent to me but, they came out of the blue during 2009's Rockstar Mayhem Festival as they did dates replacing Bullet For My Valentine(gross)on the main stage. Luckily, I stayed outside on the opening stages when Bullet For my Valentine was playing because Cannibal Corpse was going head to head with them when I was in attendance and everyone knows who attended Mayhem Festival that year knew where the crowd was at. Songs to check out "Sun Doesn't Rise", "Becoming Cold (216)" and "Kill Tomorrow".

1. "Kill Tomorrow" – 3:45
2. "Sun Doesn't Rise" – 3:13
3. "Mother Machine Gun" – 4:16
4. "Nowhere to Go" – 3:42
5. "Becoming Cold (216)" – 4:25
6. "One More Day" (feat. Devon Gorman) – 3:36
7. "The Dream is Over" (feat. Jens Kidman) – 3:15
8. "The War Inside" – 2:58
9. "Almost Gone" – 4:01
10. "Eternal" – 3:12
11. "Our Own Way" (feat. Devon Gorman) – 3:40
12. "Destroy the World Around Me" – 8:21
13, "Thirteen" – 9:31

Bonham - The Disregard of Timekeeping (1989)

The debut album of the legendary drummer John Bonham's son Jason Bonham created his own band to keep the legend of his father going on the drums. The album would go gold with help from the songs "Wait For You" and "Guilty". They were one hair metal band out of thousands at the time because if you look at an old Circus magazine, you'll only see glam bands in there. I prefer reading the old Rip Magazines more because they featured less hair metal bands. Enough about back issues, it's not Led Zeppelin that's for sure. They were going for that pop metal sound but, I like the arena rock sound. It sounds massive and has that big atmosphere which they just don't have today at all. I'm not sure who the vocalist is but, he tries to sing like Robert Plant in my opinion. I think Robert Plant was angry when John's son tried to do an album because it could hurt the legacy of Zeppelin like I always hear him comparing the two and that Jason is no where in the same league as John was. Wasn't very supportive, Jason sounds just fine pounding the shit on the drums Mr. Plant... Only over 31,000 plays on last.fm, seems people forgot about this album or what? Songs to check out "Wait For You", "Guilty" and "Bringing Me Down".


1. "The Disregard of Timekeeping" - 2:09
2. "Wait for You" - 5:02
3. "Bringing Me Down" - 4:18
4. "Guilty" - 4:37
5. "Holding on Forever" - 4:56
6. "Dreams" - 7:50
7. "Don't Walk Away" - 4:43
8. "Playing to Win" - 6:55
9. "Cross Me and See" - 5:27
10. "Just Another Day" - 4:26
11. "Room for Us All" - 7:13

The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)

Over six million albums sold of Siamese Dream was the turning point for The Smashing Pumpkins. I've never been a huge Pumpkin fan but, it goes over because the diversity of the material. It's also known vocalist Billy Corgan was suicidal and very depressed at the time. I've heard it may have had something to do with his weight gain and he had become such a nervous wreck about his relationships, the image of how he thought of himself led him to go see a therapist. The album was produced by Butch Vig who had just done Nirvana's Nevermind. It's interesting that sometimes when bands don't get along at all they could still make something special. From the alternative rock scene you could say that they were one of the most original bands at the time. I'm not a huge fan of Corgan's singing, later on his singing is more whiny but, he's a great lyricist. Siamese Dream had hit big, they were nominated twice at the Grammy Awards for the album in 1993 or 1994. I would rate it second to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, there next album. Songs to check out "Cherub Rock", "Today" and "Disarm".

1. "Cherub Rock" – 4:58
2. "Quiet" – 3:41
3. "Today" – 3:19
4. "Hummer" – 6:57
5. "Rocket" – 4:06
6. "Disarm" – 3:17
7. "Soma" – 6:39
8. "Geek U.S.A." – 5:13
9. "Mayonaise" – 5:49
10. "Spaceboy" – 4:28
11. "Silverfuck" – 8:43
12. "Sweet Sweet" – 1:38
13. "Luna" – 3:20

Van Halen - Van Halen I (1978)

This is the album that started it all! It's one of the most important hard rock albums of all time and it's about time for me to share my thoughts of the debut album. In 1978, I have no clue what the music scene really was like because I didn't live in the 70's or 80's but, Van Halen was an instant attraction to the rock community. Gene Simmons prior to the album said Van Halen would never make it and he was very wrong as they turned into one of the biggest spectacles after Van Halen, they set the eighties trends and packed rafters every night. They had it all, Eddie Van Halen one of the best guitarists of all time who can melt your face and the very energetic David Lee Roth on vocals. It didn't matter if you were male or female, everyone could like Van Halen. They did the extensive tour opening up with Black Sabbath and they hit it big soon after. The album's instrumental "Eruption" is what made Eddie one of a kind, I've never heard anybody do what he did before Van Halen I. Songs to check out "Runnin' With the Devil", "You Really Got Me" and "Jamie's Cryin'".

1. "Runnin' with the Devil" 3:34
2. "Eruption" 1:42
3. "You Really Got Me" (Ray Davies) 2:38
4. "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" 3:49
5. "I'm the One" 3:46
6. "Jamie's Cryin'" 3:29
7. "Atomic Punk" 3:03
8. "Feel Your Love Tonight" 3:42
9. "Little Dreamer" 3:23
10. "Ice Cream Man" (John Brim) 3:19
11. "On Fire" 2:57

Alice in Chains - MTV Unplugged (1996)

Easily my favorite Unplugged performances by ones of my favorite bands. It's not there best release but, if you enjoy the slower songs it is definitely for you. My dad had the album back in the day, I've been listening to them forever and it's especially sad to hear one of Layne's last stuff with the band. It was even more depressing watching the actual show and he looked like he'd been on a drug binge. A cool tale from the show is Mike Inez had something written on his guitar saying friends don't let friends get haircuts because Metallica had cut there hair and were in attendance. I noticed on the CD version they edited out when Layne messes up on the lyrics to "Sludge Factory". One of the biggest disadvantages from the televising show was that it didn't feature "Killer is Me" one of my favorites they did that night. That song had been featured in any album, I always wondered if that was a song that didn't make the self entitled album for whatever reason. It could be a song they wrote after that album since Inez wasn't playing bass because Scott Olsen was playing bass on that song so I'm unsure of the origin of that great track. A like all Alice in Chains, if you've never heard it you must have lived under a rock. Songs to check out "Over Now", "Killer is Me" and "Nutshell".

1. "Nutshell" – 4:58
2. "Brother" – 5:27
3. "No Excuses" – 4:57
4. "Sludge Factory" – 4:36
5. "Down in a Hole" – 5:46
6. "Angry Chair" – 4:36
7. "Rooster" – 6:41
8. "Got Me Wrong" – 4:59
9. "Heaven Beside You" – 5:38
10. "Would?" – 3:43
11. "Frogs" – 7:30
12. "Over Now" – 7:12
13. "Killer Is Me" – 5:23

Ministry - Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs (1992)

It doesn't get any better if you're into industrial metal with Ministry's Psalm 69. This is the album that got them more noticed and were even nominated for the best metal performance for "N.W.O." at a Grammy's Awards Show. Nine Inch Nails had just gotten the genre super popular and it's one of those important albums because there was the cult thing happening. Still to this day no one seems to recognize this as one of the greatest metal records of the nineties and the atmosphere they created was something new and innovative. It's a shame because they're one of the fiercest and dark bands you'll come across. It's brilliantly aggressive in a different kind of way because it has the thrash attack with the industrial sound which they blend it like no other. It's horribly massively sounding, few picked there influence up and they put spins on it like Rammstein. It's as cutting edge as anything I've heard and it's not new at all but, it's there style which I highly admire. They produce great albums, this is like the Master of Puppets of industrial metal in my opinion. Songs to check out "Just One Fix", "Jesus Built My Hotrod" and "N.W.O."

1. "N.W.O." 5:31
2. "Just One Fix" 5:11
3. "TV II" 3:04
4. "Hero" 4:13
5. "Jesus Built My Hotrod" 4:51
6. "Scare Crow" 8:21
7. "Psalm 69" 5:29
8. "Corrosion" 4:56
9. "Grace" 3:05

Candlebox - Candlebox (1993)

Following up from other Seattle acts, Candlebox's debut did very well selling. They had good singles as at this time popular music was actually somewhat good in the rock field of course. It's kind of mysterious how a lot of bands went nowhere when they had such potential. Either the people listening on the airwaves got tired, personal problems within the bands, record companies shunned them for not selling it in there parameters of what they're goals in sales were. Even though there from Seattle and were considered alternative rock/grunge there's definitely blues influence in there songs they don't appear to me as grunge really. It's nothing new really, it sounds like it's from the nineties. I never understood why the song "You" was so popular, I still think it's overrated even though it's considered one of there best songs. I just never saw anything in that song. If you're into stuff like Collective Soul or Live, perhaps this is a good revisit. Songs to check out "Far Behind", "Cover Me" and "Change".


1. "Don't You" — 3:12
2. "Change" — 6:24
3. "You" — 4:56
4. "No Sense" — 4:49
5. "Far Behind" — 4:59
6. "Blossom" — 4:30
7. "Arrow" — 3:13
8. "Rain" — 6:58
9. "Mother's Dream" — 4:31
10. "Cover Me" — 4:46
11. "He Calls Home" — 5:03

Megadeth - Cryptic Writings (1997)

I believe this is one of the first Megadeth albums I heard, ultimately the one that got me into them. It's not a popular pick, the common use of the word sell out had been ringing in the ears and minds whenever I read something about Cryptic Writings how people on the internet felt about it. I always thought of this album as Megadeth hooky album. Like what Metallica did with Load, I guess in someways this was Megadeth's Load. Nowhere near as good as Load though but, it has the same blues influence in the songs. I remember being really addicted to this album when I was in seventh grade, listening to it on the bus in the morning on the 15 minute bus ride to my middle school. You can only go so far doing thrash metal your entire life that how could one not get tired and push for a new musical direction. I also believe Dave Mustaine didn't think he could repeat another Rust in Peace and in my opinion never has has come close. This is the last time with the classic lineup as well. I think Mustaine was showing more care for his vocals and lyrics too at this time because there had been maturity growth within the start of the band to Cryptic Writings. People who try to be critics are usually narrow minded and ignorant, who cares if it's a commercial release it's Megadeth. So fucking what..wrong band but, you get my point. Songs to check out "Trust", "Sin" and "Almost Honest".

1. "Trust" 5:12
2. "Almost Honest" 4:09
3. "Use the Man" 4:04
4. "Mastermind" 3:48
5. "The Disintegrators" 3:05
6. "I'll Get Even" 4:19
7. "Sin" 3:06
8. "A Secret Place" 5:25
9. "Have Cool, Will Travel" 3:40
10. "She-Wolf" 3:38
11. "Vortex" 3:23
12. "FFF" 2:47

Dave Matthews Band - Everyday (2001)

Everyday brings back good memories to me as this was what I was listening to back in 2001. I never got into the band itself but, I loved this album. Flipping some of the songs for the first time in probably years, I know a good majority of the lyrics from the songs and I'm not even a fan. My first exposure to them was the music video for "I Did It". It was popular and I'm sure it was the number one album in the world it just always did it for me. I was one of the many million who had gotten that CD, I think I got it along with U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind. Which I'm not a U2 fan but, that's what I grew up listening to as nothing hits me like any of the other material but the two albums they did that I enjoyed. I guess I always had a ear for music because jesus christ I was like nine or ten going on my journey to become a music enthusiast. I don't normally like acoustic based stuff like Jack Johnson(gross) but, exceptions can be made. Songs to check out "Everyday", "The Space Between" and "I Did It".

1. "I Did It" – 3:36
2. "When the World Ends" – 3:32
3. "The Space Between" – 4:03
4. "Dreams of Our Fathers" – 4:41
5. "So Right" – 4:41
6. "If I Had It All" – 4:03
7. "What You Are" – 4:33
8. "Angel" – 3:58
9. "Fool to Think" – 4:14
10. "Sleep to Dream Her" – 4:25
11. "Mother Father" – 4:24
12. "Everyday" – 4:43

Bad Brains - Rise (1993)

This is probably the least liked album by them but it's my my favorite actually. Reason being, it contains there some of there hardest rock stuff(not fastest) by them and doesn't sound like there earlier works. I'm sure there hardcore punk fans hated it but, it was a very good heavy metal record with reggae,ska n funk. I believe this was Israel Joseph's first and only album as singer and that's the primary reason this album gets dissed so much because I assume Bad Brains fans wanted Paul Hudson or you may know him as H.R. back as the frontman. H.R. would return to the helm after Rise and has been the vocalist ever since. There's good variety on the album itself and even though it's not as popular as there stuff from the eighties I still feel it's a worthy recommendation. Songs to check out "Rise Up", "Yes Jah" and "Miss Freedom".


1. Rise
2. Miss Freedom
3. Unidentified
4. Love Is The Answer
5. Free
6. Hair
7. Coming In Numbers
8. Yes Jah
9. Take Your Time
10. Peace Of Mind
11. Without You/Outro

Anthrax - Among The Living (1987)

My favorite Anthrax album of all time and there break through record is undeniably a thrash masterpiece. The third studio album was dedicated to Metallica's bassist Cliff Burton who died in late 1986 in the tragic bus accident. This features my favorite Anthrax line up as well Belladonna-Benante-Ian-Spitz and Bello. In the eighties Anthrax represented the best of what the east had to offer as everybody knows the majority of the best thrash bands came out in the west specifically the bay area. This is probably there catchiest album and I totally adore Among the Living. It's everything I want in a metal album, heavy and fast, clear singing, anthems, headbanging sections and originality. Out of the big four, Anthrax gets the least respect out of the big four and this album was as innovative as any of the other thrash groups released in the eighties except for only Metallica. I think the thing that hurt Anthrax's fan base was they weren't serious guys and it seems like a large majority metal fans only like serious stuff like the complete opposite of Slayer's take on how metal should be. That's one of the things that I don't like how people have perceived motion that metal needs to worshiping Satan but, in all reality I'll stick up for Anthrax over Slayer any day. We'll see next summer when the big four comes and plays in the bay area finally or let's hope so. Mark my words Among the Living over Reign in Blood. Songs to check out "Among the Living" "Indians" and "Caught in a Mosh".

1. "Among the Living" 5:16
2. "Caught in a Mosh" 4:59
3. "I Am the Law" 5:57
4. "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" 4:54
5. "A Skeleton in the Closet" 5:32
1. "Indians" 5:40
2. "One World" 5:56
3. "A.D.I./Horror of It All" 7:49
4. "Imitation of Life" 4:22

Dope - American Apathy (2005)

About a year ago I saw these guys open up for Black Label Society in San Francisco at the Fillmore. I was like hopefully these guys finish up quick but, to my surprise these guys put on a killer live show even though there a nu metal band. The place I remember being on the rail the people were going apeshit behind. They had amazing energy and even the BLS fans were getting into it as my friends Kenny, Raymond and I were. Anyone that's loyal to our Black Label Society were loyal back drunk or sober. No one in that venue was there to even see them but, they won fans over that night for sure. American Apathy is the fourth release and alike some bands after I've seen I started listening to them and I've come to the conclusion that this is my favorite Dope record. Unlike the others before, I believe this one had industrial metal vibe working for it and with the high energy and raw emotion of there songs was the icing on the cake. Listening to the songs don't do the justice if you never see them. Like I say all the time the ones you're least up for every now and then surprise you. It wasn't like Metallica opening for Ozzy in 1986 but, these guys put on a killer live act. Songs to check out "No Way Out", "I'm Back" and "People are People".

1. "I'm Back" - 3:25
2. "Survive" - 3:12
3. "No Way Out" - 3:27
4. "Always" - 3:16
5. "Bastard" - 3:26
6. "Sex Machine" - 2:51
7. "Four More Years" - 0:17
8. "Revolution" - 3:39
9. "Let's Fuck" - 2:39
10. "Fuck the World" - 3:32
11. "I Wish I Was the President" - 4:05
12. "Dream" - 2:56
13. "The Life" - 5:08
14. "People Are People" (Depeche Mode cover) - 3:12
15. "Bitch" (alternative version) - 3:07
16. "Fuck The Police (NWA cover) - 3:49
17. "Burn" - 3:17

Brutal Juice - Mutilation Makes Identification Difficult (1995)

If you've never heard of the acid punk group Brutal Juice I wouldn't be surprised. This was there only full length album and is one of the hidden gems of alternative rock in the nineties in my opinion. They definitely didn't have the big name or the music videos but, perhaps they did have a song entitled "Ugly in the Inside" but, MTV wouldn't let the real track name be known because that song maybe you've seen that was actually the third track "The Vaginals". Yeah, very pleasant album. It sucks bands like them were only signed because Nirvana's Nevermind was such a hit, they would drop all these grunge or alternative rock bands which is why the people growing up in the nineties felt screwed in return in the later nineties. Without a doubt Cobain was the leader of that decade, unfortunate it happened. I guess the hardest part about the album is actually finding this album, the complete opposite of Mudhoney's album post yesterday. I'm sure you can find anyone on the net these days but, I've never seen it in record stores and I eventually found it on Ebay for a decent price used. If you like the older Butthole Surfers material you'll dig this I'm pretty sure. Songs to check out "Cannibal Holocaust", "The Vaginals" and "Lashings of the Ultraviolent".


1. "Kentucky Fuck Daddy" – 3:51
2. "Burpgun" – 3:59
3. "The Vaginals" – 2:13
4. "Nationwide" – 5:14
5. "Lashings of the Ultra-violent" – 2:36
6. "Kathy Rigby" – 4:23
7. "Galaxy" – 4:02
8. "Curbjob" – 2:51
9. "Humus Tahini" – 5:13
10. "Character Assassination Attempt" – 3:22
11. "Cannibal Holocaust" – 4:21
12. "Doorman" – 5:44
13. "Whorehouse of Screams" – 20:01

Mudhoney - My Brother The Cow (1995)

I must say that Mudhoney were one of the most defining acts that grunge had despite there always left in the shadows of the obvious choices. It's highly debatable what my favorite album by them is but, I don't think it's better than there first two releases Superfuzz Bigmuff and Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. I think this one contends because of it's accessibility since they had been featured in the Chris Farley movie Black Sheep playing in one of the more memorable parts in the movie. For that matter, any cameo with bands is always freaking awesome such as the infamous Cannibal Corpse playing "Hammer Smashed Face" in Jim Carey's Ace Ventura. The mother of all cameo's Singles the movie featured Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Matt Dillion's band name was Touch Me, I'm Dick was a joke of the Mudhoney song Touch Me, I'm Sick there most popular song. That movie Singles inspired what actually would become the hit sitcom Friends. Back to the album, it comes at a weird time for alternative rock perhaps the fall of grunge. 1996 and beyond post grunge had been hitting the radio and I can't really complain because some of it I like and some of it I don't. Songs to check out "Into Yer Shtik", "Judgement, Rage, Retribution & Thyme" and "In My Finest Suit".


1. "Judgement, Rage, Retribution & Thyme" – 2:34
2. "Generation Spokesmodel" – 2:33
3. "What Moves the Heart?" – 3:12
4. "Today, Is a Good Day" – 3:05
5. "Into Yer Shtik" – 3:48
6. "In My Finest Suit" – 4:57
7. "F.D.K. (Fearless Doctor Killers)" – 2:16
8. "Orange Ball-peen Hammer" – 3:21
9. "Crankcase Blues" – 3:06
10. "Execution Style" – 2:24
11. "Dissolve" – 3:17
12. "1995" – 5:43
13. "woC ehT rehtorB yM" (Hidden Track) - 39:00

Rollins Band - Weight (1994)

Without a shout of a doubt, this is the best Rollins Band album and I would say it's better than the Black Flag stuff as well. On a scale one to ten how intense Mr. Henry Rollins is probably atleast a nine. I like Weight especially since it's not as punk influenced and is more metal influence with even some jazz in the picture. The music video for "Liar" is nearly impossible not to bring up in today's post because it's everything that's missing in music videos today. It's absolute insanity and hilarious. The lyrics to that song are pure genius. I guess it was a sign to come since he got into stand up later on and he's actually really good. Despite that one single there's more brilliance on the record to listen to. Songs to check out "Liar", "Icon" and "Step Back".


1. "Disconnect" – 4:57
2. "Fool" – 4:26
3. "Icon" – 3:41
4. "Civilized" – 3:54
5. "Divine Object of Hatred" – 4:01
6. "Liar" – 6:34
7. "Step Back" – 3:58
8. "Wrong Man" – 4:19
9. "Volume 4" – 4:39
10. "Tired" – 3:47
11. "Alien Blueprint" – 3:45
12. "Shine" – 5:26

Army of Anyone - Army of Anyone (2006)

This was a supergroup attempt when the DeLeo brothers from Stone Temple Pilots teamed with Filter vocalist Richard Patrick and Ray Luzier from David Lee Roth, Korn on drums. This definitely sounds like Stone Temple Pilots minus Scott Weiland, I'd be willing to say it's better than the new self entitled Stone Temple Pilots album. I thought it was strange Weiland didn't even record with his bandmates the entire time in studio or something odd I read in a magazine. Like the last track off the album "This Wasn't Supposed to Happen" it really wasn't. Patrick was preparing new material for Filter but, Dean and Robert jumped in on a guest song and the rest is history. Has a lot of different kinds of feels and it's surprising to hear great alternative rock especially from 2006. I'm sure if things don't work out with Scotty perhaps they'll be a sequel to Army of Anyone. Songs to check out "Goodbye", "Father Figure" and "Generation".

1. "It Doesn't Seem to Matter" - 3:51
2. "Goodbye" - 4:31
3. "Generation" - 3:30
4. "A Better Place" - 4:58
5. "Non Stop" - 3:58
6. "Disappear" - 4:07
7. "Stop Look and Listen" - 3:51
8. "Ain't Enough" - 3:44
9. "Father Figure" - 4:04
10. "Leave It" - 4:27
11. "This Wasn't Supposed to Happen" - 5:22

Queensrÿche - Promised Land (1994)

A band that I'm not that familiar with Queensrÿche, is a progressive metal band. I remember hearing them in the past and not really caring for them but, my friend Jim insists that these guys are better than I think they are so as of today I've been taking him up on his offer. This album is the highest they've charted. It sounds like it's from the eighties but it's actually midway through nineties. I guess they kind of do sound similarly as one of my new favorite bands Savatage but, Promised Land is not anywhere near as good as much as I digged Edge of Thorns my first and only Savatage album. Promised Land is probably more mellow than I would've liked it to been as for this time I won't count them out until I hear Empire or Operation Mindcrime which were the two intended recommendations. I thought I would be getting heavy riffage and dynamite. Did I come into this album with overwhelming hype and anticipation? Perhaps I did what I try never to do whether it's the new releases from bands or old classic gems. It's never a good idea to think a band can hit a home run every time unless you're Metallica. I always try to set my expectation bar low even with concerts because I feel concerts and music usually benefit with the unexpected if that makes sense. This album was almost a miss in my opinion but hey, I got it for only two bucks used. Songs to check out "Damaged", "Bridge" and "I Am I".

1. "9:28 a.m." – 1:43
2. "I Am I" – 3:56
3. "Damaged" – 3:55
4. "Out of Mind" – 4:34
5. "Bridge" – 3:27
6. "Promised Land" – 8:25
7. "Dis Con Nec Ted" – 4:48
8. "Lady Jane" – 4:23
9. "My Global Mind" – 4:20
10. "One More Time" – 4:17
11. "Someone Else?" – 4:38

Hatebreed - Supremacy (2006)

Hatebreed is one of the most violent bands to hit the stages these days, I'm sure you've seen the pits on youtube or maybe perhaps live at a concert. The intensity stems from pure anger...about what I'm unsure but, it's definitely easy to get down to. This is there first and only album on Roadrunner Records as they've been swapping labels every release it seems from Universal to there most recent album released on E1. I think this is the most popular album by them, it's the only one I have at the moment. I can't stand metalcore but there's a few like I said I've been paying attention to the last couple of years. Hatebreed is also labeled hardcore and punk so I'm not even sure how to properly categorize them because those are two genres I dismiss generally. People should know you probably are not going to be into bands like Hatebreed who contain no melody and the vocals are a stretch for some people I know too. Songs to check out "Destroy Everything", "Defeatist" and "To the Threshold".


1. "Defeatist" – 3:19
2. "Horrors of Self" – 2:29
3. "Mind Over All" – 1:59
4. "To the Threshold" – 2:49
5. "Give Wings to My Triumph" – 3:05
6. "Destroy Everything" – 3:29
7. "Divine Judgment" – 2:28
8. "Immortal Enemies" – 2:29
9. "The Most Truth" – 2:44
10. "Never Let It Die" – 3:39
11. "Spitting Venom" – 2:49
12. "As Diehard As They Come" – 2:17
13. "Supremacy of Self" – 2:47

Helmet - Aftertaste (1997)

The fourth album by Helmet is heavy alternative rock and like always very solid. Only problem really is that Betty and Meantime left this release in the shadows. When you mention hits none really came from this album although the songs were neither fillers and just maybe average. Like in the first sentence a good word to use for them is solid. It's probably like you go see them in concert and you go back to there discography. The next day you find yourself listening to obscure stuff you weren't getting into and it's like how did I miss this in a way if that makes sense. I can see how some people can call it dull, repetitive to some people but, when you listen to Helmet you need to listen to them loud. It isn't Betty but, still fuckin hits home. New album entitled Seeing Eye Dog comes out on Tuesday! Songs to check out "Exactly What You Wanted", "It's Easy to Get Bored" and "Pure".

1. "Pure" – 3:32
2. "Renovation" – 2:55
3. "Exactly What You Wanted" – 2:36
4. "Like I Care" – 3:19
5. "Driving Nowhere" – 4:19
6. "Birth Defect" – 2:31
7. "Broadcast Emotion" – 2:44
8. "It's Easy to Get Bored" – 3:26
9. "Diet Aftertaste" – 3:16
10. "Harmless" – 2:58
11. "(High) Visibility" – 2:41
12. "Insatiable" – 2:31
13. "Crisis King" – 3:54

311 - Evolver (2003)

This is 311's seventh album and marked the first time when I first started listening to them back in 2003. I'm not sure but, my first 311 song I believe is "Creatures (For a While)". I think this is at that time I was really into music videos or the later years as I was getting out of them and I caught there music video for that song. Now that I have the album many years later it actually ranks as one of my least favorite by them. Thinking about it, they don't have an album that sticks out as there best but, there catchy as hell. These kind of albums are the hardest to review, the ones that you don't particular care for even though it's a band you support. Beatles released there seventh album entitled Revolver and 311's seventh album Evolver I think was highly inspired by The Beatles. That's perhaps why I'm not hesitant to shoot it down haha. Songs to check out "Creatures (For a While)", "Beyond the Gray Sky" and "Don't Dwell".

1. "Creatures (For a While)" - 4:27
2. "Reconsider Everything" - 2:50
3. "Crack the Code" - 3:55
4. "Same Mistake Twice" - 3:22
5. "Beyond the Gray Sky" - 4:18
6. "Seems Uncertain" - 3:36
7. "Still Dreaming" - 3:41
8. "Give Me a Call" - 3:21
9. "Don't Dwell" - 2:40
10. "Other Side of Things" - 3:08
11. "Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm" - 6:37

Live - Throwing Copper (1994)

The second album by Live is there big one for sure. Throwing Copper is the only album I have by them and I'm not familiar with any of there stuff to be honest. This album was played nonstop back on the radio back in the day which I do remember. It was produced by former Talking Heads guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison. He also produced bands from The Verve Pipe, Violent Femmes to No Doubt. Throwing Copper at one time was the number one album in the States later in 1995. It sold more than eight million records which is no surprise because who couldn't escape some of there single's fifteen years ago. I firmly believe to a degree that "Lightning Crashes" is one of the more important songs of the nineties even though I don't really care for the song personally kind of like Nirvana's "Smells like Teen Spirit" in a way. The only bad things I've ever heard about them is that someone told me there singer sounds like he's whining and he's a Michael Stipe wannabee. I think she only said that because the vocalist shaved his head and Stipe's been bald for like two decades I guess popularizing the baldness look to some. Songs to check out "All Over You", "Selling the Drama" and "Top".

1. "The Dam at Otter Creek" 4:43
2. "Selling the Drama" 3:26
3. "I Alone" 3:50
4. "Iris" 3:59
5. "Lightning Crashes" 5:25
6. "Top" 2:42
7. "All Over You" 3:59
8. "Shit Towne" 3:48
9. "T.B.D." 4:28
10. "Stage" 3:08
11. "Waitress" 2:49
12. "Pillar of Davidson" 6:46
13. "White, Discussion" 6:08
14. "Horse" 4:16

Red Hot Chili Peppers - What Hits (1992)

This is the very first RHCP compilation, as it contains material from the first four albums such as Mother's Milk, The Uplift Mojo Party Plan, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Freaky Styley. The time spanning from 1984 to 1991. The title is just a joke because they never had any hits. It also has the Jimi Hendrix cover "Fire" on there.Instead of doing every single one of there eighties album, it's combined of the best of the best from the early days of the Chili Peppers. This came out after Blood Sugar Sex Magik and I think they wanted to introduce there old stuff because they quickly exploded then and on because no one really cared or knew about them until you heard "Give it Away". I assume that's the reason for this compilation that there's only one song from Blood Sugar Sex Magik and that's "Under the Bridge". It's packed with eighteen songs, almost seventy minutes. I got this for so cheap as well and it was brand new. Bro I scored..and Chili Peppers drummer looks exactly like Will Ferrell. Songs to check out "Fight Like a Brave", "Higher Ground" and "Johnny, Kick a Hole in the Sky".

1. "Higher Ground" (Stevie Wonder) – 3:21
From the 1989 album Mother's Milk
2. "Fight Like a Brave" – 3:47
From the 1987 album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
3. "Behind the Sun" – 4:45
From the 1987 album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
4. "Me & My Friends" – 3:05
From the 1987 album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
5. "Backwoods" – 3:06
From the 1987 album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan
6. "True Men Don't Kill Coyotes" – 3:36
From the 1984 album The Red Hot Chili Peppers
7. "Fire" (Jimi Hendrix) – 2:01
From the 1988 EP The Abbey Road E.P.
8. "Get Up and Jump" – 2:50
From the 1984 album The Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. "Knock Me Down" – 3:43
From the 1989 album Mother's Milk
10. "Under the Bridge" – 4:24
From the 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
11. "Show Me Your Soul" – 4:22
From the 1990 motion picture Pretty Woman
12. "If You Want Me to Stay" (Sly & the Family Stone) – 4:06
From the 1985 album Freaky Styley
13. "Hollywood (Africa)" (The Meters) – 4:58
From the 1985 album Freaky Styley.
Listed as simply "Hollywood" on packaging
14. "Jungle Man" – 4:04
From the 1985 album Freaky Styley
15. "The Brothers Cup" – 3:24
From the 1985 album Freaky Styley
16. "Taste the Pain" – 4:34
From the 1989 album Mother's Milk
17. "Catholic School Girls Rule" – 1:55
From the 1985 album Freaky Styley
18. "Johnny, Kick a Hole in the Sky" – 5:10
From the 1989 album Mother's Milk

Cave In - Jupiter (2000)

Recommended from my buddy Mr. Tahsin, these guys from Massachusetts I weren't necessarily initially into. After buying two of there albums, I see things differently. The reason being, when they first came onto the scene they were playing style was metalcore. Jupiter is more alternative with psychedelic rock and there are no hints from there first album as they are night and day in comparison. Decibel magazine ranked this album at number two for the 2nd best album of the decade. The 2nd album Jupiter is probably the reason why they were picked up on the major label RCA for there third album Antenna. Which I will review on another day and discuss the more recent come back. Songs to check "Innuendo and Out the Other", "New Moon" and "Big Riff".

1. "Jupiter" - 3:17
2. "In the Stream of Commerce" - 5:28
3. "Big Riff" - 6:54
4. "Innuendo and Out the Other" - 6:11
5. "Brain Candle" - 3:28
6. "Requiem" - 9:02
7. "Decay of the Delay" - 4:15
8. "New Moon" - 5:42

Living Colour - Vivid (1988)

Originally found by The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, Living Colour's debut album Vivid produced one of the biggest hard rock song's of all time. The track opens the record and is the first thing that comes up when someone mentions Living Colour. "Cult of Personality" won the the best Hard Rock song in 1989 and definitely has one of the best solos I've ever heard. I believe they were the first or one of the very first all black heavy metal bands and the album dealt with racism and equality. The music is a blend of jazz,punk,funk with there hard sound. Going through the album once again, I'm surprised how nice the album flows like it's a complete album. I know they've always been consistent but the variety of the musicianship is awesome. Songs to check out "Cult of Personality", "Glamour Boys" and "Middle Man".

1. "Cult of Personality" 4:54
2. "I Want to Know" 4:24
3. "Middle Man" 3:47
4. "Desperate People" 5:36
5. "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" 5:32
6. "Funny Vibe" (Reid) 4:20
7. "Memories Can't Wait" (Talking Heads cover) 4:30
8. "Broken Hearts" 4:50
9. "Glamour Boys" 3:39
10. "What's Your Favorite Color? (Theme Song) 3:56
11. "Which Way to America?" 3:41

Cavalera Conspiracy - Inflikted (2008)

The Cavalera brothers finally reunited 12 years in the making since the nineties with Sepultura with the album Roots. Igor Cavalera had somewhat retired from metal music after he finished with Sepultura. Cavalera Conspiracy is the real Sepultura, this album blows anything away Max's former band has done since he left in 1996. I'll be surprised if the original Sepultura ever do reunite. As far as this album goes, it's angry, heavy, and intense. A good mix of hardcore punk and thrash. I think it's comical that there are some people that believe A-Lex from Igor's former band was better than Inflikted. The only bad thing is that Cavalera Conspiracy isn't top priority with Max Cavalera as I think Soulfly is the number one priority. Not really sure what Igor's been up to but, they're scheduled to release the second album in early 2011 with Johnny Chow who was the touring bassist. I heard Soulfly is playing at Slim's in San Francisco. Let's go! Songs to check out "Inflikted", "Sanctuary" and "Must Kill".


1. "Inflikted" - 4:32
2. "Sanctuary" - 3:23
3. "Terrorize" - 3:37
4. "Black Ark" - 4:54
5. "Ultra-Violent" - 3:47
6. "Hex" - 2:37
7. "The Doom of All Fires" - 2:12
8. "Bloodbrawl" - 5:41
9. "Nevertrust" - 2:23
10. "Hearts of Darkness" - 4:29
11. "Must Kill" - 5:56

Meat Puppets - Too High To Die (1994)

The eighth album by the Meat Puppets Too High to Die is probably my favorite sounding album by them. There production improved being on a major label, I think that there was definite improvement than Forbidden Places which was there first on London Records this being the second. You might be familiar with one of the songs other than obviously "Backwater" there most well known song until Nirvana covered "Lake of Fire" at the MTV Unplugged show later that same year. They even let the Meat Puppet's come in and play "Plateau" with them which is from Meat Puppet's II. That's there best album in my opinion. I like Meat Puppet's first couple of songs from this album especially since they bring out some good psychedelic rock tracks. I think as the album goes past the half way mark it get's on the verge of being a bit better than average but not perfect. I don't think it's better than Meat Puppet's II or Up on the Sun but, I think it's my third favorite album by them. Songs to check out "Backwater", "Violet Eyes" and "Flaming Heart".

1. "Violet Eyes" – 3:51
2. "Never to Be Found" – 4:46
3. "We Don't Exist" – 3:44
4. "Severed Goddess Hand" – 2:59
5. "Flaming Heart" – 4:49
6. "Shine" – 3:50
7. "Station" – 2:22
8. "Roof with a Hole" – 3:34
9. "Backwater" – 3:42
10. "Things" – 4:06
11. "Why?" – 4:20
12. "Evil Love" – 3:07
13. "Comin' Down" - 6:56
14. "Lake of Fire (hidden track)

Powerman 5000 - Tonight the Stars Revolt! (1999)

The second album by Powerman 5000 was without a doubt there most popular release as it was at the height of nu metal genre. Powerman 5000 has this fixation on sci fi and sounds heavy with sound effects like Rob Zombie uses which he's even featured in the track "Blast Off to Nowhere". The production is fantastic but, there's several things to shake your head at as well. One of them being there stage names as Spider One(vocalist),M.33(guitarist),Dorian 27(bass), Adam 12(guitar) and Al 3(drums). I think that's most of the complete lineup from this album(I had to look it up). Like Slipknot, these guys came up on the scene both from the Ozzfest tours. I think Powerman 5000 was on the Ozzfest consecutive years sometime in the nineties and ended up being one of those bands that started on the second stage that made enough noize to be on main stage the next year. There music videos often look like a movie that the Sci Fi channel airs at 3am in the morning. The singer totally reminds me of Billy Idol, I wonder if that's one his main influences..What can I say I was listening to these guys in elementary school like System of a Down. Could never deny the past, I wasn't into the nu metal scene that much but, some pretty cool stuff was out there early 2000's. Songs to check out "Supernova Goes Pop", "When World's Collide" and "Nobody's Real".

1. "An Eye Is Upon You" – 0:51
2. "Supernova Goes Pop" – 3:14
3. "When Worlds Collide" – 2:58
4. "Nobody's Real" – 2:54
5. "System 11:11" – 0:48
6. "Tonight the Stars Revolt!" – 2:42
7. "Automatic" – 3:22
8. "The Son of X-51" – 2:58
9. "Operate, Annihilate" – 3:48
10. "Blast Off to Nowhere" (feat. Rob Zombie) – 3:45
11. "They Know Who You Are" – 2:33
12. "Good Times Roll" – 3:59 (The Cars Cover)
13. "Watch the Sky for Me" – 5:19