14 May 2007, 23:00
Haven’t post a journal in what seems like ages so I’m gonna do a useless top 50 list... My Top 50 Albums. This is by no means a set list, in fact I really struggled and thought of albums that I originally didn’t even short list, during writing this out, but is a good and basic out line. Read if you can be arsed if not, just tl;dr simple,
50)
Deftones -
White Pony (2001)
And we start with the Deftones, this record shaped and defined me pretty much at the time was I was getting into music. It has stood the test of time strong against a lot of other stuff I listened to around 12/13 years old. Though at the time it wasn’t my favourite looking back it surpasses records from the likes of
KoЯn,
System of a Down,
Orgy,
Ill Niño,
Drowning Pool, etc…
49)
Circulus -
Clocks Are Like People (2006)
This came out last year and just need to be included in this list! This is pretty much my introduction into the mad crazy folk world that is out there still waiting for me to explore it. This is what the future sounded/looked like for a couple of cool people who were tripping out in some Cornwall field during the reign of Our Liz the 1st
48)
Sigur Rós -
( ) (2002)
Beautiful, and amazing if this record was a girl it’d be the second best girl ever! A true work of genius, with all the songs sung in Vonlenska (make believe to you and me), no song really titles and an ambiguous you really take your own unique piece home with you. Awe-inspiring.
47)
Profane -
The Day We Scorched the Sky (2006 – reissued 2007)
Debut full length for the Manc five piece proves that Manchester not only can do Metal as well, but can do a fucking good job at it! There sound can be placed somewhere between Metal and Post-Hardcore with strong Jazz influences. If I was you (assuming you don’t own it) I’d preorder the reissue now!
46)
Isis -
Oceanic (2002)
Post-Rock meets Metal, a love affair that is quite popular with many nowadays, including me... Most would agree that this album has a lot to thank for that. Coming on more than any possible could’ve imagined after Celestial, this is a true classic for which I am thankful for.
45)
Soilwork -
Natural Born Chaos (2002)
Heavy, and melodic! Soilwork went from your average Melodic Death Metal band to a Classic mdm band with this release. Their finest hour. This record is pure energy and excitement from start to finish. With Devin Townsend adding his production touch, not much could really go wrong, and nothing did at all… Great stuff.
44)
Cult of Luna -
The Beyond (2003)
Bombastic! Before Cult of Luna started becoming more serene they released this crushing album! Which drags you in, and burns you out, before leaving you with a sample of a speech by Noam Chomsky. This record is nothing but phat!
43)
Electric Wizard -
Come My Fanatics... (1996)
“You're all the same, the lot of you, with your long hair and faggot clothes. Drugs, sex, every sort of filth. And you hate the police, don't you? You make it easy”[heavy phat, stoned out riff]. Everything about this album is what you want it to be, Stoner Metal that (sounds like it) is being played by people who have just smoked an ounce and not touch any fucking speed or sniff. Fucking A. Get it now, and yes it is better than the might Dopethrone!
42)
Sepultura -
Arise (1991)
My First Sepultura album in this list. Arise is part of the classic 3 albums they released. Heavy riffing and head banging guaranteed, was a doorway to extreme Metal I happily walked through.
41)
Sentenced -
Down (1996)
This is ace. If I really become “woe is I” and want to top myself, then before I do I will listen to this album. Love, fear, regret, and Iron Maiden meets Metallica, that’s what this is to me.
40)
Shadows Fall -
The Art of Balance (2002)
Metalcore, Mdm, whatever. This album is a tune. Shadows Fall just couldn’t do wrong at this point. Drums – A, Guitar – A. What more would you want out of what to me is just a full on Metal record. The Pink Floyd cover at the end works well after the mighty A Fire In Babylon as well. And this version of Stepping Outside the Circle is superior.
39)
Glassjaw -
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence (2000)
WHO YOU FUCKING NOW!!! If I ever call you a whore this album pretty describes what I mean about you... But don’t worry at the end of the album “I have you where I want you” and have... “My chance to tell you I love you, but I've waited too long, now the record's over”. This record is nothing but
raw energy and emotion. Daryl and the guys really do put all of their heart in this record.
38)
Boards of Canada -
Music Has the Right to Children (1998)
Thanks to Paul for this one! This is great stuff. So great I’ve even tried to rip it off a few times, but off course failed, because this is god... and I am human. Imo best beats in town!
37)
The Dillinger Escape Plan -
Calculating Infinity (1999)
Maybe I have been a little unfair to tDEP in this list. No Miss Machine and even the mighty Irony is a Dead Scene haven’t been included... The latter mainly because there isn’t enough tracks there to full munch into. However back to this record. This record could almost make Maths or two hours worth of music theory lessons fun! Just to try and work out all the intriguing little ins and outs... Or maybe it’s better that some things are left just great, and unexplained.
36)
Emperor -
In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)
Black Metals finest moment. Heavy, epic, scary (well kinda)... This record pretty much sums up what I consider Back Metal, and what I want from it. And though yeah Filosofem, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, A Blaze in the Northern Sky, and (Emperor’s own) Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk are all really fucking strong BM albums, in my humble opinion this one stands alone as the greatest.
35)
Mogwai -
Young Team (1997)
When people think of Scotland “Celtic/Rangers”, the accent, red hair and Battered Mars Bar are usually the first thing they say. Well Mogwai should be include in that list! And Young Team just proves exactly why! A prime example of fine, fine Post-Rock, an album that set the bar high seven years ago, and is scarily even touched by those aiming to jump above it.
34)
The Zutons -
Tired of Hanging Around (2006)
What is it with scourers and music? I don’t know but, this is a fucking classic “pop” album for me. I love it to bits! Perfect soundtrack to either I’m gonna go out and get drunk in a few minuets, or soundtrack to the “perfect” (if there was such a thing) hangover… Defiantly worth paying for.
33)
Entombed -
Clandestine (1991)
Most albums aren’t actually underrated, more not heard of by enough people. However most (respectable) Death Metal fans have heard of Entombed. Yet for some reason why this album imo always they always get unduly overlooked. Sure since DCLXVI: To Ride Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth it’s not all been too good for the Swedes, but everything before that point, and very much this album is fucking ace! Recorded in the now famed (in dm terms) Sunlight Studios this album brings DM it one of it’s most enjoyable forms before it becomes mdm or grindcore :p
32)
In the Woods... -
Strange in Stereo (1999)
Strange indeed. This is a unique and pretty hard to explain album by a band who are pretty much the same. Last none live, no compilation album by the Norwegians (for me – anyway) is their Magnum Opus. Taking metal to a corner where it has never been before or since (though I haven’t heard
Drawn yet, and bnrmetal pages said that late itw is the nearest comparison). Shame it is a little forgotten and hard to get hold of.
31)
Spiritual Beggars -
Mantra III (1998)
Wine and weed... And Mike Amott on guitar. This record is just ace. Nothing more nothing less.
30)
In Flames -
Reroute to Remain (2002)
Some IF fans, passionately hate this record and see it as the beginning of the end. Imo they are wrong. This record is great, however it is let down by the mix. There are many times when a simply beautiful melody is too low in the mix. However it is In Flames most diverse and daring record to date, and that should not e over looked.
29)
Neurosis -
The Eye of Every Storm (2004)
This record has touch my soul. There was a point in my life when this record was my blood. I really don’t know what to say about this album, it’s just fucking fantastic, end.
28)
My Dying Bride -
Turn Loose the Swans (1993)
Doomdeaths finest hour. This album is exactly what you’d expect for an album that was recorded between As Flowers Wither and The Angel and the Dark River… As it has the best thing about both, and more greatness on top of it, true fan-fucking-tastic.
27)
Jeff Buckley -
Grace (1994)
This album is beautiful. Jeff was literally a god amongst men. And although I do prefer the live records of some songs such as the Eternal Life on Mystery White Boy, it is this album the only Jeff got to fully see through which defines his greatness. Don’t let that put you off Sketches For My Beloved Sweetheart The Drunk as the first disc of that is almost as great as this! Lilac Wine Jeff is the best there is imo, I know he would say otherwise, but that’s just his modesty.
26)
Napalm Death -
From Enslavement to Obliteration (1988)
Although they were still far from stable as far as band members comes at this point, at least one line up saw it all the way through the record this time! This takes the work from Scum, sticks it in a (better) studio and improves on it. Fast, harsh and brutal es menú del día.
25)
Devin Townsend -
Accelerated Evolution (2003)
The first Devin release to up under the dtb moniker. And the second great thing he’s ever released. Basically the way it goes with Dev stuff is you’ve gotta listen to it to believe it... So go on what are you waiting for?
24)
Glassjaw -
Worship and Tribute (2002)
The second Glassjaw album, the second to be in this list! Daryl broke his edge, and I think you can tell form this record… Tell that something else is taking away all that pent up anger and stress. However that allows a more melodic and dynamic Glassjaw to come through with this record! If they made shouting “whore” was made cool with “Everything...” then loudly trying to sing (though Daryl does it perfectly, it’s me who can’t sing – trying to replicate it) “pink rose” was made cool by this record. Very neat indeed.
23)
Manic Street Preachers -
This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (1998)
You were listening to Spice Girls. Well I was listening to MSP! Hahaha, and they wonder why I fucked up now! The impact this record has had on me is just unthinkable! And though it isn’t a regular in my CD player anymore, it still gets a helluva lot a play, especially for a CD I first got almost 10 years ago! I could go on about howI remember re-writing the lyrics for handwriting practice in primary, and all sorts but I won’t! Just let you know that this record even when I was so young… Is the shit!
22)
The Haunted -
Made Me Do It (2000)
At The Gates were great, weren’t they? In fact they were/are better than the Haunted. However there is one thing the Haunted do have on them... This record! With Marco in tow The brothers move back towards a bit more DM style of ATG than what is generally the thrashier Peter era stuff. This album is great. I prefer the lower grunt vocals with the Haunted and the melodies are rhythms are nothing less than top notch.
21)
Massive Attack -
Mezzanine (1998)
Downbeat. You’re out in some shitty club in some awful town (this is a far cry from the City of London or Manchester), you’ve just lost your mate who has presumably fucked of to do a line. You are surrounded by strangers, a little itzy bit.. shitfaced, and it wasn’t really a good week to begin with. This is the record that may describe what you are seeing, hearing and feeling. This is fucking sick.
20)
Celtic Frost -
Into the Pandemonium (1987)
Apparently I can’t fully appreciate this because I wasn’t born when it was released and therefore I cannot full comprehend it’s significance, or so the Metal press would have you think. Fuck off! It wouldn’t matter if I was born in 1999 this record is timeless! And that’s the is to it, a classic slap of metal, the best from it’s time (yes including Metallica, Slayer, etc) best from it’s time. Only one more thing to say really “I Won’t Dance”!
19)
Ulver -
Perdition City (2000)
Wtf. These guys were BM? *listens to The Madrigal Of Night*. Well thank god they changed! Because this album is bloody fantastic. Electronic Ulver are amazing and this imo is their best work to date, with the Teachings in Silence EPs. Everything from Jazz, Metal, Trip-Hop, Ambient has been incorporated to make this bloody masterpiece. Fucking A.
18)
Sepultura -
Beneath the Remains (1989)
The second of three Sepultura records. This being the heaviest one. A really cool death/thrash mix. Everything Arise is ^^ and more!
17)
Head Automatica -
Decadence (2004)
“Discotech faggots” (a reference maybe only one person will full understand) if that’s what it takes to like this record: then that is what I am! Fucking amazing record, if there is more stuff like this some needs to inform me quick, and if there is a club in Manchester that plays that stuff (and stuff off here) someone needs to get me down then now! In three words Dance, love, tune.
16)
Thursday -
War All the Time (2003)
Don’t you give me that look. Have you even listened to this record from start to finish... Twice! This my friends is fucking brilliant, I will never understand the stick they get. The lyrics are a true work of genius and the music is just fantastic. Post-Hardcore, or whatever you want to call it with your scenesterness (that’s aimed at those whiny little sXe kids that moan about the Used not being Screamo when of course they’re not! At least when the Kvlt Me74l 3ll7 go on sometimes they can be funny) I don’t care, just bare tunage.
15)
Nevermore -
Dead Heart In A Dead World (2000)
Loomis, and Dane (and the others) are fucking amazing! Fucking Brilliant live and on record. However this, this is their Magnum Opus by far. Stealing lyrics from Simon and Garfunkel for one tune… Which somehow fits in perfectly (unfortunately it isnt Mrs. Robinson, but The Sound of Silence. However onto the rest of the album, what makes this album is Loomis unique guitar playing, perfectly accompanied by Dane vocals. A mix of Power, Thrash, and Progressive Metal that is you should own!
14)
Dark Tranquillity -
Projector (1999)
Other than Skydancer Dark Tranquillity are constantly strong and persistent though out their career. However it is Projector that stands head and shoulders above all the other. This album features more clean vocals than all the other DT records this albums just fantastic. And is only a little short of being the best mdm album ever!
13)
Carcass - Necroticism -
Descanting The Insalubrious (1992)
More complex and more Death Metal than their previous records this album propelled Carcass into the frontline even further. At this point I’d say they were the leaders of Death Metal. This record is just fantastic. Perfect use of samples. A kick arse drum intro, nice melodies when they work, and just a bloody good record.
12)
Jesu -
Jesu (2005)
From one record by one ex-Napalm Death guitarist to another by yet another ex-ND guitarist, but this couldn’t be further from ND if Justin Broadrick tired... Okay I lie. But this shoegazing slow sludgy slab of Post-Metal is the best thing Justin has ever done, let alone the best thing since Godflesh’s Selfless. This record walks a perfect line between frailty, beauty & emotion and desolate, heavy, and crushing. If you’ve not heard it yet you’re two years two slow! Wake up!
11)
Khoma -
The Second Wave (2006)
This is my favourite album from last year. This falls somewhere between Radiohead (how I’ve just noticed are unfairly missing from this list! Here is my props to Kid A and Ok Computer) and Isis.. Not surprising considering the “core” consists of two Cult of Luna member. But it sounds like neither. The vocals have also lead to (fair) comparisons Muse. However at the same time they sound like none of these artists. They are truly something unique. But as I read in a review by Q (I think) they my struggle for fans as they are too heavy for your average Radiohead fan, but too light for your average Metal fan. But hopefully as time passes more of you will hear and understand the beauty of this record.
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10)
Sigur Rós -
Takk... (2005)
Now the last two records have incorporate beauty... But this record is the very definition of beauty as far as I’m concerned. Sonic soundscapes and pure emotion make this record. There is not a thing like it. This is the most beautiful thing in the world, not your wife, not your child... This, this album! No more words can even begin tell you about it, because it is beyond words!
9)
Porcupine Tree -
Stupid Dream (1999)
The first and last PT album in list, again that seems a little unfair, but getting every album ever and condensing it into 50 just too hard really. This album is fantastic, the high point for Steve Wilson. Less psychedelic than Signify and less poppy than Lightbulb Sun. This album is just fantastic.
8)
Dream Theater -
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999)
This is where Dream Theater is at! This record is by far their best, and that is saying something!! The concept is cool the music is perfect everything just fits. From the first seconds of Regression all the way to Finally Free this album keeps you listening! And with every new spin you will notice another new detail whether it is with the music, or with the story, or even both! The album just has so much in it! Amazing!
7)
Strapping Young Lad -
City (1997)
Now sometimes I think I over look this album sometimes I think I give it maybe a bit too much credit I can never really decide... But what I do know is that regardless of whether I do or don’t give it enough credit, it is a bloody tune. Showcasing Devin’s more insane and heavier half this is something really special something that can only be done once!
6)
Spiritual Beggars -
Ad Astra (2000)
The second Baggars album on this list. It was the last with Spice and is clear winner when it comes to being the best Beggars album. Pretty much what Mantra III was but twice as good! Simple as. Also the highest ranking album to feature Mike Amott.
5)
Anathema -
Alternative 4 (1998)
Another band that could’ve had three or four albums in this list. However A4 is undoubtedly their best. Dash of Prog, a hint of Doom. And probably that Scouse touch I was going on about before. This is completely void of the Death Metal influences of their early Doomdeath days, but is full of tune.
4)
In Flames -
Colony (1999)
The very best mdm ever made! Colony is everything you’d want from a mdm record. That’s all I need and have to say.
3)
Cult of Luna -
Salvation (2004)
They obviously listened to Isis' recent (recent at the time) steps before making this record, as they take a down a very similar path. This record contrasts the beauty of Sigur with the anger of earlier Cult of Luna album. A must have indeed.
2)
Sepultura -
Chaos A.D. (1993)
The final Sepultura record. Not much more to say about them really. This album moves away from the death stylings, and into a more Groove Metal area. Classic
1)
Fear Factory -
Demanufacture (1995)
We save the best till last. Fear Factory’s Demanufacture! Sonic, crushing, and simply amazing! I’ve pretty much Covered it already! And after writing up 8 pages in Word I think I’ll leave it at that... The best. Goodnight.
