A lot of bands albums get shat on, some rightly so, others I'm not so sure if it's valid
For me one of those is ACDC's "Fly On The Wall", generally listed in a lot of polls as their worst but for me its the one I listen to again and again from the Johnson era followed by "For Those.."
Brian's singing on the album is savage, complete balls in a vice stuff, great youtube comment "Brian is like spitting electricity from his mouth", some superb riffs as well "Shake Your Foundations", "Sink The Pink", "Back In Business", the production isn't as polished as other albums but it matters not. The videos that were made for the singles are cheesy but good craic as well.
Anyone else have a fav album from a band that's generally seen as the bottom of the pile by others?
Bathory: Requiem
My favourite of theirs, evem though there's so much wrong with it. Awful drum (machine) sound, very sloppy, the overall production's not great, the thrash direction has been slated since it came out... I love it all the same.
Kreator - Renewal
When it came out it was a genuine WTF moment on first listen, but I quickly grew to love it and listened to it constantly during the Winter of 92, for which it seemed entirely apt. I still love it, there's nothing else which sounds quite like it and, while it didn't make my all-time top 5 a while back, I think it's comfortably top 10 for me.
Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden
It does contain the absolute worst song they've done in The Eagle Cries, but also their best in Gettysburg, and tracks like Waterloo, Atilla, and Declaration Day are all great. Think Rippers vocals suited it perfectly too even if Barlow is "the" voice for the band
In Flames - Reroute to Remain. My appreciation for In Flames goes further into their catalogue than most here. Fuckit sher.
An inexplicably bad band in general but Six Feet Unders Warpath always hits the spot for me and I can't fathom why. Just half baked obituary riffs
Suicidal Tendencies- The Art of Rebellion. Quite a dodgy album when absorbed with adult ears and perspective, but I got into it when it came out and I was ten or eleven, and expected bands to sound different from album to album. I could happily stick it on now.
Gorefest-Erase
Entombed-To Ride....
Two albums that would be down the pecking order for most, but I find myself playing them the most these days.
I liked Erase back then too. I have False as well but it never grabbed me. Must revisit it.
I haven't heard anything from To Ride... since the Metal Show days nearly 30 years ago. I fired it on here now and I'm immediately digging it.
JP - Point of Entry. Is widely maligned but I also loved it. Not my favourite by any stretch but still class.
Dream Theater - When Dream and Day Unite is frequently ranked as DT's worst by people with ears broken in just such a way that they find James LaBrie's voice enjoyable, but it's the only one I listen to on a regular basis.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 01:24:48 PMI haven't heard anything from To Ride... since the Metal Show days nearly 30 years ago. I fired it on here now and I'm immediately digging it.
To Ride... is a great album. A bit overlong naybe, but it has some great stuff on it.
I suppose, maybe like others here who stated getting into stuff early to mid 90s, I was introduced to a lot of bands well after their classic eras, and worked my way backwards. It's only now, with the benefit of hindsight, that I realise some of it wasn't great.
First Slayer album purchased was Divine Intervention. Far from their best but still have a soft spot for it, as it was the album that got me into them in the first place.
First Entombed I bought was Wolverine Blues. Definitely not their best.
Obituary - World Demise. Loved this when I bought it, id still listen to it on occasion more for nostalgia, but again not a classic.
Same with Heartwork, which I still rate. Also completely get why it's divisive well.
I've never understood the hate for Wolverine Blues, it's up there with Left Hand Path for me and well above Clandestine. Completely different animal from what came before but the songs are great and the production is a definite improvement from the previous album. Plus Petrov was back.
Quote from: Bürggermeister on August 09, 2025, 11:14:49 AMKreator - Renewal
When it came out it was a genuine WTF moment on first listen, but I quickly grew to love it and listened to it constantly during the Winter of 92, for which it seemed entirely apt. I still love it, there's nothing else which sounds quite like it and, while it didn't make my all-time top 5 a while back, I think it's comfortably top 10 for me.
Love this too. "Winter Martyrium" is the first Kreator song I ever heard, and still my favourite.
For my own pick I'll go with Sepultura's "Nation". Listened to it heaps back in college. There's some great riffs on it, it's heavy as fuck at times, and whatever bonus edition I had featured a cover of "Bela Lugosi's Dead", which subsequently got me into Bauhaus.
Quote from: John Kimble on August 09, 2025, 06:21:38 PMI suppose, maybe like others here who stated getting into stuff early to mid 90s, I was introduced to a lot of bands well after their classic eras, and worked my way backwards. It's only now, with the benefit of hindsight, that I realise some of it wasn't great.
First Slayer album purchased was Divine Intervention. Far from their best but still have a soft spot for it, as it was the album that got me into them in the first place.
First Entombed I bought was Wolverine Blues. Definitely not their best.
Obituary - World Demise. Loved this when I bought it, id still listen to it on occasion more for nostalgia, but again not a classic.
Same with Heartwork, which I still rate. Also completely get why it's divisive well.
Your similar vintage to myself I'd say,pretty similar paths.
While Bushthrax is the best Anthrax, I'd rate State Of Euphoria as the best of the Joey era. It's an opinion that the band themselves would not approve of as they pretty much have all said they isn't like it.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 12:17:29 PMSuicidal Tendencies- The Art of Rebellion. Quite a dodgy album when absorbed with adult ears and perspective, but I got into it when it came out and I was ten or eleven, and expected bands to sound different from album to album. I could happily stick it on now.
Everything Suicidal released up to and including Art Of Rebellion was quality. I pretend they didn't release anything beyond that.
Quote from: The Great Cull on August 09, 2025, 10:36:37 PMQuote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 12:17:29 PMSuicidal Tendencies- The Art of Rebellion. Quite a dodgy album when absorbed with adult ears and perspective, but I got into it when it came out and I was ten or eleven, and expected bands to sound different from album to album. I could happily stick it on now.
Everything Suicidal released up to and including Art Of Rebellion was quality. I pretend they didn't release anything beyond that.
I haven't heard their later stuff bar a song here and there.
Quote from: Bürggermeister on August 09, 2025, 11:14:49 AMKreator - Renewal
When it came out it was a genuine WTF moment on first listen, but I quickly grew to love it and listened to it constantly during the Winter of 92, for which it seemed entirely apt. I still love it, there's nothing else which sounds quite like it and, while it didn't make my all-time top 5 a while back, I think it's comfortably top 10 for me.
I think Endorama gets a lot more crap than Renewal does, but I think it's the best of their experimental period by far.
For myself? In Search of Sanity.
Bolt thrower - Those once loyal, another album I reach for ahead of some the classic BT albums.
Quote from: Paul keohane on August 09, 2025, 11:25:21 PMBolt thrower - Those once loyal, another album I reach for ahead of some the classic BT albums.
Isn't that album really highly regrded though anyway? Good record I agree.
I'll go with Maiden - The Bayley material is great, Sign Of The Cross is Maiden's best song, and The X Factor is a deeply cathartic work that is one of the few albums I can play when feeling depressed and it helps (mostly when I'm like that I'm not in the mood for listening to music generally).
Quote from: Paul keohane on August 09, 2025, 11:25:21 PMBolt thrower - Those once loyal, another album I reach for ahead of some the classic BT albums.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on August 09, 2025, 11:13:22 PMQuote from: Bürggermeister on August 09, 2025, 11:14:49 AMKreator - Renewal
When it came out it was a genuine WTF moment on first listen, but I quickly grew to love it and listened to it constantly during the Winter of 92, for which it seemed entirely apt. I still love it, there's nothing else which sounds quite like it and, while it didn't make my all-time top 5 a while back, I think it's comfortably top 10 for me.
I think Endorama gets a lot more crap than Renewal does, but I think it's the best of their experimental period by far.
For myself? In Search of Sanity.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 11:10:29 PMQuote from: The Great Cull on August 09, 2025, 10:36:37 PMQuote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 12:17:29 PMSuicidal Tendencies- The Art of Rebellion. Quite a dodgy album when absorbed with adult ears and perspective, but I got into it when it came out and I was ten or eleven, and expected bands to sound different from album to album. I could happily stick it on now.
Everything Suicidal released up to and including Art Of Rebellion was quality. I pretend they didn't release anything beyond that.
I haven't heard their later stuff bar a song here and there.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on August 09, 2025, 11:13:22 PMQuote from: Bürggermeister on August 09, 2025, 11:14:49 AMKreator - Renewal
When it came out it was a genuine WTF moment on first listen, but I quickly grew to love it and listened to it constantly during the Winter of 92, for which it seemed entirely apt. I still love it, there's nothing else which sounds quite like it and, while it didn't make my all-time top 5 a while back, I think it's comfortably top 10 for me.
I think Endorama gets a lot more crap than Renewal does, but I think it's the best of their experimental period by far.
For myself? In Search of Sanity.
Ooh yes, I'd choose that is my favourite Onslaught also, begrudgers bedamned
Quote from: Cosmic_Equilibrium on August 09, 2025, 11:32:43 PMQuote from: Paul keohane on August 09, 2025, 11:25:21 PMBolt thrower - Those once loyal, another album I reach for ahead of some the classic BT albums.
Isn't that album really highly regrded though anyway? Good record I agree.
Yeah it probably is tbf.
Seeing it mentioned there - Divine Intervention. I rate it as their second-best, only RiB tops it for me.
Bolt Thrower - Mercenary. My favourite from them and less liked than Those Once Loyal I think. Reckon I first heard some of it on the metal show with John Kenny so always loved it.
Opeth - Watershed. Can't understand why folks don't rate this, it's a savage album
Enslaved - Below the Lights. My most listened to and favourite Enslaved album... I actually think it is pure genius which is definitely not the norm.
I've always preferred the more proggy Enslaved stuff, Riitiir would probably be my favourite
Quote from: Anvil on August 10, 2025, 08:18:32 AMEnslaved - Below the Lights. My most listened to and favourite Enslaved album... I actually think it is pure genius which is definitely not the norm.
Yeah that's my favourite too. Is it generally not liked? I never knew that and always thought it was fairly highly rated in their catalog.
Quote from: ochoill on August 10, 2025, 11:27:27 AMQuote from: Anvil on August 10, 2025, 08:18:32 AMEnslaved - Below the Lights. My most listened to and favourite Enslaved album... I actually think it is pure genius which is definitely not the norm.
Yeah that's my favourite too. Is it generally not liked? I never knew that and always thought it was fairly highly rated in their catalog.
I remember it getting a poor reception when it was released and people not liking the proggy direction. I've always felt that the earlier Enslaved was held in higher regard, especially on this and the old board but maybe I am wrong.
Another one for me would be Sons of Northern Darkness by Immortal. It would be my go to album if theirs.
Those mid period albums by Enslaved and immortal are their best imo.BTL is an unbelievable album.
Quote from: The Great Cull on August 09, 2025, 10:35:36 PMWhile Bushthrax is the best Anthrax, I'd rate State Of Euphoria as the best of the Joey era. It's an opinion that the band themselves would not approve of as they pretty much have all said they isn't like it.
I have a definite soft spot for this as well actually.
Is the Art of Rebellion the ST album with the song that rips off the chorus of Funky Town?Accept my Sacrifice?love that song. Can't remember anything else about that album though.
Quote from: Pentagrimes on August 10, 2025, 02:04:52 PMQuote from: The Great Cull on August 09, 2025, 10:35:36 PMWhile Bushthrax is the best Anthrax, I'd rate State Of Euphoria as the best of the Joey era. It's an opinion that the band themselves would not approve of as they pretty much have all said they isn't like it.
Is the Art of Rebellion the ST album with the song that rips off the chorus of Funky Town?Accept my Sacrifice?
That's the one. Some filler on the album but some very strong material too. Nobody Hears, Monopoly On Sorrow, We Call This Mutha Revenge and It's Going Down, all good songs
Art of Rebellion is a fucking great album, would probably be my most listened to ST, maybe tied with the first one.
Love to Stomp 442, would listen to it more than most of the Joey years.
Here's one, although I acknowledge it's not their best, The Cult s/t is the one I enjoy the most.
My introduction to Megadeth was So Far So Good So What! and it remains a favourite of mine ahead of the 2 classics on either side of it. I know it has Anarchy and 502 on it and it has more reverb than any album needs but it remains a perfect snapshot of coke addled aggression that has rarely been captured so well. Going on his vocals alone, Mustaine sounded like someone you absolutely would not want to fuck with back then.
On an ST related note, I was so obsessed with ST as a teen that I ordered an Infectious Grooves album through HMV in Cork. Mad to think that you had to go to all that effort back in the day...place your order and wait sometimes months for an album to come in. To say I was absolutely horrified when it arrived and actually got around to listening to it for the first time is a mild understatement.
People seem to have no time for them but I still really enjoy Album.of the Year and Sol Invictus by FNM. Couple of fillers on each but some gems too.
Love both. And I'd have to include King for a Day as well. Prob an odd comparison to make, but FNM always struck me as being similar to Type O in that almost very album had a handful of filler, throwaway tracks but the good stuff more than made up for it.
Every album?
I'd say the first three, maybe four albums are essential. There are a couple of filler tracks on King For A Day, but it's a good album. I do 't see filler in the first three, to be honest.
Fear Factory Remanufacture
Love it
Quote from: Pentagrimes on August 10, 2025, 10:02:47 PMPeople seem to have no time for them but I still really enjoy Album.of the Year and Sol Invictus by FNM. Couple of fillers on each but some gems too.
Sol Invictus leaves me stone cold but I love Album of the Year
Album of the Year is decent. Not amazing bar one or two songs. Same with King for Day, although that's maybe better overall. Never heard Sol Invictus.
I think Sol Invictus is their best album post AD, though it doesn't feature their best song (Evidence - probably one for the controversial opinions thread).
Quote from: John Kimble on August 10, 2025, 09:20:50 PMOn an ST related note, I was so obsessed with ST as a teen that I ordered an Infectious Grooves album through HMV in Cork. Mad to think that you had to go to all that effort back in the day...place your order and wait sometimes months for an album to come in. To say I was absolutely horrified when it arrived and actually got around to listening to it for the first time is a mild understatement.
No wonder you were so repulsed by the funk of Jamiroquai! :abbath:
Quote from: astfgyl on August 10, 2025, 10:36:34 PMSol Invictus leaves me stone cold but I love Album of the Year
This. Sol Invictus is unlistenable, a Patton album with nothing to do with FNM as a band. AOTY is my go to FNM album these days.
The Art Of Rebellion is the album that put me off ST, awful muck.
QuoteThis. Sol Invictus is unlistenable, a Patton album with nothing to do with FNM as a ban
Prob deserves a separate thread but records like that from bands that have been away a good while are a strange beast. I remember the unanimous praise for that when it dropped. Angles found for reasons that it was excellent where there were none. In the cold light of day it's a poor album, one or two bits on it or flashes of genius - I can't remember the last time I listened to it.
Carcass's Surgical Steel another one, lads creaming themselves because of the brand name but Necrotism it ain't despite the claims it nestles cosily beside that one.
Quote from: Anvil on August 10, 2025, 12:15:07 PMQuote from: ochoill on August 10, 2025, 11:27:27 AMQuote from: Anvil on August 10, 2025, 08:18:32 AMEnslaved - Below the Lights. My most listened to and favourite Enslaved album... I actually think it is pure genius which is definitely not the norm.
Yeah that's my favourite too. Is it generally not liked? I never knew that and always thought it was fairly highly rated in their catalog.
I remember it getting a poor reception when it was released and people not liking the proggy direction. I've always felt that the earlier Enslaved was held in higher regard, especially on this and the old board but maybe I am wrong.
Another one for me would be Sons of Northern Darkness by Immortal. It would be my go to album if theirs.
Yeah, I always thought the consensus was that BTL was their best album, or definitely top 3 for them
Black Sabbath TYR
When I listen to it's totally badass but but apparently my ears are wrong and need to leave the hall
Quote from: Barrytron on August 11, 2025, 10:05:46 AMBlack Sabbath TYR
When I listen to it's totally badass but but apparently my ears are wrong and need to leave the hall
My favourite Black Sabbath album. Headless Cross is right there beside it but Tyr takes it on the photo finish. A stunner. I bought the CD boxset a couple of years ago. Then bought the stand alone reissue CD for the inlay. Then bought the LP! I will buy the tshirt, so help me God. I mean Odin.
Exile Amongst the Ruins is my favourite Primordial album. They have at least 3 other albums that people consider classics, but this is the one I return to the most.
Quote from: Maggot Colony on August 11, 2025, 11:45:07 AMExile Amongst the Ruins is my favourite Primordial album. They have at least 3 other albums that people consider classics, but this is the one I return to the most.
A superb return to form. A fluke though? How It Ends was dull. And Alan seems determined to push this bizarre, somewhat delusional and creatively stultifying bordering on suicidal, position that at his ripe old age of... 49?... he is now settling down with his pipe and slippers to "curate" the Primordial back catalogue. How fucking uninspiring.
Redemption and HGMHF were good but a bit predictable. The band sounded revitalised for Exile. The album is over an hour long but never feels like a slog unlike How It Ends which is Primordial by numbers.
Metal Blade will be flogging 'Primordial pipe and slippers' sets soon enough.
Quote from: Maggot Colony on August 11, 2025, 11:45:07 AMExile Amongst the Ruins is my favourite Primordial album. They have at least 3 other albums that people consider classics, but this is the one I return to the most.
Feel the same.
I love Load, would take it over many other superior Metallica albums.
Quote from: Paul keohane on August 09, 2025, 12:51:40 PMGorefest-Erase
Entombed-To Ride....
Two albums that would be down the pecking order for most, but I find myself playing them the most these days.
A belter of an album.
My Dying Bride - Like Gods of the Sun
Mourning Beloveth - A Murderous Circus
Always had a soft spot for Carcass' Swansong album. Got really into it when I was a teenager, despite all that preceded it being vastly more to my liking. I also enjoyed the Blackstar album, Barb Wire Soul, that 3/4 of them followed up with a year or so later.
Quote from: Barrytron on August 11, 2025, 10:05:46 AMBlack Sabbath TYR
When I listen to it's totally badass but but apparently my ears are wrong and need to leave the hall
You are not wrong, you turned me onto this album many years ago, I still listen to it regularly.
Quote from: Naraka on August 11, 2025, 02:21:02 PMMy Dying Bride - Like Gods of the Sun
Mourning Beloveth - A Murderous Circus
Oddly that's my favourite MDB too. It was my introduction to them and still remains their best to me.
The only GNR album I listen to is The Spaghetti Incident :) Love it
Quote from: Maggot Colony on August 11, 2025, 11:45:07 AMExile Amongst the Ruins is my favourite Primordial album. They have at least 3 other albums that people consider classics, but this is the one I return to the most.
Id agree with this statement..Exile is a stone cold cracker of an album that gets ignored
Exile Amongst The Ruins is always let down by To Hell Or The Hangman.
That song is like one long intro that never gets going.
It's crying out to go into a big fat 4/4 beat.
How It Ends is like 2 separate albums out together.
Diatribes is one of my favourite Napalm Death albums.
I love the other stuff but this one has a serious foot tapping feel.
I'd have thought that Like Gods Of The Sun was one of MDB's most highly regarded albums, it's certainly one of their best.
Quote from: londonleatherboy on August 11, 2025, 02:51:35 PMThe only GNR album I listen to is The Spaghetti Incident :) Love it
I actually like it too
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on August 11, 2025, 07:15:26 AMCarcass's Surgical Steel another one, lads creaming themselves because of the brand name but Necrotism it ain't despite the claims it nestles cosily beside that one.
It's ahead of Necroticisim for me, which is a pain in the hole of an album with all the intros/samples.
After Heartwork it's my favourite Carcass slab.
Quote from: Ducky on August 11, 2025, 07:41:44 PMQuote from: Pagan Saviour on August 11, 2025, 07:15:26 AMCarcass's Surgical Steel another one, lads creaming themselves because of the brand name but Necrotism it ain't despite the claims it nestles cosily beside that one.
It's ahead of Necroticisim for me, which is a pain in the hole of an album with all the intros/samples.
After Heartwork it's my favourite Carcass slab.
I did my own version of Necroticism without the intros, much better job.
Surgical Steel holds up, I'd put it on a par with Symphonies and Necroticism.
Reek of Putrefaction is considered their worst (or is it Swansong?) but it's my favourite. At least Swansong wasn't disowned by the band. Never bothered bar once listening to Surgical Steel but it seems to be good according to ye so ill try it again.
Must be a few crack pipes on the go, surgical not fit to be mentioned in same breath as Necrotism
Like Gods of the Sun is a cool album. Not quite up there with the peak MDB stuff, but still good in its own right.
Megadeth albums I tend to go for most of the time has been Youthanasia and The System Has Failed, not their worst albums by any stretch but not really mentioned among their top and any "mainstream" metal site/mag usually puts these in the lower tiers which I'm amazed at, just because there's a good few mid tempo songs doesn't mean it's not good songwriting and his voice on those albums sound the best/strongest to me, I can't stand the whiny grate scratching voice he pulls off, for example Sweating Bullets has to be one of the most annoying songs ever :laugh:
Quote from: ijnjnijnilijbibbjknkjbjkk on August 11, 2025, 07:59:19 PMReek of Putrefaction is considered their worst (or is it Swansong?) but it's my favourite. At least Swansong wasn't disowned by the band. Never bothered bar once listening to Surgical Steel but it seems to be good according to ye so ill try it again.
Surgical is a nice and muscular melo-death record, so you have to be on board with that much to begin with.
Some catchy-as-fuck songs, and very tasty playing. First time I heard the opening riff to "Unfit For Human Consumption" I wanted to start a pit in my living room :abbath:
I'm gonna have to throw Chaos AD into the pot as well. First Sepultura I heard as a teen and was hooked straight away. I know it wasn't particularly well thought of by older fans at the time, as it was undoubtedly a concession to an overall groove metal trend, but it served as a great intro to their older stuff. I can completely get why someone used to Beneath the Remains might have been unimpressed though.
It was a big one for me when it came out as well.
Quote from: Carnage on August 11, 2025, 07:44:31 PMQuote from: Ducky on August 11, 2025, 07:41:44 PMQuote from: Pagan Saviour on August 11, 2025, 07:15:26 AMCarcass's Surgical Steel another one, lads creaming themselves because of the brand name but Necrotism it ain't despite the claims it nestles cosily beside that one.
It's ahead of Necroticisim for me, which is a pain in the hole of an album with all the intros/samples.
After Heartwork it's my favourite Carcass slab.
I did my own version of Necroticism without the intros, much better job.
Surgical Steel holds up, I'd put it on a par with Symphonies and Necroticism.
I'll take it over Heartwork if I had to rank them,an album I can appreciate but don't like.
Bear in mind i'm firmly in the "Reek/Symphonies or fuck off" camp :laugh: Necroticism is fine but went back to it a few years ago and it really drags in places
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 11, 2025, 10:03:38 PMLike Gods of the Sun is a cool album. Not quite up there with the peak MDB stuff, but still good in its own right.
My go to My Dying Bride album is usually 34.788%.... Complete these days, I can't hear sure why it got such a bad rep all round, including from the band themselves at the time. I also listen to The Light at the End of the World and The Dreadful Hours still and enjoy them. Apart from the odd spin of As the Flower Withers that's it for me and My Dying Bride.
For Lies I Sire is my go-to MDB these days.
I think Necroticism is great. Surgical Steel isn't even in the same league as it.
I can't think of any widely disliked albums that are my favourite by a band but I have always loved Of Lucifer and Lightning. I think it's a much better overall album than the Inexorable. I also really like Heretic which basically has the same production as Of Lucifer. Reinkaos as well which I would guess has already been mentioned in thread.
Never gave Of Lucifer and Lightning much of a spin. The Inexorable was the first for me and very much in the DM formative years so it'd be hard pressed to beat that.
Quote from: leoos on August 12, 2025, 10:19:33 AMQuote from: Eoin McLove on August 11, 2025, 10:03:38 PMLike Gods of the Sun is a cool album. Not quite up there with the peak MDB stuff, but still good in its own right.
My go to My Dying Bride album is usually 34.788%.... Complete these days, I can't hear sure why it got such a bad rep all round, including from the band themselves at the time. I also listen to The Light at the End of the World and The Dreadful Hours still and enjoy them. Apart from the odd spin of As the Flower Withers that's it for me and My Dying Bride.
I am not familiar with 34.788%... Complete. I've heard it, but I can't recall anything about it. Maybe I'll go back and give it a listen.
Quote from: leoos on August 12, 2025, 10:19:33 AMMy go to My Dying Bride album is usually 34.788%.... Complete these days, I can't hear sure why it got such a bad rep all round, including from the band themselves at the time. I also listen to The Light at the End of the World and The Dreadful Hours still and enjoy them. Apart from the odd spin of As the Flower Withers that's it for me and My Dying Bride.
Same as that, Leo.
'34.788%','Light...' and 'Dreadful...' albums make a great set. If I put one on then I'd usually follow it with either or both of the other two.
"Songs of darkness words of light" was the first MDB album for me so it's one of my favourites.
I love Songs of Darkness, I've not listened to 34.788%...Complete since it was released. Must take the plunge.
Danzig's 6:66 Satan's Child I have a soft spot for, I'd say it's likely regarded by many as below par.
Quote from: open face surgery on August 12, 2025, 10:41:46 AMNever gave Of Lucifer and Lightning much of a spin. The Inexorable was the first for me and very much in the DM formative years so it'd be hard pressed to beat that.
I listened to it a fair bit just after seeing them in 2008. I guess they were still touring it cos about half their set seemed to be "another one off the last album." Live everything came across great, the new as much as the old, but ultimately the album didn't have the same staying power for me as their earlier stuff. I've nothing against it at all though.
Strangely The Barghest O' Whitby EP would be up their with my favourite MDB releases.
Quote from: jobrok1 on August 12, 2025, 01:40:40 PMQuote from: leoos on August 12, 2025, 10:19:33 AMMy go to My Dying Bride album is usually 34.788%.... Complete these days, I can't hear sure why it got such a bad rep all round, including from the band themselves at the time. I also listen to The Light at the End of the World and The Dreadful Hours still and enjoy them. Apart from the odd spin of As the Flower Withers that's it for me and My Dying Bride.
Same as that, Leo.
'34.788%','Light...' and 'Dreadful...' albums make a great set. If I put one on then I'd usually follow it with either or both of the other two.
Der Uberlebende is worth the admission price on its own
Quote from: Anvil on August 12, 2025, 07:22:20 PMStrangely The Barghest O' Whitby EP would be up their with my favourite MDB releases.
It's a deadly ep.
They had a run of decent EPs there: Bring Me Victory, Barghest... and The Manuscript. That one a couple of years ago was only OK though.
My favourite Mesghuggah album is Destroy Erase Improve. I struggle with paying attention to anything from Nothing onwards. I know that what they did since is held in higher critical regard and they basically invented their own sub genre but before all that, adding extra anger and weight to And Justice For All was the peak for me.
Also I didn't completely hate Illud Divinum Insanus when it came out. I was going to through a phase of listening to a lot of electronic back then and I was just in the right place to recieve it. I think of it as a campy David Vincent solo album. I don't put it on very often but whrn I do I usually get a kick out of it.
DEI is a fantastic album alright, my favourite of theirs after Nothing and the remaster sounds great.
Of Lucifer and Lightening is grand, production lets it down.Its not a fuckin patch on The Inexorable!
I was reminded of Mayhem in the other thread - keep DMDS, Grand Declaration Of War is the only album I listen to. Mainly because it sticks in the craw of the purists but it's also a decent album in its own right. Once you iron out the daft track separations anyway.
Pentastar: In the Style of Demons isn't the most well-regarded of Earth's albums, but it's the one I return to the most alongside Earth 2. I prefer the hazy, drugged-up style of this album to the releases after which I find a bit boring.
Quote from: Maggot Colony on August 14, 2025, 12:53:42 PMPentastar: In the Style of Demons isn't the most well-regarded of Earth's albums, but it's the one I return to the most alongside Earth 2. I prefer the hazy, drugged-up style of this album to the releases after which I find a bit boring.
Pentastar is a great album
Quite groovey & stoner-like in parts
The plodding drums really add to it
That solo in the last track is a thing of beauty
I do like the later stuff
Much more mellower & darker than the early releases
Have you heard Coda Maestos from Pentastar reworked on Hibernaculum? It might drive ya soft, as it's in the later Americana-folk-doom style! :laugh:
Quote from: Maggot Colony on August 14, 2025, 12:53:42 PMPentastar: In the Style of Demons isn't the most well-regarded of Earth's albums, but it's the one I return to the most alongside Earth 2. I prefer the hazy, drugged-up style of this album to the releases after which I find a bit boring.
Pentastar is deadly, that and the Southern Lord EP comp A Bureauacratic Desire for Extra Capsular Extraction are the ones I would reach for first most times. And then Legacy of Dissolution, I flamed out on Earth 2 and 3 after too many listens.
Quote from: Ducky on August 12, 2025, 12:05:40 AMQuote from: ijnjnijnilijbibbjknkjbjkk on August 11, 2025, 07:59:19 PMReek of Putrefaction is considered their worst (or is it Swansong?) but it's my favourite. At least Swansong wasn't disowned by the band. Never bothered bar once listening to Surgical Steel but it seems to be good according to ye so ill try it again.
Surgical is a nice and muscular melo-death record, so you have to be on board with that much to begin with.
Some catchy-as-fuck songs, and very tasty playing. First time I heard the opening riff to "Unfit For Human Consumption" I wanted to start a pit in my living room :abbath:
I love that song too, but always felt it was a little bit "Carcass does Holy Wars/Wake Up Dead"
Quote from: Jward on August 14, 2025, 02:00:55 PMQuote from: Maggot Colony on August 14, 2025, 12:53:42 PMPentastar: In the Style of Demons isn't the most well-regarded of Earth's albums, but it's the one I return to the most alongside Earth 2. I prefer the hazy, drugged-up style of this album to the releases after which I find a bit boring.
Pentastar is a great album
Quite groovey & stoner-like in parts
The plodding drums really add to it
That solo in the last track is a thing of beauty
I do like the later stuff
Much more mellower & darker than the early releases
Have you heard Coda Maestos from Pentastar reworked on Hibernaculum? It might drive ya soft, as it's in the later Americana-folk-doom style! :laugh:
I gave that a listen. It's grand. :laugh:
I do need to revisit Hex though.
Random one that popped into my head but I tend to go for High on Fire's mid-period 'Heavy Metal' tinged stuff (Death is This Communion/Snakes for the Divine etc), over the earlier stoner stuff they made their name on.
Not sure how badly it's perceived, never hear much about it but I'd have Maiden's Dance of Death in my top 3 from them
Quote from: leoos on August 14, 2025, 05:00:47 PMQuote from: Maggot Colony on August 14, 2025, 12:53:42 PMPentastar: In the Style of Demons isn't the most well-regarded of Earth's albums, but it's the one I return to the most alongside Earth 2. I prefer the hazy, drugged-up style of this album to the releases after which I find a bit boring.
Pentastar is deadly, that and the Southern Lord EP comp A Bureauacratic Desire for Extra Capsular Extraction are the ones I would reach for first most times. And then Legacy of Dissolution, I flamed out on Earth 2 and 3 after too many listens.
It's "The Bees..." for me. Always. Absolutely top class album, as much as their other stuff is great that is just ridiculous.
Quote from: ochoill on August 15, 2025, 11:55:12 AMIt's "The Bees..." for me. Always. Absolutely top class album, as much as their other stuff is great that is just ridiculous.
Earth in the 90's and Earth part deux doing the Americana tinged stuff is 2 different bands to my ears.
I listen to the later stuff sometimes and its very good, I've never been into it in the same way I got into the earlier stuff.
Seen them twice in their new style and enjoyed it.
Would have loved to have seen one of those Earth2 shows they did a couple of years back.
Quote from: Maggot Colony on August 15, 2025, 09:34:40 AMI do need to revisit Hex though.
Hex is the 2nd album I got by them
It's fairly bleak
Not on the level of Godflesh-Streetcleaner bleak, but it does stop you, bring you down a bit & make you think ... things are fcked! :laugh:
Quote from: leoos on August 15, 2025, 03:09:15 PMWould have loved to have seen one of those Earth2 shows they did a couple of years back.
Same
There's been a mention of FNM here and AOTY being actually great, which I agree with, but am I the only one who thinks that AOTY looks a lot better than it used to since the absolute turd that is Sol Invictus was released?
And yes I was one of the lads convincing myself it was great when it came out but it really isn't
Edit: I mean Sol Invictus, not AOTY
AOTY is one of the best FNM albums.
I'm convinced they let Patton do whatever he wanted on Sol Invictus.
Self producing probably didn't help it either.
Then again would they listen to anyone?
I'm actually more curious about Sol Invictus after reading all this hate :laugh:
I don't think it's that bad. I never listen to it, but when I do, like yesterday to remind myself what it actually sounds like, I always think it's grand. The least of the Patton FNM albums? Sure. But that's a fucking high bar.
Sol Invictus is just boring and by the numbers. The one thing FNM weren't.
AOTY is definitely one you kinda have to be in the form for, but there's some classics on it, which is a miracle considering how they made the album.
Band was sick of each other at that stage with Gould being the only one in the studio whole time and every one else turning up to do their part then fucking off to their side gigs (Imperial Teen, Ozzy, Bungle).
Sol came together with them being all drunk at Roddy's wedding and finally saying yes to the Download promoter constant offer of reunion money.
Quote from: Trev on August 15, 2025, 11:44:08 AMNot sure how badly it's perceived, never hear much about it but I'd have Maiden's Dance of Death in my top 3 from them
I remember everyone I knew hating it when it was released but I have a bit of soft spot for it. It has some really unrated tracks on it - Montsegur, Pascendale and I have always loved the title track as well.
Ah lads, AOTY is fucking terrible, couple of tunes aside. It's far too Patton, not enough FNM. I bought Sol Invictus, listened to it once and, every now and then, think I must revisit it but never get around to it, for some reason.
AOTY works for me because it feels thrown together and I can hear a band struggling to work together. From that they wrote brilliant songs, not necessarily FNM songs, just brilliant dark songs.
Quote from: Anvil on August 17, 2025, 09:20:13 AMQuote from: Trev on August 15, 2025, 11:44:08 AMNot sure how badly it's perceived, never hear much about it but I'd have Maiden's Dance of Death in my top 3 from them
I remember everyone I knew hating it when it was released but I have a bit of soft spot for it. It has some really unrated tracks on it - Montsegur, Pascendale and I have always loved the title track as well.
Montsegur is one of their best tunes post-reunion. Bar that and Rainmaker, I can't stand the album. Awful production, the "twiddly intro/outro" rot had set in too. Plus,
that artwork :lol:
Testament - Low
Always loved this album up and down but don't hear it mentioned much. So many bangers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxP5GgnfAjo
Quote from: Barrytron on August 28, 2025, 08:22:35 AMTestament - Low
Always loved this album up and down but don't hear it mentioned much. So many bangers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxP5GgnfAjo
A favourite of mine too. This was such a good right turn after The Ritual (which I also like but it's 100% a Black album lite).
Most people turn to The Gathering for new era Testament but I think Low pisses all over it.
Yeah thought the Gathering was rubbish in comparison, even though it was hyped a lot when it came out. Low is so catchy and the guitar playing is unbelievable on it. Great drumming too by Tempesta who shagged off to White Zombie right after recording was finished apparently, what a waste!
I remember thinking Low was super heavy when it came out. Almost death metal to my ear back then. In retrospect they were probably following Pantera's lead with Far Beyond Driven, which was also pushing that level of the metal scene in a relatively darker and heavier direction. I haven't heard Low since the 90s but I remember the song itself which was pretty cool, but overall Testament never really clicked with me in any meaningful way.
Low is good stuff, would probably rank it #3 in the Testament oeuvre behind the first two albums.
They should've stopped there, they'd be legends.
Well let's just say they went to great rounds to answer the question "how low can you go" with respect to musical output.
Easily their best, in my opionion.
One of those albums that I reach for when I'm at a total loss as to what I want to listen to next.
Low is the only Testament album I've ever heard. Thought it was good but had no desire to try any of the rest of it out
Testament are class. Go for a discography run sometime. From The Legacy up to The Gathering, pretty much all of them are decent to great imo
Yeah I'd go with that, I even like Demonic which gets a bad rap. Everything after Gathering is same old same old though.
Low and the Gathering are my go to Testament albums.
The 1st 2 albums are classics.
'Practice What You Preach' is fairly poor.
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on August 28, 2025, 08:29:47 PMYeah I'd go with that, I even like Demonic which gets a bad rap.
Demonic is dogshit.
Recorded as a 4-piece which did not suit them, at all.
There's some bangers on it. Burning Times, Murky waters - it ain't all bad
Quote from: jobrok1 on August 29, 2025, 10:16:22 AMQuote from: Pagan Saviour on August 28, 2025, 08:29:47 PMYeah I'd go with that, I even like Demonic which gets a bad rap.
Demonic is dogshit.
Recorded as a 4-piece which did not suit them, at all.
Bang on. Totally shite album. Testament were a completely spent force by the mid 90s. Only Chuck and Eric left at that point.
Chuck tried his hand at replacing Max in Sepultura around that time too.
Haha, I'd totally forgotten about Demonic. Yeah, forget that one. I'd also be in the Low < The Gathering camp, incidentally. Low is decent, some cool moments, but for Testament I find it a bit too much like, I dunno, White Zombie.
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on August 29, 2025, 12:21:15 PMHaha, I'd totally forgotten about Demonic. Yeah, forget that one. I'd also be in the Low < The Gathering camp, incidentally. Low is decent, some cool moments, but for Testament I find it a bit too much like, I dunno, White Zombie.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Fuck away off to fuck, for fuck sake!!!
That's not even an insult from me: I like White Zombie, when I'm in the mood. I'm just typically not in the mood for White Zombie when I want to listen to Testament :) :P
Pestilence - Spheres.
I absolutely love this album and I don't care if it makes me a wanker.
The first four Pestilence albums are gold dust. I'm old and weathered so I was hooked on them from the start. I have probably listened to these albums hundreds of times since they came out. This is the one that I keep coming back to.
Everything post reunion is toss and Mameli is a total gimp.
Spheres was the first album I bought on CD in 94 or so. I love it. Savage in its own right and full of nostalgia for me too.
I love Spheres and the remaster from a couple of years ago is the one of only two which I can think of (the other being Manic Frustration) which genuinely make a real and positive difference to the album. It's fucking fantastic.
Edit -> here it is https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/spheres-remaster
I also like Obsideo and Hadeon from the Mameli solo project, it must be said.
Spheres was where I dove headfirst off the Pestilence boat, can't abide it. There were a couple of alright albums from the comeback period, but nothing memorable enough to remember which ones, nothing worth buying anyway. Consuming and Testimony are the only essentials.
Big fan of Spheres, have also spun it more than the others, and the one I reach for when I want to hear some Pestilence. It was still death metal, but with jazz up its ass.
Actually gonna bang it on now that Nevermore are finishing :abbath:
Sorry in advance but Cold lake by Celtic frost is an album I liked,not my favourite but I still do spin it from time to time
It was the first album of theirs to be released after I got into them. Not a favourite, for sure, but there is a surreal charm to it.
I could listen to Megadeth's The System has Failed all day. Would put it in third place, with only the obvious two ahead of it.
And Kick the Chair could easily have been on Peace Sells.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 12:17:29 PMSuicidal Tendencies- The Art of Rebellion. Quite a dodgy album when absorbed with adult ears and perspective, but I got into it when it came out and I was ten or eleven, and expected bands to sound different from album to album. I could happily stick it on now.
Heads up for you and others on your side of the world, ST are doing a 15 date tour of Oz and NZ in the next few weeks
Quote from: Snare on October 22, 2025, 11:40:18 PMQuote from: Eoin McLove on August 09, 2025, 12:17:29 PMSuicidal Tendencies- The Art of Rebellion. Quite a dodgy album when absorbed with adult ears and perspective, but I got into it when it came out and I was ten or eleven, and expected bands to sound different from album to album. I could happily stick it on now.
Heads up for you and others on your side of the world, ST are doing a 15 date tour of Oz and NZ in the next few weeks
No way! They are supporting Metallica with... NIGHTWISH! I can't be fucked with that but seeing ST in a club is tempting. I'll invetigate.