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So this year, "new Metallica" as we used to say turns 25 ("Load").
That got me thinking: headliners like Metallica, Sepultura, Pantera, Tool, etc., aside, underground metal had a hell of a year in '96, especially moodier albums.
Here are some of my favorites turning 25 this year:
That got me thinking: headliners like Metallica, Sepultura, Pantera, Tool, etc., aside, underground metal had a hell of a year in '96, especially moodier albums.
Here are some of my favorites turning 25 this year:
Apocalyptica - "Plays Metallica By Four Cellos"
This broke Apo as a Finnish novelty but their subsequent original material's remarkable. "The Unforgiven" = A+.
Arch Enemy - "Black Earth"
First post-Carcass album for Mike Amott. "Bury Me An Angel" is a furious melo death classic.
This broke Apo as a Finnish novelty but their subsequent original material's remarkable. "The Unforgiven" = A+.
Arch Enemy - "Black Earth"
First post-Carcass album for Mike Amott. "Bury Me An Angel" is a furious melo death classic.
Iced Earth - "The Dark Saga"
Traditional metal album from Indiana all about "Spawn." Moody gem: "I Died For You." Thrash circle pit: "Violate."
In Flames - "The Jester Race"
Masterclass in essential Swedish melodic death metal. "December Flower" is the best of all words.
Traditional metal album from Indiana all about "Spawn." Moody gem: "I Died For You." Thrash circle pit: "Violate."
In Flames - "The Jester Race"
Masterclass in essential Swedish melodic death metal. "December Flower" is the best of all words.
Katatonia - "Brave Murder Day"
When Jonas used harsh vox, they were at the top of the heap for gothic death/doom. Another Swedish classic.
Moonspell - "Irreligious"
"Full Moon Madness" still closes live. Harsh yet romantic Portuguese gothic doom. I wear their hoodie daily.
When Jonas used harsh vox, they were at the top of the heap for gothic death/doom. Another Swedish classic.
Moonspell - "Irreligious"
"Full Moon Madness" still closes live. Harsh yet romantic Portuguese gothic doom. I wear their hoodie daily.
My Dying Bride - "Like Gods of the Sun"
~'99/'00, I saw "For You" on Much Music: LOUD in from Canada on our public access station. The best English doom.
Nevermore - "The Politics of Ecstasy"
Favorite of this thread. Listen to "The Seven Tongues of God". You'll get it. RIP, WD.
~'99/'00, I saw "For You" on Much Music: LOUD in from Canada on our public access station. The best English doom.
Nevermore - "The Politics of Ecstasy"
Favorite of this thread. Listen to "The Seven Tongues of God". You'll get it. RIP, WD.
Opeth - "Morningrise"
The birth of Swedish progressive death metal. "Forest of October" is a gem.
Sentenced - "Down"
Album marked the switch from Nordic blackened melo-death to gothic/doom w/ new singer Ville. It worked. *Loved* this Finnish band. Saw 'em twice in '02. RIP, MT.
The birth of Swedish progressive death metal. "Forest of October" is a gem.
Sentenced - "Down"
Album marked the switch from Nordic blackened melo-death to gothic/doom w/ new singer Ville. It worked. *Loved* this Finnish band. Saw 'em twice in '02. RIP, MT.
Theatre of Tragedy - "Velvet Darkness They Fear"
NSFW album cover. Super dark-yet-pretty, beauty-and-the-beast Norwegian gothic doom that helped put Liv Kristine on the map seven years before Leaves' Eyes.
Type O Negative - "October Rust"
I'll defer to @gaby__goldstein. =)
NSFW album cover. Super dark-yet-pretty, beauty-and-the-beast Norwegian gothic doom that helped put Liv Kristine on the map seven years before Leaves' Eyes.
Type O Negative - "October Rust"
I'll defer to @gaby__goldstein. =)
The last one I want to mention that's different from everything else above is *so* good: "Book of Shadows" by Zakk Wylde. It's not what you'd expect from Ozzy's former guitarist and yet is a one-of-a-kind standout.
Anyway, feel free to share your favorites from '96 here.
Anyway, feel free to share your favorites from '96 here.
