Thoughts on Each Album on the List
Metallica - Metallica
This was the first Metallica album I heard from beginning to end. I had caught on to Metallica during the “Justice” album era, but this album turned me into a true fan. Thanks to this album, I would go back and get everything else that came before it.
Let me clarify. I wasn’t a metal fan before I got into this album. I had seen “One” on MTV multiple times and thought it was a cool song. That was all I knew of Metallica. I had been into Guns n’ Roses and other hair bands at the time, but Metallica changed everything for me.
This album is my #1 album of all time. It also belongs as #1 in this category. I honestly did not rank the albums on this list, so everything else on the list is there in the order I thought of them.
Metallica - Master of Puppets
What can I say. Easily the most classic of all Metallica albums. No best metal album list is complete without this one.
Dream Theater - Train of Thought
This appeared on my “best albums all time” list too. I love this album because the music is good and it came out at a time in my life where it served as a soundtrack to one of the best times in my life.
Lamb of God - As the Palaces Burn
This is a truly fantastic album. There is an honesty and energy in this music that is too hard to fake. This is the perfect adrenaline inducing record to play in the morning for extra motivation to get things done.
Slipknot - Iowa
This is my favorite Slipknot album, though I like many of the songs from all the albums. This album is so raw and the energy is phenomenal. The songwriting is very good.
Sevendust - Animosity
I love how this album is a perfect balance of pop elements with metal elements. The choruses are catchy as are the tunes. I spent many nights writing essays for my courses at Berklee with this album playing in the background.
Korn - Follow the Leader
I really like this record. Back when this was released it was so fresh and the ideas were new. It really is a fun album to listen to even now.
Disturbed - The Sickness
Say what you’ll say, but I like this album a lot. I like Dave Draiman’s vocals stylings. I don’t usually pay attention to the lyrics or singer, but Dave’s style is so different and it plays a huge part in the music that it is hard to ignore him.
Nightwish - Once
This album is also on my “all time albums” list. I can’t say enough about how much I like this album. In my opinion, the band has yet to best this album.
Symphony X - Twilight in Olympus
This is probably here only because it contains the amazing “Through the Looking Glass”, but there are other beautiful compositions on this record as well.
Tool - Aenima
What kind of list would this be without TOOL? Not a very good list. I like Aenima the best because it contains most of my favorite songs from Tool. I can’t wait to hear their new album when it comes out.
Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime
I really dig the concept of this album. The writing, arrangements and performances are great. Sadly, I haven't really liked anything they’ve done anything after this album.
