Unique albums that turned the hard rock/metal world upside down
Heavy metal is already a radical form of music. So it’s natural that in it there would be revolutionary sub-genres that would turn not just the metal world upside down, but the music world in general. Here are some of the most original/influential heavy metal pieces that stick out and set trends in motion.
1. Judas Priest – Sin After Sin
In 1977 heavy metal was an established form of music. Black Sabbath had six albums under their belt and people were going nuts for Deep Purple and Led Zepplin. However, it wasn’t until Judas Priest’s third album and first major label debut that for al intense and purposes, modern heavy metal was created. Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing invent the palm-muted, chug, twin guitar attack that literal set the foundation of all thrash, speed, modern prog and other forms of heavy metal. In fact it’s so ahead of it’s time, like many other innovative artistic statements, people didn’t know what to think of them at first. It was just so loud, fast and technically proficient live that they even were under fire for air-playing over a tape live. The metal world was changed forever. Perhaps that’s why they didn’t really take off commercially until the 80’s. They weren’t just ahead of their time, they created it.
2. Biohazard – Urban Discipline
Before Korn, before Limp (douche) Bizkit, even before Rage Against the Machine; there was Biohazard. Their second album, Urban Discipline, is pretty much like “WHAT THE FUCK??!!” I can only imagine what the metal communities reaction truly was in 1992 when the album dropped. What is it? It’s thrash, it’s progressive metal, it’s rap, it’s all around hardcore brilliance. These guys wrote the book on rap-core with a heavy dose of real “PC” attitude. Take a listen to Shades of Grey to get the complete picture. Will this album ever get the recognition it deserves for creating the Nu Metal movement? Hopefully yes.
3. King’s X – Out of the Silent Planet
The 80’s were a time of mid-range guitar riffing and like today, over glorified false icons. King’s X changed all that in 1988 with their little known debut Out of the Silent Planet. For reals though folks, take the time to listen to the entire album. Ty Tabors guitar tone is completely original, to the point that if anyone copied it we would all say “hey, you’re ripping off Ty Tabor.” His tone combine with Dug Pinnick’s love for deep deep bass, brings back the drop D full heaviness, which is what inspired the metal side of grunge (Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). Not only that but it provides melodies and harmonies that are simply unmatched by any other group. It’s just fucking high quality song writing.
4. Faith No More – Angel Dust
Like many others, when I first heard this album I wasn’t quite sure what to think. I wasn’t even sure if I liked the album. But I kept listening to it over and over again for some reason that I don’t really know. I was intrigued even though I was weirded out. I couldn’t believe how talented the singer Mike Patton was. All he can do with his voice, and that album is just a slice from the top. Eventually the album began to make sense and I love it to death. Straight down, it’s unreal. Patton alone is a table turning mind and when teamed up with Billy Guild and Roddy Botton, they create a truly unique metal force. There is really no label for the record. It just is what it is. Who knows why the album has been so successful over the years. It’s just great. As different as it is brilliant.
5. Primus – Sailing the Seas of Cheese
Les Claypool is just some crazy shit to behold. The revolutionary bass players effect can still be seen and is evolving (he completely changed the way bass players look at playing the bass). His band Primus’ major label debut set the standard for what was to come for many many years. An unusual, yet accessible set of songs that are extremely memorable. His use of funk gained a mainstream audience. Claypool didn’t set out to really change anything, he was just offering his take on hard rock/metal. I’m not sure if he intended for the bass to be considered a completely different instrument after his unique and totally bas ass approach was discovered. It’s really tough to put into words really so juts have a listen.
6. Prong – Beg to Differ
This album dropped like a ton of fucking bricks. You just turn it on and and BAM!! Like no other album before it in tone and metal quality. It was phatter, groovier and slicker than anything at the time. The guitar tone set the standard for 90’s metal and there on out. I can just see Korn hearing the title track and going “yeah, that’s what we need to be doing.” The band was formed at CBGB’s. The members were the doorman (Tommy Victor), the sound guy (Mike Kirkland) and the light guy (Ted Parsons). So they were extremely exposed to all sorts of metal and punk. It took them a few years to find their sound and really become one with their instruments. But when it clicked, which is this album, it changed metal forever.
7. Kyuss – Blues for the Red Sun
“Dude, I got this idea. Would if I like, plug my guitar into a bass amp instead of a conventional guitar amp?” Well the answer to that question is Kyuss’ Blues for the Red Sun. The sound created stoner metal, also called generator metal or desert metal. The down tuned, low chugging groove sprinkled with acid-trip musical tendencies led to an underground revolution that is still thriving. Unfortunately the band broke up after two more albums, but their legacy continues to this day. This track sums it all up.
8. Dream Theater – Images and Words
There are a lot of bands that are very technically proficient at their instruments. They’re classically trained and they can play the fuck out of scaled and arpeggios all day long. However, that only goes so far in the world of music. It is extremely important to have those skills. But to obtain them to a point that you can also not think about it, to just be one with music and feel it and breathe it. Dream Theater is the epitome of that. They can play anything proficiently, but then they go that extra mile and know that at the end of the day it’s about song writing. They have the same ability to write hooks and well as outplay literally any band maybe ever in proficiency. That’s what makes this album so revolutionary is they were the first to combine both elements of music to such a degree that no other band can challenge them.
9. Van Halen – Van Halen
As much as I think of Eddie Van Halen as an overrated guitar player, I can’t deny Van Halen’s debut album. It’s influence is seen all over. The hammer on technique is perfected opening the doors to so many different styles of guitar playing. It also inspired how many people to pick up guitar? It stands the test of time, it’s still fresh. I know this choice is on the nose a little bit but it just can’t be denied.
Holy Cow!