Kai vs RYM Metal charts: 1990
Well, we made it to the 90s. The decade that Vh1 programmed a bunch of Gen-Xers* into thinking it killed heavy metal. Clearly that is not the case. But they say that a decade doesn't start with the first year of such, and some of the albums here definitely feel like there is still an 8 in that 10s digit.....and that is a good thing (frankly all albums should be made with that mindset). 1990 is one of metal's best years, this is a fact. But how do the RYM users feel about it? Are they on the money? Or has inverted snobbery damaged their brains like huffing glue (another 90s trend)? Let's go holy diving.....
1. Megadeth- Rust In Peace
Well, they got this one right at least. You'd be surprised at how many people suck at shooting fish in a barrel (see also 1986). But yeah, the greatest heavy metal album ever made. Or at least one of three that can claim to be so (the other two being Paranoid and Reign In Blood). Living proof that thrash can be clean, high-definition and still feel like one steel beam after another being launched into your skull. This is where Dave Mustaine indubitably proves to the metal world that he can be better than anyone. Anyone. This album is so good there's a hardcover book dedicated to it. This album is so good there's a bloody Onion article saying that everybody else should just stop making art because no one will ever top this. I don't agree with that sentiment per se, cos who the hell wants to listen to only one album? I was literally told by a metal director upon not owning this yet "What the hell's wrong with you?" And goddamit, he was right then and he's right now. If you don't worship this, what the hell is wrong with you?
Should this be ranked as the greatest of all time: Yes
Would I rank this as the greatest of all time: Yes
2. Judas Priest- Painkiller
When it comes to ranking albums of the 1990s, never mind 1990, it's usually between these two, and sometimes you wouldn't be too sure which would come out on top. These days, while still firmly #2, Painkiller has some distance between it and Rust In Peace. And there's a simple reason: Rob's terrible lyrics. "I mean, come on, ME- TAL, MELT-DOWN, ME- TAL, MELT-DOWN?" Those lyrics are stupid. But goddamn if they aren't fun to sing along to. Most of us know the story here: Judas Priest travel a little too far down the sterile pop-metal path, drummer Dave Holland decides he's had enough, and they replace him with an absolute rabid dog of a percussionist, Scott Travis. He subtly proceeds to push Priest not only into their boundary pushing chaotic albums of the 70s, but manage to make something that goes toe to toe with the thrash movement, and somewhat the death metal movement. This 100% influenced everything that came after it. It would also be the last thing Priest would make overtly contemporary. I don't know, before Priest retire I'd like their last album to be an attempt to mix trad metal with djent/deathcore like only they can. Not sure how that's possible without Glenn and/or KK.
Should this be on a top 10: Yes
Would this be on my top 10: Yes
3. Slayer- Seasons In The Abyss
The only reason this is so high is because Slayer is the third biggest name that put out something quality this year (Iron Maiden were too busy crashing and burning with No Prayer For The Dying). Well, ok, South Of Heaven was below a death and black metal release for '88 I guess, but come on, even the "only extreme metal is real metal" retards are gonna put this above Left Hand Path and Deicide? In any case, it's pretty much set in stone that Seasons In The Abyss goes down in history as the last great Slayer album.
Should this be on a top 10: Yes
Would this be on my top 10: No
4. Entombed- Left Hand Path
Yes, Virginia, this should be above Seasons In The Abyss. Matter of fact, I predict just about every other album to follow should out rank Seasons, but I could be wrong of course. So you wanna know how good Left Hand Path is? It's so good that any self-respecting metalhead that gets an opportunity to make any "left hand" joke, can, would and should. If they don't, donkey-punch them. This album single-handedly put Sweden on the map for the 90s, and any "Final Countdown" jokes would be retorted with groans and a bollocking. it a If you are unfamiliar with death metal, and wonder why people babble about Swedish death metal vs. American death metal, this album will answer the subtle intricacies for you. If you think all death metal sounds the same, then you might not notice the difference. Left Hand Path is the album that gave the world the Boss-HM pedal sound and changed extreme music forever. Still, I'm finding a lot of supposed "death metal classics" are falling into the symptom of "in one ear, out the other, can't remember a lick of it when it's done." Left Hand Path isn't entirely like that for me, but it is half the time. Nonethless, this album deserves to be in a top 10 of all time here for the conversion of the Phantasm movie theme into a breakdown alone. Everything else makes it legendary. R.I.P. LG Petrov.
Should this be on a top 10: Yes
Would this be on my top 10: No
5. Bathory-Hammerheart
There are three things I don't believe in, God, Santa Claus and viking metal being anything but made up-bullhonkey. Quorthon didn't want to play extreme metal anymore, so he used some smoke and mirrors that could be considered Ulrichian. Of course, Hammerheart didn't sell 16 million copies so it isn't a 'sellout.' As of this writing, I've just read a post which makes the claim that Hammerheart did this best job of maintaining a bands legacy whilst making such a dramatic stylistic shift. The secondary genre for Hammerheart is “Epic Doom Metal.” Thats closer to the mark than “viking metal.” Viking metal was a ruse, albeit a pretty clever one. Now what Quorthon DID want to play was a fascinating combination of Manowar meets Candlemass. This combination produces one of the more unique and original albums in metal. You could tell with Manowar that their viking worship wasn’t fully authentic. Whereas here, it's couldn't be more authentic! Well, as authentic as a Swede born hundreds of years later could make it. This album is a little split in terms of Bathory's fandom. I find that those that hate Hammerheart love its follow-up, Twilight of The Gods, much more. Then there's people like me, who love this album, and think Twilight is uninspired crap. Hopefully we don't have to cross that bridge (of death).
BATHORY- HAMMERHEART
CARNAGE- DARK RECOLLECTIONS
DANZIG- II: LUCIFUGE
DEICIDE- DEICIDE
JUDAS PRIEST- PAINKILLER
KREATOR- COMA OF SOULS
MEGADETH- RUST IN PEACE
MORBID SAINT- SPECTRUM OF DEATH
OBITUARY- CAUSE OF DEATH
PANTERA- COWBOYS FROM HELL
* (remember kids, actual baby-boomers hated metal cos they weren't The Beatles or Elvis)
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