14.
Lateralus by
Tool
Oh look, it's my namesake. And look again, it's a masterpiece of an album. I really hate to sound like this one hippy I met in Seattle, but this isn't just an album actually. It's a mother fucking experience. When a band writes an hour and eighteen minutes of music that centers around the idea of a numerical spiral (Fibonacci Sequence) and it's relation to opening ones mind to the universe, you know that you are in for one fuckin' hell of a journey. And I feel that's what this album takes you on. A journey. And much like all of Tool's albums, you can expect a very dark sounding experience with many heavy, distorted riffs, interesting progressive elements and that wonderful vocal talent of Maynard James Keenan. I'd also say that a decent understanding of what the band has put into this album (and the rest of their music) definitely helps enhance the experience. Especially lyrical. Tool are one of the few bands out there that have always had consistently amazing lyrical content to craft an even better image in your head outside of just what the music is doing. God damn, what an album.
Highlight Tracks -
The Patient, Parabol/Parabola, Lateralus13.
Somewhere in Time by Iron Maiden
It's time once again to up the mother fuckin' irons in this top 50. Back when I was raised on this legendary band, this (and Seventh Son) was the album that my dad played tracks off the most when we did anything. So I have some very fond memories with this album. It easily has all of my favourite elements from Iron Maiden mixed into a single album. Epic vocal performances from Bruce, some of the best guitar tone on any album ever, and a very cool spacey/futuristic feel that has really stuck with me over the years. I don't use the word epic very often, because of how overused and obnoxious it's become, but this album can not simply be described any other way. It is, in the truest sense of the word, epic.
Highlight Tracks -
Caught Somewhere in Time, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, Stranger in a Strange Land12.
This Godless Endeavor by
Nevermore
Okay, I know I just said I don't use the word epic but I have to one more time (maybe a few more times as we get to the best part of my list). This Godless Endeavor by Nevermore is fucking epic as all fucks. A timeless classic for all fans of thrash metal with a progressive twist. An astounding achievement for a band who sadly, is no longer who they used to be. But this album will always live on. With it's ultra fast, face smashing riffs, almost painfully quick guitar sweeps, it's death metal influenced drum work and vocal performances that shall moisten your panties all night long, you might not know what to do with yourself as the last 30 seconds of the title track appear and bring the album to a close. This album is super consistent, without a single weak moment if you ask me. Lyrically, it's a genius album as well. Many social commentaries being made all while discussing the downfall of mankind through many current topics we are all very familiar with by now (American media, scientific advancement and religious conflict to name a few). This Godless Endeavor is Nevermore's most thought provoking album to date, and remains to have kept that band to be a "thinking Man's metal".
Also the title track is the greatest metal song ever written, hands down. Shut the fuck up with whatever argument you are about to make because you are wrong.
Highlight Tracks -
This Godless Endeavor, This Godless Endeavor, This Godless Endeavor
Topic: Lateralus88's Top 50 Albums v. Objectively correct list (Read 49143 times)
