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The Top 15 Hard Rock Albums of Our Generation
Image courtesy of Geffen Records
Written by J.N. Rosepapa- Arts & Entertainment Editor
The 90’s and 2000’s was a great time for hard rock music, musical acts such as Metallica and Guns n’ Roses greatly revolutionized our culture, leaving the world forever changed. Here is my guide of the greatest, heaviest, and altogether most unique albums of our generation.
15.) Mastodon- Blood Mountain (2006)
Mastodon is a band of immense power and one of the most well-received metal bands of the last decade by critics and listeners alike. With their ever-expanding fan base, Blood Mountain is the proving ground of Mastodon’s career. Their expert concept-story-telling defines them. The theme behind the album is of a man climbing the Blood Mountain, while hallucinating and being hunted by strange creatures. Mastodon exhilarates the power of a neo-classic metal band, with their myth-inspired lyrics and heavy sound.
Greatest Moments: Colony of Birchman, The Wolf Is Loose, Crystal Skull
14.) System of a Down- Toxicity (2001)
System of a Down is anything but ordinary, with their concepts all over the place and their sound curious. Toxicity is System of a Down’s most successful and ambitious effort of their career. The impact Toxicity has had over the years has been astounding; it strengthens every year after its release, working its way up to becoming a Nu- Metal classic.
Greatest Moments: Chop Suey!, Toxicity, Prison Song
13.) Disturbed- The Sickness (2000)
Disturbed isn’t like most mainstream rock bands, in fact they are nothing like the majority of mainstream rock bands- they have a message powerful enough to rock the nation. The Sickness has some of the most well-known songs of Disturbed’s career, making The Sickness Disturbed’s best selling album. The Sickness has it all: monster-sized riffs, uniqueness, and a message that tackles controversial topics such as abuse. The Sickness is a controversial masterpiece hitting at the right time at the turn of the century.
Greatest Moments: Down With The Sickness, Stupify, The Game
12.) Slipknot- Iowa (2001)
Picture nine men in masks, three of them guitarists, another three drummers, keyboardists, a DJ and a nihilistic singer. Sound intimidating? Well it should. Slipknot is a band of incomprehensible fury, and Iowa blows it out of proportion. There is not one second in the Iowa album where Corey Taylor and Co. let up; they will go out of their way to threaten (My Plague) question faith (The Heretic Anthem) and terrify (I Am Hated.) Iowa is a metal masterpiece, possibly the best Metal album of the 2000’s. It proves the non-believers, it shocks the narrow-minded, and it is so spine-snapping in its heaviness. Hands down, Slipknot crafted one of the best, most hardcore albums ever, and will leave listeners trapped inside this horror- movie influenced album enjoying the nightmare.
Greatest Moments: Left Behind, The Heretic Anthem, My Plague
11.) The White Stripes- Elephant (2003)
Jack White declares, “A seven nation army can’t hold me back,” and they sound way more powerful than a seven nation army. The White Stripes is two-man band that sounds better than an armada of A-list rock n’ roll hall of fame musicians. Elephant has enough thrills to win over critics and listeners alike with enough spunk and energy to win over event the biggest skeptics. Elephant is one of if not the best rock albums of the 2000’s. The ambition is exhilarating, the thrills are top-notch and the influence is everlasting. Jack White created a masterpiece, intentional or not.
Greatest Moments: Seven Nation Army, There’s No Home For You Here, The Hardest Button to Button
10.) Pantera- Cowboys From Hell (1990)
Pantera is a Texas-sized Metal band that found its biggest break right before Grunge music dominated the world. Pantera is significantly under- rated as one of the leading forces of the 90’s metal movement, but with bands such as Metallica and Nirvana, they were overshadowed, not even releasing a single from this album which contained some of their greatest songs. Cowboys From Hell is considered to be Pantera’s “official” debut, which marked their breakaway from Glam- Metal music. Cowboys From Hell exhibits raw power; from songs like Cemetery Gates and Cowboys From Hell it proved everyone wrong about them, showing that they ditched their Glam- Metal roots for something much greater. Pantera’s Cowboys From Hell will always have a special place in Metal, even after guitarists Dimebag Darrell’s tragic death Cowboys From Hells influence has lived on reaching the many hearts of Metal fans.
Greatest Moments: Cowboys From Hell, Cemetery Gates, Psycho Holiday
9.) Rage Against The Machine- Self-Titled (1993)
The political message in Rage Against The Machine’s music is the biggest threat to society. Listening to Rage Against The Machine and watching their legendary Woodstock ’99 performance proves that there is something unique and empowering about this band, from their powerful lyrics: “Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses,” to their on stage antics, such as burning an American flag. Rage Against The Machine is one of the early 90’s leading Nu-Metal powers, and Self-Titled did much justice for them, not only did the explicit content and heavy political messages reach millions around the globe but brought up much needed controversy. Rage Against The Machine has been destructive and nihilistic but one thing is for sure, their message is revolutionary, and they sure know how to write a classic, genre-defining album.
Greatest Moments: Killing In The Name, Bombtrack, Know Your Enemy
8.) Soundgarden- Superunknown (1994)
Soundgarden is one of the most underrated Grunge bands. Apart from the two Grammy awards they won, the other leading forces in the Grunge movement always overshadowed them. Soundgarden was a master of writing Beatle-influenced ballads, and writing about topics that may seem insignificant, but still have a creative, powerful force. One of the greatest songs on the album is a drum ballad entitled Spoonman written as a tribute to Artis the Spoonman, a performer from the streets of Seattle by using spoons as an instrument. Spoonman also featured Artis the Spoonman, who clanked his spoons together in the background of the song. Blackhole Sun is a very melodic song with a direct Beatles influence in it, giving it emotional power and melancholy. Although Pearl Jam and Nirvana often overshadowed Soundgarden, Superunkown has some of the power that they lacked, giving the melody of The Beatles and melancholy as intense as the Seattle weather.
Greatest Moments: Spoonman, Black Hole Sun, The Day I Tried To Live
7.) Korn- Self-Titled (1994)
Korn’s (Self-Titled) album has enough emotional power to knock you off your feet and leave you on the ground gasping for breath. This album by far, is Korn’s most powerful and meaningful album. Although it lacked the sound that Korn developed in their later albums, self-tilted has more meaningful lyrics and more of a solid message. The album is so intense at one time during the album lead singer Jonathon Davis breaks down crying during the song Daddy, which is a song detailing sexual abuse. Some of the songs are horrifying, straight out of every parent’s nightmare. Self-titled covers many issues, from the true meaning behind nursery rhymes (Shoots and Ladders,) people who view themselves as better than those who feel insignificant (Divine,) and people who put on a mask and act like someone they’re not (Fake.) What separates this album from all the others is the emotional power. Not many albums have such power invested in them, and this is a true testament to Korn’s power.
Greatest Moments: Blind, Shoots and Ladders, Fake
6.) Nine Inch Nails- The Downward Spiral (1994)
Nine Inch Nails is a one-man band fronted by the musical god Trent Renzor, and The Downward Spiral is his masterpiece. Renzor crafted one of the finest concept-albums of the 90’s, which in a sense is much like Floyd’s The Wall, except with a much more gruesome ending. The Downward Spiral follows a man (who represents Renzor,) during the downward spiral of his life. Nihilism is a common theme throughout the album; Renzor makes a point to reject religion boldly, which works in a controversial way. Altogether The Downward Spiral has been a personal and commercial success for Renzor, attracting fans from the late Michael Jackson and Johnny Cash. The Downward Spiral is everything un-holy, but it works to an amazing effect with the twisted concepts and vibrant story telling.
Greatest Moments: Closer, March of the Pigs, Hurt
5.) Alice in Chains- Dirt (1992)
Alice in Chain’s undisputed masterpiece focused much on what the band was going through at the time- drug use, depression, and death. What Alice in Chain’s wrote about worked to their advantage, with much needed sarcasm when Stayley declares “Its going to rain when I die,” and at other times the band reflects on death, which is ironic in a sense, as it seems like Stayley predicted his death. What makes this album so powerful is that almost every song is dedicated or written for someone, such as the song Rooster, a ballad written for Jerry Cantrell’s father who served in Vietnam. The songs are so powerful, the ballads are masterfully written, and so who said that hardships couldn’t spawn off something beautiful?
Greatest Moments: Would?, Rooster, Them Bones
4.) Pearl Jam- Ten (1991)
While Nirvana had more of a profound effect on the world Pearl Jam reached more fans. Pearl Jam is the most successful Grunge band, but mainly because they were able to outlive almost every other Grunge band. With over 20 million albums sold worldwide of this album alone there must be something profound, larger than life here, right? With songs such as Alive, it is no wonder why this album has been so successful, with a two-minute guitar solo, exhilarating enough to bring some of the biggest crowd pleasers of the 90’s. Ten is Pearl Jam’s debut album, and their proving ground of their career. If you are still not convinced yet about the might of Pearl Jam, look at our generation, then take Pearl Jam’s influence out of the equation- now what do we have?
Greatest Moments: Alive, Even Flow, Jeremy
3.) Guns n’ Roses- Use your Illusion 1+ 11 (1991)
Guns n’ Roses was the leading power of the 90’s, next to Metallica. They played on one of the biggest tours in history, they sold tens of millions of albums, and the question is what is the key to their success? Guns n’ Roses managed to combine melody with hard rock, while maintaining the Heavy Metal persona. Their success alone is astounding, (even though it didn’t last long due to disputes with band members) as they managed to compete with The Grunge movement and stand their ground. Guns n’ Roses managed to stand the test of time as one of the surviving 80’s hard rock bands, as they just recently made their comeback with their 2008 album, Chinese Democracy. It seems the key to their success is their unwavering perseverance.
Greatest Moments: Live and Let Die, November Rain, Civil War
2.) Metallica- The Black Album (1991)
The Black Album spawned some of the biggest and best songs in Heavy Metal history. Even though most people consider Metallica to have sold out when this album reached its enormous success, the new direction Metallica took when recording this album is breath-taking. The Unforgiven is undoubtedly the most original on this album. Before it, no such concept existed in Metallica’s music. The great force and power behind this album stemmed from loss, heartbreak, and grief. Those key concepts pushed Metallica to achieving a sense of passion within the songs, something that hasn’t occurred sense this album. The Black Album is Metallica’s last great effort, the stepping-stone in their career, which brought them ultimate success. It would be a crime to say that Metallica didn’t take any risks with the concept, they did something most bands could never do, they managed to reinvent themselves at the peak of their career, which eventually pushed them into becoming Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famers. Metallica is rightfully the best Heavy Metal of all time, and there is only one band who stood taller than Metallica during the 90’s.
Greatest Moments: The Unforgiven, Enter Sandman, Wherever I May Roam
1.) Nirvana- In Utero (1993)
In Utero (also known as Cobain’s Revenge) is an album of intense romantic passion, revenge, and heavily focused on the concept of life and death. In Utero is a strange mixture of Kurt Cobain’s obsessions, fears, interests and anger, and those traits work to a very strange but deep concept. Many of the songs on In Utero focus on key and obscure figures that have influenced Cobain’s life, the comparison to Frances Farmer (an American actor) was one of the most original themes in the album, while Cobain’s confrontation with is dad was so deep you can hear his voice strain when he announces “The legendary divorce is such a bore.” Some of the most defining moments in Nirvana’s career are the high points of the album, as All Apologies cuts through everything, and Heart-Shaped Box shows the true reflective side to Cobain.
The debate is why pick In Utero over Nevermind? My answer to that is In Utero is a far deeper album, filled with the concepts that Nirvana was founded upon. It would be a mistake to say that Nevermind was a mistake, but all three-band members showed disappointment in the Pop- Rock formula of the album. In Utero showed originality in all the themes and concepts, Nirvana did what no band since The Beatles was able to do; they managed to define a life style of an entire generation. Nirvana is the most influential band of this generation and I honor them with number one spot.
Greatest Moments: Heart-Shaped Box, All Apologies, Rape Me
November 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Very thorough review of music that has impacted your generation. Gives me a new appreciation for the music and the messages behind it. Well done.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Good lord, man…you have awesome insight. Very well done!
November 10th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
This is a very thorough report. It gives those of us, who were not of this generation, some great insight. Very well done.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Great writing Chris! You show great sensitivty to the music you obviously love. I’ll have to give heavy metal another listen. I pretty much left it behind at Led Zepplin.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:20 am
nev3rmind is bettaaaahhhh!!!1111!1one
November 18th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Man, nice review this is the best article i’ve seen on this website! Nirvana is amazing! I am a fan of your reviews.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
\m/ ROCK ON MY METAL BROTHER \m/
December 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Thank you all for your kind comments, I greatly appreciate the success of this article, and I am flatterd that you all like it.
December 8th, 2009 at 8:58 am
pfft this probably took FOREVER TO DO!!! your awesome!
January 21st, 2010 at 9:15 pm
In Utero is definitely not the best “hard rock” album of our generation- if anything it is Nirvana falling apart (though still a great record, I find it to be one of Nirvana’s worst). Also,Pantara is not hard rock, they are metal- or groove metal.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Alright Spartacus, first off when I thought of the idea about writing an article that pertains to our generation’s music I wanted to write all about Metal, Im talking bands like; Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, Lamb of God (also “Groove Metal.”) But guess what? Bands of those catagories, concepts and sounds would have been greatly offensive to readers of this site, I can’t exactly cover the concepts behind Cradle of Filth’s Nymphetamine album, can I? I will be honest, some of the bands in this article I completely loath (ie; System of a Down.) I had to compromise my idea greatly, but I still wanted to include the influencial “Metal” bands that have impacted our generation. But one things that brings the majority of these bands together (with the exception of The White Stripes and Pearl Jam, and now that I think about I don’t even know why I included them in this article) is their heavy sound. Sure you can’t compare Rage Against the Machine to Nine Inch Nails, or Nirvana to Pantera, but the Rock genre is what unites all these bands, and the Heavy Sound is what really brings them together. My question to you is would it make you feel better if I made this article “Glam Metal” themed and included Pantera, they were once Glam Metal, sound good to you? You tell me, but Hard Rock covers more than just Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana, it covers every single band that has a “heavy” sound.
If you had taken the time to research into interviews that included ANY member of Nirvana they would have all said that they absolutly loathed Nevermind to the point when they didn’t even want to play any of the hit singles off it live (with the exception of Come as You Are.) If people weren’t so biased towards Nevermind (meaning towards the singles of the album.)They would discover that In Utero had much greater artistic deepth to it, In Utero was far more real to the concept of Nirvana than Nevermind. Since your so focused on the genres of the bands in this article you should know that Nevermind was a Pop-Rock album, Kurt Cobain and numerous muscians and music magazines has declared that as well. So contradiction on your part, next time don’t tell me what belongs and doesn’t belong in this article, I have done far more research into music (not just Rock music) than an average music lover would. Thanks for your well thought out insight, it obviously makes sense.
Thanks,
Justin Rosepapa
P.S.
The term “Hard Rock” is just as vague as the term “Rock” is, or music for the most part.