R

RAGE - Reign of Fear [CD/1986] 9/10=I am biased, I love this band, and this was a damn fine debut album, even if they had two others under the name Avenger.
RAGE - Execution Guaranteed [CD/1987] 9/10=Rage puts out a quality sophomore album, this would be the last of their raw-sounding stuff.
RAGE - Perfect Man [CD/1988] 10/10=One of my favorite metal albums ever, if you can get use to Peavey's unique vocals you'll see what I mean. Every song is unique and memorable, and sounds like noone else.
RAGE - Secrets in a Wierd World [CD/1989] 9/10=More memorable material, and another superb album, although I thought the previous album was better.
RAGE - Invisible Horizons [DVD51/1989] 3/5=Decent EP with two tracks not found on Secrets in a Wierd World, "Lost Side of the World" and "Mirror".
RAGE - Reflections of a Shadow [CD/1990] 8/10=Some good songs to be found here too, another solid effort.
RAGE - Extended Power [CD/1991] 5/10=An EP with a few non-album cuts but only worthwhile for the Rage purist.
RAGE - Trapped! [CD/1992] 6/10=It took me a few listens to enjoy this, it's okay but they've done much better.
RAGE - Beyond the Wall [DVD51/1992] 3/5=Six-track EP, with a live acoustic version of "Light Into the Darkness" which is cool, and some unreleased tunes that aren't really all that great, plus album tracks.
RAGE - The Missing Link [CD/1993] 7/10=Some strong songs here but still not as impressive as their early days.
RAGE - Refuge [DVD51/1993] 3/5=Cool EP, one tune from The Missing Link and then covers of The Police, The Troggs, and The Mission!
RAGE - Ten Years in Rage [CD/1994] 5/10=This is a novelty album and my least favorite of their actual albums, most songs are gathered from various periods in the band's history.
RAGE - Black in Mind [CD/1995] 7/10=Back with another strong album.
RAGE - Lingua Mortis [CD/1996] 7/10=I enjoyed this experiment of fusing classical musicians with their normal sound.
RAGE - End of All Days [CD/1996] 7/10=Yet another strong Rage album...will they ever give up?
RAGE - Higher Than the Sky [DVD51/1997] 4/5=Released only in Japan, one album track, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest covers, and two new tracks.
RAGE - Live from the Vault [CD/1997] 4/10=It's a live EP, and it sounds great, but it's just a live EP.
RAGE - XIII [CD/1998] 7/10=Ditto.
RAGE - Ghosts [CD/1999] 8/10=This one is a concept, a goofy concept, and the music is toned down and they use some synthesized orchestration, and it manages to be a damn fine album overall.
RAGE - Welcome to the Other Side [CD/2001] 6/10=This is another good album, but it can get boring pretty quickly.
RAGE - Unity [CD/2002] 8/10=And of course the next one would be back up to snuff, this is a strong album and the three-man lineup is really in their stride here.
RAGE - Soundchaser [CD/2003] 7/10=Takes a few listens, there is certainly some filler here but the rest is all good.
RAGE - From the Cradle to the Stage [CDx2/2004] 3/5=Double live album, decent song selection but they entirely skipped a few old albums and many songs that I loved. You know the drill, record live set and sodomize the fans for 13-18 bucks each.
RAGE - Speak of the Dead [CD/2006] 8/10=Another high quality album by the legendary Rage, it is nice to hear the Lingua Mortis style return to give some depth and gravity to the songs here.
RAGE - Full Moon in St. Petersburg [DVD16/2007] 4/5=CD accompaniment to their new DVD package. Like their last live record, the songs from the Golden Age of Rage (first five albums) are criminally neglected, only one here.
RAGE - Carved in Stone [CD/2008] 7/10=It's a good album, I'd say it's on the level of Soundchaser but I was hoping for another Unity or something more like their first six albums. Solid playing, good production.

RAGNAROK (NO) - Nattferd [CD/1995] 8/10=Vikings. Satan. Hell. This Norwegian black metal band covers all the bases, and they cover them with precise brutality. A damn fine record here.
RAGNAROK (NO) - Arising Realms [CD/1997] 9/10=An excellent album, one of my favorite 'true' symphonic black metal albums from Odin's land. Worth having in any black metal collection.
RAGNAROK (NO) - Diabolical Age [CD/2000]
RAGNAROK (NO) - In Nomine Satanas [CD/2002] 8/10=As sick and unrelenting as anything they did before, another high notch in the belt for a band that has never delivered anything sub-par. Not original, but excellent.
RAGNAROK (NO) - Blackdoor Miracle [CD/2004] 8/10=Damn are they persistent. I would consider this their most innovative album, if only for trying some differentiation on the drums. But very much the same Ragnarok...

RAISON D'ETRE - Prospectus I [CD/1993] 8/10=An amazing debut album from this legendary Cold Meat Industry artist, glorious and bombastic ambient, ever so gothic. Ever so graceful. Ever so looming.
RAISON D'ETRE - Enthraled by the Wind of Loneliness [CD/1994] 8/10=Another fantastic album from these Swedish masters of loneliness. Beautiful.
RAISON D'ETRE - Within the Depths of Silence and Phormations [CD/1995] 10/10=This is one of the greatest masterpieces of music I have ever heard, dark cavernous ambient PERFECTION. By all the gods of the deep places, I commend thee...
RAISON D'ETRE - In Sadness, Silence, and Solitude [CD/1997] 9/10=It may not top or even match the last album, which was completely perfect, but this is a beautiful listen, sad and glorious simultaneously. Do not miss it.
RAISON D'ETRE - Collective Archives [CDx2/1999] 7/10=Pretty amazing comp, contains a lot of unreleased songs or songs only available on comps or cassettes back in the day. A must for the Raison D'Etre fan.
RAISON D'ETRE - The Empty Hollow Unfolds [CD/2000] 9/10=Another wondrous excursion from probably Cold Meat Industry's most consistent artist. This one is nearly as good as Within the Depths of Silence and Phormations. A trip I have taken as often as I could.
RAISON D'ETRE - Lost Fragments [CDx2/2002] 7/10=It has the tracks that didn't make it to Prospectus I, some tracks that have been released previously, and some live work. A good fan package.
RAISON D'ETRE - Requiem for Abandoned Souls [CD/2003] 9/10=Another masterful piece from Peter Andersson, this is an epic, desolate record that truly captures its subject matter, that of forgotten structures.
RAISON D'ETRE - Reflections from the Time of Opening [CD/2005] 7/10=A collection of early Raison D'Etre, and a fascinating one. Despite the more primitive tools Andersson must have had at his disposal, it still inspires.
RAISON D'ETRE - In Sadness, Silence and Solitude [CD/2005] 9/10=This is the fourth full-length, remastered with two bonus live tracks for an added value. Pick up this version if you must choose one.
RAISON D'ETRE - Metamorphyses [CD/2006] 10/10=Can this man do no wrong? This subtle architecture is probably the greatest of the Raison D'Etre compositions aesthetically and I like it almost as much as Within the Depths of Silence and Phormations. Fucking incredible.

RAMESSES - The Tomb [CD/2005] 5/5=Man, I don't know which of these EPs is better...both crush the fuck out of me.
RAMESSES - We Will Lead You to Glorious Times [CD/2005] 5/5=An AMAZING EP by these former Electric Wizard members, at times both haunting and crushing, and aside from their demos, this is just the beginning....
RAMESSES - Misanthropic Alchemy [CD/2007] 8/10=Crushing debut LP, I may have hoped for slightly more but can I really complain? Mother fucking doom. Chaos. Discord. Total evil and depression.

RAMONES - The Ramones [CD/1976] 10/10=This is one void noone is EVER going to fill. The greatest punk rock band to ever exist on this earth. In addition, I think this may just be our country's greatest band, ever!
RAMONES - Rocket to Russia [CD/1977] 10/10=Much denser sounding, better production, and another flawless foray into American punk rock and roll.
RAMONES - End of the Century [CD/1980] 9/10=Well, not my favorite Ramones album, I do love the horns on the opening track, and there are certainly some standouts like the legendary 'Rock'n'Roll High School' and 'Chinese Rock'.
RAMONES - Pleasant Dreams [CD/1981] 9/10=Imagine the Ramones actually adding some depth to their style...they totally did, in the 80s. A more melancholic feel, with a lot of atmosphere. Another amazing Ramones album.
RAMONES - Subterranean Jungle [CD/1983] 8/10=One of the few bands that can almost always do the same thing, play the same chords, and I still love them. One of my least favorite Ramones records, and I still enjoy it greatly.
RAMONES - Halfway to Sanity [CD/1987] 10/10=So fucking underrated, this is possibly their best album ever, sounds great, every song is incredibly distinct and memorable, and most people ignored this one. Fuck you world.
RAMONES - Brain Drain [CD/1989] 10/10=Another scorcher, these recent albums had more depth than the 70s stuff, and sadly they weren't rated as highly. Love just about every song on this, and will always love said songs.
RAMONES - Adios Amigos [CD/1995] 7/10=Sounds great but it's really the worst Ramones album in my opinion. That's not really an insult...it's just that the rest are so fucking good. Sadly, it would be the last :(~ R.I.P. Joey.

RAPTURE (FIN) - Futile [CD/2001] 8/10=A killer melodic doom album, basically the band used Brave Murder Day by Katatonia as their foundation point and just took it from there.
RAPTURE (FIN) - Songs for the Withering [CD/2002] 9/10=At first I liked it as much as the debut, but then it's one of those albums where the more you listen, the more you get sucked into it, and I'm glad I did.
RAPTURE (FIN) - The Silent Stage [CD/2005] 8/10=Lacks some of the amazing, subtle hooks of the sophomore album, but still of pristine quality and worth a listen for any melodic doom junkie, or Katatonia fan.

RAUNCHY - Wasteland Discotheque [CD/2008] 8/10=Never thought I'd hear any worthwhile material from this band, yet they have produced an infectious album of melodic death metal here.

RAVEN (UK) - Rock Until You Drop [DVD94/1981] 8/10=Raven is the mother fucking rock, if you do not like them than you could never be my friend not at all!
RAVEN (UK) - Wiped Out [CD/1982] 9/10=Raven rules, and they almost always did...one of the best of the NWOBHM, and I mean, EASILY one of the best. I mean better than Judas Priest. Better than Def Leppard. And probably better than Saxon.
RAVEN (UK) - Crash Bang Wallop [CD/1982] 5/10=This is only four songs, but as usual, Raven rule with their brand of exciting classic NWOBHM.
RAVEN (UK) - All For One [CD/1983] 9/10=No denying the amount of energy this band places in both live sets and on recordings. They are always exciting, and that is why they are one of the greatest heavy metal bands ever.
RAVEN (UK) - Born to Be Wild [CD/1983] 3/10=Eh...a cover song and non-album track, and it's Raven for an extra point, and UDO guest stars!
RAVEN (UK) - Live at the Inferno [CD/1984] 5/10=A pretty lengthy live album for its day, and good quality, but you are much better off going to actually witness their show, believe me.
RAVEN (UK) - Stay Hard [CD/1985] 8/10=Even when they made records like this, obviously more accessible and commercial, they STILL rocked and rolled! If you don't know the chorus to the title track, you simply should not be.
RAVEN (UK) - The Devil's Carrion [CDx/1985] 2/10=A compilation, not really worth acquiring except for the few rarities.
RAVEN (UK) - Pray for the Sun [CD/1985] 4/10=Only three tunes, including album tracks, so not really worth tracking down.
RAVEN (UK) - The Pack is Back [CD/1986] 8/10=NWOBHM legends, a few years after that scene's time in the sun, but still raging on, incapable of releasing anything below their standards of fun, energetic heavy metal.
RAVEN (UK) - Mad [CD/1986] 5/10=A pretty good EP, I enjoyed all the songs though it isn't Raven's best work.
RAVEN (UK) - Life's a Bitch [CD/1987] 8/10=Yet another of many quality albums this band would make, it's pretty old school, it's pretty rock and roll at times, but it's completely worth tracking down.
RAVEN (UK) - Heads Up [CD/1990] 6/10=Pretty cool EP, four studio tracks and some live tracks tacked on, the material here is pretty heavy and mean.
RAVEN (UK) - Architect of Fear [CD/1991] 8/10=I'm not kidding when I say that this is one of the best live bands I've ever seen...and they have rarely failed on the studio front either. 100% metal.
RAVEN (UK) - Glow [DVD94/1994] 7/10=Even though it occasionally seems their most serious album, it's actually still pretty fucking Raven and pretty good.
RAVEN (UK) - Everything Louder [DVD94/1997] 8/10=Faster and more fun than Glow, back to the Raven we love and pretty damn good, par for the course with this band.
RAVEN (UK) - One for All [DVD94/2000] 7/10=It's not a favorite but the production sounds great, nice and crisp and there are some great tunes on here.

RAXA - Oxlahun Ti Ku [CD/2006] 8/10=Ethnic Russian death and doom metal with ambience and experimentation, and an Aztec cultural influence. Very cool.
RAXA - Ranibal Achi [CD/2007] 9/10=Excellent ethnic doom project from the prolific Russian master Lefthander, really stunning how this seamlessly crushes and delights the listener.
RAXA - Mezovedic [CD/2008] 8/10=Another immersive album of ethnic flavored doom and death metal, a lot of new age world atmosphere to this, I enjoyed Ranibal Achi slightly more but this is once again worthy. Go Lefthander go.

RAZOR - Armed and Dangerous [CD/1984] 7/10=Excellent EP with seven cuts for seven points, really showed the directions Razor would take, from Evil Invaders to Violent Restitution. And it's Razor...so you can't do much better.
RAZOR - Escape the Fire [CD/1984] 5/10=The demos of this Canadian thrash legend...of course many tracks appear later on albums. Very raw production but it doesn't hinder Razor's vibe at all.
RAZOR - Evil Invaders [CD/1984] 9/10=These are the gods of Canadian thrash, and one of the best bands in all of creation.
RAZOR - Executioner's Song [CD/1985] 9/10=Another kickass album in their earlier raw speed metal style, just shy of perfection.
RAZOR - Malicious Intent [CD/1986] 8/10=Razor is not a band to disappoint, this is another kickass record although the songs are somewhat less memorable than prior efforts.
RAZOR - Custom Killing [CD/1987] 5/10=Clearly the worst Razor album, some goofiness going on and a barrage of substandard riffs with a few great ones still rearing their heads.
RAZOR - Violent Restitution [CD/1988] 9/10=Yesss...return to form, although this has a much more direct edge to the production, and a new vocalist, this is one of the best thrash/speed metal albums ever recorded, with the ORIGINAL chainsaw accompaniment, fuck you Jackal.
RAZOR - Shotgun Justice [CD/1990] 8/10=His vocals sound a bit more constipated than before, and some of the lyrics border on outright cheese, but this is still a pretty damn good Razor album.
RAZOR - Open Hostility [CD/1991] 8/10=I love my Razor, and this album is no exception, but again, Bob Reid is no Stace McLaren and the points lost are for that reason alone. Walls and walls of great thrash riffs on this.
RAZOR - Decibels [CD/1997] 6/10=I was hesitant to hear a Razor album with a drum machine, but after a few spins I realize it was still a decent effort and the best performance by their newer vocalist Bob Reid.

REALM - Endless War [CD/1988] 9/10=Amazing progressive thrash from the midwest, this is a mighy record indeed. This band was far too short-lived.
REALM - Suiciety [CD/1990] 7/10=Not nearly as good as the debut, but still promising, and I re-iterate, we should have gotten more from these guys.

RED HARVEST - Hybreed [CD/1996] 8/10=These guys have been pumping out high quality industrial metal for ages...actually since the late 80s if I'm not mistaken. This is a great record for this style of music.
RED HARVEST - Newrage World Music [CD/1998] 4/10=An EP of chaotic industrial metal madness from Oslo, Norway.
RED HARVEST - Cold Dark Matter [CD/2000] 10/10=Always impressive, due to their ability to capture the sheer, cold nature of industrial hostility and merge that with Voivod-ish metal that just doesn't care. This is FUCKING SICK.
RED HARVEST - Sick Transit Gloria Mundi [CD/2002] 9/10=Takes a few spins before it strikes you again how absolutely great this band is.
RED HARVEST - Antipax Mundial Total [CD/2003] 5/10=Very cool EP from the Norwegian masters of industrial.
RED HARVEST - Internal Punishment Programs [CD/2004] 9/10=Another winner, but I'm sure this is no surprise if you look over their decidely consistent history with me. Gotta track down the really early shit.
RED HARVEST - A Greater Darkness [CD/2007] 9/10=This album is on par with their last two masterworks and Red Harvest remains pretty much my favorite industrial metal band out there right now. Seriously awesome.

REIGNS - Styne Vallis [CD/2006] 10/10=Brilliant album, sort of post-rock but very original, it's about a town being flooded...I'm serious. Is that not fucking awesome? Musically it delivers 100%.

REPUGNANT - Hecatomb [DVD88/1999] 4/5=One of the early EPs from this fantastic Swedish band, driving death metal with a pure oldschool edge. Vicious.
REPUGNANT - Epitome of Darkness [CD/2006] 9/10=A total oldschool Swedish death metal asskicking, right here in 2006. They fire it up with a slight black metal influence, filthy, dangerous, wild, fucking great record.

REPULSION - Horrified [CDx2/2003] 10/10=Originally released in 1986, this double CD comes with a disc of rare tracks. What can I say? This was a super dirty, super influential grinding death/speed band, and they fucking ruled.

RHAPSODY - Land of Immortals [CD/1994] 4/10=First demo with their original vocalist, was pretty good and you could already hear their symphonic, talented flair already in place after changing the name from Thundercross.
RHAPSODY - Eternal Glory [CD/1995] 5/10=A longer demo, with most of the same songs as the first but much better production.
RHAPSODY - Legenday Tales [CD/1997] 8/10=Their first and still best album overall, this was probably the spearhead of that entire symphonic power metal wave out of Europe (Lost Horizons, Dragonforce, etc). A great time.
RHAPSODY - Emeral Sword [CD/1998] 3/10=Single from their forthcoming sophomore album, has an album track, non-album track, and a remake of their old song "Land of Immortals".
RHAPSODY - Symphony of Enchanted Lands [CD/1998] 8/10=The second album and really the last album before Rhapsody became too methodic and boring for my tastes. Still had great songs on this record.
RHAPSODY - Holy Thunderforce [CD/2000] 3/10=You get an album-track from the forthcoming Dawn of Victory, and also an orchestral version of a song, an alternative long version of a song, and Helloween cover.
RHAPSODY - Dawn of Victory [CD/1998] 6/10=You see, they already made this record twice, and far better...I honestly can barely remember any songs on this album even though the musicianship is still top notch symphonic power.
RHAPSODY - Rain of a Thousand Flames [CD/2001] 5/10=An interesting little departure, sort of a side story to their regular terrible fantasy theme line. Still, this EP just wasn't that memorable.
RHAPSODY - Power of the Dragonflame [CD/2002] 6/10=About as good as the previous album, by all means the musicianship and production are great but it simply doesn't have the song power of the first two records.
RHAPSODY - Tales of the Emerald Sword Saga [CD/2004] 1/10=Why waste your time with this comp? Don't ask me.
RHAPSODY - The Dark Secret [CD/2004] 4/10=Some narration from Christopher Lee is not going to save this next record if the songs aren't killer. This is just an EP to wet your pallette though.
RHAPSODY - Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret [CD/2004] 6/10=I'm still kinda bored on this album, even with Lee's narration and deep voice gracing the record. It is SLIGHTLY more interesting than the last two.
RHAPSODY - The Magic of the Wizard's Dream [CD/2004] 4/10=Another single package thingie.
RHAPSODY - Live in Canada 2005: The Dark Secret [CD/2006] 4/10=It's a rock solid live set, but paying separate $ for this? No way, they should just package it with the last album.
RHAPSODY OF FIRE - Triumph or Agony [CD/2006] 8/10=Quite simply the best record Rhapsody have put out since Symphony of Enchanted Lands eight years ago, and the first under their new moniker Rhapsody OF FIRE!

RIBSPREADER - Bolted to the Cross [CD/2004] 7/10=Yet ANOTHER retro death metal project with Dan Swano, although somewhat different than Bloodbath, this is much closer to its influences (Entombed, Carnage, etc). Good stuff.
RIBSPREADER - Congregating the Sick [CD/2005] 8/10=A very good album, but only because it wears its influences so damned well. These guys do early Death and Carcass without flaw, mixed with some early Swedish death style.
RIBSPREADER - Rotten Rhythms and Rancid Rants [CD/2006] 7/10=Honestly not as good as their previous two albums, they reach back for an even older, filthier death metal sound (ala Autopsy, etc). Still worthwhile.
RIBSPREADER - The Monolith [DVD71/2007] 3/5=Three tunes of very raw oldschool death metal here, it's alright but they had better material before this EP.

RIOT - Thundersteel [CD/1988] 9/10=I dare you to find a weak moment on this record. Every song is catchy, classic American power metal, and Riot's best IMHO.

RISK - The Daily Horror News [DVD62/1988] 8/10=Cult classic of German speed/heavy metal, fans of bands like Rage and Scanner would definitely enjoy this debut album.
RISK - Ratman [DVD87/1989] 4/5=Entertaining follow-up EP with some good tunes despite the kind of cheesy 80s aesthetic.
RISK - Hell's Animals [DVD62/1989] 8/10=Another great album from this forgotten German band, mean and dirty speed metal with that German flair, fans of Despair, Rage and others would love it.
RISK - Dirty Surfaces [DVD62/1990] 7/10=I don't like it quite as much as the first two, but it's still got great riffs and a classic speed metal vibe that is hard to deny.
RISK - The Reborn [DVD62/1992] 8/10=Another great album, very much comparable to Reflections of a Shadow from Rage, that is what it reminds me of most closely, with the different vocals.
RISK - Turpitude [DVD62/1993] 7/10=Their fifth and final album, and they kept it real unlike a lot of thrash/speed bands who changed their styles. Although it's not a favorite, they went out on a good note at least.

RITUAL CARNAGE - The Highest Law [DVD50/1998] 7/10=Pretty damn good debut from the ferocious Japanese thrashers. No relent!
RITUAL CARNAGE - Every Nerve Alive [CD/2000] 7/10=Kickass Japanese thrash with an American singer/bassist, vocals here aren't unlike D.R.I. with a little more death grunting.
RITUAL CARNAGE - The Birth of Tragedy [CD/2002] 8/10=Dan's vocals took on their new form here, and this is a major criticism of the band although I do not share that view, it's FUCKING THRASH and his vocals are THRASH vocals! Rules.
RITUAL CARNAGE - I, Infidel [CD/2005] 9/10=The Japanese gods of retro thrash/death return with another scorching album. I love the vocals which are a cool tribute to German thrash like Deathrow. Just plain sick.

ROOT - Reap of Hell [DVD36/1988] 3/5=They had a thrashier tone on this first demo, and it sounded strange without the Big Boss (he joined later).
ROOT - Zjeveni [CD/1990] 9/10=The cult classic of all Czech cult classics, alright it's not the best Root but just take a listen how fascinating they were almost 20 years ago. Unbelievably cool.
ROOT - Hell Symphony [CD/1991] 10/10=This is one sick fucking band, and you owe it to yourself to hear this...highly original Czech black/death metal, I enjoy every song on this album and it just reeks of evil, imperative.
ROOT - The Temple in the Underworld [CD/1992] 9/10=This is one of my favorite metal bands ever, and I mean that. Very unique, very interesting, they sound like noone else and they do that consistently. Another amazing record.
ROOT - Kargeras [CD/1996] 9/10=Still an amazing band, but a lot different than their earlier sound, this is more folksy and melodic, and I dare say even goth at times, but still unique and worth hunting down.
ROOT - The Book [CD/1999] 8/10=This band always manages to have a refreshing style, whether they are their earlier, darker material or this newer melodic, gothic direction, unique vocals, hey...they are overall very underrated.
ROOT - Black Seal [CD/2002] 9/10=Damn, they still have it. This is their best produced work, anyway, and the musicianship is also the best they have done, from a technical standpoint. Unique, dark, captivating metal.
ROOT - Madness of the Graves [CD/2003] 9/10=Another essential offering from the best Czech metal band there ever was, this is troubling and beautiful and original, there is no other singer quite like the Big Boss.
ROOT - Dema [DVD106/2003] 3/5=It's a two-CD compilation of early demos from Root, mostly late 80s material with some live tracks. The quality varies, but it is decent for fans that want to discover the 'root of Root'.
ROOT - Casilda [DVD36/2006] 4/5=Hearing Big Boss sing covers of "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Little Wing" is interesting, it also has two versions of "Casilda" and a song called "Human".
ROOT - Daemon Viam Invenient [CD/2007] 9/10=Root strikes Satanic black gold once more, with another haunting masterwork of gothic black architecture.

ROTTING CHRIST - Satanas Tedeum [CD/1989] 3/10=Demos and shit that essentially sound like Greek animals defecating, masking the true glory of this excellent band.
ROTTING CHRIST - Passage to Arcturo [CD/1989] 5/10=Their first real release, a 6-track EP with some style and definitely an evil atmosphere.
ROTTING CHRIST - Thy Mighty Contract [CD/1992] 8/10=A great album and their first classic, this is one evil and mighty Greek band for the aeons.
ROTTING CHRIST - Dawn of Iconoclast [CD/1992] 1/10=No point to this 7", skip it unless you are some type of collector into rarities that you will never listen to.
ROTTING CHRIST - Non Serviam [CD/1994] 5/10=People give this album credit as an influential landmark of sorts, but I tend to disagree, as I got little enjoyment from it, but it's certainly not bad.
ROTTING CHRIST - Triarchy of the Lost Lovers [CD/1996] 8/10=A simple yet glorious album that strikes a fine balance between beauty and evil, it is midpaced for the most part and takes a few spins to really settle in.
ROTTING CHRIST - A Dead Poem [CD/1997] 9/10=I love this album, the opening cut is worth the 9 points alone, emotionally charged, slow-paced melodic black metal, some people think they fell off here but I say fuck them.
ROTTING CHRIST - Sleep of the Angels [CD/1999] 9/10=Again, most of the songs are slow, melodic, and glorious, with gothic overtones, but this sounds like noone else, it rocks, and it's memorable.
ROTTING CHRIST - Khronos [CD/2000] 7/10=Here they decided to harken back to their old style, i.e. Thy Mighty Contract, but with the obviously better production. A good album but not a favorite.
ROTTING CHRIST - Genesis [CD/2002] 8/10=A nice balance of their earlier and mid-period styles, with a lot of evil atmosphere and rapid fire tapping riffs that set them apart.
ROTTING CHRIST - Sanctus Diavolos [CD/2004] 8/10=Continues in the vein of Genesis, with some nice operatic, evil vocals mixed in and tribal Greek rhythms. Certainly an evil album and just as good as the last one.
ROTTING CHRIST - Theogonia [CD/2007] 8/10=Still rooted in that highly melodic black metal foundation, but this record has a huge Mediterranean/Middle Eastern ethnic influence to it which really elevates the quality.

RUNNING WILD - Gates to Purgatory [CD/1984] 6/10=Very simple and pretty boring, but it amply displays the roots of one of the greatest bands ever to grace the Earth.
RUNNING WILD - Branded and Exiled [CD/1985] 6/10=The second album is decent, but pale in comparison to what is to come.
RUNNING WILD - Under Jolly Roger [CD/1987] 9/10=This album rocks, and this is where they officially became 'pirate' metal. Not perfect, but timeless.
RUNNING WILD - Port Royal [CD/1988] 10/10=I could argue that this is the best metal record ever made...great airy production and every song is a memorable killer.
RUNNING WILD - Death or Glory [CD/1989] 10/10=The production here is improved but still similar to Port Royal, not a weak song here either, absolutely amazing.
RUNNING WILD - Ready for Boarding [CD/1990] 5/10=It's a Running Wild live album, and that's what you'll get, but it's still just a live album.
RUNNING WILD - Wild Animal [CD/1990] 7/10=An EP with some great songs like "Stoertebeker".
RUNNING WILD - Blazon Stone [CD/1991] 8/10=Another solid album, I didn't appreciate this one for a few listens but then it dawned on me.
RUNNING WILD - The First Years of Piracy [CD/1991] 7/10=Sweet deal here, they re-record some tracks from the first three albums to bring 'em back on par with the current material. Not bad, fans will love it.
RUNNING WILD - Pile of Skulls [CD/1992] 8/10=Yep, another one, perhaps not as direct as some of their earlier work.
RUNNING WILD - Black Hand Inn [CD/1994] 8/10=Their last essential album in my opinion, some killer songs here and there.
RUNNING WILD - Masquerade [CD/1995] 7/10=A bit weakened, but it still has some intense rockers like 'Lions of the Sea', which used to be my personal themesong, being a Leo and a pirate fanatic BEFORE Johnny Depp made it cool.
RUNNING WILD - The Rivalry [CD/1998] 6/10=This is a solid album with some good moments, but largely a re-treat of previous material.
RUNNING WILD - Victory [CD/2000] 5/10=Again with the retreads, some of these riffs are directly lifted from their earlier material, other than that it's okay.
RUNNING WILD - Live [CDx2/2002] 5/10=It's a Running Wild DOUBLE live album.
RUNNING WILD - The Brotherhood [CD/2004] 6/10=Some reasonable attempts to branch out here and some decent songs, but still too derivative of their early work.
RUNNING WILD - Rogues en Vogue [CD/2005] 6/10=I'm disappointed...guitars and vox are great, stock Running Wild, but a drum machine is just not good enough for this mighty band, and the vocals are too loud in the mix.

RUSH - Rush [CD/1974] 8/10=The birth of the legends. This isn't the best Rush record but it's pretty sweet for the mid-70s, all the pillars of their heavily song-oriented prog rock style are evident.
RUSH - Fly by Night [CD/1975] 10/10=It's not just the sophomore album from Rush, but one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever made. The title track is fucking intense, as is "By-tor and the Snow Dog". Fucking legendary.
RUSH - Caress of Steel [CD/1975] 9/10=Wow, and in the same freaking year. I was like 1 year old when this dropped. Another classic, with "Bastille Day", "Lakeside Park", and epics like "The Necromancer" and "Fountain of Lamneth".
RUSH - All the World's a Stage [CD/1975] 5/5=The first live album from Rush, it sounds great and I can attest that this is a great live band.
RUSH - 2112 [CD/1976] 9/10=Album number four, in comes a slightly futurist vibe with more subtle electronics than they had used on the first three albums? Does that stop this from fucking killing? God no.
RUSH - A Farewell to Kings [CD/1977] 10/10=They had been growing slightly more 'progressive' by this point, this is a brilliant record, two of my favorite Rush tunes are here in "Xanadu" and "Cygnus X-1".
RUSH - Hemispheres [CD/1978] 9/10=Opens with the epic 18 minute long sequel to "Cygnus X-1", "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres". What more can I say? Oh yeah, I could say "The Trees" or "La Villa Strangiato".
RUSH - Permanent Waves [CD/1980] 8/10=Rush bowl right into the 80s with great tunes like "Natural Science" and "Freewill", this isn't a favorite but it's still damn good.
RUSH - Moving Pictures [CD/1981] 10/10=This is probably their most famous album, and with good enough reasons in "Tom Sawyer", "Red Barchetta" and "YYZ", but all the tunes are excellent here. Perhaps their creative peak.
RUSH - Exit...Stage Left [CD/1981] 5/5=Another amazing Rush live record, what more do you want.
RUSH - Signals [CD/1982] 9/10=Signals is rooted in a much more 80s-synth laden sound than previous albums, but that doesn't harm the quality at all, this is packed with memorable tunes like "Subdivisions" and "The Weapon".
RUSH - Grace Under Pressure [CD/1984] 9/10=And here is yet another I loved, truly this is one of the greatest bands ever. "Red Sector A", "The Body Electric" and "Between the Wheels" were among my favorites here.
RUSH - Power Windows [CD/1985] 9/10=Some love it, some hate it. I love it. I fully embrace the 80s elements of Rush, and music in general. "Big Money", "Marathon", and fucking "Emotion Detector".
RUSH - Hold Your Fire [CD/1987] 10/10=This is my personal favorite Rush album, to the surprise of many. I like it just as much as Fly By Night or Moving Pictures, it is the culmination of excellent 80s prog pop rock. Perfect.
RUSH - A Show of Hands [CD/1989] 5/5=It's nice to have a live record with more of their 80s tunes, so it's good for that reason alone.
RUSH - Presto [CD/1989] 8/10=Although I still enjoyed this record, I felt it was a step down from Hold Your Fire, the songs simply weren't as catchy, though there are still a few greats like "Show Don't Tell" and "Anagram".
RUSH - Roll the Bones [CD/1991] 7/10=Still firmly in that Hold Your Fire style, but for some reason this is not the greatest Rush album. Some of the tunes like "Face Up" feel cheesy, though it has some good songs as well.
RUSH - Counterparts [CD/1993] 7/10=A pretty heavy rockin' record as far as Rush goes, it's good but not their best. "Stick It Out", "Alien Shore" and "Cold Fire" are pretty damn good melodic rock tunes.
RUSH - Test for Echo [CD/1996] 6/10=Although it's a solid rock album, this was my least favorite Rush. I first heard it in college, and only "Virtuality" stuck out to me. In light of recent events, it probably deserves a second chance.
RUSH - Retrospective II [CDx2/1997] 1/5=Do you appreciate corporate rape? Then check it out, a compilation of things you already have.
RUSH - Different Stages Live [CD/1998] 4/5=I suppose it's a good Rush live record, has a good mix of old and new tracks.
RUSH - Vapor Trails [CD/2002] 7/10=Ironically enough, after six years, this came out as I was returning to college. It's certainly better than Test for Echo, sounds great but I can't call it anything more than just good.
RUSH - Rush in Rio [CDx3/2003] 5/5=A great three-disc live album for all those South American fans and for the rest of us who hear it.
RUSH - Feedback [CD/2004] 4/5=An EP of classic rock covers, they do The Yardbirds, The Who, Buffalo Springfield, and others. Sounds like they had a blast doing it.
RUSH - R30 [CDx2/2005] 4/5=This is technically the DVD-audio for their R30 release, it's got some great live material.
RUSH - Replay X3 [CDx3/2006] 4/5=A reissue of this music film with three discs of live material and a bonus disc...of live material.
RUSH - Snakes and Arrows [CD/2007] 9/10=Finally, after two decades of little more than fan packages and records that didn't quite live up to the Rush name, we have a great album with many, many catchy tunes. Welcome back!