From the collection of The H.M.D. MRG's own library
comes a new feature on the
essential albums that really matter. It's 2003, let's look back 10, 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years on the records that still sound just as fresh as the day they were released.
NIRVANA - IN UTERO - 1993
Was I one of the only ones that always thought that this was Nirvana's best record? Even 10 years later, it still "screams" the cries of a desperate man trying to free himself of his own personal and even physical demons. This album came in 2nd place for Album of The Year on The H.M.D. in 1994
Why It Still Matters:The overall production of this record is still sounds hauntingly the same as it was shortly after Cobain's death. NIRVANA systematically saved and destroyed pop rock music with the release of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from Nevermind but was still a bit too polished. This is the true Nirvana record. The last official full length studio record was a fitting end all for Cobain. A virtual audio diary, so to speak, from one of Gen X's greatest voices.
Best Cuts On The Album:The whole record is completely solid here. However, there are a few cuts that I think should get some focus. "Scentless Apprentice" is just a simple barrage of sonic grunge fury with Cobain screaming at the top of his lungs. The drumming of Grohl is so simple that it actually becomes a bit complex after the amount of speed he puts in it. Another track to focus on is "Milk It". Another of Cobain's simple masterpieces. This is Nirvana at it's grungy best. "Pennyroyal Tea" is another great tune off of this record. "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter", as ironic as it sounds compared to the song itself is Cobain's best attempt of giving the finger to trying to come up with a pop rock song to please the label. Loaded with distortion and bad tuning, it's a must!
THIN LIZZY - THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - 1983
"Like Thunder and Lightning, Goddamn it's so exciting! It hits ya, like a hammer...GODDAMN!!" Exclaims THIN LIZZY's front man and founder Phil Lynott during the song's lightning fast riffs. The last TL studio album features some of the best guitar licks ever laid down by the band. This line up boasts the inclusion of John Sykes, before his WHITESNAKE days, and still remains one of the best hard rocking/metal albums that any metal head from the 80's must have in their CD collection. The 1993 Metal Blade reissue was named Album of The Year on The H.M.D. in 1994
Why It Still Matters: Here is another similar situation to Nirvana. After the stale reception to previous releases "Chinatown" (1980) and "Renegade" (1981) Lynott hired former Tygers Of Pang Tang axeman Sykes to replace Snowey White on guitar. THIN LIZZY had finally come full circle and embraced their hard rocking roots with a vengenance. Though Lynott didn't die until almost 3 years later, this was announced as the last album and tour from the band. Though he later released LIFE...LIVE shortly afterwards, it's still a fitting bookend to an incredible 13 year career of this legendary Irish rock band. He continued with a new band titled GRAND SLAM but never could reclaim the dizzying heights he reached in THIN LIZZY. It nontheless is a solid piece of work to look back on and say, "The best I could do". Godamn it is exciting!
Best Cuts On The Album: Again, the complete album is untouchable. However, the best overall cuts include, the kick ass album opener and title track, "Thunder and Lightning". The follow-up cut "This Is The One". The great bass groove and drum beat of "The Holy War" and the kick ass metal, yes I said metal tune of "Cold Sweat". The great slow groove of "The Sun Goes Down" is one of Lynott's best ballads.
METALLICA - Kill 'Em All - 1983
The debut album from San Fran's Bay metal basher's was the first "speed metal" album that launched the sub-genre and also eventually also became the source of future competition of MEGADETH due to the firing of Dave Mustaine prior to the recording of this album. Though the songs themselves are fairly simple, they aren't that original by any means. Very heavily influenced by the NWOBHM(New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) by the likes of Tygers Of Pang Tang, Venom, Samson, Paralax, Diamond Head, Sweet Savage and Gaskin, they actually ripped of many of these bands' riffs and ideas and just rearranged them and stepped up the tempo so no one would tell the difference. Lars revealed this to be true on his compiled 2 CD set, "NWOBHM '79 Revisited", released in 1990 on Metal Blade Records. Many of the songs representing the bands were the original material that METALLICA stole from to do the K'EA compositions. For example, "Hit The Lights" was ripped right off of "Set The Stage Alight" originally done by Paralax. Regardless, it is a solid effort for a debut album.
Why It Still Matters:This is a prime example of what a young band hell bent on ruling the world can accomplish. Though it is often overlooked by it's follow-up, the more polished and commercial sounding Ride The Lighting there are plenty of goodies on this disc. Not to mention the now immortal, late Cliff Burton's solos on "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth". His bass playing resonates all over this album. Very well recorded on the shoestring budget that small label Megaforce Records had at the time. Megaforce rolled the dice and took a chance and it payed off big. METALLICA never stopped after that. With constant touring and securing opening gigs with many top headliners, (i.e. - W.A.S.P., Twisted Sister and others) METALLICA were on their way to becoming the "new Led Zepplin" of modern hard rock/metal.
Best Cuts On The Album: Hetfield's young vocal shrieks can be heard on the these killer timeless songs that almost never get any regualr airplay compared to their other albums. Best cuts include: "The Four Horsemen", originally written by Mustaine as "The Mechanix" but new lyrics by Hetfield/Ulrich. Also includes the single "Jump In The Fire", the ever killer "Whiplash", "Phantom Lord", and the heavy groove of "Seek and Destroy".
MERCYFUL FATE - Melissa - 1983
The full length debut album that followed the now infamous 5 song EP. Some called the EP just Mercyful Fate, others refer to it as the "Nuns Have No Fun" EP after one of the songs that appeared on it. The undisputed kings of "black metal" were the real deal. While many bands of the time were citing Satanic themes, they were merely used as gimmicks. King Diamond was actually practicing the rites of the black arts. Of all the high profile heavy metal acts, only King was ever acknowledged by Anton LaVey himself as a true Satanist.
Why It Still Matters: With the lead shrill of King Diamond and the twin guitar assault of Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, MERCYFUL FATE were in the same league as METALLICA. With a mixture of BLACK SABBATH/DEEP PURPLE/IRON MAIDEN elements, they ruled their section of the genre. Even King and Lars Ulrich were actually buds as well as label mates on Megaforce Records. Many death metal bands site MF as an influence. Melissa is a solid album in its own rite and a bit more darker than their follow up, 1984's Don't Break The Oath. Beyond the Satanic themes there's some quality musicianship here. One of the best underground heavy metal albums of the '80's. Hands down.
Best Cuts On The Album: The opener "Evil", "Curse Of The Pharohs", one of the best evil, Satanic lyrics ever written on the semi-commercial level in "At The Sound Of The Demon Bell". The 11 + minute epic of "Satan's Fall" and the album title closer "Melissa". "Black Funeral" is a short and very dark song that deserves it's own merit!
