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Lists of Domination
GD's Most Dominating Albums Of The 1990's (20-11)
13/04/07 || Global Domination
20. Death: Symbolic
Released: 1995
It goes without saying that Chuck Shuldiner remains one of the most important figures in extreme metal, therefore justifying the 3 positions that Death holds on our list. “Symbolic” would prove to be an interesting progression for Chuck & co., especially considering that Death always pushed the boundaries of death metal ever since the release of the seminal “Human” in ’91. I was lucky enough to witness their stunning performance over 10 years ago for the “Symbolic” tour back in 95, along with Deicide, Gorguts and some insignificant opening act entitled Homicide or something. Without sacrificing one ounce of brutality for originality, Death simultaneously managed to release an elaborate collection of innovative songs while proving to the metal community just why they always were (and will always be) one of the most important extreme metal bands to ever exist.
There’s an interesting clip on YouTube that shows Chuck answering interview questions back in the early 90s with an awkward lisp and a shirt with cute little kittens on it. I find it fascinating that such a gentle and kind person could have recorded such ferocious music. While I truly admire the anti-mainstream stance of extreme metal, it’s a shame that it couldn’t be a tad more commercially viable at times. After complications from a recurring brain tumor and a significant lack of funds stalling immediate surgery, Chuck eventually passed on December 13th 2001. But let’s not dwell on that. Let’s just acknowledge that “Symbolic” will always be remembered as an exceptional album recorded by one of the most important bands in metal history.
-Fishermane
19. Entombed: Left hand path
Released: 1990
Instead of running my mouth for aeon’s like most of my staff here, I’ll continue to keep this short and to the point. While I consider second album “Clandestine” (if I was the one who put this shit together, said album would have been ranked higher than “LHP”) unquestionably superior in Entombed’s catalogue, there’s no denying how groundbreaking “Left hand penis” was at the time of its release. Entombed launched a massive death metal assault upon mankind and were copied by literally millions of bands who never managed to come close to The Tomb themselves. In the end it shows that not even Entombed could live up to the material of their first 4 records. If there’s a classic death metal riff to mention, it’s the one that at the beginning of “Drowned”. Fucken classic indeed.
-Lord K
18. Emperor: In the Nightside Eclipse
Released: 1994
“I Am the Black Wizards” indeed. Emperor set the template for symphonic black metal that would later be exploited and abused. One of the most adventurous black metal discs of all-time, “…Eclipse” sets itself apart from the other genre masterpieces released in 1994. Those who complained about Ihsahn’s sodomized bobcat vocals and the heavy presence of synths really missed out on something special. While their next musical venture would be the album that people remember them for, this disc is no less essential.
Oh, and this has best black metal intro I’ve ever heard. No stupid violins or narrations, just creepy “Metroidian” synth magic!
-Hanging Limbs
17. Deicide: Legion
Released: 1990
Deicide in their prime. “Legion” reeks of evil, Satan, dildos and Glenda Benton’s awesome vocals. They had a lot to live up to after their enormous debut and fulfilled all the expectations one could have with this piece. “Legion” shows some insanely full-on groove mixed with supreme brutality. One of the finest moments from Florida and Morrisound. This is Deicide’s “Reign in blood”. Then they went to complete shit more or less, but that’s another story.
-Lord K
16. Opeth: My Arms Your Hearse
Released: 1998
This was my personal pick to sit at the number 1 spot on this list. This is quite simply the most agonizingly beautiful album to come out of the 90’s. Hands down. I shouldn’t say too much about it because once I start, I can’t stop, and I do believe I’ve already gone over the top on this site about this very album. So, I’ll try to keep the verbal diarrhea to a minimum.
It’s heavy, it’s soul-achingly pretty, and doesn’t offer the typical death metal fare. It’s very much a sonic voyage, and one best taken alone. I can’t imagine putting this on at a gathering of friends drinking beer and talking while it’s playing. It’s an album you put on, shut your eyes and really listen to, and let it take you into its world, destroying your innards as the time counter moves. It’s highly emotional, with intricate, stunningly beautiful guitar work and vocals that will simply make you wet your panties and make your eyes water. Which isn’t that attractive to your friends, trust me. The built-in cyclic mechanism only aids in making this concept album a work of sheer brilliance, and lyrically, it’s quite different from anything that came before it. “My Arms, Your Hearse” is definitely a highly superior, intelligent, poignant, intense and exquisite album, the beauty of which takes absolutely nothing away from its heaviness.
-Tash
15. Mr. Bungle: Mr. Bungle
Released: 1991
Metal through insanity, that is the best way to describe this album to a metalhead ‘purist’ who is too busy counting his faded black tour shirts to care about awesome music. What made this album so awesome is that Mr. Bungle were able to capture the fucked-up artistic perfection they carried within themselves when they formed this band as teenagers and translate it into an album at a later time in their lives when they had each reached at least a modicum of success. Mike Patton was right in the height of Faith No More’s success and… well I guess that’s it as far as band members being successful.
Regardless, this album is a tribute to all eternal 14 year olds who still remember that ONE album that made them go: “Is that even fucking possible? Is that even right? I feel dirty I think…” Purely magical fucked up carnival metal brilliance.
-Syrrok
14. Napalm Death: Harmony Corruption
Released: 1990
When Napalm Death decided to ride the Morrisound trend they finally became a good band after years and years of sucking horsecock. Entering said studio and approaching a more death metallish style was exactly what was needed for me to start taking interest in them. This is the only Napalm album I truly care about and no matter what the band says about it, it’s the best piece of music they ever recorded.
-Lord K
13. Athiest: Unquestionable Presence
Released: 1991
There should be a warning that comes with this album. Do not listen to while inhaling paint fumes. It will fuck you up. Which is exactly what I was doing when I heard this album for the first time. Needless to say, it made quite an impression, as evidenced on my bedroom walls. Although not their first album, it was the first I’d ever heard from the band, and it was the very first time I’d heard death jazz. An album heavily laced with complex arrangements, “Unquestionable Presence” is remarkably heady, not to mention busy.
Probably the most haunting thing about this album is that it was almost never recorded, as the bassist, Roger Patterson, died in vocalist Kelly Shaefer’s arms after their van crashed on a Louisiana highway while on their way back from touring with Candlemass. The band almost never went on, but decided to make Patterson’s last project come to fruition and enlisted Cynic’s bassist, Tony Choy, for this album. And what a fucking album it turned out to be. Beautifully odd time signatures, virtuoso bass lines, and intricately fused death metal and jazz make this album innovative even by today’s standards, and no top 100 list can be taken seriously without the inclusion of thereof.
-Tash
12. Grave: Soulless
Released: 1994
On “Soulless”, Grave composed a death metal molotov cocktail that just reeks of groove, brutality and some of the catchiest death metal tunes you are bound to hear. From the crushing opening riff of “Turning black” to the ending of “Scars”, there’s not one weak passage on this whole album. “Soulless” is the crown jewel of Grave and they never managed to fully get back on track after Jörgen left the band. One of the finest albums in Swedish death metal history with a well-deserved spot in the “Death Metal Hall of Fame”. But Seance’s “Saltrubbed eyes” is better. Actually, it’s not only better… “Saltrubbed eyes” is number one. Is that fucken clear now?
-Lord K
11. Carcass: Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious
Released: 1991
Carcass is the only band on our list to (almost) have two albums in the top ten of our list, and for good reasons. This time around, they drop their grind and go straight for the death metal sound. “Corporal Jigsore Quandary” is worth the admission alone. Carcass will always remain the kings of goregrind in many fans’ eyes, including mine.
-Eric W
(Note from Stephen: Okay folks, here’s the deal. This album was originally scheduled to just squeak it’s way into the Top 10. After getting drunk and fondling each other one night, we decided that it really belonged a few spots lower. It’s not that we don’t love Carcass, we do, and a few of us fought valiantly to keep it in the Top 10. The whiners won out in the end though, so it was moved a few places back.
Why is all this important? Well, Eric had written his matter-of-fact comment long before we decided to move it and we didn’t think it was fair to make him rewrite it at the last second. Regardless of the BS, “Necrotism” is the death/grind album to own, featuring countless kick-ass riffs, rhythms and solos. If you don’t own and appreciate this album, you suck.)
