Warner Bros. Choosing a 10 Best Songs list for Linkin Park was no easy task as some very solid and well-known tracks just barely missed our cut. But one thing is for sure, the ever-evolving six-piece of Chester Bennington , Mike Shinoda , Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and Rob Bourdon have always kept things interesting with a hybrid mix of rock, metal, rap and electronic music. So, as we present this Top 10 countdown of Linkin Park songs, keep in mind that we tried so hard, but in the end we hope we chose the songs that really mattered. Check out our list of the 10 Best Linkin Park Songs below: 10 ‘Breaking the Habit’ From: ‘Meteora’ (2003) ? ? What started off as Mike Shinoda’s epic instrumental track called ‘Drawing’ eventually turned into a more fleshed-out hit single called ‘Breaking the Habit.’ Though it was the final song released off their ‘Meteora’ album, it’s turned into one of their more enduring tracks, perhaps due to the personal nature of the lyrics. Chester Bennington belts, ” I don’t know how I got this way / I know it’s not alright / So I’m breaking the habit ” with every ounce of emotion. Listen to ‘Breaking the Habit’ ? ? 9 ‘Waiting for the End’ From: ‘A Thousand Suns’ (2010) ? ? ‘Waiting for the End’ just has that bouncy groove that both differentiates itself and makes it a natural fit as one of Linkin Park’s 10 best songs. Bennington described the track as having a “summertime vibe,” and the combination of Rob Bourdon’s drums and Joe Hahn’s samples really give the track that special sound. Add in Shinoda’s rasta-like rapping with Bennington’s more melodic delivery and you’ve got the makings of something special. Listen to ‘Waiting for the End’ ? ? 8 ‘Crawling’ From: ‘Hybrid Theory’ (2000) ? ? ‘Crawling’ will always hold a special place for Linkin Park as it gave them their first Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Bennington delivers one of his fiercest screams to date, but admits it’s one of the more difficult songs to perform. He told Spin , “[It’s] about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol … This is just who I am, this is what I write about, what I do, and most of my work has been a reflection of what I’ve been going through in one way or another.” Listen to ‘Crawling’ ? ? 7 ‘Bleed It Out’ From: ‘Minutes to Midnight’ (2007) ? ? With ‘Bleed It Out,’ Shinoda got a chance to come to the forefront though the ‘Minutes to Midnight’ album as a whole featured less of his rap style that its predecessors. The clap-along rocker was a meta track about the perfection they put into their recording process, with Shinoda spelling out their drive in the opening line: ” Here we go for the hundredth time / hand grenade pins in every line / Throw ’em up and let something shine / Going out of my f—ing mind .” Thankfully they did bleed it out and dig a little deeper, cause this song is no throw away. Listen to ‘Bleed It Out’ ? ? 6 ‘Lying From You’ From: ‘Meteora’ (2003) ? ? ‘Lying From You’ is the perfect example of what the band did best early in their career and is a must for the 10 Best Linkin Park Songs list. It starts with a Joe Hahn viola-infused keyboard sample, then gives way to some hard-hitting Bourdon drumming, gritty guitar and bass work from Brad Delson and Phoenix Farrell and is offset with some of Shinoda’s best rhymes and Bennington’s supreme screams. It’s no wonder the track has become a live favorite over the years. Listen to ‘Lying From You’ ? ? 5 ‘Given Up’ From: ‘Minutes to Midnight’ (2007) ? ? Linkin Park delivered one of their hardest songs to date with ‘Given Up’ off the ‘Minutes to Midnight’ album. Guitarist Brad Delson shines on this track, not only for the infectious guitar lick that drives the song, but also for the keys jingling at the start of the cut. It’s also notable for Bennington’s excessive 17-second scream before the final chorus that drives home the alienation laid out in the lyrics. Listen to ‘Given Up’ ? ? 4 ‘Faint’ From: ‘Meteora’ (2003) ? ? LInkin Park’s early sampling along with a sped up guitar track from Delson and some dexterous drumming from Bourdon make ‘Faint’ one of the band’s more distinguishable songs. Though the title is never uttered in the track, the song itself is about making sure that you’re never so faint that your opinion isn’t heard. As Bennington belts, ” I can’t feel the way I did before / Don’t turn your back on me / I won’t be ignored .” Listen to ‘Faint’ ? ? 3 ‘One Step Closer’ From: ‘Hybrid Theory’ ? ? Need to blow off some steam? ‘One Step Closer’ is the track for you. Linkin Park’s ode to frustration ended up being the song that broke them to a mass audience. As a calling card, you could do a lot worse that Bennington’s in-your-face declaration, “Shut up when I’m talking to you.” As for the question of who was about to make Bennington break, the vocalist revealed in a 2011 with Kerrang that some of the lyrics were inspired by producer Don Gilmore who had repeatedly asked the band to rework the song. Listen to ‘One Step Closer’ ? ? 2 ‘Numb’ From: ‘Meteora’ (2003) ? ? ‘Numb’ is definitely one of Linkin Park’s more powerful songs, speaking heavily about trying to live up to someone else’s expectations. Bennington cuts right to the heart of the matter, singing, ” Don’t know what you’re expecting of me / Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes / Every step that I take is another mistake to you .” Blending equal parts melody and aggression, ‘Numb’ has become one of the band’s most beloved tracks. Listen to ‘Numb’ ? ? 1 ‘In the End’ From: ‘Hybrid Theory’ (2000) ? ? Though ‘One Step Closer’ was the song that broke Linkin Park, ‘In the End’ was the track that made sure that fans were around to stay. The song’s perfect blend of melancholy melody and angst-driven aggression showed the range of what the band could do. While Bennington may say in the track that he tried so hard, but in the end nothing really mattered, Linkin Park fans might disagree. The craftsmanship put on this cut made it a solid choice for the top of the 10 Best Linkin Park Songs list. Listen to ‘In the End’ ? ? What Are Linkin Park’s Best Songs? We’re well aware there are still a lot of great Linkin Park songs that didn’t make the cut and here’s your chance to make your argument to replace one on our list with another. Should chart-toppers like ‘Somewhere I Belong,’ ‘What I’ve Done,’ ‘The Catalyst’ or ‘Burn It Down’ be there? How about favorites like ‘Papercut,’ ‘Leave Out All the Rest,’ ‘Shadow of the Day’ or ‘Lost in the Echo’? Let us know your thoughts on this list in the comments section below.
Posts Tagged ‘div-alignment’
10 Best Metal Albums of 2012
November 28th, 2012 
Metalkult Liz Ramanand, Loudwire This year 2012 will be remembered as one that was incredibly rich with quality metal albums. With some of extreme music's most consistent bands having issued near-perfect additions to their discographies this year, many of the albums listed here could have easily come in at No. 1 if released in past years. Albums from Between the Buried and Me , Converge , Pig Destroyer and Gojira made 2012 an incredibly competitive year, and certainly one of the best so far in the 21st century. The year also saw stellar new releases from the likes of Down and Lamb of God , among others. For fans who lean more rock than metal, we've got a separate list for you. But here, we present our picks for the 10 Best Metal Albums of 2012: ? 10 'Blood for the Master' Goatwhore ? ? Coming in at No. 10 is Goatwhore 's blackened death metal gem 'Blood for the Master.' Released on Feb. 13, the band unleashed one of their heaviest and greatest career achievements early in the year. With 'Blood for the Master' fueling an ever-increasing fanbase, Goatwhore earned a place on this year's Summer Slaughter tour along with opening shows for High on Fire, Hate Eternal and 3 Inches of Blood, among others, in 2012. Listen to 'Collapse in Eternal Worth' ? ? 9 'Resolution' Lamb of God ? ? Lamb of God continued their streak of creating addictive “pure American metal” with 'Resolution.' The band stays the course with their latest album, with powerful consistency and flawless execution. While there is no mistaking the album's tracks as anyone but Lamb of God, the band experiments with some doom with 'Straight for the Sun' and spoken word parts with 'King Me.' Add pummeling tracks such as 'Desolation' and Ghost Walking,' and you've got a killer album. Listen to 'Ghost Walking' ? ? 8 'Down IV, Part 1 – The Purple EP' Down ? ? Although 'Down IV, Part 1 – The Purple EP' contains only six songs, the tracks within offer a sustaining energy that carries the weight of a full-length. The vocal prowess of Phil Anselmo remains powerful, especially when delving low into his range, while the rest of Down pump out monstrous sludge into the groove-driven 'Levitation' and the anthemic 'Witchtripper.' Listen to 'Witchtripper' ? ? 7 'Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light' Woods of Ypres ? ? The tragic death of Woods of Ypres mastermind David Gold in December 2011 was a massive loss to the metal world, and tragically, Gold did not live to see the release of 'Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light.' Gold harnessed immense depth and introspective thought, using death itself as the album's central theme. 'Woods 5' follows a man who sees death after being struck by lightning and finds neither a God nor an afterlife. Listen to 'Lightning & Snow' ? ? 6 'Book Burner' Pig Destroyer ? ? With an album so good even Larry King contributed to it (kind of), Pig Destroyer ended a five-year wait for new material in 2012 with 'Book Burner.' The addition of Misery Index drummer Adam Jarvis to the lineup delivered a much dirtier and twisted sound to the new record, displayed prominently in 'The Diplomat.' Along with the all-knowing guitarist / producer Scott Hull and tremendous guest vocalists accompanying J.R. Hayes, the grind of Pig Destroyer remains second to none. Listen to 'The Bug' ? ? 5 'L'Enfant Sauvage' Gojira ? ? Although Gojira already possessed mountains of fans and a solid discography, the band is widely considered to be the breakout metal act of 2012. The French metallers unveiled 'L'Enfant Sauvage' to universal acclaim, successfully balancing the band's key components of brutality, beauty and progression with flawless production attached. For songs like 'The Axe,' 'Explosia,' the title track and much more, we say 'merci beaucoup' to Gojira. Listen to 'L'Enfant Sauvage' ? ? 4 'De Vermis Mysteriis' High on Fire ? ? High on Fire gifted fans with the incredible trippy sludge-fest 'De Vermis Mysteriis' in 2012, which explores the story of Jesus Christ's time-traveling stillborn twin brother who drinks a serum to see the past through his ancestors eyes in order to discover how his brother became a religious icon. Still with us? Even if the concept goes over your head, the brilliance of tracks such as 'Fertile Green' and 'King of Days' will bring you to sonic enlightenment. Listen to 'Fertile Green' ? ? 3 'All We Love We Leave Behind' Converge ? ? Converge possess one of extreme music's most impressive discographies, and 'All We Love We Leave Behind' ranks among the band's crowning achievements. The group strides closer to their hardcore roots with 'Trespesses' and 'Sparrow's Fall,' continue the legacy of Kurt Ballou's ingenious shredding with 'Sadness Comes Home' and even create experimental beauty with 'Coral Blue.' Listen to 'Sadness Comes Home' ? ? 2 'Utilitarian' Napalm Death ? ? Many metalheads expected just another grind record with Napalm Death 's 15th studio album, 'Utilitarian.' Those people were wrong. 'Utilitarian' turned out to be not just a phenomenal album, but a monumental achievement for the British legends. Barney Greenway's unmatched voice remains terrifying and demented, while the band's songwriting created an avant-garde niche consisting of scattered saxophone solos and otherworldly clean vocals. Listen to 'The Wolf I Feed' ? ? 1 'The Parallax II: Future Sequence' Between the Buried and Me ? ? 'The Parallax II: Future Sequence' is metal music's greatest conceptual accomplishment of the year. Set in outer space, BTBAM have created the most complex music you'll ever zone out to, performed by the strongest group of pure musicians within the realm of metal. Much like the band's 2007 album, 'Colors,' the record takes unexpected twists and turns while sonic plates spin without the slightest wobble. For that, we crown it the Best Metal Album of 2012. Listen to 'Telos' ? ? What's Your Favorite Metal Album of 2012? Which one of our 10 picks is your favorite? Did we get the order right? Did we miss your favorite metal album of 2012? Tell us our hits and misses in the comments section below: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-rock-albums-of-2012/” title=”Next: 10 Best Rock Albums of 2012″ align=”center”] ?
Posted in News 
Tags: album, band, british, destroyer, div-alignment, enfant-sauvage, ghost walking, green, high on fire, jesus, metal, napalm-death, sadness-comes, summer, walking 
No Comments »10 Best Guns N’ Roses Songs
October 19th, 2012 Metalkult Geffen Since exploding onto the scene in the 1980s, Guns N' Roses have taken on many forms and featured an array of members in the ranks. While GN'R of 1987 look nothing like GN'R of 2012, save for W. Axl Rose as the frontman, the band's legacy is undeniable. That's why we poured over their material and their catalog to select the 10 Best Guns N' Roses Songs. When they catapulted out of Los Angeles to gain fame on the national stage, they were considered the most dangerous band in the world, a reputation they carefully cultivated, curated and groomed. They did so thanks to an arsenal of riffs and solos that were distinct as fingerprints, all delivered courtesy of Slash and unsung hero Izzy Stradlin. Lest we forget the unbridled rage and willingness to push the envelope that was part and parcel of Rose's style. It almost didn't matter what the singer said; it was how he said it. The band's songs are a mixed bag of fire-in-the-belly anthems that could start wars and contemplative ballads that never sacrificed bite despite having a sensitive side. So, take a trip to the jungle and check out our list of the 10 Best Guns N' Roses Songs: ? 10 'Nightrain' From: 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987) ? ? You know you want to knock one back right now at the mere mention of Guns N' Roses' 'Nightrain.' Slash and Izzy get credit for the amazing riffs that drive this song, though Christopher Walken might be very happy with the amount of cowbell Steven Adler uses in the track. Slash said in his autobiography, “That song has a rhythm to it in the verses that from the start always made me go crazy … When we had our huge stage later on, I'd run the length of it, jump off the amplifiers, and lose it every single time we played it.” Listen to 'Nightrain' ? ? 9 'Civil War' From: 'Use Your Illusion II' (1991) ? ? What is it with Axl Rose and whistling? We're not sure, but every time he puckers up, it rocks us to the core. On 'Civil War,' though, there's so much more to the track that makes it one of our 10 Best Guns N' Roses Songs. Perhaps it's the inclusion of the 'Cool Hand Luke' speech at the beginning. Maybe it's the darkly melodic and touching Slash guitar riffs. Or it could just be that Rose hit on something deeply moving discussing the battle for civil rights, military conflicts, and politically motivated assassinations. Whatever the draw, 'Civil War' simply rocks. Listen to 'Civil War' ? ? 8 'Used to Love Her' From: 'Lies' (1988) ? ? 'Used to Love Her' may not have been quite as controversial as 'One in a Million,' but this catchy acoustic track from the 'Lies' EP garnered a lot of negative attention for its lyric, 'I used to love her / But I had to kill her / She b—-ed so much / She drove me nuts.” However, the song is reportedly about Axl Rose's dog, not a woman. Controversial content aside, the tune offered up an unforgettable groove and is the perfect sing-along song when drowning your sorrows following a breakup. Listen to 'Used to Love Her' ? ? 7 'Mr. Brownstone' From: 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987) ? ? “I used to do a little but a little wouldn't do it / So the little got more and more” said it all. The song addressed drug abuse and addiction, and was an ode, of sorts, to a drug dealer who supplied the magic potions. Slash and Izzy Stradlin pounded out bluesy, unusual riffs and Rose's refusal to avoid a taboo lyrical topic once again produced a song that stuck in our skulls because of its melodic maelstrom and the band's overall desire to be in your face. That's what made them so dangerous. Listen to 'Mr. Brownstone' ? ? 6 'Estranged' From: 'Use Your Illusion II' (1991) ? ? Epic doesn't even begin to describe Guns N' Roses' 'Estranged.' By 1991, the band had some pretty grandiose plans for their 'Use Your Illusion' discs and 'Estranged' definitely landed on the more experimental side of things. The track had no discernable chorus and featured several style shifts, yet it was pure genius. From Slash's memorable guitar riffing to Matt Sorum's taps-style drumming, 'Estranged' took Axl Rose's melancholy musings and turned them into a triumph. Listen to 'Estranged' ? ? 5 'Paradise City' From: 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987) ? ? This fiery anthem certainly had us wanting to pack our bags and move to the place where “the grass is green and the girls are pretty.” Rose sang with a fury that's nearly unmatched and Slash ripped through definitive riffs that are strategically placed in the beginning, middle and end of the song. Ultimately, GN'R created a track with the kind of escalating tension you just can't fake. By the time it reaches the crescendo, you can barely keep up. It moves at such a quickened pace that it scrambles the brains inside your head. A flawlessly executed rock song. Listen to 'Paradise City' ? ? 4 'November Rain' From: 'Use Your Illusion 1' (1991) ? ? 'November Rain' is one of the most epic, expansive, lush, rich and complex power ballads ever penned by a rock band, so that's why it's one of the 10 Best Guns N' Roses songs. Rose plays piano and lays his emotional cards face up on the table from the get-go, giving us almost 10 minutes of unrestricted access to his not-often-seen vulnerable side. The song is full of ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys, and by the time we get to the “Don't ya think that you need somebody” crescendo, we're overjoyed, exhausted and lying in a heap from the intensity. That's the power of good music. Essentially, it's GN'R's 'Stairway to Heaven.' Listen to 'November Rain' ? ? 3 'Welcome to the Jungle' From: 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987) ? ? You're in the jungle, baby. You're gonna DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Welcome to the Jungle' was GN'R's take-no-prisoners opening salvo and was most rock fans first experience with the band. It came out of the gates kicking, screaming and demanding to be heard with its airhorn guitar opening, reminding all the fathers out there of everything they feared about rockers and their daughters. Musically, it meshes punk rock and metal, a Molotov cocktail of youth, skill, rage, hormones and the desire to come face-to-face with the unknown. It'll bring to your sh-na-na-na-na-knees. Listen to 'Welcome to the Jungle' ? ? 2 'Patience' From: 'Lies' (1988) ? ? A true ballad in every sense of the word, 'Patience' is the most stripped down and uncomplicated we've ever seen or heard GN'R and Axl Rose be. The nerves are exposed from the very beginning, as the song opens with a lilting whistle. It sees Axl switching between a low, clean vocal, which carries him through the first two-thirds of the song, to the bewitching and haunting ending, where he admits 'I've been walking the streets at night / Just trying to get it right' and 'I ain't got time for the game / Cuz I need you.” It demonstrates the redemptive power of song and the catharsis that is possible via rock music. Listen to 'Patience' ? ? 1 'Sweet Child O' Mine' From: 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987) ? ? The swirling riff that opens the song is Slash's most definitive GN'R moment. It was the song that made mothers and sisters like GN'R, as it showed the softer side of rock's most dangerous band. But as stated previously, the band never blunted or dulled its edge. In fact, these more sensitive moments only served to prove just how dangerous and rock 'n' roll GN'R really were. 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is not only among 10 Best Guns N' Roses songs, it's one of the best rock songs ever put to tape. Listen to 'Sweet Child o' Mine' ? ? What Is Your Favorite Guns N' Roses Song? Now that you've reviewed and dissected our list of the 10 Best Guns N' Roses songs, tell us how you think we did. Did your favorite song fall too low on the list? Did we omit your absolute top track? Do you agree or disagree with our final list? Tell us what you think in the comments section below: ?
Posted in News Tags: bags, band, div-alignment, game, guns n' roses, list, lists!, most, news, november-rain, original features, song, songs No Comments »10 Best Grunge Bands of All Time
September 28th, 2012 Metalkult George De Soto / Frank Micelotta (2), Getty Images Grunge — it was the sound that defined the early '90s, and with this list of the 10 Best Grunge Bands, we're looking back on the acts that started a musical revolution and turned the music world on its ear. As the '80s gave way to the '90s, there was a need to shake things up from the status quo, and the sound called grunge was there to not only fill a void but to engulf the music scene as a whole. It paved the way for a wealth of frequently overlooked acts and all of a sudden, harder-edged, gritty music typically only heard on college radio was finally making its way into the public lexicon. Seattle became the center of the music universe; sweaty concert halls were once again the place to be; and flannel became a fashion statement. So let's crank up some distortion and count down the 10 Best Grunge Bands: ? Sub Pop 10 Mudhoney ? ? Mudhoney are one of grunge's most consistently solid and enduring bands. The group had its roots in the '80s act Green River, a band that many point to as one of the pioneers of the grunge sound. Mark Arm and Steve Turner emerged from Green River to start Mudhoney and while they didn't reach the commercial success of some of their peers, tracks like 'Touch Me I'm Sick,' 'Let It Slide' and 'Suck You Dry' became well-respected grunge anthems. Listen to 'Touch Me I'm Sick' ? ? Frank Micelotta, Getty Images 9 Hole ? ? It took a while for Hole to emerge from the shadow of Courtney Love 's late husband, Kurt Cobain , but 1994's 'Live Through This' was the album that finally broke them to a mass audience. Courtney Love's raspy voice hit the perfect mark on 'Miss World,' 'Doll Parts,' and 'Violet,' and though the band's sound began to evolve with 1998's 'Celebrity Skin,' songs like the title track and 'Awful' still had their roots in that undeniably gritty grunge sound. Listen to 'Miss World' ? ? YouTube 8 Mother Love Bone ? ? For many, the brilliance of Mother Love Bone wasn't discovered until after the band was no more. Sadly, singer Andrew Wood died of a drug overdose just days before the release of their first disc. The album did produce such grunge favorites as 'Stardog Champion' and 'Crown of Thorns' (the 'Chloe Dancer' intro portion would be added for the 'Singles' soundtrack). The group was also notable for being the pre- Pearl Jam band for Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard. Listen to 'Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns' ? ? Facebook: Screaming Trees 7 Screaming Trees ? ? Screaming Trees may have hit it big with 'Nearly Lost You,' but the band was well versed in their sound long before most people picked up on grunge. Led by the increasingly deep vocals of Mark Lanegan and the driving bass and guitar work of brothers Van and Gary Lee Conner, the band emerged as one of the leaders of the grunge movement. While 'Nearly Lost You' became their calling card, tracks like 'Dollar Bill,' 'Shadow of the Season,' and 'Bed or Roses' were also favorites in the band's catalog. Listen to 'Nearly Lost You' ? ? Facebook: The Melvins 6 The Melvins ? ? The Melvins , led by singer/guitarist Buzz Osbourne and drummer Dale Crover, are considered one of the pioneers of what would become grunge and thus deserve their spot among the Top 10 Grunge Bands. Their slow-moving, trudging sound became an influence for up-and-coming Seattle bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden . The band is still going strong today, and songs like 'Hooch,' 'Honey Bucket' and 'Night Goat' are as solid as they come. Listen to 'Honey Bucket' ? ? Facebook: Stone Temple Pilots 5 Stone Temple Pilots ? ? Could grunge grow outside of Seattle? That was the question in 1992, when San Diego-based rockers Stone Temple Pilots arrived with their 'Core' album, leading the second wave of grunge. The brutal lead single 'Sex Type Thing' introduced the band and vocal style of Scott Weiland . But it was the second song 'Plush,' with its memorable rhythmic guitar lines that truly established the band. Though they would evolve into a more straight-ahead rock band over time, the 'Core' and 'Purple' records had songs firmly implanted in the grunge sound. Listen to 'Plush' ? ? Facebook: Soundgarden 4 Soundgarden ? ? After forming in Seattle in the '80s, Soundgarden finally broke through with the 1991 single 'Outshined,' followed by the spirited follow-up 'Rusty Cage.' Blending in some of their punk roots, Soundgarden provided a frenetic interpretation early on before settling into a moodier, more trudging sound. Singer Chris Cornell shined on such hits as 'Spoonman,' 'Black Hole Sun,' 'Fell on Black Days,' and 'Pretty Noose.' There's no doubt Soundgarden deserves their upper echelon ranking in the Top 10 Grunge Bands list. Listen to 'Outshined' ? ? LegacyRecordings.com 3 Alice in Chains ? ? Was there a more impactful partnership in the grunge scene than Alice in Chains guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and powerhouse frontman Layne Staley ? The pair's harmonies were unmatched, with Staley delivering the extra punch when things got really heavy. 'Man in the Box' put them on the musical map in 1991, and by the following year, they spawned the grunge masterpiece, 'Dirt,' which featured such classics as 'Would?,' 'Rooster,' 'Them Bones' and 'Angry Chair.' Listen to 'Man in the Box' ? ? Facebook: Pearl Jam 2 Pearl Jam ? ? Formed after the demise of Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam emerged from the ashes to soar with 1991's 'Ten' album. The rhythmically heavy 'Alive' set the tone for the group, while the hard-hitting 'Even Flow' cemented their status as a band to be reckoned with. And by the time 'Jeremy' commanded MTV's airwaves, everyone knew Pearl Jam. The 'Vs.' and 'Vitalogy' albums kept the grunge vibes going, and the band is still one of the most successful touring acts to this day. Listen to 'Alive' ? ? Facebook: Nirvana 1 Nirvana ? ? It's hard to argue against Nirvana as the No. 1 act of our 10 Best Grunge Bands list, as they essentially put the genre on the map with their 1991 classic, 'Nevermind.' But things didn't stop with 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' as 'Come As You Are,' 'Lithium' and their 'In Utero' favorites 'Heart Shaped Box' and 'Rape Me' are as good as they come in the grunge world. Sadly, we lost Kurt Cobain in 1994, but the fact that the band reached iconic status speaks to the quality of the music and their dominance in such a short timespan. Listen to 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' ? ? What Are Your Favorite Grunge Bands? So there you have it, the 10 Best Grunge Bands. What do you think of the list? Is there a band missing that should be included? Is there a group that should be placed higher or lower? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. ?
Posted in News Tags: courtney-love, div-alignment, grunge, grunge-bands, lists!, love, mother-love, mtv, Music, nirvana, screaming-trees, seattle, Sound No Comments »10 Best Slayer Songs
September 26th, 2012 Metalkult Photo by Mark Seliger Choosing the 10 best Slayer songs is a difficult task, considering the band's prolific career. Having unleashed a brand of unforgiving thrash metal for over 30 years, Slayer are one of the most iconic and influential bands of all time. Beyond the realms of metal, Slayer have almost built an entire ecosystem around their music, which has seen great appreciation and respect from all types of music fans. As one of thrash's 'Big Four,' Slayer have pummeled fans with 11 albums, two live records, four gold-selling discs and five Grammy nominations (including two wins). Slayer are currently in the process of writing their 12th studio album, which is tentatively set for a 2013 release, but for now, we celebrate the band's phenomenal career with our picks of the 10 Best Slayer Songs. ? 10 'Chemical Warfare' From: 'Haunting the Chapel' EP (1984) ? ? After the success of Slayer's debut album, 'Show No Mercy,' Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel reportedly pushed the idea of Slayer releasing an EP. Slayer were already playing 'Chemical Warfare' at their live shows, so releasing the song as soon as humanly possible was an obvious move. The track unveils an incredible power through pure grit, and is a favorite of old-school Slayer fans. 'Chemical Warfare' and the rest of the 'Haunting the Chapel' EP was later included in the 1987 re-release of 'Show No Mercy.' Listen to 'Chemical Warfare' ? ? 9 'Cult' From: 'Christ Illusion' (2006) ? ? After the strong response to 'God Hates Us All,' Slayer continued their challenge against religion with their 2006 full-length, 'Christ Illusion.' Although the album features two Grammy Award-winning songs, 'Eyes of the Insane' and 'Final Six,' track number nine, 'Cult' is arguably the album's greatest creative achievement. The Kerry King-penned track questions Christianity with vivid and intense lyrics that singer Tom Araya delivers with ultimate conviction. Listen to 'Cult' ? ? 8 'Disciple' From: 'God Hates Us All' (2001) ? ? As somewhat of a return to form for Slayer, the band unleashed 'God Hates Us All' in 2001, with 'Disciple' instantly becoming a fan favorite. The unforgettable yell of 'God hates us all!' gave a new iconic phrase for Slayer fans to scream along with frontman Tom Araya. In an incredibly strange coincidence, the 'God Hates Us All' album was released on Sept. 11, 2001, giving the album an additional dark overtone. Listen to 'Disciple' ? ? 7 'Dead Skin Mask' From: 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990) ? ? It's utterly ridiculous how Slayer were able to cram so many iconic riffs into one album, but they achieved unparalleled creative success with 'Seasons in the Abyss' and the standout track 'Dead Skin Mask.' The prime cut was inspired by infamous murderer Ed Gein, who wore the skin of his dead victims. Adding a further piece of horror to 'Dead Skin Mask,' a voice of a child can be heard in the outro, crying, “I don't want to play anymore, Mr. Gein,” and “Let me out!” Listen to 'Dead Skin Mask' ? ? 6 'Hell Awaits' From: 'Hell Awaits' (1985) ? ? As the title track to one of metal's most influential releases, 'Hell Awaits' is one of the key Slayer tracks that demonstrates the diabolic atmosphere that the band is able to conjure. Although the track is mostly instrumental, 'Hell Awaits' grabs you with a Satanic grip as is drags you down into the fiery pit. This track can only be described as purely terrifying. Listen to 'Hell Awaits' ? ? 5 'War Ensemble' From: 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990) ? ? Opening the 'Seasons in the Abyss' album with Slayer's classic take-no-prisoners attitude, 'War Ensemble' is without a doubt one of the strongest beginnings to an album in metal history. Still a staple of their live show decades after the release of 'Seasons in the Abyss,' 'War Ensemble' never fails to incite screams of 'Sport the war! / War support!' while Tom Araya concludes the iconic chorus with, 'The final swing is not a drill / It's how many people I can kill.' Listen to 'War Ensemble' ? ? 4 'South of Heaven' From: 'South of Heaven' (1988) ? ? Honing yet another memorable lick that only Slayer could unleash with such undercurrent, 'South of Heaven' is yet another cut that delves its demonic hooks into your flesh. 'South of Heaven' floats somewhere within the many lakes of fire explored by Slayer, taking the listener to an igneous crypt completely new to metalheads at the time, but all too familiar to the devil's favorite band. Listen to 'South of Heaven' ? ? 3 'Angel of Death' From: 'Reign in Blood' (1986) ? ? Beginning with a scream that embodies the suffering felt within the walls of the Auschwitz concentration camp, 'Angel of Death' is written from the perspective of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. The doctor has become infamous for the sadistic experimentations he performed upon Auschwitz prisoners, including children. For this, he was gifted with the title, 'Angel of Death.' Slayer explored the monstrous acts carried out by Mengele with lyrics such as “Surgery, with no anesthesia / Feel the knife pierce you intensely.” Listen to 'Angel of Death' ? ? 2 'Seasons in the Abyss' From: 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990) ? ? As the closing chapter to the album of the same name, 'Seasons in the Abyss' shows what Slayer can achieve musically without constantly driving at full speed. Much like some of their earlier works, Slayer creates a hellish atmosphere with 'Seasons in the Abyss,' with the feel of the track complementing the title perfectly. Don't go to sleep while this song is playing, because you'll surely dream about walking through the realm of purgatory. Listen to 'Seasons in the Abyss' ? ? 1 'Raining Blood' From: 'Reign in Blood' (1986) ? ? Thunder strikes as the sound of menacing rain and electric shrieks of perdition echo across the realm of the eternally damned. As the demonic sound begins to crescendo, Slayer take hold as they unveil one of the most evil riffs in metal history. From the 'Reign in Blood' album, which many considered to be the heaviest record on history at the time, 'Raining Blood' feels like it was handed down by the devil himself. As a band who perfected the concept of atmospherically evil thrash, 'Raining Blood' is certainly one of metal's highest peaks, as well as the most immortal achievement of Slayer. Listen to 'Raining Blood' ? ? What's Your Favorite Slayer Song? It wasn't easy coming up with a list of the 10 Best Slayer Songs, as there are so many tunes to choose from. Which Slayer song is your favorite? Which songs should have made the list? Let your opinion be known in the comments section below: ?
Posted in News Tags: band, christianity, div-alignment, gold, illusion, most, original features, skin, songs, time, title, track No Comments »Top 10 Albums of 2002
September 20th, 2012 Metalkult Sean Gardner / Jonathan Wood / Karl Walter, Getty Images As cliche as it may sound, it seems unbelievable that these 2002 landmark albums were released a decade ago. In a time when MTV was still playing music videos on heavy rotation, mainstream rock as well as underground metal had a very memorable year in 2002. Bands such as Queens of the Stone Age and Chevelle rocketed to worldwide notoriety, while various types of 'core' and progressive metal crowned some new heroes. Although 10 years have passed since the release of these albums, each one of them shares a timeless quality that to this day, allows these records to be constantly re-spun. Check out our list of the Top 10 Albums of 2002: ? 10 'Audioslave' Audioslave ? ? When it comes to rock 'supergroups,' few have been as successful as Audioslave were in the 2000s. Consisting of Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine along with Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, Audioslave's self-titled album is home to rock anthems like 'Cochise,' 'Show Me How to Live' and 'Like a Stone.' The band would release two more albums before breaking up in 2007. ? 9 'Perseverance' Hatebreed ? ? As the New Wave of American Metal swept through the 2000s, different types of 'core' began to gain a tremendous amount of attention. With the release of Hatebreed 's 'Perseverance,' they became one of the first truly heavy bands of the era to succeed on a major label [Universal]. As an essential piece of the New England metal scene, bands such as Killswitch Engage constantly praise Hatebreed for paving the way for modern metal acts and allowing others to succeed on major labels. Tracks such as 'Proven,' 'Call for Blood' and 'I Will Be Heard' allow for a unique catharsis, letting the listener “get the red out.” ? 8 'The Art of Balance' Shadows Fall ? ? In a quest to find the perfect balance between melody and aggression, Shadows Fall created 'The Art of Balance.' With tracks about yoga and meditation mixed in with negative points in life and thrashing aggression, the experiment worked, and 'The Art of Balance' received gleaming praise from critics and fans. Vocalist Brian Fair explains, “It's the idea of oneness and unity between all people and all things. It's the idea that all systems begin from the same spark and it's something we get further away from. We're all in this together.” ? 7 'Wonder Whats Next' Chevelle ? ? Chevelle released their breakthrough album 'Wonder What's Next' in 2002, and the disc went on to achieve platinum certification. The success of the album is largely due to Chevelle's signature track, 'The Red.' 'Wonder Whats Next' had a long and impressive ride after the its release, as the singles 'Send the Pain Below' and 'Closure' kept Chevelle going through a monumental period in the band's history. ? 6 'Alive or Just Breathing' Killswitch Engage ? ? Widely considered as pioneers of the 2000s metalcore explosion, Killswitch Engage released 'Alive or Just Breathing' to mass acclaim. It was the last album featuring original vocalist Jesse Leach, who returned to Killswitch in 2012 after a decade-long tenure elsewhere. The highly addictive album consists of fan favorites 'My Last Serenade' and 'Fixation on the Darkness,' among others. ? 5 'Oceanic' Isis ? ? Crushing, gorgeous, stunning, sludgy, mesmerizing … 'Oceanic.' New England post-metal band Isis delivered a true gem with the release of 'Oceanic.' Their sophomore effort is a conceptual masterpiece, which revolves around the themes of water, romance, incest and suicide. 'Oceanic' feels like it hasn't aged a bit in it's 10-year existence, with old and new fans continuing to immerse themselves in Isis' isolating depths, even if there is no land in sight. ? 4 'By the Way' Red Hot Chili Peppers ? ? With 'Californication' achieving phenomenal success, Red Hot Chili Peppers needed another incredible album to keep the momentum going. With the song 'Can't Stop' being a perfect manifesto to define RHCP, their 'By the Way' album carried the band into another monumentally high point in their existence. With the album's release, songs like 'By the Way' and 'The Zephyr Song' flooded the airwaves into the ears of joyful listeners. ? 3 'Deliverance' Opeth ? ? Opeth truly boast one of the most incredible discographies in metal music. With ironclad critical praise following their entire career, 'Deliverance' is one of 10 full-length milestones in the lifespan of Opeth. Although 'Deliverance' only consists of six tracks, the album clocks in at over an hour, with mastermind and frontman Mikael Akerfeldt brewing one of his best progressive death metal concoctions to date. ? 2 'Remission' Mastodon ? ? Mastodon 's debut album, 'Remission' proved to be the launching pad for an incredibly important and critically acclaimed band. Loosely based on the theme of fire, 'Remission' is an album with the power of an atomic bomb. The disc is home to a myriad of modern classics such as 'Crusher Destroyer,' 'Mother Puncher,' 'Where Strides the Behemoth' and 'March of the Fire Ants.' Simply put, 'Remission' is an album that redefines your perception of what humans can create. ? 1 'Songs for the Deaf' Queens of the Stone Age ? ? Queens of the Stone Age are a difficult band to nail down. Despite not fitting into any particular musical genre, 'Songs for the Deaf' exploded into the mainstream with an unexpected burst of originality and balls-out rock. The disc is thickly layered with addictive singles like 'No One Knows' and 'Go With the Flow,' combined with challenging and unrelenting barrages of guitar-driven tracks such as 'A Song for the Deaf.' For its overall originality, 'Songs for the Deaf' tops our list of the best 2002 albums. ? What's Your Favorite Album of 2002? Which of these 2002 albums is your favorite? Did we get the order right? Did we miss an album? If we didn't include your personal favorite, post it in the comments section below: ?
Posted in News Tags: a-major-label, album, band, chili-peppers-, deaf, div-alignment, lists!, personal, release, shadows-fall, singles, stone, wonder-whats No Comments »Top 10 Albums of 1992
September 19th, 2012 Metalkult Karl Walter / Ethan Miller / Frank Micelotta, Getty Images Looking back on the best albums of 1992, we find an eclectic mix of acts who helped lead a creative infusion of new ideas on the standard hard rock and metal formulas. It was a time when we learned that hard rock and metal could be grungy ( Stone Temple Pilots , Alice in Chains ), groovy ( White Zombie ), proggy ( Dream Theater ) and politically infused ( Rage Against the Machine ). And it also proved to be a year when some established bands like Pantera and Megadeth delivered their most essential works. So let's take a look back in time with our list of the Top 10 Albums of 1992. ? 10 'Angel Dust' Faith No More ? ? It's hard to dismiss Faith No More 's 'Angel Dust' from the Top 10 Albums of 1992 when it yielded so many quality songs. The album, the band's second disc featuring Mike Patton as frontman, proved to be a worthy successor to 1989's 'The Real Thing.' Songs like 'Land of Sunshine,' 'A Small Victory,' 'Everything's Ruined,' and their odd cover of the Commodores' 'Easy' all connected with audiences, but it was the lead single, 'Midlife Crisis,' that ended up being the big hit on this record. Listen to 'Midlife Crisis' ? ? 9 'Meantime' Helmet ? ? Was there a bigger buzz band in 1992 than Helmet ? It seemed as though everyone caught up to the rockers with their sophomore set 'Meantime.' The unique riffs of singer/guitarist Page Hamilton combined with the powerful low-end coming from drummer John Stanier and bassist Henry Bogdan made Helmet a critics list favorite. 'Unsung' became an anthem for the alt-metal scene and 'In The Meantime' earned the band their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. Listen to 'Unsung' ? ? 8 'Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs' Ministry ? ? Industrial metal favorites Ministry continued to evolve with 'Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs.' This was arguably the band's biggest release, with the propulsive 'N.W.O.' leading the way. Al Jourgensen 's 'ding-danging' on 'Jesus Built My Hotroad' was pure genius. Plus, the sample-infused 'Just One Fix' kept things interesting. Listen to 'N.W.O.' ? ? 7 'La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1' White Zombie ? ? The music world caught up to White Zombie in 1992. Though grunge had taken over, there was room for some variations on the metal genre, and White Zombie's groove-and-funk metal filled a niche. The hard-hitting yet equally danceable 'Thunder Kiss '65' became the first radio hit for the band, while 'Black Sunshine' went on to become one of Zombie's most popular live songs. Listen to 'Thunder Kiss '65' ? ? 6 'Images and Words' Dream Theater ? ? Dream Theater's 'Images and Words' has to be included among the best albums of 1992 as it was the disc that put the band in the collective conscious of metal and prog-loving fans. James LaBrie 's vocals on 'Pull Me Under' made it worthy of becoming the band's first commercial hit. Plus, the overall playing of guitarist John Petrucci , bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy on this record set the tone for plenty of masterful records to follow. Listen to 'Pull Me Under' ? ? 5 'Rage Against the Machine' Rage Against the Machine ? ? Rage Against the Machine's first three singles didn't connect, but 'Freedom' finally brought Rage to the masses almost a full year after their debut album release. Once they finally hit, new fans discovered such concert gems as 'Killing in the Name' and 'Bullet in the Head.' Zack de la Rocha 's politically-charged vocals and Tom Morello 's dextrous guitar playing was unlike anything going on in rock at the time and provided a blueprint for many acts of that ilk to come. Listen to 'Freedom' ? ? 4 'Core' Stone Temple Pilots ? ? The second wave of grunge began in '92, and Stone Temple Pilots led the way. With the blistering opening of 'Sex Type Thing,' Scott Weiland introduced a brand new voice to the game. But while STP showed they could rock out with tracks like 'Wicked Garden,' it was the bluesier, moodier songs like 'Plush' and 'Creep' that set them apart from their peers. 'Plush' became one of the biggest hits of the '90s. Listen to 'Plush' ? ? 3 'Countdown to Extinction' Megadeth ? ? Megadeth's 'Countdown to Extinction' is a must for the 10 Best Albums of 1992, and is one of their best works. There was plenty of rich material for Dave Mustaine to address on this classic effort. 'Symphony of Destruction' spoke to themes of political power, and the memorable video ended up being censored due to MTV's concern over an “assassination” scene. 'Sweating Bullets,' meanwhile, offered a schizophrenic look at society and how our conscious handles events. Listen to 'Symphony of Destruction' ? ? 2 'Dirt' Alice in Chains ? ? Alice in Chains released possibly their best album, 'Dirt,' in '92. Buoyed by support from their 'Singles' soundtrack song 'Would?,' the disc got off to a fast start. A string of hard rocking hits including 'Them Bones,' 'Angry Chair,' and 'Down in a Hole' followed, but their fourth single 'Rooster' proved to be their most ambitious song. Finding the perfect blend of moody and aggressive vocals, Layne Staley took Jerry Cantrell 's words about his soldier father and helped craft an instant classic. Listen to 'Rooster' ? ? 1 'Vulgar Display of Power' Pantera ? ? Coming in at No. 1 on our list is Pantera's 'Vulgar Display of Power,' which was a must for any self-respecting metalhead in 1992. 'Mouth of War' became the band's first-ever charting single with sibling rockers Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell leading the way. The album's fourth single, 'Walk,' with its stop-and-go time signature and Phil Anselmo's legendary vocals, would eventually become an iconic track. Twenty years later, it's one of the most covered songs in metal. Listen to 'Walk' ? ? What Are The Best Albums Of 1992? There you have it, the best albums of 1992, in our humble opinion. There was plenty of great music that arrived that year and here's your turn to let us know what we missed. Should iconic metal acts like Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath be there for 'Fear of the Dark' and 'Dehumanizer'? What about the very solid Social Distortion record 'Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell' or a pre-'Dookie' Green Day with 'Kerplunk.' What album is missing and what disc shouldn't have made the list at all? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. ?
Posted in News Tags: div-alignment, machine, MAIDEN, original features, stone-temple, thoughts, time, white, white-zombie, words, Zombie No Comments »
