https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked daily 0.75 2026-04-03 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/pennywise monthly 0.5 2026-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ab1b032b-f91c-44bd-8212-d12fe454c110/the-offspring-logo.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7d46c8-76a4-4722-bf47-ebe9aab1920e/Starset.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9101d2b4-747f-4d90-b307-072950566a0c/815BhsCMn1L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 13. From The Ashes (2003) Pennywise have never made a ‘bad’ album, but there are certainly some that just sort of exist, adding little to the catalogue other than simply being another page. ‘From The Ashes’ is arguably the record that has the least staying power, and aside from the excellent ‘God Save the USA’ (which was included in the Fat Mike-curated ‘Rock Against Bush Vol. 1’ compilation in protest against George Bush Jr’s questionable military action in the Middle East) there is little to get excited about. The first 5 tracks are all decent, if a little Pennywise-by-numbers. Unfortunately, after ‘Salvation’ everything starts to blend into one. The pace remains fast throughout, and no-one can fault the energy, but there is nothing here that Pennywise hadn’t already done 10x better before. Standout tracks: ‘God Save the USA’, ‘Something to Change’, ‘Salvation’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/17e10951-660b-4097-bc26-c65704cb6834/600x600bf-60.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 12. Nineteen Eighty Eight (2018) It may have been released in 2018 but, as the title would suggest, this is a compilation of Pennywise’s very first tracks from the late 80s, combining their two EPs ‘A Word from the Wise’ and ‘Wildcard’. The production is a little rough and ready, but crisp and clear, and highly impressive for debut recordings in the late 80s. There are a few moments where Jim Lindberg genuinely sounds like a different singer, his voice not yet settling into the commanding mid-range snarl that we know today. ‘Nineteen Eighty Eight’ is a fascinating time capsule that demonstrates just how vital Pennywise were to the ever-expanding American punk scene. ‘Final Chapters’ has remained in the setlist to the present day, with some vibrant ‘Hello Hello’s that showed that Pennywise had a knack for catchy hooks right from the start. ‘Tomorrow’ is blisteringly fast and fun. Meanwhile, the cover of Ben E King’s ‘Stand By Me’ is a curious novelty. Standout Tracks: ‘Final Chapters’, ‘Tomorrow’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c99e5fff-fa20-4d37-827e-cd5c1740a88d/51RSyB1M8EL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 11. The Fuse (2005) Pennywise were remarkably consistent in releasing a new album every 2 years from 1991, like clockwork. ‘The Fuse’ was the final record in this bi-annual series (‘Reason to Believe’ took over 3 years after this one), and while it didn’t bring many new ideas to the table it had a greater variety and beefier sound than ‘From the Ashes’, with ‘Premeditated Murder’ recalling early Rancid, closing track ‘Lies’ bringing an excellent, mid-paced bounce in the vein of Bad Religion’s ‘Infected’, and ‘Competition Song’ sounding like the best song The Misfits never wrote. ‘Take a Look Around’ could easily have fitted on one of the first 3 Pennywise albums. It may not be a vital record, but ‘The Fuse’ is much better than its lacklustre success suggested. Standout tracks: ‘Take a Look Around’, ‘Closer’, ‘Lies’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5d10d93a-6d29-49e2-9a6b-2ba33833f379/61V4jLM1CmL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 10. Yesterdays (2014) While ‘Nineteen Eighty Eight’ was a compilation of songs recorded in the late eighties, ‘Yesterdays’ is similar to Descendents’ ‘9th and Walnut’ record, in that it was a modern-day recording of songs from the 80s. When Jim returned to Pennywise in 2014, rather than making an entirely new record the band decided to record a bunch of songs that had been written soon after the formation of the band but had never been released. As such, we were treated to modern-day production as a way of presenting songs that had the simplicity, youthful energy and fast pace of classics such as ‘Living For Today’ and ‘Fight Till You Die’. ‘Yesterdays’ is a fun album, and proof that Pennywise arrived on the scene fully-formed, with bucketfulls of ideas. There may not be anything as immediately catchy as ‘No Reason Way’ or ‘Unknown Road’, but the overall listening experience is well worth it. Also worth a listen is the final track ‘Band Practice 89’, a boombox recording of the band letting loose in the studio. A fascinating study in nostaglia. Standout Tracks: ‘Noise Pollution’, ‘Thanksgiving’, ‘Am Oi!’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ce5f1a43-33fc-41b5-8886-715fc2d133e2/R-2581599-1546540462-4796.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 9. REASON To Believe (2008) Listen to track 2, ‘One Reason’ and try not to bang your head. This is Pennywise at their most high-octane, sounding more like Rise Against or Strung Out, and even suggesting a System of a Down influence. 2008 wasn’t exactly a classic year for punk rock in general, and the whole punk scene was trying to find ways to survive in the MySpace era. As such, ‘Reason to Believe’ caused quite a stir when it was released on the short-lived label MySpace Records, with some purists accusing Pennywise of selling out. Whether it related to this, or limited promotion, ‘Reason to Believe’ didn’t do well, and was one of the potential factors that led to Jim’s departure. It is a shame, because this record is seriously impressive. The production is heavy and powerful, and the songwriting is a further improvement over ‘From the Ashes’ and ‘The Fuse’. Standout tracks: ‘One Reason’, ‘Affliction’, ‘Faith and Hope’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1828ca2b-0e0e-40c6-89f3-773322a3b8a9/81gngtZ%2BagL.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 8. Unknown Road (1993) Pennywise weren’t as articulate, musically adept or melodic as their Epitaph label mates and touring partners Bad Religion, but in 1993 they compensated for this with bluntness and singular energy. ‘Unknown Road’, the follow-up to the self-titled debut, was born in a turbulent time for Pennywise, with Jim Lindberg’s position uncertain behind the microphone (at least two other vocals tried out for the role of frontman during his brief departure from the band). When the band reconvened and tapped back into the spark they had had since the beginning, they sounded fantastic. ‘Homesick’ and the title track have been Pennywise classics for over 35 years, and really it is hard to pick fault with any of ‘Unknown Road’, given its consistent quality. Standout Tracks: ‘Unknown Road’, ‘Dying to Know’, ‘Homesick’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/df30c7fd-e3b3-4c91-afa4-39e749b3b2e6/pennywise-pennywise.webp Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 7. Pennywise (1991) Pennywise’s debut record wasn’t their first release, given that they already had a decent catalogue of songs from their two 1989 EPs, ‘A Word from the Wise’ and ‘Wildcard’. As such, they had cut their teeth with a multitude of shows around California and had become impressively proficient for a new(ish) band. Rooted in skate punk culture, ‘Pennywise’ sets out its stall from the outset with the superb ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’, an instant classic. Other standouts are ‘Living For Today’, ‘Pennywise’ (the track, which leaves no doubt that they were named after the Stephen King ‘IT’ clown), ‘No Reason Why’ and the unmistakeable ‘Bro Hymn’. ‘Bro Hymn’ was written about the death of bassist Jason Thirsk's friends Tim Colvin and Carlos Canton (who both died in separate motorcycle accidents), and Tom Nichols (who drowned at Hermosa Beach Pier in 1988). It is a poignant lamentation on loss, and has been a staple in the live set for over 35 years now, and it is amazing just how powerful and emotional the wordless singalong ‘Woah’ chorus sounds. Many people consider the self-titled album to be Pennywise’s finest, and there is a strong argument for this. Reviewing it now, alongside the other records, it is somewhat patchy at times and there are a few interchangeable tracks (‘Kodiak’, ‘Homeless’). Standout Tracks: ‘No Reason Why’, ‘Living For Today’, ‘Wouldn’t it be Nice’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9932aaf1-5580-46c0-8f3a-b486fc22badc/ab67616d0000b273e0dfcc5af5067a9618ed6fe3.jpeg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 6. All or Nothing (2012) Jim Lindberg’s voice is so iconic that it wouldn’t matter who was chosen to replace him - the new vocalist would always be criticised. In reality, Zoli Téglás (from Ignite) was as good a choice as anyone, his energy capturing the essence of Pennywise extremely well. Zoli has a higher range than Jim, so occasionally it is as if the traditional Pennywise sound has been transposed up a few semitones. Otherwise, all other elements are in place, with some of Fletcher’s catchiest ever guitar riffs (‘All or Nothing’, ‘Stand Strong’ etc). Lyrically, some of the record turns the cheese factor up to 10 (“So let us hear your voice / They said we have a choice”, “Let me hear you say / (Whoa-oh-ho) We want a revolution / One more time in for solutions / Say it again! / (Whoa-oh-ho) We want a revolution / Now's the time for retribution / Say it again, that's right!”) and at times it sounds like a pop punk band playing Pennywise covers, but overall ‘All or Nothing’ is a highly enjoyable, medlodic punk record that is entirely worthy of the Pennywise name. Standout tracks: ‘All Along’, ‘Waste Another Day’, ‘All or Nothing’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/cad8dece-776a-4044-b3f3-39cd5cf23dfa/0045778673865.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 5. About Time (1995) While stylistically similar to its predecessors ‘Unknown Road’ and ‘Pennywise’, ‘About Time’ has an extra layer of excitement of energy, with a vibrant production that is both raw and more polished; and the songs are arguably a step up in quality, with bona fide anthems in ‘Same Old Story’, ‘Peaceful Day’ and ‘Perfect People’. By Pennywise’s 3rd record, Jim had settled into a vocal range that suited him well. He may not be the most versatile singer, but within his range he is able to convey his lyrical messages in a direct, relatable way. In a similar way to Bad Religion’s ‘No Control’, you can take any single track on ‘About Time’ and it sounds like a punk rock classic, and a perfect time capsule of the Californian sound that was really coming into prominence in the mid-90s, with catchy melodies that were still underground, while Green Day, Rancid and The Offspring were flooding the mainstream. Standout Tracks: ‘Same Old Story’, ‘Peaceful Day’, ‘Waste of Time’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e4cf04e1-452a-4a7c-b165-173142128aa8/0045778660063.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 4. Land of the Free? (2001) It is strange to look at setlist.fm and see that Pennywise have only ever played 5 songs from ‘Land of the Free?’ live (‘Fuck Authority’, ‘The World’, ‘My God’, ‘Something Wrong With Me’ and ‘Time Marches On’). Given the quality of the whole record, it comes as quite a surprise that tunes such as ‘Enemy’, ‘Anyone Listening’ and the blistering title track have never made it into the setlist. Released in June 2001, a few months before the lyrical themes of the record would be brought to worldwide attention with the US response to the 11th September attacks, ‘Land of the Free?’ has a similarly production style to its predecessor ‘Straight Ahead’ - dry, polished, crisp and clear, with drums and guitars front and centre, and none of the raggedness of the performances on ‘Unknown Road’. By the early 2000s, Pennywise were extremely good at what they did. Standout tracks: ‘Anyone Listening’, ‘Land of the Free?’, ‘The World’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0bd72a9f-03cd-46d3-8c30-89b213bfce05/0045778759361.webp Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 3. Never Gonna Die (2018) Jim Lindberg’s return was signified initially by the backwards-facing ‘Yesterdays’, but things really took off again with the release of ‘Never Gonna Die’ in 2018 - a record that was fresh, vital and very much focused on the present, not the past. The opening 4 tracks are easily as good as anything on ‘Straight Ahead’, ‘Full Circle’ and ‘Land of the Free?’, bolstered by powerful production, punchy sound and superb songwriting. From track 5 onwards, ‘Never Gonna Die’ turns more from great to merely good, with fewer memorable moments, but it still rules, and the energy levels in ‘Something New’ and ‘Listen’ put punk bands half of Pennywise’s age to shame. Standout tracks: ‘Keep Moving On’, ‘American Lies’, ‘Live While You Can’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ea3bd73a-427c-4862-8b98-640b83234938/713dMW5pDfL.jpg Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 2. Full Circle (1997) By 1997, Pennywise were well-established as consistently brilliant, and brilliantly consistent, within the Californian punk rock scene. The self-titled debut, ‘About Time’ and ‘Unknown Road’ all gave them a strong setlist, but it was ‘Full Circle’ that blew Pennywise wide open to a bigger audience, without sacrificing any of their passion and fury. ‘Full Circle’ is largely known for the MTV favourite ‘Society’, with its exhilarating skating video, and the gang-vocal live singalong of ‘Bro Hymn’ at the end of the record which eclipses the original studio version on the self-titled record. Both are excellent, and are some of the best examples of 90s punk rock. Elsewhere, high-speed classics such as ‘Running Out of Time’ and ‘Get a Life’ combine The Offspring and Bad Religion with the metallic precision of Strung Out, and even some thrash metal (minus the solos). A notable addition to the sound is the presence of some multi-layered backing vocals, which add a new dimension and help make ‘Full Circle’ a fantastically fun album to sing along to. Standout Tracks: ‘Fight Till You Die’, ‘Running Out of Time’, ‘Did You Really?’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f00ddd2e-81b6-407a-9170-381d086ec017/0045778655366.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - 1. Straight Ahead (1999) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ab1b032b-f91c-44bd-8212-d12fe454c110/the-offspring-logo.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7831648-01ed-4343-9ec7-38cd5a37384a/presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-5040a67157816.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5e9729e0-8062-4339-b0f6-dba28ed2a933/the-mars-volta-logo-1244A4CDD9-seeklogo.com.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62e01939-a3be-4773-b19d-5aba16e679b0/linkin-park-logo-graphic-v6nd3k68esiph53v.png Albums Ranked - Pennywise: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/lamb-of-god monthly 0.5 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6befc60-6bb2-456f-9324-6b7c084c114c/Slipknot_%28Logo%29.png Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/7a66889d-2fd1-4093-8c4a-85ec5521f246/Burn+the+priest.jpg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 12. Burn The Priest (1999) Slipknot, Machine Head, Fear Factory, Deftones and Korn were on top of the world in 1999, and little did we know that a brand new band from Richmond, Virginia were just about to start their gradual, steady ascent to metal royalty. A self-titled record under their original, NSFW name, ‘Burn The Priest’ is a fiery burst of rage. Most tracks clock around the 2-minute mark, and there is little to no fat on this youthful, inexperienced but fun record. They may not play any of these songs live any more, but the seeds of Lamb of God’s future career make for a fascinating, if ragged, listen. Standout tracks: ‘Dimera’, ‘Lame’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/51a71586-e233-4547-985b-2dd5af6685f3/Lamb-of-God_Strum-Und-Drang.jpeg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 11. VII: Sturm Und Drang (2015) The fact that ‘Sturm und Drang’ even exists feels like a victory for metal. The tragic, accidental death of a fan in Czech Republic, following injuries sustained during a show on the ‘Wrath’ tour in 2010, led to Randy Blyth being incarcerated for 5 weeks in a Prague prison in 2012. For some time, there was a worry about whether Randy would be held for a number of years - and, of course, this would have a had a huge impact on band relations, Randy’s mental and physical health, and the plans for Lamb of God’s future. Randy’s experience was documented in his 2015 book ‘Dark Days: A Memoir’, and it also underpins at least 2 tracks on ‘Sturm und Drang’ - ‘512’ (“Six bars laid across the sky / Four empty walls to fill the time / One careless word, you lose your life / A grave new world awaits inside”) and ‘Still Echoes’ (“A thousand heads cut clean across their necks / Right down the hall from me”). Musically, ‘Sturm und Drang’ is solid but unspectacular. ‘Torches’, depsite the potential of Greg Puciato’s cameo appearance, doesn’t really get off the ground. ‘Wine & Piss’, ‘Anthropoid’ and closer ‘Nightmare Seeker’ are functional, but the closest that Lamb of God have ever got to being ‘stock’. ‘Erase This’, ‘Footprints’ and ‘Engage the Fear Machine’ fare better, and are all decent tracks and would have fitted comfortably on ‘Sacrament’. ‘Delusion Pandemic’ is the fastest, heaviest and potentially best track on the record, showcasing all the best elements of Lamb of God. The biggest surprises come in the form of the Alice in Chains-esque ‘Overlord’, with impassioned clean singing, and the fantastic guest appearance from Deftones’ Chino Moreno on ‘Embers’, a track which starts with pummelling, thrashy beats and explodes into a mid-paced bruiser of a track. Standout tracks: ‘Delusion Pandemic’, ‘Embers’, ‘Overlord’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/53ea15bf-ca17-40b3-9ed1-d891bfb4ad02/Legion+XX.jpeg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 10. Legion XX (as Burn The Priest) (2018) In a similar vein to Slayer’s underrated 1996 record ‘Undisputed Attitude’, ‘Legion XX’ is a covers album, featuring underground punk songs that Lamb of God used to play in their formative years as Burn The Priest. In fact, ‘Legion XX’ was released under the Burn The Priest name, partly to mark the 20-year anniversary of the band, and partly to keep it slightly separate from Lamb of God’s main discography. It is a fun listen, even if you are unlikely to want to listen to it multiple times. The highlight is ‘I Against I’, a multi-part punk classic from Bad Brains, with its bursts of frantic energy. Other standouts include the chaos of ‘Kill Yourself’ (Stormtroopers of Death) and ‘One Voice’ (Agnostic Front). Ministry’s ‘Jesus Built My Hotrod’ and Big Black’s ‘Kerosene’ both showcase a different sound and approach for Randy’s vocals, even if the faithful recreation of the music doesn’t inject anything particularly new into proceedings. We didn’t realise it at the time, but ‘Legion XX’ would also act as the swansong for Chris Adler behind the drum kit - a massive loss for the band, though one they would eventually recover from with Art Cruz’ arrival for the self-titled 2020 record. Standout Tracks: ‘Inherit the Earth’, ‘I Against I’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8909626e-be12-4c56-b71f-5e1da7a20fa4/New+American+Gospel.jpeg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 9. New American Gospel (2000) The one that started it all. The opening seconds of ‘Black Label’ are so distinctive, showcasing not only a killer riff but also Chris Adler’s unique drum kit, with a snare drum that sounds more like a spoon smacking a drainpipe, and kick drums that are liable to break either your eardrums or your speakers (or both). Primal, raw and in your face, ‘New American Gospel’ was a statement of brutal intent at a time when mainstream metal was gravitating towards a highly polished, clean sound. Randy sounds like a dog with rabies. John Campbell’s bass is a muddy, pummelling rumble, and the 2-pronged guitar attack of Willie Adler and Mark Morton, while less sophisticated than in later releases, was already far more inventive than most other metal guitar duos of the time. There isn’t anything as groovy as ‘Ruin’ or ‘Laid to Rest’ here, nor as breakneck as ‘Contractor’ or ‘Parasocial Christ’, but ‘New American Gospel’ is a brutal beast of a record that is the equivalent of being beaten around the head by whatever that mass of cables and screws may be on the album cover. Standout tracks: ‘A Warning’, ‘Confessional’, ‘Black Label’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/239e3806-a52d-4a58-abea-36a6a7406ca8/Resurrection.jpeg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 8. Resolution (2012) ‘Resolution’ is a curious album, with some moments that are utterly brilliant mixed in with others that are head-scratchingly average by Lamb of God’s standards. Following the sludgy dirge of ‘Straight For The Sun’, ‘Desolation’ is as good as anything on ‘Wrath’, with one of Chris Adler’s best ever drum performances, a killer chorus and hyperspeed, spidery guitar riffs. Lead single ‘Ghost Walking’ comes across as a more serious version of ‘Redneck’. The gang vocals of ‘The Number Six’ are awesome and ‘The Undertow’ is a brilliantly written song, underpinned by incredibly tight musicianship. ‘Cheated’ is possibly even better than the breakneck ‘Contractor’ from the previous record. Unfortunately, the second half of the album drops off. ‘Invictus’, ‘Insurrection’, ‘Visitation’ and ‘To The End’ repeat the same formula, and ‘King Me’ isn’t quite as profound as it tries to be, even if the addition of the string section adds some welcome variety to the production. ‘King Me’ does open up the question of how awesome Lamb of God might sound if they teamed up with an orchestra, ‘S&M’-style - maybe something for the future. Some of Lamb of God’s very best songs can be found on ‘Resolution’. It’s just a shame that the quality control wasn’t as tight in the latter half of the record as it could have been. The inclusion of awesome punky b-side ‘Digital Sands’, instead of ‘Insurrection’ or ‘Visitation’, may have bumped this album up the list. Standout Tracks: ‘Digital Sands’ (b-side), ‘The Undertow’, ‘Cheated’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/730c0cf4-f83c-4059-89da-73a44f00f487/Omens.jpg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 7. Omens (2022) Hands down, ‘Omens’ has the coolest album cover in Lamb of God’s discography. Look at the detail! It is magnificent, intricate, technical, ugly and strangely beautiful. Much like Lamb of God’s music. Overall, ‘Omens’ is a very competent, solid release. The second record to feature Art Cruz on drums, it was reassuring to hear that Lamb of God were just as capable of writing - and performing - at the highest level, without Chris Adler. The main challenge of this record, though, is the absence of absolute knockout moments. It is a consistent, enjoyable record that furher reinforces Lamb of God’s status at the forefront of modern metal, but you won’t find a ‘Momento Mori’, ‘Now You’ve Got Something To Die For’, ‘Ruin’, ‘Set to Fail’, ‘Desolation’, ‘Redneck’ or ‘Laid to Rest’ here. Opener ‘Nevermore’ has an angular riff that isn’t a million miles away from ‘Laid to Rest’, and it mutates into a mid-paced stomper with Randy alternating between his signature bark, clean singing, and near-spoken delivery. Tracks 2 and 3, ‘Vanishing’ and ‘To The Grave’, are similarly paced, bringing the groove but not leaving a particularly strong impression. Things really pick up with ‘Ditch’ and ‘Omens’, both of which drip with urgency. ‘Gomorrah’ and ‘Ill Designs’ follow a similar pattern to ‘Vanishing’ and ‘To The Grave’, being decent but unspectacular. This then brings us to ‘Grayscale’ and ‘Denial Mechanism’, two of the best tracks on the record, and closing with the curious, apocalyptic ‘September Song’ that evokes ‘King Me’ and ‘Vigil’, albeit with some bursts of frantic riffery. Overall, ‘Omens’ is unlikely to be anyone’s favourite Lamb of God record, but it is definitely a grower. Standout tracks: ‘Grayscale’, ‘Ditch’, ‘Denial Mechanism’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0777a86b-2e5d-4755-acd4-7096db42ee7e/Into+Oblivion.webp Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 6. Into Oblivion (2026) Dispensing with the classic Lamb of God logo for the first time (because, apparently, they just realised that the old logo’s Papyrus font had too much in common with a restaurant menu…), did ‘Into Oblivion’ herald a new era for the band? Not really. It’s another very good Lamb of God record. No major surprises. Just highly proficient, enjoyable modern metal, with a great balance of groove, speed, aggression, lyrical depth and empowering energy. Where ‘Omens’ was solid but lacked standout songs, ‘Into Oblivion’ has a greater amount of variety, with more distinct songs that, for the most part, each have their own personality. ‘Sepsis’ opens with a truly monstrous, sludgy bass and drum attack, and Randy sounds like a deranged beast chewing raw meat. ‘El Vacio’ is a superb, Alice in Chains-inspired tune that is the closest Lamb of God have ever come to 90s grunge. ‘Blunt Force Blues’ sounds like it would have fitted perfectly on ‘Ashes of the Wake’. ‘Into Oblivion’ is a greater opener, coming across as a blunter version of ‘Momento Mori’. Considering that the original members of Lamb of God are now well into their 50s, it is all the more impressive that they can play with the same level of ferocity as they had in the ‘Sacrament’ days. Standout tracks: ‘Sepsis’, ‘El Vacio’, ‘Parasocial Christ’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/3b024b49-6c4f-47e0-a16d-5ac40cabafae/st+2020.webp Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 5. Lamb of God (2020) Chris Adler was such an integral part of Lamb of God’s sound, that when he left (or rather, was sacked from) the band after the ‘Legion XX’ project there was an understandable worry about how they would sound without him, and even whether they could continue at all. It was therefore not only a huge relief but also a tremendous treat to be presented with the self-titled ‘Lamb of God’ record in 2020. New drummer Art Cruz, who grew up playing along to the early Lamb of God records, was a near-seamless replacement. Perhaps he wasn’t quite as inventive behind the kit, and the snare sound was no longer as snappy and bin-lid-like as was found in ‘Ashes of the Wake’ and ‘As The Palaces Burn’ - but he was still seriously impressive. And equally impressive was the songwriting. ‘Lamb of God’ is a consistently strong record with its own personality and sonic identity (albeit having a more traditional metalcore drum production). Starting with the creepy, whispered and brooding intro to ‘Momento Mori’, the record has fantastic twists and turns, including a commanding guest appearance from Testament’s Chuck Billy on the thrashy ‘Routes’, the full-throttle speed of ‘On The Hook’, a future Lamb of God classic in the sludgy ‘Resurrection Man’, and the catchy singles ‘Checkmate’ and ‘New Colossal Hate’. Where records such as ‘Sturm und Drang’ and ‘Omens’ succumb to some unmemorable songs towards the end of the tracklisting, ‘Lamb of God’ has no such problem. ‘Bloodshot Eyes’ and the aforementioned ‘On The Hook’ are great late-album tracks, and the only 2 skippable tracks are the bonus cuts on the special edition, ‘Hyperthermic/Accelerate’ and ‘Ghost Shaped People’. Overall, a very formidable addition to the Lamb of God catalogue, and one that heralded the start of an exciting new chapter. Standout Tracks: ‘Resurrection Man’, ‘Routes’, ‘Gears’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ebe8d3c4-0eab-423f-81ef-2abf0bd1c1dd/Sacrament-15th-Anniversary-Lamb-of-God.webp Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 4. Sacrament (2006) ‘Sacrament’ is arguably Lamb of God’s most commercially accessible record, partly with the inclusion of catchy earworms such as ‘Redneck’, ‘Walk With Me In Hell’, ‘Descending’ and ‘Blacken The Cursed Sun’, and partly with a thicker production that is warmer and more ‘mainstream rock’ than its caustic predecessors ‘Ashes of the Wake’ and ‘As The Palaces Burn’. It is worth watching the making-of documentary that accompanied the album, as it goes into considerable depth with the recording and production of ‘Sacrament’, including producer Machine using unconventional methods to get the best vocal performances out of Randy Blyth (including making him run round the the block, then rush into the recording booth out of breath in order to capture the ‘Walk With Me in Hell’ refrain). It also shows how much time the band spent in pre-production, polishing the songs to the extreme before recording them. At some points, the clinical production (including some instances of gang backing vocals and vocal effets) can be a little too ‘on the grid’, such as in ‘Pathetic’ and ‘Requiem’, but for the most part there is still enough of Lamb of God’s trademark ferocity to scratch the itch. Standout Tracks: ‘Beating on Death’s Door’, ‘Forgotten (Lost Angels)’, ‘Descending’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a3dd9e5f-7d8b-4004-899b-627d595f4319/As+the+palaces+burn.jpg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 3. As The Palaces Burn (2003) - remixed 2013 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/cb721ffa-f99f-433c-b27f-9669f03a9e91/61vQLhoitBL._UF350%2C350_QL50_.jpg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 2. Ashes of the Wake (2004) Hot on the heels of ‘As The Palaces Burn’, ‘Ashes of the Wake’ is considered by many to be Lamb of God’s crowning achievement. The fact that the band celebrated its 20th anniversary with an extensive tour (alongside Mastodon, playing ‘Leviathan’ in full) says a lot about its historical significance. In 2004, nu metal was no longer cool. We had some occasional releases from more established bands that caught the public’s attention, such as Slipknot’s ‘Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses’ and Machine Head’s ‘Through the Ashes of Empires’, but generally there was a sea change going on in the metal world. Heavily inspired by the Scandinavian 90s melodic death metal movement of At The Gates, Soilwork and In Flames, a new breed of metal was on the ascendency (pardon the Trivium pun). Included in this new movement were Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Children of Bodom, Shadows Fall and, of course, Lamb of God. Not only did Lamb of God bring the solos and the awesome technicality of their peers, but also they took and additianal influence from the violent, groovy assault of Pantera, twisting powerful riffs into the gut-punch of ‘Omerta’, ‘Laid To Rest’, ‘The Faded Line’ and ‘Hourglass’, as well as speeding full-throttle with ‘Blood of the Scribe’, ‘What I’ve Become’. The production was crystal clear and a step up from ‘As The Palaces Burn’, and the musicianship was impeccable, especially on the instrumental title track. ‘Ashes of the Wake’ narrowly avoids being top of this list because it has a couple of more skippable moments in ‘One Gun’ and ‘Break You’, though admittedly these would still be highlights on later records such as ‘Omens’ and ‘Into Oblivion’. A masterclass in the new breed of early 00s metal. Standout Tracks: ‘Now You’ve Got Something To Die For’, ‘Omerta’, ‘Hourglass’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/3f4f19df-2a71-4084-b5c2-d344a01ab506/wrath.jpg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - 1. Wrath (2009) It may not be the best-selling Lamb of God record, or the most talked about, but in our opinion ‘Wrath’ is the best. The production is HUGE (especially compared to its predecessor, ‘Sacrament’, which was more compressed and polished). Just the opening seconds of ‘Set to Fail’ and ‘Contractor’ are utterly savage. ‘Wrath’ has it all. Tight, syncopated rhythms (the amazing mid-section of ‘In Your Words’). Gorgeous guitar melodies (‘Grace’, ‘The Passing’). Randy’s insanely well-pitched screams (‘Set to Fail’, ‘Dead Seeds’). High-speed punk rock (‘Everything to Nothing’). Compelling lyrics (a personal favourite: “Mankind is a festering parasite“ - ‘Reclamation’). Even the b-sides from the special edition (‘Shoulder of Your God’ and ‘We Die Alone’) would have made it onto Lamb of God’s other records and been standout tracks. There are no dull moments here. Even the comparative lower points (‘Fake Messiah’ and ‘Broken Hands’) sound vital and urgent. Having tasted some commercial success with ‘Sacrament’, Lamg of God seemed intent on going harder, heavier and more brutal, doubling down on their collective strengths and making a record that was a seriously impressive, accessible record that didn’t need a ‘Redneck’ to make it stand out. Standout tracks: ‘Grace’, ‘Dead Seeds’, ‘Set to Fail’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6befc60-6bb2-456f-9324-6b7c084c114c/Slipknot_%28Logo%29.png Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8c85dab-9d6d-4727-9598-dfc43f5f9b82/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Lamb of God: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/hundred-reasons monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fc08909f-5211-41f3-8942-dc685c249e20/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4708a6b4-6c6f-4943-8693-786401505258/Gh5md2nzmaTifUAsB6JtfE.jpg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/7883cf4a-db01-4a7f-8b68-fe663dddba08/Quick+the+word.jpg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - 5. Quick the Word Sharp the Action (2007) Hundred Reasons’ 4th record in just 5 years, ‘Quick the Word, Sharp the Action’ is a confusing listen. Sounding more like a demo, it feels rushed and lacks the vicious energy of ‘Kill Your Own’, the passion of ‘Ideas Above Our Station’ and the emotional depth of ‘Shatterproof is Not a Challenge’. Following the lacklustre, Larry-led opener ‘Break The Glass’, we are treated to the clear standout single ‘No Way Back’, which is a superb pop song with a towering chorus. This was Hundred Reasons at their MySpace-era best and it still stands up 20 years later. Third track ‘Sick Little Masquerade’ is a gem too, starting with a casio keyboard beat and emerging into a huge singalong. The rest of ‘Quick the Word, Sharp the Action’ is messy and muddled, from the momentum-sapping ‘Pernavas Iela’ to the robotic thrash of ‘The Shredder’ (an experimental b-side at best), to the cringy lyrics and clunky bounce of ‘She is Poison’. There is arguably no bad song on any of the first 3 Hundred Reasons albums - whereas ‘Quick the Word, Sharp the Action’ has several. ‘No Way Back’, ‘Sick Little Masquerade’, ‘Boy’, ‘Opera’, ‘I’ll Never Know’ and ‘Out of Time’ are recent tracks, but the remainder of the album really should have been left on the cutting room floor. Standout Tracks: ‘No Way Back’, ‘I’ll Never Know’, ‘Sick Little Masquerade’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/01c30eb8-9bff-49a8-b8a0-5e84edf7d40d/Shatterproof.jpg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - 4. Shatterproof is Not a Challenge (2004) Hundred Reasons have always been revered by their fans and have never ‘sold out’, which is one of their most endearing qualities. Perhaps this went against them too though, because they were signed to a major label on second album ‘Shatterproof is Not a Challenge’, and the record wasn’t pushed strongly, leading to Hundred Reasons being dropped by SonyBMG in 2004. The lead single ‘What You Get’ is classic Hundred Reasons, but wasn’t as immediate as ‘I’ll Find You’ or ‘Falter’, and as such it didn’t help much in the promotion of the album, which is solid but a slower burner than the vibrant debut record. ‘Stories With Unhappy Endings’ is by far the heaviest cut here and brings some ferocious urgency to proceedings after the mid-paced opener ‘Savanna’. ‘Truth With Elegance’ has a delicious darkness towards the end of the album. Second single ‘The Great Test’ is a fun, high-energy 2-minute burst. The rest of the record is relatively subdued, showcasing a more mature approach to songwriting, such as the impassioned ‘Still Be Here’, the gentle waltz of ‘My Sympathy’, and elegaic closer ‘Makeshift’. In fact, ‘Shatterproof is Not a Challenge’ has some similarities to Ash’s ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’ - a second record which was deeper than the debut, with a darker tone, lower bpm and more reflective, resigned mood. A very engrossing listen, but sadly the end of Hundred Reasons’ short-lived major label era. We have included a b-side in our playlist - ‘Don’t Forget’, from the ‘What You Get’ single. It is an absolute gem that is well worth discovering. Standout Tracks: ‘Stories With Unhappy Endings’, ‘What You Get’, ‘Truth With Elegance’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ce66f5f8-7b0b-44d7-9b07-c73a90d5d6ab/Glorious+sunset.jpg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - 3. Glorious Sunset (2023) No-one saw this coming. After an extended break, during which the band members pursued ‘proper’ jobs (including Larry Hibbitt being a notable record producer, and Colin Doran being General Manager of Notting Hill Academy of Music), Hundred Reasons emerged from nowhere with the single ‘Glorious Sunset’, and an announcement of a new album with the same title. Whether things continue beyond this or not, the boys can be rightly proud of the record, a collection of 10 songs that are every bit as vital as their early work. Compared to ‘Ideas Above Our Station’, ‘Glorious Sunset’ is more polished, less ragged, and not as heavy. But really, with songs as good as ‘It Suits You’, ‘Wave Form’, ‘New Glasses’ and ‘So So Soon’, who cares. The songwriting is exquisite throughout, especially on the magnificent, life-affirming ‘Replicate’ which has echoes of ‘Falter’ and is an absolute spine-tingler. Had a song like this appeared on ‘Shatterproof is Not a Challenge’, would it have been a hit, and what might have this meant to Hundred Reasons earlier in their career? In any case, ‘Glorious Sunset’ was an unexpected but very welcome treat. Standout tracks: ‘Replicate’, ‘Wave Form’, ‘Done’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f06cb1fb-f019-4163-ae4b-99aa50959a3b/Kill+your+own.jpeg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - 2. Kill Your Own (2006) Following the somewhat lukewarm response to ‘Shatterproof is Not a Challenge’, and being dropped from SonyBMG, ‘Kill Your Own’ was a clear statement of intent, and Hundred Reasons’ way of saying “We may never be the biggest band on the planet, so we’re going to do things OUR way”. It is heavier, leaner, darker and more direct than the first 2 records, with more of a metallic sheen that echoes the alluring violence of the album cover. ‘Live Fast, Die Ugly’ is arguably Hundred Reasons’ heaviest, nastiest ever song, and ‘A Better Way?’ is a full-on screamo fest. Opener ‘Broken Hands’ takes no prisoners and is quickly followed by the urgent title track. ‘Feed The Fire’ has an awesome guitar lead, bringing the song into a high-energy chorus where Colin Doran is able to let rip the same way he did on the ‘Ideas Above Our Station’ debut. Best of the bunch is the tense, dramatic ‘No Pretending’, appearing towards the end of the record and leaving a powerful impression that is both empowering and unsettling. It isn’t all heaviness though. ‘Destroy’ and ‘The Perfect Gift’ are upbeat tunes that could even be pop-punk anthems if covered by New Found Glory or MxPX. ‘Breathe Again’ is a triumphant closer full of twists and turns, and ending with church organs and arpeggiated synths. An often-overlooked gem of a record. Standout Tracks: ‘No Pretending’, ‘Kill Your Own’, ‘Feed The Fire’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/72123fae-eba0-40ae-8237-a45d8c3a087f/Ideas+above+our+station.jpeg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - 1. Ideas Above Our Station (2002) It is almost embarrasing to have so many great songs on a debut album, and for there to still be space for a few underrated deep cuts amongst the more immediate classics. Sonically, Hundred Reasons had some similarities to their peers who emerged at the same time (Reuben, Biffy Clyro, Hell Is For Heroes etc), though the messier sound in the guitars was arguably more rooted in American emo of the time (Taking Back Sunday etc) and underground hardcore innovators such as Quicksand, At The Drive-In and Fugazi. What set Hundred Reasons apart was their knack for balancing a raucous, messy delivery with incredible songwriting and inventive, memorable melodies. Colin Doran’s voice soars over the top of ‘Answers’ and ‘Drowning’. The short blasts of ‘What Thought Did’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Gone Too Far’ are scrappy, punky pit-starters in the vein of Idlewild’s early work. ‘Oratorio’ is a real grower, with a slower pace and almost prog-rock atmosphere. But the real belters are the singles - ‘If I Could’, ‘Silver’, ‘I’ll Find You’ and ‘Falter’, each of which is full of passion, with every note played as if their lives depended on it. Ending with the glorious harmonies and enigmatic lyricism of ‘Avalanche’, Hundred Reason’s debut album is an absolute gem, and well-deserving of classic status. Standout Tracks: ‘I’ll Find You’, ‘Silver’, ‘Falter’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e936e79f-e31b-4f11-9f99-557fa9bd5b67/images.png Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62e01939-a3be-4773-b19d-5aba16e679b0/linkin-park-logo-graphic-v6nd3k68esiph53v.png Albums Ranked - Hundred Reasons: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/maynard-james-keenan monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8c85dab-9d6d-4727-9598-dfc43f5f9b82/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7d46c8-76a4-4722-bf47-ebe9aab1920e/Starset.png Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/adb346ba-ad7e-494c-afc1-d73f5f4ac9ce/81sKVELMP%2BL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 17. Money $hot - Puscifer (2015) ‘Money $hot’ is far from a bad album, and many would disagree with it being the bottom of this list. It certainly has its highlights, including the lush vocals and dynamics of ‘Agostina’, the huge atmospherics of ‘Grand Canyon’ (Maynard was quoted as saying this was his favourite Puscifer song), and the furious punk assault of ‘Money $hot’. Unfortunately, the first half is far superior to the second, with the final 5 songs becoming an unmemorable blur. The production is fantastic and warm throughout, and the record sounds great, but overall ‘Money $hot’ has something of an identity crisis. For a more cohesive listening experience, check out the remix album ‘Money $hot Your Re-Load’ which takes some of the elemental ideas and puts them through a glitchy electronic filter, and is arguably the best of Puscifer’s remix albums. Standout Tracks: ‘Agostina’, ‘Grand Canyon’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5ee27710-5187-4403-8d44-ffa78ac358cb/71%2B7uLhRorL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 16. eMOTIVe - A Perfect Circle (2004) The world was in a weird, confusing place in the early 2000s, with America seemingly using the aftermath of 9/11 to justify war and ‘regime change’ in the Middle East. Musicians across many different genres used this as fuel to create impassioned expressions of rebellion and protest, including the excellent ‘Rock Against Bush’ compilations with contributions from Green Day, Foo Fighters, Rise Against, Bad Religion and many others. Also enraged by America’s warmongering were A Perfect Circle, and the result was ‘eMOTIVe’, a collection of covers relating to the state of the world, plus two originals. Rather than out-and-out fury, ‘eMOTVEe’ was overall a more subdued offering, even if the underlying message was still angry. It is a patchy listen, with some moments of absolute genius, and others that are a bit of a slog. John Lennon’s classic ‘Imagine’ is transformed into a minor key dirge, and is one of A Perfect Circle’s finest moments. Moving it from major to minor has a stark effect on the lyrics, which were once hopeful and now sound laced with despair. Led Zepellin’s ‘When The Levee Breaks’ becomes a gorgeous, crystalline ballad with a delicate vocal performance. The original (alongside an intriguing industrial reworking of ‘Pet’ in the form of ‘Counting Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums’) is ‘Passive’, a stunning grower that started life in the abandoned ‘Tapeworm’ project with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails. And Joni Mitchell’s ‘Fiddle and the Drum’ is turned into a multi-layered acapella Maynard extravaganza, simultaneously inspiring and devastating. Unfortunately, the rest of ‘eMOTIVe’ becomes tedious, especially in the 4-track run of ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’, ‘People are People’, ‘Freedom of Choice’ and ‘Let’s Have a War’. It is a shame, because the concept of ‘eMOTIVe’ was laudable. Standout Tracks: ‘Imagine’, ‘Fiddle and the Drum’, ‘Passive’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ba1375dd-b8d6-4109-8646-e7dd05408d8d/512KHJH1kVL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 15. Donkey Punch The Night EP - Puscifer (2013) And the award for most pointless cover version of all time goes to… ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Given how creative A Perfect Circle and Tool (and Puscifer themselves, with an 80s disco take of Accept’s heavy metal classic ‘Balls to the Wall’) have been with cover versions, re-inventing other people’s songs in their own style, it was a surprise to hear how much ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ sounds just like the Queen original. Only, too sterile, and Maynard’s vocals are mixed so that the lower harmony is more prominent in the important bits. Freddie Mercury is just too sacred, even for someone like Maynard to cover. It was a shame this opened the ‘Donkey Punch the Night’ EP, because the other songs here are superb. ‘Dear Brother’ has a similar quality to ‘Mama Said’ in how it combines lyrical poignancy with an earworm melody and propulsive (yet not intrusive) beat. ‘Breathe’ is dark and brooding, and the aforementioned ‘Balls to the Wall’ sounds like it could have been a hit single in an alternate universe. The rest of the EP is padded out with some inessential remixes, making ‘Donkey Punch the Night’ a curious hodgepodge of a collection. Standout Tracks: ‘Breathe’, ‘Dear Brother’, ‘Balls to the Wall’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1f49b985-1fe8-41f0-863b-a077d0cb3e4e/2bac33fc6e404c66a295f683bbe8c54d.1000x1000x1.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 14. Salival - Tool (2000) The 13-year gap between ‘10,000 Days’ and ‘Fear Inoculum’ was significantly longer than the 5 years between ‘Ænima’ and ‘Lateralus’. However, the difference back in the late 90s was that there was nothing outside of Tool. After what felt like an eternity after Tool’s 1996 masterpiece ‘Ænima’, along came A Perfect Circle with their brilliant debut record ‘Mer De Noms’ in May 2000. In hindsight, ‘Salival’ may have been released in order to show the world that Tool was still alive and well, and that A Perfect Circle was a separate entity for Maynard, not a replacement. Salival is a live, outtake, and video album, released as a limited edition box in CD/VHS/book and CD/DVD/book formats in December 2000. It is curious listen, with a few live tracks (the best of which are ‘Third Eye’, with a different intro to the album version, and an updated version of ‘Pushit’ which is arguably even better than the original), some studio outtakes, and a cover of Led Zeppelin’s ‘No Quarter’. Frustratingly, ‘Salival’ cannot be found on streaming services. If you can find a copy, then it makes for a very intriguing experience, even if it is somewhat patchy. Standout tracks: ‘Third Eye (live)’, ‘Pushit (live)’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e971f980-8ad6-40d2-b75c-12040e87b69d/81kOF3GbwQL.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 13. Existential Reckoning - Puscifer (2020) During the period from 2007 to 2020, Puscifer had evolved from a Maynard James Keenan solo project to a full band, led more-or-less equally by the creative trio of Maynard, Carina Round and Mat Mitchell. 2015’s ‘Money $hot’ felt more band-like than the earlier albums, and ‘Existential Reckoning’ took it a step forward, feeling very much like 3 people (and the supporting players) each bringing their own ideas to the table. It is all the more impressive, then, that ‘Existential Reckoning’ feels so cohesive. The songs all have similar qualities, underpinned by a consistent semi-distorted electric guitar sound, propulsive beats, analogue synths and layer upon layer of harmonised vocals. This is both the album’s main strength, and also its biggest weakness - because it is very difficult to listen to the whole thing in one sitting. Is there a hidden genius here that reveals itself more and more with multiple listens? Well, it is definitely a grower. But the overwhelming impression that ‘Existential Reckoning’ leaves is that it was more fun for Puscifer to create than it is for us to listen to. It is an art project which feels like a piecing-together of clever ideas, more than a set of songs that will get stuck in your head. There is nothing (except perhaps for ‘Personal Prometheus’) that elicits feelings in the listener like ‘Oceans’, ‘Momma Said’, ‘The Humbling River’, ‘Agostina’, ‘Dear Brother’ or other Puscifer classics, and as such it is more of a cerebral than an emotional album - but if you are in the right mood, it is well worth exploring. Standout Tracks: ‘Bullet Train to Iowa’, ‘The Underwhelming’, ‘Bedlamite’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dc180d6b-9b9e-4e49-8b25-afc0a65a54bc/ab67616d0000b273811c2a674018c41d1b9f0648.jpeg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 12. Opiate EP - Tool (1992) Tool’s early live performances, backed by their original ‘72826’ demo, have become something of legend. The energy levels were high, Maynard was in fully confrontational mode, and their songs at the time were shorter, leaner and more aggressive than the majority of Tool songs that have come since. ‘Opiate’ was Tool’s first official release, a 6-track EP in 1992 that preceded their full-length debut ‘Undertow’ by a year. While raw and a little rough around the edges, ‘Opiate’ was a great showcase of Tool’s power and precision, as well as their sense of humour (the censorship-baiting video for ‘Hush’, the between-song live banter, and the trippy bonus track ‘The Gaping Lotus Experience’). Opener ‘Sweat’ sets the tone, and feels like a more primitive version of the following year’s ‘Intolerance’. ‘Jerk-off’, which only exists in a live form and not a studio recording (other than in the original ‘72826’ demo), is a fantastically brutal take-down of an enemy. And best of the bunch is the title track ‘Opiate’, with lyrics that are as relevant today as they were in the early 90s. The re-recorded version, ‘Opiate2’, released in 2022, is even better than the original because it includes the extended 4-minute middle section that Tool gradually began to incorporate into their live performances. Standout Tracks: ‘Opiate2’, ‘Sweat’, ‘Cold and Ugly (live)’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/555eeb45-3390-4064-a2fc-4ae4613b66f5/71nPJmu8sxL.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 11. V is for Vagina - Puscifer (2007) On its release, ‘V is for Vagina’ felt like a joke that no-one really understood. With its rude title and wacky, cartoonish artwork, especially coming after Puscifer’s debut single ‘Country Boner’, was it all a big piss-take? Was ‘V is for Vagina’ meant to be funny? The music itself has little, if any, laugh-out-loud humour. Some of the lyrics raise an eyebrow (particularly the crude suggestions in opener ‘Queen B’, and the sarcastic delivery of religious fanaticism in ‘Sour Grapes’), but this record is far more serious than the album art would have you believe. Largely self-recorded by Maynard while on the road with Tool and A Perfect Circle, Puscifer’s debut was much more of a solo project than the work of a full band. As such, it can feel a little one-dimensional and demo-like at times and can be a slog to listen to in one go. Some of the songs have evolved significantly since the release of ‘V is for Vagina’. ‘Momma Said’, in particular, exists in a live form on the ‘C is for…’ EP which is almost completely different, and utterly brilliant. The version here, with snappy beats under the acoustic guitar, is still strong, but nowhere what it became later. ‘DoZo’ and ‘Vagina Mine’ have also evolved significantly over the years. Elsewhere, ‘Drunk with Power’, ‘Trekka’ and ‘The Undertaker' are unlikely to get many repeated spins. Best of the bunch here is ‘Indigo children’, with masterful earworm vocal layering and pulsing electronics. The subsequent remix album ‘V is for Viagra’ is a curious companion, but still lacking the sophisication that came with Puscifer’s other albums. Standout Tracks: ‘Momma Said’, ‘Indigo Children’, ‘Queen B’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a58df97e-99f7-4711-8973-bfb153837ee7/61FrR26S0SL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 10. Conditions of My Parole - Puscifer (2011) By the time ‘Conditions of My Parole’, Puscifer’s sophomore full-length album, came about, we had already been treated to 2 remix albums (quantity over quality?), the entertaining and insightful wine-making film ‘Blood into Wine’, and the ‘C is for..’ EP. In other words, it was clear that Maynard had so much more to offer the world than Tool and A Perfect Circle alone. Though the dry sense of humour was a constant throughout, Maynard wasn’t messing around. Aside from the playful title track, and the ridiculous cover art (which was also at the centre of the ‘What is Puscifer?’ live DVD, featuring Maynard as ‘Billy D’, a redneck with questionable morals), ‘Conditions of My Parole’ is a serious album. It features some of Maynard’s purest-sounding vocal performances, especially in the mysterious ‘Horizons’, the country-inflected ‘Green Valley’ and beautifully understated closer ‘Tumbleweed’. ‘Conditions of My Parole’ is, to date, the most complete Puscifer album. It is more varied than ‘Existential Reckoning’, more fully formed than ‘V is for Vagina’ and more consistent than ‘Money $hot’. In fact, the two relative low points are the heavier two songs ‘Telling Ghosts’ and ‘Toma’ - not because they aren’t good songs, but because they either needed to lean into the heaviness a little more or instead to be kept back for ‘Money $hot’, as they don’t have the same impact here as songs like ‘Tiny Monster’, ‘Oceans’ and ‘The Weaver’. If you were making a ‘best-of’ compilation across all of Puscifer’s discography, around two thirds of ‘Conditions of My Parole’ could make the cut. A triumph. Standout Tracks: ‘Horizons’, ‘Oceans’, ‘Conditions of My Parole’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6ba12df7-6b89-4f1c-bb09-becb3b490d5f/712lcTXgSiL._UF350%2C350_QL50_.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 9. Undertow - Tool (1993) Following hot on the heels of their debut EP ‘Opiate’, Tool’s first full-length record was one hell of a statement of intent. Some of the songs on the Sylvia Massey-produced debut dated back to the first demo in 1991, including ‘Crawl Away’ and ‘Sober’ (which itself pre-dated Tool, having been performed initially by Maynard’s first band Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty). But, even though these were some of the very first songs that Tool wrote, they were already leaps and bounds ahead of where most bands are when they make their first album. Unconventional time signatures made an appearance at the very start of opener ‘Intolerance’, and even though much of ‘Undertow’ is relatively more straightforward than Tool’s polyrhythmic future compositions (‘Pneuma’, ‘Jambi’, ‘The Grudge’, ‘Jimmy’ and many, many others), there was still a lot of advanced musicianship on display, particularly in Danny Carey’s inventive drumming. There are no bad songs here, and every track has its own merits. However, ‘Undertow’ can become a bit of a slog to listen all the way through in one go, given the relative lack of sonic variation. There are plenty of dynamic shifts, such as the spoken word section featuring Henry Rollins in ‘Bottom’ and the atmosphere-building intro to ‘Flood’, but musically things get a little same-y at times, especially with a somewhat thin mix that lacks the lower-end punch of the other albums. Still, when a record has tracks as powerful (musically, lyrically and conceptually) as ‘Prison Sex’ and ‘Sober’, and yet these aren’t even the best songs, you know you have something special. Standout Tracks: ‘Flood’, ‘Crawl Away’, ‘Swamp Song’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4dd2c226-0fc1-40b5-a938-99e657f4241b/yEYz5MUZRSf4VdoeYw7cKk.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 8. Eat The Elephant - A Perfect Circle (2018) It may be more piano-based than their first 3 records, but in some ways ‘Eat the Elephant’ is A Perfect Circle’s heaviest offering to date - if not sonically, then at least thematically. In this long-awaited rebirth of the creative partnership between Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howardel (which was celebrated by combining their images, in a scarily natural-looking way, on the cover), neither party wanted to make a retread of ‘Mer De Noms’ or ‘Thirteenth Step’. Interviews with Billy and Maynard in 2018 showed just how well they work in collaboration together, and how much respect they have for each other. In the years since ‘eMOTIVEe’, Billy had had a foray into solo work with ‘Ashes Divide’ (and in more recent years, a further 2022 album under his own name which is well worth a listen), and Maynard had amassed a huge discography with Puscifer, as well as touring extensively with Tool in support of ‘10,000 Days’. As such, what role did A Perfect Circle have to play in 2018? It turns that they had a lot to say together, underpinned with something of a lament for modern-day society. ‘Disillusioned’ has moments where Maynard almost sounds in tears when singing about the damaging effect that smart phones have had on humanity in the 21st century. ‘TalkTalk’ also addresses a failure to communicate, while ‘So Long and Thanks For All The Fish’ eulogises the prominent figures who have sadly passed away in recent years (Gene Wilder, David Bowie, Carrie Fisher, Prince and more), with a plea not to waste time on trivialities. The guitar is tasteful throughout, only reaching full-on heavy mode at points in ‘The Doomed’, ‘Delicious’ and ‘Hourglass’, and otherwise acting as a wonderful complement to the piano and lush orchestration throughout. Closer ‘Get The Lead Out’ is a curious track, a comparative low-point on an otherwise sublime record, and if it had ended with the brilliant ‘Feathers’, and perhaps lost the unnecessary ‘DLB’, then ‘Eat The Elephant’, in a more concise form, could have a claim to a higher spot on this list. What a comeback. Standout Tracks: ‘Disillusioned’, ‘So Long and Thanks For All The Fish’, ‘The Contrarian’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a9724d6c-4f90-4036-8003-b1d1c730a2be/7123GhNXHdL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 7. ”C” is for… EP - Puscifer (2009) This 6-track EP is solid gold from start to finish. Sitting between Puscifer’s debut ‘V is for Vagina’ and the follow-up ‘Conditions of My Parole’, ‘C if for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE)’ showcases some of Maynard’s very best solo songwriting, with 4 incredible new songs (‘Polar Bear’, ‘Potions’, ‘The Humbling River’, ‘The Mission’) and 2 astounding live re-imaginings of tracks from the debut record. In particular, ‘Momma Said’, which was already a stand-out track from ‘V is for Vagina’, stands out the most. It has an emotional impact akin to Tool’s majestic ‘Wings For Marie / 10,000 Days’, which may not come as a surprise given that Maynard’s mother is the subject matter of them both. There is an enigmatic quality to the vocals, leaving it open to interpretation whether Maynard’s mothers words of advice (‘Wake up son of mine, Momma’s got something to tell you / Change is come, keep your dignity. Take the high road, take it like a man / Momma said ‘Like the rain, like a kidney stone, it’s just a broken heart son, this too will pass away’) were received fondly or not. Either way, it is a glorious tearjerker of a track, and one of Maynard’s very best. Another highlight is the duet with Milla Jovovich, ‘The Mission’, which could have been a hit single with more intentional promotion, and the wonderful building of ‘The Humbling River’, which is deceptively complex rhythmically and becomes something of a Puscifer anthem by its multi-layered crescendo. Standout Tracks: ‘Polar Bear’, ‘Momma Said (live)’, ‘The Humbling River’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/194b1ff7-c3c3-40c2-8512-92aedc3170d1/61lCAK5v-5L.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 6. Mer De Noms - A Perfect Circle (2000) When A Perfect Circle emerged in 2000, appearing fully-formed and established with the release of first single ‘Judith’ and a smattering of live shows supporting Nine Inch Nails, the whole rock world took note. They sounded mature, restrained, brutal, beautiful and powerful in equal measure, and Tool fans were understandably worried about what this meant for the future of Tool (little did we know at the time that ‘Salival’ and ‘Lateralus’ were only months away). Maynard appeared in a long wig, hiding in the shadows, wanting A Perfect Circle to be Billy’s band, and not to be the centre of attention himself. Billy had originally intended for the band to have a female singer, but was won over by Maynard’s voice when he adopted a less aggressive tone than he used in Tool, arguably embracing a more feminine, and certainly more vulnerable, sound. The songs on ‘Mer De Noms’ are utterly majestic, breaking far beyond the conventions of a typical 4-or-5-piece rock band. Subtle electronics, well-considered orchestration and a tremendous sense of atmosphere that was both warm and devastating (as evidenced best in ‘Magdalena’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’). When they wanted to rock, they absolutely could (‘Judith’, ‘Thinking of You’, ‘Thomas’). When they wanted to make beautiful ballads, we were gifted with ‘3 Libras’ (one of Maynard’s all-time best vocal performances), ‘Orestes’ and ‘Brena’. And if they wanted to embrace avant-garde, glitchy electronics, it resulted in ‘Rose’ and ‘Renholdër’. What a debut. Standout Tracks: ‘Thinking of You’, ‘3 Libras’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b872ee8a-4e80-4f20-9412-4099f02a443c/Tool-Pic-2.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 5. Fear Inoculum - Tool (2019) Yes, a lot was made at the time of the lengthy gap after ‘10,000 Days’, but now that ‘Fear Inoculum’ has been out for a few years itself it can now, rightly, be judged on its own merits, free from the shackles of being ‘Tool’s long-awaited comeback album’. Indeed, when Tool play live now, their set still features a few tracks from ‘Fear Inoculum’, and these are met with just as much fervour as the classics from the earlier records. Firstly, the production is MASSIVE, and immaculate, with Danny Carey’s best-ever drum sound (that snare!), and huge, lengthy atmosphere-building (the best example being the lead-in to ‘Descending’). ‘Fear Inoculum’ demands patience and time, and yet it never feels like a slog. It is essentially 6 long songs, interspersed with 3 interludes and a cheeky drum solo. It may not have quite the same rhythmic complexity as ‘Lateralus’ or ‘10,000 Days’ (most songs are either in 4/4 or 7/8, with the exception of epic closer ‘7empest’ which has the how-the-hell-are-they-playing-that quality that we love), but there is a great amount of depth, and more twists and turns than might be apparent in the first listen. Top of the pile is ‘Pneuma’, which has a similar quality to ‘Jambi’ and is an instant classic. ‘Invincible’ and ‘Descending’, both of which were played live before the album was released, are like mini-movies in their own right. The aforementioned ‘7empest’ is insane, and largely a vehicle for Adam Jones to show his inventiveness on the guitar for over 15 minutes. ‘Chocolate Chip Trip’ is a clever drum solo that uses triggers to create a melody. It is enjoyable, though not essential. ‘Culling Voices’ is arguably the most disposable tracks, though it still plays a significant part, even if its riffs sound like they have been lifted from other Tool songs. These aside, the bulk of ‘Fear Inoculum’ stands shoulder to shoulder with Tool’s very best work. Standout Tracks: ‘Pneuma’, ‘7empest’, ‘Invincible’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4ec4c1b0-be82-492b-9fc3-8869a861b622/71xLxrdJUhL.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 4. Thirteenth Step - A Perfect Circle (2003) Let’s face it. No matter how good a record by A Perfect Circle gets, it is unlikely to ever get in the top 3 of this list, given how untouchable Tool are. But that doesn’t mean that ‘Thirteenth Step’ isn’t superb - it really is. ‘Mer De Noms’ introduced a sound that was refreshing different in the rock world at the turn of the century. There were echoes of Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure and others, but the combination of controlled instrumentation (both delicate and heavy as hell) with Maynard’s impassioned vocals made them utterly unique. ‘Thirteenth Step’ took it a step further, with singles that were catchier, progressive moments that were proggy-er, and an overall impression that was even more majestic and curious than its predecessor. With a new line-up that included Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha on guitar (for live performances, not studio recording) and Jeordie White (aka Twiggy Ramirez from Marilyn Manson) replacing Paz Lenchantin on bass, the collaborative approach to A Perfect Circle’s sophomore record was noticeably different to the debut, which had been more of a Billy Howardel solo project until Maynard joined. There are so many brilliant songs here. ‘Weak and Powerless’ and ‘The Outsider’ are the obvious choices for singles, yet neither is formulaic or predictable. ‘The Noose’, ‘Vanishing’, ‘A Stranger’ and ‘Gravity’ are beautifully structured, textured creations; and the transition between the charming cover of Failure’s ‘The Nurse Who Loved Me’ and the brutal ‘Pet’ is a stunning moment of contrast. ‘Thirteenth Step’ is a record to admire as much as to adore, and it is one of the best alternative rock albums of the 00s. Standout Tracks: ‘The Noose’, ‘Vanishing’, ‘Pet’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/da6df1e7-c68f-4960-8bfa-ec27ba416ed5/lateralus.webp Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 3. Lateralus - Tool (2001) For many, Lateralus is THE Tool album - and, honestly, the top 3 in this list are all interchangeable. Indeed, if ‘Ænima’ was one of the best albums of the 90s, then ‘Lateralus’ is easily one of the best records of the 00s. The album artwork alone was masterful - a booklet of layers of acetate, with each page turn revealing something deeper about the man in question. Given that so much of the album is about improving communication, connection and understanding between human beings, the artwork by Alex Gray was the perfect accompaniment to Tool’s first record in 5 years. Opening ‘Lateralus’ is the 5/4 tour de force that is ‘The Grudge’, and a whole essay could be written about the different components of this song. In comparison to Ænima’s sludgy, monochrome darkness, ‘The Grudge’ shows immediately that Tool’s 3rd full-length record was going to be a very different beast - a multimedia experience with astounding sonic clarity and massive dynamic range, encased in complex, ever-changing time signatures. ‘Schism’ achieves the incredible feat of being accessible and single-worthy despite having multiple time changes, no discernible chorus, and a lengthy ambient mid-section. The title track has beguiled fans for over 25 years, making masterful use of the Fibonacci sequence to illustrate its themes of ‘spiralling out’. ‘Ticks and Leeches’ is arguably Tool’s heaviest song, with monstrous screams. The 2-part ‘Parabol/Parabola’ is a masterclass in restraint, then explosion. So why isn’t ‘Lateralus’ top of our list? Partly, it is because ‘Ænima’ and ‘10,000 Days’ are simply SO good. And partly because there can be the temptation to skip certain tracks, such as ‘The Patient’; and the final trilogy of ‘Disposition’ / ‘Reflection’ / ‘Triad’ is certainly impressive but is trumped by other closers such as ‘7empest’ and ‘Third Eye’. Standout Tracks: ‘The Grudge’, ‘Schism’, ‘Parabol/Parabola’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4c18551b-0b06-4dad-b5ce-c795eb7daf8f/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 2. Ænima - Tool (1996) ‘Ænima’ was arguably the best album of 1996, which is no mean feat given that this was a year that also gave us Marilyn Manson’s ‘Antichrist Superstar’, Weezer’s ‘Pinkerton’, Eels’ ‘Beautiful Freak’, Korn’s ‘Life is Peachy’, Metallica’s ‘Load’ and Soundgarden’s ‘Down on the Upside’, among many others. It certainly has a case for being Number 1 in this list, and only falls into 2nd place because ‘10,000 Days’ is so utterly brilliant. A unique sonic experience, ‘Ænima’ showcased Tool’s artful approach to their craft, producing detailed, considered and lengthy compositions. With Justin Chancellor replacing Paul D'Amour on bass in the early phases of the recording sessions, the new dynamic of Danny, Adam, Maynard and Justin was born, and with it a further step forward in multi-layered, polyrhythmic experimentation. Production-wise, the overall sound is very unique, even muddy at times, but ‘muddy’ in a more grimy sense rather than unclear. Maynard is sometimes barely audible, but his one-of-a-kind voice still cuts through. Guitars are generally panned centrally, and only occasionally are they panned left and right. As such, the record often feels more mono than stereo, meaning that when the full audio spectrum is used it tends to have a significant impact. Songs like ‘Third Eye’ are given an extra dimension by the very intentional, deliberate positioning of the instruments in the stereo field. And the songs themselves? Well, they are spellbinding. ‘Stinkfist’, ‘Ænima’ and ‘Forty Six & 2’ are the obvious highlights, and they remain staples of the live set 30 years on. Deeper cuts ‘Jimmy’, ‘Eulogy’ and ‘Pushit’ are generally slower and more textured, melding the sludgy riffs of Black Sabbath with Pink Floyd’s sense of atmosphere. ‘Hooker with a Penis’ is the heaviest track, with hilariousy cutting lyrics that throw back accusations of being a ‘sell out’. Also hugely important to the record are the various interludes (‘Useful Idiot’, ‘Message to Harry Manback’, ‘Intermission’, ‘Die Eier von Satan’, ‘Cesaro Summability’ and ‘(-) Ions’) which add an extra layer of variety, complexity and structure to this absolute behemoth of a record. If you aren’t already familiar with the genius of ‘Ænima’, you owe it to yourself to block out 1h 17min, turn off the lights, pour a glass of wine and let yourself be immersed in a dark world of wonder. Standout Tracks: ‘Third Eye’, ‘Forty Six & 2’, ‘Pushit’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c0b19cf8-d9a2-471a-a8f2-e2874954d86c/s-l1200.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - 1. 10,000 Days - Tool (2006) This may be a controversial choice, given how revered ‘Ænima’ and ‘Lateralus’ are. But, in our opinion, ‘10,000 Days’ is the perfect distillation of everything we love about Tool. Every element just works, and the endlessly weaving layers of drums, bass and guitar embrace polyrhythms and counter-melodies are second to none. One of the hallmarks of great records is their ability to reveal more with every listen. 20 years on, ‘10,000 Days’ still shows new elements every time, whether you hone in on Danny Carey’s incredible, organic drumming (arguably his finest album-wide performance), Justin Chancellor’s tasteful bass (which sometimes takes the lead and sometimes provides understated power), Adam Jones’ guitar (which isn’t always the most technically impressive but is full of texture and precision), or Maynard’s stunning vocals. Lyrically, ‘10,000 Days’ covers a range of topics, some tongue-in-cheek (‘Rosetta Stoned’ features the ramblings of Blare, a friend of the band who had an enlightening moment during an acid trip near Area 51, but forgot the life-changing secrets that aliens told him because he forgot his pen and couldn’t write them down), some poignant but laced with sarcasm (‘Vicarious’ covers humans’ fascination with other people’s chaos and tragedy), and others deeply personal. The centrepiece of ‘Wings for Marie’ and ‘10,000 Days’ is truly breathtaking, Maynard lamenting the loss of his mother after a lengthy period of disability, all the while the rest of the band conjure up a huge, undulating and moving symphony of hypnotic beats and dynamic shifts amidst the sound of a distant storm. There is nothing else like it. Elsewhere, ‘The Pot’ is arguably Tool’s most radio-friendly moment since ‘Sober’ and is incredibly catchy. ‘Jambi’ is possibly Tool’s most rhythmically complex song (it can take years of listening to understand the verses alone). ‘Intension’ feels meandering and throwaway at first, but eventually becomes essential. And ‘Right in Two’ builds to a crushing crescendo that brings this masterpiece of an album to a close. ‘10,000 Days’ is utterly spellbinding. Standout Tracks: ‘Jambi, ‘Wings for Marie / 10,000 Days’, ‘Lost Keys (Blame Hofman / Rosetta Stoned’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4bc4882d-ac2e-42f3-bfce-b4b8607956db/meshuggah_logo.png Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/spineshank monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62e01939-a3be-4773-b19d-5aba16e679b0/linkin-park-logo-graphic-v6nd3k68esiph53v.png Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c3d309e2-392a-4d9d-8f54-d2e60b042718/Soilwork_logo.svg.png Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - images.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/130480e6-5832-43d8-8cf1-f22ffe04b11c/81FLaFZPpfL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - 4. Strictly Diesel (1998) 1998 was an exciting time for metal. Korn were on top of the world, and alongside them was a huge surge of bands that were building on their unique, groove-oriented sound. Coal Chamber, Static-X, Soulfly, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down and numerous others were starting to make a name for themselves, and it was only going to get wilder with the imminent arrival of Slipknot, Disturbed and Linkin Park. Spineshank caused a moderate stir with their debut record ‘Strictly Diesel’, partly because nu-metal was still relatively new at this point, and partly because there was an electronic element to their sound which set them apart from some of their peers, with some echoes of Fear Factory. Unfortunately, nearly 30 years on, ‘Strictly Diesel’ sounds dated, partly because the production is somewhat lacklustre by today’s standards, and partly because the songwriting is underdeveloped. It is quite telling that none of the songs from this era make it into Spineshank’s live sets since they reformed. ‘Stovebolt’ and ‘Intake’ have some intense aggression and moments of genuine danger and youthful energy, but most of ‘Strictly Diesel’ sounds like generic nu-metal from before nu-metal became generic. A promising debut, but definitely not where you should start with Spineshank. Standout Tracks: ‘Stovebolt’, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, ‘40 Below’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/58578630-e412-421e-bc9c-3f38e5d5db5f/71-DXJ8xuiL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - 3. Anger Denial Acceptance (2012) Following the ‘Self-Destructive Pattern’ tours in 2004, Spineshank frontman Johnny Santos formed a new band called Silent Civilian, which was more Trivium-esque and more in line with the emerging melodic metalcore scene at the time (think Shadows Fall, Children of Bodom, In Flames and Killswitch Engage). Spineshank didn’t ‘split up’ immediately, but it soon became apparent that the band was on hiatus for the foreseeable future. Somewhat out of the blue in 2012, Spineshank reformed, retaining the same 4-piece line-up of Johnny Santos (vocals), Tommy Decker (drums & programming), Rob Garcia (bass) and Mike Sarkisyan (guitar, piano). With echoes of their landmark album ‘The Height of Callousness’, their comeback album ‘Anger Denial Acceptance’ went straight for the jugular, fueled by rage and something to prove. ‘Anger Denial Acceptance’ is far from a bad album. It is certainly consistent, and the overall sound is packed with layers of the energy that we love about Spineshank. However, in terms of songwriting, there is little to get hold of here, and very few moments that get stuck in your head, even after mutliple listens. Some ideas, such as ‘Murder-Suicide’, opener ‘After the End’ and single ‘Nothing Left For Me’ have promising elements, but the record feels unfocused, lacking the special something that albums 2 and 3 had. Standout Tracks: ‘Nothing Left For Me’, ‘After the End’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/be3037ef-800d-4a8f-8505-f2612a735623/ab67616d0000b27355c3e54a7ff82098cdaf693b.jpeg Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - 2. Self-Destructive Pattern (2003) There are moments on ‘Self-Destructive Pattern’ where Spineshank sound like they could have been as huge as Linkin Park. The soaring ‘The Beginning of the End’ is utterly brilliant, with sublime choruses, crystal-clear production and the perfect blend of heaviness and melody. ‘Forgotten’ is just as good, and could have been a hit single. The lead single ‘Smothered’ has a fantastic energy, and the record is bookended by two of Spineshank’s heaviest and most exhilarating songs, ‘Violent Mood Swings’ and ‘Dead to Me’. Even the relatively lower points (‘Stillborn’, ‘Consumed (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder’ and ‘Slavery’) still have strong moments, with a masterful combination of eerie keyboards and electronic beats under the razor-sharp guitars. ‘Self-Destructive Pattern’ is an absolute treasure trove of hard-edged metal with brilliantly melodic elements. By 2003, nu-metal was becoming a dirty word for many, and Spineshank were arguably lumped into this category. Johnny Santos was often quoted at the time as suggesting he wanted to explore a more traditional metal sound, which led to him forming Silent Civilian and moving away from Spineshank’s electronic racket. As such, ‘Self-Destructive Pattern’ feels simultaneously like an underrated gem, and also a ‘What if’ record - because if more people had embraced them at this point, and they had continued their ascendency, they might have been enormous. Standout tracks: ‘Violent Mood Swings’, ‘Beginning of the End’, ‘Dead to Me’, ‘Forgotten’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/39c0e0b6-25ef-407e-a574-2e57a0d84cc8/71TtrBCBivL.jpg Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - 1. The Height of Callousness (2000) No-one saw this coming. Spineshank’s debut record ‘Strictly Diesel’ placed them firmly in the ok-but-not-great camp of the fast-growing nu-metal scene. We had no idea that they had the ambition and musical dexterity to produce something with the calibre of ‘The Height of Callousness’, which is an absolute JUGGERNAUT. From start to finish, this album is relentless, non-stop aggression, with punk energy, catchy melodies and a pioneering combination of live instruments and electronica. Where the programmed sounds in ‘Strictly Diesel’ felt more bolted-on, on Spineshank’s second record they were an integral part of the sound. Kudos in particular to drummer Tommy Decker, who not only programmed the electronics but also wrote the majority of the lyrics, which are utterly compelling, full of rage and nihilism. Singles ‘Synthetic’ and ‘New Disease’ are the obvious stand-outs, with their radio-friendly choruses and endlessly catchy melodies. The other particular melodic track is closer ‘Transparent’, which easily matches anything on Fear Factory’s ‘Obsolete’ record. On the other end of the scale, ‘The Height of Callousness’, ‘Malnutrition’ and ‘Cynanide 2600’ bring the heaviness, with all the ferocity and malice of an unchained rottweiler. Across 11 tracks and 37 minutes, not a single second is wasted. ‘The Height of Callousness’ was one of the very best records of 2000, clearly inspired by Slipknot and other bands on the Roadrunner Records roster at the time, distilling everything into a compact assault on the senses. Standout Tracks: ‘Transparent’, ‘New Disease’, ‘The Height of Callousness’, ‘Seamless’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62e01939-a3be-4773-b19d-5aba16e679b0/linkin-park-logo-graphic-v6nd3k68esiph53v.png Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6befc60-6bb2-456f-9324-6b7c084c114c/Slipknot_%28Logo%29.png Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4bc4882d-ac2e-42f3-bfce-b4b8607956db/meshuggah_logo.png Albums Ranked - Spineshank: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/criminally-forgotten-albums monthly 0.5 2026-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8fc89274-8e2b-4ff6-8651-8a980fe140ed/ab67616d0000b273efedef30085a0af8227abc33.jpeg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Kerbdog - ‘On The Turn’ (1997) There was an underground buzz about Kerbdog when they released their excellent second album - but it fizzled out. If they had been American, and played some high-profile tours and festivals, they could have been HUGE. Instead, the album was delayed by Mercury Records for well over a year before it was eventually released, leaving the Irish 3-piece to only tour more locally and eventually vanish into obscurity soon after. Lead singer Cormac Battle and drummer Darragh Butler then formed Wilt, a more mainstream-oriented rock band, who were good but lost the metallic, lightning-in-a-bottle edge of Kerbdog. ‘On The Turn’ is almost frustratingly good, with every song being a potential single. ‘Sally’, ‘Mexican Wave’ and ‘JJ’s Song’ were the chosen singles, and all are fantastic, and are arguably topped by the riff-laden ‘Severed’, the monstrously heavy title track, and the multi-faceted ‘Pledge’. Combining Helmet’s crunchy Drop-D riffs with Ash’s energy and The Wildhearts’ knack for a good tune, ‘On The Turn’ is genuinely one of the greatest albums of the 90s. Perhaps it was just a little too heavy for the Britrock crowd and too melodic for metalheads? Kerbdog do still play shows occasionally, for special occasions such as marking the 30th anniversary of their self-titled debut record from 1994 (which is also great). Sadly, aside from the incredible single ‘Electricity’ that they self-produced and included along with a crowd-funded live album ‘Congregation’ in 2014, they haven’t released anything since 'On The Turn’ - and it is a record thoroughly deserving of revisiting. Highlights: ‘Severed’, ‘Sally', ‘Mexican Wave’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/2abf5543-ef68-45be-9c12-033d6ca23779/a3211613086_10.jpg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - My Vitriol - ‘The Secret Sessions’ (2016) They didn’t make it easy for themselves, did they? Release a stunning debut album? Check (2001’s masterpiece ‘Finelines’). Several Top 40 singles and Top of the Pop appearances? Check. Chino Moreno from Deftones publicly declaring you his favourite band? Check. 2001 should have been My Vitriol’s year. Unfortunately, things fizzled out soon after ‘Finelines’ was remixed and repackaged with b-sides album ‘Between The Lines’. My Vitriol were arguably never fully a ‘band’ at the beginning, but instead a creative partnership between university friends Som Wardner (vocals, guitars) and Ravi Kesavaram (drums) which was fleshed out into a 4-piece (including Seth Taylor, guitar, who became a long-term member) for the release of ‘Finelines’. Whatever the reasons, they went on a lengthy hiatus in 2002, with occasional shows and single releases over the following 11 years. Then, in 2013, a mysterious PledgeMusic campaign emerged, for fans to fund a new album that would supposedly be released in 2014. It eventually came to light in 2016, after multiple will-they won’t-they delays, by which point even the most loyal of fans had lost interest. It is shame that ‘The Secret Sessions’ is remembered more for its laboured creation than the music itself, because it is an AMAZING album. At first it sounds overly compressed, but once you get used to the somewhat unique production choices, ‘The Secret Sessions’ reveals its genius, with masterful tunes wrapped in layers of swirling guitars and pumping drums. Highlights include ‘It’s So Damn Easy’, showcasing Som’s silky vocals over propulsive beats and My Bloody Valentine-esque guitar soundscapes, and the devastatingly beautiful ballad ‘Lord Knows How I’ve Tried’. Highlights: ‘If Only (God Only Knows)’, ‘Lord Knows How I’ve Tried’, ‘It’s So Damn Easy’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a33b5559-2970-4845-972b-82f693b64f1c/R-10961362-1509484861-6653.jpg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - No Use For a Name - ‘More Betterness!’ (1999) If you like pop-infused melodic punk rock, with an occasional bite, ‘More Betterness’ is the gold standard. American punk rock was huge in the late 90s, both in the mainstream (Blink 182, Green Day, Offspring) and in the lesser-known but still revered scene (NOFX, Rancid, Lagwagon, Descendents, Bouncing Souls, Less Than Jake, Pulley, MxPx, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Strung Out and countless others on FAT Wreck Chords). It was very hard to dislike No Use For a Name, given that they ticked all the right boxes (lightning fast drums, razor-sharp guitars, harmonies galore) and had a multitude of memorable tunes to boot - but they often got lost in the pile of other great bands. The untimely death of frontman Tony Sly in 2012 led many to revisit NUFAN’s discography, and to truly appreciate the genius of Tony Sly’s songwriting. ‘More Betterness’ is arguably No Use For a Name’s best collection of songs, though ‘Hard Rock Bottom’, ‘Making Friends’ and ‘The Feel Good Record of the Year’ are all superb too. Almost every track (with the exception of a curious and unneccessary cover of ‘Fairytale of New York’) is superb, from the high-speed opener ‘Not Your Savior’ to the dark, body image-themed ‘Life Sized Mirror’, to elegaic closer ‘Room 19’ and poignant ‘Let It Slide’. And, in ‘Coming Too Close’, NUFAN produced one of the all-time greatest pop-punk anthems, with a level of lyrical depth and melodic sophistication that most other bands could never quite reach. Highlights: ‘Coming Too Close’, ‘Chasing Rainbows’, ‘Let It Slide’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6bfa813d-2629-42db-b87e-aa9f56e3a7fa/71-55zf5V8L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Set to Stun - ‘SET TO STUN and The Desperado Undead’ (2015) Materialising in late 2000s Los Angeles, the trio known as Set to Stun always struggled to find their footing, never quite breaching into mainstream metal as they released their obscure debut album, ‘Colors’, in 2010. However, when they were signed to Tragic Hero Records, it seemed as though the tide had finally turned, as their assistance helped to create the album ‘SET TO STUN and The Desperado Undead’. They were poised to be huge, thanks to this truly incredible record boasting clean vocals reminiscent of Coheed and Cambria and violent growls capable of raising Hell. The random sonic madness of the album rivals The Callous Daoboys in the insanity department, while a story weaves through the record of a murderer, Amadeus, with split personality disorder convincing himself that he is a hero destined to take down a tyrannical government. Seven-plus minute tracks like the euphoric closer ‘Staria II: Desperado Undead’ blend face-meltingly heavy riffs with catchy verses that stick with you long after listening. Okay, the production isn’t perfect, but the album is such a good listen that its flaws are few and far between. Surely this would make them massive, right? Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. The band remained in the dark, and an eight-year gap until their next record, ‘VALKYRIE ONE’, as well as reportedly poor live performances, sabotaged any chances of a breakthrough, leaving one of the best experimental post-hardcore records of the 2010s as a criminally forgotten gem. Highlights: ‘Staria II: Desperado Undead’, ‘Dreamcatchers // Bodysnatchers’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a3f0d215-419e-47a5-90ae-eab15303404b/41WusAPwffL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Pure Reason Revolution - ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’ (2009) With their debut full-length ‘The Dark Third’, British prog band Pure Reason Revoluton were catapulted straight into the mainstream press, touting them as a Pink Floyd for the 00s generation. Indeed, ‘The Dark Third’ was a masterclass in restrained but strident prog rock, built around the majestic centrepiece ‘The Bright Ambassadors of Morning’. It was a curious left turn, therefore, for Pure Reason Revolution to almost completely reinvent themselves for album number two. The key ingredients were still present - multi-layered vocals, delicate textures with occasional punishing riffs, and unconventional song structures. But the overall sound was significantly different, leaning more on synths and electronic beats. From the very opening moments of track 1, ‘Les Malheurs’, it is clear this was going to be a very different experience to ‘The Dark Third’ - and it is a unique, engrossing listen that is as indebted to mid-period Radiohead and European electronica as it is to the glory days of British prog. It is a shame that PRR tend not to play much from ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’ now, as tracks such as ‘Apogee’, ‘The Gloaming’ and ‘AVO’ have a wonderful charm. This record is well worth your time. Highlights: ‘AVO’, ‘Les Malheurs’, ‘Victorious Cupid’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8c1f9792-f410-4a17-bb18-5151430a8b04/MANSUN-Six-LP-CD-cover.png Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Mansun - ‘Six’ (1998) Their breakthrough debut ‘Attack of the Grey Lantern’ saw Mansun being lumped in with the Britpop crowd, especially with mysterious earworm hit ‘Wide Open Space’. Instead of capitalising on this by producing safe indie-rock singles - which they could have done easily - Mansun went up their own creative backsides for the follow-up, ‘Six’ (a reference to AA Milne’s book ‘Now We Are Six’), and by doing so produced a prog masterpiece that brings to mind The Mars Volta (who, of course, were still a few years away from their creation when ‘Six’ was made). Though the album spawned 4 singles (‘Legacy’, ‘Negative’, ‘Six’ and ‘Being a Girl - Part 1’), none of these were especially single-esque, and ‘Six’ is much better enjoyed in one mind-bending sitting, admiring the attention to detail that exists within the chaos. Even the artwork was noteworthy. The album's sleeve art was a painting produced by Max Schindler and commissioned especially for the album, containing references to personal interests and obsessions of the band, such as Dr Who, Patrick McGoohan as Number 6 (sitting in the ball chair commonly occupied by the different Number 2's), from The Prisoner. There is also a depiction of Winnie the Pooh standing close to a painting that may be a reproduction of ‘Vinegar Tasters’, a Taoist allegorical painting. Different versions of the album exist, with significant alterations to the tracklisting. Perhaps ‘Six’ is best thought of as an art project - an evolving, strange explosion of sound that reflects Mansun’s gleeful abandon. Highlights: ‘Six’, ‘Shotgun’, ‘Serotonin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/585c3b5f-935d-48ea-bab3-92e569fd3860/ab67616d0000b27324b01e684383adaa6628c04f.jpeg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Presidents of the USA - ‘These Are The Good Times People’ (2008) The debut album (‘The Presidents of the United States of America’) and its swift follow-up ‘II’ are legendary, and everyone knows ‘Peaches’ and ‘Lump’. Many rock fans from the 90s will also remember ‘Volcano’, ‘Mach 5’, ‘Dune Buggy’, ‘Back Porch’ and ‘Kitty’. But what most people don’t know is that PUSA’s 6th album, ‘These Are The Good Times People’ is equally as good as their mid-90s breakout records, and should be revered just as highly. If you’re looking for witty, intelligent and surprisingly touching songs, with pristine production, pop-punk sensibilities and a country twang, this record is for you. In fact, if it had had more label backing, and perhaps had a different band name (PUSA, by 2008, had long been consigned to the history books as the band that made ‘Peaches’), it could have been huge. ‘Ghosts Are Everywhere’ has a chorus to die for. Opener ‘Mixed up SOB’ is a perfect pop-punk song. Album closer ‘Deleter’ matches The Cat Empire for funkiness and straight-up fun; and ‘Ladybug’, ‘Bad Times’ and ‘Sharpen Up Those Fangs’ could all have fitted comfortably on the first record. It is approaching its 20-year anniversary, but ‘These Are The Good Times People’ has freshness and vitality that sounds like it could have been made yesterday. Standout tracks: ‘Sharpen Up Those Fangs’, ‘Bad Times’, ‘Ghosts Are Everywhere’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b641c50b-171d-4ba5-b629-ffb8b0c66a78/Screenshot+2026-01-06+at+09.03.49.png Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - ‘Cryptomnesia’ (2009) While not an official Mars Volta record, ‘Cryptomnesia’ is essentially The Mars Volta in all but name. Cedric himself said “It's pretty much a Mars Volta record, just without Thomas, Ikey and Marcel”. It was released under the name ‘El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez’, possibly for contractual reasons, but it is recommended to any Mars Volta fan - more so than Omar’s myriad solo releases that can be something of an endurance test. Released at a similar time to ‘Octahedron’, this record is fun, frivolous, bonkers and utterly unique. ‘Cryptomnesia’ was recorded quickly and benefits from a haphazard, manic energy. With recurring melodies, it is perhaps best regarded as one long song which has been cut up and stuck back together with vocal samples, weird noises and loops. Never outstaying its welcome, ‘Cryptomnesia’ is a crazy adrenaline rush which builds on the lunacy of ‘The Bedlam in Goliath’. Standout tracks: ‘Tuberculoids’, ‘Elderly Couple Beaten With Hammer’, ‘Puny Humans’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/036de036-1c60-4b3f-a1df-a4913bd4cf88/71P9VuPBtfL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Silver Sun - ‘Silver Sun’ (1997) There is no record on Earth that sounds quite like ‘Silver Sun’, the self-titled debut album from melodically brilliant power pop songwriter James Broad and his band. Exploding in 1997 at the height of Britpop, Silver Sun stood out with their quirky, spiky guitar-led tunes that were more indebted to The Beach Boys and Cheap Trick than they were to the indie scene around them. For a time, Silver Sun were a regular fixture on British shows such as TFI Friday and Top of the Pops. They forged a strong career, even after being dropped from their major label Polydor in 1999, producing a range of fantastic albums until James Broad’s tragic death from bowel cancer in 2020 - and even then, the tunes have kept coming with the posthumously-released ‘Switzerland’ and ‘Mild Peril’ records. But the real magic came in their 1997 debut. The singles ‘Golden Skin’, ‘Lava’, ‘Julia’, ‘Dumb’ and ‘Last Day’ are all worthy of ‘Greatest Hits of the 90s’ compilations, while deeper cuts such as ‘Wonderful’, ‘Service’ and ‘Yellow Light’ showed off the breadth of their musical talents and their ability to slow things down without losing the quirky, life-affirming energy. For fans of South Arcade, Green Day, Ash, Best Coast, this album is a must-listen. Standout tracks: ‘Lava’, ‘Julia’, ‘Yellow Light’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d04daa89-f919-4a7b-ba3d-c859dc74f6aa/51wKXuA0hZL.jpg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - 3 Colours Red - ‘Pure’ (1997) Looking back on this list, there seem to be a number of forgotten gems from 1997, which is curious. On reflection, it was a transitional time in rock and metal. Nu Metal was starting to take shape. Britpop was enjoy its heyday. The Prodigy showed the world that electronics could be just as cool as guitars. When 3 Colours Red emerged, their early singles (‘Nuclear Holiday’, ‘Sixty Mile Smile’, ‘This is my Hollywood’) helped them get onto Top of the Pops and TFI Friday along with their contemporaries Reef, Bush, Placebo, Feeder, Ash and many others. There was a slightly harder edge to 3 Colours Red though - almost as though the hefty rock n roll swagger of The Wildhearts and The Cult was combined with the punky, youthful pop rock energy of Symposium and the noise of Therapy? ‘Pure’ isn’t flawless, and a couple of the tracks (‘Halfway Up The Downs’ and ‘Mental Blocks’) sound a little more like b-sides. But for the most part, it is a worthy companion to The Wildhearts’ ‘Fishing For Luckies’ and Symposium’s ‘One Day at a Time’. ‘Nerve Gas’, ‘Alright Ma’ and ‘This is my Hollywood’ bristle with nervous energy, and you can practically smell the sweat and feel the chewing gum under your shoe. Highlights: ‘Nerve Gas’, ‘Nuclear Holiday’, ‘Fit Boy + Faint Girl’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4d647c69-17f2-44d2-bd7d-889c851c6726/ab67616d0000b273ee0b1e61ab68f4ff06d95292.jpeg Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - Unified Theory - ‘Unified Theory’ (2000) Listen to the soaring melodies, pristine vocals and lush orchestrations of track 4, ‘Wither’, and explain to us how Unified Theory didn’t become as big as Coldplay. Listen to the anxious, jittering ‘Instead of Running’ and tell us how Unified Theory didn’t become as big as Pearl Jam. Listen to opener ‘Cessna’ and justify how Unified Theory didn’t become as popular as Audioslave. You get the picture. The debut album by Unified Theory is arguably the best example of a Criminally Forgotten Album. It is a sublime listen, which isn’t even available on streaming services - so track down a CD or listen on YouTube if you can. Their follow-up record, 2006’s ‘Cinematic’, is on Spotify and is a decent listen (especially the strident ‘Beneath the Underdog’), but their debut is a cut above the rest and genuinely one of the best albums of 2000. Unified Theory were formed in 1998 in Seattle, Washington after the untimely death of Shannon Hoon, the singer of country-rockers Blind Melon. Unified Theory, previously Luma, consisted of Chris Shinn (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), formerly of Celia Green, former Blind Melon members Christopher Thorn (lead guitar) and Brad Smith (bass) as well as Dave Krusen (drums) formerly of Pearl Jam. There are various reasons why they didn’t expand beyond the cult appeal to Blind Melon fans - and whatever these reasons were, this record demands your attention. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ebba7f3a-456f-4146-bb57-29abf7359185/Top+10s.png Albums Ranked - CRIMINALLY Forgotten Albums - More albums to come: Skin - Experience Electric (1997) Smoking Popes - Destination Failure (1997) …and who else would you add? Write your comments below! https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/starset monthly 0.5 2026-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/090bcdd9-b55e-4c0c-9c0c-a8dfa89473e7/dhumaxt-399f61cd-d9bd-4a9f-9bb6-6083e333b307.png Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/25a20f8c-1504-490b-bf3a-cd0316d2a1dd/412eQYjnqtL._UXNaN_FMjpg_QL85_.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - 5. Transmissions (2014) STARSET do not have a ‘worst’ album, and to call Transmissions their worst album just feels wrong. It is, however, perhaps their least stunning record, missing a big wow-factor to make it perfect. Despite this, the album has a lot to say, and the hooks of the songs will make you listen. The opening track, First Light, welcomes you for the first time to the mind of Dustin Bates and the world of PROX, detailing the story of the transmission sent back in time that the concept album revolves around, an adventure later adapted into Dustin’s first book, aptly named “The PROX transmissions”. This carries us smoothly into Down With The Fallen, which features one of very few heavy moments of the album with the violent chant, “This Is WAR!” in the breakdown. The album sounds phenomenal too, thanks to Dustin’s understanding of musical production from his previous band Downplay. Each song gloriously segways into the next through soaring instrumentals, moving through some of STARSET’s best songs like the hauntingly beautiful Dark On Me, and the band’s most popular track, My Demons. But it is these interlude sections that are the biggest issue of the album. The majority of tracks end with talking, further explaining the storyline surrounding the record, and it disrupts the flow of the album entirely. The songs that suffer the most are Carnivore and It Has Begun, two powerful tracks that just end in voice notes that extend the already long tracks. There are some interesting motifs behind the messages, but they aren’t enough to make these sections a necessary part of the listening experience. Overall, the album is glorious. Putting it in last place does feel cruel, but when every STARSET record is of such an impressive quality, Transmissions simply doesn’t do enough to beat the tough competition. Standout Tracks: ‘My Demons’, ‘Down With The Fallen’, ‘Carnivore’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/553bf8d3-8eec-4348-8ade-6b8344ddcfa8/Silos_%28Starset_album%29.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - 4. SILOS (2025) SILOS is a weird album, with a debate surrounding it as to whether it counts as an album at all. The release structure was undoubtably questionable, with eight of the ten full length tracks thrown out as singles, mixed with six previously unheard interludes. It has since been speculated that this is not the legendary fifth album Dustin has been hinting at since the release of HORIZONS, but rather a placeholder record weaving the singles into an admittedly jumbled story. That being said, there is a lot to praise here. The opening track, praesens, builds up the suspense with a reoccurring motif that features in several other interludes, and the album sonically explodes with DEGENERATE, its monumental riff promising that this is STARSET at their absolute heaviest. The title track follows, giving us Dustin at his angriest in the line, “BURN, BURY IT, SEAL IT AWAY!” that opens the second verse. The album offers some of the bands’ catchiest sing-along choruses in DARK THINGS and BRAVE NEW WORLD, as well as some heart-rending ballads, the most notable being the climactic AD ASTRA that you’ll need a tissue for drying your eyes when listening. Another strong feature is the production: each instrument is crisp and clear, from the raging bass guitar in DEGENERATE, the blissful crowd chanting in DYSTOPIA and even a cheeky guitar solo hiding in the fade out of SWAY. However, SILOS is significantly flawed. While it is nice to have the interludes disconnected from the tracks, many of them share similar ideas instead of doing something completely unexpected. The inclusion of not one, but two, covers is an interesting choice given that they aren’t part of the overarching lore, which, for this album, remains largely unknown. This isn’t an issue for the grand reimagining of Johnny Hates Jazz’s SHATTERED DREAMS, a powerful and emotional rollercoaster of a track that deserves its place on SILOS, but is more of a problem for the Tears For Fears cover, HEAD OVER HEELS. The distorted vocals and repetitive Ohs and Ahs that close the track make this song sound more like an interlude than a full song. And that is without mentioning the largest issue: TOKSIK. The song is good – it was actually this song that brought the band to the attention of those at All Things Rock - but it doesn’t sound like STARSET at all. The spontaneous rap section, the admittedly cheesy lyrics, and the songs overarching themes of criticising American politics and TikTok, just make it seem lost and out of place on the album. Regardless, SILOS is still an incredible record full of incredible ideas. You’ll definitely have a great time with this one. Standout Tracks: ‘AD ASTRA’, ‘SILOS’, ‘BRAVE NEW WORLD’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/43ba98ff-c47f-4114-be4c-c8b1d29ece5a/Horizons-Starset.jpeg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - 3. HORIZONS (2021) As a record, HORIZONS is very close to perfect. It acts as the sequel album to DIVISIONS, continuing a captivating story surrounding the dystopia man will one day create, following the struggles of residents of the NEW EAST, slaves to their own minds thanks to the BMI, or Brain Machine Interface, which shares eerie similarities to Elon Musk’s proposed Neuralink device. Songs such as the raw, in-your-face opening track, THE BREACH, propose themes of escape and the futility of freedom that run rampant throughout the record. Dustin’s voice becomes intoxicating and stunning, joining forces with the majestic violin on OTHERWORLDLY to create an experience that lives up to the song’s name. Ideas of falling and losing a war with yourself, presented in the symbolic ICARUS, contrast with dreams of flying to safety that tracks like LEAVING THIS WORLD BEHIND and EARTHRISE carry so well. However, the heaviness has been significantly toned down for this album: while some riffs can be pretty explosive, the only harsh vocals in the album are present in DEVOLUTION and the magnificent closer, SOMETHING WICKED, one of the bands most volatile tracks; a cry for help that truly leaves you in awe. The reduction in heaviness isn’t a negative though: ballads such as DISAPPEAR are able to shine bright as standout songs. As much as it pains me to say it though, there are a couple of unavoidable issues that the album struggles with. The record is LOOOONG, at an hour and ten minutes, a length partly due to the interludes, some of which are epic, some of which are unnecessary, and some of which are actually uncomfortable to listen to (looking at you, ALCHEMY). Excluding the opening instrumental, there are fifteen songs here, all of which are good, yet many sound very similar. Sadly, this makes DREAMCATCHER and TUNNELVISION, among others, take a backseat and become forgettable when they are still both excellent tracks. Despite its few faults, HORIZONS remains a magical and transformative listen; you just might need to appreciate it one half at a time. Standout tracks: ‘EARTHRISE’, ‘DISAPPEAR’, ‘SOMETHING WICKED’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e92e4028-49ea-4c46-a2e6-355fee4156fc/71LqiHHyI-L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - 2. Vessels (2017) Fueled by the enormous success of their debut album Transmissions, STARSET were now looking to create something bigger and bolder, focusing on the quality of songs and reducing the in-your-face lore sections that plagued the previous record. And out emerged Vessels, a more adventurous record than its predecessor that sonically stuns the listener thanks to a greater focus on an otherworldly sound, creating a unique and grandiose record that accomplishes many incredible things. There is a greater number of slow burn, atmospheric tracks designed to floor you with captivating lyricism and creative instrumentation revolving around the violins and synthesiser that make the experience so commanding and powerful. The most obvious example of this is Ricochet, a collapsing love song surrounded by themes of loneliness and self-isolation, as well as emotive tracks like Starlight and DIE FOR YOU. But that certainly doesn’t mean the heavy tracks are omitted; in fact, until the release of SILOS in 2025, this was undoubtably STARSET’s angriest album. Breakdowns in Frequency and Bringing It Down, as well as numerous appearances of harsh vocals in Gravity of You and Into The Unknown merely foreshadow the lethal album closer, Everglow, a seven-minute epic that cascades from slow section to sing along chorus to Dustin’s most powerful scream ever to an ultimate instrumental climax that closes the track and the album. Mix these in with some of the band's most popular songs, being the iconic Monster and the hooky Unbecoming, and you have a triumphant record, with only a few minor faults holding it back. The production of Vessels is stunning... in some places. In others, it becomes murky, never truly letting one instrument shine. Dustin’s vocals take the biggest hit; they become cloudy and distorted, especially in the opening of Frequency where the autotune becomes slightly rough around the edges. This doesn’t subtract from the overall experience, but the issue that does is the lore. Or rather, the lack of it. In complete contrast to their story-driven debut, Vessels is more of a collection of cool space themed songs with a larger concept that either hasn’t yet been unearthed or simply does not exist. The only apparent link is the title of the intro song, The Order, referencing The Order Of Teslonia, a group present in the first album and book who sought to ‘fix the future’. Regardless of these small drawbacks, Vessels remains an engaging listen full of sing-along moments that will keep you running back for another listen. The only real issue is the reduction in storyline; concept albums are what STARSET do best, and an absent narrative feels like a wasted opportunity. Standout Tracks: ‘Everglow’, ‘Ricochet’, ‘Monster’, ‘Unbecoming’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fcb30e62-8984-47ea-9c01-3eac9c9572b5/ab67616d0000b2734fd0756c55d336d7e533ebcd.jpeg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - 1. DIVISIONS (2019) DIVISIONS had to be the best album. No doubt about it. The whole record feels so distinctly STARSET, from the huge choruses to the glorious, euphoric intrumental sections, and especially the world-building of the songs. The lore is neatly injected into the outros of a handful of tracks, never becoming invasive or bringing down the flow of the album. It feels weird to describe sound as visual, but try listening to the outro of PERFECT MACHINE and tell me you don't see a man lighting a cigarette on a train as propaganda cycles down billboards outside. And what a gripping story the album tells too. The intro song, A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FUTURE, sharing the same title as the excellently crafted partnership book, takes us to the dystopia that is the New East for the first time, a world that HORIZONS would continue to develop. MANIFEST and ECHO continue the lore, highlighting how people long to escape from their own minds, enslaved by a synthetic worldview manipulated by a supercomputer known as The Architecture. The album is crisp and clear, smooth and serene for calmer songs like WAKING UP, and rough in monstrous heavy sections in TELEKINETIC, creating more than enough variation to never retread old steps. At 58 minutes long, surprisingly short for STARSET, the record leaves you wanting more, especially thanks to the sudden end of the heart-breaking, soul-destroying DIVING BELL before the album finishes with a hauntingly hypnotising chant. One of the strongest aspects has got to be the symbolic, ambiguous lyricism, left up to personal interpretation. Returning to PERFECT MACHINE, lines like, “I want to watch you change, from a butterfly and into chains” and “Lay your heart into my perfect machine, I will use it to protect you from me” are genuinely spell-binding. The instrumental sections are fantastic too, from the synth-heavy shockwave of a bridge that STRATOSPHERE offers, to the outro of SOLSTICE that just keeps on building. The catchy hooks have been turned up to 11, especially in TRIALS, now considered the STARSET ‘anthem’. Are there any issues with the record? Yes. Are they big problems? Not at all. WAKING UP and SOLSTICE both have choruses that repeat the same phrase, becoming a little less captivating, but there’s enough variation instrumentally to keep you engaged. Most of the interludes, rather than being cool sci-fi film instrumentals, instead revolve around developing the album’s world but stay short and sweet, and actually elevate the experience to be truly one of a kind. Every album could come first on this list, thanks to the band’s consistency in crafting masterpieces. But this album takes the top spot, delivering every single great aspect of STARSET at their absolute best. Every record is a must listen, but whenever you’re heading off on a journey to space or taking on a corrupt dystopian organisation, DIVISIONS needs to be your soundtrack. Standout Tracks: ‘PERFECT MACHINE’, ‘DIVING BELL’, ‘MANIFEST’, ‘STRATOSPHERE’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4708a6b4-6c6f-4943-8693-786401505258/Gh5md2nzmaTifUAsB6JtfE.jpg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - STARSET: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/ash monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7831648-01ed-4343-9ec7-38cd5a37384a/presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-5040a67157816.png Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ab1b032b-f91c-44bd-8212-d12fe454c110/the-offspring-logo.png Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fec03a7d-db85-421c-99f8-21f613bd9f19/73466100.webp Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 11. Twilight of the Innocents (2007) 2007 was a strange year for Ash, and arguably for music in general. The reception to ‘Meltdown’ had been strong, on both sides of the pond, but tensions within the band led to Charlotte Hatherley’s departure, and Ash returned to being a 3-piece in 2006. Returning to Ireland following a lengthy time in the USA, Ash regrouped and released the rather lacklustre ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ in 2007. It certainly isn’t a bad record, because Ash simply aren’t capable of making one, but it lacks the spark of the other albums, and they don’t seem to have had much fun making it. The album cover and logo say it all - somewhat uninspired, safe and uneventful. That said, there are still some great songs here, particularly lead single ‘You Can’t Have It All’ and the epic title track, which builds continuously to a cacophony of sound and contains elements of Muse who, alongside Arctic Monkeys, had barged Ash out of the way and ascended to the top of the British guitar tree. Standout tracks: ‘You Can’t Have It All’, ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e48a6088-1de6-4bdd-9abb-c70ca32917c5/71NsRCkNayL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 10. A-Z Volumes 1 & 2 (2010) In response to the ever-changing music industry towards the end of the 00s, Ash made national news headlines for openly abandoning the ‘album’ format, and instead only releasing singles. While, Radiohead recognised the decline in album sales by surprise-releasing ‘In Rainbows’ and allowing fans to pay whatever they wanted, Ash enabled themselves the creative freedom of focusing on individual songs, outside of the confines of any album structure. The idea was laudable, especially tied to the concept of releasing 26 songs over 52 weeks, alongside playing a 26-date tour in late 2009 of obscure towns in the UK with names from A to Z (Aldershot, Bradford, Carlisle… Yeovil, Zennor). It was somewhat contradictory, though admittedly convenient, when Ash then decided to release the singles in an album format after all. ‘A-Z Vol. 1 & 2’ were released as compilations in 2010. So, what of the music itself? It is a mixed bag. The earlier singles ‘Return of the White Rabbit’, ‘True Love 1980’, ‘Joy Kicks Darkness’ and ‘Arcadia’ (tracks 1-4 on ‘Vol. 1’) are superb, integrating more electronics and 80s elements than ever before. From here, with the exception of ‘Binary’ on ‘Vol. 2’, the songs are largely forgettable - nothing bad but a sense of quantity over quality. Standout Tracks: ‘Return of the White Rabbit’, ‘True Love 1980’, ‘Binary’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/117caf8f-938f-4775-9c63-29de67ec7ab4/R-12017555-1575746054-4854.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 9. Islands (2018) After the excellent 2015 comeback ‘Kablammo!’, Ash had re-established their place among the UK’s greatest guitar bands. They may not generate the same hysteria as they did in the ‘1977’ era of the mid-90s, but by this point in their career there was nothing really left to prove, and any new release was another victory lap. ‘Islands’ was a solid release with a few strong moments, but it didn’t have the same fizzy energy as ‘Kablammo!’. The greyscale cover and somewhat uninspired new logo were an accurate representation of how Ash sounded in 2018 - more mature, still capable of writing great songs (especially lead single ‘Annabel’), still interested in exploring new territory (‘Confessions in the Pool’ had a danceable quality that built on ‘Return of the White Rabbit’ from the ‘A-Z’ series), but with less of the fun. ‘Islands’ starts with ‘True Story’ (or “True stor-weee” from how Tim sings it), which is nice enough but a long way from other openers such as ‘Cocoon’, ‘Race The Night’, ‘Lose Control’ or ‘Walking Barefoot’. It sets the tone for a album that is more mellow and minor-key overall. Decent, but not Ash at their best. Standout Tracks: ‘Annabel’, ‘Confessions in the Pool’, ‘All That I Have Left’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/64bb2fa2-643f-4b4c-aad0-2fe07fd3ad3d/91L4J676OPL.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 8. Nu-Clear Sounds (1998) Armed with a snappy new logo, Ash developed the sound of their debut record ‘1977’ further with ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’, a record which is a mixed bag of highs and lows. Of the 11 songs, 5 are low-tempo (‘Low Ebb’, which was a curious, languid slowburning choice for track 2, ‘Folk Song’, ‘Burn Out’, ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘I’m Gonna Fall’). ‘Numbskull’ and ‘Death Trip 21’ are attempts at a heavier direction, complete with DJ scratching which was becoming increasingly popular at the time (they even brought a DJ with them on tour). The more conventionally rocking moments (‘Projects’, ‘Jesus Says’, ‘Fortune Teller’ and ‘Wild Surf’) are reminsicent of ‘1977’, but with a more controlled and darker sound, bringing to mind the heavier parts of Weezer’s sophomore record, ‘Pinkerton’. Ash had been joined by 2nd guitarist Charlotte Hatherley before the recording of ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’, and her presence added a new dimension to the sound. The songs on this record were not the best use of her talents - this came more on the significantly better follow-up, ‘Free All Angels’ - but ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’ is still decent, showcasing a more mature and restrained sound than ‘1977’. Standout Tracks: ‘Wild Surf’, ‘Numbskull’, ‘Burn Out’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5c8969b0-619b-4a7e-a4de-f8a1ffd7b05b/51PL1HyBT6L._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 7. Trailer EP (1994) ‘Trailer’ was where it all began. It may only be an EP with 7 songs, but ‘Trailer’ (named because the band saw it as a trailor for their impending full-length debut) plays a significant role in Ash’s history. Recorded on a low budget, when Tim, Mark and Rick were only 17, ‘Trailer’ made some waves thanks to the excellent singles ‘Jack Names The Planets’, ‘Uncle Pat’ and ‘Petrol’. Their youthful exuberance and playing ability were impressive, but all the more impressive was their knack for writing memorable, catchy melodies. Even the songs that were dropped from the setlist many years ago, such as ‘Intense Thing’ and ‘Obscure Thing’, have strong tunes, with a melodic sensibility to go with the Nirvana-worshipping sound. ‘Get Out’ has aged less well and exposes Tim Wheeler’s vocal limitations, but even this comparative low point scores points for passion and youthful energy. The songs on ‘Trailer’ have been repackaged in different forms on the ‘1977’ anniversary deluxe edition and the 2020 ‘Teenage Wildlife’ compilation, and it is well worth listening to the re-recorded version of ‘Jack Names The Planets’. Wherever and however you hear these tunes, ‘Trailer’ was a superb introduction to Ash and it paved the way for an incredible career of 30+ years and counting. Standout Tracks: ‘Petrol’, ‘Uncle Pat’, ‘Jack Names The Planets’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7690b4c-7001-456a-86a6-785da946e767/e773c7_6958ae69b4ce4d079f865565a97363b8%7Emv2.jpeg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 6. Ad Astra (2025) In many ways, ‘Ad Astra’ feels like the direct successor to ‘Race The Night’, released only a couple of years before. They share similar production, album art, logo, and upbeat, uptempo nature. Following some years of (relative) experimentation, it feels as though Ash have settled into a groove. They know what works, and what their fans love, and they are extremely good at it. ‘Ad Astra’ gets off to an incredible start, with an intentionally OTT version of the 2001: Space Odyssey theme ‘Zarathustra’. If this had gone into a high-octane second track then it would have been marvellous, but instead track 2 is ‘Which One Do You Want?’ - a decent song, but somewhat pedestian after such a wild intro. ‘Hallion’ may have worked better. Ash certainly sound like they had a lot of fun making ‘Ad Astra’. ‘Keep Dreaming’ is power pop of the highest order. ‘Give Me Back My World’ and ‘Deadly Love’ are bold, strident songs with subtle but impressive guitar work. ‘Jump in the Line’ may have raised some eyebrows initially but it becomes more enjoyable with each listen. Unfortunately, the much-touted collaborations with Blur’s Graham Coxon fare less well. ‘Fun People’ has a great riff at points, but it sounds like late-period Muse trying to play a Hives song, whilst drunk, and it crosses the line into cringe. Closer ‘Ad Astra’ is much better, but ultimately Ash fare much better when it is just them. Standout Tracks: ‘Give Me Back My World’, ‘Keep Dreaming’, ‘Ghosting’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b35a317c-19a5-428b-af40-637f6c02be39/ab67616d0000b27357ab7215ba0596f4ee822ff4.jpeg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 5. Kablammo! (2015) By 2015, Ash had more or less accomplished all they needed to accomplish. Headlining festivals? Done. Greatest hits collection? Check. Staying together after expanding to a 4-piece, then reducing again to a 3-piece? Done. Making national headlines for abandoning albums and focusing on singles (for a short time, at least)? Check. There was a lengthy gap between the ‘A-Z’ compilations and Ash’s comeback. During the break, Tim Wheeler released a heartfelt double solo album, ‘Lost Domain’, as a tribute to his father’s battle with dementia. The future of Ash felt uncertain between 2010 and 2015, and no-one wold have begrudged them if they had decided to retire at this point, such was the quality of what had come before. It was all the more of a treat, therefore, when Ash not only came back, but they did so with one of the finest albums of their career. ‘Kablammo!’ is a life-affirming collection of everything we love about Tim, Mark and Rick, heralding a new era for the band. Kicking off with the excellent ‘Cocoon’, 'Kablammo’ has top-quality choruses (‘Let’s Ride’, ‘Machinery’, ‘Hedonism’), the fast-paced punk skiffle of ‘Shutdown’, and excellent, Knights-of-Cydonia-esque instrumental (‘Evil Knievel’) and one of the finest ballads the boys have ever recorded (the gorgeous tearjerker ‘Moondust’). It isn’t all excellent, and the album peters out towards the end, but overall ‘Kablammo!’ is a vibrant, essential part of Ash history. Standout Tracks: ‘Cocoon’, ‘Let’s Ride’, ‘Moondust’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b94069ee-5fa8-4e94-80a3-b7f492300f9d/Ash-scaled.jpeg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 4. Race The Night (2023) After the solid but lacklustre ‘Islands’, the world came to a standstill with the Covid pandemic. When the world eventually started to bounce back to life, Ash came back at the perfect time with an album that fizzed with the energy of their ‘Free All Angels’ days, with consistently top-level songwriting. ‘Race The Night’ is the sound of Ash rejuvinated, re-renergised, and wanting to bring life and excitement back to a world that needed it more than ever. The opening title track is superb, as are the 99-second blast of ‘Peanut Brain’, breezy second single ‘Usual Places’ and reflective ‘Crashed Out Wasted’. ‘Oslo’, featuring guest singer Demira, provides a complete change of pace and an absolutely gorgeous melody. A couple of tracks towards the end (‘Over & Out’ and ‘Double Dare’) are less essential but still solid; and overall ‘Race The Night’ is a short, sharp, concise and highly enjoyable record. After the experimentation of ‘A-Z’, the brief resurgance of ‘Kablammo!’, then the more monochrome ‘Islands’, ‘Race The Night’ was Ash getting back to what they do best: up-tempo, guitar-led rock songs with melodies and harmonies that stay in your head for hours. It was great to have them back (again). Standout tracks: ‘Race The Night’, ‘Peanut Brain’, ‘Crashed Out Wasted’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/bb550b11-f9cb-48c3-8bb5-33a454d8851c/71KoyQJCegL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 3. Free All Angels (2001) After the lukewarm response to second album ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’, and a US tour that was cut short following a change in record label personnel, Ash came out swinging with the magnificant ‘Free All Angels’, their most polished and mainstream pop-rock album. Charlotte Hatherley was more prominent here than on ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’, providing vocal harmonies that complemented Tim Wheeler’s singing perfectly. Packed with no less than 5 Top 40 singles (‘Burn Baby Burn’, ‘Sometimes’, ‘Shining Light’, ‘Candy’ and ‘There’s a Star’), ‘Free All Angels’ helped to plant Ash firmly back in the public eye. The best track is arguably opener ‘Walking Barefoot’, which is still a regular setlist staple more than 25 years on, capturing the dynamics and wistful energy of ‘Green Album’-era Weezer with the same youthful exuberance as Tim Wheeler had shown on early singles ‘Oh Yeah’ and ‘Jack Names The Planets'. Speaking of Weezer, ‘Cherry Bomb’ and ‘Pacific Palisades’ are so close in sound to Rivers Cuomo & co that they could almost be covers (that’s a compliment and not a criticism, by the way!). If closer ‘World Domination’ sounds a little different to the rest, it is because it was recorded live in the studio rather than assembled in layers on Pro Tools. It does a great job of foreshadowing the grittier, heavier direction that Ash would take a couple of years later in the follow-up ‘Meltdown’. If there are any criticisms of ‘Free All Angels' then they would be that the rest of the record is a little too polished - and tracks like ‘Nicole’ may have benefited from a rougher sound. Standout Tracks: ‘Walking Barefoot’, ‘Burn Baby Burn’, ‘Cherry Bomb’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0b561765-046f-4f41-8526-6ad411839048/MeltdownAlbumCover.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 2. Meltdown (2003) Like the phoenix on the album cover, Ash were absolutely on fire in the early 2000s. ‘Free All Angels’ had made them international megastars, and ‘Meltdown’ was a vibrant, exciting attempt to incorporate more of an American rock (and occaionally metal) flavour into their sound. This was their 3rd album as a 4-piece, and Charlotte Hatherley’s guitar playing and vocal harmonies stepped up a further notch here. Like ‘1977’, every song here sounds like a single. Strangely, the album opener and title track ‘Meltdown’ is possibly the weakest, sounding a little restrained (the live version, released on the special edition of the record, is much looser and beefier), but from then on it is banger after banger. Lead single ‘Orpheus’ has a chorus (“Sunshine in the morning…”) to die for. The darker ‘Evil Eye’, ‘Clones’ and ‘Won’t Be Saved’ have unforgettable melodies; and closer ‘Vampire Love’, following its System of a Down-esque guitar opening, gives way to a chorus which is possibly the best ever example of Tim and Charlotte’s vocal harmonising which, sadly, ended when Ash returned to being a 3-piece after the ‘Meltdown’ tour. Even the slower tracks ‘Starcrossed’ and ‘Renegade Cavalcade’ maintain a sense of energy, and ‘Meltdown’ is hands-down Ash’s heaviest and most singular record. If you enjoy their darker, more riff-focused side, ‘Meltdown’ is the album for you. Standout Tracks: ‘Orpheus’, ‘Evil Eye’, ‘Vampire Love’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/590b0cb2-76db-44f8-b9a1-2958e79bb8ea/ash-1977%401400x1400.jpg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - 1) 1977 (1996) Released at the height of the Britpop movement in the mid-90s, ‘1977’ came at the perfect time for fans of noisy guitars who were mourning the lack of Nirvana, loved the timeless melodies of Oasis and Blur and wanted something a bit more youthful and rebellious. The whole album has aged extremely well, especially ‘Goldfinger’ which is arguably one of the very best songs of the entire decade. Full of dynamic shifts, tempo changes and unexpected melodic twists, ‘Goldfinger’ is a wistful love song of the highest order. ‘1977’ also pulls off the feat of not only containing featuring FIVE top-drawer singles (‘Goldfinder’, ‘Girl From Mars’, ‘Kung Fu’, ‘Oh Yeah’ and ‘Angel Interceptor’) but also not having a single skippable moment. Even the non-singles could have been hits in their own right, from the breakneck ‘Lose Control’ to the beautiful ‘Gone The Dream’, to the darker, heavier ‘Innocent Smile’ and ‘I’d Give You Anything’. The production has similarities to the multiple guitar ‘wall of sound’ of Oasis’ first 2 records, but with a grungier, punkier quality. Tim Wheeler’s voice doesn’t have anything like the snarl of Liam Gallagher, but with tunes as good as these it doesn’t really matter - and, in fact, Tim’s more uncertain-sounding vocals have a youthful, teenage charm all of their own. There were some fantastic b-sides from this era too, including ‘T Rex’, ‘A Life Less Ordinary’ (which was eventually released as a single to accompany the movie of the same name), and a cover of the ‘Cantina Band’ backing music from Star Wars, Tim, Rick and Mark’s favourite movie which inspired the ‘1977’ title. Standout tracks: ‘Darkside Lightside’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Angel Interceptor’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Ash: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/metallica monthly 0.5 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773098546182-19WA39P7FLQ37QXXJP9Q/adesivi-tool.jpeg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/98bf2ef3-ee16-4ae0-89bf-3ef9f7e7c5fa/ghost-logo-9623960C7F-seeklogo.com.png Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/15256130-3393-4833-b6c1-84fb191312e1/61V6MNP4t9L._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 22. Lulu (2011) It had to be, really, didn’t it? Few albums throughout history have inspired such universal confusion and derision as ‘Lulu’, an unlikely collaboration between Metallica and Lou Reed. It was certainly an intriguing concept, to combine Lou Reed’s near-spoken delivery of vivid, often vulgar poetry with Metallica’s bruising riffage. But stretching this concept over a double album made for an endurance test that challenged even the most devout of fans. It’s unlikely anyone would ever call ‘Lulu’ the best Metallica record. But that doesn’t necessarily make it as bad as it is often made out to be. There are moments of genuine tension and excitement, such as the undulating structure and machine gun snares of ‘Pumping Blood’, and Lou Reed’s brutally stark lyrics of closer ‘Junior Dad’ (“The greatest disappointment…”). But these moments are few and far between, and the double album as a whole is an endurance test of the highest order. The riffs tend to be more ‘stock’ (to use an insult from the ‘Some Kind of Monster’ movie), and even the lead single ‘The View’ has little to sustain interest. ‘Lulu’ is perhaps best considered as an artistic statement, rather than as a musical experience to enjoy. That, or an opportunity to giggle at James Hetfield comparing himself to a table. Standout tracks: ‘Pumping Blood’, ‘Junior Dad’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d30e4361-59f2-48ff-8155-6da3d278ff8a/51Rqdj2MogL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 21. Beyond Magnetic (2011) Released more than 2 years after ‘Death Magnetic’, ‘Beyond Magnetic’ is an EP of 4 songs that were recorded during the DM album sessions. While all four songs have their merits, it is quite obvious why they didn’t make it onto the main album tracklisting. Opener ‘Hate Train’ is reminiscent of ‘Fuel’ from the ‘Reload’ record, with the addition of the expansive riffs that peppered the ‘Death Magnetic’ album. If it meandered less then it could have become a Metallica classic - but in the absence of a memorable vocal refrain and coherent structure, it becomes more of messy riff-fest. Elsewhere, ‘Hell and Back’ feels forced, like a garage band just starting out. ‘Rebel of Babylon’ has some excellent Black Sabbath-esque moments, but it becomes quite a slog over 8+ minutes. Best of the bunch is ‘Just a Bullet Away’ which is based on a Kyuss-esque riff and a kick-ass Lars Ulrich groove, with creative, percussive vocals. The only criticism of this track is its length - there was no need for it to be extended to 7+ minutes with the meandering interlude, and if it had ended after 3 minutes it could have been brilliant. Standout Track: ‘Just a Bullet Away’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b2f7fcf9-0ed3-4a5f-a111-e39653932f8b/71Yyg0Mh5UL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 20. The $5.98 EP - Garage Days Revisited (1987) In hindsight, it all happened so quickly. Cliff Burton died tragically in a tour bus accident on 27th September 1986 (aged just 24). Jason Newstead, aged 23, became Metallica’s new bassist in October 1986, literally less than a month after the accident. He played his first show on 8th November 1986, at the Country Club in Reseda, California, and the relentless Metallica touring train continued with little, if any, pause. ‘$5.98 EP - Garage Days Revisited’ was released in August 1987 - an EP of covers, paying tribute to Metallica’s early influences. The songwriting process for ‘…And Justice For All’ had begun, but the new songs were intricate and complex, so the EP was a carefree, swiftly-recorded break from working on their next full-length album, capturing the energy of those early Jason Newstead shows. The playing is loose, confident and high-octane, especially on opener ‘Helpless’ (originally by Diamond Head') and the double-header of Misfits classics ‘Last Caress’ and ‘Green Hell’. James Hetfield’s roar in ‘The Wait’ is exhilarating, and ‘Crash Course in Brain Surgery’ is fun. ‘The Small Hours’ is less essential, though was arguably a pre-cursor to the slower groove that Metallica developed in upcoming songs like ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ (and, later, The Black Album). So, why so low on this list? ‘$5.98 EP’ is great fun, but all these tracks feature on the ‘Garage Inc’ album too, making this less vital as a standalone release. Standout tracks: ‘Last Caress / Green Hell’, ‘Helpless’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6dc8dd9c-7975-45a5-bc36-ba7f519a5f11/helping-hands_cover.webp Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 19. Helping Hands - Live & Acoustic at the Masonic (2019) As a surprise treat, at the end of the ‘Hardwired’ tour cycle, Metallica released ‘Helping Hands’ as a limited double album to gain attention and money for their own charity organisation https://www.allwithinmyhands.org. Acoustic albums, such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Korn and Pearl Jam’s ‘MTV Unplugged’ records, have been pivotal moments in time, giving louder bands the chance to showcase a softer side. ‘Helping Hands’ certainly makes for an interesting listen, but it isn’t vital. Some of the songs, including ‘The Unforgiven’ and ‘Hardwired’, are played exactly as the originals, only without any distortion, which makes for a strange experience. Elsewhere, Metallica introduce bluegrass instrumentation to make classics like ‘Bleeding Me’ and ‘Enter Sandman’ sound like they belong on a back porch in a desert. They lack the grandeur that they had with the orchestration in ‘S&M’, but they have a fun, country & western flavour - and Kirk Hammett is clearly having fun playing guitar in new ways, in the absence of his trademark wah wah pedal. The acoustic version of Bob Seger’s ‘Turn The Page’ is arguably better than Metallica recorded for ‘Garage Inc’, helped in particular by the biting grit in James Hetfield’s voice, sounding both defiant and regretful. Also well worth your time is ‘Veteran of the Psychic Wars’ (a Blue Öyster Cult cover), one of Lars Ulrich’s favourite songs, which suits this format brilliantly. The reimagined ‘Disposable Heroes’ and ‘The Four Horsemen’ are also worth checking out. Standout Tracks: ‘Veteran of the Psychic Wars’, ‘Turn The Page’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5f2bb0b7-6d9f-403a-bba7-fd3dcd4915e4/metallica_through-the-never-pl.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 18. Through The Never (live album & movie) (2013) The hype machine was in full force when ‘Through The Never’ was announced. A huge stage production! Capturing Metallica at their absolute live best! Playing all of the hits! And not just that, but a FULL-LENGTH MOVIE, with EXPLOSIONS! FIRE! GUNS! EXCITEMENT! And…a terrible storyline. In fact, as a movie, ‘Through The Never’ is a spectacular mishmash of scenes that go absolutely nowhere and leave no impression whatsoever. There is a vague story about a member of the road crew who has to go somewhere urgently, to get something important, or else. But you won’t care one bit, and you won’t remember it. On to the music, and the accompanying live album. As you would expect, especially given the production values, it is amazing. This is arguably the best-recorded Metallica live album. However, something is missing. It all feels a bit sterile and clinical. Compared to ‘Live Shit: Binge & Purge’, where the listener is transported into the pit in Mexico City, or ‘S&M’, where the songs are augmented beautifully by a huge orchestra, ‘Through The Never’ simply features solid performances of Metallica’s best-known songs. As such, it isn’t such an immersive experience - but, crank it up loud, and it sounds HUGE. Standout Tracks: ‘Ride The Lightning’, ‘Cyanide’, ‘Hit The Lights’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ae6a0e8b-1906-41f6-ba49-e622655577cf/SM2-Metallica.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 17. S&M2 (2019) ‘S&M2’ had all the potential to be bigger, bolder and even better than its 1999 predecessor. Unfortunately, at best it is a missed opportunity, and at worst it is a pale imitation of ‘S&M’. The artwork is stunning, though. Frustratingly, rather than using this concert as a chance to add orchestra to some classics that were missed the first time around (‘Fade to Black’, ‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’, ‘Mama Said’, ‘The House That Jack Built’, ‘Orion’, ‘Fixxxer’, ‘Seek and Destroy’, ‘The Unforgiven 1 & 2’, ‘Ride the Lightning’, ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ - how amazing some of these would have been), more than half of the songs on ‘S&M2’ were on the first album. Admittedly, the orchestrations are slightly different in some cases, but nothing really improves on Michael Kaman’s original arrangements. ‘S&M2’ is still a good record, with moments of brilliance that include the then-new ‘Moth Into Flame’, ‘Halo on Fire’ and ‘Confusion’, the orchestra-led opening to Act II, and James Hetfield’s stunning vocal performance, minus guitar, in the beautiful ‘The Unforgiven III’. If the show had utilised a different setlist, it could have been amazing. Shame. Standout Tracks: ‘Moth Into Flame’, ‘The Day That Never Comes’, ‘The Unforgiven III’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/03db5551-fc03-4dd1-bf7d-ab0e7ab31dd9/104291.jpeg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 16. Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (2016) Double albums are notoriously tricky beasts, both for the artist to make and for the listener to consume. If there is a range of styles and sounds, perhaps held together with a narrative ark that takes you through a journey of tension and release (see: ‘The Fragile’, ‘Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness’, ’The Wall’, ‘The House of Gold and Bones’, ‘Opposites’ etc) then it can be amazing. ‘Hardwired’ doesn’t have the range of styles and sounds, nor a narrative ark. It is simply a long Metallica record, which they couldn’t / wouldn’t cut down. If the mediocre parts had been trimmed, it could have made a brilliant single album; but unfortunately the end result is too bloated and one-dimensional. It starts brilliantly, with the thrashy ‘Hardwired’, and it ends on a similar note with ‘Spit Out The Bone’ which is easily the best song on the record and arguably Metallica’s finest tune of the 2000s. Disc 1 includes the absolutely brilliant ‘Moth Into Flame’ (check out the live version with Lady Gaga - it’s even better than the studio version), the triumphant ‘Atlas, Rise!’ and a deliciously cracked vocal performance by James Hetfield on ‘Halo on Fire’. Disc 2 starts promisingly with the clinical riffs of ‘Confusion’ (which became bigger, bolder and better in the live version with the symphony orchestra on ‘S&M2’). Unfortunately, there is little else to write home about on Disc 2 until ‘Spit Out The Bone’. ‘ManUNkind’, ‘Am I Savage?’, ‘Here Comes Revenge’ and ‘Murder One’ are unlikely to make anyone’s list of favourite Metallica songs. None are bad, but there is very little that grabs the listener’s attention or demands a second play, much like the leftovers from ‘Death Magnetic’ that were saved for the ‘Beyond Magnetic’ EP. The production is superb, and arguably the clearest and most powerful-sounding release in Metallica’s entire catalogue. A more refined and edited version could have made this a top 5 release; but, as it stands, ‘Hardwired…To Self-Destruct’ is bloated, repetitive and frustratingly hard to enjoy in one sitting. Standout Tracks: ‘Moth Into Flame’, ‘Spit Out The Bone’ ‘Atlas, Rise!’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/887a2c6f-0040-4252-92d0-6c43519de4fa/71pmuPA-BbL.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 15. Garage Inc (1998) Hot on the heels of ‘Load’ / ‘Reload’, Metallica were on a roll. The world had more or less become used to the short hair and slower tempos, and Metallica had a licence to do more or less what they wanted, when they wanted. This led to the release of a double album of covers. Disc 2 was comprised of tracks that had already been available on the ‘$5.98 - Garage Days Revisited EP’ that pre-dated ‘…And Justice For All’, plus some other covers and live tracks. Disc 1 was an entirely new set of covers, recorded in the aftermath of ‘Load’ and ‘Reload’, with each member of the band contributing song ideas to illustrate their respective influences. The production is amazing, striking a balance between studio polish and raw energy. Lead single, and clear stand-out, is a cover of ‘Whisky in the Jar’, a traditional Irish folk song made famous by Thin Lizzy in 1973. Accompanied by a raucous video, ‘Whisky in the Jar’ suits Metallica perfectly and still features regularly in the setlist to this day. ‘Garage Inc's main strength, and arguably its biggest weakness too, is that all the songs sound, well, like Metallica songs. Whether the original artist was an abrasive punk band like Discharge (‘Free Speech For the Dumb’ and ‘The More I See’), morose storyteller Nick Cave (‘Loverman’), or freewheelin’ rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd (‘Tuesday’s Gone’), the playing is so utterly, unmistakably Metallica that these could all be Load-era Hetfield originals. It makes for a curious album that is fun to dip into occasionally, but isn’t as varied as the diverse range of songs suggests that it could be. More of a hit than a miss, but not essential. Standout Tracks: ‘Whiskey In The Jar’, ‘Die Die My Darling’, ‘Sabbra Cadabra’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a74552b2-fbcd-4751-b73d-caf717bfcc56/Metallica-72-Seasons.webp Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 14. 72 Seasons (2023) The announcement of ‘72 Seasons’ came in late 2022, with the release of the breakneck, 3-minute ‘Lux Æterna’, an absolute masterclass of short, sharp thrash. With absolutely no fat whatsover, ‘Lux Æterna’ was a thrilling, well-produced re-introduction to Metallica, at the point in time when the world was returning to normal following the covid pandemic. What if ‘72 Seasons’ could maintain this level of quality? Was the release of a 3-minute single a sign that Metallica were dialling back the lengthy excesses of the ‘Hardwired’ record and recapturing the sound of their ‘Kill ‘Em All’-era youth? Sadly, ‘72 Seasons’ falls victim to some of the same traps as ‘Hardwired…To Self-Destruct’. Namely, making songs far longer than they need to be, and having very little dynamic range. Every single one of Lars Ulrich’s snare hits sounds exactly the same throughout the record (just the opening of ‘Shadows Follow’ is enough to induce an eye roll pointed in Lars’ direction). Yes, it sounds crisp, clear and powerful, but did someone take away his toms for this record? Are all his kicks and snares triggered? It all feels a bit too ‘on the grid’ and clinical - and if you listen to live versions of ‘Too Far Gone?’ and ‘If Darkness Had a Son’ then you will hear more of swing and variation than there is in the studio counterparts. There isn’t a bad song on ‘72 Seasons’, which makes it better than ‘Hardwired’, and the energy is contagious and empowering. But is somewhat frustrating at times, because it lacks the dynamic range and variety of other records. Still, it is well worth a listen for James Hetfield alone, as there is an argument that this record is the best his vocals have EVER sounded. Pretty good for a man of 60! Standout Tracks: ‘Lux Æterna’, ‘Room of Mirrors’, ‘Too Far Gone?’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8f7849ab-3932-4ce4-bf3b-44b9c7076634/crxbalmbmvm11.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 13. St. Anger (2003) We have deliberately chosen an alternative ‘St. Anger’ artwork for this ranking, for good reason. This is one of the many meme-worthy alternative covers that fans have produced - in this case, to make it look more “80s“. It is a good indication of how, no matter how much ‘St. Anger’ is criticised, people simply cannot let it be forgotten. Perhaps this means that, beneath the abysmal production and overly long songs, there is actually a GOOD record in there somewhere..?? If you are discovering ‘St. Anger’ for the first time, it may be better to watch the ‘Some Kind of Monster' movie first. Everything then makes a lot more sense. As a statement of an intent - an artistic statement, if you will - ‘St. Anger’ works remarkably well. It is a blunt, singular, one-dimensional assault on the senses, focusing on down-tuned riffs, little (if any) melody or dynamics, no solos, and a pure expression of frustration and honest self-reflection. The main problem is that it is so LLLOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG. There is a reason why versions exist on YouTube which are less than half the length. And some people have gone to great pains to re-record the whole thing, the best example being ‘St. (b)Anger’ by Michael Shea - check it out on YouTube. Less trash can snare, and more pummelling heaviness. Standout Tracks: ‘Shoot Me Again’, ‘Frantic’, ‘Dirty Window’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/41e02dda-fecb-4138-8602-77f55ea70792/91K7QCSC-RL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 12. Live Sh*t: Binge and Purge (1993) Capturing the excess and lengthy stadium shows of the ‘Black Album’ world tour, ‘Live Shit: Binge & Purge’ is a truly thrilling live document. From the moment ‘The Ecstasy of Gold’ intro kicks in, the listener is transported straight to Mexico City. When the opening notes of ‘Enter Sandman’ then emerge, the crowd’s energy spills through the speakers as powerfully as Lars Ulrich’s drums. Metallica’s live experience in the early 90s was all about excess. Loads of songs. Long sets. Lengthy jams. Lars Ulrich’s drum solo. Kirk Hammett’s guitar solos. Jason Newstead’s bass solos. Loads of beer. Loads of James Hetfield’s “Yeahs’, “Oh Yeahs” and “Ooh Yeahs”. More beer. Alcoholica. Loads of profanity. Loads of drunken banter. Goading the crowd. More beer. More songs. ‘Live Shit: Binge & Purge’ captures this excess in every way. Anchoring the sound was Jason Newstead’s military precision bass and barked backing vocals, captured perfectly in the “Die Die Die’ chant of ‘Creeping Death’. Also great fun is ‘Justice (Medley)’, a combination of the best, riffiest parts from the ‘…And Justice For All’ album that weren’t in ‘One’ and ‘Harvester of Sorrow’, which appear in full. Thanks to the inclusion of the various solos, seemimgly impromptu covers (‘Stone Cold Crazy’, ‘Am I Evil?’, ‘Last Caress’ and a snippet of ‘Smoke on the Water’) and crowd-goading, ‘Live Shit’ is nearly 3 hours long. If you have the time, crack open a beer, turn the speakers up loud, and mosh around your kitchen. Standout Tracks: ‘Of Wolf and Man’, ‘Sad But True’, ‘Justice (Medley)’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f7de0354-0e9b-4ec8-8e99-84515b7a5aff/6164kxo8QzL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 11. Reload (1997) It is hard to imagine a Metallica show without either ‘Fuel’ or ‘The Memory Remains’ in the setlist, such as they have become out-and-out classics over time. Marianne Faithful’s raspy ‘Nah nah nah’ refrain at the end of ‘The Memory Remains’ has become one of the best crowd singalongs you will ever experience, often continuing for a good couple of minutes after the song has finished. After the masterful opening two tracks, ‘Reload’ struggles to maintain the same quality throughout, with some songs (‘Carpe Diem Baby’, ‘Bad Seed’, ‘Slither’ and ‘Prince Charming’) falling foul of the same issues as ‘Load’s weaker moments, with unadventurous, safe blues-influenced riffs. Some moments are stunning though, such as ‘The Unforgiven II’ which was arguably better than its counterpart on ‘The Black Album’, and ‘Fixxxer’ which has a similar grandiosity to ‘The Outlaw Torn’ which closed ‘Load’. The brooding ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ and the languid ‘Low Man’s Lyric’ also add some interesting dynamics and depth to the record, which is something that Metallica have struggled to achieve in their 21st century albums. ‘Reload’ is far better than the derision and criticism it received from the metal community at the time, and if you combined the best moments of ‘Load’ and ‘Reload’ then you would have one amazing album. Standout Tracks: ‘Fuel’, ‘The Unforgiven II’, ‘Fixxxer’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/559e8339-3964-41f8-9c7f-ad2528caea0d/71rHD%2BCYbkL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 10. Some Kind of Monster EP (2004) Released as a companion to the movie of the same name, the ‘Some Kind of Monster’ EP is noteworthy for what might have been. The audio mix of the ‘single edit’ of the title track is superb, and miles away from the muddy, trash-can snare faux pas of the ‘St Anger’ album. With its more concise structure and brilliant production, imagine how the ‘St Anger’ record could have been if it had all been mixed and trimmed this way! The other tracks on the EP are killer live recordings of 6 old-school Metallica tracks, 3 from ‘Kill ‘Em All’, 2 from ‘Master of Puppets’ and 1 from ‘Ride The Lightning’. They sound gloriously energised, unhinged and aggressive, as if channelling the frustrations of the ‘St Anger’ era when revisiting their early thrash years. As a standalone EP, ‘Some Kind of Monster’ is great fun for the aggression of the live tracks and the hugely improved mix of one of the better ‘St. Anger’ songs. Standout Tracks: ‘Some Kind Of Monster (edit)’, ‘Damage, Inc’, ‘Motorbreath’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9be50fb5-35de-4e4e-a801-98446aab0ffc/61WY2mZd4aL.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 9. Kill ‘Em All (1983) It all began here. Influenced by NWOBHM bands such as Diamond Head, Motorhead, Iron Maiden and Saxon, Metallica took thrash metal to a whole new level with their debut record ‘Kill ‘Em All’. The fact that ‘Hit The Lights’, ‘Whiplash’, ‘The Four Horsemen’ and ‘Seek & Destroy’ still feature regularly in the setlist says so much about how fully-formed Metallica were when they first entered the studio, with the average age of just 19. Production-wise, ‘Kill ‘Em All’ is very much ‘of it’s time’. The vocals are drenched in reverb / echo that is, truthfully, harder to listen to nowadays. The drums lack the punch that Lars Ulrich achieved on the bigger-budget follow-up ‘Ride The Lightning’, and the analogue rawness is exciting but distant and powerless by modern-day standards. Fair enough though - it is more than 40 years old now! On the plus side, the guitars and underpinning bass sound amazing. Especially considering his youth, James Hetfield’s singing is powerful and serrated, flirting with more melody than his early 80s peers (Slayer, Exodus etc) but matching them for bark. The numerous live versions of ‘Seek & Destroy’, ‘Motorbreath’, ‘Hit The Lights’ and ‘Whiplash’ over the following decades make for a better listening experience than their more primitive-sounding originals, but ‘Kill ‘Em All’ will always be legendary. Standout Tracks: ‘The Four Horsemen’, ‘Seek and Destroy’, ‘Phantom Lord’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/2e3dfb62-7ac9-4103-b226-c101573f8d87/71dk1ugJx5L._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 8. Death Magnetic (2008) On its release, a great deal was made of the somewhat unfortunate, and presumably unintentional, similarity between the iron filings of ‘Death Magnetic’s artwork and, ahem, unkempt female genitalia; and a similar amount of fuss was made about the overly loud mastering of the record, which is admittedly abrasive and is far more listenable in the newer versions that fans have remixed and mastered. Unfortunately these things overshadowed what is actually an extremely strong album, and arguably Metallica’s best collection of unrestrained thrash outside of ‘…And Justice For All’. ‘Death Magnetic’ contains some absolute bangers. ‘Broken, Beaten and Scarred’, ‘All Nightmare Long’, ‘This Was Not Your Life’, ’End of the Line’ and breakneck closer ‘My Apocalypse’ are all superb, reminding the world that Metallica in 2007 were not only still capable of bringing the energy, but they could write memorable hooks that were just as good as their 80s classics. As with all latter-career Metallica, ‘Death Magnetic’ could do with some trimming. ‘Suicide and Redemption’ is a perfectly serviceable instrumental but is overly long and somewhat forgettable. ‘Cyanide’ has great moments, but has a frustrating stop-start quality that loses momentum. ‘The Day That Never Comes’, which was the album’s lead single, is a brilliant tune full of twists and turns, but it has some truly awful, clunky single-snare-hit drum fills that don’t do Lars any favours when people accuse him of having limited prowess. With some more dynamic, interesting drum work, and some more decisive editing, ’The Day That Never Comes’ could have a place in a list of all-time Metallica classics - but sadly it comes across as more of a demo here - and it sounds SO much better live (especially on the ‘S&M2’ record with additional orchestra). ‘Death Magnetic’ has its flaws, but if you can get past the endless clipping and digital distortion of the final master then it certainly rewards multiple listens. Standout Tracks: ‘Broken, Beaten and Scarred’, ‘My Apocalypse’, ‘All Nightmare Long’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/688f79ff-7038-4260-b935-8e6b519d11fe/71XxVB%2BamgL.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 7. S&M (1999) There are numerous moments on ‘S&M’ that are utterly breathtaking. The thrilling opening to ‘Master of Puppets’. The majestic new song ‘No Leaf Clover’, the live recording of which was so good that they never needed to make a studio version. The truly epic ‘Bleeding Me’. James Hetfield calling out “I can’t hear you” in a moment of empowerment half way through ‘Hero of the Day’. The lush orchestration that takes the atmosphere of ‘The Thing That Should Not Be’ and ‘The Outlaw Torn’ to a whole new level. ‘S&M’ was, like much of their 90s output, originally met with equal parts derision and confusion. However, it has aged incredibly well. Listening to it nearly 30 years later, it leaves the impression that, in an ideal world, Metallica would have a 150-piece orchestra accompanying ALL of their live shows, such is the character that the San Francisco Orchestra adds to their music. Even the less revered tracks such as ‘Devil’s Dance’ and ‘Of Wolf and Man’ benefit immensely from clever call-and-response interplay between the guitars and violins, violas, cellos, oboes, trumpets, bassoons and additional percussion. Strangely, the songs that have the least impact are the well-established hits, such as ‘Enter Sandman, ‘One’ and ‘Battery’, where the additional Michael Kamen score adds little more than a distraction and doesn’t seem quite as inspired. The production is occasionally muddy, with so many instruments fighting for space, but if you turn it up loud enough you won’t care. Overall, ‘S&M’ is a life-affirming, brilliant and unique live album. Standout tracks: ‘No Leaf Clover’, ‘The Outlaw Torn’, ‘Master of Puppets’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0f1165fb-4e6a-4330-be98-188ff07abd9a/61Na6eN05jS._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 6. The Black Album (1991) When Metallica performed ‘The Black Album’ in full at Download Festival in 2012, there was a reason they played it in reverse order. They started with ‘The Struggle Within’, ‘My Friend Of Misery’ and ‘The God That Failed’ - all of them decent-ish songs, but none of them particularly spectacular or memorable. Playing the record in reverse meant that they could finish on ‘Sad But True’ and, of course, ‘Enter Sandman’. A wise move. This intentional reversal of the album shows that Metallica themselves know that ‘The Black Album’ starts spectacularly, has moments of genius in the middle (the apex being ‘Nothing Else Matters’), then unfortunately drops off towards the end. Whereas ‘Kill ‘Em All’, ‘Ride The Lightning’, ‘Master of Puppets’ and ‘…And Justice For All’ all had a superb finale, ‘The Black Album’ arguably heralded the new era of reduced quality control. That said, ‘The Black Album’ is still fantastic. The production, while strangely quiet overall even in the 2021 remaster, sounds immense when turned up full, with thunderous drums and a weighty depth that was entirely lacking in ‘…And Justice For All’. Metallica had flirted with slower songs before, but ‘The Black Album’ was the point at which everything slowed down, alongside trimming the more convoluted, proggy changes of the first 4 records and focusing on direct, punchy, fists-in-the-air groove. What an array of songs: ‘Sad But True, ‘Wherever I May Roam’, ‘The Unforgiven’, ‘Nothing Else Matters’, ‘Through The Never’; and, of course, ‘Enter Sandman’. ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ was a little ploddy, and the final 3 tracks were somewhat uninspiring, but there are many reasons why ‘The Black Album’ is one of the biggest-selling records of all time. It is a masterclass in tuneful, trendsetting hard rock, appealing to hardcore metalheads and casual rock fans alike. Also well worth a listen is the ‘Metallica Blacklist’ tribute album that was released to mark the 30th anniversary, with numerous covers from artists such as Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Weezer, Biffy Clyro, Royal Blood, Ghost, Volbeat, IDLES, Imelda May, Phoebe Bridgers and The HU. It is arguably the finest and most expansive tribute records ever assembled. Standout Tracks: ‘Enter Sandman’, ‘Nothing Else Matters’, ‘The Unforgiven’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1e142b07-be47-48a5-af0e-6201585c6b72/AAAABbRN9o9ZwuNHhZ-Hx4WVScDRmHSIeIhHa3vFy_upuxAFzw04pkIPRxH6jDijIIgxKsyjmdtzUNhIyZ85LEYbQzrR42sf+%281%29.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 5. Some Kind of Monster - The Movie (2004) What started out as a simple ‘Making of an Album’ documentary quickly became something else entirely: a raw, visceral exposé of band tension, addiction, mental health, therapy, writer’s block, artistic expression, forgiveness and, ultimately, redemption. ‘Some Kind of Monster’ was shown in theatres around the world and is now regarded as one of the best music-related films of all time, as well as an important turning point in Metallica’s career. If you watch this before listening to ‘St. Anger’, the record makes so much more sense - and you will see it was a triumph that the album was even finished and released at all. There are hilarious, meme-worthy moments, such as Kirk Hammett’s futile attempts to keep the peace when James and Lars are at each other’s throats; Lars Ulrich’s father’s blunt advice (“I would say… delete that”); Rob Trujillo’s reaction when he is told about his $1million sign-on bonus; and the look on James Hetfield’s face when Lars tells him one of his riffs is ‘stock’. However, ‘Some Kind of Monster’ is far from a comedy. This is a reality drama of unreal proportions. It explores how men talk through their feelings, how conflict can be tolerated, and how anger can be channelled in a positive way - which is the ultimate theme of the ‘St. Anger’ record. For anyone battling their own demons or addictions, watching James Hetfield turn his life around is genuinely inspiring. We have ranked ‘Some Kind of Monster’ so high on this list - even higher than some of their great albums - because it is a genuinely essential part of the Metallica story, and arguably as important as their best music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/962b0e8b-081b-46a1-b42e-8028070fec29/718KKCBreeL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 4. Load (1996) ‘Load’ higher than ‘The Black Album’???? Sacrilege!!! ‘Load’ has had a complicated history, and the 30-year anniversary re-release of the album in 2025 seems to have reignited a generally universal respect for what was, at the time, an even more divisive move than ‘The Black Album’. ‘Load’ was released during a transitional time in the heavy music world. Thrash metal was getting very little attention. In their all-too-brief career, Nirvana made simplicity and great songs more important than showy musicianship. Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam were carrying the flag for hard rock, and metal fans were enjoying the advent of slower, groovier forms of brutality in Machine Head, Pantera and post-’Chaos AD’ Sepultura, paving the way for Korn, Snot, Disturbed and many, many more as we approached the late 90s and early 00s. Metallica embraced their blues roots in songs like ‘2x4’, ‘Poor Twisted Me’, ‘Ronnie’ and ‘Wasting My Hate’, and dallied with country rock on the excellent ‘Mama Said’. But beyond this well-documented blues/country exploration, perhaps ‘Load’ was actually more grounded in being a darker, heavier form of grunge. ‘Bleeding Me’, ‘Until It Sleeps’, ‘Hero of the Day’, ‘The House Jack Built’ and ‘The Outlaw Torn’ are, sonically, in the same world as Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, with echoes of Black Sabbath’s doomier moments. And most importantly, the songs themselves are utterly brilliant. Lyrically, structurally and melodically, there are songs on ‘Load’ that other bands never get close to matching. If some of the more mediocre moments (‘Thorn Within’, ‘Ronnie’, ‘Cure’) were culled, or if the best bits of ‘Load’ and ‘Reload’ were combined, then this could genuinely be a contender for one of the best albums of the 90s - just try not to join the debate of whether it is ‘metal’ or not, because this 30-year argument still hasn’t been resolved. Standout Tracks: ‘Until It Sleeps’, ‘Bleeding Me’, ‘The House Jack Built’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1bebd46f-785e-4e20-98aa-b60c2c93c8ac/387780.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 3. …And Justice For All (1988) Metallica fans love to dissect the details of each album, particularly the mixing / mastering - and ‘…And Justice For All’ was arguably where this all began. Even 40 years on, we still can’t get our heads around the logic to silence Jason Newsted’s bass. The incredibly dry production does lend the record a certain charm, and admittedly there is no other album on earth that sounds like it; but the various fan-made versions that are on YouTube are generally far more enjoyable than the original - and the anniversary remaster made next to no attempt to improve the bass situation officially, which was a shame. Song-wise, ‘…And Justice For All’ was a huge step forward from ‘Ride The Lightning’ and ‘Master of Puppets’ in terms of progressive structure, classical composition and complexity, and the unpredictable riff-fests of ‘The Shortest Straw’, ‘Blackened’, ‘Dyer’s Eve’ and the title track are utterly compelling. Hit single ‘One’, with its harrowing video depicting a veteran soldier’s PTSD, is a masterpiece, building from a gorgeous melody into a dramatic second half complete with kick drums that sound like machine guns. The weighty ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ sounds huge, even without bass. Opener ‘Blackened’ makes an even better use of a guitar intro than previous openers ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ and ‘Battery’, and is a riff-fest of the highest order. Even comparative low points ‘Eye of the Beholder’ and ‘The Shortest Straw’ are stll vital. This was Metallica 2.0 following Cliff Burton’s tragic death, and they were only getting better and better. Standout Tracks: ‘Harvester of Sorrow’, ‘Dyer’s Eve’, ‘Blackened’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d4d0bc66-2f4b-4c75-8fd7-418fcc344ccb/71sBmJvcIKL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 2. Master of Puppets (1986) Metallica’s 3rd record had a lot of similarities to their 2nd, in terms of album structure, bold songwriting, energy and lyrical directness. To some, ‘Master of Puppets’ was Metallica’s peak, and it is easy to understand why. This is one of the best metal albums in history, and so many bands wouldn’t exist without it. The opening one-two of ‘Battery’ and ‘Master of Puppets’ is practically unbeatable, with clever time signature changes, breathtaking speed, huge-sounding instrumentation and stadium-sized hooks. The fact that the title track was used to soundtrack an epic fight in the upside-down in ‘Stranger Things’ says a lot about Metallica’s enduring popular appeal. ‘Master of Puppets’ arguably added more bite and anger to the ‘Ride The Lightning’ formula, which led to the war-baiting of ‘Disposable Heroes’, the church-bothering ‘Leper Messiah’ and bruising closer ‘Damage, Inc’. ‘Master of Puppets’ is concise, punchy and full of attitude, with moments of sumptuous instrumentation (‘Orion’ and ‘The Thing That Should Not Be’ that heralded Metallica’s playing abilities from the rooftops. Standout Tracks: ‘Battery’, ‘Master of Puppets’, ‘Damage, Inc’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f5bac0d0-41aa-4f65-a2f0-69d83fbef609/71cr-UivXLL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - 1. Ride The Lightning (1984) If you were introducing someone to Metallica for the very first time, where would you start? ‘Enter Sandman’? ‘Master of Puppets’? ‘Sad But True’? ‘One’? ‘Seek and Destroy’? ‘Battery’? Or perhaps ‘Creeping Death’, the penultimate track on what is, in our opinion, the greatest Metallica record. It is a difficult toss-up between ‘Master of Puppets’ and ‘Ride The Lightning’ for best Metallica album. They have a similar structure: Symphonic instrumental build-up to a thrashy opening song - ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ / ‘Battery’ Riff-heavy title track second song - ‘Ride The Lightning’ / ‘Master of Puppets’ Ballad-ish song towards the end of side one - ‘Fade To Black’ / ‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’ Slight dip in quality just past the half way point - ‘Escape’ / ‘Disposable Heroes’ Epic instrumental towards the end - ‘Call of Ktulu’ / ‘Orion’ Both records are practically flawless - but, in our opinion, ‘Ride The Lightning’ has the slight edge with its sense of melody, and its boldness to try new things. For example, Cliff Burton’s pioneering distorted bass in ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’, the breakneck ‘Trapped Under Ice’, James Hetfield’s raw, near-barked vocals; and, best of all, the additional emotional heft of the daring ballad ‘Fade To Black’, which showed the world that Metallica were not just another thrash band, but they had the capability of connecting with the listener on a much deeper level when needed. More than 40 years on, ‘Ride The Lightning’ still sounds bold, ambitious and packed with killer songs. Standout Tracks: ‘Fade To Black’, ‘Creeping Death’, ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4bc4882d-ac2e-42f3-bfce-b4b8607956db/meshuggah_logo.png Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - Metallica: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/presidents-of-the-usa monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ab1b032b-f91c-44bd-8212-d12fe454c110/the-offspring-logo.png Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fc08909f-5211-41f3-8942-dc685c249e20/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/51cb6ff2-e303-409a-8c07-c4e65a320d3c/Freaked+out.jpg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 7. Freaked Out And Small (2000) 9 blurry photos of a poodle on the cover? That sounds about right. ‘Freaked Out And Small’ is a curious record in the PUSA discography, partly because it was released to very little fanfare, partly because it was the last record to feature founding member Dave Dederer, and partly because the songs were played on conventional 6-string guitars and a 4-string bass, rather than the distinctive, minimalist ‘guitbass’ and ‘bassitar’ from the other Presidents records. As such, ‘Freaked Out And Small’ lacks the trademark minimalist sound that made PUSA famous. And, despite the in-studio banter (such as in the very opening to ‘Tiny Explosions’), there is something sterile and flat about the performances. It is a shame, because there are some great songs hidden within ‘Tiger Bomb’, ‘I’m Mad’ and ‘Lastly Girl on Earth’, but there is something about them that just doesn’t quite gel. Perhaps it is a lack of quirkiness in the vocals, the more middle-of-the-road production, or the lack of songs about insects. That said, ‘Meanwhile Back in the City’ (a song that dated back to the late 80s) is superb, and ‘Jupiter’ is an urgent, riff-heavy rocker. ‘Freaked Out and Small’ is worth a listen, but definitely shouldn’t be your started point for PUSA. Standout tracks: ‘Tiny Explosions’, ‘Meanwhile Back in the City’, ‘Jupiter’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/eaf46326-b5b0-4900-a6c5-cd54ef3e0749/Kudos.jpg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 6. Kudos To You! (2014) Perhaps the best way to enjoy ‘Kudos To You!’ is to think of it as an unexpected bonus. By all accounts, The Presidents of the USA had planned to end the band after ‘These Are The Good Times People’ (which would have been one hell of a swansong). Instead, their arms were twisted following a Pledge Music campaign, and they returned to the studio for a few days to produce one more record for long-time fans. The album writing sessions were short and time-limited, so some songs were written hastilty in the studio, while others were some old Chris Ballew solo tracks (including ‘Slow Fly’, ‘Finger Monster’ and ‘Poor Little Me’) that were reworked with PUSA’s signature sound. As such, there is a curious blend of spontaneous lunacy (‘Stay With Me’, ‘Ohio’, ‘Flea vs Mite’) and more reflective, mid-paced material (‘Truckstop on the Moon’, ‘Innocent Bird’, ‘She’s a Nurse’). Also included was ‘Rooftops in Spain’, a punky banger which had previously been a b-side from the ‘These Are The Good Times People’ sessions. It’s a fantastic song, but its production is noticeably different from the rest of the tracks and it doesn’t really fit well into the tracklisting. ‘Kudos To You!’ is a decent record. Overall, it is a little more subdued than other PUSA albums, and you can tell it wasn’t made with quite the same energy and passion as the earlier albums, but there are some gems to discover, such as the high-tempo and Country-esque ‘Poor Little Me’. Standout Tracks: ‘Poor Little Me’, ‘Ohio’, ‘Truckstop on the Moon’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4dbbf7e6-3a07-439a-a234-79af2154ab13/Love+everybody.jpg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 5. Love Everybody (2004) Returning from a 4-year hiatus, and with a new line-up (Andrew McKeag replaced Dave Dederer on guitar, or ‘guitbass’), PUSA released ‘Love Everybody’ to minimal fanfare in 2004. They may have passed the height of their fame some time in the late 90s, but ‘Love Everybody’ is full of great moments and it was a great comeback following 2000’s lacklustre ‘Freaked Out and Small’. Sound-wise, it was a return to the core, minimalist production of the earlier albums, where ‘Freaked Out and Small’ had experimented with more conventional 6-string guitars. Best of the bunch is the relaxed ‘Munky River’, which has echoes of ‘Dune Buggy’ from the self-titled debut record. I have no idea how well a boat mended with chewing gum would work, and where in the world ‘Munky River’ might be, but I’d definitely like to float on it. Other highlights include the rocking title track (which is reminiscent of ‘Lump’), the chirpy single ‘Some Postman’ and the delightful acoustic closer ‘Jennifer’s Jacket. ‘Zero Friction’ and ‘Highway Forever’ could have fitted easily onto the ‘II’ record, and ‘5,500 Miles’ may not be the best song but it has a kick-ass riff. There are a some duff moments - namely, ‘Shortwave’, ‘Drool at You’ and ‘Vestina’ - which let the side down and are less inspired; but otherwise ‘Love Everybody’ is a fun, upbeat and uptempo album that marked the start of a new phase in PUSA’s musical odyssey. Standout Tracks: ‘Zero Friction’, ‘Munky River’, ‘Jennifer’s Jacket’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/2a184c03-1a7f-4b27-b5fa-2515f589e4b6/Pure+frosting.jpg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 4. Pure Frosting (1998) Officially, ‘Pure Frosting’ is a compilation album of b-sides, live tracks, covers and assorted odds’n’sods. However, it flows so well as an album that it can certainly be viewed as a complete record in its own right, and it plays an important role in the whole Presidents of the USA story. The album’s lead single was a cover of the 80s hit ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ by fellow oddballs The Buggles - and it suited PUSA perfectly. In fact, this cover surpasses the original. Other highlights include playful acoustic opener ‘Love Delicatessan’, the gritty ‘Man (Opposable Thumb')’, a triumphant cover of the Drew Carey theme song ‘Cleveland Rocks’, a rollicking live version of ‘Lump”, the irreverant ‘Mobile Home’ and an alternative version of ‘Tiki God’ (entitled ‘Tiki Lounge God’) from the ‘II’ record which shouldn’t work but really does. It may not be as vital as the first two records, but ‘Pure Frosting’ is more than a b-sides compilation and is well worth your time. Standout Tracks: ‘Love Delicatessan’, ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’, ‘Japan’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/36b3c934-5f77-4640-b469-6ac34c07cfef/Good+times.jpg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 3. These Are The Good Times People (2008) It is rare for any band’s 6th album to be one of their best, but PUSA achieved that with ease with their 2008 record ‘These Are The Good Times People’. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the first 2 records, and features a number of tracks that are up there with PUSA’s very best. If you’re looking for witty, intelligent and surprisingly touching songs, with pristine production, pop-punk sensibilities and a country twang, this record is for you. In fact, if it had had more label backing, and perhaps had a different band name (PUSA, by 2008, had long been consigned to the history books as the band that made ‘Peaches’), it could have been huge. ‘Ghosts Are Everywhere’ has a chorus to die for. Opener ‘Mixed up SOB’ is a perfect pop-punk song. Album closer ‘Deleter’ matches The Cat Empire for funkiness and straight-up fun; and ‘Ladybug’, ‘Bad Times’ and ‘Sharpen Up Those Fangs’ could all have fitted comfortably on the first record. It is approaching its 20-year anniversary, but ‘These Are The Good Times People’ has freshness and vitality that sounds like it could have been made yesterday. Standout tracks: ‘Sharpen Up Those Fangs’, ‘Bad Times’, ‘Ghosts Are Everywhere’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e42a0ef8-77c2-49e5-b6c7-7e926f36435d/PUSA+II.jpeg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 2. The Presidents of the United States of America: II (1996) The only reason that ‘II’ is second is because ‘I’ has already taken first place. Under any other circumstances, ‘II’ would be top of the list, being as it is an immaculate collection of quirky, memorable and undeniably rocking songs. Released barely a year after The Presidents of the United States of America’s self-titled debut album, ‘II’ may not contain hit singles with the mainstream appeal of ‘Lump’, ‘Kitty’ and ‘Peaches’, but as an album it is every bit as strong. Bookended with ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ Parts 1 & 2, the album flows brilliantly, taking us on a weird and wonderful trip through Chris Ballew’s mind. There is a curious tale of getting new drums, gold clubs and guitar amps (‘Toob Amplifier’), a story of a drug-addled frog who is addicted to fame (‘Froggie’), a cross-breeding experiment combining Genghis Khan and The Terminator (‘Supermodel’) and a conversation with an insect on his way to a party (‘Bug City’). And these aren’t even the best songs. ‘Volcano’ and ‘Mach 5’ are genuinely brilliant rock songs, taking the template of ‘Lump’ to the next level. ‘Bath of Fire’ may have the best use of cowbell from the whole of the 90s, and ‘Tiki God’ kicks serious ass. ‘II’ is an album that rocks without irony, but brings quirkiness and homour in abundance. A masterpiece. Standout Tracks: ‘Volcano’, ‘Mach 5’, ‘Bath of Fire’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/06ea3089-a90d-4e7f-8110-bb8dc0dce8f1/PUSA.jpg Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - 1. The Presidents of the United States of America (1995) Critics generally dismissed PUSA as a novelty act, but their debut album became phenomenally popular, appealing not only to rock & grunge fans in the post-Nirvana wildnerness, but also to the mainstream, thanks to the incredible success of ‘Peaches’. The other singles, ‘Lump’, ‘Kitty’ and ‘Dune Buggy’ all broke the Top 40 on both sides of the Atlantic, and a cover of The MC5’s ‘Kick Out The Jams’ boosted PUSA’s credibility with fans of old-school garage rock. Not only was the minimalistic sound (a total of 5 strings across 2 guitars, and a drum kit that comprised only 3 drums and 2 cymbals) refreshingly unique, but PUSA’s lyrics took a completely different direction to the misanthropy of their peers (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains etc). Instead of songs about hate, love and self-loathing, we were treated to ditties about getting old and sitting on a rocking chair (‘Back Porch’), annoying cats (‘Kitty’, complete with cat noises), the dangers of sugar (‘Candy’), toy cars (‘Dune Buggy’) and dried-up lizards (‘Body’). There is no record quite like ‘The Presidents of the United States of America’ (ok, apart from the sequel, ‘II’). Other bands, such as Cake and Primus, have a similar quirkiness to them; but Chris Ballew, Dave Dederer and Jason Finn produced an absolutely legendary debut record here that should be in every single person’s collection. Standout tracks: ‘Lump’, ‘Dune Buggy’, ‘Back Porch’ (to be honest, every song is a standout) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ab1b032b-f91c-44bd-8212-d12fe454c110/the-offspring-logo.png Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/bd5dd2e9-aa8e-4668-999b-ad4e6fb92e80/images+%282%29.png Albums Ranked - Presidents of the USA: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/black-sabbath-covers monthly 0.5 2025-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c6c33dcd-87bc-47cd-b68d-1351a9eaf240/st%2Csmall%2C507x507-pad%2C600x600%2Cf8f8f8.jpg Albums Ranked - The Best Covers of Black Sabbath Songs - ‘N.I.B’ - Ugly Kid Joe NIB (Nativity in Black) is featured on Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album. This cover by Ugly Kid Joe, released in 1994 for a tribute album of the same name, preserves the wonky bass riff but piles on a tonne of additional energy and crystal-clear production that still sounds incredible 30+ years later. It is arguably better than the original. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a42b657c-79da-4f74-bcf5-d85fa91f594b/merch-lamb-of-god-children-of-the-grave-store-poster-portrait.jpg Albums Ranked - The Best Covers of Black Sabbath Songs - ‘Children of the Grave’ - Lamb of God Lamb of God were one of the bands given the opportunity to play a short set on 5th July 2025 at Villa Park in Birmingham, before Ozzy and Black Sabbath made their final-ever performances. Lamb of God, as always, didn’t disappoint. Their set included a storming cover of ‘Children of the Grave’, and the studio version followed shortly afterwards. It sounds HUGE, and Randy Blyth’s vocals alternate between a surprisingly tuneful Ozzy tribute and the fierce growls that we know and love him for. This is the newest cover in this list, and already one of the best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/601acc68-e20e-4847-98e2-a046f8a367fa/71rQby8rIZL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - The Best Covers of Black Sabbath Songs - 'Hole in the Sky’ - Machine Head Released as a bonus track on the special edition of the ‘Supercharger’ album in 2001, Machine Head’s version of ‘Hole in the Sky’ is notable for how it changes the groove from its original 6/8 swing to a pummelling, straight-up 4/4 that Machine Head do so well. This cover does what the best covers do, paying respect to the original while putting a new spin on it. This is a perfect representation of Machine Head around the Burning Red / Supercharger era, and it absolutely rules. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/177577b5-2a04-4a2f-bf48-374c7fb28761/maxresdefault+%282%29.jpg Albums Ranked - The Best Covers of Black Sabbath Songs - ‘Snowblind’ - System of a Down In a similar way to Machine Head’s version of ‘Hole in the Sky’, this cover of ‘Snowblind’ strikes the right balance of tribute and innovation. The main essence of the original is retained, but played through the warped, crazy filter of self-titled debut album-era System of a Down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/16b06931-e3ce-4d64-aa44-96cdaad7b3cc/71vJNV6BgRL.jpg Albums Ranked - The Best Covers of Black Sabbath Songs - ‘Paranoid’ - Weezer Weezer love their cover versions, and for the most part they tend to stay true to the originals (‘Enter Sandman’ - Metallica; ‘Paranoid Android’ - Radiohead; ‘Africa’ - Toto etc). They even released a covers-only record in 2019, known as the ‘Teal Album’, which is fun if inessential. Their cover of ‘Paranoid’, sung by guitarist Brian Bell rather than Rivers Cuomo, has an excellent, garage-rock sound, transposed to a lower key and driven home with a relentless energy. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/machine-head monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6befc60-6bb2-456f-9324-6b7c084c114c/Slipknot_%28Logo%29.png Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c3d309e2-392a-4d9d-8f54-d2e60b042718/Soilwork_logo.svg.png Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77436ca3-ea84-428e-a430-874a7ce310eb/Machine-Head-Catharsis.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 13. Catharsis (2018) I tried to like it, I really did. Somewhere within ‘Catharsis’, there is a great album screaming to be let out. A rejigged tracklist… a culling of 2-3 tracks… a replacement of some of the most cringeworthy lyrics… a more stringent quality control process… these things could have made all the difference. Instead, ‘Catharsis’ was, like the ‘Evening With Machine Head’ gigs at the time, FAR too long - and it is the sound of Robb Flynn indulging every songwriting idea he had, while 2 of the other 3 bandmembers (Phil Demell and Dave McClain) prepared for their imminent departure. The build-up to “Can you feel my catharsis?” in the title track is one of Machine Head’s best-ever instances of tension and release. ‘Behind The Mask’ is an excellent, haunting ballad in the vein of Alice in Chains. If you can look beyond the stolen riffs in ‘Beyond The Pale' (‘Love’ by Strapping Young Lad) and ‘Volatile’ (‘Cleansation’ by Chimaira'), they are both excellent tracks. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is an anthemic, melodic rager. And the defiant ‘Hope Begets Hope’ wouldn’t have sounded out of place on ‘The More Things Change’, with the additional bonus of System of a Down-esque vocal harmonies. Unfortunately, the quality drops sharply elsewhere. ‘Triple Beam’ sounds like a b-side from ‘Supercharger’, with a fun bounce but lyrics that try too hard to be street. ‘Heavy Lies The Crown’ is an attempted mini-epic that says nothing and goes nowhere, and the final 4 tracks are largely forgettable. But worst of all is the truly awful, Mumford & Sons-esque ‘Bastards’. The song itself is ok as folk-rock goes, but the middle section of “No No No No No No No No No No No” throws all subtly and tenderness out of the window and is borderline unlistenable, derailing the album in the process. Standout Tracks: ‘Behind The Mask’, ‘Catharsis’, ‘Hope Begets Hope’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dfb7d4c4-dbad-4d2d-8158-939dd685cf87/81nrELBpSjL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 12. Machine F**king Head Live (2012) Hot on the heels of the ‘Unto The Locust’ record, the 2-disc document ‘Machine F**king Head LIVE’ captured the band at the height of their ‘epic’ period (and by ‘epic’, we mean lengthening most songs with riff after riff after section after section in ‘The Blackening’ and ‘Unto The Locust’, mostly successfully). Machine Head and the UK have a mutually loving relationship (‘Hellalive’ was recorded at Brixton Academy in London, and this record was recorded in Manchester and Glasgow), and the affectionate chant of “Machine F**king Head, Machine F**king Head”, which opens and titles the album, originated in the UK. As such, this record is a great demonstration of fan devotion, and it is particularly exciting for Brits to hear. We are treated to a range of songs from Machine Head’s first 20 years, though the emphasis is very much on ‘Unto The Locust’, with 6 of its 7 tracks appearing, all of which sound huge (and ‘Darkness Within’ is particularly poignant when transformed from the studio ito a live setting). It is interesting hearing how seamlessly the tracks from the supposed ‘nu metal years’ (‘The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears’ and ‘Bulldozer’) fit alongside the labyrinthian riff-fests of ‘Be Still And Know’, ‘Halo’ and ‘I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)’; and fans from any era of the band will find something to enjoy here. It’s just a shame that, for some reason, the record isn’t available on streaming services. Standout Tracks: ‘Darkness Within’, ‘This Is The End’, ‘Beautiful Mourning’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/601acc68-e20e-4847-98e2-a046f8a367fa/71rQby8rIZL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 11. Supercharger (2001) History hasn’t been kind to ‘Supercharger’. Admittedly some of its over-simplified, rap metal-infused moments haven’t aged well, such as the cringy ‘American High’, the forced ‘All In Your Head’ and the lacklustre ‘Kick You When You’re Down’, all of which have sprinkles of vocal ad-libs that are irritating rather than endearing. But outside of these, there are still plenty of highlights across the record, and it is nowhere near as bad as people often make it out to be. Bookending the album are the fantastic ‘Bulldozer’ and ‘Supercharger’, both of which are full of energy, killer riffs and delightfully unhinged vocals from Robb Flynn, who sounds brimming with confidence and bravado. ‘Trephination’ has a genuine sense of danger to it that echoes some of the best moments from ‘Burn My Eyes’. And ‘Deafening Silence’ is a towering ballad that builds on the ‘The Burning Red’ and paves the way for the majestic ‘Descend The Shades Of Night’ which would follow a couple of years later. Sure, ‘Crashing Around You’ is 100% written as a radio hit - but it is one hell of a song. It remains Machine Head’s most ‘pop’ moment but still has enough bite to maintain their credibility. So, why did things bomb so much for Machine Head with ‘Supercharger’, when it has plenty of strong moments? Partly it was timing, with the record coming out in October 2001 when the whole world was in turmoil - and hence it received limited promotion. Partly, it upset many of the band’s core fans who were disppointed with the supposedly more polished, nu metal-influenced sound (which is only partly true). Whatever it was, it led to the band disappearing into the wilderness for a couple of years, to then return rejuvinated and invigorated with ‘Through The Ashes of Empires’. If you can get hold of the deluxe digipak edition of the record, there is a gem of a b-side in ‘Ten Fold’ and a rollicking cover of ‘Hole In The Sky’ by Black Sabbath. Standout tracks: ‘Only The Names’, ‘Trephination’, ‘Supercharger’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9fcd0119-222d-4337-9dbb-dc2261cef038/1200x1200bf-60.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 10. Hellalive (2003) There are loads of live Machine Head documents out there, including the ‘Elegies’ DVD and the bonus live DVD that accompanied the ‘Catharsis’ album. Of the two official audio albums (this one and ‘Machine F**king Head LIVE’), ‘Hellalive’ is arguably the better one. Sure, it came out a few years earlier, and therefore doesn’t have the might of ‘Imperium’, ‘Halo’, ‘Aesthetics of Hate’, ‘Locust’ or ‘I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)’. But what it DOES have is a shedload of prime early Machine Head cuts, including ‘None But My Own’ and ‘I’m Your God Now’ (from ‘Burn My Eyes’), interspersed with tracks from ‘Supercharger’ and ‘The Burning Red’ which sound utterly huge on the live stage. If anyone criticises Machine Head for jumping on the nu metal bandwagon on their 3rd and 4th records, this live record is proof that not one single person in that Brixton Academy crowd cared. ‘Crashing Around You’ (complete with an epic, eerie intro), ‘Bulldozer’, ‘Supercharger’ and ‘Nothing Left’ stand shoulder to shoulder with ‘Old’, ‘Take My Scars’ and ‘Davidian’. Even ‘American High’, arguably the cheesiest cut from ‘Supercharger’, sounds defiant and deserving of a place in the setlist. Mixed to perfection by Colin Richardson, ‘Hellalive’ is well worth your time. Standout tracks: ‘The Blood The Sweat The Tears’, ‘Crashing Around You’, ‘Davidian’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/484dd6fa-8895-4057-bb71-42b5b7d20794/91WEJxaCkjL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 9. Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014) ‘Bloodstone & Diamonds’ is arguably the Machine Head album that gets talked about the least. This is curious, because there are plenty of highlights, including the catchy rush of ‘Game Over’, the lush orchestrations of opener ‘Now We Die’ and the bruising single ‘Killers and Kings’. It may be somewhat bloated and could benefit from some editing / culling, but overall it is a solid listen. You could argue that the broader metal community had had enough of Machine Head after ‘The Blackening’ and ‘Unto The Locust’. Mainstream tastes were changing, embracing deathcore, metalcore, tech-death and symphonic metal, and the appetite wasnt as strong for Machine Head’s style in 2014. There was far less of a promotional push from the label, and the band also made a conscious choice to avoid the festival circuit, preferring instead to play their own shows without a support band. As such, ‘Bloodstone and Diamonds’ is the sound of Machine Head making a competent record for long-term fans, but doing little to gain new fans or bring anything particularly new to the table. There are some gems to discover. ‘Sail Into The Black’ is a deliciously dark, slow-burning track, and ‘Night of Long Knives’ is one of the most vicious-sounding songs in their history (especially given its subject matter). ‘Beneath The Silt’ sounds like it came from the ‘Supercharger’ sessions, albeit with a maturity from the band being 13 years older. If the more forgettable songs (‘Eyes of the Dead’, ‘In Comes The Flood’ and ‘Damage Inside’) had been culled, trimming the record from its unneccessary 70-minute running time, ‘Bloodstone and Diamonds’ could have made it higher on this list. Standout Tracks: ‘Night Of Long Knives’, ‘Now We Die’, ‘Sail Into The Black’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dceeb01d-1078-4784-ad09-2e009415751e/Machine-Head-UNATONED-Artwork.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 8. Unatoned (2025) Following all the ups and downs of Machine Head’s career (line-up changes, accusations of bandwagon-jumping blah blah blah), ‘Of Kingdom and Crown’ helped the band to plateau, appeasing fans and critics and showing that they are a known quantity that is here to stay. As such, both the expectations and fears for ‘Unatoned’ were relatively low, which is probably a good thing. Promotion of the album didn’t get off to the best start. First single ‘These Scars Won’t Define Us’ was a cheesefest. Second single ‘Unbound’ was better, but suggested a worrying reduction in vocal range from Robb Flynn, whose screams sounded weary and worn-out. Third single ‘Bonescraper’ recycled the melody from ‘No Gods, No Masters. And the ALL CAPITALS TYPEFACE was just annoying. It was a pleasant surprise, then, when the rest of the ‘Unatoned’ album turned out to be REALLY good. ‘Atomic Revelations’ is a fantastic opener, using the ‘Darkness Within’ vocal style in the chorus to excellent effect. ‘Outsider’ is a very well-crafted song, with echoes of ‘The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears’ in its energy. ‘Addicted To Pain’ and ‘Shards of Shattered Dreams’ have a wild, Slipknot-esque vibe. Robb’s singing voice is arguably the best it has ever sounded in ‘Not Long For This World’ and ‘Scorn’. With some subtle electronic flourishes augmenting the sound, courtesy of modern metal rent-a-soundmaker Jordan Fish, ‘Unatoned’ turned out to be much better than the early singles suggested it would. Standout tracks: ‘Outsider’, ‘Scorn’, ‘Atomic Revelations’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e59e716b-6828-46fa-9b34-0c9c69319aef/ab67616d0000b27386a9370a1ae77637f8d4ef95.jpeg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 7. Unto The Locust (2011) Following ‘The Blackening’ was never going to be an easy task. Their magnum 2007 opus put Machine Head up at the very top of the metal world, and suddenly it was cool to like them again after what many considered to be their sell-out years. Doubling down on their ‘epic’ side (i.e. occasionally padding out mediocre songs just for the sake of it), Machine Head produced 7 intricate, labyrinthian tracks for their next effort, ‘Unto The Locust’. At some points, they took things to the next level, such as the guitar wizardry and blast beats of ‘This Is The End’, the Enter Sandman-esque stadium rock of ‘Locust’, and the confessional, urgent acoustic strums of ‘Darkness Within’. At other times, there was a rehash of some of the ideas from ‘The Blackening’. ‘Be Still And Know’ is very reminiscent of ‘Beautiful Mourning’, for example; and ‘Pearls Before The Swine’ has echoes of both ‘Slanderous’ and ‘Wolves’. It was a bold choice to end with the children’s choir and pop-rock chord progression of ‘Who We Are’ - but unfortunately the novelty wears off quickly and it is unlikely this will be any Machine Head fan’s go-to album closer. All in all, ‘Unto The Locust’ was a worthy successor to ‘The Blackening’, but it is by no means perfect. Standout Tracks: ‘This Is The End’, ‘I Am Hell’, ‘Locust’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b51ef1d9-b863-4345-a579-4848040b7fc2/Machine-Head-Of-Kingdom-and-Crown-01.jpeg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 6. Of Kingdom And Crown (2022) Something had to change following the relative disappointment of ‘Catharsis’ and the departure of both Phil Demmell (guitar) and Dave McLean (drums), both of whom had formed such an important part of Machine Head’s sound (Phil from 2003’s ‘Through The Ashes of Empires’ and Dave from 2nd album ‘The More Things Change’). 2022 marked the rebirth of Machine Head, with the utterly ferocious, confident ‘Of Kingdom and Crown’. Bolstered by razor-sharp production, songs like ‘Choke on the Ashes of Your Hate’ and ‘Become The Firestorm’ took no prisoners, and presented the kind of rage that hadn’t been seen since the thrashier moments of ‘Burn My Eyes’. There were inventive, bold melodies in ‘Unhallowed’, ‘Arrows in Words From the Sky’ and ‘My Hands Are Empty’, with none of the cheese that the melodic moments on ‘Catharsis’ had; and the mid-tempo bruisers such as ‘Rotten’ and ‘Bloodshot’ were like being hit over the head with a sledgehammer. The only thing that lets ‘Of Kingdom and Crown’ down, aside from the strange use of CAPITAL LETTERS FOR EVERYTHING (which now, annoyingly, seems to be here to stay), is Robb Flynn’s insistence that it is a concept record. If you are drawn to concept records such as Mastodon’s ‘Crack The Skye’, then don’t get your hopes up. There is very little coherent narrative, and this record is only really different from Machine Head’s other albums through having some ambient pauses and muffled talking between a few tracks, which add little to the experience. It is perhaps best to listen to ‘Of Kingdom and Crown’ purely as a collection of great songs - and, as such, it is a very strong one. Standout Tracks: ‘Become The Firestorm’, ‘Unhallowed’, ‘Arrows in Words From The Sky’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1b97f1e9-fa33-4edc-91a4-725031f03bb1/81UTqJBd2KL.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 5. Through The Ashes Of Empires (2003) Much was made of ‘Through The Ashes of Empires’ being a return to form following what most people consider to be the disappointment of ‘Supercharger’, alongside the departure of Ahrue Luster on guitar, and Machine Head being dropped by their label. It certainly signified a shift back to more traditional metal, though with passing of time it wasn’t perhaps the seismic change that it was made out to be at the time. The rap elements certainly disappeared, but some of the groovy, nu-metal influences still permeated a few tracks (‘Wipe The Tears’, ‘Vim’, ‘Elegy’, 'In The Presence of My Enemies’ and ‘Bite The Bullet’, in particular) - and this isn’t a criticism at all. The sound was more expansive, with an overall increase in technical guitar work courtesy of new arrival Phil Demmell. ‘Through The Ashes of Empires’ is bookended by two of Machine Head’s best-ever tracks: the magnificent opener ‘Imperium’ and stunning closer ‘Descend The Shades of Night’. Nothing can touch the quality of those two songs, but the rest of the album is still solid and makes for a cohesive, enjoyable listen from start to finish. It is worth noting that ‘Seasons Wither’ wasn’t on the original tracklisting, and was added to the album around a year later when it was re-released for the US market. ‘Seasons Wither’ is an absolute rager, and more or less covers every aspect of Machine Head’s sound in one track: fast thrash, circle pit-inducing riffs, dual guitar leads, and a delicate, melodic mid-section. Standout Tracks: ‘Days Turn Blue To Grey’, ‘Imperium’, ‘Descend The Shades of Night’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8843026a-9b52-4d3b-bf7e-366a9927bad3/maxresdefault+%281%29.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 4. The Burning Red (1999) ‘The Burning Red’ has been criticised a lot over the years and is often lumped together with ‘Supercharger’ when people lament Machine Head’s foray into nu metal - but this is very unfair. Outside of the rapping in opener ‘Desire to Fire’, the gigantuan chorus and rap-metal elements in ‘From This Day’, and the divisive cover of The Police’s ‘Message in a Bottle’ (which is far better than most people would lead you to believe), ‘The Burning Red’ is a raging, snarling beast with tremendous emotional depth, bold melodies and just the right balance of catchiness, vulnerability and menace. In fact, from start to finish, ‘The Burning Red’ is arguably Machine Head’s most cohesive record. It flows brilliantly, through the Korn-esque ‘Nothing Left’, the almost danceable ‘The Blood The Sweat The Tears’, the melodic ‘Silver’ and the late-album run of the 3 heaviest songs: ‘Devil With the King’s Card’, ‘I Defy’ and ‘Five’, culminating in the emotional dredging of the title track. Machine Head had never written a ballad before, Albums 1 and 2 both had some quieter moments; but the track ‘The Burning Red’ was a bona-fide ballad in the vein of Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’. It was a surprising left-turn for a band that had already mastered what it was to be ‘heavy’ and were now chanelling this spirit into introspection and melodic songwriting. Moments like this mean that their 3rd record is FAR from the nu-metal sellout that the history books would have you believe. Standout tracks: ‘I Defy’, ‘Exhale The Vile’, ‘The Burning Red’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/02c3355e-eba5-4ca8-8872-924449c1fa3f/ac3eadf2ba0fc1277888cd546dbbc879.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 3. Burn My Eyes (1994) The one that started it all. Machine Head arrived so fully-formed with their debut record that it almost seemed unfair. Having built up a devoted following through their crushing live shows, and with experience from other established bands (most notably, Vio-lence), Machine Head knew exactly what they were doing when they released ‘Burn My Eyes’. Every song was meticulously crafted and produced to perfection, with a mix that will still sound just as potent in 2034 as it did in 1994. Introducing Machine Head to the world was the legendary ‘Davidian’, with its pummelling intro, empowering refrain of ‘Let freedom rain with a shotgun blast!” and glorious slowing-down outtro riffs. Just as good are the bouncy ‘Old’, the raging ‘Block’ and the Slayer-esque ‘Blood For Blood’. A few of the songs (‘None But My Own’, ‘I’m Your God Now’, ‘The Rage To Overcome’ and ‘A Nation On Fire’) have a similar structure, building from a quiet intro and ending with a burst of lightning-fast thrash. This is the only thing that lets ‘Burn My Eyes’ down, given how Machine Head have honed and refined their craft and ventured into creative new directions over the years since. A true classic - though, in 3rd place, still not the absolute pinnacle of the band. Standout tracks: ‘Blood For Blood’, ‘Block’, ‘Old’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5047cd9e-29fe-44b0-9739-fed7f7010e8e/machineheadtheblackening.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 2. The Blackening (2007) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/7ce79b09-8c93-47ab-804f-543f68b26f80/91k0MtATOEL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - 1. The More Things Change (1997) It may not have the variety of ‘The Burning Red’, the musicianship of ‘Unto The Locust’, the epic songwriting of ‘The Blackening’, the melodies of ‘Unatoned’ or the zeitgeist-changing impact of ‘Burn My Eyes’; but ‘The More Things Change’ is, in our opinion, the best Machine Head album. It achieves this status for its sheer power, its direct, straight-down-the-line focus, and its utter sense of dangerous rage, born on the streets of Oakland, California. For context, 1997 was a curious time for metal. Metallica had released the divisive ‘Load’, Slayer had gone off the boil, and there were rumblings of a more simplified, grooving style of heavy music that was soon to be called ‘nu metal’. Reflecting on ‘The More Things Change’ now, it actually feels, alongside Fear Factory and Pantera, like a forerunner for the low-tuned, 2-note riffage of Coal Chamber, Disturbed, Soulfly, Static X, Spineshank and - dare we say it - Limp Bizkit. Only, it also came with a grubby, deadly serious and street-smart aggression at its core. Turn this record up loud and it will shake your house to its core. ‘Ten Ton Hammer’ is one of the most perfect names for a Machine Head song, with riffs that are impossible not to bang your head to. ‘Take My Scars’ has some of Robb Flynn’s boldest vocal performances. ‘Struck a Nerve’ and ‘Bay of Pigs’ are angry thrash metal of the highest order. And the brooding, slow-burning ‘Violate’ and ‘Blood of the Zodiac’ may not be the most nuanced and dynamic, but they have an ominous heaviness in the vein of Neurosis - dirty and unpleasant. ‘The More Things Change’ isn’t the most fun album, but it is almost unmatchable in its sheer brute power. You can see where 00s and 10s metalcore got its heaviness from - and this record was more influential than you might think. Now, go and listen to ‘Spine’ and tell me it isn’t one of the most awesome slabs of 90s metal. Standout tracks: ‘Spine’, ‘Violate’, ‘Struck a Nerve’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6befc60-6bb2-456f-9324-6b7c084c114c/Slipknot_%28Logo%29.png Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8c85dab-9d6d-4727-9598-dfc43f5f9b82/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Machine Head: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/offspring monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/52d616bb-354a-4941-ad34-b6ab4fbad199/093s-l500.webp Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7d46c8-76a4-4722-bf47-ebe9aab1920e/Starset.png Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/401eaa25-b2e6-4096-a789-ffe341c9cd9c/ab67616d0000b273d840a57eba646ae5bd942310.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 12. Happy Hour! (2010) Less an album and more a cobbled-together compilation of odds and sods, ‘Happy Hour’ has some moments of brilliance but it is unlikely you will listen to the whole thing many times. 8 live songs, one excellent b-side, a re-recording of ‘Beheaded’ from the debut 1989 album, 5 covers and 4 extremely dodgy remixes - it has ‘contractual obligation’ all over it. The covers are ‘Sin Sity’ (AC/DC), ‘Autonomy’ (Ramones), ‘I Got A Right’ (Iggy & The Stooges), ‘80 Times’ (TSOL) and ‘Hey Joe’ (Jimi Hendrix"). All are proficient and worth a listen, and ‘Autonomy’ is the clear stand-out. Completists will be frustrated that the covers of ‘Smash It Up’ (The Damned), ‘Total Immortal’ (AFI) and ‘I Wanna Be Sedated’ (Ramones) aren’t included. A full-length compilation of all their covers would have been a much more fulfilling listen than ‘Happy Hour’ as it stands. ‘D.U.I.’, a b-side from the ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ sessions, is an often-overlooked gem and is actually one of the finest songs The Offspring produced in the mid-90s. It was used on the soundtrack for teen horror flick ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and the undeniable highlight of this patchy compilation. Standout Tracks: ‘D.U.I.’, ‘Autonomy’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5d9f5676-66cd-4203-9fcc-556e283a5646/ab67616d0000b273890ce61533a89e00ce593fcb.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 11. Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008) How ‘Rise and Fall…’ was so revered on its release in 2008 is beyond me, because it really isn’t very good at all. This record signalled the start of the ‘Bob Rock years’, and you can immediately hear the attempt to put a stadium rock sheen on The Offspring’s iconic punk rock sound, which succeeds only in blunting their usual sharpness. The production is over-compressed and lifeless, with drums that have no bite to them and are buried under extra guitars and keyboards (‘Trust in You’ is a great example) - which is a shame because some of the songs have the potential to be all-time classics. Lead single ‘Hammerhead’ has a killer riff and memorable chorus, but it is overly long and is stretched out unnecessarily. ‘You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid’ has become a live favourite over the years and is undeniably catchy, though it pales in comparison to what Dexter Holland and Noodles wrote so effortlessly during the 4-album stretech from ‘Smash’ through to ‘Conspiracy of One’. What is unforgiveable, though, is the uninspired second half of the record. ‘Nothingtown’ is ‘Want You Bad’ rewritten as a ploddy pop song, albeit with swing. ‘Fix You’ and ‘Kristy, Are You Doing OK?’ are tepid ballads. Worst of the lot is album closer ‘Rise and Fall’, which couldn’t be more obviously a copy of Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ if it tried - the song structure, chord progressions and riff are practically a note-for-note theft. And the cover art? It looks like it was produced in 5 minutes in Microsoft Publisher. Standout Tracks: ‘Half-Truism’, ‘Hammerhead’. ‘Trust in You’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c33afc56-c5a5-436d-a33a-fafced52cc11/ab67616d0000b27329bd7a27cebf08f4ea8d6aa0.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 10. The Offspring (1989) Decidedly rawer and less ‘pop’ than The Offspring became over the years, the debut self-titled record has a certain charm even if sounds somewhat dated now. With influences from early Bad Religion, The Dead Kennedys and The Damned, much of album is comprised of gritty social commentary that is a whole world away from ‘Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)’. Even the opening lyrics are brutal: “Jennifer lost the war today, they found her burned and raped. Through it all she must have wondered What have I done.” There is a dark sense of humour that pops up occasionally, such as the horror-inspired ‘Beheaded’, but the majority of ‘The Offspring’ is serious in tone. Musically, it sows the seeds of what they would develop further on 1992’s ‘Ignition’, especially in the highlights such as ‘Elders’ and the late-abum cuts ‘A Thousand Days’ and ‘I’ll Be Waiting’. It has been remastered and re-released a few times (sadly, losing the controversial but fun ‘Kill The President’ in the process), but no amount of remastering can change the fact that this is a raw, low-budget, primitive recording from when The Offspring were still establishing their identity, having formed as a hardcore band ‘Manic Subsidal’ in 1984 and renamed themselves as The Offspring in 1986. Standout Tracks: ‘Jennifer Lost The War’, ‘Elders’, ‘I’ll Be Waiting’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/3767b0dc-edb1-4025-9e9c-12bfb371df2f/ab67616d0000b273db6c4300600daf0cd6202b6f.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 9. Splinter (2003) The bubble was bound to burst at some point. The 5 albums that preceded ‘Splinter’ (‘Ignition’, ‘Smash’, ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’, ‘Americana’ and ‘Conspiracy of One’) had hardly any skippable tracks, such was the consistently brilliant songwriting partnership of Noodles and Dexter Holland. ‘Splinter’ isn’t a bad record, but it is very patchy - and unfortunately this patchiness has plagued every album since, to a certain extent. When it is good, it is extremely good. ‘The Noose’, ‘Long Way Home’, ‘Lightning Rod’, ‘Can’t Get My Head Around You’, ‘Never Gonna Find Me’ and ‘Race Against Myself’ are all superb, with fierce riffs that, on occasion, seem to have been influenced by Linkin Park who were arguably the biggest rock band on the planet at that point. However, the bad tracks are absolute stinkers. ‘The Worst Hangover Ever’ and ‘Spare Me The Details’ are cringy, both lyrically and musically. Album closer ‘When You’re in Prison’ was probably funny in the studio, but should have stayed there. Lead single ‘Hit That’ has a keyboard riff that you will either find quirky and interesting or deeply, deeply annoying. So, in reality, 6 songs are very strong, 2 (‘Hit That’ and ‘Da Hui’) are tolerable, and the rest are either skippable or actually offensive to the ears. Given that ‘Splinter’ is only 32 minutes long and took over 4 years to produce, fans justifiably felt short-changed by this one. Standout Tracks: ‘Lightning Rod’, ‘Long Way Home’, ‘The Noose’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fdb6bd98-e463-4895-a0c9-f1e50a493db5/ab67616d0000b2737c8a923e9407a36ed6ce01bc.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 8. Let The Bad Times Roll (2021) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0fb72ba4-452c-4acc-bde3-15552b7ddd94/ab67616d0000b2734b44a3bf666de660a08f3b8d.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 7. Days Go By (2012) If you are reading this ranking in order from worst to best, you may have noticed a pattern forming. ‘Splinter’, ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’, ‘Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace’, and now ‘Days Go By’. The pattern is that, ever since the stellar ‘Conspiracy of One’, The Offspring have struggled to produce records that are cohesive, and consistently strong from start to finish. ‘Days Go By’ has, for the most part, aged fairly well. Much was made at the time of how similar the title track was to ‘Times Like These’ by Foo Fighters. Yes, they are extremely similar in places, but ‘Days Go By’ is still an undeniably good song, with poignant lyrics and a whimsical chorus. The record starts and finishes very srongly. ‘The Future Is Now’ is an urgent call to arms, followed by the mid-paced ‘Secrets From The Underground’. ‘Turning Into You’ and ‘Hurting As One’ are both superb - serious in tone, with the latter echoing ‘Something To Believe In’ from 1994’s ‘Smash’. We are also treated to a brilliant re-recording of ‘Ignition’ highlight ‘Dirty Magic’; and the album ends with ‘Dividing By Zero’ and the excellently-titled ‘Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing And Rides The Bomb To Hell’ which are easily some of the greatest Offspring moments of all time. What really lets ‘Days Go By’ down is the choice to include the truly horrific ‘Cruising California (Bumping In My Trunk)’ (arrrrggghhhhh my ears!), the embarrassing ‘OC Guns’ (which sounds like Fred Durst fronting The Bloodhound Gang after listening to mariachi music and bad hip hop) and the forgettable cheese-fest of ‘I Want A Secret Family With You’. Replace these 3, and you would have a Top 5 Offspring album. Unfortunately, with these audible turds killing the mid-album momentum, ‘Days Go By’ is too inconsistent. Standout tracks: ‘Dividing By Zero / Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing And Rides The Bomb To Hell’, ‘Hurting As One’, ‘Turning Into You’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ec4fb96f-6256-4a53-85f6-7d6d820c4bb7/ab67616d0000b27322d8ae3c8b5b1802ef1febf6.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 6. Supercharged (2024) With 9 years between ‘Days Go By’ and ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’, the 3-year wait for ‘Supercharged’ was the blink of an eye in comparison. Production-wise, it shares a clear, punchy sound with ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’, albeit a bit lacking in bass, and the generally energetic sound is a good match for the album title, which was something of a statement of intent. In keeping with the trend of all of the post-’Conspiracy’ albums, there are some weaker tracks (‘Ok, But This Is The Last Time’, ‘Get Some’ and ‘Looking Out For #1’), though the low points on this record are significantly better than the low points on ‘Splinter’, ‘Rise And Fall’, ‘Days Go By’ and ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’. Lead single ‘Make It All Right’ is one of the most commercial pop songs that The Offspring have ever produced. It does improve with every listen, but it was a curious choice for the first single because surely by this point the band is playing more to its existing fans than trying to generate lots of new ones. The excellent ‘Hanging By A Thread’ or ‘The Fall Guy’ would have been a more inspired, inventive choice for lead single. When it is good, ‘Supercharged’ is absolutely top-drawer. ‘Truth In Fiction’ may be a total Bad Religion rip-off, but it is stunning - and the other fast tracks such as ‘Light It Up’ and ‘Come To Brazil’ aren’t far behind. Thankfully there is nothing as naff as the piano remake of ‘Gone Away’ from the previous record, and it is only really the closer ‘You Can Get There From Here’ that is more ballad-like - and even this track has a decent sense of dynamics. Perhaps the most fitting description for ‘Supercharged’ is “Much better than expected”. The quality of songwriting remains high, the energy levels match those from 30 years before, and Dexter’s high vocals are the best he has sounded in a decade. Standout tracks: ‘Truth in Fiction’, ‘Light it Up’, ‘Hanging By A Thread’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/09926c02-6ecc-4c39-9683-37028da8ad67/ab67616d0000b2735cc81db56fdfe77790354028.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 5. Ignition (1992) Rumour has it that Noodles once gave a copy of ‘Ignition’ to Kurt Cobain following a Nirvana show in 1992. If Kurt did ever get round to listening to it, you could imagine that he would have approved, given that ‘Ignition’ has the kind of raw, unpolished yet accessible sound that Nirvana themselves pursued on their debut album ‘Bleach’. ‘Ignition’ was recorded on a shoestring budget, but by this point in their careers The Offspring had been playing together for over 7 years and were technically competent, with a knack for writing tunes that were not only fast and furious but were also memorable. Hence, ‘Kick Him When He’s Down’ has a stomping groove and killer chorus (which they developed further for 'Gotta Get Away’ on 1994’s ‘Smash'), ‘Burn It Up’ sounds as dangerous as its subject matter, and ‘We Are One’ is an anthemic call to arms. The chord progressions of ‘Take It Like A Man’ added a Middle Eastern flavour too, which has emerged at other times over the last few years (including hit single ‘Come Out And Play’) This melodic adventurousness is perhaps what differentiates The Offspring from the 3-chord simplicity of Green Day; and the gang vocals of ‘Get It Right’ were clearly an inspiration to AFI. ‘Ignition’ sounds very dated when compared to the studio polish of more recent albums, but it remains a fantastic DIY punk rock record. Standout tracks: ‘Kick Him When He’s Down’, ‘Burn It Up’, ‘Forever and a Day’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/45e16a44-6230-44ad-b8a0-8b896f27329b/ab67616d0000b273cbd2ee7dff77bfb2b5f0af52.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 4. Americana (1998) AKA The one with ‘Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)’, ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’, ‘She’s Got Issues’ and ‘Why Don’t You Get A Job’. ‘Americana’ is the equivalent of Feeder’s ‘Echo Park’, in that it contains some of their biggest singles and has an extremely polished, commercial sheen - and yet, beyond the singles, there are some deep cuts that are fascinating and surprisingly emotive. Opening with the one-two of ‘Have You Ever’ and ‘Starting At The Sun’, there was a new-found clarity and sheen to The Offspring’s sound, which fitted well with the bright, colourful cartoon of the album art. And, like the album art, the songs were bright and upbeat on the surface - but there was a darkness (especially lyrically) that added a dimension of danger, picking at the scabs of modern-day America. “I am a product of my environment, so don’t blame me. I just work here” (taken from the title track) - what a line! ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’ highlights mental health and addiction issues in young people (sadly, even more relevant now than in 1998). ‘The End Of The Line’ is a rage against grief after losing someone. Monents like this are interspersed with the ‘novelty’ songs, which can make for a confusing yet varied listen. The only real issue is Dexter’s voice, which sometimes fits perfectly, but sometimes struggles with staying in tune (‘Have You Ever’) and hitting the high notes (‘She’s Got Issues’). An important album in The Offspring’s history, but not their best. Standout tracks: ‘Staring At The Sun’, ‘No Brakes’, ‘Americana’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b44aa94-dd9b-46ca-aae6-56e5cbbb4b7c/610mb73YjmL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 3. Conspiracy of One (2000) After the huge success of ‘Americana’, everyone knew The Offspring. For some, they were purveyors of novelty hits, and for long-time fans they were still known for the fast-paced, Bad Religion-meets-The Damned bursts of adrenaline and singalong choruses. Striking while the iron was very hot, ‘Conspiracy of One’ had some of the same hallmarks of ‘Americana’ but was arguably more self-assured and less commercially-focused. Beyond the mis-step of ‘Original Prankster’, which tried too hard to echo ‘Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)’ (even through featuring the same actor in the video), ‘Conspiracy Of One’ is a fierce, fearless and powerful record that took everything that was good about ‘Americana’ and amplified it further. If you like your Offspring songs to be fast and furious, you are spoilt with ‘Come Out Swinging’, ‘Dammit I Changed Again’, ‘All Along’, ‘One Fine Day’, ‘Conspiracy of One’ and the bonus track ‘Huck It’, all of which are superb. For mid-paced rock anthems, look no further than the excellent ‘Vultures’ and ‘Denial, Revisited’, both of which are essentially power ballads played through an Offspring filter. ‘Million Miles Away’ is another highlight too, covering similar ground to the previous record’s ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’. In fact, it is only really ‘Special Delivery’ that really lets the record down, with cheesy lyrics and a cringy sample of the ‘Hooga Chaka” intro from ‘Hooked On A Feeling’. Remove this track, and ‘Original Prankster’, and ‘Conspiracy of One’ is close to pop punk perfection. Standout Tracks: ‘One Fine Day’, ‘Conspiracy of One’, ‘Come Out Swinging’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/52cf2a4c-90f3-4c3e-b226-27267257e335/ab67616d0000b2730158cbde70672dd821972907.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 2. Smash (1994) “Ahhhhh. It’s time to relax, and you know what that means”. Few albums are genuinely deserving of being called a ‘classic’ - and ‘Smash’ is one of these rare view. From the iconic cover art to the distinctive sound; from the ‘La La La’s in the opening of ‘Self Esteem’ to the “You gotta keep ‘em separated” of ‘Come Out And Play'; from the random vocal interludes to the did-they-really-sing-that “You stupid dogsh*t goddamn motherf**ker” in ‘Bad Habit’ - ‘Smash’ has it all. This was the kind of record you would have had on tape in 1994 and played so much that the tape got chewed up. Between this and Green Day’s ‘Dookie’, 1994 was one hell of a year for punk rock that had enough pop to be catchy but enough bite to be cool. This was the album that made The Offspring international megastars. To date it has sold over 11 MILLION copies - a significant step up from the 50,000 sales of previous album ‘Ignition’. It helped to establish Epitaph recrods as a legitimate record label (leading to Brett Gurewitz leaving Bad Religion to lead the label full-time), and appealed to old-school punk fans, lovers of the 1994 pop punk explosion, and everyone looking to fill the void left following the untimely departure of Kurt Cobain that brought Nirvana to an impromptu end. Standout tracks: ‘Gotta Get Away’, ‘Self Esteem’, ‘Bad Habit’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9a82c7f1-b930-4a61-9d46-0214c871a9e9/%24_57.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - 1. Ixnay on the Hombre (1997) ‘Smash’ is the one that gets all the focus, but in our opinion ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ is, on balance, the best Offspring album. The sound is perfect - more polished than ‘Ignition’ and ‘Smash’ but not as clean as the commercially-focused ‘Americana’; and the record is really well-balanced, with plenty of the fast-paced Offspring sound but also a good amount of variety. Lead single ‘All I Want’ is the opening song on our Spotify playlist for very good reason. It is lean, short, sharp and laden with massive hooks, right from the opening “Ya ya ya ya ya”. Similarly-paced, we have the cautionary tale of ‘Way Down The Line’, massive opener ‘Meaning Of Life’ and ascerbic ‘Cool to Hate’. Outside of the faster tracks, The Offspring really expanded their repertoire on ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’. ‘I Choose’ and ‘Me and My Old Lady’ are funky and danceable. ‘Don’t Pick It Up’ is this album’s novelty song, and is genuinely fun without becoming cringey like the more recent attempts at jokes (‘When You’re In Prison’, ‘Spare Me The Details’, Cruising California’ etc). The best moments on ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ are arguably the slower tracks, namely the gut-wrenchingly emotional ‘Gone Away’ (the ideal mix of beautiful songwriting and muscular riffs) and the impressive ‘Amazed’ which sounds like the greatest song Bush never wrote. You won’t find as many singles here. ‘Come Out And Play’, ‘Self Esteem', ‘Pretty Fly’, ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’, ‘You’re Gonna Go Far Kid’ etc - these may be the best individual songs. But as an album, from top to bottom, ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ is an often-overlooked masterpiece. Standout tracks: ‘All I Want’, ‘Mota’, ‘Amazed’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7831648-01ed-4343-9ec7-38cd5a37384a/presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-5040a67157816.png Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5e9729e0-8062-4339-b0f6-dba28ed2a933/the-mars-volta-logo-1244A4CDD9-seeklogo.com.png Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62e01939-a3be-4773-b19d-5aba16e679b0/linkin-park-logo-graphic-v6nd3k68esiph53v.png Albums Ranked - The Offspring: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/idlewild monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fc08909f-5211-41f3-8942-dc685c249e20/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6e45b089-1e41-43c9-9d6c-0ec6d3eb8dbf/71y5rESLYtL.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 12. Everything Ever Written (2015) There are some moments on ‘Everything Ever Written’ that have a beautiful warmth to them - particularly the majestic ‘Every Little Means Trust’ and delicate piano-led closer ‘Utopia’. Unfortunately, there are too many tracks that make little, if any mark. Idlewild in 2015 seemed more concerned with texture and harmony than producing memorable songs - a trend they continued in 2019 (albeit more effectively) with ‘Interview Music’. It means we given an abundance of lush instrumentation (‘All Things Different’, for example), but you would struggle to remember many of the songs, even after multiple plays. ‘Everything Ever Written’ also led Idlewild to lean into extended, free-form jams, away from the pressures and confines of having a hit single. While it is commendable for them to express themselves as artists, it makes for a tedious listening experience at times, such as on the 7-minute ‘Use It If You Can Use It’ which would have still been dull at half its length. If you like the poetic folk side of Roddy Woomble’s solo work, then there may be moments on ‘Everything Ever Written’ that provide a warm comfort - but this is ultimately Idlewild’s most skippable album. They developed the ideas better on the follow-up, ‘Interview Music’. Standout tracks: ‘Nothing I Can Do About It’, ‘Every Little Means Trust’, ‘Come on Ghost’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/eeed1f5c-98eb-4df9-8174-dd116afc7343/81LYXn6yyXL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 11. Interview Music (2019) Idlewild’s 8th (and potentially last) record was a long time coming - partly due to Roddy Woomble’s solo career gathering pace, partly due to some further line-up changes, and partly because the band were no longer being put under the commercal pressures that had crept in during the 'Remote Part’ era of the early 00s. As such, ‘Interview Music’ is the sound of glorious experimentation and abandon. There is a brief moment in the chorus of ‘Same Things Twice’ - a tiny crack in Roddy Woomble’s voice when he pushes the line “Rip it up” into a yelp - that immediately harks back to the glories of Idlewild’s noisy early years. It is a brilliant, brief moment. Sadly, it is short-lived, and limited to one line. But it is enough to show that Idlewild still had some affection in 2019 for their scrappy, Sonic Youth-inspired past. Much of ‘Interview Music’ is based around free-form ideas, and it is arguably less song-based and more about having fun being creative as a band in the studio - represented well by the cover image of paint being flung around. As such, it can be an enjoyable listen if you immerse yourself in the experience and appreciate the album for what it is. On the flipside, if you aren’t in the mood then ‘Interview Music’ can - with the exception of ‘Same Things Twice’, which sticks out a mile, and the catchy ‘All These Words’ - be quite a slog. Standout Tracks: ‘Same Things Twice’, ‘All These Words’, ‘There’s A Place For Everything’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/675c133e-b52d-4d23-95f2-b08bb7307c2a/ab67616d0000b27388166620ba5a9064b390ead9.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 10. Warnings / Promises (2005) ‘The Remote Part’ had elevated Idlewild beyond cult status, and suddenly their singles were everywhere - radio, Top of the Pops and countless adverts and TV sports shows. Following extensive (and exhausting) touring, during which they had their first line-up change after Bob Fairfoull resigned from his role as bassist, Idlewild regrouped and returned with the elegant ‘Warnings/Promises’. Roddy Woomble has been quoted saying that ‘Warnings/Promises’ is the best Idlewild album - but from an outsider’s perspective it is hard to put this record above the first 3. Not only are a few of the songs poor imitations of others (‘I Understand It’ pales in comparison to ‘Live In A Hiding Place’, for example), but the production is frustratingly flat and impenetrable at times, with lifeless drums buried beneath multi-layered guitars, especially on the louder moments such as the opening of ‘Love Steals Us From Loneliness’ and the ear-piercing squeal of ‘I Want a Warning’. The more enjoyable moments on ‘Warnings/Promises’ tend to be the slower, quieter tracks such as ‘Disconnected’, ‘Not Just Sometimes But Always’ and ‘Welcome Home’, which tallies with the narrative that Idlewild themselves (or some of the band, at least) were growing tired of the raucous sound of their early records and were more interested in pursuing a folk-rock direction. That said, there is an undeniable quality in the two standouts, ‘El Capitan’ and ‘Love Steals Us From Loneliness’. Brickwalled sound aside, these are timeless songs. Standout Tracks: ‘Love Steals Us From Loneliness’, ‘El Capitan’, ‘As If I Hadn’t Slept’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/95e27eda-6960-403f-b21a-17b063d4ee8a/815IzBdQkLL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 9. Post Electric Blues (2009) Not only were Idlewild in a strange place themselves in 2008/9, being without a label, but the music industry as a whole was doing its best to simply survive. File sharing had meant that CD sales were plummetting. Streaming wasn’t fully established yet. MySpace was confusing. And generally, rock music - both in the UK and USA - was in something of a wilderness period. Idlewild jumped on the crowd-funding trend that was starting to help mid-level bands to keep going. Gathering contributions from their committed fanbase, Idlewild self-recorded ‘Post Electric Blues’, a polished, American-influenced album that took few risks but maintained a high quality of songwriting. In many ways, it was a more well-rounded record than its patchy predecessor ‘Make Another World’, even if it does play it somewhat safe. Now a 5-piece, and with only 3 of the original members, Idlewild sounded very different in 2009 to 1999. Roddy Woomble’s voice was smoother, the instrumentation was cleaner and more proficient, and the folk influences were more pronounced. ‘Post Electric Blues’ has been largely forgotten by many, but there is still treasure to discover here - especially the beautiful harmonies of ‘The Night Will Bring You Back To Life’ and the euphoric chorus of opener ‘Younger Than America’. Standout Tracks: ‘Younger Than America’, ‘Take Me Back To The Islands’, ‘The Night Will Bring You Back To Life’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6d46a33c-3d8e-491f-824f-c385399ea4ab/R-808141-1168206042.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 8. Captain EP (1997) ‘Captain’ was where it all began. 4 unkempt, malnourished university students from Glasgow, Scotland, recording 6 noisy, abrasive tracks in a matter of hours. Who needs different lyrics for the second verse, when you can just repeat the first verse again? Who needs varied orchestration when you have a distortion pedal? Who needs to play their instruments well, or in tune? This is the charm of ‘Captain’ - and indeed anything and everything that Idlewild created in their early years (all the b-sides from this era are amazing too, most of which you can find in the ‘A Distant History’ compilation). It was wild, in your face, memorable, and utterly, utterly brilliant. Standout tracks: ‘Self Healer’, ‘Captain’, ‘Satan Polaroid’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c3a3cfa7-d7e0-4d8d-bb86-931958824482/R-3481385-1332096747.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 7. A Distant History: Rarities 1997-2007 (2007) Idlewild were incredibly prolific in the late 90s and early 00s, producing album-quality b-sides to accompany their multitude of singles. They compiled 10 years of b-sides in 2007 in this excellent collection, ‘A Distant History’, which came out as a companion to the best-of album ‘Scottish Fiction. It isn’t an exhaustive anthology of b-sides - there are lots of songs that didn’t make the tracklisting, including the nonsensical (yet legendary) ‘Mince Showercap’ trilogy and some of the incredible b-sides from the ‘100 Broken Windows’ sessions (which you can find on Disc 2 of that album’s reissue). As an album, it doesn’t flow particularly well - and it would benefit from a change in track order and replacing some less essential tracks (such as the live version of ‘You Don’t Have The Heart’) with better rarities from Idlewild’s masterful catalogue (‘Faster’, in particular, and the piano version of ‘Chandelier’). But even with its flaws, ‘A Distant History’ still makes for a great listen. The record opens with the raucous ‘Queen of the Troubled Teens’, Idlewild’s debut single that predated the ‘Captain’ EP. What an intro! ‘Queen of the Troubled Teens’ is a perfect example of Idlewild’s messy, noisy beginnings, but still based around catchy hooks. The standout is ‘Poor Thing’, which had all the potential of being a hit single during the era between ‘100 Broken Windows’ and ‘The Remote Part’. Slow, majestic and euphoric - it would be worthy of a greatest hits compilation. Standout Tracks: ‘Queen of the Troubled Teens’, ‘Poor Thing’, ‘This is Worse’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d0a44087-8e52-48cc-8027-60d5e777ca64/61ez5tGJ8vL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 6. Make Another World (2007) ‘Warnings / Promises’ hadn’t yielded the commercial success that the label may have hoped for, which signalled the start of a new period for Idlewild - one of insecurity and reduced budgets, but also of new creative opportunity. As such, ‘Make Another World’ felt like something of a retreat to Idlewild’s noisier, rockier past. Instrumentally, 'Make Another World’ had more urgency than the previous couple of records, especially in tracks such as ‘In Competition For The Worst Time’, ‘Everything As It Moves’, ‘If It Takes You Home’ and the excellent ‘Ghost In The Arcade’. The folk influences from ‘Warnings / Promises’ were largely absent, and there seemed to be far more authenticity within the heavier sound. Roddy Woomble’s vocals were considerably more restrained than in Idlewild’s early years (‘Once In Your Life’ is a great example), but his warm tone works well here. ‘Make Another World’ is somewhat one-dimensional, but it played an important part in ensuring the Idlewild’s career would be long-lasting, and it has held up surprisingly well over the years. Standout tracks: ‘Ghost In The Arcade’, ‘No Emotion’, ‘If It Takes You Home’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d6feb2e1-0bd3-49c9-8fdc-9a5e70b18e30/IW25-lores-936x936.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 5. Idlewild (2025) Eschewing the longer-form experimentation and wider range of instruments that were used in ‘Interview Music’ and ‘Everything Ever Written’, ‘Idlewild’ has a back-to-basics vibe, bringing to mind the era between ‘The Remote Part’, ‘Warnings / Promises’ and ‘Make Another World’. Most songs sounds like they could be a single, and there are tracks here (including ‘Like I Had Before’ and ‘The Mirror Still’) that have effortlessly brilliant melodies that stand up against Idlewild’s most classic tracks. The production is stunning, leaving room for every instrument, though fans hoping for a return to the noisier clatter of ‘100 Broken Windows’ won’t find that here. There is more of an early REM, Echo & The Bunnymen and mid-period Supergrass sound to most of the record, keeping an up-tempo momentum through most songs but leaving the instrumentation sparse. ‘(I Can’t Help) Back Then You Found Me’ combines the poetic brilliance of Roddy Woomble’s solo ventures with a dreamy, yet propulsive soundscape. ‘Writers of the Present Time’ matches anything on ‘The Remote Part’ and is a future classic, evoking The Cure both sonically and in feel. Best of the bunch is opener, and lead single, ‘Stay Out Of Place’ which gets better with every listen, with a spine-tingling refrain of “I’m glad that we stayed here for a while. We were here for a while“, that single-handedly encapsulates the modest but poignant majesty of Roddy’s lyrical career. The world is a better place with Idlewild in it, and this 2025 self-titled album gets better and better with repeated listens. Standout Tracks: ‘Stay Out Of Place’, ‘(I Can’t Help) Back Then You Found Me’, ‘Writers of the Present Time’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/07263583-c765-4708-9427-9ca550097c72/ab67616d0000b273c90b5f2468094e256fb38fab+%281%29.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 4. My Secret Is My Silence (2006) Whilst it is a Roddy Woomble solo album and not an official Idlewild release, ‘My Secret Is My Silence’ is included in this ranking for three reasons: 1) It was co-written by Roddy and Rod, the 2 principle songwriters from Idlewild - and some of the tunes (e.g. ‘Under My Breath’ and ‘As Still As I Watch Your Grave’ were originally penned for a full band release). 2) It followed straight on from ‘Warnings / Promises’ and continues in a similar songwriting vein, leaning in to the traditional sounds of the Scottish Highlands. 3) It is OUTSTANDING. ‘My Secret Is My Silence’ is absolutely worthy of a spot in this list, featuring some of the very best songs of Roddy Woomble’s illustrious career. He has since released a string of other solo record, but this one (his debut) is Idlewild in all but name. Starting with the gorgeous harmonies of ‘I Came In From The Mountain’, this album is the equivalent of a warm cup of tea while sat on a windy Scottish hill in Autumn. With contemplative lyrics that celebrate the surrounding landscape, life-affirming choruses (‘Act IV’ and ‘Waverley Steps’ in particular), and even a bouncy jig (‘Whiskyface’), ‘My Secret Is My Silence’ is a treat. Standout Tracks: ‘As Still As I Watch Your Grave’, ‘Waverley Steps’, ‘I Came In From The Mountain’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/25e64d82-cd91-44e1-b0df-8d9986370e72/ab67616d0000b2733853f20c8186a433e5e26252.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 3. Hope is Important (1998) Hot on the heels of the ‘Captain’ EP which had made them the hottest British band on Steve Lamacq’s Radio 1 Evening Session, Idlewild’s debut full-length record ‘Hope Is Important’ was scrappy, noisy and deceptively ambitious. Idlewild’s live shows were notorious for being chaotic and raucous, and they regularly blew other bands (such as Ash) off stage. ‘Hope Is Important’ does a good job of capturing this energy, with just enough polish to make songs like ‘Paint Nothing’, ‘A Film For The Future’ and ‘I’m A Message’ radio-worthy. Most of the tracks are fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled bursts of life-affirming rock, such as the fantastic ‘Everyone Says That You’re So Fragile’, broken up by a couple of slower numbers such as ‘I’m Happy To Be Here Tonight’ which hinted at Idlewild’s future leanings. The scrappy punk of ‘You’ve Lost Your Way’, ‘4 People Do Good’ and ‘You Don’t Have The Heart’ haven’t aged particularly well, but they retain a certain charm. It is unlikely they will ever be played live again, given that they rely on Roddy Woomble’s voice being more of the howl / bark which he abandoned in the early 00s. But if you were a teenager in the late 90s, and you jumped around in the sweaty Idlewild moshpit like a lunatic, ‘Hope Is Important’ is a glorious time capsule. Roddy Woomble’s lyrics have become increasingly poetic and colourful throughout Idlewild’s lifetime and his own brilliant solo career - but is there a better couplet in early Idlewild than “And when I argue Sid Barrett makes me laugh. I laugh at your conversational skills…or lack of” (‘When I Argue I See Shapes’)? Standout tracks: ‘When I Argue I See Shapes’, ‘Close The Door’, ‘I’m A Message’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5652c96e-e422-48ef-a3a8-f613d903018e/ab67616d0000b2738b094ce3ec6389c875ab4972.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 2. 100 Broken Windows (2000) It wouldn’t be unfair to view ‘100 Broken Windows’ as the album where Idlewild took all the best bits of ‘Hope Is Important’ and improved them further, but only after listening to REM’s entire back catalogue first. Only two lines into the album, when you hear Roddy Woomble sing the word “History” it is immediately obvious that he had taken some vocal inspiration from Michael Stipe. Suddenly, the gravelly and yelpy vocal stylings of ‘Captain’ and ‘Hope Is Important’ were replaced with confident, harmonious singing with a slightly Americanised twang, over the top of punchy songs that would have been worthy of Kurt Cobain. And wow, did it work! For many, ‘100 Broken Windows’ is the standout Idlewild record. In our opinion, it is bettered by ‘The Remote Part’s orchestration and broader sonic palette - but ‘100 Broken Windows’ is still stellar. ‘Little Discourage’, ‘Roseability’, ‘These Wooden Ideas’, ‘I Don’t Have The Map’… all of them are magnificent. ‘Rusty’, ‘Listen To What You’ve Got’ and ‘Quiet Crown’ are skippable, and could have been replaced by b-sides such as ‘There’s Glory In Your Story’ and ‘Broken Windows’ (both of which are featured on the excellent second disc that accompanied the special edition that came out in 2010). With some minor tweaks, ‘100 Broken Windows’ would be as close to perfect as British post-grunge gets. Standout Tracks: ‘Let Me Sleep (Next To The Mirror)’, ‘Little Discourage’, ‘Actually It’s Darkness’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9f590751-b9f6-4b77-bbf4-77e3d1c64e96/ab67616d0000b273b99af0e2c372ff524c92db5c.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - 1) The Remote Part (2002) Kicking off with the violin-drenched rush of ‘You Held The World In Your Arms’, and ending with the poetic euphoria of the title track, ‘The Remote Part’ is an absolute masterclass in how to craft a timeless album. The tracklisting is perfect, showcasing a more muscular and confident version of Idlewild’s heavier side (‘A Modern Way of Letting Go’ and ‘I Am What I Am Not’), alongside stunning ballads such as ‘American English’, ‘I Never Wanted’ and ‘Live in a Hiding Place’. ‘American English’ was a breakout single, and a showcase of Roddy Woomble’s increasingly confident singing voice. What truly sets ‘The Remote Part’ in first place is the fact that there are zero skips. Where each of the other Idlewild records has one or two weaker songs, everything on ‘The Remote Part’ has its place. Even the less immediate numbers such as ‘Century After Century’ and ‘Tell Me Ten Words’ could have been hits if they had been released by Elbow, Snow Patrol, Feeder or Stereophonics. Emotional, powerful, reflective, energetic, fun, contemplative - this album has it all. Standout tracks: ‘(I Am) What I Am Not’, ‘American English’, ‘Out Of Routine’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Idlewild: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/feeder monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fc08909f-5211-41f3-8942-dc685c249e20/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/68668fd0-e9c2-4a51-857b-1c468bd6cf14/Silent+Cry.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 14. Silent Cry (2008) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/302c83d2-f90c-4f74-a8f0-6fe1ea635c06/Renegades.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 13. Renegades (2010) Following the lukewarm reception to Silent Cry, it seemed that Feeder’s momentum had stalled in the late 00s. Maybe they felt the same way, because when Renegades was released it was initially promoted as a ‘new’ band, not Feeder. Perhaps one catalyst was moving away from The Echo Label for the first time, alongside Mark Richardson’s departure (drum duties were shared between Karl Brazil and Tim Trotter). By originally calling the new band ‘Renegades’, this was an indication that they no longer wanted to play the hits live. Whatever the underlying motivations for the shift, they certainly came back with a vengeance, and a renewed energy. ‘White Lines’, ‘Sentimental’ and ‘Call Out’ all built on the urgency from ‘Who’s the Enemy’, with massive riffs, big guitars and next to none of the balladry that had taken up a large chunk of ‘Pushing the Senses’ and ‘Comfort in Sound’. Feeder sounded dangerous again, and their preference for playing smaller venues meant they were able to re-engage with a lot of their core fanbase who may have become disillusioned through the ‘stadium years’ of 2002 - 2005. While it was a surprising and refreshingly unhinged collection, ‘Renegades’ can feel a little one-dimensional - and it is curious that the standout song, ‘Down to the River’, is actually the album’s lightest moment. Standout tracks: ‘Down to the River’, ‘Home’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6a2090df-4f77-4165-bd7e-de56202bcf58/Pushing+the+Senses.jpeg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 12. Pushing The Senses (2005) Everyone was rooting for Feeder in the early 2000s. It took guts and determination to work through a loss as tragic as the suicide of Jon Lee (not only an incredible drummer, but an all-round nice guy who brought so much charm to Feeder’s early performances), and to create an album as poignant and timeless as ‘Comfort in Sound’. This show of resilience, coupled with song after song after song of such high quality, meant that Feeder’s early fans were proud of them, and newer fans had something that offered more emotional heft than any rock music coming across the Atlantic (with the possible exception of Jimmy Eat World). So, we were all excited to hear about the Comfort in Sound follow-up, ‘Pushing the Senses’. Unfortunately, someone somewhere decided to lead with ‘Tumble and Fall’, a song so ploddy and turgid that the Grant Nicholas of 1998 wouldn’t even have kept it as a b-side. It features one of the most pointless guest appearances of all time (Travis’ Fran Healy mumbling some “Yeah yeah yeah”s) and, unfortunately, set the tone for an album that is mostly based around ballads and brooding, piano-based rock. ‘Pushing the Senses’ has, admittedly, aged well, with some of the gentler tracks ‘Dove Grey Sands’ and ‘Tender’ gaining impact over time. It is just a shame that ‘Tumble and Fall’ was used as the main promo for the record, as there are some far better songs here. Of course, opener ‘Feeling a Moment’ is easily one of the best songs that Feeder have ever released, and one that they continue to play live to this day. Standout tracks: ‘Morning Life’, ‘Feeling a Moment’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8c98fb9-5def-490d-86ee-da55bdcd9283/picture.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 11. Picture of Perfect Youth (2004) Several of Feeder’s early b-sides are better than their album tracks. It is almost embarrassing to see a list of songs as strong as ‘Can’t Dance to Disco’, ‘Tomorrow Shine’, ‘Undivided’, ‘Here in the Bubble’, ‘Space Age Hero’ and several others, and to think they were all overlooked for inclusion on their companion albums. ‘Picture of Perfect Youth’ is a cracking 2-disc compilation album that showcases some of Grant Nicholas’ most creative and carefree songwriting. It loses points for two reasons. Firstly, the uneven tracklisting (‘Emily’ is a disappointing opener, and tracks 4-8 are all ballads); and secondly, the exclusion of key b-sides such as ‘Waterfall’, ‘Rush’, ‘Sex Type Drug’, ‘San Diego’, ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ and ‘I Need a Buzz’ which would have made for a more complete listen. Instead we get a lacklustre cover of ‘The Power of Love’, which should probably have been left on the cutting room floor. Otherwise, ‘Picture of Perfect Youth’ is still well worth your time. Standout Tracks: ‘Slowburn’, ‘Tomorrow Shine’, ‘Living in Polaroid’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0577d9df-a5e7-4fac-8311-6beeb747ee67/All+Bright+Electric.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 10. All Bright Electric (2016) There is a strangely ‘swampy’ vibe to the production of this album, giving it a unique quality not unlike Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Humbug’ or Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘Lullabies to Paralyse’ - in tone, at least. Song-wise, there is some fairly standard (i.e. decent, if unspectacular) mid-period Feeder material in ‘Geezer’ and ‘Paperweight’, which don’t quite maintain the quality of the absolute gut-punch of the first 2 songs, ‘Universe of Life’ and ‘Eskimo’ (the best example of the ‘swampy’ sound). Best of all are the brooding ‘Infra-red / Ultraviolet’, a tremendous showcase of Grant Nicholas’ songwriting, and slow-burning closer ‘Another Day on Earth’ (which was used as the opener on this album’s tour cycle). Overall, this is a slightly patchy record, with some unremarkable and interchangeable tracks in its second half that dampen the effect of some of Feeder’s finest, most unique and experimental songs in the first. Regardless of its inconsistency, ‘All Bright Electric’ has a unique sound and personality and is well worth exploring. Standout tracks: ‘Eskimo’, ‘Infra-Red / Ultraviolet’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/159db851-46ba-477d-bbf2-7148dfe314e3/gen+freak.jpeg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 9. Generation Freakshow (2012) Now we’re getting into Feeder’s most solid, consistent albums, where any album ranking list could fluctuate on a daily basis depending on the listener’s mood. ‘Generation Freakshow’ disappeared quite quickly, with little fanfare, which is a shame because it is a fantastic record that seemed to suffer more from insufficient promotion rather than lack of quality. ‘Generation Freakshow’ has an energy that has echoes of Foo Fighters’ ‘The Colour and the Shape’, starting with the major-key ‘Oh My’ and moving through the bounce of ‘Borders’ (which could almost be ‘Buck Rogers’ part 2) and ‘In All Honesty’. In fact, the only slightly jarring moment comes in ‘Hey Johnny’, which is a brilliant song in isolation, but its painful themes of loss and grief come somewhat out of the blue in the context of the songs around it. ‘Hey Johnny’ rocks and has a lyrical poignancy that demands the listener’s attention, but perhaps it is on the wrong album. Overall, ‘Generation Freakshow’ seemed to be the best statement of intent that Feeder could have put out in 2012, with solid songwriting, strong production and a mature nod to ‘Echo Park’. Standout tracks: ‘Children of the Sun’, ‘Borders’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d70e7753-7f37-4035-b8e0-e15a6657a305/Tallulah.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 8. Tallulah (2019) Song-for-song, there honestly isn’t a great deal between Generation Freakshow and Tallulah for quality. What gives Tallulah the slight edge is its masterful combination of whimsy and power. In many ways, Tallulah was Feeder’s freshest-sounding album since Echo Park, with some tracks that were lighter and more carefree than they had made in years (‘Daily Habit’, ‘Youth’, ‘Fear of Flying’) and which also avoided the novelty feel of ‘Seven Days in the Sun’. Personnel-wise, Feeder had settled into a solid live unit with the Tommy Gleeson on guitar and Geoff Holroyde on drums. Even if these musicians weren’t part of the studio recordings, there is an energy about ‘Tallulah’ that suggests Grant and Taka were thinking about how these songs would translate in a live setting. Tellingly, ‘Kyoto’, ‘Fear of Flying’ and ‘Youth’ remain solid staples of the set, a few years on, while the same cannot be said of ‘Generation Freakshow’ and ‘All Bright Electric’. Standout tracks: ‘Fear of Flying’, ‘Blue Sky Blue’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9e63160c-6718-4670-bc65-33a22df50448/echo+park.jpeg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 7. Echo Park (2000) i.e. The one with ‘Buck Rogers’. Novelty lyrics aside, there are several reasons why ‘Buck Rogers’ is one of Feeder’s best-loved tunes. It is a perfect pop song. The timing was spot on, just at the point when spiky guitars and right-on-the-click-track drums were leading the charge in nu-metal and pop-punk. It was American enough for the US market, and English enough for the European market; and the optimism of the chorus “I think we’re gonna make it” is infectious. ‘Echo Park’ had other brilliant hits too, in ‘Seven Days in the Sun’, ‘Turn’, ‘Piece by Piece’ and ‘Just a Day’ (which was originally a ‘Seven Days in the Sun’ b-side that was so well received that it was re-released as a single towards the end of the album cycle). Outside of the singles, Echo Park features the masterpiece ‘Satellite News’ (possibly too long to have been a hit, but easily one of most Feeder fans’ favourite songs), the Police-esque ‘Tell All Your Friends’, and grin-inducing ‘We Can’t Rewind’. It is only the gratingly digital distortion in ‘Standing on the Edge’, ‘Under the Weather’ and ‘Bug’ that lets the side down. Otherwise, ‘Echo Park’ is an Atlantic-spanning triumph. Standout tracks: ‘Satellite News’, ‘Buck Rogers’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9c279049-3d0a-44d5-bd3f-6325d7b5299d/Swim.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 6. Swim Resurfaced (2001 - original EP 1996) Ok, so Swim wasn’t originally a full-length album, but an EP that came out in 1996, before Polythene, and contained some of Polythene’s tracks (Stereo World, Descend and Change). This list is referring to the ‘Re-Surfaced’ version of Swim, released after the success of ‘Echo Park’, turning the EP into a full-length album by adding some of the best b-sides from the Polythene area. The end result was so strong that the full-length LP almost matches Polythene for overall quality. ‘World Asleep’ features a chorus that deserves to be yelled from a mountain top. The opening riff of ‘Women in Towels’ (WIT) beats anything by Smashing Pumpkins, and ‘Swim’, ‘Elegy’ and ‘Forgiven’ all demonstrate the tender, delicate songwriting that Feeder would develop further on ‘Yesterday Went Too Soon’. A lesser-known record that shows Feeder’s undeniable quality. Standout tracks: ‘WIT’, ‘World Asleep’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/93a42cc4-dc37-439f-88a3-e6c77ad57ae3/black.png Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 5. Black / Red (2024) Trying to choose between Black/Red and Torpedo is a futile exercise, given how similar they are in sound. In many ways, the 2 + 1 albums could be viewed as a trilogy, as many of the tracks were conceived in a similar time period and were developed in a similar way in Grant’s home studio during the covid pandemic. The only reason for putting Torpedo above Black/Red is that Black/Red misses a trick with its ‘double album’ packaging. Other double albums such as ‘Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’ (Smashing Pumpkins), ‘The Wall’ (Pink Floyd), ‘Opposites’ (Biffy Clyro) and ‘Blinking Lights and Other Revelations’ (Eels) use the longer 2-part format to indulge different ideas or introduce a story. Black/Red doesn’t take the opportunity to have repeating motifs, linking passages or a narrative arc. It is simply a collection of good songs that it is too long to fit on one disc. The tunes themselves are superb, and almost every one could be a hit. From the 80s splendour of ‘Hey You’ to the dark riffs of ‘Perfume’ and ‘Playing With Fire’, to the euphoric 5/4 pop of ‘Unconditional’, there are gems aplenty here. Standout tracks: ‘Here Comes the Hurricane’, ‘Soldiers of Love’, ‘ELF’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d6df960c-8978-4491-95b8-0c1007cb5d07/190389-feeder-torpedo.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 4. Torpedo (2022) As above, there is little to distinguish ‘Torpedo’ from ‘Black/Red’ because the production is so similar and the songwriting is so consistently strong. ‘Black/Red’ is being marked down for not making more of the double-album format, which logically puts Torpedo above it. If anyone ever said Feeder “aren’t as good as they used to be”, they need to hear this record. From the triumphant opener ‘The Healing’, through the heavy riffage of ‘Decompress’ and ‘Magpie’, to the dark, brooding climax of ‘Submission’, ‘Torpedo’ is one of the best British exports of the 20s so far. What’s more, the chorus and bridge of ‘When It All Breaks Down’ bring to mind the spine-tingling moments of Biffy Clyro’s best work. The anthemic ‘Born to Love You’ would have been one of the best songs on ‘Comfort in Sound’. And if you love early Feeder’s focus on heavy riffs (‘Stereo World’, ‘WIT’ etc) you’ll love ‘Magpie’, ‘Torpedo’ and ‘Wall of Silence’. If we ever have another global pandemic, at least we know it will lead to some good Feeder songs. Standout tracks: ‘When It All Breaks Down’, ‘Torpedo’, ‘Born To Love You’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a31a83d7-8d46-48bf-9b37-10bbba8692f9/comfort.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 3. Comfort in Sound (2002) One of the most impressive things about ‘Comfort in Sound’ is that it is so well-rounded, and celebrates every kind of human emotion, not just sadness. After the tragedy of losing Jon Lee, no-one would have blamed Feeder for choosing not to continue at all; and an album called “Comfort in Sound” would have been forgiven if it was entirely focused on grief. Surpassing all expectations, in many ways they became an even better band with this album. Grant’s songwriting is top-tier, from the glorious opener “Just The Way I’m Feeling” through the belter “Come Back Around”, to the riff-heavy “Godzilla” and the stirring strings of “Forget About Tomorrow”. Make sure you check out the ‘2025 Remastered’ version of ‘Comfort in Sound’, especially for the orchestral remixes of ‘Forget About Tomorrow’, ‘Just The Way I’m Feeling’ and ‘Love Pollution’, where the gorgeous melodies are laid bare in a more stripped-back format. There are a couple of missteps, with “Summer’s Gone” coming across as a little forced and “Quick Fade” hiding its undercooked writing beneath unnecessary effects. But overall, especially given the circumstances, this is a beautiful, heartfelt album with songs that are built for stadiums, with some moments that are devastating, and others euphoric. In 2025, Feeder played a sold-out tour of live shows where they performed ‘Comfort in Sound’ in full, along with the b-sides ‘Feel it Again’ and ‘Opaque’. Immortalised in this 2026 live album, it was a true celebration of an amazing, timeless piece of work. Standout tracks: ‘Just The Way I’m Feeling’, ‘Forget About Tomorrow’, ‘Moonshine’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6c63cb5c-26da-4a38-aed7-ab17da97caa5/FEEDER_YESTERDAY%2BWENT%2BTOO%2BSOON%2B-%2BEX-263204.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 2. Yesterday Went Too Soon (1999) The fact that ‘Yesterday Went Too Soon’ was voted ‘Album of the Month’ in Metal Hammer magazine speaks volumes about Feeder’s multi-faceted appeal. With this second full-length release, Feeder outgrew the Smashing Pumpkins comparisons and introduced a Brit-rock grit to their sound (think Manic Street Preachers, but heavier). With visuals designed to look like stills from an art-house movie, and with the track titles and lengths (in seconds, not minutes) printed on the front cover, this was clearly an album that was painstakingly and thoughtfully compiled. It speaks volumes that some of Feeder’s best-ever b-sides (‘Tomorrow Shine’, ‘Can’t Dance to Disco’ and “I Need a Buzz’) came from these sessions and still couldn’t fit on the record. With all its hard rock (‘Insomnia’, ‘Waiting For Changes’, ‘Hole in My Head’, ‘Day in Day out’), there is actually a lot of balladry on YWTS, from the title track to ‘Dry’, ‘Tinseltown’, ‘Radioman’ and ‘Paperfaces’ (which was admittedly better in its re-recorded single form), giving the album as a whole a well-rounded, sophisticated variety that makes for a wholly enjoyable, life-affirming experience. Soundout tracks: ‘Insomnia’, ‘So Well’, ‘Yesterday Went Too Soon' https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c247f73b-71ab-46b4-85be-d66267a3bb0c/plythene.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - 1. Polythene (1997) Was there any better album released in 1997? With a youthful energy, thick multi-layered guitars, catchy melodies and a perfect balance of heavy and soft, ‘Polythene’ remains Feeder’s crowning glory and one of the best examples of mid-90s post-grunge / Brit-rock / indie-rock, or whatever you want to call it. Yes, there is a clear Smashing Pumpkins influence that is impossible to deny, but ‘Polythene’ leaves a lasting impression that arguably surpasses anything that Billy Corgan and crew have produced. ‘Polythene Girl’ sets the tone well, building gradually rather than smashing the listener with heaviness right out of the gate. ‘My Perfect Day’ remains one of Grant’s best-ever songs, and there is a brooding and menacing atmosphere in the verses that comes back at other points through ‘Descend’, ‘Radiation’ and ‘Stereo World’. All of the singles from this record are superb, 3-minute pop songs, including ‘Crash’, ‘Tangerine’ and ‘Cement’. And then, of course, there is ‘High’, which was added to the re-release of the album, with an impeccable placement in the track listing as a replacement for the original ‘Waterfall’. A whimsical, elegiac ode to spending quality time with friends, ‘High’ is relatable to anyone, whether or not you might indulge in anything illegal as part of the experience. The B-sides from this era are stunning too, including ‘Here in the Bubble’ and ‘Undivided’, emphasising just how good Feeder were right at the very start. Essential. Standout tracks: ‘High’, ‘Descend’, ‘My Perfect Day’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4708a6b4-6c6f-4943-8693-786401505258/Gh5md2nzmaTifUAsB6JtfE.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - Feeder: Ranking The Albums - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/ghost monthly 0.5 2026-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c3d309e2-392a-4d9d-8f54-d2e60b042718/Soilwork_logo.svg.png Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/affa5413-e493-42cd-ac76-7ecf518a51f1/91u5GbP9BzL.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 12. If You Have Ghost EP (2013) Hot on the heels of the second record ‘Infestissumam’, Ghost released a 5-song EP that featured 4 covers and strangely sleepy-sounding live version of ‘Secular Haze’. This was Ghost’s first foray into the post-album covers EP (to date, there have been three) and it certainly has some kind of charm to it. The opening song ‘If You Have Ghosts’ is the clear highlight, providing something of a theme song for the band in their early days. The strings-led live version on ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ is better, but this studio version still builds to a beautiful climax that sounds like it was written by the band themselves and not Roky Erickson. Unfortunately, the rest of the EP is very ponderous and largely forgettable. Abba’s 'I’m a Marionette’ is given a dark, gothic treatment, and ‘Crucified’ by Army of Lovers features some intricate vocal harmonies and demonic, camp vocals in the verses - but it is unlikely that you will give this EP multiple spins. Standout tracks: ‘If You Have Ghosts’, ‘Crucified’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6997d9e3-f253-45d0-810e-8eb07bcebb9a/91C5ThIhiJL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 11. Ceremony and Devotion - Live (2017) Just 3 albums and 2 EPs into their career, Ghost pulled off a feat that you would normally only expect a band on the scale of Iron Maiden or Metallica to achieve - a double live album that is captivating from start to finish. ‘Ceremony and Devotion’ is a comprehensive document of Ghost’s 2017 tour of the USA in support of the ‘Meliora’ album and its follow-up EP ‘Popestar’ which had introduced ‘Square Hammer’ to the world. The record is great, breathing new life and energy into songs like ‘Guleh / Zombie Queen’, ‘Body and Blood’ and ‘Con Clavi Con Dio’ which, on reflection, sounded somewhat muted in their original studio form. The between-song banter is superb too, with Papa Emeritus sounding both the menacing pantomime villain (before ‘Mummy Dust’) and friendly stand-up comedian (the x-rated intro to ‘Monstrance Clock’) - and it is fun hearing the brief snippet of Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ at the start of ‘Cirice’. That said, ‘Ceremony and Devotion’ has been rendered largely redundant following the release of the incredible ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ in 2024, which trumps it in terms of production and setlist. Standout Tracks: ‘Body and Blood’, ‘Guleh / Zombie Queen’, ‘Ritual’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ab2f85cb-62f5-4f62-8c1e-04122c621120/91hckYbFtGL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 10. Opus Eponymous (2010) They came from nowhere, and suddenly Ghost (then, for a time, ‘Ghost BC’) was the name on everyone’s lips, with high-profile fans including Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) and James Hetfield (Metallica). Metalcore, Blackened Death Metal and Hardcore were in full swing in 2010, so you would be forgiven for looking at an early photo of Ghost and assuming they would play Behemoth-esque levels of satanic brutality. Imagine the surprise, then, to be confronted by church organs, 70s-sounding guitars, intentionally straightforward, pounding Deep Purple-esque drums and soothing, detached-sounding vocals. There seemed to be a mismatch between the image and the music, and it was nowhere near as heavy as the album art and an apparently Satanic Pope suggested. It was dark, but in a creepy, ominous and churchy way rather than screaming in your face. Maybe this was the intention, but ‘Opus Eponymous’ arrived sounding dated - like a relic from the late 70s. As for the songs themselves, ‘Ritual’ remains as catchy and life-changing as it did the first time, ‘Elizabeth’ has a wild, pummelling energy, and ‘Stand By Him’, supposedly the first-ever Ghost track to be written, has a controlled, chugging riff that supports the glorious vocal harmonies in the chorus. Unfortunately, compared to Ghost’s later albums, ‘Opus Eponymous’ becomes a bit of a slog by the final 3 tracks (‘Death Knell’, ‘Prime Mover’ and ‘Genesis’) where the instrumentation is great but the snare-on-the-first-beat-of-every-bar drum style wears a little thin. A fantastic start, showing that Ghost were different from everyone else - but it has been trumped by subsequent records. Standout tracks: ‘Ritual’, ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Stand By Him’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dde53c62-cdb9-4532-97d6-c8ed326819df/71OppNpAz7L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 9. Popestar EP (2016) Released during the ‘Meliora’ touring cycle 2016, ‘Popestar’ is a 5-song EP that, like ‘If You Have Ghost’, features 4 covers and one original. The original, in this case, was the magnificent ‘Square Hammer’, which has a fair claim to being the best Ghost song so far. Not only did it win numerous ‘Song of the Year’ awards, but ‘Square Hammer’ embraced the magic 4-chord sequence in the chorus that guaranteed it would be an earworm for the ages. It was arguably Ghost’s most ‘pop’ song to date, paving way for ‘Spillways’ (there’s that same chord progression again), ‘Mary on a Cross’ (there it is again), ‘Dance Macabre’ and ‘Satanized’. Following ‘Square Hammer’, the EP goes in a completely different direction with a relatively restrained set of covers. ‘Missionary Man’, originally by British duo Eurythmics from their 5th album ‘Revenge’, and ‘Nocturnal Me’ (Echo and the Bunnymen) both sound like they could have been penned by Tobias Forge himself, though they are unspectacular. Simian Mobile Disco’s ‘I Believe’ is largely forgettable. The highlight, at the end of the EP, is the majestic and glacially-paced ‘Bible’. Had it been a Ghost original - and it sounds like it could have been - it would arguably have been an even better end to ‘Meliora’ than ‘Deus in Absentia’. The tune is magnificent, sung with euphoric harmonies, and aided with some new lyrics that are some of the best that Tobias Forge has written (“Now who will pray for Babylon? Sing a song to Babylon. On your knees before Babylon. Beat that drum because Babylon is falling. I will wipe from the face of the Earth this human race I have created. And with them, the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground, for I regret that I have made them”). Wow. Standout Tracks: ‘Square Hammer’, ‘Bible’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/3360dae1-881a-4a1c-80d1-d9b512a13364/81eGHn9KYLL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 8. Seven Inches of Satanic Panic EP (2019) It may have only featured two songs (nowadays 3 on Spotify with the addition of ‘The Future is a Foreign Land’), but ‘Seven Inches of Satanic Panic’ was a pivotal release in Ghost’s discography. Initially a fun, random release of two songs that were engineered to sound like they were recorded in the 60s, this EP took on extra significance when ‘Mary on a Cross’ went viral on TikTok and quickly became Ghost’s most-streamed song. Suddenly, Ghost became known for a cheeky double entendre set to the best song that The Doors never wrote. It was played in shops, cafes and radios across the world, and opened Ghost up to a whole new audience. The lead song on the EP, ‘Kiss The Go-Goat’, is a light-hearted and playful tune featuring blasphemy, innuendo and beautifully-sung Latin (“But he's the guy you wanna do and you know that it takes two. Luckily he wants to do you too. Satan, Lucifer, Osculum obscenum”). Admittedly both the songs sound better with the beefed-up live sound on ‘Rite Here Rite Now’; but ‘Seven Inches of Satanic Panic’ is great fun, achieving its aim of sounding like a a relic from the ‘Papa Nihil’ era. Standout Tracks: ‘Mary on a Cross’, ‘Kiss The Go-Goat’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9f0b9241-81fc-4f9d-ac3e-13a6eb7727d5/81JM2ijH7tL.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 7. Infestissumam (2013) ‘Infestissumam’ is a curious one. Several of the songs are absolutely stellar - particularly the jubulous calling card of ‘Year Zero’, the exultant closer ‘Monstrance Clock’ and mini-opera ‘Guleh / Zombie Queen’. However, the overall impression that the album leaves is that Ghost were undergoing something of an identify crisis on their second record. Papa Emeritus looked more menacing now, and the Nameless Ghouls and overall band presentation were dark and satanic. However the music was, honestly, curiously toothless at this point in Ghost’s history. The record that followed, ‘Meliora’, addressed this issue triumphantly, and suggests that Tobias Forge himself wanted the band to present a harder and more metallic sound moving forward. While a track like ‘Secular Haze’ had all the potential to echo System of a Down, retold through the light of a stained-glass church window, unfortunately it lacks the bite and energy and sounds more like a demo, especially with a muffled and subdued drum sound. ‘Body and Blood’ is one of Tobias Forge’s best early Ghost songs, with the perfect mix of catchiness and blasphemy. However, it is let down by the production, and the live version on the ‘Ceremony and Devotion’ record is far superior to the album version. Overall, ‘Infestissumam’ is a fun listen that adds a few new ideas and textures to those presented on ‘Opus Eponymous’, but it doesn’t present the excitement of the albums that followed. Standout tracks: ‘Year Zero’, ‘Monstrance Clock’, ‘Per Aspera Ad Inferi’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/568e930c-a28d-47c9-a680-4e4a6ce0a681/91nNlCU0vML._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 6. Phantomime EP (2023) ‘Phantomime’ is Ghost’s 3rd covers EP, released a year after ‘Impera’, and it is an absolute knock-out. The production is crisp and powerful and the song choice is superb. Long-term fans may argue that the quintessential Ghost sound (70s prog rock with simple, pounding drums, and drenched in organs) has been replaced by a more polished, modern sheen - but when it’s this much fun, who cares..? The highlight is ‘Jesus He Knows Me’, one of the best Phil Collins-led Genesis songs, which is made heavier than the original and is the perfect platform for Tobias Forge’s love of stacked vocal harmonies. Accompanied by a debaucherous video (reminiscent of The Prodigy’s controversial 1997 hit ‘Smack My B*tch Up’), it burrows deep into your ears and is hard to get out of your head. Also superb is a faithful recreation of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ from the first Iron Maiden record, complete with virtuoso musicianship and ominous vocals. The Stranglers’ ‘Hanging Around’ is another fantastic reimagining, maintaining the distinctive bounciness of the original, and even managing to incorporate an homage to Metallica’s ‘Fade To Black’ in the bridge. Add in the curiosities of ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ and ‘See No Evil’ and you have an EP that stands up with some of Ghost’s later albums. Standout tracks: ‘Jesus He Knows Me’, ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6baff45a-6d8e-482a-bfcd-35b57184ae3e/A1yanwibHPL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 5. Rite Here Rite Now - Live (2024) Whether you watch the full ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ movie or just listen to the soundtrack, you are in for a real treat here. This is the finest document (so far) of Ghost in all their live glory, showcasing a range of songs from ‘Impera’ amongst a spread of classics (though some early songs such as ‘Ritual’ and ‘Con Clavi Con Dio’ feature in the film but not the soundtrack). The production is magnificent, beefing up ‘Kiss The Go-Goat’ and ‘Mary On A Cross’ which had (intentionally) sounded like relics from the 60s on record. ‘Twenties’ sounds far better live than on ‘Impera’, and the additional female vocals on ‘Kaisarion’ take the song to practically orgasmic new heights. And when the album is capped off with a supposedly ‘lost’ track from ‘Papa Nihil’ (The Future Is A Foreign Land), you can truly see how much meticulous work went into such a phenomenally fun soundtrack album. Chef’s kiss. The storyline of the movie can be devisive. You may find the back-and-forth forays backstage a distraction from the live show, or you may lap up the extensive additions to Ghost’s lore, scene by scene. Either way, as a live document, ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ has a claim as one of the greatest live albums in rock history. Seriously. Standout Tracks: ‘Twenties’, ‘Watcher in the Sky’, ‘Kiss The Go-Goat’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/11771bc2-7d32-4cbe-978d-4dd792c9ac7d/91wTzg0SyoL.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 4. Skeleta (2025) Continuing their steady rise to the pinnacle of stadium rock, Ghost’s 2025 album ‘Skeleta’ wholeheartedly embraced the 80s, with a collection of songs that would all be worthy of a place in a ‘Classic Rock Anthems’ compilation, standing shoulder to shoulder with Alice Cooper, Journey, Europe, Bon Jovi and any other big names you can think of. Only, this being Ghost, of course there remains a dark, macabre twist to proceedings. Lead single ‘Satanized’ was the ideal introduction to the 2025 era of Ghost - a deeply catchy romp which combined Michael Jackson’s ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ with a chorus worthy of Muse at their most stadium-sized. Follow-up single ‘Lachryma’ is arguably the most ‘Ghost-sounding’ Ghost song of all time, with all of their key elements played to the max - a killer riff (reminiscent of ‘Faith’ and ‘Cirice’), some clever pushes and pulls that bring to mind Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’, seismic vocals, huge guitars and an incredibly catchy chorus that borrows shamelessly from Alice Cooper’s smash hit ‘Poison’. ‘Skeleta’ is a solid, concise listen that is particularly strong at the beginning and end. Triumphant opener ‘Peacefield’ and emotiional closer ‘Excelsis’ are easily as good as anything on ‘Meliora’. Where the album loses points is in the 3-song run of ‘De Profundis Borealis’, ‘Cenotaph’ and ‘Missilia Amori’. All are decent, but somewhat formulaic and unspectacular, flirting with good ideas but settling for middle-of-the-road, watered-down pastiches of ABBA, Def Leppard and Metallica. Where Ghost will go from here is anyone’s guess, but they seem increasingly destined for the mainstream. They are starting to settle more and more for the worryingly identical 4-chord chorus that they introduced with ‘Square Hammer’ (5 of the 10 songs have the same chord progression); and they remain at their best when they opt instead for less conventional melodies. But overall, ‘Skeleta’ is an enjoyable, solid album. Standout Tracks: ‘Lachryma’, ‘Marks of the Evil One’, ‘Satanized’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/61810426-296d-4f75-8e99-3801b6d1dad1/B1OheXUaITL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 3. Impera (2022) By the point of releasing ‘Impera’, Ghost were megastars - and not just in the rock & metal world, but increasingly in the mainstream thanks to the unexpected success of ‘Mary on a Cross’. ‘Imperium’ opens the record with a beautiful, simple plucked guitar, giving way to a full stadium-rock bombast, with layer upon layer of instrumentation (what Guns n Roses attempted with ‘Chinese Democracy’, only good) that launches into the major-key, wild ride of ‘Kaisarion’ where everything is turned up to 11. When the ‘Imperium’ melody repeats at the end of closer ‘Respite on the Spitalfields’, it makes the record feel wonderfully complete. Yes, Tobias Forge may now have as many co-writers and session musicians as Taylor Swift, but with hooks as big as ‘Spillways’, ‘Call Me Little Sunshine’ and ‘Darkness At The Heart Of My Love’, Ghost fans are being thoroughly spoilt. If we are getting nit-picky, the chorus of ‘Watcher in the Sky’ goes round a few too many times, ‘Griftwood’ is a somewhat lazy rehash of ‘Witch Image’, and ‘Twenties’ feels bizarrely held back by its profanity (and the live version on ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ is much better). With some minor adjustments, ‘Impera’ would have a claim to the Number 1 slot on the strength of the mighty collection of knock-out songs on offer here, all underpinned by huge production. Standout tracks: ‘Respite on the Spitalfields’, ‘Call Me Little Sunshine’, ‘Kaisarion’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1d0bb455-d548-4e9d-bb56-14e0f60f9156/81KWwt9-szL.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 2. Prequelle (2018) We were introduced to ‘Prequelle’ by the release of the ‘Rats’ video, depicting a very different lead singer to the string of Papas that Ghost had been known for. Suddenly, here was Cardinal Copia, a cheeky character with a more comical vibe to his ‘predecessors’ - and, my god, that guy could move. Suddenly, Ghost was a band you could dance to. ‘Prequelle’ expanded Ghost’s sonic palette somewhat, introducing a more conventional drum sound (less of the pummelling, snare-on-the-one caveman beat) and bringing in more elements of pop into the songwriting. ‘Square Hammer’ had introduced Ghost to a more mainstream audience by this point, which paved the way for the incredible ‘Dance Macabre’, ‘Rats’, ‘See The Light’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Witch Image’. The record has its fair share of light and shade, including the excellent closing power ballad ‘Life Eternal’ and two full-length instrumentals, the best of which is ‘Miasma’ which brings to mind the finest moments from Meatloaf’s ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ album, complete with a joyous saxophone solo (played live by the resurrected Papa Nihil). The only dud is ‘Pro Memoria’ which is a little too ham-fisted with its lyrics (“Don’t you forget about dying. Don’t forget about your friend Death. Don’t forget that you will die”), though even this comparative low point is a better song that most Goth-rock acts would kill for. Standout Tracks: ‘Rats’, ‘Miasma’, ‘Dance Macabre’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/69ba3c82-4c4e-458b-a33a-0a1c5f8456e3/810xURgfqrL.jpg Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - 1) Meliora (2015) It’s a tough call, but ‘Meliora’ has the edge over other Ghost albums by presenting what is arguably the best incarnation of the band. The production is immaculate, getting the balance right between the organic 70s prog rock sound and the studio polish which they would lean on further with ‘Prequelle’. The band looked amazing at this point too, with genuinely creepy-yet-classy Nameless Ghouls, and a live backdrop that indicated Ghost were moving up into the higher echelons of stadium rock. But above else - the songs!!! Detailed, original, intricate pieces with massive riffs (‘From The Pinnacle To The Pit’ and ‘Mummy Dust’ at the heavier end of the scale), euphoric, classy choruses (‘Absolution’, ‘He Is’ and the Grammy-winning ‘Cirice’), and rousing tunes that leave a lasting impression after multiple listens (‘Deus in Absentia’, ‘Majesty’). Even without ‘Square Hammer’ (which was featured on the Popestar EP and was repackaged in the deluxe edition of ‘Meliora’), Ghost’s 3rd album is a masterpiece. With the inclusion of ‘Square Hammer’ - potentially Ghost’s greatest song - it is simply unstoppable. Standout tracks: ‘Cirice’, ‘He Is’, ‘Absolution’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4bc4882d-ac2e-42f3-bfce-b4b8607956db/meshuggah_logo.png Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Ghost: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/meshuggah monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773098546182-19WA39P7FLQ37QXXJP9Q/adesivi-tool.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - adesivi-tool.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0d14127b-0d2b-458c-849c-8e1dbe43a2a3/ab67616d0000b273e3c9dedca21ae28a022ca84a.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 11. Rare Trax (2001) Released between 1998’s ‘Chaosphere’ and 2002’s ‘Nothing’, ‘Rare Trax’ was Meshuggah clearing out the vault and presenting a range of old recordings and demos from their first 10 years as a band. As you would expect, it is a bit of a hodgepodge of ideas and certainly isn’t essential - but for completists it gives a fascinating insight into their evolution. Opener ‘War’ is superb, and would have been worthy of a place on ‘Destroy Erase Improve’, but for the fact that it doesn’t feature all of Meshuggah’s members on the recording (it was made as a one-off song, with programmed drums). The crunchy, tightly-gated guitars of ‘By Emptyness Abducted’ would have sounded great on ‘Chaosphere’, and the thrashy punk of ‘Don’t Speak’ (sadly not a No Doubt cover…) sounds suitably unhinged. Elsewhere, ‘Rare Trax’ presents demos, half-baked ideas and a slowed-down, groovy version of Chaosphere’s opener ‘Concatenation’. Intriguing, but definitely not where you should start with Meshuggah. Standout Tracks: ‘War’, ‘By Emptyness Abducted’, ‘Don’t Speak’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0ded391f-fbc5-4b68-996a-3139c6844bb0/meshuggah-the-violent-sleep-of-reason-Cover-Art.jpg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 10. The Violent Sleep of Reason (2016) The undisputed highlight of ‘The Violent Sleep of Reason’ is Tomas Haake’s drumming. Not only is his playing even more dextrous, loose and inventive than ever, but the drum sound is arguably the finest out of all Meshuggah’s albums. It was interesting that Tomas Haake was the most vocal band member in promotional interviews at the time, and he emphasised that everything was tracked live, not to a click like before, giving the record a more ‘organic’ feel. Opener ‘Clockworks’ is superb - 7+ minutes of pummelling, technical metal, with an actual - whisper it - chord change in the chorus. It is one of Meshuggah’s most melodic moments, which admittedly isn’t really saying much (they haven’t exactly become Green Day), but it does stand out. The rest of the record is impressive, but less memorable. Unfortunately, Meshuggah continued to mine the mid-paced, flabby parts that weighed ‘Koloss’ down. ‘By The Ton’, ‘Stifled’, ‘Nostrum’ and the title track all play around with different guitar textures and low-end brutality, but they are largely interchangeable, especially with Jens Kidman’s vocals feeling more one-note than on albums such as ‘Chaosphere’ and ‘Obzen’. ‘The Violent Sleep of Reason’ is solid, but inessential. Standout Tracks: ‘Clockworks’, ‘Monstrocity’, ‘Born in Dissonance’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6986429-bc52-4c67-8228-ffdee0444e2b/Meshuggah-Contradictions-Collapse-CD-edited__23283.jpg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 9. Contradictions Collapse (1991) Considering Meshuggah are Swedish, it was curious that the cover art for their debut album depicted New York City. Their lyrics focused primarily on the downfall and recreation of Western civilisation (“Dethrone the impassive governments. No more of this dupery. Pollution of environment. Stop this now before it's too late” - ‘Paralyzing Ignorance’), so it made sense to pinpoint America as the main symbol of these ideas - but there is also a clear sense throughout the album of Meshuggah not yet finding their own true identity. There is a clear Metallica influence in early Meshuggah, especially the ‘…And Justice For All’ era. ‘Contradictions Collapse’ has a ‘Justice’ vibe in the guitar and drum sound, and Jens Kidman’s voice has a James Hetfield-esque quality, sounding macho yet melodic. It struggles to hold the listener’s attention for all 9 songs (13 on the re-release, which included the ‘None’ EP with the brilliant ‘Humiliative’), but ‘Contradictions Collapse’ is a fun, energetic listen which adept musicianship. Just remember: this record came out in 1991. The year of ‘Nevermind’ and ‘The Black Album’. When people describe Meshuggah as ‘pioneers’, this is why. It took more than 15 years for other metal (and eventually ‘djent’) bands to even attempt the polyrhythmic dexterity that Meshuggah showcased here. Standout Tracks: ‘Erroneous Manipulation’, ‘Internal Evidence’, ‘Humiliative’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5dcf042f-55b4-4982-9797-c3d0808ff63b/A1Sx5cmB-HL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 8. Koloss (2012) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6aea6b14-b501-4917-afd9-643d183f36b9/610y6fYhPRL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 7. Destroy Erase Improve (1995) ‘Future Breed Machine’, the opening track on ‘Destroy Erase Improve’, has a similar impact to ‘43% Burnt’ by The Dillinger Escape Plan. Both tracks have an iconic opening riff that is more rhythmic than melodic, and have the ability to completely floor an audience in seconds. What also links these tracks is that they both go off on wild, unpredictable tangents, before circling back to the end the song with the same opening riff. ‘Future Breed Machine’ may be one of the best-known Meshuggah tracks, but half of the song is a meandering, almost jazzy deviation from the opening riff. And this sums up Meshuggah brilliantly - they have moments of carefully constructed, direct gut-punching riffs, but also they know how and when to go absolutely bonkers and bring the listener along for the ride. By the time they released ‘Destroy Erase Improve’, Meshuggah had honed their polyrhythmic craft and were focusing more on rhythm than melody. That said, there is more of a melodic pitch to Jens Kidman’s vocals here compared to later albums, where he gradually became more monstrous / robotic (that’s a compliment, by the way!). The guitar solos also sound like actual guitar solos, rather than the atonal, seemingly random collection of notes that we tend to hear nowadays (again, that’s a compliment). Considering that they were still in the early stages of making music, ‘Destroy Erase Improve’ is an accomplished record. It sounds a little raw, and there aren’t so many memorable tracks, but it is a fun, varied and thrashy listen. Standout tracks: ‘Beneath’, ‘Soul Burn’, ‘Vanished’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ec3a1a3f-0229-4835-987e-32dd093646b9/Meshuggah-Catch-33-CD-edited__01156.jpg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 6. Catch 33 (2005) The reception to the one-track EP ‘I’ was unanimously positive from critics and fans alike, leading Meshuggah to expand the concept further. The result, ‘Catch 33’ is a full-length album that is essentially one long song, albeit conveniently split into 13 tracks for the CD and streaming services. A promo video was released for ‘Shed’, and the band has played certain segments from the record live (‘Mind’s Mirrors’, ‘In Death - Is Life’ and ‘In Death - Is Death’), but ‘Catch 33’ is generally best enjoyed by listening from start to finish in one sitting, rather than cherry-picking specific songs especially given that certain tracks are almost identical (‘Autonomy Lost’ and ‘Imprint of the Un-Saved’, for example). ‘Catch 33’ is a disorienting, unforgiving record that only really loses marks for the drums. Thomas Haake, for reasons unclear, programmed the drums rather than playing them live. It sounded great at the time, but over the last 20 years the more organic, analogue and ‘human’ drum sound in more recent albums ‘Immutable’ and ‘The Violent Sleep of Reason’ has shown that ‘Catch 33’ sounds somewhat artificial and ‘on the grid’ by comparison, especially in the cymbals. Standout “tracks”: ‘Mind’s Mirrors’, ‘Disenchantment’, ‘In Death - Is Death’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/38ace8ad-c460-4e43-ad0b-9ea1ba6a604a/ab67616d0000b2739430600cbf6cdf9d57dfc7e8.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 5. I (2004, and re-released in 2014) It may be over 20 years old now, but ‘I’ still sounds as fresh, exhilarating and, well, confusing as it did in 2004. This one-song EP, 21 minutes in length, is a crazy ride through all that is Meshuggah. The band liked the concept so much that they went on to flesh out the ‘one song’ idea to a full-length record with ‘Catch 33’, and if you have 21 uninterrupted minutes to spare then you could do a lot worse than give ‘I’ a spin, followed by the superb, brooding and jazzy b-side ‘Pitch Black’. The only downside to ‘I’ is that it has never been performed live. Apparently it was pieced together in the studio with no real regard for how it would translate to the stage, which is a shame - but as a studio-only artefact it is a multi-layered, immersive listen. Standout tracks: ‘I’, ‘Pitch Black’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d95999cf-31ec-49e9-b7aa-22caba5094ba/ab67616d0000b2732e203f99edce4a656fb4d620.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 4. Immutable (2022) With ‘Immutable’, Meshuggah became bona-fide world-beaters. Their live shows were elevated to the next level, with incredibly intricate lighting accompanying tracks such as ‘Broken Cog’, with shades of Tool in their level of detail. The video budget was clearly increased too, with the promo video for ‘The Abysmal Eye’ reaching quality levels almost on a par with Marvel movies. What is particularly striking about ‘Immutable’ is the HUGE production, especially the bass tone that sounds like it could level entire cities, and kick drums that shoot through the mix like machine gun fire. As an album, it is a little too long; and even the most ardent Meshuggah fan would struggle to listen to the entire thing in one sitting. A couple of the mid-paced tracks towards the end (‘I Am That Thirst’ and ‘The Faultless’) could have been culled without damaging the end result. But overall, ‘Immutable’ remains a huge-sounding, cinematic triumph. Standout tracks: ‘Broken Cog’, ‘Kaleidoscope’, ‘Light The Shortening Fuse’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/828cb984-31d6-4059-bca1-f7f8001db155/ab67616d0000b27374f5c79d11cfee31a3ee2100.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 3. Obzen (2008) Yes, ‘Bleed’ is a good song - but it is weird that this has somehow become Meshuggah’s ‘hit’, given that it is somewhat one-dimensional (albeit with an incredible, relentless kick drum that will blow the mind of any aspiring drummer). There are several tracks on ‘Obzen’ that are better, not least the magnificent opener ‘Combustion’, which has a rhythm so deceptively complex that entire YouTube videos exist trying to analyse what is the right way to listen to it. ‘Obzen’ seems to have been the point at which Meshuggah crossed over from being the band it was cool for ‘real’ metalheads to reference, to being the band that people genuinely enjoyed listening to. They didn’t really do anything differently, other than continue to hone their craft - so perhaps it is more a case of the rest of the world catching up. Standout Tracks: ‘Combustion’, ‘Lethargica’, ‘Pineal Gland Optics’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d9bb51b1-6b04-4a26-9ad9-f885a2e5c801/ab67616d0000b273534e070754c4af19d91db3a4.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 2. Chaosphere (1998) Feral, ferocious and furious - and that’s just the opener ‘Concatenation’. ‘Chaosphere’ has a wild, unhinged energy throughout, and Jens Kidman sings in a looser way here than anywhere else. Just listen the ‘Ha ha’ he incorporates at 4 minutes into the almost-rapped ‘Neurotica’ - he sounds like a man possessed. The production in the remastered 2023 version of ‘Chaosphere’ is absolutely stunning. The original sounded superb, reminiscent of Fear Factory’s ‘Obsolete’, but the re-released version took it to the next level and reinforces just how cutting-edge Meshuggah were in the late 90s. Taking the raw aggression of the faster parts from ‘Destroy Erase Improve’ and focusing them into a pummelling, brutal assualt, ‘Chaosphere’ is a pure adrenaline rush. Standout tracks: ‘Corridor of Chameleons’, ‘Neurotica’, ‘Sane’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c74604d6-931d-47d7-a3ae-9394744a5fda/ab67616d0000b273ef77c2261a1ab1f050a6068b.jpeg Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - 1) Nothing (2002, then re-released in 2006) Top to bottom, ‘Nothing’ is arguably the ultimate showcase of Meshuggah’s best elements. It grooves, it bites, and it rocks. ‘Chaosphere’ was wild, and ‘Nothing’ was its more controlled follow-up. It may not be as frantic, but it is like being repeatedly hit over the head with a sledgehammer, in all the right ways. The original 2002 version was amazing, but the re-recorded 2006 version is even better, with extra depth through the addition of 8-string guitars. Introducing an uninitiated friend to Meshuggah? Start them on ‘Nothing’ and see if they either run for the hills or become obsessed. It may not take long to see which way they are going to go. Standout tracks: ‘Perpetual Black Second’, ‘Straws Pulled At Random’, ‘Spasm’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/29c12978-7ff2-434e-a13f-24167900cd9b/Untitled+design.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c3d309e2-392a-4d9d-8f54-d2e60b042718/Soilwork_logo.svg.png Albums Ranked - Meshuggah: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/soilwork monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4146d394-4352-4d86-bbe3-1cfc3b031820/Soilwork_Steelbath_Suicide_cover__65889.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 11. Steelbath Suicide (1998) This album marks the beginning of Soilwork’s history, and the band were barely in their 20s when it was released. ‘Steelbath Suicide’ is a bit rough with some awkward tempo changes here and there, but you can definitely tell they have potential. Standout Tracks: ‘Sadistic Lullaby’, ‘Wings of Domain’, ‘Razorlives’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0a4b4927-3fa4-41cd-a9f5-064d58c6ce10/916fjHZD3FL.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 11. Övergivenheten (2022) I’m struggling to get into rock riffs with double kick drums and calling it melodic death metal. It’s starting to sound more like Speed and Daniel’s side project The Night Flight Orchestra. Nothing wrong with the musicianship here, I just wish the songs were a little more memorable. I’ve listened to this album so many times to try and love it, yet here we are. Standout Tracks: ‘Is It Your Darkness’, ‘Morgonäva Stormfägel’, ‘On The Wings Of A Goddess Through Flaming Sheets of Rain’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9f66a39a-18e4-44d1-ba50-471802d06115/ab67616d0000b2737f25262b898fa901075ae49f.jpeg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 10. The Ride Majestic (2015) I had high expectations for this album after being pleasantly surprised by ‘The Living Infinite’. Unfortunately, ‘The Ride Majestic’ fell short for me. Especially disappointing since this is the last album to feature Dirk Verbeuren and Ola Flink on drums and bass respectively. With a lot of new bands and sounds emerging in 2015, ‘The Ride Majestic’ seemed a little old and tired. Standout Tracks: ‘The Ride Majestic’, ‘Enemies in Fidelity’, ‘The Phantom’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/653efa35-a6ef-4ba6-b34b-b98607fff83b/91mLl5lW4kL.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 9. Verkligheten (2019) The release of ‘Verkligheten’ fully cemented the new era for Soilwork. Less are the Dimebag inspired groove riffs from the inception of the band to the 2010s, now replaced with hard rock chord progressions with leads added for a more progressive approach. I’ve noticed fewer vocal harmonies on Speed’s choruses as well. I don’t love these changes, but I respect the band evolving and trying new ideas. Standout Tracks: ‘Arrival’, ‘Bleeder Despoiler’, ‘Stålfågel’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/93e8fced-bd52-43b3-938b-4454e2b1c762/91UtT44VW%2BL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 8. The Living Infinite (2013) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4a23f6ec-cf0d-4452-aab2-36b4ebab017e/ab67616d0000b273c9dcef4f1c69890dede1e1d4.jpeg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 7. The Chainheart Machine (2000) This album will always have a special place in my heart (no pun intended). It’s a tough listen the first time, as this is not the Soilwork we know today. It’s a much more aggressive approach, and Speed uses no clean vocals at all. Once you pick up on the intricacies of each musical passage, you’ll appreciate the level of progressive detail Soilwork put into this album. Standout tracks: ‘Bulletbeast’, ‘Millionflame’, ‘Machine Gun Majesty’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/82f1f351-216f-407e-89d8-61ac7c1cdc96/ab67616d0000b273c2f5113b958bfe7ee799fe7a.jpeg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 6. Sworn To A Great Divide (2007) I was really excited when rumors were spread about the possibility of this album being a sequel to ‘Natural Born Chaos’. Now, imagine my disappointment when I discovered ‘Sworn To A Great Divide’ is nothing like ‘Natural Born Chaos’ at all. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with this album, but this is obviously a more commercial effort allowing Speed to do his thing in less complex choruses. Standout tracks: ‘Breeding Thorns’, ‘20 More Miles’, ‘Martyr’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1c349184-8785-49b2-845f-084708b5ac90/ab67616d0000b273c4a7170caa2da4414fc2c7b8.jpeg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 5. The Panic Broadcast (2010) ‘The Panic Broadcast’ marks the return of founding member Peter Wichers, and even had him as producer for this album, an area I felt was lacking on ‘Sworn To A Great Divide’. This album also pushes the envelope with some more aggressive songs, as well as some softer tunes without sounding out of place. It’s a shame Peter only stuck around for this album as I would have loved to have seen his sequel to this effort. Standout tracks: ‘Two Lives Worth of Reckoning’, ‘Night Comes Clean’, ‘The Akuma Afterglow’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/30bde598-4537-4694-98ee-acbfd1ab0bc4/ab67616d0000b273d652d405807445c8c56e1251.jpeg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 4. Stabbing The Drama (2005) I had a bias over this album for a long time since I was a huge fan of Henry Ranta, who departed after ‘Figure Number Five’. Listening back, ‘Stabbing The Drama’ is a solid album with great songwriting and technical musicianship used in tasteful fashion. Standout tracks: ‘One With The flies’, ‘The Crestfallen’, ‘Observation Slave’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c69a7a13-36fc-4775-a14f-080821053460/81BMeNYHodL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 3. A Predator’s Portrait (2001) This is a transitional album from Soilwork’s beginnings of a traditional melodic death metal band. Speed is starting to use his trademark clean vocals here for the first time, and really adds a new dimension to their sound. They kept the epic guitar solos as found on Chainheart Machine, which I appreciated. Standout Tracks: ‘Bastard Chain’, ‘Like the Average Stalker’, ‘Shadowchild’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8c5273cd-94bf-41ec-a1fa-bb779eed4ff4/71lDoJq0LdL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 2. Figure Number Five (2003) After the release of ‘Natural Born Chaos’, many were eagerly awaiting a follow up of equal or greater value. ‘Figure Number Five’ has some of Soilwork’s best work, even if fans felt the writing process was rushed. I’m personally not a fan of ‘Brickwalker’ or ‘The Mindmaker’, but otherwise a fantastic album. Standout tracks: ‘Overload’, ‘Light The Torch’, ‘Distortion Sleep’ (Let Sven Karlsson write more songs!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6d0c658b-721e-4748-8748-a2e95e9d2f6e/1200x1200bb.jpg Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - 1. Natural Born Chaos (2002) This is arguably the album that put Soilwork on the map. The timing was perfect as metalcore was starting to hit its stride, and Speed’s voice lent itself well to the genre. I would go as far as saying this album is a masterpiece. Standout tracks: ‘The Flameout’, ‘The Bringer’, ‘No More Angels’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Soilwork: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/mastodon monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - Metallica We have reviewed and ranked every Metallica album, including live records and compilations. Check it out at https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/metallica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/090bcdd9-b55e-4c0c-9c0c-a8dfa89473e7/dhumaxt-399f61cd-d9bd-4a9f-9bb6-6083e333b307.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1979393c-7d9f-4414-94db-0c6c178e5d29/ab67616d0000b273b4e24caefc38918ace4d53bf.jpeg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 13. Live at the Aragon (2011) Spoiler alert: ‘Crack The Skye’ is, in our opinion, Mastodon’s best album. ‘Live at the Aragon’ should, theoretically, be higher on this list given that it features the whole of ‘Crack The Skye’ performed live. However, it simply isn’t a very enjoyable listen. The mix is muddy and bottom-heavy. There are also very few embellishments added to ‘Crack The Skye’, rendering this live recording largely redundant - especially as it highlights the limitations that Mastodon had with singing live at this point in their career. Mastodon’s weakness in the mid-period days was always their clean singing (it has certainly improved over more recent years), and ‘Live at the Aragon’ does nothing to say otherwise - especially for Brent (RIP) who struggles and slurs through ‘The Last Baron’, rendering it almost unlistenable. The songs from ‘Crack The Skye’ themselves are, of course, excellent - though the live performances pale in comparison to the originals. The best parts of the record are actually the bonus cuts ‘Circle of Cysquatch’, ‘Aqua Dementia’, ‘Where Strides The Behemoth’, ‘Mother Puncher’ and a cover of Melvins’ ‘The Bit’. These latter 5 songs show that the 2011 Mastodon were more proficient (and possibly more comfortable) performing their earlier, more bruising material live, rather than the multi-layered vocal melodies of songs like ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Ghost of Karelia’. Standout Tracks: ‘The Bit’, ‘Mother Puncher’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/34859177-3277-413c-9b71-3349c0a08a88/81F%2BwCGAp6L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 11. Medium Rarities (2020) ‘Medium Rarities’ is a random collection of b-sides, instrumentals and live tracks, mostly gathered from the period across ‘The Hunter’, ‘One More Round The Sun’ and ‘Emperor of Sand’. There are some absolute gems, including opening track ‘Fallen Torches’ which contains everything we love about Mastodon - frantic, fill-heavy drums, alternating vocals (with a cameo from long-term buddy Scott Kelly from Neurosis), bruising riffs and a catchy chorus. Track 2, an inventive cover of Feist’s ‘A Commotion’, is well worth your time, with sumptuous harmonies and a great sense of dynamics. And for Game of Thrones fans, ‘White Walker’ is a real treat, complete with a brooding soundscape beneath its ominous acoustic strums. ‘Medium Rarities’ pools a mixture of tracks together, including a cover of Metallica’s ‘Orion’ which was recorded originally for a Kerrang! tribute to the ‘Master of Puppets’ album. It doesn’t flow particularly well as a complete record, and the live tracks sound a little thin, but as a compilation it is a fun, frivolous collection. Standout Tracks: ‘Fallen Torches’, ‘White Walker’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b3d258a7-e4e3-4263-96f9-da71784112d6/ab67616d0000b2730c455f16349f1913cc0294bb.jpeg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 11. Live at Brixton (2013) The best live albums are the ones you can immerse yourself in from start to finish and imagine you are there. ‘Live at Brixton’ accomplishes this brilliantly, sounding clear and polished but also 100% live, with just the right amount of noise and chaos. If you compare ‘Ghost of Karelia’ and ‘Circle of Cysquatch’ on this record to the versions on ‘Live at the Aragon’, they are worlds apart. Not only is the production infinitely clearer and more listenable, but the performances themselves feel more loose and vital than Mastodon’s previous live record. There are several standouts across the mammoth, career-spanning 24-track setlist. Of the older songs, ‘Where Strides the Behemoth’ sounds particularly huge; and the crowd reaction to ‘March of the Fire Ants’ is truly exciting. Better still are the newer tracks from the recently-released ‘The Hunter’, which translate brilliantly to the live setting, minus their studio sheen and played with passion and pride. Standout Tracks: ‘Creature Lives’, ‘I Am Ahab’, ‘Bedazzled Fingernails’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1443ca7c-5596-4ae2-bd2a-68c2127897ab/8146aEct2gL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 10. Call of the Mastodon (compilation, 2006) For fans who discovered Mastodon during their ‘Leviathan’ breakthrough back in 2004, there were some earlier delights to then discover in the thunderous ‘Remission’, and even further back in the limited EP ‘Lifesblood’. ‘Call of the Mastodon’ was released after ‘Blood Mountain’, combining the ‘Lifesblood’ songs (with a clearer mix) with some other tracks from Mastodon’s formative years. What is immediately striking is that Mastodon were a force to be reckoned with right from the very start. From the pummelling 5/4 riff of opener ‘Shadows That Move’ to the almost black metal mid-section of the 99-second ‘Thank You For This’, to the Dillinger Escape Plan-esque ‘We Built This Come Death’, they weren’t messing around. Vocally, Mastodon hadn’t yet found their feet, but instrumentally they sounded every bit as monstrous as their band name suggested. It is certainly a far cry from more recent hits such as ‘Show Yourself’, ‘The Motherload’, ‘Curl of the Burl’ and ‘High Road’, but for grunting, hulking, bottom-heavy riffs and lightning fast drum fills, ‘Call of the Mastodon’ is a superb introduction, with ‘Battle at Sea’ hinting at Leviathan’s acoustic-augmented progressive instrumentation. Standout Tracks: ‘Shadows That Move’, ‘We Built This Come Death’, ‘Battle at Sea’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8a5b29d-afc0-4b8c-81f0-e5fc7f047c49/81HgPK2vnML.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 9. Hushed and Grim (2021) Paul Romano is the artist who designed the covers for every Mastodon album except ‘The Hunter’ and ‘Once More Round The Sun’. His paintings are not only visually stunning, but they capture the tone of each album perfectly. It says a lot, therefore, that his design for ‘Hushed and Grim’ is primarily grey. The album title and artwork are a perfect match for the music which, while proficient and technically impressive, honestly lacks the vivid multicolour of the other records. ‘Hushed and Grim’ is a struggle. It certainly comes with its rewards, but it is hard to shake the thought that this record is as hard to listen to as it was to make. Front and centre in the album cover is the face of Nick John, Mastodon’s long-time manager, who sadly passed away in 2018 following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. There is such a weight to songs like ‘Pain With An Anchor’, ‘More Than I Can Chew’ and ‘Sickle and Peace’ - a weight that is both sonic and emotional. It is a shame that Brent contributes fewer vocal appearances compared to Brann and Troy, because his singing in ‘The Beast’ is incredible, sounding more soulful, emotional and rich than ever before. Brann and Troy, on the other hand, have certainly expanded their vocal range but don't seem to evoke as much feeling as Brent this time around. Perhaps Brent’s limited involvement with this ‘Hushed and Grim’ was an indication that this would be his last record with Mastodon. Double albums can be a bold, exciting format for artists to show their range of skills. Unfortunately, ‘Hushed and Grim’ lacks the variety, colour and fun to make it digestible in one sitting. It is unlikely that tracks such as ‘Skeleton of Splendor’, ‘Had It All’ and ‘Eyes of Serpents’ will make many people's lists of favourite Mastodon songs. There are some highlights, such as the gorgeous ‘Teardrinker’ and the triumphant ‘Gigantium’, but ultimately this is a frustrating record. Standout Tracks: ‘The Beast’, ‘Pushing The Tides’, ‘Gigantium’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d5065ef8-5db4-444e-bd97-e1d8caeeb101/91flFMXvTkL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 8. Cold Dark Place EP (2017) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ef147bad-e646-4cfb-b6b6-ecba51d3864b/61p%2BFvGMf4L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 7. Remission (2002) ‘Remission’ is Mastodon at their hairiest. The riffs. The screams. The discordant guitar harmonies. The seemingly impossible drum fills. Hell, even the song titles. Mastodon sound just as hairy and monstrous as the enormous, mammoth-esque creature they named themselves after. There is a reason why the opening riffs of ‘March Of The Fire Ants’ and ‘Where Strides The Behemoth’ get such a rapturous reception when they are played live. They have become bona fide classics, laying the foundations for a career of massive riffs and unique melodies. Elsewhere, ‘Mother Puncher’ is a short, blunt rocker; while ‘Crusher Destroyer’ and ‘Burning Man’ are relentless riff-fests in the vein of the ‘Lifesblood’ EP / ‘Call of the Mastodon’. ‘Remission’ is a great record. It isn't Mastodon’s best, because some of the ideas have been improved and refined on later albums (‘Elephant Man’, for example, seems more like a demo for the acoustic / progressive moments on ‘Leviathan’ and ‘Blood Mountain’) - but it is a thunderous, energising listen, especially if you prefer the ‘big riff’ Mastodon over the ‘melodic hard rock’ Mastodon. Standout tracks: ‘March Of The Fire Ants’, ‘Where Strides The Behemoth’, ‘Mother Puncher’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/979baa04-b356-44bf-9e3d-fd5eba9f1fbe/81S47kE4EQL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 6. Emperor of Sand (2017) It is understandable that ‘Emperor of Sand’ is many people’s favourite Mastodon record. By this point in their career, they had found the perfect balance of all the elements that make them great - huge riffs, labyrinthian song structures, vocals shared out equally amongst all 3 singers, some catchier songs and some proggier ones. There isn’t really a bad moment on the album. The problem with ‘Emperor of Sand’ as a whole is that the formula becomes a little tired by its mid section. Every song is decent in its own right, but the whole thing is consistently ‘very good’ as opposed to ‘spectacular’ (it is testament to Mastodon’s incredible quality as a band that the main criticism of one of their albums is that it is consistently very good!). The overall theme of this record is emotionally heavy, based around cancer and loss, with lyrics that were inspired by real-life events and a strong sense of mortality. The concept and story of ‘Emperor of Sand’ follows a desert wanderer who has been handed a death sentence - and, at the end of the story, “the person simultaneously dies and is saved” (using Brann Dailor’s words). It makes for a profoundly moving listen, bolstered by bruising riffs (especially the powerful ‘Andromeda’), emotive choruses (‘Ancient Kingdom’) and heart-on-sleeve lyrics (“I’m afraid of myself” - ‘Steambreather’). Standout tracks: ‘Show Yourself’, ‘Precious Stones’, ‘Andromeda’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/df2c763e-7b09-4b0f-8532-4ff32f757889/550x558.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 5. The Hunter (2011) ‘The Hunter’ is arguably the most diverse Mastodon album, and in our opinion the most fun. For many, ‘The Hunter’ was the point where Mastodon tipped too far over into the ‘pop’ realm, straying from their metal roots into catchy hard rock territory. This is a fair challenge, especially with the prominance of songs such as ‘Curl of the Burl’, ‘Dry Bone Valley’ and ‘Creature Lives’, all of which could have been produced by Foo Fighters and no-one would have batted an eyelid. This only tells part of the story, though. Dig deeper within ‘The Hunter’ and you will find some of Mastodon’s boldest ever songwriting, with adventurous themes (‘Stargasm’), syncopated multi-part rhythms (‘Thickening’, ‘Octopus Has No Friends’), scream-along sections (‘Blasteroid’, ‘Spectrelight’) and beautiful acoustic moments (especially delicate album closer ‘The Sparrow’). Perhaps one of the reasons that ‘The Hunter’ doesn’t get so much love from faithful Mastodon fans is due to its lack of concept. Each of the preceding records (‘Crack The Skye’, ‘Blood Mountain’ and ‘Leviathan’) came with intricate stories and themes that placed them very much within the ‘prog’ world. ‘The Hunter’, on the other hand, is a collection of well-written songs, plain and simple. It may therefore lack the overall emotional heft and journey-like quality of the earlier records, but if you want to discover some of Mastodon’s very best songs - bolstered by their increasing confidence in their singing abilities - then you will find them here. Standout tracks: ‘Curl of the Burl’, ‘All The Heavy Lifting’, ‘Black Tongue’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ea1934a9-ed16-453d-8922-176dc9f572ff/91i2McdpV7L.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 4. Once More Round The Sun (2014) ‘Once More Round The Sun’ is often overlooked when ranking Mastodon’s albums, which is a shame because it is a belter. For many, it would be criminal to rank this record above ‘Emperor of Sand’, but ‘Once More Round The Sun’ has aged extremely well and it rewards multiple listens. Opener ‘Tread Lightly’ may lack the immediacy of previous openers such as ‘Black Tongue’, ‘The Wolf is Loose’ and ‘Blood and Thunder’, but it sets the tone well for a rollercoaster of uptempo bangers (‘The Motherload’, ‘Halloween’, ‘Feast Your Eyes’), impassioned choruses (‘Ember City’, ‘Asleep in the Deep’), apocalyptic prog (‘Diamond in the Witch House’) and pop metal (‘High Road’). ‘Once More Round The Sun’ is loosely based around the concept of Mastodon spending long periods of time away from their families on world tours. It may not contain the depth and lyrical weight of ‘Bood Mountain’ and ‘Leviathan’, but it is an enthralling listen that transcends the somewhat lazy perception this record as one where Mastodon lost their edge. Standout tracks: ‘The Motherload’, ‘Once More Round The Sun’, ‘Aunt Lisa’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ff341810-8b7c-4864-afe3-331bd0285bed/a3377120354_10.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 3. Leviathan (2004) They had made some waves in the underground with ‘Remission’, but with the release of ‘Leviathan’ Mastodon suddently become THE hot new metal band that everyone was talking about. For many, Mastodon appeared out of nowhere, with a level of quality that made them stand out a mile from their peers. Even within the emergence of a newer, flashier form of metal (Trivium, Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine, Shadows Fall etc) that was gaining prominence while nu-metal became a parody of itself, Mastodon stood out. Musically, they were inventive, with virtuoso performances from all 4 members. They played unexpected, unpredictable melodies, and sang / bellowed lyrics that conveyed the weight of epic voyages and battles at sea. Everyone knows ‘Blood and Thunder’ from its opening 2 seconds. That riff! The palm-muted power chords have an almost punk rock quality - and then, when the drums come in with a lengthy fill, all hell breaks loose. Throw in a yell-along chorus (“White whale, holy grail!”) and you have a bona-fide classic. 'Leviathan’-era Mastodon had a melodic sensibility (as shown particularly in ‘Seabeast’ and ‘Naked Burn’), but tended to prefer roaring over singing, letting their intricate 2-guitar interplay lead the melodies. ‘Island’ and ‘Megalodon’ harked back to ‘Lifesblood’ and ‘Remission’; and the final one-two of ‘Hearts Alive’ and ‘Joseph Merrick’ took ‘Elephant Man’ a step further and showcased Mastodon’s ability to build huge epics. There is a reason why Mastodon chose ‘Leviathan’ as the album to resurrect for its 20-year anniversary on a huge scale, embarking on a massive global tour with Lamb of God who were celebrating the anniversary of ‘Ashes of the Wake’. Quite simply, it is an amazing record. Standout Tracks: ‘Blood and Thunder’, ‘Iron Tusk’, ‘Naked Burn’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4b9b55a0-16d2-43be-98fd-38a111af2224/81bTsu2YESL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 2. Blood Mountain (2006) ‘Blood Mountain’ above ‘Leviathan’..? Admittedly it is a bit like trying to pick a favourite child - but ‘Blood Mountain’ has the edge. It takes everything that was good about ‘Leviathan’ and takes it to the next level, with bigger and better production and even more fearlessness. In the words of Troy Sanders, ‘Blood Mountain’ tells a story about “the different things that can happen to you when you're stranded on a mountain, in the woods, and you're lost. You're starving, hallucinating, running into strange creatures. You're being hunted. It's about that whole struggle”. Even if you don’t pay attention to the lyrics, the sonics of this album alone convey this ‘struggle’ perfectly. ‘Blood Mountain’ is Mastodon at their most wild, feral and adventurous. Kicking off with the breakneck ‘The Wolf is Loose’, which is almost hardcore punk in its delivery, the record has countless twists, turns and surprises, pushing beyond the boundaries of its predecessor ‘Leviathan’ and embracing a new sense of melody, particularly in Troy and Brent’s vocals. Standout tracks: ‘Capillarian Crest’, ‘Sleeping Giant’, ‘Circle of Cysquatch’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/436d7088-05d0-4996-ac10-51e2c56f8a55/91M8-wmgfZL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - 1. Crack The Skye (2009) ‘Crack The Skye’ is the one. The record where all the elements we love about Mastodon come together. ‘Leviathan’ and ‘Blood Mountain’ are both legendary in their own right, but ‘Crack The Skye’ adds two important extra elements: 1) Emotional depth 2) The Prog dial turned up to 11. It is hard to read the story of ‘Crack The Skye’ and not immediately feel drawn in. Skye was Brann Dailor’s sister, who tragically died by suicide aged 14. This record was a heartfelt tribute to her, wrapped up in an other-wordly concept: “There is a paraplegic and the only way that he can go anywhere is if he astral travels. He goes out of his body, into outer space and a bit like Icarus, he goes too close to the sun, burning off the golden umbilical cord that is attached to his solar plexus. So he is in outer space and he is lost, he gets sucked into a wormhole, he ends up in the spirit realm and he talks to spirits telling them that he is not really dead. So they send him to the Russian cult, they use him in a divination and they find out his problem. They decide they are going to help him. They put his soul inside Rasputin's body. Rasputin goes to usurp the czar and he is murdered. The two souls fly out of Rasputin's body through the crack in the sky(e) and Rasputin is the wise man that is trying to lead the child home to his body because his parents have discovered him by now and think that he is dead. Rasputin needs to get him back into his body before it's too late. But they end up running into the Devil along the way and the Devil tries to steal their souls and bring them down ... there are some obstacles along the way.” (Brann Dailor, in an interview with Billboard, Feb 2009). Brann certainly steps up on this record, sharing the vocal duties with Troy and Brent and becoming Mastodon’s 3rd singer (how he does this while drumming is one of the mysteries of the modern world). Elsewhere, we have surf rock guitar (‘Divinations’), Scott Kelly’s best Mastodon guest appearance (‘Crack The Skye’), incredible progressive musicianship (especially the mid section of ‘The Last Baron’), and twisting, turning song structures (‘Ghost of Karelia’, ‘Quintessence’). This record demands repeated listens and has no skippable moments whatsoever. Standout tracks: ‘Divinations’, ‘The Czar’, ‘The Last Baron’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4bc4882d-ac2e-42f3-bfce-b4b8607956db/meshuggah_logo.png Albums Ranked - Mastodon: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/biffy-clyro monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fc08909f-5211-41f3-8942-dc685c249e20/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7831648-01ed-4343-9ec7-38cd5a37384a/presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-5040a67157816.png Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/01659694-ac27-4c4f-ac0b-041e64add629/ellipsis.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 14. Ellipsis (2016) ‘Ellipsis’ is a curious one. It is a solid listen all the way through, and its raw, back-to-basics approach was somewhat refreshing following the extravagent concept of double album ‘Opposites’. However, it leaves a lingering sense of being incomplete; and for each of its highlights there was another Biffy Clyro song that had already been done better. ‘Howl’, for example, evokes ‘Pocket’ but with less of its charm. ‘Medicine’ feels like a less inspired ‘God and Satan’. ‘On a Bang’ brings the energy, but sounds as if the band are frustrated with themselves when they yell “Why can’t you f**king do better” in the chorus, having made more effortless versions of this song in “Booooom, Blast & Ruin”, “Saturday Superhouse” and “Modern Magic Formula”. Released while Game of Thrones was at its peak on our TV screens, ‘Wolves of Winter’ was the perfect lead single, and it remains an absolute banger; and ‘Small Wishes’ has a quirkiness (complete with a whistling solo, no less) that remains a joy to hear. So, there are some great moments - they just don’t leave as much of an impression as all the hype would have you believe. Extra points would have been given if the label had been bold enough to include ‘In the Name of the Wee Man’ in the tracklisting, rather than relegating it to a b-side. ‘Ellipsis’ feels like something of an identify crisis. Standout tracks: ‘Wolves of Winter’, ‘Howl’, ‘Small Wishes’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ee8db647-748d-4042-91e0-5a56df2e0898/MTV.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 13. MTV Unplugged (2018) The MTV Unplugged series was the true barometer of ‘icon’ status in the 90s. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam… If a band was cool enough to have the MTV stamp of approval, they had REALLY made it. For a band like Biffy to receive this accolade, this was a significant moment. The problem is that this was over 20 years too late, and MTV meant next to nothing in 2018…so the opportunity for this album to be a genre-defining moment didn’t quite happen - especially outside of the UK. It’s a shame, because this is a strong collection of acoustic songs, recorded in a beautiful setting including a tree in the centre of the stage. Simon sounds magnificent and is the star here. In fact, this record is more of a vehicle for him as a solo artist, rather that for Biffy as a band, given how the instrumentals strip out some of the wonky time signatures (‘Mountains’) in favour of a smooth, strings-enhanced sound. Definitely worth your time, but not essential. Standout tracks: ‘Many of Horror’, ‘God Only Knows’, ‘Drop It’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/7ddd34a5-1cdf-4c55-b976-46bb55ffec10/91eoU3pj8AL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 12. Lonely Revolutions (2010) For any old-school Biffy Clyro fans who dismiss everything they have released from ‘Puzzle’ onwards, or accuse them of ‘selling out’ with ‘Only Revolutions’, they should really listen to ‘Lonely Revolutions’. There are some tracks here that could easily have fitted on the first 3 records, such as ‘Prey Hey’, ‘Eye Lids’ and ‘Toottoottoot’. ‘Lonely Revolutions’ is a compilation of 18 tracks recorded during the ‘Only Revolutions’ sessions which didn’t make the main album. Like ‘Similarities’ (the b-sides album that came out after ‘Opposites’), this record shows how astoundingly prolific Biffy Clyro are in the studio. It also gives a fascinating insight into their creative process - for example, the echoes of ‘The Captain’ that creep into the end of ‘Paperfriend’ and the intentionally alternative ‘Help Me Be Captain’. Where ‘Similarities’ was a collection of unused tracks that were almost all strong enough to be A-sides, ‘Lonely Revolutions’ does have some moments where the quality dips, such as the fast-but-forgettable ‘Street Love’ and the lacklustre ‘Hawkwind’ - and, at 18 tracks, ‘Lonely Revolutions’ is hard to digest in one sitting. But overall, it is a triumph that contains some gems which combine the abrasiveness and quirkiness of ‘Infinity Land’ and ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’ (albeit without the screams) with the melodic accessibility of ‘Puzzle’ and ‘Only Revolutions’. Standout Tracks: ‘Paperfriend’, ‘Prey Hey’, ‘10 Bodies’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/2ffa5392-48ab-43e7-8f50-30a61c8f3448/blackened.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 11. Blackened Sky (2002) Biffy Clyro were largely unknown at the time of recording their debut album, save for a small but fiercely passionate fanbase who had experienced their intense live show in support of their initial EP. As such, a few people were curious to hear what they would create, but the pressure was largely off. To put things into context, British rock music was in something of a post-Britpop wasteland in the early 2000s. RnB and Rap were the order of the day in the UK, and rock fans were largely obsessed with Nu Metal and Punk Rock from the USA. Homegrown rock garnered very little attention. Slowly, a few bands started to emerge. Hell Is For Heroes, Hundred Reasons, Reuben and Biffy Clyro were leading the charge, building on the mid-level successes of Ash, Idlewild and Feeder, and adding a more abrasive element influence by US Hardcore, Emo and Screamo. Blackened Sky contains some fantastic tracks, including ‘Justboy’, ‘57’ and ‘Christopher’s River’. The quirkiness they would develop further on later records was hinted at in ‘Kill The Old, Torture Their Young’ and ‘Convex Concave’. As an album, it becomes somewhat one-dimensional over its 49-minute running time, especially with the guitar-bass-drums setup on which they would eventually expand; but as a debut it is impressively accomplished. Standout tracks: ‘Joy. Discovery. Invention’, ‘57’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9f4514c8-7d1d-4dc9-9ab0-5f5f57cc6c61/balance.jpeg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 10. Balance, Not Symmetry (2019) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8db8700d-9931-4c0d-a63a-079539e8d209/vertigo.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 9. The Vertigo Of Bliss (2003) It is hard to listen to ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’ without imagining being in the garage with Simon, Ben and James, laughing along with their banter, smelling their farts and being constantly in awe of their neer-limitless creativity. Biffy Clyro wasted no time in getting straight back into the studio to record the follow-up to 2002’s ‘Blackened Sky’. Their debut contained some fantastic songs that helped them to build up an impressive live show; but the audience remained small and they were a long way from mainstream success at this point. ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’ doubles down on Biffy’s idiosyncrasies, focusing on the weirder parts of their sound. As a result, the lead single ‘The Ideal Height’ was a fragmented, stop-start feast of quirkiness. ‘With Aplomb’ successfully integrates strings and distorted bass into what could otherwise be a tradiitonal Scottish folk song. ‘Diary of Always’ uses looped, layered vocals to beautiful effect. And ‘Toys Toys Toys Choke Toys Toys Toys’ is fantastic. Best of all is ‘Questions and Answers’ which builds to an epic conclusion and hints at Biffy Clyro’s potential to become future festival headliners. Standout tracks: ‘The Ideal Height’, ‘All The Way Down’, ‘Questions and Answers’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/266ac469-4db6-4c20-8b06-48ef26b480dd/myth.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 8. The Myth Of The Happily Ever After (2021) Biffy Clyro’s masterful 2020 record ‘A Celebration of Endings’ was released in the strangest of situations, with no real opportunity to promote it other than by recording a live stream (which you can watch here). The world was in shutdown. Everyone was frustrated. Unable to tour, Simon, Ben and James did what felt right to them, and they retreated to the Scottish highlands to make another record, all by themselves without the glamour of going to America like they had for ‘Opposites’. As is captured beautifully in the film ‘Cultural Sons of Scotland’, they rediscovered their love for making music, hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. It certainly shows. For the first time since ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’, you can really hear the fun the boys had in the studio. There is a freedom in the experimentation of the synths of ‘Separate Missions’, for example; and ‘Witch’s Cup’ is dynamic, fun and joyous. Sometimes the experimentation comes at the expense of a memorable tune (‘Haru Urara’ and ‘Existed’, for example), which is why ‘The Myth of the Happily Ever After’ doesn’t rank higher. But, if you want pure, unbridled Biffy Clyro, making the best of a challenging situation, this is a fantastic record. Standout tracks: ‘The Hunger in Your Haunt’, ‘Slurpy Slurpy Sleep Sleep’, ‘Unknown Male 01’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5b19a357-53f7-4c42-bb12-4c3a6752f105/Similarities.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 7. Similarities (2014) Biffy Clyro have always been a prolific band, but their most productive period - for both quantity and quality - was arguably 2012-2013. Trecking over to Los Angeles to record the magnificent ‘Opposites’ with producer GGGarth, not only did Simon, Ben and James create a double album, but they also had enough tracks left over to make ‘Similarities’, a separate b-sides album with a whopping 16 songs. For most bands, songs like ‘Thundermonster’, ‘A Tragic World Record’, ‘Fingers and Toes’, ‘No I’m Not Down’ and ‘A Lonely Crowd’ would have been lead singles - but Biffy Clyro’s output is of such high quality that these tunes were kept as lowly b-sides. You can literally take any song on ‘Similarities’ and hear inventive melodies, quirky time signatures (used masterfully on ‘Fingerhunt’), top-notch production and an abundance of creative lyrics (“This is between me and god”, “I had to tame my savage tongue”, “You can’t escape the truth - it’s dangerous”, “Your body’s just like mine - crippled in all the right places”). A couple of the songs (namely, ‘Sorry and Thanks’ and ‘Wooden Souvenir’) are forgettable; and, overall ‘Similarities’ is noticeably more of a compilation and therefore doesn’t have the same whole-album flow as ‘Puzzle’ or other Biffy records (in particular, slow-burner ‘The Rain’ is a curious choice for an opener). But it is still superb, and contains numerous gems that aren’t purely for Biffy Clyro completists. Standout Tracks: ‘In a Lonely Crowd’, ‘Milky’, ‘Fingerhut’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/415f7746-93a7-494f-8f0b-93f1a5eb1117/infinity.jpeg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 6. Infinity Land (2004) A lot of earlier Biffy fans have a tendency to split their career into ‘the first 3 albums’ and ‘everything after Puzzle’. These over-simplifications don’t really hold up, especially as Biffy have generally retained their earlier quirkiness throughout all their releases. They may have polished some of the edges, reduced the screaming and learned how to write music for stadiums, but the signs of mainstream appeal were always there in the first 3 records. ‘Infinity Land’ remains a fascinating listen, because it is possibly Biffy’s weirdest and most eccentric album, while still presenting some of the massive melodies they would become increasingly known for (particularly in ‘Wave Upon Wave’ and ‘My Recovery Injection’). ‘Glitter and Trauma’ kicks things off with an electronic, dance-y beat reminiscent of The Chemical Brothers, before exploding into life with massive guitars and an epic chorus. 20 years on, ‘Glitter and Trauma’ remains a high point in the setlist. Fan favourite ‘There’s No Such Thing as Jaggy Snake’ is Biffy at their most obnoxious (especially after the disorienting, a-capella ‘There’s No Such Thing as Crasp’); and ‘Strung to Your Ribcage’ is a wild, screaming ride. Standout tracks: ‘There’s No Such Thing As Jaggy Snake’, ‘Wave Upon Wave’, ‘Glitter and Trauma’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/61b7f9e2-8c53-46aa-978e-da7badac76a4/celebration.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 5. A Celebration Of Endings (2020) Where else was there to go for Biffy Clyro, after the huge success of ‘Only Revolutions’, mastering the double album with ‘Opposites’, headlining festivals with ‘Ellipsis’, and even being featured in MTV’s iconic ‘Unplugged’ series? The answer seems to have been to try to produce the best Biffy Clyro record ever, combining all elements of their history. Massive choruses (‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’), dangerous punky heaviness (‘End of’), apocalyptic endings (‘Cop Syrup’), stadium rock (‘North of No South’) and grin-inducing Scottish humour (‘The Champ’). Largely, it works extremely well. Like ‘Ellipsis’, it is less polished than their most popular albums, but it still sounds huge. The standout is arguably ‘Instant History’, a synth-led anthem which bounces from staccato, dance-y verses to half-time choruses that could floor any arena. If there is any criticism of ‘A Celebration of Endings’, it is that Biffy Clyro could have explored the synth-pop sound more, because they do it so well. It was just a shame that this record came out during Covid, meaning they weren’t able to tour it properly. It did, however, lead them to produce a highly inventive live stream of them playing the album in full, across multiple stages - you can see it here. Standout tracks: ‘Space’, ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’, ‘Instant History’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/469bbbda-540a-45f0-8f2a-ed6538e1bf02/Biffy+clyro+futique.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 4. Futique (2025) When Simon Neil embarked on his noise / grind project Empire State Bastard (with ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, no less), the hope was that this would scratch an itch and enable him to return to Biffy Clyro feeling refeshed. Thankfully, this does seem to have been the outcome - but judging by the lyrics throughout ‘Futique’, and the promotional interviews, it nearly went very differently. There was a point when the boys contemplated the end of the band, citing exhaustion, mental health struggles and creative differences. But the bond that comes from 30 years together is strong, and the theme of ‘Futique’ is around love, respect, love, communication, meaningful relationships, love, coming back from the brink, and yet more love. And boy, does it work. All 11 songs are maximum Biffy Clyro. Quirky verses, inventive and poignant lyrics, huge stadium-sized choruses, and a relentless sense of optimism and confidence. Admittedly, there aren’t too many surprises here, and the moments of heaviness or trademark Biffy weirdness tend to be brief. But with songs of this quality, does it matter? ‘Futique’ is simply a brilliant Biffy Clyro record, full of love and joy. Simon’s pristine vocals in ‘Goodbye’ are perfect. ‘True Believer’ is arguably the new quintessential Biffy song, standing shoulder to shoulder with ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Mountains’. ‘Hunting Season’ sounds like what they were trying to achieve on the ‘Ellipsis’ album. ‘It’s Chemical!’ has quirky lyrics reminiscent of ‘Born on a Horse’. And it is impossible not to break out in a smile when the chorus of ‘A Little Love’ hits. Welcome back Simon, Ben and James. Mon the Biff. Standout Tracks: ‘True Believer’, ‘Shot One’, ‘A Little Love’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ea58ae2c-d0f9-4fbe-9c17-bd51a3c2308c/opposites.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 3. Opposites (2013) Double albums often suffer from a lack of cohesion, or a drop in quality over two discs. ‘Opposites’ is a rare exception, where the quality remains high throughout. In fact, this period of time was incredibily fruitful for Biffy Clyro, because not only did they release this double album, but the companion b-sides album ‘Similarities’ followed soon after and was stuffed full of tracks that could have easily made it onto the ‘Opposites’ tracklisting themselves. Broadly, disc 1 is darker and more downbeat (lyrically, at least), while disc 2 has a more optimistic and playful tone overall. But that is where the ‘concept’ part of the record ends - because otherwise it is a relatively simple (for Biffy, at least) collection of solid, high-quality rock songs, as a logical extension of ‘Only Revolutions’. The production is impeccable, and almost every song here could be a hit single. Most double albums can become a bit of a slog towards the end, but ‘Opposites’ is a rare exception. There is a enough intrigue and variation, including the uncomfortable synth-based conclusion to ‘The Thaw’, the bagpipes in ‘Stingin’ Bell’ and the mariachi flavours of ‘Spanish Radio’, to keep things interesting from start to finish. Invigorating, emotional anf life-affirming, ‘Opposites’ is Biffy Clyro at the biggest and boldest. Standout tracks: ‘Victory Over The Sun’, ‘Picture a Knife Fight’, ‘Black Chandelier’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e9aa0b9f-05fd-41ef-a6a9-90ce02152a8a/biffy.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 2. Only Revolutions (2010) It started with ‘Mountains’, released initially as a standalone single, long before ‘Only Revolutions’ was announced. Biffy had taken huge strides forward with ‘Puzzle’ and were starting to attract a lot of radio play, so ‘Mountains’ was the perfect next step. It was the perfect Biffy song - a huge chorus, triumphant yet cryptic lyrics, and just enough weirdness in the verses (try to keep up with the time signature) to keep the purists happy. This was just the beginning. When ‘Only Revoutions’ came along, it turned Biffy’s pop sensibilities up to 11, with the major key bounce of ‘The Captain’, gorgeous ballads (‘God and Satan’ and the future X-Factor hit ‘Many of Horror’), epic singalongs (‘Bubbles’ and ‘Whorses’) and earworms galore (‘Born on a Horse’ and ‘Boooom Blast & Ruin’). For many, this was the album where Biffy crossed the line into ‘sell-out’ territory; but, in actual fact, this might just be the best introduction to the band. ‘Puzzle’ may eclipse it for emotional heft, but ‘Only Revolutions’ remains one of the greatest British albums of the last 20 years. Soundout tracks: ‘That Golden Rule’, ‘Mountains’, ‘Whorses’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f28f4ef7-5f10-429b-b49a-48bc2a612b96/puzzle.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - 1. Puzzle (2007) Before it was released, we could tell there was going to be something special about ‘Puzzle’. Biffy Clyro had flirted with enormous melodies on their first 3 albums, but had always been a little too weird for mainstream attention. Some bands start to fade when they reach their 4th album (we’re looking at you, Hundred Reasons), but Biffy were getting higher and higher on the bill at festivals by 2005/6, and had been talking a lot about taking a big leap forward for their upcoming record, which was produced by the absolute beast GGGarth (Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mudvayne). ‘Puzzle’ is a masterclass in drama (‘Living is a Problem…’, ‘9/15ths’), tearjerkers (‘Folding Stars’, ‘Machines’) and HUGE riffs (‘Who’s Got a Match’, ‘Saturday Superhouse’, ‘Semi-Mental’). There is so much depth and heart to this record, with relatively understated tracks such as ‘As Dust Dances’ and ‘Love Has a Diameter’ becoming more compelling with every listen. Endlessly entertaining, emotional and daring, ‘Puzzle’ is arguably the UK’s answer to ‘Nevermind’. Absolutely magnificent. Mon the Biff. Standout tracks: ‘The Conversation Is…’, ‘Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies’, ‘As Dust Dances’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1193ef5f-dbd4-4147-b6e9-8a1c01a264aa/HRlogo.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/fc08909f-5211-41f3-8942-dc685c249e20/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7d46c8-76a4-4722-bf47-ebe9aab1920e/Starset.png Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7831648-01ed-4343-9ec7-38cd5a37384a/presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-5040a67157816.png Albums Ranked - Biffy Clyro: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/deftones monthly 0.5 2026-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7d46c8-76a4-4722-bf47-ebe9aab1920e/Starset.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62e01939-a3be-4773-b19d-5aba16e679b0/linkin-park-logo-graphic-v6nd3k68esiph53v.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d299cac8-ebc7-40eb-8850-f3f4945aad0c/81zeS0ZKKDL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 11. Gore (2016) Deftones were on a roll after the triumphant one-two of ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Koi No Yokan’, which had signalled something of a second phase of the band, not to mention a triumph over adversity. It was a shame, therefore, when ‘Gore’ turned out to be so lacklustre. It starts well, with the dynamic, melodic ‘Prayers/Triangles’, which has all the hallmarks of classic Deftones - dreamy verses, punishing heaviness in the chorus, and cryptic lyrics. Unfortunately, from that point onwards it is hard to find moments that stick in the head or warrant repeated listens. The production doesn’t help either, with Abe Cunningham’s drums being overcompressed and less punchy than usual, and Chino’s voice spending much of the record shrouded in an uncomfortable distortion and / or reverb that detracts from the music. ‘Acid Hologram’, for all its inventive guitar textures, is a mid-paced grind. ‘Geometric Headdress’, ‘Pittura Infamante’, ‘Gore’ and ‘Rubicon’ are largely interchangeable, making it a challenge to survive the mid-section of the album without skipping. Highlights are the delicate ‘Hearts/Wires’, with its languid shoegaze atmosphere, and the art-rock of ‘Xenon’, which breaks out triumphantly from claustrophobic verses into a surprisingly upbeat chorus. There are seeds of good ideas throughout ‘Gore’ which are frustratingly underdeveloped, and interspersed with a lot of filler. Much was made of Jerry Cantrell’s guest appearace on guitar in ‘Phantom Bride’, which says a lot because even this is quite unspectacular. There simply isn’t much to write home about here. Standout Tracks: ‘Prayers/Triangles’, ‘Hearts/Fires’, ‘Xenon’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d88bee63-387c-40ee-9ce4-68c733b6be93/images+%281%29.jpeg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 10. Saturday Night Wrist (2006) ‘Saturday Night Wrist’ will, sadly, always be known as the last album to feature the original, classic Deftones line-up. It will also be known as the one that, like Foo Fighters’ ‘One By One’, was re-recorded because the band wasn’t happy with the original version. Having worked with Terry Date on their first 4 albums, Deftones decided to try something new with the follow-up to 2003’s self-titled record. They enlisted the help of Bob Ezrin, an acclaimed producer whose discography included Pink Floyd’s 1979 masterpiece ‘The Wall’, as well as several Alice Cooper and Kiss records. He wasn’t exactly an obvious choice for Deftones, so this was a bold move. One thing that is immediately obvious is that Terry Date’s iconic, crisp drum sound has disappeared. The overall production is thick, heavy and immersive, but devoid of the ‘classic’ Deftones sound - and perhaps this was the point. It may feel more like an interlude, but ‘U,U,D,D,L,R,L,R,A,B,Select,Start’ is a good example, sounding more like the post-rock of Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine or Godspeed, You Black Emperor than the Deftones we had grown to love through ‘Around The Fur’ and ‘White Pony’. ‘Saturday Night Wrist’ actually works best when the songs don’t try to sound like quintessential, heavier Deftones. ‘Xerces’, for example, uses the new production to great effect, as does the magnificent, triumphant ‘Cherry Waves’. Where things fall down, unfortunately, is in the heavier tracks (such as ‘Rapture’, ‘Combat’ and ‘Rats!Rats!Rats!’), where the performances sound somewhat ponderous and forced, and the highlights tend to be in small, brief moments such as the robotic vocals in the chorus of ‘Kimdracula’, rather than the songs themeselves. Overall, ‘Saturday Night Wrist’ rewards multiple listens and is an artistic achievement, but it doesn’t have the level of consistent quality that can be found elsewhere, particularly compared with ‘Koi No Yokan’, ‘Diamond Eyes’, ‘White Phony’ and ‘Around The Fur’. Standout Tracks: ‘Hole in the Earth’, ‘Xerces’, ‘Cherry Waves’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/2ae5ea7c-b375-47c8-bf43-6c4a3a9dbcc4/61YAw7BzOVL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 9. B-Sides & Rarities (2005) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/03edba57-6b1d-4ee3-ba67-8298370c1754/81z0PTjYtDL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 8. Deftones (2003) With ‘White Pony’, Deftones showed that they could take their music in any direction they wanted. Trip hop? Sure. Prog metal? Absolutely. Industrial? Of course. It was curious, therefore, that they chose to go heavier and darker on the follow-up. Simply titled ‘Deftones’, this album oozes menace. There are a couple of lighter moments - ‘Lucky You’ (a less inspired retread of ‘Teenager’), and ‘Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event’ (a stunning, glacial-paced tearjerker) - but otherwise, ‘Deftones’ is a more singular, blunt attack. The heaviness was turned up to 11 on ‘When Girls Telephone Boys’ and ‘Hexagram’, with Chino’s throat-lacerating vocals seemingly influenced by Glassjaw and some of the early 00s screamo scene which Deftones had inadvertently helped to create. It is brilliant at times, especially on the alternating loud-quiet dynamics of ‘Needles and Pins’ and the dreamy, magnificent ‘Minerva’, which is easily one of Deftones’ best-ever songs. There is a nagging feeling with this record that Deftones could have pushed themselves further to produce something that took ‘White Pony’ another step further. Instead, ‘Deftones’ is a slight step backwards, albeit still a decent album overall. Standout tracks: ‘Minerva’, ‘Anniversary of an Uninteresting Event’, ‘Needles and Pins’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7444b9-7daa-4de1-af89-bbb2b9c211ac/91p3no6AjrL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 7. Ohms (2020) Returning from a 4-year gap after the disappointing ‘Gore’, Deftones unleashed ‘Ohms’ in September 2020, when the world was in turmoil. The first single to be released was album opener ‘Genesis’, which initially sounded like a retread of ‘Gore’, with its mid-tempo grind, unneccessary distortion on Chino’s voice, and unspectacular melody. However, ‘Genesis’, like previous openers ‘Feiticeira’ and ‘Hexagram’, is a grower. It certainly isn’t the best track on ‘Ohms’ but it plays a decent role of setting the tone for the album. ‘Ohms’ actually gets better as the album goes on, and the final 4 tracks (‘This Link is Dead’, ‘Radiant City’, ‘Headless’ and ‘Ohms’) are the most enjoyable. It almost feels like the songs were recorded in the order they appear on the record, and Deftones grew in confidence the further they got into the set. The closing title track has the most memorable melody and leaves the most impact. Elsewhere, there is a wonderful interplay between the rhythmic chugging guitar and drums in ‘Urantia’, and ‘Pompeji’ flirts with the dripping atmospherics of ‘Koi No Yokan’ in its verses, before Chino lets rip with a Maynard-esque “Jesus Christ, God raises you as we raised our glasses and drank in hell”. Overall, ‘Ohms’ is somewhat one-dimensional, but a much more engaging experience than its predecessor ‘Gore’. Standout tracks: ‘Ohms’, ‘Radiant City’, ‘Urantia’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/bc15f37b-beb3-4f03-87ec-d48f8cbccb67/field4.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 6. Adrenaline (1995) There is something genuinely threatening and ominous about the quieter moments on ‘Adrenaline’. Take the verses of ‘Minus Blindfold’, for example. The eerie guitar tone sounds like it is going to explode at any moment, underpinned by a deep, rumbling bass, propulsive drums and Chino’s unmistakeable half-whispered, half-song vocals. Then the HEAVINESS kicks in. ‘Adrenaline’ feels dangerous. Bear in mind that it came out in 1995, the post-Nirvana world when there was an exciting climate for established bands like Fear Factory, Rage Against The Machine, Sepultura and Helmet, joined by the pioneering debut from Korn in 1994. Nu Metal wasn’t a ‘thing’ yet (Limp Bizkit’s debut album ‘Three Dollar Bill, Y’all’ didn’t come out until 1997), but the seeds had been sown. Deftones had one foot in that camp, but they also brought something fresh and different right from the start. A skewed, original sense of melody. Unconventional vocals. Tight, groovy drums. A unique, cutting guitar tone. Deftones’ debut was raw and relatively one-dimensional compared to the albums that came later, but its sonic directness is its main strength. The opening riffs to ‘Root’ and ‘Bored’ remain truly iconic, nearly 30 years on, and the anticipation for the nasty chorus and the “Squeal like a pig” section of ‘7 Words’ is thrilling. Standout tracks: ‘Root’, ‘Minus Blindfold’, ‘Engine No. 9’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c01a4aca-5269-40bb-a638-6e65b005b277/91wzIdZZUxL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 5. Diamond Eyes (2008) After the relatively subdued ‘Saturday Night Wrist’ and the tragic loss of charismatic bassist Chi Cheng, who was in a coma following a motorbike accident, the fact that ‘Diamond Eyes’ exists at all is something that no Deftones fan takes for granted. The fact that it is one of their best albums is even more impressive. Deftones are known for taking their time when making albums. After Chi Cheng’s accident, they abandoned the Terry Date-produced ‘Eros’ record which had been nearing completion (the only known song from these sessions is the wonderful ‘Smile’ that eventually came out in 2014). Following a period of reflection, Deftones regrouped with new bassist Sergio Vega, writing and recording ‘Diamond Eyes’ in just 2 months, with a different producer Nick Raskulinecz, who had previously worked with Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains and Stone Sour. ‘Diamond Eyes’ is a rarity for Deftones, in that it sounds like they had fun in the studio. Rather than giving into the temptation to lament the absence of Chi Cheng with morose or angry songs, most of ‘Diamond Eyes’ is imbued with a sense of optimism - from the chorus of the opening title track, to the playful djent-y chug of ‘You’ve Seen The Butcher’, to the wildly violent screams of “Guns! Razors! Knives!” in ‘Rocket Skates’. There are plenty of slower soundscapes, such as ‘Sextape’ and ‘This Place Is Death’, but they are compact and concise. In fact, at 41 minutes, ‘Diamond Eyes’ is Deftones’ shortest album by some margin - and it is all the better for it. Lean, direct and full of memorable moments. Standout tracks: ‘Diamond Eyes’, ‘Beauty School’, ‘Rocket Skates’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0a67f4f1-9e0a-4a3b-af12-8a37a8f8c145/private-music-Deftones+%281%29.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 4. private music (2025) Given that Deftones records generally take multiple listens to reveal themselves and really sink into the grey matter, perhaps it is too soon to add ‘private music’ to this list after only having it for a handful of spins. However, the quality of this record is utterly undeniable. From the very first impression, each track is brimming with a fresh energy, inventive sonics and arguably career-best performances from Steph Carpenter, Abe Cunningham and Chino Moreno. Seriously - Chino’s voice has gotten even bolder, and he employs a huge range of styles from screams, whispers and croons to multi-layered harmonies. He may not hit the same high notes this time around, but he is brimming with confidence here. Maybe it is the ‘Nick Raskulinecz’ effect. Each time he works with Deftones (as on the resurgent ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Koi No Yokan’, he brings out the full characteristics of the band, with a snappy tightness in the drum sound and a wicked ear for clarity, separation and dynamics. Even just the opening seconds of ‘infinite source’ are utterly thrilling, for the drums and guitar alone. The ethereal, um, sexiness of ‘Sextape’ is revisited in ‘i think about you all the time’, which is equal parts seductive and tear-jearking. Opener ‘my mind is a mountain’, second single ‘milk of the madonna’ and late cut ‘metal dream’ have a cutting, concise power that recalls the best moments of ‘Around The Fur’; and ‘locked club’ provides a similar but ultimately more satisfying experience than the atonal parts of ‘Gore’ and ‘Ohms’. ‘private music’, especially considering that it comes in Deftones’ FOURTH decade as a band, is incredibly powerful, varied, natural and accomplished, and is a strong contender for the best album of 2025. Standout tracks: ‘ecdysis’, ‘i think about you all the time’, ‘infinite source’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/0996e348-1ab9-4f24-b186-800e2a64adbb/6180NBQCo%2BL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 3. Koi No Yokan (2012) “Koi No Yokan’ is a superb, engrossing record, with a similar spirit to the equally impressive ‘Diamond Eyes’, but with an extra depth in all areas, sonically, melodically and lyrically. The cover fits the music perfectly - an abstract picture of what seems to be a doorway, a room of mirrors, or perhaps the lights of a high-rise Tokyo city building. ‘Koi No Yokan’ is a Japanese term that doesn’t have a direct English translation, but loosely means meeting someone for the first time and knowing instinctively that there is a connection between you. Chino Moreno’s lyrics are cryptic as ever, but there is a sense of longing and the beauty of romance throughout the record (especially in the fantastic second track ‘Romantic Dreams’ - “I'm hypnotized by your name, I wish this night would never end”) that is truly enchanting. Steph Carpenter’s love of 8-string guitars is apparent in the gloriously chunky and inventive riffs of ‘Poltergeist’ and ‘Graphic Nature’. But the real higlight, in an album full of them, is ‘Entombed’, which is perhaps the closest that Deftones have ever come to making a power ballad. It is majestic, multi-layered and huge. ‘Around The Fur’ is to be enjoyed by huge crowds, during a daytime festival. By contrast, ‘Koi No Yokan’ feels like an album that should be experienced by candlelight. Standout tracks: ‘Romantic Dreams’, ‘Entombed’, ‘Tempest’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8e4c5dfb-5f9c-4c1e-b43e-ee7d210d67c2/ab67616d0000b2730b1129853982ea17845d4eb6.jpeg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 2. Around The Fur (1997) In truth, the albums ranked 1st and 2nd in this list could both be argued to be the ‘best’ Deftones album. ‘Around the Fur’, Deftones’ second record, leans heavily into the aggressive and raw energy of 90s alternative metal, showcasing intense guitar riffs, dynamic drumming, and Chino Moreno's signature vocal range oscillating between screams and melodic passages. ‘White Pony’ trumps it for variety and sonic depth, but ‘Around The Fur’ is still incredible. From the opening 2 drum hits of ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’, ‘Around The Fur’ is instantly recognisable. Terry Date’s production is crisp and clear, and this song remains one of Deftones’ finest, accompanied by an awesome video in shark-infested waters. It was immediately obvious that they had stepped up from ‘Adrenaline’, both in terms of songwriting and also confidence in their own abilities. We then move on to ‘Lhabia’, with a relentless guitar chug that holds a controlled, steady pace when most other bands would give into the temptation to speed up. This is quintessential Deftones - coming up with something that other bands simply wouldn’t be brave enough to do. Highlights through the album are plentiful, from the iconic drum intro to the title track, to Max Cavalera’s brutal screams of “Soulfly!” in the chunky ‘Headup’ (in fact, the band name Soulfly came from this guest appearance), to the utterly ferocious ‘Lotion’. Deftones had already built a reputation as a visceral live band, and ‘Lotion’ took what they had started with ‘7 Words’ and ‘Root’ and ramped up the heaviness to 11, channelling the brutality of fellow Californians Will Haven who released their inspriational ‘El Diablo’ in the same year. Oh, and it also has ‘Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)’, a timeless Deftones classic which showed a maistream accessibility while still being effortlessly cool. Standout Tracks: ‘Loton’, ‘Rickets’, ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/899c904f-2956-45ff-85ab-34ea483c4ee8/deftones-white-pony-Cover-Art.jpg Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - 1. White Pony (2000) “Third album syndrome” is a real thing. So often, bands can find it a struggle to maintain the freshness and energy of their early years, while also avoiding getting stuck repeating the same formula. With this in mind, ‘White Pony’ is a strong contender for ‘Best 3rd Album Ever’ across any genre. The vibrant, heavy riffs from the first 2 records make their way into ‘Street Carp’, ‘Korea’ and ‘Elite’, while other parts of ‘White Pony’ step into genuinely new, inventive territory. It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes ‘White Pony’ so good. Maybe it’s the consistent quality throughout, or the impeccable production (with a greater influence from Frank Delgado). Maybe it is the range of atmospheric textures (‘Passenger’ is a fantastic example, with beautiful vocal interplay between Chino and guest vocalist Maynard James Keenan, in full A Perfect Circle mode); or quite simply the unusual, unorthodox songwriting. Whatever it is, ‘White Pony’ is special. It’s an album you can immerse yourself in. A complete sonic experience like no other. The choruses of ‘Digital Bath’. The distorted menace of ‘Elite’. Starting the record with a song as unconventional as ‘Feiticeira’. The languid, gorgeous closer ‘Pink Maggit’ The fact that a song as great as ‘The Boy’s Republic’ only made the record as a bonus track on the special edition. The electronic dalliances of ‘Teenager’. The fact that the hit single ‘Change (in the House of Flies")’ is not only brilliant but is tucked away as the penultimate song. ‘White Pony’ is pretty much perfect. Even the remix album ‘Black Stallion’, released for the record’s 20th anniversary, is well worth a listen. (Just don’t include ‘Back to School’ in the tracklisting. That song is best forgotten, and it is a shame that the US version of the album opens with it). Standout tracks: ‘Digital Bath’, ‘Teenager’, ‘Passenger’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/9b7d46c8-76a4-4722-bf47-ebe9aab1920e/Starset.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/29c12978-7ff2-434e-a13f-24167900cd9b/Untitled+design.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/98bf2ef3-ee16-4ae0-89bf-3ef9f7e7c5fa/ghost-logo-9623960C7F-seeklogo.com.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a6befc60-6bb2-456f-9324-6b7c084c114c/Slipknot_%28Logo%29.png Albums Ranked - Deftones: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/slipknot monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/090bcdd9-b55e-4c0c-9c0c-a8dfa89473e7/dhumaxt-399f61cd-d9bd-4a9f-9bb6-6083e333b307.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/478cc452-94e8-417b-91cd-87ce58ceb6b6/Screenshot+2025-01-01+at+16.01.27.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 14. Day Of The Gusano - Live in Mexico (2017) For reasons largely unknown, Slipknot didn’t play a show in Mexico until 2017, in support of their comeback album ‘.5 - The Gray Chapter’. Given the reverance in which they are clearly held in Mexico, Slipknot chose to document the occasion with a feature-length film and accompanying live album. It is certainly impressive to see how enormous - and enormously devoted - the crowd was, and it is good to have a document of Slipknot during the ‘Gray Chapter’ era, with new members V-Man on bass as a replacement for the tragically deceased Paul Gray, and Jay Weinberg filling in on drums after Joey Jordison’s unexpected sacking. However, aside from marking the apparent historical significance of the event, it is unlikely you will watch the film or listen to the record more than once. There are far better live albums than ‘Day of the Gusano’. Corey’s voice sounds worn out from extensive touring. The mix is brutally heavy but somewhat muddy, leaving the percussive intricacies of ‘Prosthetics’ and ‘Vermilion’ slightly lacking. It is great to hear the rare airings of deep cuts ‘Metabolic’ and ‘Me Inside’, as well as the recently-released ‘Sarcastrophe’, ‘Custer’ and ‘Devil In I’ - but the regular fixtures (‘Wait and Bleed’, ‘Surfacing’, ‘Spit it Out’ etc) sound a lot better on other live Slipknot albums. Standout Tracks: ‘Metabolic’, ‘Sarcastrophe’, ‘Devil In I’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f903b691-072c-43cd-a9d8-bcd6f27eff5d/612sxmW1-TL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 13. Antennas To Hell (2012) It is hard to know exactly who ‘Antennas To Hell’ was aimed at - especially as streaming was alive and well in 2012 and Slipknot fans could have made their own playlists of the exact same tracklisting; and CD-buying fans would almost certainly own the original albums already. The music itself is, of course, fantastic - but the chronological tracklisting makes ‘Antennas To Hell’ a frustratingly rushed, slapdash tour of the ‘hits’ from Slipknot’s first 4 albums; and it misses the opportunity to compile some rare, lesser-known Slipknot songs or to make the tracks flow more as an album in its own right. We do, admittedly, get the Terry Date mix of ‘Vermilion’, which is arguably stronger than the version on ‘Vol.3’, with a fuller, deeper sound and greater sense of dynamics. We are also treated to the live version of ‘The Heretic Anthem’ from the ‘Disasterpieces’ DVD, which is superb; and the 2-CD version of the album comes with the audio of the ‘(Sic)nesses’ DVD, showcasing Slipknot’s storming headlining set at Download Festival 2009. ‘Antennas To Hell’ is stuffed full of incredible songs, but it is largely a pointless cash-in. Standout Tracks: ‘Vermilion’ (Terry Date Mix) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8e26539-cffe-4d20-99ef-73397067d171/R-4277866-1616353802-2937.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 12. Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. (1996 / 2024) You have probably heard the legend of ‘Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat’, the first Slipknot album which was released in 1996 and has since been largely disowned by the band. Featuring original vocalist Anders Colsefni, it is worth a listen to hear the embryonic versions of what would become some of Slipknot’s most enduring early songs - namely ‘(Sic)’ (here titled ‘Slipknot’), ‘Gently’, ‘Iowa’ (here titled ‘Killers Are Quiet’), ‘Tattered and Torn’ and ‘Only One’. The original album can be found on YouTube here. There is also now a new version, re-recorded and released in 2024 by Anders Colsefni, in partnership with Australian nu-metallers Kaosis. This new version is on Spotify and is actually ok, though Slipknot fans may feel uncomfortable hearing highly polished versions of - let’s face it - very mediocre songs, and with suspiciously programmed-sounding drums. As a historial artefact, the 1996 ‘Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat’ is fascinating - but it is little more than a demo and is for completists only. There are very good reasons for calling 1999’s self-titled ‘Slipknot’ their actual debut album. This early attempt doesn’t come close. Standout Tracks: ‘Gently’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/67402899-ff85-4123-b241-a9b22e406ced/71kqRVP4U1L._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 11. Voliminal - full-length movie (2006) The concept of Voliminal is enough to make any maggot salivate: unrestricted access to each Slipknot member, masked and unmasked, with footage filmed during the ‘Vol.3: The Subliminal Verses’ cycle. Voliminal is a feature-length film, full of camcorder tour video, backstage antics, live performances and random clips of observations from all over the world (though quite why we need to see several clips of overflowing toilets, or stage crew standing around, is unclear). In reality, there is so much footage that the main movie eventually becomes a bit of a self-indulgent slog. The ‘jumpthefuckup’ moment in ‘Spit it Out’ is always a sight to behold, but we see it SO MANY times from different shows. The film would have been just as impactful at half its length. The unmasked interviews are the highlight, featuring candid moments with Joey, Paul, Corey, Mick, Jim, Clown, Chris and Sid, and a brief, creepy and hilarious non-verbal exchange with Craig. Especially in light of losing Joey and Paul, and Chris and Craig leaving, these are a fascinating time capsule from when Slipknot moved up to legendary status in support of their excellent 3rd album. Standout Moments: Jim Root talking about the importance of having no regrets; watching behind the scenes of Joey’s acrobat, upside-down drum solo; Craig's blurry, brief silent ‘interview’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f9685495-b2fd-452d-9715-c490c1082c31/s-l1600_cee340fe-37a2-407e-9981-6a6d79adcf7c.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 10. The End, So Far (2022) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f0a3a5b3-359e-43c0-b2a2-72cf42560566/712kkRlCPFL.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 9. 9.0 Live (2005) Not only did the Vol.3 tour produce the 'Voliminal’ movie, but we were also treated to the exhaustive 2-disc live album ‘9.0 Live’. This isn't Slipknot's best live album, especially as it comes from multiple different shows, leading to several different locations being mentioned, and some fade-outs between tracks which spoil the ‘live’ experience - but it has an extensive range of tracks from the first 3 albums, and the sound is huge and heavy. Some of the Vol.3 tracks actually sound better here than on the record, especially ‘The Nameless’ (the band must have agreed, because this was the song that was used to promote the album) and ‘Pulse Of The Maggots’. In fact, the tracks that do less well are the older ones such as ‘Get This’, ‘Spit It Out’ and ‘Eeyore’ where the energy levels aren’t at their usually high standards, and Corey’s vocals seem to struggle (compare ‘Surfacing’ here to the version on ‘(Sic)nesses’ and you’ll hear the difference). Standout Tracks: ‘The Nameless’, ‘The Blister Exists’, ‘Three Nil’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/661ed728-f4eb-4b88-8e1a-415c9627145e/MV5BMWQ3NDVkNmQtNmZkYy00NmJlLTgxNzEtNzc1MzgxMmViNGQ3XkEyXkFqcGc%40._V1_.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 9. Disasterpieces (2002) When Slipknot returned to the stage to support their second record ‘Iowa’, they were genuinely unhinged and dangerous. They were fighting each other. They brought pyro with them. And the music was truly ferocious. ‘Disasterpieces’ captures Slipknot at their feral best. Not only is their performance on fire (literally), but the DVD came with options to watch the show from the perspective of some of the individual band members, as a few of them were fitted with video cameras (bear in mind that this was 2002, long before go-pros were commonplace, so this was truly cutting-edge). The sound quality is immaculate, brutally heavy and well-mixed, and Disasterpieces is the perfect document of the unhinged chaos of the ‘Iowa’ shows in 2001/2002. You can almost smell the sweat and vomit. Even just the intro, hearing the extended ‘(515)’ at ear-splitting volume, while the band argue backstage about the setlist before taking the stage behind a giant curtain, leading into a crushing ‘People=Shit’, is a pure adrenaline rush. Elsewhere, ‘Eeyore’ is manic, ‘Left Behind’ and ‘My Plague’ show how Slipknot’s more melodic side would evolve on future albums, and ‘Gently’ - complete with a flurry of snow - is deeply disturbing. Standout Tracks: ‘Disasterpiece’, ‘Gently’, ‘The Heretic Anthem’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d55f7e1d-cde4-4e9a-869c-69d09cb5600a/71bImPHm7vL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 8. All Hope Is Gone (2008) Following ‘Vol.3’, Slipknot were HUGE. Anticipation for their 4th record was at fever pitch, especially given the length between albums. Admittedly we had had some decent music from Jim and Corey in Stone Sour; and Clown, Joey and Sid had all made some interesting albums with Dirty Little Rabbits, Murderdolls and DJ Starscream respectively - but these, and the movie ‘Voliminal’, amounted to little more than palate-cleansers' before our next fix of Slipknot. The first taste of the album was the rabid title track ‘All Hope Is Gone’, an absolute rager which was curiously dropped from the setlist after just one performance. Then came ‘Psychosocial’, a Rammstein-flavoured, propulsive stomp with a fantastic melodic chorus. The album itself is a curious one. The opening 4 songs (‘Gematria’, ‘Sulfur’, ‘Psychosocial’ and ‘Dead Memories’) are absolutely blinding, as are the final pair of ‘Snuff’ and ‘All Hope Is Gone’ - from an acoustic ballad to a brutal blast beat-drive anthem. The problem comes with the 5 songs in the album’s middle, all of which flog half-baked ideas to death. ‘Vendetta’ and ‘This Cold Black’ could have worked if they been more unhinged and less on-the-grid (Ross Robinson, who produced the first 2 albums, famously criticised video footage of each person being recorded one at a time in the studio, sitting down - whereas they used to record everyone together at the same time, standing up as if they were performing live, with no click track). ‘Gehenna’ and ‘Wherein Lies Continue’ tread similar ground to ‘Prosthetics’, ‘Skin Ticket’ and ‘Purity’, but are largely forgettable and forced. And ‘Butcher’s Hook’ starts with an interesting riff but then goes absolutely nowwhere. As of the beginning of 2025, we are still awaiting ‘Look Outside Your Window’, a separate album which was recorded in the same sessions. Perhaps, once this is eventually released, we may re-evaluate ‘All Hope Is Gone’. As it stands, 6 of its songs are brilliant, while 5 should probably have been left on the cutting room floor. Standout tracks: ‘All Hope Is Gone’, ‘Sulfur’, ‘Snuff’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1a7554d1-9133-47e8-87cd-ce80d2a0c901/Screenshot+2025-01-04+at+16.37.46.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 7. Welcome To Our Neighborhood - video (1999) For many, ‘Welcome To Our Neighborhood’ was their first experience of seeing Slipknot visually, not just hearing the music. You’ll never forget the first time you hear Corey Taylor utter the immortal line, “This song is your new National F**king Anthem. This song is called Surfacing!”, followed by an absolutely crushing performance that was filmed at one of Slipknot’s legendary Ozzfest shows around the time of releasing their self-titled record. Originally released on VHS in 1999, ‘Welcome To Our Neighborhood’ received a DVD release in 2003 and is essential viewing for any Slipknot fan. Following ‘Surfacing’, we are shown a series of short interview slips, the notorious music video for ‘Spit It Out’, based on the horror move The Shining, a mind-blowing performance of ‘Wait and Bleed’, and each member introducing themselves. ‘Welcome To Our Neighborhood’ was short and sweet, but the perfect introduction to Slipknot in 1999, and a fantastic statement of intent. It can be streamed on YouTube, including a bonus feature of a music video for the creepy nightmare that is ‘Scissors’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/42d18f4b-060c-45de-85aa-4267eaea429f/R-4332471-1361989563-6931.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 6. (Sic)nesses - Live at Download 2009 (2010) The best live album of all time??? (Sic)nesses is Slipknot at their most feral. Whilst current drummer Eloy Casagrande excels at maintaining a controlled speed, Joey Jordison’s style was always looser, more adrenaline-fueled, and like a train ready to come off its rails at any moment. This leads to some seriously sped-up and exhilarating versions of tracks like ‘Psychosocial’, ‘(Sic)’, ‘Surfacing’ and ‘People=Shit’. ‘Disasterpiece’ is an incredible live document of the Iowa era, but ‘(Sic)nesses’ has the added advantage of including songs from both ‘Vol. 3’ and ‘All Hope Is Gone’ too, played with the unhinged rage of nine men possessed (and apparently highly caffeinated). The video of the show (which you can watch here) is truly stunning, not to mention unnerving to see it go from broad daylight to pitch dark as the show goes on (the best turning point is ‘Left Behind’, where things get darker, both literally and figuratively). The stage production is huge, with pyro, elaboration decorations, video screens on Clown and Chris’ drums, and Joey’s drums at their most ostentatious. There are so many incredible moments, not least the truly epic ‘Jumpdafuckup’ moment in closing song ‘Spit It Out’ (around 80,000 British metalheads going absolutely mental, while Joey Jordison soars above the stage). The audio-only version is just as good, and is the best-sounding live document of Slipknot to date. Put it on loud, feel your house shake, and sing / scream along to a perfect ‘All Hope Is Gone’-era setlist. Standout Tracks: ‘(Sic)’, ‘Get This’, ‘Dead Memories’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c165ac84-8cc5-4d93-aed7-78ba41a4391b/5_The_Gray_Chapter_Artwork.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 5. .5 The Gray Chapter (2014) ‘.5: The Gray Chapter’ may be Slipknot’s darkest record - even more so than ‘Iowa’. Slipknot had already made a career from darkness, hate and aggression, but with ‘The Gray Chapter’ they added grief and loss to their emotional palette. ‘Goodbye’ is a sorrowful ballad full of desperation and hopelessness, while ‘Lech’ makes direct reference to the concept of ‘Survivor’s Guilt’; and ‘Skeptic’ is a brutally direct ode to their fallen comrade. After all their talk about being ‘The Nine’ prior to Paul Gray’s death and Joey Jordison’s unexpected departure, many people assumed that Slipknot were finished in 2012/13. It was therefore a total shock when ‘The Negative One’ appeared out of nowhere. ‘Devil In I’ followed shortly afterwards, complete with a genuinely shocking music video, introducing (and subsequently stabbing to death…) the 2 new members, alongside each other band member dying in various horrific ways. Brutal. It is actually very hard to pick fault in ‘The Gray Chapter’, especially as deep cuts like ‘The One That Kills The Least’, ‘Nomadic’ and ‘Lech’ get better with every listen, unlike the equivalent songs in ‘All Hope Is Gone’ which quickly became ones to skip. ‘If Rain Is What You Want’ is probably the weakest song overall, especially when Slipknt’s album closers (‘Scissors’, ‘Iowa’, ‘Danger: Keep Away’ and ‘All Hope Is Gone’) all made huge statements. But this is nit-picking really - because ‘The Gray Chapter’ is a triumph, and it kick-stated the second phase of Slipknot’s fascinating existence. Standout tracks: ‘The Negative One’, ‘AOV’, ‘Devil In I’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4fa49247-ec50-4b21-bedb-c8055f0e7278/3452972.jpeg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 4. Vol.3: (The Subliminal Verses) (2004) It is curious why the first taste we had of the ‘Vol.3’ sound was ‘Don’t Get Close’, which was included in a random PS2 game. It was a few weeks before the album was going to be released, and we were presented with a lacklustre b-side which sounded incomplete and far below the quality we had come to expect from Slipknot. As such, there was some understandable concern about whether Slipknot had lost their edge after ‘Iowa’. Thankfully, ‘Don’t Get Close’ was a red herring. ‘Vol.3: (The Subliminal Verses)’ is superb. There are still moments of heaviness and darkness, but this time around the sonic palette was much broader, with acoustic guitars (‘Circle’, ‘Vermilion Pt.2’), increased technicality (try air-drumming along to the intros of ‘Opium of the People’ and ‘Welcome’ if you dare), multi-layered vocals (‘Prelude 3.0’, ‘The Nameless’), discordant, Slayer-esque guitar solos (‘Pulse of the Maggots’) and twisted balladry (‘Vermilion’, ‘Danger, Keep Away’). The main criticism of Vol.3 is the production, which has a sratchy, thin sound with a lack of low end and a disappointing drum mix (not quite ‘St Anger’, but not a million miles away either); and Corey’s scream has a very different tone to how he sounded on ‘Iowa’ and ‘Slipknot’ (he has since said, on multiple occasions, that he was unhappy with his vocal performances and how they sounded). That said, these elements do combine to give ‘Vol.3’ a distinctive sound, and it is fair to say that there is no other album on Earth that sounds like this. For a varied, experimental album with all kinds of twists and turns, ‘Vol.3’ takes some beating. Standout Tracks: ‘Vermilion’, ‘The Blister Exists’, ‘Duality’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/142330ee-79ea-44ee-82e2-4c7fdf0702b4/91geYFESmKL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 3. We Are Not Your Kind (2019) On Halloween 2018, completely out of the blue, Slipknot released a standalone single, ‘All Out Life’. With an Iowa-esque sound and as astoundingly powerful chorus (“Old does not mean dead, new does not mean best”), this was a perfectly-timed treat. What we didn’t realise at the time was that the chant of “We are not your kind” towards the end would then become the title of their next album, the following August - even though ‘All Out Life’ was absent from the tracklisting. ‘We Are Not Your Kind’ has moments with the heaviness of the self-titled album (‘Birth of the Cruel’, ‘Red Flag’, ‘Orphan’), some of the emotionally-harrowing darkness of ‘Iowa’ (‘A Liar’s Funeral’, ‘Solway Firth’), stadium-sized choruses (‘Unsainted’, ‘Nero Forte’) and the quirky experimentation of ‘Vol. 3’ (‘Spiders’, ‘Death Because of Death’). In fact, in many ways, ‘We Are Not Your Kind’ combined all the best elements of Slipknot and presented them with a modern, pristine-sounding sheen. You could argue that this record spreads too many ideas too thinly, or that it is too clean-sounding. It is also fair to say that the 13 combined minutes of ‘My Pain’ and ‘Not Long For This World’ drag on for too long towards the end of the album; and you could certainly argue that Corey’s ‘WANYK’ mask is the worst ever of the Slipknot masks. Or… you could just enjoy this record for the proficient, entertaing and varied piece of art that it is. Standout Tracks: ‘Solway Firth’, ‘Critical Darling’, ‘Spiders’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4788179c-13bb-4fb4-a2ed-5fb0222bd881/51KqrxwgBFL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 2. Slipknot (1999) 3 drummers, 2 guitarists, a bassist, a singer, a DJ and a Sampler, from some random place called Des Moines, Iowa, wearing masks and boiler suits and producing some of the heaviest, most brilliant metal music ever heard. Slipknot were, and still are, unlike any other. For many, the first taste of Slipknot was ‘Eyeless’, within its wicked Drum’n’Bass intro, serrated guitars, manic drums and throat-lacerating vocals. Even if your introduction to Slipknot was instead the comparatively radio-friendly ‘Wait and Bleed’, it was still heavy enough to level a house. And what about the brutal ‘(Sic)’, the thunderous anthems ‘Surfacing’, ‘Spit It Out’, ‘Liberate’ and ‘No Life’? What about the genuinely creepy atmosphere created by ‘Prosthetics’ and ‘Purity’, or the outright darkness and apocalyptic ending to ‘Scissors’? How about the fact that ‘Eeyore’ and ‘Get This’ didn’t even make it onto the record? 25 years on, and ‘Slipknot’ still astounds and destroys with every listen. It is utterly thrilling, unique and timeless. Standout Tracks: ‘Eyeless’, ‘Surfacing’, ‘Spit It Out’, ‘Eeyore’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/796fdec5-f6d7-43ad-9ad6-fb0bca8f867d/ab67616d0000b273a62eefef8ee83d5e09aa8331.jpeg Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - 1. Iowa (2001) How do you follow up one of the greatest debut metal albums of all time? Simple: you make ‘Iowa’ - and you go darker, heavier and even more intense. There is a quality about ‘Iowa’ that is hard to put your finger on. It isn’t just an album that you hear. It is an album you can wear. It has a smell to it - a truly nasty, unpleasant smell that won’t wash off. And it is utterly, utterly compelling. The 9 masked metallers didn’t take time off after touring their debut album. They went straight back into the studio, with Ross Robinson once again, and produced an ugly, abrasive record that, yes, did have some catchy moments (‘My Plague’ and ‘Left Behind’ were the obvious choices for singles) but was generally dark and twisted. Screams can be heard throughout. Nightmarish sounds permeate every song. There is a looseness to the playing that suggest the band performed every song live in the studio, like their lives depended on it. We return to the spooksville of ‘Prosthetics’ and ‘Scissors’ with the magnificent ‘Skin Ticket’ and ‘Gently', and the 15-minute pulse of ‘Iowa’. Joey’s drumming expands into blast beats in ‘People=Shit’ and ‘New Abortion’. And the incredible ‘Disasterpiece’ has a claim as greatest Slipknot song of all time, with a Surfacing-esque stomping riff leading to brutal lyrics (“I wanna slit your throat and f*** the wound - wanna push my face in and feel the swoon”), twisted melodies (“Pull your hands away. I’m gone, goodbye, it’s so depressing”) and huge climax. This was utter catharsis, as is the whole album. After an hour with ‘Iowa’, you may feel exhausted. You may feel energised. You may feel upset. You may feel dirty. You will almost certainly feel changed. Standout Tracks: ‘Disasterpiece’, ‘The Heretic Anthem’, ‘Everything Ends’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/090bcdd9-b55e-4c0c-9c0c-a8dfa89473e7/dhumaxt-399f61cd-d9bd-4a9f-9bb6-6083e333b307.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/989e866d-139b-4ab7-895c-50dcf3464ca5/metallica-logo-all-white-wmheum4wlac0mvg2.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4bc4882d-ac2e-42f3-bfce-b4b8607956db/meshuggah_logo.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dd90dec4-55e4-4d2a-9d08-ef88d8fe7163/machineheadmain.png Albums Ranked - Slipknot: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/silverchair monthly 0.5 2026-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4708a6b4-6c6f-4943-8693-786401505258/Gh5md2nzmaTifUAsB6JtfE.jpg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/daabea3c-b3b5-442d-9905-a568430449b1/images.png Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/5e9729e0-8062-4339-b0f6-dba28ed2a933/the-mars-volta-logo-1244A4CDD9-seeklogo.com.png Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/98bf2ef3-ee16-4ae0-89bf-3ef9f7e7c5fa/ghost-logo-9623960C7F-seeklogo.com.png Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/2fc1f9d2-1471-4936-b0a9-1ab2a596542f/Screenshot+2024-12-31+at+17.06.17.jpg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 9. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rock EP (2000) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/166cc2be-d560-4943-b21a-bcc3532cebae/original.jpeg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 8. Talk - Daniel Johns solo album (2015) In hindsight, the announcement that Silverchair were on ‘hiatus’ could have been handled much better. One minute, Daniel, Ben and Chris were in the studio working on the follow-up to ‘Young Modern’, and the next everything was put on hold for an undetermined period, and for no clear reason. This led to a lot of frustration and will-they-won’t-they speculation, which didn’t do much for the public perception of the band. Things have since become clearer with the release of the ‘Who Is Daniel Johns?’ podcast (check it out here), but back in 2010-2015 it became a very frustrating period for Silverchair fans. Eventually, Daniel announced the release of his debut solo album, ‘Talk’, which tellingly included ‘Going on 16’ which Silverchair had played live in their very last live shows, and had presumably planned for their since-scrapped 6th album. ‘Talk’ is very much a change in direction away from the guitar-led rock of Silverchair, and it has some incredible moments. Opener ‘Aerial Love’ is a pristine, delicate pop song with impossibly high falsetto vocals. ‘By Your Side’ and ‘Dissolve’ feature immaculate choruses; and ‘New York’ is a cinematic, orchestral piece that calls to mind the adventures of ‘Diorama’. However, unfortunately the album is overly long, crowded with too many mediocre R&B numbers such as ‘Chained’, ‘Warm Hands’ and ‘Imagination’, where the attempt to channel Stevie Wonder and Prince doesn’t quite work. ‘Talk’ was an admirable album, based around inventive melodies, but the minimalist, synth-heavy production made it hard to sustain interest for the whole thing. Annoyingly, one of the best songs from this era, ‘Late Night Drive’, was left off the album and can only be found on the ‘Aerial Love’ EP - it is well worth hunting down, as is included in the playlist above. Standout Tracks: ‘Dissolve’, ‘Cool On Fire’, ‘Late Night Drive (b-side)’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/3e5d0055-5ed5-4770-8afe-ebe9038aa1d4/ab67616d0000b273f7cbf02cc5d111e494784ee2.jpeg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 7. Young Modern (2007) No-one considered at the time that ‘Young Modern’ would be Silverchair’s final album. It felt fresh and inventive, and the start of a new chapter that was less indebted to Helmet and more akin to the pop-rock fellow Aussies Midnight Oil. ‘Young Modern’ is a great record, with some of the band’s best-ever moments - but with the benefit of hindsight it is the least good (we wouldn’t call it ‘worst’) album because it struggles somewhat with an identity crisis. In a way, the songs can be split into 3 categories. If you want serrated, garage rock guitars then ‘Young Modern Station’, ‘The Man That Knew Too Much’, ‘Insomnia’ and ‘Mindreader’ buzz with a nervous energy that sits in a strange place somewhere between the metal of ‘Freak Show’ and the early 00s indie of Jet and The White Stripes. Dan’s voice is almost unrecognisable from the elegance of ‘Diorama’ and ‘Neon Ballroom’, sounding more like The John Spencer Blues Explosion. An acquired taste. Silverchair then touch on Diorama’s majesty with the incredible, 3-part 'Those Thieving Birds’, and the playful closer ‘All Across The World’; and they experiment with something that sounds like a Disney musical retold by Tim Burton on the baroque ‘If You Keep Losing Sleep’. These are the moments of genuine musical brilliance. And then we have the straight-up pop rock of ‘Straight Lines’, ‘Reflections Of A Sound’, ‘Low’ and ‘Waiting All Day’, all of which are great but pale in comparison to the bombast of ‘If You Keep Losing Sleep’ and ‘Those Thieving Birds’. Originally a Daniel Johns solo album, and then re-focused by making it a Silverchair record, ‘Young Modern’ is a wild ride - but there is a lingering feeling of a band that didn’t quite know which direction to choose. Standout Tracks: ‘Those Thieving Birds’, ‘If You Keep Losing Sleep’, ‘Low’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8818ad37-88c5-43e4-a9ea-63642069605b/ab67616d0000b2731e165d6ea444411ee92fb05f.jpeg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 6. FutureNever - Daniel Johns solo album (2022) The review of ‘Young Modern’ referred to the identify crisis that Silverchair seemed to be going through in 2007. ‘Identity’ is very much the theme of ‘FutureNever’, but not in the sense of it being a ‘crisis’. Instead, the theme seemed to be an attempt to resolve, once and for all, the question “Who is Daniel Johns?’. Musically, ‘FutureNever’ is all over the place. For the the listening experience to truly make sense, it is helpful to first listen to some of the ‘Who is Daniel Johns?’ podcast (find it here). This rollercoaster of a podcast, released in 2021, gave Silverchair’s enigmatic singer and songwriter the platform to talk about his experiences as a teenager being thrust into the spotlight, touring the world and releasing some of rock music’s best and most intriguing albums, all in his teens and 20s. It also explores the uncomfortable breakdown of the relationship with Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou, who of course went through all the same things with Daniel - only, they received much less personal attention. Understanding some of the history helps ‘FutureNever’ make sense - because, let’s face it, without context it comes across as a playlist of several different artists, not an album by one person. Each song is born from a different collaboration, which means there is a lot of variety in both sonic production and genre - and it doesn’t always work. ‘Reclaim Your Heart’ is a weary cousin of ‘Emotion Sickness’ (and it really suffers from not having Ben on drums). ‘Cocaine Killa’ is psychadelic synth pop reminiscent of MGMT. ‘Stand ‘Em Up’ is punk rock by way of The Prodigy, which curiously sounds like it was recorded underwater. ‘FreakNever’ is a frightening retelling of 1997’s ‘Freak’. ‘D4NGRSBOY’ is a lacklustre attempt at The Weeknd and is best forgotten. ‘Someone Call An Ambulance’ sounds like an offcut from The Dissociatives - good, but not great. And the forced vocals on closer ‘Those Thieving Birds, Pt 3’ are, unfortunately, a sign that Dan’s voice isn’t what it used to be. The best songs, by far, are ‘Emergency Calls Only’ and ‘When We Take Over’ - powerful, beautiful songs that recall the inventive orchestration of ‘Diorama’ - and the funky ‘I Feel Electric’ which was the closest thing we got to a single. Overall, ‘FutureNever’ is an intriguing artistic statement - and the fact that even exists in the first place is a triumph. There are flashes of brilliance, but it isn’t an easy listen. Standout Tracks: ‘I Feel Electric’, ‘Emergency Calls Only’, ‘When We Take Over’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b8810070-b519-4424-b146-4b0b9a341247/71Orao9tmZL._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 5. Frogstomp (1995) It is still hard to believe how 3 boys aged 14 & 15 managed to create an album as accomplished as Frogstomp. Not only are the songs themselves well crafted and memorable, but these guys could play. The chemistry between drums, guitar, bass and vocals throughout is incredible, sounding wild, live and raw, but also controlled and always doing what is best to serve the song. Silverchair won a songwriting talent competition with an early version of ‘Tomorrow’, which was developed further for official release as the lead single here. It is a fantastic, strident song with a deceptively unconventional structure and a bold chorus that showcases Daniel Johns’ stunning voice. ‘Tomorrow’ was no flash in the pan, though, and isn’t even the best song here. We have the glorious ‘Israel’s Son’ with its frantic ending, the chaotic instrumental ‘Madman’, punky closer ‘Findaway’, riff-heavy ‘Leave Me Out’, majestic ‘Pure Massacre’ and mature ‘Shade’. ‘Frogstomp’ suffers from some non-descript, teenage lyrics (especially ‘Suicidal Dream’); and the quality dips slightly with ‘Undecided’ and ‘Cicada’ (which might have been better replaced by superb B-side ‘Acid Rain’). But this is nit-picking, really. 'Frogstomp’ is a bona-fide classic - and not just because Daniel, Chris and Ben were teenagers. Standout Tracks: ‘Israel’s Son’, ‘Findaway’, ‘Tomorrow’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f1e9e7a4-9bed-4737-84ab-64a3ea74b026/Silverchair_-_Freak_Show.jpg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 4. Freakshow (1997) Is it controversial to rank ‘Freak Show’ above ‘Frogstomp’? They are both fantastic albums, made in quick succession by 3 ridiculously talented Australian teeangers, taking the best elements of Helmet, Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Black Sabbath and distilling them into a heavy but instantly accessible sound. What gives ‘Freak Show’ the slight edge over ‘Frogstomp’ is that it pushes slightly further in every direction. The heavy parts are heavier (see ‘No Association’ and ‘Learn To Hate’). The fast parts are faster (especially the brilliant, Discharge-influenced ‘Lie To Me’). And the depth of songwriting Silverchair had demonstrated with ‘Pure Massacre’ and ‘Shade’ was embellished on their 2nd album by a broader range of guitar sounds and inventive instrumental textures - see ‘Abuse Me’ and ‘Cemetery’. Lead single ‘Freak’ is an all-time Silverchair classic, with a simple, brutal riff, nonsensical-yet-brilliant lyrics (“No more maybes, your baby’s got rabies, sitting on a ball in the middle of the Andes”) and accompanying artwork that sold thousands of t-shirts. ‘Petrol and Chlorine’ felt like something of an outlier at first, but as Silverchair’s career evolved it has actually become one of their most enduring songs, signposting the creativity they would explore more on ‘Diorama’ (tellingly, they didn’t play ‘Petrol and Chlorine’ live until the Diorama tour). You want a brilliant example of 90s post-grunge? Listen to ‘Freak Show’. You want youthful energy? Listen to ‘Freak Show’. You want brilliant rock songs? Listen to ‘Freak Show’. Standout Tracks: ‘Freak’, ‘The Door’, ‘Petrol and Chlorine’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/848c1bbe-b732-45df-bd1d-b557e68878b5/Dissociatives_cover.jpg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 3. The Dissociatives (2004) Taking some of the ideas from their ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rock’ EP and pushing them to the extreme, ‘The Dissociatives’ is a fantastic record that combines Daniel Johns’ mastery of melody and Paul Mac’s inventive approach to production. Silverchair were on an extended break following the global ‘Diorama’ tour cycle, and Daniel’s well-documented struggle to recover from reactive arthritis. Retreating to the studio with Paul Mac, with no real commercial pressures, the duo came up with a unique collection of songs with elements of The Beatles, Radiohead (particularly the production of ‘Kid A’ and ‘Amnesiac’) and whimsical pop music. Opener ‘We’re Much Preferred Customers’ is a great introduction, with pulsing beats, multi-layered vocals and an unpredictable structure. The album’s highlight is ‘Horror With Eyeballs’, which starts with a double-tracked, immaculately-harmonised vocal and builds to a howling rock song with creepy sound effects, surprising key changes, lyrics that are utterly bonkers, and an ending that is simultaneously uplifting and unsettling. We are treated a couple of quirky instrumentals, ‘Lifing The Veil From The Braille’ and ‘Paris Circa 2007 Slash 08’ which are straight-up fun. Elsewhere, Daniel’s voice is probably the best element of the album, providing textures, otherworldly sounds, pristine harmonies and a comprehensive repertoire of singing styles from across his whole career to that point. Simply put, ‘The Dissociatives’ is an absolute masterpiece and an exciting curiosity for anyone wanting to explore the sound of Daniel Johns beyond his work in Silverchair. Standout Tracks: ‘Horror With Eyeballs’, ‘We’re Much Preferred Customers’, ‘Forever And A Day’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/42f95279-0aaa-490f-bda2-444f01080ccd/ab67616d0000b273ad5c05fa4ba3c07d26364997.jpeg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 2. Neon Ballroom (1999) ‘Freak Show’ had hinted at a more orchestral sound with ‘Cemetery’, but the biggest foreshadowing of ‘Neon Ballroom’ came from ‘Untitled’ a standalone song that was released on the Godzilla Soundtrack. ‘Untitled’ went from a beautiful, haunting ballad with orchestral flourishes, to brutally heaviness in the middle. 'Neon Ballroom’ took this juxtaposition of styles and spread it over an entire album, to miraculous effect. If it wasn’t for the absolute behemoth of ‘Diorama’ at Number 1, ‘Neon Ballroom’ would be at the top spot in this list - and it would be the best album of most other bands. From the very opening seconds of ‘Emotion Sickness’, the listener is in for something special. Yes, there were guitars, but they were surrounded by piano, violins, cellos, flutes and lush countermelodies. Suddenly Silverchair were catapulted to a whole new sound, beyond the guitar-bass-drums of the first two records; and when the song does explode into life after the second chorus, it sounds enormous. ‘Emotion Sickness’ alone, with its stirring pleas to ‘Get Up Get Up’, the majestic piano flourishes and gorgeous coda, is enough to leave an impact. But this is just the beginning. ‘Anthem For The Year 2000’ is a balls-out rock song for stadiums. ‘Ana’s Song (Open Fire)’, with its subject matter around anorexia, is a defiant, stirring ballad. Later, we have ‘Black Tangled Heart, ‘Point Of View’ and ‘Paint Pastel Princess’ which all follow a similar sonic template but do so brilliantly; and fans of Silverchair’s heavier side will love ‘Satin Sheets’ and ‘Spawn (again)’, showing that Silverchair hadn’t completely moved away from their Minor Threat, Soundgarden, Helmet and Pantera influences. Oh, and just a reminder. The band were still only teenagers. Standout tracks: ‘Emotion Sickness’, ‘Ana’s Song (Open Fire)’, ‘Point Of View’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f10508b7-d2af-49dd-a16b-6358e51358d7/71VjzV5lf3L._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - 1. Diorama (2002) If you haven’t been through the door into ‘Diorama’, you NEED to do it - and things may never be the same again. There is a compelling argument for ‘Diorama’ being the greatest album of all time. Even more so when you have heard the podcast ‘Who Is Daniel Johns?’ which dissects the album in depth and features an interview with Van Dyke Parks, whose orchestral arrangements (informed by his work with The Beach Boys) helped ‘Diorama’ to transcend the limitations of what we believe rock music can / should sound like. “Neon Ballroom’ expanded Silverchair’s sound with its addition of piano and strings. ‘Diorama’ took this to a whole new level, not only integrating lush orchestral instrumentation into most of the songs, but also shifting the overall tone of their music. The album artwork is a great indication of what is to come: Opening a door from a drab, dirty room, into an explosion of light and a full spectrum of colour. ‘Luv Your Life’ is the most upbeat song in Silverchair’s history, and even with its “Do Do Do”s it avoids being cheesy because it feels so genuine and authentic. Similarly, ‘My Favourite Thing’, ‘Across The Night’ and ‘Without You’ have an multi-coloured atmosphere full of hope, love and wonder - something we never encountered in ‘Neon Ballroom’. Daniel’s lyrics were still cryptic, but inviting and poetic (“All the bridges in the world won’t save you, if there is no other side to cross to” - ‘World Upon Your Shoulders’). ‘One Way Mule’ and ‘The Lever’ showed that Silverchair still knew how to bring the heaviness - but it was on their terms. This was their world (Diorama is literally a world within a world), and we were being invited in. From the opening words of ‘Across The Night’ to the shivers-down-your-spine conclusion to ‘After All These Years’, ‘Diorama’ is utter perfection. Standout tracks: ‘Tuna In The Brine’, ‘Without You’, ‘Across The Night’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d8bc1bfd-2810-4217-9d3a-24e8f5e7b766/The-Mars-Volta.png Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d7831648-01ed-4343-9ec7-38cd5a37384a/presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-5040a67157816.png Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Silverchair & Daniel Johns: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/the-mars-volta monthly 0.5 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1773049162889-7MHZ86U3QZ2UIG6AZ79B/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/547108be-b5eb-4456-a2b8-9d402a2cdb20/mastodon_logo_2017.png Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4708a6b4-6c6f-4943-8693-786401505258/Gh5md2nzmaTifUAsB6JtfE.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8c85dab-9d6d-4727-9598-dfc43f5f9b82/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/640481c7-b24a-4a38-9639-f68460ec4796/maxresdefault.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 12. Tremulant EP (2002) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/cf2555ee-bf57-4656-8a6c-98295a6b4c6f/ab67616d0000b273c781ca22b4179a85fbcc26e7.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 11. Scabdates (2005) Officially, Scabdates is a live album - but it isn’t a traditional one. Most live albums are either a full show or a compilation of tracks from different shows. The best way to approach Scabdates is to think of it as an audio collage - a patchwork of ideas, showcasing not only The Mars Volta’s live sound but also their own experiences on the road. We have background noises from waiting in airports, children crying, ambient sounds, muffled voices and the band soundchecking. There are only 3 actual ‘songs’, one of which is a straightforward run-through of ‘Concertina’ (from the Tremulant EP), while the other two are extended freakouts based loosely on ‘Take the veil Cerpin Taxt’ and ‘Cicatriz ESP’. These two tracks form the bulk of the record, showcasing how The Mars Volta built on their studio creations, jamming on them for 20+ minutes each, trying out new ideas mid-song (the origins of ‘Cassandra Gemini’ and ‘Cygnus…Vismund Cygnus’ can be found here) and going in whatever direction they felt like at the time. As an album, this isn’t an easy listen at all, and it requires a lot of patience; but it is well worth your time if you want something to immerse yourself in. Standout tracks (if you can call them that): ‘Haruspex’, ‘Concertina’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/43b79092-682a-4568-9f72-cf2c51f2cf1f/513qgWy8R6L._UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 10. ANTEMASQUE (2014) As with ‘Cryptomnesia’ which appears later in this ranking, ‘ANTEMASQUE’ isn’t a Mars Volta record. However, given that The Mars Volta has always been billed as a ‘creative partnership between Cedric and Omar’, and given how important ‘Antemasque’ is within the TMV story, we chose to include it. Is is controversial not to include the At The Drive-In records too? - well that would be a fair question. At the end of the ‘Noctourniquet’ album tour, in August 2012, The Mars Volta broke up. As we now understand, from the ‘If this ever gets weird’ documentary that came out in 2024, Omar and Cedric’s friendship had been stretched beyond breaking point. A combination of personal and musical differences and frustrations meant that The Mars Volta was shelved - and fans were devastated. Imagine our delight when, 2 years later, some mysterious video and audio clips started to emerge, emblazoned with the name ‘ANTEMASQUE’. What was this? It turned out to be a reconciliation of sorts, and a carefree, wild-and-loose garage rock blast that could be labelled a ‘supergroup’. With Flea on bass and Dave Elitch on drums, Antemasque was a vehicle to play simple, straightforward, high-energy rock without the pressure of ‘being The Mars Volta’ (whatever that means). The result was great fun. Opener ‘4am’ has a mid-00s indie quality. ‘In The Lurch’ and ‘People Forget’ were like the punkier moments of ‘Noctourniquet’ (‘Dyslexicon’, ‘Molochwalker’). ‘Drown All Your Witches’ brought to mind the campfire vibe of mid-period Stone Temple Pilots. ‘Providence’, especially in its drawn-out jam form when they played it live, was the proggiest and most Mars Volta-esque song, showing that they hadn’t abandoned this side of their sound entirely. ‘ANTEMASQUE’ is a wild and invigorating listen, not only symbolising the reparation of Omar and Cedric’s relationship, but also acting as something of a musical bridge between the first few Mars Volta records and their second, more restrained era that began in 2022. The question is: Will they ever release ‘Saddle on the Atom Bomb’, the follow-up album they recorded with Travis Barker (Blink 182) on drums? Standout tracks: ‘Providence’, ‘50,000 Kilowatts’, ‘In The Lurch’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8cfa3952-27f8-41c7-9a49-d83999ea375b/a0598723910_10.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 9. Octahedron (2009) Following the chaos of ‘The Bedlam in Goliath’, Cedric and Omar had been describing the imminent follow-up as their ‘acoustic album’. Imagine everyone’s surprise, therefore, when the first song to be released from Octahedron was the bonkers ‘Cotopaxi’ - similar in nature to ‘Wax Simulacra’, but with an even weirder time signature. Acoustic, it most certainly wasn’t. Outside of ‘Cotopaxi’, and parts of ‘Desperate Graves’, the rest of the album is relatively subdued - not particularly acoustic, but with a mellow and warm atmosphere. ‘Octahedron’ rewards your patience with a range of treats (the vocals in ‘With Twilight As My Guide’ are some of Cedric’s very best), but the highlights are somewhat sparse. There are brilliant songs hidden somewhere within ‘Teflon’ and ‘Luciforms’, but they never quite reach their full potential. The album’s most interesting moment comes in the glitchy electronica of ‘Copernicus’, hinting at The Mars Volta expanding their musical palette, but still falling short of their lofty standards. Standout tracks: ‘Cotopaxi’, ‘With Twilight as My Guide’, ‘Copernicus’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/6687f471-4134-4d9c-8a7e-21964a674b17/Screenshot+2025-03-08+at+10.39.19.png Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 8. Lucro Sucio: Los Ojos del Vacío (2025) Well, this was unexpected. In their support slot, opening for Deftones on their US tour in February/March 2025, The Mars Volta played an entirely new, unannounced record from front to back. The audience was bemused, enthralled and enraptured in equal measure, especially as this was a far cry from the chaotic, artful prog rock of what people had expected. Then came the album leak, supposedly originating from Cedric Bixler-Zavala handed a CD-R (remember those?) of the record to a delivery guy. So far, so Mars Volta. And the music itself? Truly beguiling. ‘Lucro Sucio: Los Ojos del Vacío’ is the sound of a band doing exactly what THEY want, with no regard for fan service or repeating past glories - and instead embracing themselves fully as artists. They really embraced the Latin flavours on ‘Lucro Sucio’, with elements of jazz, progressive electronica, 70s soul and restrained funk. It is a trippy jazz odyssey that zigs and zags through a sonic maze, that will make you want to salsa dance one moment and then swoon and cry in its harmonies the next. Cedric’s voice dominates throughout, sounding pure and smooth, in the higher parts of his range and often moving into falsetto. As with 2023’s self-titled comeback record, he has transitioned into more personal lyrics (“You’re the one that I want…You should know that it’s not safe inside my mind” - ‘The Iron Rose’), with fewer of the abstract leanings of The Mars Volta’s early work. Omar’s guitar is also used sparsely (hardly at all), making way for delicious synths and layers of Latin percussion. ‘Lucro Sucio’ is even more singular (one-dimensional..?) than the self-titled record, and it doesn’t have the dizzying, exhilirating elements of other albums; but it is an engrossing listen that signals a further deviation from what we considered ‘The Mars Volta’ to be. Watching some of the live shows from the 2025 tour, the best of which is 2025-10-25 Dallas, TX (check it out on YouTube), the band has clearly continued to build on the record while playing it on the road. A live album to follow perhaps, guys? Standout Tracks: ‘Voice in my Knives’, ‘The Iron Rose’, ‘Enlazan Las Tinieblas’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/663641a3-d4d8-4fa3-ae38-dd025c34a75d/s-l1200.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 7. Noctourniquet (2012) ‘Noctourniquet’ is a curious one, because most of the album had been played live by the ‘Omar Rodriquez-Lopez Group’ for well over a year before the songs were compiled and released officially under the name The Mars Volta. With the benefit of hindsight, ‘Noctourniquet’ signalled the death of the band (for 10 years, at least), which was a shame because there are some astounding moments throughout which signal the exciting new direction that they could have continued in, had they not disbanded at the end of the album tour. ‘Aegis’ has chorus that echoes ‘Inertiatic ESP’. ‘The Malkin Jewel’ is deliciously creepy. ‘Trinkets Pale of Moon’, ‘Vedamalady’ and the title track work together brilliantly towards the end of the album, with a majestic atmosphere that beats anything on ‘Octahedron’. What haven’t aged as well, unfortunately, are the ‘future punk’ sounds that Cedric was so excited about at the time, with ‘The Whip Hand’ and ‘Dyslexicon’ suffering from the abundance of synths in the place of Omar’s trademark electric guitar squall. The standout - for better or worse - is Deatoni Parks’ drumming throughout. Where the drummers before him (Thomas Pridgen, especially) brought elaborate beats, Parks went for a minimalist feel with unorthodox, jazzy fills. At times it works brilliantly, but sometimes you just want The Mars Volta to rock out in a more traditional way. Standout tracks: ‘Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound’, ‘Zed and Two Noughts’, ‘In Absentia’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/f68330b6-59e4-4969-9732-49adb821401c/GSL126_cover_temp_461.png Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 6. Amputechture (2006) Hot on the heels of the triumphant ‘Frances the Mute’, The Mars Volta went even further up prog rock mountain with ‘Amputechture’, which is definitely not an album for the casual listener. Everything about ‘Amputechture’ seems to have been put in place to ward off people who were drawn to ‘The Widow’ and ‘Inertiatic ESP’. The 7-minute opening dirge of ‘Vicarious Atonement’, the impenetrable ‘El Ciervo Vulnerado’, and the barely audible drum mix (fans have pondered how this relegation of Jon Theodore’s presence behind the drums related to his exit from the band soon afterwards). Even the single ‘Viscera Eyes’ is over 9 minutes long (admittedly an edited version was also released); and the song that resembled ‘The Widow’ the most, ‘Vermicide’, is splattered in weird vocal effects. With their first record, The Mars Volta were heralded as the next big thing. ‘Amputechture’ is the audio equivalent of a middle finger to the establishment - and if you embrace its absurdity it is truly brilliant. ‘Tetragrammaton’ crams more than an album’s worth of ideas into 17 minutes. ‘Asilos Magdalena’ is a gorgeous acoustic ballad. But the award for best song is torn between ‘Meccamputechture’ and ‘Day of the Baphomets’, both of which have an incredible energy and wild dynamics. Even better than the original release is the Remastered version by Morning Ears Remasters (look it up on YouTube), with drums louder in the mix, making for a more wholesome listen even if it wasn’t what Omar may have intended. Standout tracks: ‘Meccamputechture’, ‘Asilos Magdalena’, ‘Day of the Baphomets’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/b0a87d28-5d7e-4798-be17-7429ee30302b/Cryptomnesiaartwork.png Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 5. Cryptomnesia (2009) While not an official Mars Volta record, ‘Cryptomnesia’ is essentially TMV. Cedric himself said “It's pretty much a Mars Volta record, just without Thomas, Ikey and Marcel”. It was released under the name ‘El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez’, possibly for contractual reasons, but it is recommended to any Mars Volta fan - more so than Omar’s myriad solo releases that can be something of an endurance test. Released at a similar time to ‘Octahedron’, this record is fun, frivolous and utterly unique, and is fully deserving of its place in The Mars Volta’s superb discography, even if it doesn’t have TMV’s name on it. ‘Cryptomnesia’ was recorded quickly and benefits from a haphazard, manic energy. With recurring melodies, it is perhaps best regarded as one long song which has been cut up and stuck back together with vocal samples, weird noises and loops. Never outstaying its welcome, ‘Cryptomnesia’ is a crazy adrenaline rush which builds on the lunacy of ‘The Bedlam in Goliath’. Standout tracks: ‘Tuberculoids’, ‘Elderly Couple Beaten With Hammer’, ‘Puny Humans’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e0201953-0c63-4010-83cd-74afb2cad523/mars-volta.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 4. The Mars Volta (2022) Reconciliation. Rebirth. Before listening to this self-titled album, it may be helpful to watch the hour-long special with Zane Lowe (see it here on YouTube), as he talks with Omar and Cedric about restarting The Mars Volta after nearly 10 years apart. It is a beautiful, honest and vulnerable interview, which explains so much about why ‘TMV’ sounds the way it does. This self-titled record is The Mars Volta’s version of a ‘pop’ album - in the sense that the songs are all around 3 minutes long, generally with conventional verse-chorus-verse-chorus structures, and without the perplexing time signatures that had become the band’s calling card. This relatively stripped-down approach works extremely well, right from the opening one-two of ‘Blacklight Shine’ and ‘Graveyard Love’ through to intriguing closer ‘The Requisition’. Cedric’s vocals are the highlight, not only in the delicate perfection of his delivery but also with the personal, introspective lyrics which help make this a deeply affecting, beautiful album. Also worth a listen is the follow-up record ‘Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazón’, an acoustic re-recording of the album which doubles down on the Latin percussion and strips back the synths to acoustic guitar. It isn’t as good as the original, but is an interesting listening experience. Standout tracks: ‘Graveyard Love’, ‘Equus 3’, ‘No Case Gain’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/8dca51f4-cfb3-439e-a041-8b011d7541be/The_Mars_Volta-The_Bedlam_In_Goliath-Frontal.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 3. The Bedlam In Goliath (2008) It starts with utter chaos. ‘Aberinkula’ bursts out of the speakers with so much force and such an abrasive, treble-heavy mix that it can hurt your ears at only a moderate volume - and ‘The Bedlam in Goliath’ hardly lets up from here. Once your ears adjust to the mix (which we can only assume is intentionally chaotic, given the title), this is a stunning album, with some of the very best songs The Mars Volta have ever produced, including the funky ‘Ilyena’, the riff-heavy ‘Goliath’ and the glorious conclusion of ‘Conjugal Burns’. The flabby mid-section of ‘Tourniquet Man’, ‘Cavalettas’, ‘Agadez’ and ‘Askepios’ could perhaps have been trimmed somewhat, but their self-indulgence does have a certain charm. This album is the equivalent of taking every possible musical idea, throwing everything into a blender abd seeing what happens - then leaving the blender on in the background while the music is playing. The b-sides from this era are fantastic too, with covers of Pink Floyd, The Sugarcubes, Nick Drake, Soft Machine and Circle Jerks. Check them out on YouTube. Standout tracks: ‘Wax Simulacra’, ‘Ilyena’, ‘Ouroborous’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ef3fb335-5969-4afc-9e90-349a1ad2dff1/R-8875661-1470588461-7386.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 2. Deloused In The Comatorium (2003) After the dissolution of At the Drive-In, no-one would have thought that Cedric and Omar would produce something as utterly majestic as this. For one: Cedric’s vocals. He was already known for his stream-of-consciousness lyrics and creative use of melody; but his high-pitched clean singing (which appears right at the start of ‘Inertiatic ESP’) is truly a wonder to behold. Produced immaculately (some might say too immaculately) by Rick Rubin, and with Flea from the Chili Peppers on bass, ‘Deloused’ is one hell of a debut album. It tells a high-concept story that explores themes of life & death, spiritualism and psychadelic drugs, through songs that have all become classics in their own right. The incredible choruses of ‘Roulette Dares’ and ‘Eritarka’. The bombastic percussion of ‘Drunkship of Lanterns’. The devastating melodies of ‘Televators’. The apocalyptic conclusion to ‘Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt’. ‘Deloused in the Comatorium’ is utterly sublime. Standout tracks: ‘Roulette Dares (The Haunt of)’, ‘Cicatriz ESP’, ‘Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt’ This album was truly life-changing for so many people. Soundout tracks: ‘Roulette Dares (The Haunt of)’, ‘Eriatarka’, Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/dcb86659-35a7-4849-bfe4-07442e9073a7/ab67616d0000b273a6fb6a5868d334326c641fa4.jpeg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - 1. Frances The Mute (2005) There aren’t many albums you can experience in the same way as ‘Frances the Mute’. It’s something you can live in. Something you can disappear to. Every listen is different. Theoretically, there are only 5 songs here. But, like their live shows at the time, there is so much to digest within each track that the notion of a ‘song’ goes completely out of the window. ‘Frances the Mute’ is so cinematic in scope that it plays more like a movie - a mysterious thriller, perhaps an unsolved murder being investigated by means of a convoluted road trip, where the audience has no idea which characters can be trusted and who is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Musically, it doesn’t get much better than the latin funk of ‘LVia L’Viaquez’, the crazy time signatures of ‘Cygnus’, and, of course, the tremendous 30-minute ‘Cassandra Gemini’, The Mars Volta’s magnum opus, which has so many twists and turns, with jazzy instrumentation, prog freak-outs and tremendous dynamics. At its breathtaking finale, ‘Cassandra Gemini’ ends the same way the album starts - and if you add the b-side ‘Frances the Mute’ then the result is a mind-bending, confusing tale that it is open to different interpretations and warrants multiple listens. Utterly unique and brilliant. Standout tracks: ‘Cassandra Gemini’, ‘L’Via L’Viaquez’, ‘Cygnus…Vismund Cygnus’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/29c12978-7ff2-434e-a13f-24167900cd9b/Untitled+design.png Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/77567b17-bea8-4883-b7a3-a5977dad0f05/raf%2C750x1000%2C075%2Ct%2C101010_01c5ca27c6.jpg Albums Ranked - The Mars Volta: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/linkin-park monthly 0.5 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ecd7f1a0-b6ad-456a-8101-6135f02bb6aa/images.jpeg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/090bcdd9-b55e-4c0c-9c0c-a8dfa89473e7/dhumaxt-399f61cd-d9bd-4a9f-9bb6-6083e333b307.png Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735251772395-2K1GU7R8YW9LXCO7C2YY/images.png Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/e971aa3e-2004-403a-b518-ff4dc600a792/71zibYlETiL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 8. Minutes To Midnight (2007) 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/45f2e946-51e7-4d40-8265-fbb913e295a9/71t%2B4TJ6evL.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 7. The Hunting Party (2014) Everything about ‘The Hunting Party’ says REACTION. A reaction to fans saying they’d lost their heaviness. A reaction to critics saying they’d become self-indulgent. A reaction to their own yearning to make more organic, wild and noisy music. They hinted at it with ‘Victimized’ on the previous album ‘Living Things’, and stretched the idea over a full album. For the most part, it is an enjoyable, chaotic ride - and it definitely isn’t an album for casual fans of ‘In The End’ or ‘Numb’. ‘The Hunting Party’ starts with electronically distorted screams and retains its heaviness for most of the record, especially with the hardcore punk of ‘War’ and the fantastic riffs of ‘Rebellion’. In fact, the main criticism of the album is that it could have gone further with the intensity. If Linkin Park were really making a statement with this record, it could have gone even heavier and focused, and they could have dispensed with ‘Drawbar’, ‘Final Masquerade’ and ‘Until It’s Gone’ (admittedly a great song) which dilute the overall brutality. Still, it is hard not to have respect for Linkin Park making a purposeful step away from commercial viability with this one. Standout tracks: ‘All For Nothing', ‘A Line in the Sand’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/3491a5e3-3d1f-4d52-a90d-bb6d921310e6/81V6n3BD%2BAL.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 6. One More Light (2017) It is impossible to listen to ‘One More Light’ without thinking about the tragedy that happened only a few weeks after the album was released. Each lyric on this record takes on a different, more devastating flavour, knowing that Chester was battling demons so strong that he felt the only way out was to end his own life. Lyrics such as “I’m dancing with my demons. I’m hanging off the edge” (Nobody Can Save Me); “If my armor breaks, I'll fuse it back together” (Battle Symphony); “You say that I'm paranoid, but I'm pretty sure the world is out to get me” (Heavy); “In the kitchen, one more chair than you need” (One More Light) - they are almost unbearably hard to hear and read. If these were a cry for help, was there anything more that could have been done? Linkin Park received a lot of initial criticism for ‘One More Light’, for dispensing with the heaviness and embracing pop and R’n’B throughout. Admittedly, there is little to distinguish them from the mainstream pop of the day (even Taylor Swift comes to mind) - but there is an enduring quality to the songwriting throughout that makes ‘One More Light’ worthy of revisiting - just make sure you bring the tissues for the immaculate title track. Standout tracks: ‘One More Light’, ‘Heavy’, ‘Nobody Can Save Me’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/76e22996-26cd-43e0-8ee6-8e55f7c54d68/ab67616d0000b273b11a5489e8cb11dd22b930a0.jpeg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 5. From Zero (2024) A lot has been made, understandably, of Linkin Park returning with a new singer - and a female singer, at that. Their comeback in 2024 was one of the biggest music stories of the year, and the stakes were incredibly high. Massive congratulations to the band for producing something that was genuinely worthy of the Linkin Park name, with enough nods to their signature sound to be familiar but without being a note-for-note retread of their past (with the exception of ‘Two Faced’ - could it be any more similar to ‘One Step Closer’…?). From the moment that Emily Armstrong’s voice comes enters on the second verse of ‘The Emptiness Machine’, it was clear she was the perfect choice to fill Chester’s shoes. Throughout the album, she demonstrates a genuinely brilliant singing voice, as well as brutal screams (‘Heavy Is The Crown’, which could have come straight from 'Hybrid Theory’ and ‘Casualty’, which sounds like an outtake from ‘The Hunting Party’). ‘From Zero’ is a lean, direct and tight record that easily stands shoulder to shoulder with their best work. Standout tracks: ‘The Emptiness Machine’, ‘Over Each Other’, ‘Good Things Go’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/c036cd73-17d9-46a5-a6bf-b5b970485462/Linkin_Park_Meteora_Album_Cover.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 4. Meteora (2003) With ‘Meteora’, Linkin Park created a collection of songs that, for the most part, match ‘Hybrid Theory’ for quality. However, aside from the faster pace of ‘Breaking the Habit’, which creates energy through synths and pace rather than loud guitars, ‘Meteora’ doesn’t bring especially new to the table. It’s certainly a good record, but nowhere near as cutting-edge and innovative as its predecessor. ‘Session’ is this album’s ‘Cure For The Itch’, in penultimate position again. ‘Numb’, whilst excellent, has strong echoes of ‘In The End’. And ‘Hit The Floor’ is a more processed retread / hybrid of ‘Papercut’ and ‘Place For My Head’, using all of the hallmarks of nu-metal that were starting to get a bit tired in 2003. That said, ‘Meteora’ is still a fantastic record, showcasing Chester’s superb singing / screaming (‘Easier To Run’ is possibly the best example of his versatility), Mike’s ever-reliable raps and a masterful combination of heavy guitars, punchy drums and cutting-edge electronica. Standout tracks: ‘Breaking the Habit’, ‘Numb’, ‘Faint’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1fdcd63b-3229-494b-92c9-f831dc1dee19/71BV1XhB9WL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 3. Living Things (2012) After the experimentation of ‘A Thousand Suns’, Linkin Park had simultaneously opened up an exciting future and alienated some of their long-term fans. They were most likely very aware of this, given that the follow-up, ‘Living Things’, was arguably a combination of everything that had come before. The space, warped synths and prog-rock flavours from ‘A Thousand Suns’ crept into ‘Roads Untravelled’, ‘Skin to Bone’ and ‘Tinfoil’. ‘I’ll Be Gone’ has echoes of ‘Somewhere I Belong’, with a new-found majesty, while ‘Powerless’ gives ‘Numb’ a run for its money. The quality isn’t perfect all the way through, unfortunately. ‘Victimized’ comes across as somewhat jarring, and would have fitted much better on ‘The Hunting Party’. Similarly, there is a good song hidden somewhere in ‘Until It Breaks’, but it doesn’t quite work. Some of Linkin Park’s best ever songs feature on ‘Living Things’, including the wonderful ‘Castle of Glass’ and opener ‘Lost in the Echo’. ‘Living Things’ is often overlooked, and it is certainly not held with the same career-defining reverance as ‘Meteora’, but it is well worth revisiting as a summary of all elements of what make Linkin Park great. Standout tracks: ‘Castle of Glass’, ‘Roads Untravelled’, ‘Lost in the Echo’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/d4083504-a9de-4dbb-a83e-6b1b94d6de8d/81Z8E8G1OEL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 2. A Thousand Suns (2010) “‘A Thousand Suns’ in SECOND place, above ‘Meteora’…??!!” I can hear the war cries and battle drums now. Honestly, if you dismissed this album when it first came out, give it another spin. A lot of people were quick to jump on the bandwagon of “Where have the guitars gone?”; whereas, in fact, what Linkin Park managed with ‘A Thousand Suns’ was to create something utterly unique, compelling and emotionally affecting. This is less of a collection of songs and more of a fully realised album. Not so much a ‘concept’ record, as there isn’t a cleary identifiable narrative or story behind it - but an album in the sense that it flows brilliantly as a complete body of work, including ambient soundscapes, vocal samples, unconventional instrumentation, programmed beats and plenty of melodrama. The lead single, ‘The Catalyst’, gets the blood pumping in a way that recalls The Prodigy or Pendulum (albeit through a Linkin Park filter). ‘Iridescent’ is a power ballad with group vocals (“Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?”) that stir the most powerful emotions; and ‘When They Come For Me’ has an Eastern-flavoured vocal melody stacked on layer upon layer of percussion and synths. This was musical alchemy at its most inspiring - almost like Nine Inch Nails’ ‘The Fragile’ but with all the mysanthrophy flipped upside down to optimism. Soundout tracks: ‘Iridescent’, ‘The Catalyst’, ‘Robot Boy’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ec6de213-da32-403d-b106-83f00220fea8/81iC%2BO0ec2L._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - 1. Hybrid Theory (2000) It had to be, really, didn’t it?. When your debut album is one of the greatest rock records of all time, it would take a mammoth effort to knock it from the Number 1 spot. Linkin Park seemed to come from nowhere, and were fully realised from day one. This, of course, led to a lot of scepticism in the rock and metal world. Surely they were a manufactured band - ‘The Backstreet Boys with guitars’ etc etc. In reality, they were just really REALLY good. As they have proven time and again over the years, Linkin Park have an incredible work ethic as a band, and they share a singular vision which is based on perfectionism and high quality. Yes, the songs are formulaic. Yes, you know that the quieter, rapped verses from Mike Shinoda are going to be followed soon by a heavy, melodic chorus sung / screamed brilliantly by Chester Bennington. Yes, every song is a similar length. But it doesn’t matter when the quality is this high. No-one in the metal world had ever produced something as polished, pop-flavoured and, well, brilliant, as Hybrid Theory - which is why it flew to the top of every chart in 2000. It was unashamably nu metal; but where so many other records from the late 90s / early 2000s have faded to embarrassing, dated obscurity, ‘Hybrid Theory’ has endured and is beloved by a whole new generation of rock and metal fans. Standout tracks: ‘Forgotten’, ‘With You’, ‘In The End’, ‘One Step Closer’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1735256230007-FWPYFK8FG2DLKGB892KO/Deftones-Logo.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/4708a6b4-6c6f-4943-8693-786401505258/Gh5md2nzmaTifUAsB6JtfE.jpg Albums Ranked - Linkin Park: All Albums Ranked - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/top-10-albums monthly 0.5 2026-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/a8347c05-9f5d-41ef-8f18-579f18242e6d/image.webp Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2025 Twenty One Pilots - Breach Biffy Clyro - Futique Coheed & Cambria - The Father of Make Believe Deftones - private music Ghost - Skeleta Turnstile - Never Enough Moron Police - Pachinko The Callous Daoboys - I Don’t Want To See You In Heaven Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia Smoking Popes - Lovely Stuff What a year 2025 was for new music! We actually produced a list in August of the best 10 albums of the year so far, and it seemed inconceivable that any of those (which included stellar records by Architects, I Prevail and The Wildhearts) would be toppled out of the top 10. However, the final months of 2025 brought genuniely amazing albums by Biffy Clyro, Twenty One Pilots and Moron Police, which all streamrolled their way into our final end-of-year ranking. We couldn’t even find space for Starset, Bloodywood, Idlewild and Ash who all produced great records in 2025 too, and all made strong contenders for album of the year. Ultimately, it was the utterly brilliant ‘Breach’ by Twenty One Pilots that won us over the most. It gets better and better with every listen and is a wonderful sonic continuation of the previous year’s ‘Clancy’, as well as tying together some of the intricate lore they have created over the last few years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/83b1ce94-c492-4afa-a56d-b43a522f9693/91ziPsr4ioL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2024 14. Silent Cry (2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/30c655d4-fad3-43cc-8ba7-e74be77cf880/ab67616d0000b27363b4d97078d7918f0b9eab99.jpeg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2023 Code Orange - The Above Metallica - 72 Seasons Paramore - This Is Why In Flames - Foregone Blink 182 - One More Time Foo Fighters - But Here We Are Rancid - Tomorrow Never Comes Orbit Culture - Descent Ash - Race The Night Hundred Reasons - Glorious Sunset 2023’s top albums came mostly from acts with an extensive, long-established pedigree, who each produced their best album in years, in some cases bouncing back from devastating loss (Foo Fighters) and in other cases resulting from reconciliation (Blink 182 and Hundred Reasons). Of the newer acts, Orbit Culture are establishing themselves as ones to watch; and Code Orange took a further step up from Underneath and Forever, expanding their brutal assualt into 90s alt-rock territory. ‘The Above’ gets better and better with every listen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/760f2311-484d-4715-ba2f-a0e231974ed7/Of-Kingdom-and-Crown-Machine-Head.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2022 Machine Head - Of Kingdom And Crown The Mars Volta - The Mars Volta Feeder - Torpedo Parkway Drive - Darker Still The 1975 - Being Funny In A Foreign Language Daniel Johns - FutureNever Rammstein - Zeit Coheed & Cambria - Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind Lorna Shore - Pain Remains The Weeknd - Dawn FM Everyone thought that Machine Head were dead and buried after half the band walked out overnight - but Robb Flynn had other ides. The new line-up may be more ‘Robb, Jared and friends’ now, but ‘Of Kingdom and Crown’ was CRUSHING. What a masterpiece. Alongside this, The Mars Volta reformed after 10 years, Daniel Johns came back from the wilderness with an eclectic 2nd solo album, Lorna Shore proved that brutal can also be beautiful, and The Weeknd produced a bona-fide concept album. What a year! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/1a9d358c-2438-4896-a247-8c99c5176cd4/9193Zm9Nh7L.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2021 Weezer - OK Human Cradle of Filth - Existence Is Futile Spiritbox - Eternal Blue Bullet For My Valentine - Bullet For My Valentine Twenty One Pilots - Scaled & Icy Turnstile - Glow On Architects - For Those That Wish To Exist Carcass - Torn Arteries Royal Blood - Typhoons Biffy Clyro - The Myth Of The Happily Ever After Rivers Cuomo is an incredibly prolific songwriter. Not only did Weezer produce the Beatles-influenced masterpiece ‘OK Human’, but also the 80s hair metal-worshipping ‘Van Weezer’. Elsewhere, Spiritbox released a barnstorming debut full-length, BFMV came back heavier than ever, and Turnstile made the perfect hybrid of punk, hardcore, RnB and pop. 2021 was also the year of incredible live streams, in the absence of touring. Check out Biffy Clyro, Architects, Twenty One Pilots and Weezer all making incredible presentations of their latest albums. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/ae2bd6e8-dc98-46f1-ad3d-4cf6b31435d9/R-15502147-1595128296-8010__60167.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2020 Lamb of God - Lamb of God Nightwish - Human :II: Nature Pure Reason Revolution - Eupnea Moron Police - A Boat On The Sea Trivium - What The Dead Men Say Biffy Clyro - A Celebration Of Endings Less Than Jake - Silver Linings HAIM - Women In Music Taylor Swift - Folklore Vader - Solitude In Madness Chris Adler has such a unique drumming style, that when he left Lamb of God it could easily have led to the demise of the band. No-one expected them to bounce back so well, and their self-titled 2020 record, with new sticksman Art Cruz, released during the height of Covid, was easily as strong as ‘Ashes of the Wake’ and ‘Sacrament’. Speaking of new members, Less Than Jake also produced their first album with a new drummer; and Nightwish proved that Floor Jansen was here to stay as their 3rd (and hopefully final) singer, with the masterful follow-up to 2015’s ‘Endless Forms Most Beautiful’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/53221e4d-5369-4bd2-9875-eea5dbee76f2/FI.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2019 Tool - Fear Inoculum Slipknot - We Are Not Your Kind Korn - The Nothing The Interrupters - Fight The Good Fight Cattle Decapitation - Death Atlas Volbeat - Rewind, Replay, Rebound Bad Religion - Age Of Unreason Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Amon Amarth - Berserker The Cat Empire - Stolen Diamonds A lot has been made of the gap between ‘10,000 Days’ and ‘Fear Inoculum’, and people often forget that we had plenty from Puscifer and A Perfect Circle to give us our Maynard fix in the interim. But there is something about the combination of Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones and Maynard James Keenan that no other band can achieve, and none of the members can do by themselves. ‘Fear Inoculum’ may have sounded underwhelming on first listen, but it gets better every time, and its 6 ‘main’ songs have all blossomed into some of Tool’s best live tracks. 2019 was a hell of a year for music. Korn and Slipknot could both have taken the number 1 spot if it wasn’t for Tool’s return. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/59703a21-8cfe-4887-9f88-b8498f41ee5a/91AX5n-YPlL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2018 Muse - Simulation Theory A Perfect Circle - Eat The Elephant Ghost - Prequelle Alice In Chains - Rainier Fog Parkway Drive - Reverance Superorganism - Superorganism Pennywise - Never Gonna Die Soulfly - Ritual Burn The Priest (Lamb of God) - Legion XX Alkaline Trio - Is This Thing Cursed? Inspired by the huge success of Stranger Things, Muse fully embraced their love for 80s Sci-Fi in ‘Simulation Theory’, bouncing back from the messy ‘Drones’. Not only was the concept fantastic, but it was matched perfectly by the synth-heavy sound, and from top to bottom it was their strongest album since 2006’s ‘Black Holes and Revelations’. Elsewhere, Parkway Drive found the ideal blend of melody and brute force on ‘Reverance’; a group of multi-cultural housemates from London formed ‘Superorganism’ and made percussion out of cruching apples (seriously); and A Perfect Circle released their first album in over 10 years, with a more piano-driven sound. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/17ee1789-14ab-42d7-b0ad-0e0d74ca2a64/R-15787611-1598031156-2873.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2017 Trivium - The Sin And The Sentence Mastodon - Emperor Of Sand Sikth - The Future In Whose Eyes? Weezer - Pacific Daydream Primus - The Desaturating Seven Lorde - Melodrama Power Trip - Nightmare Logic Queens Of The Stone Age - Villains Royal Blood - How Did We Get So Dark? At The Drive-In - in.ter a.li.a Trivium’s revolving drumstool led to some patchy albums in 2013’s ‘Vengeance Falls’ and 2015’s ‘Silence in the Snow’. Recruiting new drummer Alex Bent was the best move they could have made, as he is an absolute BEAST behind the kit. ‘The Sin And The Sentence’ is a masterclass of modern metal and earns Trivium the accolade of best album of 2017. On reflection, 2017 was a curious year for rock music. Primus turned the weirdness dial up to 11 with a concept album about seven goblins who remove colour from the world. QOTSA worked with pop uber-producer Mark Ronson. And Power Trip brought the reverb-drenched vocal sound of the 80s back to thrash metal with ‘Nightmare Logic’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/62afb0f5-e27d-4f1d-bd31-5621618a8677/Screenshot+2024-12-27+at+12.56.24.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2016 The Cat Empire - Rising With The Sun Metallica - Hardwired…To Self Destruct Weezer - The White Album Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues Opeth - Sorceress The Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation Meshuggah - The Violent Sleep Of Reason Babymetal - Metal Resistance Gojira - Magma My Vitriol - The Secret Sessions Australia’s The Cat Empire are an incredibly fun live band, with a range of world music influences and endless improvisation to add to their rock / ska / funk / soul / pop sound. It hadn’t translated fully into the studio until ‘Rising With The Sun’, which has absolute belters in ‘Daggers Drawn’, ‘Bulls’, ‘Wolves’ and ‘Bataclan’, the latter of which was a joyous call for unity following the tragic shooting at the Eagles of Death Metal show in Paris the year before. 2016 was a year of some bands (Babymetal, Gojira and Meshuggah) really coming into their prime, while it was sadly the end of pioneers The Dillinger Escape Plan, who went out on a high with 'Dissociation’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67226212827d8a70c88df103/10a20f81-d973-4d14-9241-125ddc84700d/81soeahkIbL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Albums Ranked - Top 10 Albums From Each Of The Last 11 Years - 2015 Ghost - Meliora Cradle Of Filth - Hammer Of The Witches Marilyn Manson - The Pale Emperor Good Riddance - Peace In Our Time Daniel Johns - Talk Bring Me The Horizon - That’s The Spirit Best Coast - California Nights Tame Impala - Currents Parkway Drive - Ire Halestorm - Into The Wild Life After two promising albums and an EP, Ghost finally realised their potential on ‘Meliora’, a record of sheer class - not to mention a Grammy nomination for ‘Cirice’, which also attracted the attention of James Hetfield who then invited Ghost to open for Metallica a couple of years later. Elsewhere, Cradle of Filth returned re-energised and rejuvinated with a new line-up, producing their best album in years; Tame Impala embraced 80s synth-pop to excellent effect; and Daniel Johns broke his post-Silverchair silence with a superb debut solo album, showing his soul and R’n’B influences. https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/apps-to-make-spotify-better monthly 0.5 2025-05-08 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/usa monthly 0.5 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/death+metal monthly 0.5 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/jazz monthly 0.5 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/irish monthly 0.5 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/british monthly 0.5 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/texas monthly 0.5 https://www.all-things-rock.com/all-albums-ranked/category/scottish monthly 0.5 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