10 essential metal albums

Showcased within a list that disregards my formative pop years, skips the ska and punk phase, forgets about several nu-metal soundtracks, and makes me look like a way cooler dude than I actually am.

Slipknot – Slipknot

I never owned Believe, the God-bothering, second major-label album from nu-metal hit machine Disturbed. I went straight into the dark, satanic shit. I’m a psycho.

Hatebreed – Perseverance

Anyone that ever tells you they remember me as a trumpet-playing, ska-loving punk kid is a liar. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones had no bearing on my pathway into hardcore.

Killswitch Engage – Alive or Just Breathing

I absolutely do not, and never have listened to or owned any albums by Savage Garden. My introduction to the concept of ‘clean singing’ was via Killswitch Engage.

Meshuggah – Chaosphere

Every time I remember to listen to Meshuggah, my mind is blown all over again. For real though. I can’t think of anything smart to say here. Meshuggah straight up rules.

Misery Signals – Of Malice and The Magnum Heart

Everything about metalcore will always be as cool and good as this album. Nothing was ever embarrassing. My blood runs for this family.

Converge – Jane Doe

The first few times I heard Converge I thought it was trash. Then I was forced to listen to Jane Doe in a dark room.

Entombed – Left Hand Path

In Flames? Never heard of them. I Killed the Prom Queen had nothing to do with it. Entombed was the band that got me into death metal. For sure.

Burzum – Filosofem
It feels good to be edgy and admit to liking some dangerous shit from time to time. I’ve seen Until the Light Takes Us twice now.

ISIS – Panopticon

I decided the other day that I’m going to start a seminal post-metal band. It’s gonna be called Taliban, and we’re gonna take over the world.

Nasum – Inhale/Exhale

Grindcore is a fucking joke. Have you ever taken LSD and then tried to ponder the genre’s merits, only to end up in a laughing fit for an hour? Me neither.