1. Immolation - Failure For Gods
Plagued by awful production and this record would’ve sounded much better. Great band but not my favorite release. The album following this (Closer To A World Below) would be their triumph. Solid, nonetheless.
2. Autechre - Tri Repetae
Their best and one of the best electronic albums and groups. Up there with Boards of Canada.
3. Autopsy - Severed Survival
Original Pressing with banned cover on red vinyl. Their debut and a class death metal album from one of the best in the genre. This, along with Mental Funeral are a must.
4. Codeine - The White Birch
Classic indie release on Sub Pop. If you ever wondered who the band Low was influenced by, you should check this. A classic in the genre and my favorite release of theirs. The perfect winter album.
5. Nasum - Helvete
Nasum’s most refined, catchiest, melodic and best release. A grind classic.
6. Warhorse - As Heaven Turns To Ash
An underrated doom/sludge/psychedelic and various keywords band. These guys were on Southern Lord records and is definitely worth hearing if your a fan of that drugged out doom sound. I don’t remember if these guys were hyped when they came out but it still holds up pretty well.
7. Aphex Twin - I Care Because You Do
Essential Warp/Electronic LP. Maybe my second favorite, next to Richard D. James. They are both on par with one another. So great.
8. Botch - Here Come The Romans
Finally tracked this one down. One of the best releases in this genre and Botch’s finest moment.
1. Today Is The Day - Temple Of The Morning Star
Steve Austin, one of the craziest frontman for any band, releases his band’s finest release. First pressing on Relapse.
2. Nocturnus - The Key
One of (if not the first?) band to incorporate keyboards into death metal. This is sci-fi themed metal. Part cheesy, part awesome. Not sure if I’d call this a classic but they were definitely influential pioneers from the early 90’s on Earache.
3. Ripping Corpse - Dreaming With The Dead
An underrated metal LP. These guys played fast. Maybe too fast but an overall solid death/trash LP. The singer, Scott Ruth, later joined the band Dim Mak, who were a bit more refined. Either way, this LP is a worthy spot in any metal collection.
4. Edge Of Sanity - Crimson
Original first pressing of a favorite. Dan Swano’s finest moment and a brilliant metal record. Meant to be listened to on one continuous listen, since it’s essentially one entire song. The follow up, Crimson II, is also brilliant but this is a must have.
5. Avalanches - Since I Left You
Original Press. This is a fun and catchy album. I’ve always loved this album since my friend Jonas introduced me to it in the Summer of early 2001-2002. It’s the perfect summer album or album to throw on when you have guests. Brilliant sampling that all flow together, cohesively.
6. Atheist - Unquestionable Presence
One of the best metal records. I love this album. Technical, without being wanky. Perfect.
7. Strapping Young Lad - City
Their best LP and one of my favorite records ever. Loud, Metal, Industrial, Melodic etc…This is a brilliant album with the legendary Gene Hoglan on drums. Only about 200 copies of these pressed on vinyl so I was lucky to snag one of my favorite records.
1. Autopsy - Mental Funeral
By far their best work. One of my favorite death metal albums. Bay Area metal classic.
2. Faith No More - Angel Dust
I had The Real Thing on cassette as a kid and loved it. That album didn’t hold up for me, as much as Angel Dust. I love this album. Till this day. I don’t know what it is about it but I still listen to this album bi-monthly.
3. Brutal Truth - Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses
OG Press and the best US grind album there is.
4. Gas - POP
If you are into electronic music or dance music and don’t know who Gas is, I don’t know what to say. His best and most accessible, however every Gas LP is essential.
5. Absu - Tara
Texas Black Metal. If you are one to usually scuff at US Black Metal, this one will change your mind. Often times, reminds me of older Immortal. Their best.
6. Massacre - From Beyond
Despite the goofy album cover, this is a pretty great old death metal record. Line up was, I believe, kicked out members of Leprosy-era Death. Not as great as Death but worth hearing.
7. Bathory - Blood Fire Death
Original Pressing. My personal favorite of his. More thrash-y than Black Metal-y
8. Asphyx - The Rack
Classic Death/Doom LP with my favorite metal vocalist ever. Essential record and still as heavy as ever.
1. Malevolent Creation - Retribution
Their second album on RoadRacer records.
2. Malevolent Creation 0 The Ten Commandments
Debut album for this NY Death Metal band.
3. Brutal Truth - Need to Control
Original Pressing from one of the best grind bands ever and one of the best grind releases ever. My favorite of theirs.
4. StarGazer - Great Work of Ages
This is a new release and a great one, at that. This band is thrown around with keywords, such as, Avant-Garde Metal so you know what to expect. Different instrumentation mixed with metal. Loving this album.
5. Immolation - Here In After
Immolation’s second release and one of my favorites. One of the most consistent metal bands in history.
6. Immolation - Dawn Of Possession
Original Pressing of their debut. My favorite album tied with Closer To A World Below. Classic.
7. Incubus - Beyond The Unknown
Underrated metal band and obviously not to be confused with the 00’s college rock band. This was their second LP and last. Not sure what ever became of these guys afterwards.
8. Repulsion - Horrified
Last but not last an original pressing of this essential LP. They influenced Slayer and Napalm Death and many consider this to be the first (and best?) grind album ever. Full of riffs and as essential as it gets. Metal at it’s finest.
Seam - The Problem With Me
Not necessarily rare, since it’s on the Touch & Go label but this was semi hard to track down. A forgettable “indie” gem from the band Seam. This band contained ex members from the fantastic group Bitch Magnet, along with the drummer from Superchunk. This album is often overlooked and not talked about when it comes to the “glory” years of the early 90’s movement but this is up their with the best. Quintessential 90’s indie rock that you should check out if you are a fan of this era and sound.
1. Candlemass - Nightfall
OG press of this classic traditional doom album. My personal favorite of theirs. This, along with their first LP are essential listening for doom fans.
2. Obituary - Cause of Death
OG pressing of this classic death metal release. Their first two LP’s are required listening for any fans of metal. This is their 2nd release.
3. Napalm Death - Scum
OG pressing of their first LP. After years and numerous line up changes, this band is still around and just released a new LP, which is great. This might be my favorite of theirs and is a metal classic.
4. Godflesh - Pure
Their second LP and one of the weaker ones in my opinion. Maybe that’s because “Streetcleaner” is incredibly great.
5. Obituary - Slowly We Rot
OG pressing of their debut album. Classic Death Metal.
6. Godflesh - Streetcleaner
OG Pressing. Heavy and classic. One of the first and finest examples of industrial and metal.
7. Godflesh - Selfless
A personal favorite for me. Listen to the track “Xnoybis,” which sounds similar to Justin Broadrick’s current project, Jesu. Less heavy and more melodic.
8. Ufomammut - Snailking
psychedelic doom? Space stoner rock? Whatever you want to call it, this is one of the finest examples of whatever genre this falls into. In my mind, a classic, which they haven’t been able to top with their later LPs.
1. Pestilence - Consuming Impulse
One of my favorite death metal vocalists. Love this record. I have a hard time debating if I like this or Testimony of the Ancients better. Both are essential.
2. Pestilence - Testimony of the Ancients
As mentioned, both are essential metal records. Their last true metal record before they went the jazz/metal fusion route.
3. Carnage - Dark Recollections
This has been a long time want. A few of these gentlemen went on to form Dismember. Similar sound to “Like an Ever flowing Stream” so you know this is definitely a classic.
4. Carcass - Necroticism - Descanting The Insalubrious
My favorite Carcass release. In my top 10 metal records of all time, too. Extremely catchy. Their first album, which strays away from their grind sound. Perfect.
1. Grave - Into The Grave
OG Pressing. Swedish Death Metal band’s debut record
2. Dismember - Like An Ever flowing Stream
OG pressing. One of my top 5 favorite metal releases. This has the best guitar tone all throughout the album.
3. Kreator - Pleasure To Kill
OG Pressing. Classic thrash metal from one of the best.
4. Atheist - Piece of Time
OG Pressing. One of pioneers of that metal/jazz fusion sound. Still need a copy of Unquestionable Presence.
5. Suffocation - Effigy of the Forgotten
Another top 5 death metal release. Their debut and arguably their best. I really wished they released Pierced from Within on vinyl, as these two are both classics.
1. Melvins - Houdini
OG SEALED pressing of their best album.
2. Melvins - Lysol
OG pressing with black tape covering Lysol because they were sued, I believe, by Lysol. One of their heaviest and drone-esque releases.
3. Melvins - Eggnog
OG pressing. Short EP but a great release. Recording during “Bullhead” with a similar sound.
4. Melvins - Stag
OG Pressing. This is a weird album when they tried to be experimental. It’s not that good but maybe I need to give it a few more spins.
5. Melvins - Stoner Witch
OG SEALED pressing. A great album and one of their best.
6. Mevlins - Bullhead
OG pressing. Easily their second best. Debatable, as being their best. One of their heaviest for sure. Includes their best song - “Boris.”
1. Morbid Angel - Blessed are The Sick
OG pressing. Awesome record. Somewhat of a slower speed of their amazing debut
2. Bolt Thrower - Realm of Chaos
OG pressing. Amazing album/Amazing Band.
3. Bolt Thrower - War Master
OG Pressing. See above.
4. Entombed - Left Hand Path
OG Pressing. Their best.