Trivium Albums Ranked

Trivium is a great example for progressing. Since their first album Ember to Inferno, band improved themselves and prooved that they can take the "metalcore influenced heavy metal" a step forward. Band showed that they are more than a metalcore band with some of their riffs being progressive. Clean and heavy vocal transitions are child's play for the band thanks to Heafy's and Beaulieu's double vocal techniques.

Band wasn't so lucky about finding a consistent drummer. Before their latest record "The Sin and the Sentence", Alex Bent joined the band and changed their music completely. Hope that Bent would stay. That dude is a killer drummer!

It's time for us to rank all eight studio albums by Trivium. Let's check it out!

8-) The Crusade (2006)

Sorry, die hard fans, I had to place The Crusade here. According to Loudwire, The Crusade was Trivium following Metallica's steps. I'm a hardcore Metallica fan but no guys, it wasn't a complete and consistent record. They were going top of their career with Ascendancy, I really don't know why they wanted to try something different. Their passion for 80's metal didn't come up with a good result. Change is good but not like this. Sorry.

Highlights: "This World Can't Tear Us Apart", "Anthem (We Are Fire)"

7-) Vengeance Falls (2013)

Trivium decided to hire David Draiman from Disturbed as a producer! That was a huge deal but unfortunately didn't satisfy the expectations. Had to admit, album started so good that we all felt that butt-kicking. "Brave This Storm" and "Strife" was the strongest songs on the album. Especially Strife was their best song for a long time. Title track and "No Way To Heal" has strong beginnings that pulls you into in no time. Of course, Vengeance Falls is not a bad record. Fun to listen but not as memorable as their previous ones.

Highlights: "Brave This Storm", "Strife", "No Way to Heal"

6-) Silence In The Snow (2016)

Well, this one, I believe, very underrated. Just because there was no heavy vocals, doesn't mean it's bad. This album contains very good and improved vocal performance by Matt Heafy; title track and "The Thing That's Killing Me" are good examples for this.

Band tried something different and it got mixed results. It was always hard to please die hard metal fans. They want exactly what they want, nothing less. Trivium fans expacting something like Shogun, literally since it's released. For me, I'm happy for this album released by the band. It's straight heavy metal record. It has strong "band your fucking heads" moments (just go check out 'Until the World Goes Cold'). Even sometimes riffs sounded same, Silence in the Snow is a record that should be appreciated.  

Highlights: "Silence in the Snow", "Dead and Gone", "Until the World Goes Cold"

5-) Ember To Inferno (2003)

This one started it all. Very first record by Trivium. Straight blast of metalcore combined with thrash metal elements. Heafy's impressive vocals feels like a pro but he was just seventeen years old when this one released. Pretty impressive, right?

Production of this album maybe weaker than later records, well it's something we shouldn't find strange. Sometimes weaker and raw production creates the atmosphere. Ember to Inferno is a good effort especially for this fact. Also, production is weaker but this doesn't mean that it's making the listener uncomfortable. It's just weaker than the other records. Bass tone and drums in this album absolutely killers. Vocal mixing is a strong one too.

Highlights: "Ember to Inferno", "To Burn the Eye", "Pillars of Serpents

4-) In Waves (2011)

Heafy's haircut brought so much heaviness! This is not like 'Ascendancy' kind of heavy, this is something different. Ascendancy and Shogun had something old school. In Waves is modern heaviness. Also, it's a strong decisive element for next records.

Have to admit, In Waves has some filler songs, for me. Especially, "Drowning in Slow Motion". I really couldn't connect with that song. It's like they tried to do something so heavy but they don't have a good melody. Well, give the devil his due. Filler songs doesn't mean that In Waves don't have brilliant moments. It has lots of it. In fact, we should take a moment and appreciate the beginning of the title track. With combining with "Capsizing the Sea", title track has best intro the band had ever done.

In Waves defined Trivium's way forward and also shaped modern metalcore bands. This is a really important record.

Highlights: "In Waves", "Caustic Are the Ties That Bind", "Forsake Not the Dream", "Shattering the Skies Above"

3-) Ascendancy (2005)

After Ember to Inferno, band was sure that they can capable to do better. So, they recorded Ascendancy. Ascendancy was not just better than the first record, it was better much more metal records that released that year. Ascendancy was one of the best example of new wave metal music. It's been 13 years, it still contain it's heaviness and modern pieces. They were ambitious, that's for sure. They tried more of catch riffs and melodies, more improved vocal transitions had been recorded. Ascendancy is the record that you can bang your head from beginning to end.

Highlights: "Pull Harder the Strings of Your Martyr", "Ascendancy", "A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation", "Like Light to Flies"

2-) The Sin and the Sentence (2017)

This is the album that Alex Bent recorded the drums. Why did I especially told that fact? Because, it's the most defining fact for this album. Of course, if I don't mention any other improved things about the band, it would be unfair. The Sin and the Sentence is completely step forward for every member of the band. It also has progressive metal elements. Guitar solos, riffs, vocals and that goddamn drums! Just watch his tutorials for the songs. Yes, he did tutorials because songs were so fucking hard. With Bent's expressive drumming, band found themselves a newer and better path to follow. Previous album "Silence in the Snow" had some bad reviews and for some of the fans it's worst album by Trivium. Well, I don't agree with them, as you see above. Bu I totally agree the fact that The Sin and the Sentence is way more improved and impressive record than Silence in the Snow.

Trivium got bigger and bigger everyday and with this album, they made us believe that they will define so many future projects by other young bands. Also, for their next record, we all have highest hopes!

Highlights: "The Sin and the Sentence", "Beyond Oblivion", "The Revanchist", "Thrown Into the Fire"

1-) Shogun (2008)

So, I praised The Sin and the Sentence that much and placed Shogun in number one. Well, this maybe weird but I had to. Trivium is Shogun, Shogun is Trivium. That's cliche but true. Best sound they have ever had. Shogun has strong heavy and thrash metal elements with Heafy's strong vocals. This album contains best vocal performances by Heafy. Songs like "Kirisute Gomen" and "Down From the Sky" prooves my point very well. 

Technique that they had used with this record is phenomenal. What they recorded after, totally based on this one. I wish Matt's vocals still be like that. You can hear Hetfield influences with a little cracked voice and believe me this is so friggin' cool. 

Top of their discography and one of the very best of new wave heavy metal. This is a milestone for the band. 

Highlights: "Kirisute Gomen", "Down From the Sky", "Throes of Perdition", "Shogun"

Bullet For My Valentine Albums Ranked

Bullet For My Valentine was a landmark for metalcore. With records like "The Poison" and "Scream Aim Fire", they prooved themselves and their future. Since 2005, band is together. Went through some lineup changes but two founding members still holding up. And we clearly see that Bullet For My Valentine is just about Matt Tuck from now on.

Since I reviewed Gravity, it's time to Bullet For My Valentine studio albums to see where Gravity will take place. Okay, no need to wonder its place that much. I still feel the heartbreak from that album. So, it's obvious.

6-) Gravity (2018)

Told ya. What is this, guys? You promised us something complex and something more progressive. I really wanna believe that band talked about the record after this one. There are nothing about progressive on this one. Same steps over and over again. It's like Padge is on vacation and Matt took over two guitars. I'm not saying that Matt Tuck is a bad guitar player. No, he is definetly a good player. But it feels like Gravity has no lead guitar. And techno parts are not covering the lack of it. Gravity is not BFMV. It's far away from where they started. I hope it won't go this way.

Highlights: "Leap of Faith", "Over It", "Crawling"

5-) Temper Temper (2013)

That was the St. Anger issue of BFMV, before Gravity came up. I never beat this album to the ground. I found some killer songs in it. But not enough, not really. This is the total departure from bands metalcore roots. Fever was the signal, this was the deal. Although, Fever is a good album. This is a mediocore.

Matt Tuck's haircut took away so many things. Bands creativity discreased and songs are started to sounds like each other. Guitar riffs are not that strong, that was the most unpleasant point. Temper Temper is an album that out of control. But, still way more upper level than Gravity.

Highlights:  "Breaking Point", "Temper Temper", "Tears Don't Fall Pt.2"

4-) Venom (2015)

Venom was a fuck-up cleaner. After tons of bad review that Temper Temper get, band decided to turn back to their roots. Lyrically, Venom was weak. First track "No Way Out" is the best song on this album, with worst lyrics... Heavy and clean vocal transitions were back on track and heavy riffs and heavier guitar tones took their places too. Missing spot is the originality. All tracks on this album feels the same. Heavy riff opener, clean/heavy vocal verse, probably clean and melodic chorus, breakdown and chorus again. It was what people want, but not the exact thing. Anyway, Venom was a little step forward from Temper Temper. Heavy record that you can totally bang your heads to. 

Highlights: "No Way Out", "Broken", "Skin"

3-) Scream Aim Fire (2008)

From now on, we'll talk about some good records. Scream Aim Fire is a straight heavy metal record with strong metalcore influences.  Young band members was still discovering their energy and capabilites. With this album, we see improved vocal lines from Matt Tuck. Some parts you can hear James Hetfield effect on his voice. They were still improving and there was lots to discover. There are still high school boy influences on their songs. My first BFMV song was "Waking the Demon". When I first watched the official video, I found classic high school theme way too boring. But the riff was good, vocals were simple and nice. So, what the hell! Started to dig into them. 

With Scream Aim Fire, BFMV introduced themselves to the mainstream. Easily consumable songs and simplicity was working.

Highlights: "Scream Aim Fire", "Hearts Burst Into Fire", "Waking the Demon"

2-) Fever (2010)

Scream Aim Fire was a huge release for the band. BFMV was the band that youth wanted all along: Easily understandable and little bit rebellious. That's why simple and sometimes pointless lyrics was working. After their second album, band decided to change their style a little bit. With Fever, we see more heavy metal and even hard rock elements. Maybe we can consider this one as a melodic metalcore. If you look up different rankings, you may see Fever down below. Especially lower than Scream Aim Fire. Fever has a special place in my heart. Melodically it was way more effective than Scream Aim Fire. 

Highlights: "Your Betrayal", "Fever", "The Last Fight", "Alone"

1-) The Poison (2005)

For me, The Poison is one of the finest metalcore records and of course best among all BFMV records. Yes, I love the band but I have to admit that they are a little mediocre. However, The Poison doesn't feel like mediocre at all. From beginning to end, it full of catchy melodies and heavy guitar riffs. That's what I missed about BFMV. Latest albums doesn't have any complex and catchy riffs. Opening riff of "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow" is a total beast! Had to admit, I think BFMV used all of their resources and we got the best stuff with The Poison. 

With this record, BFMV had an unforgettable concert in Brixton Academy. With just one album, they played a sold out show at Brixton. Unfortunately, that was BFMV's finest moment and the road was all the way down after that. 

Highlights: "4 Words (To Choke Upon)", "Tears Don't Fall", "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow", "The Poison"

Bullet For My Valentine "Gravity" Album Review

This band was my high school band. There is a strong connection between me and BFMV. Their lyrics always like teenager-ish, always a break-up theme and no deep emotions but I loved them. They had catchy melodies and great riffs. They had great vocal lines, awesome transitions between clean and brutal/scream vocals. 'Had'. They had all this, before their newest record, "Gravity".

"Are we losing Bullet For My Valentine?", I said, after I heard their previous record "Venom". Venom had all the stuff that I mentioned above; vocal transitions, heavy riffs, etc. But, all of them was fake. It was like giving audience what they want. But that was not what band wants. I complained about Venom. After a while, I forget about Venom, totally. One thing that Gravity does right; it make me wanna listen Venom over and over again.

Okay, this is poppy metal . Or pop-metal. I don't know. It's something like that. They used synthesizer almost in every song. I'm not against that. But melodies are just falls flat. There is nothing special about techno things on this album. "Don't Need You" was the track that they released not long after Venom. Melodic riffs were gone, that was for sure. But vocals were pretty insane and song was little catchy. That was not a bad song. It was mediocre. It's painful that we faced the fact that Don't Need You is the best song on this album.

Actually, Don't Need You wasn't part of the new record. It was way before. So, let's take "Over It" as the first single of Gravity. BFMV is a common band between me and my sister. We listened BFMV together countless times. After I heard Over It, I went her room and said "Okay, BFMV is over. This is ther worst song. By far!". And after the album released, I regretted what I said before, again. Over It is one of the highlights of this album. Bad lyrics, simple transitions and simply no riff at all... You can headbang to it but after a while you would be over with this song.

After a while they released two more singles; "Piece of Me" and "Letting You Go". They promised that they will use complex rhythms. I believed that statement because after departure of founding drummer Moose, Matt Tuck brought his bandmate from AxeWound, Jason Bowld. He is a monster on drums! He is so strong that I wouldn't want to be his drum set. Bowld was my hope for this albums. In the end, we had weak and simple drum parts.

Gravity is like Matt Tuck's solo album. Mainstream one. Heavy pop or something like that, I don't even know that heavy pop is a thing or not. Michael Paget is a great lead guitar player. But I don't believe that he attended the recordings of Gravity. There are no single solo on this album. It's St. Anger issue all over again. What we get with Gravity is, "listen and forget" type of songs. Strong ones. Some of them you may forget while you listening to it. Can you enjoy Gravity? You can. I enjoyed a little. Melodic vocals are not that bad. Letting You Go has a enjoyable chorus. Title track is 'headbangable'. Also, song named "Crawling" released with deluxe edition. I strongly suggest you to check that one out. It's not old BFMV but we can take it as a consolation. Gravity full of fillers. That's a bitter truth. Songs like "Not Dead Yet", "Breaking Out" (another track that came with deluxe edition) and "Coma" is far away from creativeness. Talking about creativeness, 'Under Again's verse is a little bit rip off from Bring Me The Horizon's "Doomed".

You can give it a listen. Gravity is not about total bullshit. Sometimes you need a pointless headbang. You can put Gravity on and try some of its song. But you can also choose another album to headbang. A better one, maybe. I don't wanna believe that the band that recorded Gravity also recorded one of the best metalcore records in my opinion "The Poison". This is not BFMV.

Give it a chance: "Leap of Faith", "Over It", "Crawling"
Ranking: 2/5

Opeth "Sorceress" Album Review

From death metal to prog rock elements. This was the kind of transition that only Opeth could do. When "Heritage" released, they prooved that they can. Heritage was maybe the weakest Opeth record but Opeth never released a bad album. After that we received "Pale Communion" and now "Sorceress". I think we should be agree that Opeth is the new progressive rock overlord. 

After "Ghost Reveries" in 2005, Opeth went through some line up changes. Lead guitar player Peter Lindgren and drummer Martin Lopez left the band. Fredrik Akesson of Arch Enemy and Martin 'Axe' Axenrot of Bloodbath joined the band. Band released "Watershed" in 2008. For me, Watershed was one of the best of late Opeth. Transition signals had been given us when this album released. Songs like "Hessian Peel" and "The Lotus Eater" has strong progressive rock side combined with death growls and complex elements. Listen closely, you may hear some new era Opeth in that album. 

Opeth's prog rock era ows so much to Steven Wilson. Some fans saying that Steven Wilson's producing destroyed Opeth. That's total bullshit. What he did with the band during the recordings of the Heritage was laying the foundations. Akerfeldt's and Wilson's leading ideas created Prog Opeth and that's why Pale Communion was a strong album. And that's why Sorceress is one of the best of 2016. Also, keep it in mind guys; Steven Wilson produced "Blackwater Park" too. 'Steven Wilson destroyed Opeth' kinda talks are just unreasonable because of this fact. 

When you hear the opening track "Persephone", you will probably guess what will come. Persephone is like slow interlude section. Akerfeldt and boys trying to tell you that you got another prog rock record. Because everyone seems dying to get a death growl. With the title track, you also know that you will get heavy riffs too. Sorceress' opening riff after the keyboard and drum section is way too heavy. Title track gives you a proper sum up for the whole thing, just from the beginning. Heavy guitar tones and sudden transitions what we wanted from Opeth. They gave it to us. So, stop complaining, people.

 Great thing about Opeth is, they can capable of doing everything musically. Songwriting for Akerfeldt is like a child's play. Band released a "making of" video series so we can witness the 'sorcery'. You can clearly see how Akerfeldt is effective on almost every instrument. They combined their influences and brought something original. I bet you can't find any sound like Opeth's sound, nowadays. 

Watching Opeth's latest live videos sometimes would be painful. You can see that Akerfeldt's growls are not strong enough. Especially, Deliverance live in Wacken... Akerfeldt in pain, that's for sure. But, give this guy a break. That's not a easy way to sing. In my opinion he is the strongest guttural vocalist out there. It's been so many years, his voice and his age is not that young anymore. Despite all that, he still mesmerising us with his clean and beautiful vocals. We should be grateful. 

Title track is one of the strongest songs on this record. I also want to mention "Will O The Wisp". That song, for me, pure relaxation. Relaxing opening riff and peaceful vocals by Akerfeldt combined and gave us another piece like "Harvest" and the entire "Damnation".

"Chrysalis" and "Era" are the two heaviest track on Sorceress record. Two total blast. Also, Akerfeldt stated that he is proud of writing a song like Era. Well, Mikael; you should be proud of so many thing. Truıth about peaceful pieces of Sorceress, there are many. "Spring MCMLXXIV", is just beautiful. Full of emotions, backed with strong opening and soft chorus. "The Ward" is one step up tempo song. Still powerfully emotional and incredibly relaxing. And the last highlight of the album is "Strange Brew". That prog elements! Sometimes it's heavy, sometimes it's slow. Great transitions and build ups entire song. It's almost nine minutes long and you will love every second. 

From beginning to end, Sorceress is a near prog rock masterpiece. Yes, you will miss the old Opeth. Old Opeth is a different kind of journey. I still miss that Opeth but this doesn't mean that I can't enjoy the new one. They're doing a phenomenal job! And since their new album is on the way, it's time to dig up their entire discography, one more time! Enjoy this piece of art. 

Must Listen: "Sorceress", "The Wilde Flowers", "Will O The Wisp", "Strange Brew", "Era", "Spring MCMLXXIV"

Ranking: 4.5/5

Anthrax "For All Kings" Album Review

Here's an underrated album by one of the biggest thrash metal bands out there. Anthrax has lots of lovers and haters. Some say back vocals like "football chants" are lame, some say Belladonna is not good enough for the band. But above all this, there is a almost fourty years of experience. Personally, I love Anthrax. Their style and their ability to string along with time is fantastic. When the departure had been accured with Joey Belladonna, John Bush joined the band and Anthrax began to travel on different path. Their choices was experimental. Bush era albums didn't get many good reviews, except "Sound of White Noise" album. But hey, they did what they want. Love it or hate it, this is musical spirit.

2016 was the year of "The Big 4". All members of The Big 4 family released a new record. Metallica released "Hardwired... to Self-Destruct" and in my opinion that was the best album of 2016. Megadeth went through some line up changes and released "Dystopia". Slayer had been living harsh times after passing of the legendary guitar player Jeff Hanneman and departure of long time drummer Dave Lombardo; after changes they did "Repentless". With "For All Kings" by Anthrax, cycle completed. This was the best present for all the metalheads out there.

In 2011, Joey Belladonna joined Anthrax one more time and they did a marvellous comeback record called "Worship Music". "Fight 'Em Till You Can't" was one of the bands finest moments and with Rob Caggiano's (currently Volbeat's lead guitar player) tasteful solos, album was a complete work. Of course expectations would be higher after Worship Music. After five years, they released "For All Kings" and left me hanging between these two albums.

I don't wanna compare Worship Music and For All Kings, but I think I already crossed that line. Comparing two good record is always a trouble. That's why I tried to focus on the best songs on each album. Songs like "The Devil You Know", "Fight 'Em Till You Can't" and "In the End" are the highlights of Worship Music. Give it a listen you will get why. It's like Anthrax collected riffs since Joey Belladonna's departure. Fight 'Em has one of the strongest riffs Anthrax has ever written since today. Even in 2010's, they succesfully perform good old thrash. In the End has more melodic moments. But that opening riff is the definition of hard headbang. You hear the dead rising!

Let's not go so far and talk about For All Kings. Songs I mentioned above are so strong that one of them named as one of the best metal songs of 21st century. But after I heard the new record, some of the songs changed my mind. Not in a bad way of course. I just thought For All Kings has some stronger songs. "You Gotta Believe" got me in no time with that opening riff. Anthrax showed us that they still has good old thrash spirit.

Biggest highlight of this album is "Blood Eagle Wings". I just couldn't believe my ears. It's not just best song on this album, it's one of the best songs Anthrax ever recorded. I witnessed a different Anthrax with this song. Slow, clean and strong opening riff is a very good build up choice. We can't consider this song as a "thrash metal" song. This is pure heavy metal and almost eight minutes long masterpiece! Blood Eagle Wings shares the spotlight with Metallica's "Moth Into Flame" and both rise from 2016's heavy metal scene.

Anthrax was always enjoyable. Tasty riffs and fast tempo songs is what we usually receive from this band. For All Kings is a slightly different album. You will receive stong thrashy riffs and fast tempo songs with some slow interludes and slow but heavy build ups. After Blood Eagle Wings, you get another legendary song called "Breathing Lightning". This album offers you so much. Anthrax gave me hope with this one and the previous one. I strongly believe that next round of Anthrax discography will be another hard punch on our faces. Rock on, guys!

Must Listen: "Blood Eagle Wings", "Breathing Lightning", "You Gotta Believe", "For All Kings", "Monster at the End"
Ranking: 4.5/5

Best Songs From Metallica's Load & ReLoad Era

This two album was the biggest change in metal community. These albums was the style change from the biggest metal band on the planet, Metallica. Imagine, you live in '96 and you've been through Metallica's golden years. You listened "Kill 'em All" and felt the raw energy. You heard "Ride the Lightning" and fell in love with that band. With "Master of Puppets", you've witnessed the best heavy metal album. Release of "...and Justice for All" fired up new sub-genres and you've heard them all. Finally with The Black Album, you know that Metallica will rule the world. After all that thing, you got a hard rock album from that band, and some of the songs from that hard rock album was "listen and forget" type of songs. This is a reasonable anger. Your expectations were higher also in a different way. Load and ReLoad dissapointed Metallica fans, back then. But if your anger is based on prejudices, that's unreasonable. We have to admit that Load and ReLoad era was weaker. We can't compare Load with Master of Puppets or ReLoad with The Black Album. But we can give them the credit that they deserve. Load and ReLoad was weaker side of Metallica, not weaker side of music. Metallica prooved that they can perform different kind of music. With that statement, they ruled the hard rock world too.

Let's take a detailed look to Metallica's five best songs back in Load & ReLoad era. 

5-) Until It Sleeps (Load)

Touching lyrics, strong rthyms and catchy melody. This is Metallica. That's what they usually do. Difference is, this one is hard rock. It's still good music. And we all know that James Hetfield's love for rock 'n' roll never faded. That's why he wrote hell of a sincere songs during these two records. This one was way too personal for him. Hetfield's family was religious. His mother refused to be treated and died because of cancer. That blind fate effected Hetfield so much, that we can clearly notice this between the lines. 

4-) Fuel (ReLoad)

This is the must-play song of Metallica with every setlist. Every Metallica concert we expect this strong vocal line: "Give me fuel/ Give me fire/ Give me that which I desire"! Fuel is the most dynamic song of Load and ReLoad era. And now they play it faster live, you can't resist to headbang, believe me I listened it live. 

3-) The Outlaw Torn (Load)

Metallica has slow interludes, beginning arpeggios and sort of things like that. But they have never done something like The Outlaw Torn. Slow tempo based song intertwined with heavy riff and carries the song to the verse you have never witnessed. James' strong lyrics and Lars' following drum part combined and created the strongest atmosphere on the album. If you watch the live recording, you can feel James' emotions through his mic. 

2-) Fixxxer (ReLoad)

Most requested Metallica song. And they never played it live. It's been twenty-one years. Also you may consider this one as most underrated Metallica song. If you need help, a close listen to its chorus would be enough. Hetfield knows how to pass emotion through a strong riff. His riffs and lyrics works together to bow us down. Fixxxer is a long road. It's about 8 minutes and some more. It has long interlude sections that Metallica did only during Load and ReLoad era. Some people don't like these interludes, I just recommend you to close your eyes and let it flow into you. 

1-) Bleeding Me (Load)

Strongest song of the Load and ReLoad era. This song has it! That acoustic riff  started it all. Transitions through the whole song is just phenomenal. Kirk Hammett's back up with solo sections offers you a different Metallica, again. This song physically carries itself to the upper levels with every note. Especially that breakdown riff... Watch the live recording from Woodstock '99 and pay attention to James when he started to play that riff, then you'll know what I mean. Lars Ulrich is one of the most criticized drummers of all time. They always talk about his lack of talent and his fails during concerts and rehearsals. What he did during Load and ReLoad era was full of emotions. As you did with James, pay close attention to Lars too. This is the pure feeling of music. Experiencing Metallica is the way of feel the music physically. 

Pantera "The Great Southern Trendkill" Album Review

Among all the records by Pantera, I can describe The Great Southern Trendkill with one simple word: Heaviest. Some of you maybe disagree with me, because there is a solid fact called "Far Beyond Driven". My first Pantera song was "I'm Broken" from that record. That groovy riff and punching drums had me headbanging just in three seconds, I'm not kidding. Rest of the album was totally killer and I believe Far Beyond Driven is Pantera's third best album, after "Vulgar Display of Power" and "Cowboys From Hell". Still, The Great Southern Trendkill take the lead on heaviness. Title track pummels me all the time. One of the Anselmo's best scream, hands down! Far Beyond Driven started and ended with strong groovy riffs. The Great Southern Trendkill started with hell of a bang! For me, I prefer groovy style of FBD. I admired bands effort and I truly believe The Great Southern Trendkill is a fun-ride from beginning to end. But I also believe that this album is a one step backwards.

Pantera's career was full of dynamic songs and strongly expressed emotions. Also they took a huge step forward with letting go that glam metal era. I don't think that glam metal is bad. There are good bands out there. I listen few. The solid fact that I'm talking about is; 90's Pantera is way better and strong than 80's Pantera. 90's Pantera is badassery. Okay, the album "Power Metal" was a signal for Pantera's style change. But wasn't strong enough. With "Cowboys From Hell", they did a marvellous job and took their music to the upper level.

The Great Southern Trendkill has one of the Pantera's all time fan-favorite songs: Floods. With Dimebag's clean guitar tone and Anselmo's different vocals, Floods is a different Pantera experience. This is the song that will make you let go your emotions and headbang them after. Lyrics will hand you down and Dimebag's sweet solo will take down all your walls. After that, you will headbang all your troubles away with that heavy breakdown. Bear in mind; take a close listen for that magical outro!

The Great Southern Trendkill was a step backwards, as I mentioned above. This doesn't mean that this album is a bad Pantera record. I believe Pantera's 90's era have never seen a bad record. Last two albums they recorded was overshadowed by the first three (in 90's of course) but nothing bad, seriously. This is a energy blast you need after exams; the headbang you need when you're angry and a beautiful piece of music when you need a good one. If you don't believe me, give a close listen to Phil Anselmo himself.

"The day we all arrived to meet up and go on our first tour for 'The Great Southern Trendkill', our road manager approached me and he said, 'Phil, you know, man, don't expect sold out shos, man. Heavy metal's on its way out. Kids are listening to different stuff. And it's gonna be rough. Don't expect this. Don't expect that.'
"And I was like, 'Great! I appreciate the pep talk.' But the best thing that remedied this bullshit diatribe was that he was dead wrong. That show - that first show - was packed to the gills, sold out, as were most of the other ones. So fucking in your face opinion."

Must Listen: The Great Southern Trendkill, Drag the Waters, Suicide Note Pt.1/Pt.2, Floods
Ranking: 3.75/5