Riot

There aren't enough superlatives to describe the way I feel about this album. This is the best power/speed metal album ever created. Riot have been around since the '70s with differing lineups but in my opinion this is their definitive release. The guitar solos on this album rival the best Iron Maiden solos. The vocalist is almost as good as Halford. It has relentless pace, the production is stellar and the song-writing is top notch. If there was a genre called Reebok Core these guys would be the poster children. These songs are so good they will infect your everyday life. How can you deny that cover art, huh?

Thundersteel

Coldsteel

I think this album is fun as hell. Coldsteel were out of New York and were an interesting sounding act, incorporating thrash and funk, maintaining an early '90s vibe with an old school '80s approach. They even incorporate some horns on this and combined with the warm drum tones and good songwriting I bust this one out fairly often. They weren't the most original act and at times I can't shake the vibe that I'm listening to a band that listened to way to much Faith No More but if you take it for what it is I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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Universe

This is the self-titled album by Sweden's Universe and it's a pretty snazzy effort if you ask me. These guys did their thing well and they did it with a certain air of sophistication. What's their 'thing' you ask? Basically it's Swedish rock and roll with great hooks, memorable lead guitar work, background keyboards and English lyrics in a heavy Euro accent. Who knows? Maybe that's not your thing. It sure as hell is mine though...

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Aggression

I tend to like albums that stray away from polished sounding production. The Full Treatment is anything but polished. These Canadians played their thrash filthy, sloppy and loud, straying far into crossover territory. What they left in their wake is a cesspool of toxic waste and endless riffs. Take a look inside and try not to fall in.

Aggression

Holy Moses

Holy Fucking Moses. Do you like thrash? Download this immediately. The record is punishing, the guitars are razor-like, the production is perfect, the female fronted vocals will put most acts to shame, the pace is relentless, and the riffs...the fucking riffs. There is a certain level of insanity that the band reaches on this album. You have to hear it to believe it. The vocals are just the icing on the layer cake. Finished With the Dogs may be the most overlooked thrash album to come out of the '80s. Lace up those hi top Reeboks!!!

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Cities

Here's a nice little chunk of US Heavy Metal straight from 1986. Once your ears are graced with the initial guitar licks of album opener "Stop the Race" you will be hard pressed not to play this over and over. These guys were successful in creating their own sound and not having to rip off other, more well known acts. There is an eerie vibe on Annihilation Absolute especially in the lyrics and this is best listened to on full blast. It's thrashy at times but this is more traditional heavy metal that just plain rips. I'm not sure why these guys didn't get more attention but perhaps it was just a case of the mediocre band name.

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Pure Blood Doom

Maybe you've heard of Demigod? If not, you are depriving yourself of one of death metal's finest offerings. Adramelech was comprised of a few Demigod members and of course, hailed from the mighty Finland. I don't know what they have in the tap water up there but this band definitely drank their fair share of it. This doesn't sound like Demigod's album. Doesn't matter. This album kills in its own way and it definitely deserves more praise. It's not the be-all-end-all of death metal. It's not too technically complex for its own good. It's not even the most brutal piece of music I've ever heard. Like I said...doesn't matter. Pure Blood Doom was released in 1999 and has kind of an early '90s throwback sound to it. This stuff is mid-paced, memorable and well performed. Sometimes that's all I really need in my death metal.

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