THAT DRUMMER GUY'S TOP 350 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME PART III: 300-276

Part III is here. 50 albums down, 300 more to go, let's get right to it...after recapping the rules.

Here's How The Rules Go Down:

1.) 14 Lists of 25 albums a piece, counting down from 350 to 1.
2.) No more than one album per project, otherwise this list would be in the 1,000s.
3.) This list is as close of order as I could get it and be somewhat happy. If I overthink it, I could easily rewrite this whole list in a new order over and over again. Right now, I'm happy with it enough to write it down for the world to see.
4.) If there is an album/band/artist missing from this list that doesn't fit the criteria above (mainly number 2) it is because I either didn't hear it enough, didn't like it as much, it's too new to me to be fair to add to the list, or it just isn't my bag...baby!
5.) My list isn't your list. Your favorite band might not be on here, it might be too low for you, a band you hate might be too high for you. Just remember, it's just my opinion.
6.) The goal of this gigantic list is to show off my roots, what I love in the past, and now, and most importantly, to show YOU something that you may not be familiar with that you may enjoy. If you can't find something to enjoy within these 350 albums, we are just not going to click musically. Different Strokes...
7.) Yes, I enjoy every single album here. Every album I can enjoy front to back, not wanting to skip a track. Not a single album on here is just thrown in to fill out the list, nor is there a single album that I feel is weak. To me, it's all killer and no filler.

So...Let's get it on!

300.) The Man Eating Tree- In The Absence of Light (2015)
FFO- Gothic Metal, Atmospheric Metal

What an incredible band that came from the ashes of Sentenced. While one direction went to Poisonblack, another direction wanted to go to the even darker route with The Man Eating Tree. The band's 3rd album is a prime example of making atmospheric gothic metal with tinges of black and death metal. Such a criminally underrated band that should not be looked over anymore. Seriously, if you dig the gothic sound in any capacity, check this band out immediately!

299.) Badlands- Badlands (1989)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Blues Rock

This 1-2-Punch of albums from Badlands was a thing of beauty in the late 80s/early 90s. A great combination of metal, rock, and blues that is still one of the greatest uses of said genres to date. It's a shame the band did not continue after the sophomore album, but it was also a sign of the times in the 90s. Still, we got both albums, including the electrifying self titled debut that is so pleasing to the ears. It's highly recommended.

298.) Slayer- God Hates Us All (2001)
FFO- Thrash Metal

What bad timing for this classic album to come out...September 11th, 2001. If you take that away, you truly hear an album that is filled with the band's angriest lyrics, best production, and...don't shoot the messenger here...their last great album. Every song is just a pure assault of the senses and in the right mood, it's exactly what you need.

297.) Queens of the Stone Age- Songs For The Deaf (2002)
FFO- Hard Rock, Stoner Rock

The early to mid 2000s was an odd time in radio rock, with nu-metal dead and metalcore too heavy for FM radio play, we had a great rise in post grunge bands and bands that would have never usually garnered as much loved had they come out at any other time. That is the case with QOTSA, while a great band in the underground, they never got as much attention before or since this album, but what a great record to really grab a hold of everyone. It goes from simple rock to heavy as hell to ballads and everything in between. Plus it helps having Dave Grohl playing drums on the album for promotion. Overall, a killer (and much like Slayer above) the last album I truly dug from the band.

296.) The Human Abstract- Nocturne (2006)
FFO- Progressive Metalcore

One of the first bands to capture my interest in progressive metalcore, The Human Abstract left a short, but sweet legacy. The first of the three album legacy is arguably their best, Nocturne. A prog metalcore masterpiece that explores all that can be done with the genre at the time. So many wonderful twists and turns you don't see coming and some of the best songwriting of the mid 2000s progressive metalcore. A must here if you are interested.

295.) Ghost Bath- Starmourner (2017)
FFO- Post Black Metal, Blackgaze

What a legacy this band has stamped so far. Be it from their albums, or controversy of who the band are and where the band is from. The band's third LP is the first one to be written by the entire band, and it truly shows with it's diversity and it leaves an deeply emotional impact for it. While not every Ghost Bath albums has lyrics (some are literally just screams that sound like lyrics), this one has true lyrics and they are deeply touching. This is a blackgaze classic in the making and one that should not be overlooked.

294.) Cryptopsy- Once Was Not (2005)
FFO Technical Death Metal

Quite possibly the proggiest Cryptopsy album to date? Once Was Not goes all across the board musically, and lyrically. Last album to feature original vocalist Lord Worm and he left a gigantic final imprint in the band with this album (easily my favorite thing he has done vocals on. And who can forget the legendary Flo Mounier on drums? One of the most insane drummer to ever be recorded. This such a great starter album for the band and not one to be missed.

293.) Gorefest- Rise To Ruin (2007)
FFO- Death Metal

The last album from this powerhouse death metal band is a death metal masterpiece. Whether you want short, sweet brutality or you want a 9 minute epic to rip to shreds slowly; it's all here and more. This is what I'm looking for when it comes to pure death metal and it could not have been a better final album for the band. BRAVO!

292.) A.F.I.- Sing The Sorrow (2003)
FFO- Pop Punk, Emo

The perfect watershed album for AFI, this album was the last to come before the mega powerhouse of an album known as Decemberunderground came out and that is where either everyone joined the hype train or got off at the station; I was in the latter. Everything before (and including) Sing The Sorrow was great punk, hardcore, and emo made to perfection. The hard rock songs are so much fun, the ballads cut you like a knife and it's an album that holds your attention all the way through. A fantastic album for it's time.

291.) TesseracT- One (2011)
FFO- Modern Progressive Metal

I'll go ahead and say it; One is the best album from TesseracT to date and I am sure I am not alone in thinking that. It's the most diverse, it's the heaviest (by far) and it broke so much ground for what modern prog metal could and can be. Every album since has taken elements from this album (and some taking those elements and making them better) but none that could do it all and more as much as One has proven. This is modern prog metal in one of it's finest forms.

290.) Winterfylleth- The Dark Hereafter (2016)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal

Another fantastic UK band (like TesseracT just mentioned), but of course, in a much different style. Winterfylleth takes the umbrella of atmospheric black metal and truly makes it their own interpretation with the right elements of folk, black and atmosphere to create a visionary world that you can only experience when you listen. Such a groundbreaking band and The Dark Hereafter is the best example of the band to date.

289.) Mnemic- The Audio Injected Soul (2004)
FFO- Modern Metal, Progressive Metal, Industrial Metal

This band and this album does not get ANYWHERE near the amount of credit it deserves. This seminal modern metal masterpiece is what so many bands seemed to interpret a few years later but in a different way with Djent. This, however was taken the ideas of the drop tuning of Meshuggah, but making it industrial and futuristic and it's done to absolute perfection. What an incredible and dangerously overlooked album. I couldn't recommend this album more if I tried.

288.) King Parrot- Bite Your Head Off (2012)
FFO- Hardcore, Grindcore, Fun

One of the most fun live acts I've ever seen and one of the most fun acts you'll ever see if you go to one of their shows. This band creates short, but sweet albums that go on as long as they need to go and leaves zero filler. There is no best/worst King Parrot album, but I went with the one that got me to know and love the band. If you like fun, get into this band (and see them live!).

287.) Dekadent- Veritas (2015)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Progressive Metal

If Devin Townsend made Atmospheric Black Metal. That's all I got for you. If that doesn't grab your attention, nothing will. This band and this album rules!

286.) Type O Negative- Life Is Killing Me
FFO- Gothic Metal

I'll be 100% transparent about this. I'm not really a big Type O fan, and after hearing what Peter Steele was like when he was alive off the stage, it's left an even more bitter taste in my mouth even saying I'm a fan. With all of that said, I Don't Wanna Be Me is one of my favorite songs of all time and I can't knock the rest of the band for the actions of one person. So that's why it's still here (what a killer song!)

285.) Subterranean Masquerade- The Great Bazaar (2015)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

One of the strongest comeback albums ever made. I seriously never thought this band was coming back after creating their first two albums. Thankfully, along with this album, they are in it for the long haul and continuing to record and tour and I'm so happy to see it happen. This album is filled with prog rock, prog metal and shades of death metal goodness that simply can't be missed. If you've missed out on this band before, walk into the bazaar now and pick up what you've missed so far.

284.) Mutemath- Mutemath (2006)
FFO- Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Electronica

Again, in pure transparency, the self titled debut and the EP preceding it (Reset) are the only Mutemath albums I could get into. Everything after it felt like all of the rock elements were fading away and for a band like this, it's the rock elements that makes the band standout. Of course I may stand alone in that thinking. This album though, it's that perfect blend of hard rock, indie rock and electronic to make every song stand out in absolutely incredible ways. It's a sheer jot to listen to every time you hear it. If it's to heavy for you, check out every album after this one, they'll be more up your alley.

283.) Megadeth- Rust In Peace (1990)
FFO- Thrash Metal

Another album where me talking about it will be treading water that's been covered so many times in the world. It's Megadeth's best album, it's some of the finest songwriting that 4 musicians laid on a thrash album and it's simply perfect from start to finish. If you are not familiar with this album, you're not into Megadeth or into thrash metal.

282.) Spock's Beard- Snow (2002)
FFO- Progressive Rock

One of the greatest double disc progressive rock concept albums ever made, simply put. The story, the production, the songwriting, Neal Morse's perfect vocals. It's one of, if not...THE definitive Spock's Beard album and a classic definition of what 21st century progressive rock can and should be.

281.) Warbringer- Woe To The Vanquished (2017)
FFO- Blackened Thrash Metal

A pure renaissance in revival thrash metal happened in Warbringer and this is by far the best Warbringer album to date. Everything about this thrash metal masterpiece is what new thrash bands should aspire to. Forge your own path, don't be afraid of your influences and make what you want to make. When you do, you too can create an album that will stand the time like Woe To The Vanquished.

280.) Star One- Victims Of The Modern Age (2010)
FFO- Progressive Metal

Russell Allen, Dan Swano, Damien Wilson, and Floor Jansen performing songs written by Arjen Anthony Lucassen. If you haven't heard of this, you need to RIGHT NOW. If you haven't heard of anyone I just listed here, I need to sit you down and school you on symphonic, power and progressive metal (PM me for details). Star One is arguably the most underrated of Arjen's projects, but it's arguably one of the best, go check this out immediately! (and the 2002 debut, Space Metal).

279.) Rosk- Miasma (2017)
FFO- Sludge Metal, Post Metal, Doom Metal, Black Metal

Rosk is a band that needs to be checked out by everyone that appreciate the genres in the FFO listed. This band and this album in particular, is some of the most honest, heart wrenching metal you'll hear outside of depressive suicidal black metal. A sheer brilliant album that deserves your attention and love in anyway you can. It's sucha  monster record, list, you'll understand why.

278.) The Mars Volta- Deloused In The Comatorium (2003)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Alternative Rock, Fusion, Experimental

TMV is a band that one of the most loyal fan bases outside of metal and this album brought almost everyone to the party. Featuring Flea (of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame) on bass; this off the wall concept album reaches almost every sense of your soul in different ways and makes you feel so many different emotions. Granted if you are not into modern jam bands, this probably won't be for you, but if you get it...you'll get this.

277.) Dynazty- Titanic Mass (2016)
FFO- Modern Progressive Metal, Power Metal

This is the best Dynazty album, bar none! The catchiness, the songwriting brilliance, and the musicianship is unparalleled. They are the best progressive power metal band you are not listening to (unless you already are; then I'm proud of you!). Simply put, unless you hate these styles of music, you will LOVE Dynazty, guaranteed!

276.) Vallenfyre- Splinters
FFO- Death Metal, Doom Metal, Grindcore

The sophomore album from this Paradise Lost offshoot is where the band really discovered what it what's to accomplish as a band, be one of the heaviest bands ever, no matter the style, no matter the tempo. The production here is top notch, the songwriting is awe inspiring and the overall sense of dread throughout fits so perfectly in the state of the world today (to be fair, all three albums have done that so far). A great starter album for Vallenfyre that will sink it's hooks into you within seconds. It's worth the pain.




And there we go folks, 75 albums done in 3 days *wipes sweat off forehead* and we only got *looks at the rest of the list, checks calculator) 275 albums to go (WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?!?!) But seriously, I am loving this so far and I am so happy I get to share this all with you, so go out and check out some new music and discover some new favorite bands, I'll be back tomorrow to brings up for Part IV: 275-251.

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)