This was without a doubt, the absolute hardest year I've had to deal with making a top 20. Nothing else comes close. I say that as every single album in this top 20 has a strong argument to be number one and even as I write this part up now, I have no idea what is going to be number 1. I've remade, then remade, then remade again, then remade after that, and so on and so on and so on every single day for the last week. Rughly 10-20 times a day I come over to the computer and reorder my top 20 trying to make it into an order that I feel comfortable saying is correct. Now what ever I pute here 20-1 will be my final order, but just know that these 20 albums are all worthy of the title Album Of The Year. So Let's Finish This!


Let's go over the ground rules:

1.) This is my own personal top 100 list, that is made in 6 parts. Parts II-VI is the Top 100 and Part I is the Honorable Mentions. Check back every day for a new part till all six are available.
2.) This is done 20 albums per part, in countdown order (100-1).
3.) As mentioned, this is my own list. I am not paid, asked, or sponsored by any band, label, etc.My choices are mine and mine alone.
4.) 2019 has been an incredibly horrible year for my personal life and I have not been able to cover nearly as much music as I had hoped. There is many albums that I really dug that I had to cut from the list do to not being able to hear it enough, giving it enough time or simply it wasn't my bag...baby.
5.) CHECK OUT EVERY PART OF THIS LIST!!! My favorite one may be yours as well. Your favorite album may be number 17 or 34 or 89 or even an honorable mention. You simply don't know if you skip any part. The numbers don't matter; a good album is a good album. All of these are good albums.
6.) All 100 albums of the list will be made into a Spotify list (or at least as many that are on Spotify), where I'll pick a track from each album and show it off countdown style. Check back every day for the playlist to updated till the list is complete.
7.) The whole purpose of list is to not only show off my favorite albums of the year, but to try to get every person who reads this recommendations for new music to check out. My goal is to have everyone make one new discovery they dig. If you do, spread the joy!


20.) Possessed- Revelations of Oblivion
FFO- Death Metal

An album that I never thought I would hear from a band I never imagined would put out a new album. Not only did they put out a new album after 33 years, they put out their best album ever! This album is what I love about death metal to a T. It's nice and thrashy, it's not straight up growls (actually the vocals take on a Chuck Billy style death metal approach where everything is audible and clear), it's musical and filled with hooks. It's just a perfect death metal record that can make the elitists, purists, noobies, and ones that dabble in death metal from time to time agree that Possessed just blew the roof off what is possible in 2019 just by being themselves. BRAVO!

19.) Our Destiny- Awakening
FFO- Melodic Progressive Rock

This is the antidepressant I needed more than anything in 2019. For anyone that knows me and even those that don't; I've been suffering from Suicidal Depression, High Anxiety, PTSD, and Trauma for almost 19 years now and even as of October I took a 9th attempt at my life. This album and it's co-creator, Vikram Shankar helped me get to a place just from listen to this album and talking about our depression struggles to make me realize that life needs to be lived and I am now in therapy trying to get me life on track. As far as the album, this album is the definition of gorgeous. It's uplifting, crystal clear production, and utterly soothing. Life is not just about the dark, depressive, negative sides. Those are real things and real emotions, but so are the positive, uplifting and loving things that want to keep us around. This album is a way of telling you to love yourself, love those that care about, and to do what you can to get to a place to find peace in life. While I am struggling myself to find that peace, and album like this let's me know I'm not alone and as long as I'm here, I cans till try. Whether you are struggling or not, give this album a shot. It's by far the lightest thing on this entire list, but that's exactly what makes it stand out from the crowd.

18.) Cattle Decapitation- Death Atlas
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Deathgrind, Technical Death Metal

From an album about finding inner peace to an album that says "Save the world or we are all going to die!", I guess you can say I have an eclectic musical taste. Cattle Decapitation's latest album is easily my favorite thing they have done. Sure, the fanbase is getting more and more divided as the band isn't just making grindgore/Deathgrind records anymore; they are making more technical and progressive elements to their  sound and I think it's the best decision they ever could have made. This album is the most ambitious when it comes to that as there is more than ever on the record, including the title track which clocks in at over 9 ,minutes. Whether you want your deathgrind to sound something different or you want your progressive and technical death metal to sound as brutal as possible, go pick up this album.

17.) Killswitch Engage- Atonement
FFO- Metalcore

Killswitch is back with their third album since frontman Jesse Leech rejoined the band. This sees the band at arguably their most mainstream since Killswitch Engage (KSE 2009 or KSE II depending on how you look at it), but it also sees the band be much more diverse and show off some of their heaviest material and most different material. The fact that Chuck Billy and even Howard Jones make vocal appearances on this album is jaw dropping. What hits me most about this album is the lyrical content. So many of the songs on this album are about self discovery and trying to get yourself to find inner peace and getting the help you need to get there. As you read 2 albums agao, I need that in my life and hearing an album like this is helping me even more in getting me to that position of transition. This album is a metalcore self help album and in 2019, I think we can ALL benefit from that.

16.) Exhumed- Horror
FFO- Death Metal, Grindcore

While the band's previous album was a concept album that almost bordered on progressive death metal; the band decided to go in the total opposite direction with Horror. 15 songs, 26 minutes long (one song being only 8 seconds long) and just pure horror inspired deathgrind that people know and love from the band. It's great to see that Matt Harvey can have something like Exhumed come out with a new album and also have his Heavy Metal/Speed Metal band, Pounder, release an album as well. Simply put. This is a fast, brutal, horrific and fun album; come join in the blood spilled fun!

15.) Crypt Sermon- The Ruins Of Fading Light
FFO- Epic Doom Metal

When it comes to straight up doom metal, not death doom, not stoner doom, not sludgy doom; but straight up epic doom metal, NOTHING comes close to the latest release from Crypt Sermon. These guys have released a sophomore album that rivals bands that have been playing for decades in similar styles and buries them deep in the ground. This is what doom should be like in 2019. 10 tracks, 55 minutes and every song is just as epic if not more so than the last. The raw but stellar production gives you just enough of an evil feel but able to hear everything that's going on. The insane vocals fit the band so perfectly, and the music...like I said this is pure DOOM. I can't say enough good things about this album, just go check it out for yourself and thank me later.

14.) Insomnium- Heart Like A Grave
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Much like I pointed out at the beginning of this last part of the list, this album was number 1 for me at one point in time for 2019. That's how hard of a decision it was to put this top 20 together, but I digress. Just when you think that Insomnium can't get any stronger, they do. This is the darkest, yet most melodic album they have put out to date. It's a very dark melodic but it grips you so hard and it feels like it brings you to the depths of the grave (I do mean that in the best way possible). This album is just what you would want from the band, but done to it's absolute finest. Melodeath simply does not get much better than this. Though I must say, if you dig the music hear, but find it to depressing, make sure to go out and check out Markus Vanhala's other band, Omnium Gatherum. They are in similar vein as Insomnium, but the lyrics are way more on the positive and uplifting side. Hey, give both a shot!

13.) Rage Of Light- Imploder
FFO- Modern Metal, Electronic Groove Metal, Melodic Death Metal

Trance, modern metal and death metal combined into a fusion of one of the best new bands. The debut album from this collective is impeccable. Much like I talked about with The Dark Element; any band who has done something in the modern metal vibe since Amaranthe's 2nd album has done it WAY better than Amaranthe. This is the most perfect example of 2019. The songs are ultra catchy, the msuic can be so simple and so complex at the same time, the vocals are just insanely awesome and to end the album is a flawless new rendition of Amon Amarth's Twilight of the Thunder God. This is just a must have for those metalheads that want some great pop and dance influenced music and vice versa.

12.) Lindemann- F&M: Frau Und Mann
FFO- Industrial Metal

Rammstein meets Pain.Till Lindemann and Peter Tagtgren's 2nd album feels like a completely different trip than their debut album. The biggest reason for that may be because the first album was entirely in English and this album is entirely in German. It really feels like a more metal and progressive Rammstein album or an even more industrial Pain album that was made in German. This really does take the best of both bands and puts it in this album. Till and Peter have perfect musical chemistry and their music videos are hysterical. If you are fan of either musician or if this sounds intriguing to you in the slightest, I highly recommend that you give this a shot.

11.) Devin Townsend- Empath
FFO- Devin Townsend

Who saw this coming? Number 11? That's the way the bones rolled this time around. I will say right off the bat this was sadly another victim to me not being able to hear the album nearly as much as I've wanted to. When I was out of commission when this album came out, I simply couldn't hear it. Then getting bombared with promos and interviews after I got back into the swing of things made things even worse on me. Empath just sadly fell viuctim to circumstance on my end. But let's actually talk about the album now. Empath is the most Devin Townsend thing Devin Townsend has ever done. After deciding to go completely solo and only hiring guest or session musicians going forward; Devin took it upon himself to lay out all of his ideas on the table and make an album out of it.You are guaranteed never to find another album (to date) that has Chad Kroger singing over blast beats...yeah, that's how crazy this album truly is. The album goes from off the all ridiculous to soothing like you're relaxing on the beach to pure chaos to questioning what you are listening to all in one sitting (hell, sometimes in the same song). IF you really want to know what Hevy Devy is all about in one album (maybe not cohesively, but indeed everything he can do) Empath is the album you have been looking for.

10- the Offering- Home
FFO- Power Metal, Nu Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Almost Any type Of Metal

This debut album is what dreams are made of. A band that can have Slipknot type riffs over Primal Fear style vocals with Mr. Bungle-esque music changes and Dream Theater style precision. It is as crazy it sounds but with one key difference, it's all cohesive. It doesn't sound like it should be on paper, but in execution, it's perfection. The fact this is just their debut album shows that this band has all the promise in the world and the band's stock is only going to rise. While the band could be going in so many directions in the future, Home shows all of what the band is capable of in 2019 and when the next album comes, it's going to break the band into the masses. Check them out now and be chomping at the bit like I am, waiting for the new album. This is seriously some of the most mindblowing music of the year.

9.) Cyrha- No Halos In Hell
FFO- Modern Metal, Melodic Metal, Hard Rock

The sophomore album from this all star metal band is the band finally finding the sound they were destined to have and it fits the band perfectly. Everything from the production to the songwriting to the performances are just done in a way that makes you pay attention and want to hear the album from start to finish. For better or worse, while not the whole inspiration for the song, I am a part (even just a small part) of the inspiration for the song Battle From Within, which is an emotionally wrecking song that deals with the struggles of mental health and that makes me feel so happy and sad at the same time. But being honest and open about my mental health struggles has helped many people I know personally and others I'll never know and for that, it brings a smile to my face. The rest of the album is just hit after hit after hit and I can't wait to finally be able to see Cyhra one day to hear these songs live. This is the kind of music that should be on mainstream radio, there's no reason it should be left off. I guess I'll have to do my part and play them on my show as often as I can fit them in.

8.) Novembers Doom- Nephilim Grove
FFO- Doom Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Metal

Over the last few albums, Novembers Doom has really toned down on the death metal aspects and added more of the darker, doomy, proggy elements to the forefront. While the death Metal elements are still present and absolutely astounding, I really appreciate that the band has no problem showing off the different sides of the band and will go heavier or doomier or proggier depending on what the music calls for. This album may also feature the most clean vocals on a Novembers Doom album (though I could be wrong on that, don't hold me to it!). This really showcases the musical strengths of the band. And of course what would a Novembers Doom album be without the legendary Dan Swano adding this production touches with mixing and mastering. this feels like the perfect album at the perfect for the band. Be it the heavy opener, the epic title track or the sorrow filled What We Become; This has everything I love about the band in one collective. The band only gets better and better, Nephilim Grove is all the proof you need.

7.) Numenorean- Adore
FFO- Blackgaze

The sophomore album from this fantastic Canadian post black metal band is the perfect post black metal album. The right uses of segue way track/Instrumental, absolutely tremendous epic tracks, the perfect balance between black metal, post rock and shoegaze; If there is a fault to this album, I have yet to find it. Anytime I need a pick me up at night, I put on this album and it instantly boosts my spirits. Weird to think that in an album like this, right? Take the title track as the perfect example. When you read and hear the lyrics you think it is such a depressing song and feel;ing as low as you possibly can, then you get to the end of the song and you hear this burst of power that says you won't be destroyed this time. Sure, the very end of the song has a more somber turn; but that is life in a nutshell. There are positives, there are negatives you will have ups, you will have downs. the album truly feels like the emotions you have after the end of a relationship and it hits you HARD. But it's the kind of hit you need to take to appreciate what's in front of you. This is just a phenomenal album and I highly suggest you give this album a proper listen. You are in for quite the shock.

6.) Baroness- Gold & Grey
FFO- Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, Hard Rock

The final "Color" album from this incredible band sure leaves you on a fantastically high note. While many have said the production of this album is not good, I've actually been able to adapt my ears to not care about how the music is presented to me, but rather what is being presented to me. That is the perfect way to go into this album. This album shows every side of the band at their strongest points and added so many more styles along with it. For example, even if it is just a few bars (8-16 depending on how you count the song), you hear blast beats, which is something you'd think is impossible in this style, but it's done.No matter how mellow, bright, heavy, somber this album gets, Baroness has a way to pull all of your emotions and really makes you pay attention. While I can't personally decide between this or Purple as the best Baroness album, I am confident in saying this is one of the best albums of the year.

5.) Bloody Hammers- The Summoning
FFO- Gothic Metal, Hard Rock, Post Punk, Doom Metal

The best Bloody Hammers album, bar none! This is the Bloody Hammers album I have been hoping for since the incarnation of the band. While I love every album of the past; I am so happy to hear this heavy, gothic and atmospheric side of the band. Every song is as catchy as the last, no matter how fast or slow it goes. the track From Beyond The Grave might be my favorite song of the year (though that's still pending). This is just that great horror inspired metal and rock album that you didn't realize you needed till you heard it yourself and what an absolute blast of an album it is. I can't fathom why you wouldn't love this album, that's how confident I am in this one.

4.) Fleshgod Apocalypse- Veleno
FFO- Symphonic Death Metal

In speaking of best; This is unquestionably the best Fleshgod Apocalypse album, it may be the best symphonic death metal album ever made. Every single track no matter if it is an interlude or the longest track on the album serves an amazing purpose and the band is without question the best they have ever been. With Francesco Paoli back from being the drummer of the band to being not only the frontman and guitarist of the band, but the main contributor to the band; The band just has this amazingly consistent and coherent vibe that you just didn't realize till you heard this album. There are moments on this alb um that actually make me weap to this day just from how beautiful it is. The chorus of Sugar is a great example of that. It's so strange to think about that, but it's true. This is a full on masterpiece of an album and you simply won't find better.

3.) Astronoid- Astronoid
FFO- Post Rock, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, Dream Pop

This album is a thing of wonder. Their debut album, Air, was one of the most jaw droppingly beautiful albums I've ever heard. So how was the band ever going to top that. Well, they found a way. Making the most consistent songs of the band's history so far. Even with some songs not getting into heavy territory, it simply doesn't matter as the songs has such ethereal atmospheric beauty to them. The only bummer side (for me anyways) is the lack of blast beats on this album, as I found them to be one of the things that made Air stand out the most in their sound, but the more I think about, they aren't needed. This is just utterly beautiful music. If you want a band that sounds like Strapping Young Lad, Mew, and Porcupine Tree at the same time, you found your new favorite band.

2.) Soilwork- Verklighten
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal

I did a full write up on this album back in January, but I have no qualms talking about this again. Of the new chapter of Soilwork, this is easily their best album yet. The proggy parts are proggier, the heavier parts got more extreme, the poppy moments are even catchier, and Speed's vocals are quite possible the best that he has ever recorded. The song Needles & Kin stand out as quite possibly my song of the year (along with the aforementioned From Beyond The Grave talked about earlier). This song in particular is what I love about the band in 2019. It simply has it all and so much more. This is my favorite metal album of the year and for very good reason. Even with coming out in January, I checked out98 other albums and 20 honorable mentions that I feel couldn't top this album. But I did find one...I did find one...

1.) Moron Police- A Boat On The Sea
FFO- Progressive Rock, Pop Rock, Electronic Rock

I've love the band's previous two albums a lot. Such quirky fun metal albums about T-bagging Your Grandma; but had you told me that the Morn Police was going to put out what is simply one of the greatest albums not only of 2019, but of the 21st century, I would have never believed you. A Boat on the Sea sees the band shift away from their fun, quirky metal side to more of the progressive and pop rock styling. It's this odd combination of prog, pop, fusion, electronic, anime theme songs inspiration (?), and synthwave to make an album that is so ridiculously catchy, beautiful, fun, and some of the most bonkers time signatures and riffs you may ever hear in these styles. Though on the outside, it feels like a fun album...it's actually quite a dark, serious album as it deals a lot with the repercussions of war and what is happening in the state of the world today. It almost feels like a paradox, but the more you listen to the album, the more everything starts to make sense and you see how everything can be connected, not just lyrically (though it's not a concept album) but thematically and musically as you hear nods to songs from earlier on the album later in the album. What may be another selling point on the album is that it's under 33 minutes and it feels like it goes by even faster, so it has instant replay value. For a guy like me, it really takes a lot for mew not to have some kind of metal album at number 1 of my lists as I cover so much of it and I love so much of it. So it really has to take a stupendous album that's not a metal album to make it to number. that's what Moron Police has done in strides and again I say this without hyperbole; this is one of the best albums of the 21 century so far. Who would of thought that about a band who wrote about t-bagging your grandma just one album prior?


And there you have it folks, all 100 of my top albums of 2019 sign, sealed, and delivered. This seriously took so much out of me to accomplish and make this list as perfect as I could not just for myself, but for all of you. This was one of the best years in music that I have been around to help support and I am so happy I get to be myself and cover so much music, get so much love from the band, and actually have a voice people care about to spread the word. Make sure to check out the Spotify Sampler I made featuring a track from every band on this megalodon of a list amd go discover new music!

Until next decade, this is That Drummer Guy saying, SEE YA!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

We have finally reached the top 40. It's been a radical ride so far going over 60 albums in the top 100 and 20 honorable mentions so far. After today, we will hit the top of the mountain with the top 20. But till then, we gotta check out the albums that deserve just as much love and hopefully you feel the same way. Let's get to the rules.

Let's go over the ground rules:

1.) This is my own personal top 100 list, that is made in 6 parts. Parts II-VI is the Top 100 and Part I is the Honorable Mentions. Check back every day for a new part till all six are available.
2.) This is done 20 albums per part, in countdown order (100-1).
3.) As mentioned, this is my own list. I am not paid, asked, or sponsored by any band, label, etc.My choices are mine and mine alone.
4.) 2019 has been an incredibly horrible year for my personal life and I have not been able to cover nearly as much music as I had hoped. There is many albums that I really dug that I had to cut from the list do to not being able to hear it enough, giving it enough time or simply it wasn't my bag...baby.
5.) CHECK OUT EVERY PART OF THIS LIST!!! My favorite one may be yours as well. Your favorite album may be number 17 or 34 or 89 or even an honorable mention. You simply don't know if you skip any part. The numbers don't matter; a good album is a good album. All of these are good albums.
6.) All 100 albums of the list will be made into a Spotify list (or at least as many that are on Spotify), where I'll pick a track from each album and show it off countdown style. Check back every day for the playlist to updated till the list is complete.
7.) The whole purpose of list is to not only show off my favorite albums of the year, but to try to get every person who reads this recommendations for new music to check out. My goal is to have everyone make one new discovery they dig. If you do, spread the joy!

40.) Within Temptation- Resist
FFO- Modern Metal, Symphonic Metal

Talking about genre shifting....WOW! Within Temptation really took a different turn this year, but at the same time they didn't. For anyone who has been paying attention to their last few albums, you could see this coming, but maybe just not to this extent. On my first listen, I was so lost and confused but then I gave it a real fair shot and I am so glad I did. Behind what feels like a turn against the fanbase they have made, all they did was update their sound. The symphonics are pushed to the side, sure, but they are still there in different ways. But the songs are just as catchy and memorable. This was the change the band needed to survive and I'm very thankful they did.

39.) Lunar- Ediolon
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Death Metal, Progressive Rock

The latest addition to the top 100 but it was worth the wait. The sophomore album from this Cali band is showing the band expanding their horizons in sound. The heavy parts are heavier, the lighter parts are even lighter and the proggier parts are even more insanely proggy *plus on the song, Surrender, there is a very cool nod to the final lasting riff in Opeth's Deliverance to close out the track...don't think I didn't catch that!* With all of the guest appearances, fantastic production and just masterful songwriting, this is one of the strongest prog albums you will hear all year. Trust me!

38.) Toothgrinder- I AM
FFO- Modern Metal, Progressive Metal, Post Hardcore

The ever-evolving band Toothgrinder comes back with their 3rd LP and the band has found a mint mixture between their past, present, and future. While there are some bonkers riffs and transitions on this album, they are few and far between while more modern metal and post hardcore elements really shine here. If they are not on top 40 rock radio (I have no idea, I don't keep tabs on FM), they really should be. This is perfect for the radio and the band still gets to be themselves. Along with writing some of the most personal and hard hitting lyrics the band has ever done. Don't be scared off by the name if you are more of a rock fan; this will be your kind of heavy. And for the metalheads, sometimes you need something different and Toothgrinder provides that perfectly.

37.) Evergrey- The Atlantic
FFO- Progressive Power Metal, Dark Metal

The 3rd and final album in the ocean/water trilogy the band has been working on for years now; the band has provided some of their best work ever. The songs hit you hard, the lyrics are so relateable and depressing/uplifting (depending on how you take it), and the band is just playing at the top of their game. I'm convinced that Evergrey can never write a band album and The Atlantic continues to prove that change is true progression and we all need that in life. What a fantastic album.

36.) Moon Tooth- Crux
FFO- Progressive Metal, Hard Rock

One of my favorite discoveries this year. Crux is an album that just captures everything I love about 21st century progressive metal and just adds the right amount of hard rock tendencies and makes it such a pure delight to listen to. Imagine a love child of Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Rush, and Judas Priest and you will start to see what the band is all about. Beyond catchy hooks, stellar production, and off the wall technical proficiency. This is one of the most fun albums you will hear in 2019 and in the end, that is what music should be about; ENJOYMENT! I'll be shocked if Moon Tooth doesn't put a smile on your face after one listen.

35.) Bleak Flesh- ...And Save Us From Silence
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Symphonic Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal

Hearing this album for the first time just put my jaw to the floor in utter amazement. The songwriting and musicianship on this album is as mindblowing as it gets. While it has been 5 years since the band's first LP, the band has gotten stronger and stronger. Also getting the magnificent and blast beat extraordinaire, Marco Pitruzzella on drums is the icing on powerhouse of a cake. If you really need an explanation of this band; Imagine a Chilean version of Fleshgod Apocalypse with more synths and you are getting closer to what this band is all about. One of the more underground bands on my top 30 but you really need to go check this out, pronto!

34.) Equilibrium- Renegades
FFO- Epic Folk Metal

I don't even know a better way to describe this band. The elements of folk metal are there, but the epic metal vibes throughout this album is truly something to behold. Genre shifts are all over this album and the entire just sounds like one hell of a fun party. It really feels like the band focused on trying to have a fun time and write fun music this go around and it truly worked out to the band's benefit. Catchy, danceable, fantastic production. If you check this out, you'll be in for a great time!

33.) Torche- Admission
FFO- Torche

I can't put a label on these guys, it just feels useless. They can combine pop, rock, sludge, metal and doom into one giant cauldron and make some of the most captivating music you can hear. With Admission, there is a bit of everything going on; which is my favorite kind of Torche album. There are some pop riddled tracks, there are insanely heavy doom/stoner tracks, there's a few metal, nearly thrash tracks. It's what I love about the band in a single album and it just may be up your alley as well.

32.) Ray Alder- What The Water Wants
FFO- Progressive Metal

The very first solo album from the legendary voice of Fates Warning and it completely shines. Making an album with all themes dealing with water in some way is quite intriguing. The album gets heavy, mellow, poppy, even funky at times. THis is exactly what I was hoping for in a solo album. It's not just a bunch of Fates Warning b-sides. these are truly independent songs for this album and it fits together and lead you down the river into the delta of prog metal you know and love. A sheer delight of an album.

31.) Twin Temple- Bring You Their Signature Sound...Satanic Doo-Wop
FFO- Satanic Doo-Wop

As pointed out by the band, why does Satanic music always have to be associated with rock and metal? Take a trip back to the 50s and imagine a world where someone dared to confessed their love for the devil and bring it in the classic genre at the time, Doo-Wop. The production has the perfect 50s feel and every song is not just perfect for the style, but the vocals are so haunting and hypnotizing. It's a gorgeous album and I really hope Twin Temple keeps the Satanic love in Doo-Wop going for years upon years to come.

30.) Pulchra Morte- Divina Autem Et Aniles
FFO- Doom Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal

The debut album from this absolutely killer band is something that truly deserves any recognition it gets. The lineup for this band is insane and it totally makes the mood of the songs presented and the production style. Raw but clear, heavy but not brutal, crushing yet enjoyable. This is how you are able to take a love of death, doom, hints of black and other flavorings and make for an amazing debut album that has me chomping at the bit for the sophomore album. Seriously, give this one the shot it deserves.

29.) Skyblood- Skyblood
FFO- Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Doom Metal

What do you do when Candlemass reunites with their original singer? Well you make one of the finest solo albums of 2019 of course! This album is jaw dropping to say the least. Mats Leven showcases everything he is best at and so much more. No matter the tempo, no matter the style, no matter the vocal range; Skyblood has it all and it's just a brilliant album from start to finish. If you love anything that Leven has ever been a part of; you will find something to love about Skyblood. This is phenomenal work.

28.) Gatecreeper- Deserted
FFO- Death Metal, Old School Death Metal

Sometimes you want death metal that is not at 300bpm and layered in gravity blasts. Sometimes you just want a death metal album that is chunky, powerful, devastating and a soundtrack to your headbanging and circle pits. Gatecreeper provides that for you and it is masterfully done. The band is continuing to improve with every release and there is a reason they are so talked about; they are just that good. If you dig those classic death metal grooves, here it updated by Gatecreeper and enjoy what you will hear.

27.) Borknagar- True North
FFO- Progressive Metal, Folk Metal, Black Metal

This is a new chapter of the band without vocalist Vintersorg. The band continues on what they did with their previous album, but ups the prog game this time around. There isn't nearly as many screams on this album (though they are still there, don't fret). This feels like the perfect starter album for someone who loves prog and wants to explore the black metal side of music but doesn't want to dive head first and needs to be eased into it. Let ICS Vortex and Lazare's vocals soothe you as you travel up north through the barrens of the mountains and let the music take you away to that far off land you always wanted to explore. This album is perfection, without a single doubt.

26.) Arch/Matheos- Winter Ethereal
FFO- Progressive Metal

It kills me not to have this album in the top 20 as I was convinced that this may be the best album of the year. John Arch and Jim Matheos have a musical chemistry that is something to truly cherish. Throughout this entire album you truly hear that this album was meant to be a Arch/Matheos album instead of Fates Warning B-sides and the album is infinitely benefited from that fact. This is what progressive metal should strive to achieve in today's age. There's not much more I can say, this is a miraculous album.

25.) Swallow The Sun- When A Shadow Is Forced Into The Light
FFO- Doom Metal, Death Metal, Gothic Metal, Post Metal

I will say, straight up, that Songs From The North I, II, III will be nearly impossible to top. Not just by the band themselves, but by any band in similar veins. That triple album is a thing of wonder that is pure, unadulterated, haunting beauty. This album though...it's as close as one can get. Taking all of the best elements of that release, adding a bit more diversity in the songs themselves, and fine tuning the production and you have a brilliant album that screams in pain, calls you in with it's cleans and the music you grab you and bring you into the grave. Literally...ugh sorry for the pun...swallow you whole. STS is simply fantastic music, check out this latest album and understand why.

24.) Strigoi- Abandon All Faith
FFO- Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Death Metal, Crust Punk, Black Metal, Industrial

When Vallenfyre was disbanded, I was crushed as I loved all three albums. But earlier this year when I found out that the remains of the band are forming a new entity that literally means vampire in Greek; you immediately got my attention. Taking the Doom and death metal sides of Vallenfyre and adding bits of crust punk, industrial and even hints of black metal for good measure; and you have one of the most intriguing debut albums of 2019. Don't sleep on this album, it is one of the best outing of the year and should listen for yourself.

23.) Candlemass- The Door To Doom
FFO- Doom Metal

When I heard original Candlemass vocalist, Johan Langquist was returning to the band, I got very, very nervous. For One I love what Mats Leven did in the band and he is a magnificent vocalist, but Langquist was the original singer of the band, but hasn't been with the band in 32 years (that's a year longer than I've been alive!). THANKFULLY when this album was released, not only were my fears to put to bed, I realized that this is the best Candlemass album since...ever! The production is the finest on any Candlemass album, the vocals are so powerful, and the music is just the perfect doom that you expect from the band, but done even better. It's not often when a band that has been around this long is continuing to put out their finest work, but that';s what Candlemass is doing and I simply can't wait to see what's next.

22.) The Dark Element- Songs The Night Sings
FFO- Modern Metal, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal

I've said it before and I'll pretty much say it until proven otherwise. every band that does female fronted modern metal since the first two Amaranthe albums have done it better than Amaranthe. The Dark Element is a perfect example. The sophomore album from this band is the band at it's best. Taking what worked so well with the debut, but expanding the sound, more creativity and diversity, and just letting that musical chemistry flow is what makes this album flow. A completely solid album from start to finish and easily one of the best modern metal albums of the year.

21.) Avantasia- Moonglow
FFO- All Star Power Metal

Another album that completely shocks me to not crack the top 20, but it is so. Honestly, the previous album, Ghostlights has become one of my favorite albums of all time, I just thought there was no way they could top it. But as learned, they didn't try to top it, they tried to be Avantasia and what's what works on this album. Bringing back legendary vocalists that have been apart of the band for years and bringing in some brand new vocalists making their debut for Avantasia, this album is more of a moodier album and has more of a focus on storytelling than the music itself. Sure, there are a couple faster tracks that feel perfect, but the album is a bit more mid tempo and mellow in comparison to Ghostlights and honestly, that is the way it should have went. The story is fantastic and of course Avantasia can do no wrong. If you missed out on this album for any reason, you should go check it out immediately!


Alrighty folks, there is 80 of my top 100 albums done in 5 parts. Tomorrow brings the final chapter; Part IV: The Top 20.

SEE YOU THEN!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Hey everybody! If you are reading this the day I post it, it's Wednesday, first full week of December. As of yesterday the Sony PlayStation is 25 years old and at the end of this list we will be at the top 40 albums of the year. Doing this list every year is tremendously hard work, but if it means that anyone checking out these 6 parts of this list get to check out new bands, new music and see that rock and metal are thriving as good if not better than ever; I'm doing my job. Let's get to it!

Let's go over the ground rules:

1.) This is my own personal top 100 list, that is made in 6 parts. Parts II-VI is the Top 100 and Part I is the Honorable Mentions. Check back every day for a new part till all six are available.
2.) This is done 20 albums per part, in countdown order (100-1).
3.) As mentioned, this is my own list. I am not paid, asked, or sponsored by any band, label, etc.My choices are mine and mine alone.
4.) 2019 has been an incredibly horrible year for my personal life and I have not been able to cover nearly as much music as I had hoped. There is many albums that I really dug that I had to cut from the list do to not being able to hear it enough, giving it enough time or simply it wasn't my bag...baby.
5.) CHECK OUT EVERY PART OF THIS LIST!!! My favorite one may be yours as well. Your favorite album may be number 17 or 34 or 89 or even an honorable mention. You simply don't know if you skip any part. The numbers don't matter; a good album is a good album. All of these are good albums.
6.) All 100 albums of the list will be made into a Spotify list (or at least as many that are on Spotify), where I'll pick a track from each album and show it off countdown style. Check back every day for the playlist to updated till the list is complete.
7.) The whole purpose of list is to not only show off my favorite albums of the year, but to try to get every person who reads this recommendations for new music to check out. My goal is to have everyone make one new discovery they dig. If you do, spread the joy!


60.) Vintersea- Illuminated
FFO- Progressive Black Metal, Extreme Metal

In simplest, but not the perfect terms; If you want an American, female fronted Ne Oblivscaris style band, this is the band for you. Just discovering this band a few short months ago, I am at a gasp at how much I love this album and sad that I wasn't able to give it more spins this year than I really should have. This covers so much ground that I love with articulate musicianship, fantastic production, and brilliant songwriting that just crushes when it needs to and is some of the most beautiful music you will hear in extreme metal in 2019. All you got to do is spin it for yourself and see what you've been missing.

59.) Destrage- The Chosen One
FFO- Progressive Metal, Avant Garde Metal

Sadly due to medical issues that plagued me for a few months this year, I completely missed this album. Completely! Honestly, I didn't even hear it until last week, that's how my 2019 has been! But anyways, Destrage's 5th LP outing is a mix of their most mainstream sounding material and some of their wackiest songwriting to date (in the best way possible). The lyrics feel a bit more personal and straight forward than in the past, but doesn't lose that quirkiness that makes the band truly stand out. If you want a progressive metal band that truly progresses as a band, check this album out!

58.) Hope Drone- Void Lustre
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Post Black Metal

The sophomore album from this Australian band is truly something to behold. Rather than making everything more polished, the most crisp and clear production, maybe even making songs more mainstream; The band got grittier, the band rawer, the band got noisier; and it completely works. Only one track under the 10 minute mark and the longest song capping off at 17 minutes; the band has truly found their niche and it is something that just pulls you in and does not let go. If you want some amazingly written atmospheric post black metal, Hope Drone covers your needs and more.

57.) Blood Incantation- Hidden History Of The Human Race
FFO- Atmospheric Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal

Blood Incantation is becoming one of the underground's most talked about bands, and for good reason. Even with this being the sophomore album from this fantastic band, the band has experienced so much growth within themselves and have really expanded what the band can be. WIth thought provoking lyrics, jaw dropping musicianship and the 17 minute epic final track too long to list the name of as it will take up the rest of the list; this band is carrying on what bands like Death, Cynic and Gorguts laid out before them. I can't wait to see what's next.

56.) Together to the Stars- An Oblivion Above
FFO- Blackgaze, Post Hardcore

I can't say enough good things about this band. This debut album is what so many bands strive to be and never achieve. A brilliant mix of blackgaze and post hardcore with some emo thrown in for good measure; TttS is showcasing what will be an incredible journey as a band with their haunting and poignant lyrics and atmosphere.This is what I want out this style to a T. I can't recommend this band enough, go check them out.

55.) Alcest- Spiritual Instinct
FFO- Blackgaze

I couldn't be happier that Neige went back on his word about not making blackgaze music anymore and only working on post rock. Alcest is at their best when they are able to combine both into the mystical world that Alcest has created and so many others try to duplicate. The debut album for Nuclear Blast is the band at it's best without losing their touch. fans like myself couldn't be happier about that. Check out the band that helped start the blackgaze movement right here.

54.) The Ferrymen- A New Evil
FFO- All Star Power Metal

Ronnie Romero, Magnus Karlsson, Mike Terrana...Seriously what else do you need? The 2nd album from this powerhouse of a band takes what they accomplished on the debut album and perfected it tenfold. All three men are absolutely stellar on this album and the songs are absolute top notch. This is my kind of power metal when I'm not looking for the over the top cheesy power meta. This is power, heartfelt, and beyond killer. go pick this up!

53.) Cult Of Luna- A Dawn To Fear
FFO- Post Metal, Sludge Metal, Progressive Metal

Cult Of Luna can do no wrong and A Dawn To Fear continues to show you why. Taking all of the best elements of their sound and continuing to evolve it musically and writing some of the most hard hitting lyrics in the band's history, this is a recipe for perfection. It's heavy, thought provoking, and takes you on a musical journey that has so many twists and turns. Cult of Luna is a masterclass of songwriting. Go find out why.

52.) Nailed To Obscurity- Black Frost
FFO- Doom Metal, Melodic Death Metal

4 albums in and 14 years since it's inception; Nailed To Obscurity has found a way to make even darker, even scarier, and even more haunting music than ever before. Black Frost (one of the best album titles of 2019) is a band that can take those styles that were done with Opeth, early day Katatonia and My Dying Bride and make it into their own and it's stellar work. Nailed To Obscurity deserves you love, go listen.

51.) Memoriam- Requiem For Mankind
FFO- Death Metal

The 3rd album in 3 years from this all star, powerhouse of a death metal band shows the band at their absolute best. The lyrics are divisive (and perfect for that), The production is raw and dirty, and the songs are exactly what they need to be. This is such a solid death metal album from start to finish and it's all I could ever want out of the band, maybe you will feel the same way.

50.) Periphery- Periphery IV: HAIL STAN!
FFO- Modern Progressive Metal

Periphery lost me for a few years. Pretty much after the Clear EP, It just didn't have my attention anymore, maybe I just grew out of my enjoyment for the band? Well I am happy to report that the band is back in full form and who knew it would take the band getting out of a label contract and being able to write what they want to write? This album seriously feels like the band is at their peak freshness and that is going to last for such a long time. Every song is different from the next. The Djent sounds are merely an afterthought at this point (nothing you don't hear out of 7-8 strings nowadays anyways). I mean when you can write a 16 minute progressive masterpiece about a stoner fighting aliens in outer space like in the opening track, Reptile; you know that the band has abandoned trying to be anything but themselves and I couldn't be happier. If you fell off the Periphery boat like I did, maybe it's time you jumped back in just as I have.

49.) Downfall Of Gaia- Downfall of Radical Finitude
FFO- Blackgaze, Crust Punk, Sludge Metal

When you talk about mixing genres together and creating music that is so abstract but makes total sense, that is Downfall of Gaia. Taking what has become blackgaze and adding sludge metal and crust punk elements to really make everything stand out is such a killer idea that I wish it had been done so long ago. The fact the band is not afraid to add solos into this music as well is such a rousing display of musicianship that bands don't seem to want to do anymore (but it needed depending on the band). The band's 5th album is a perfect soundtrack to where the band is now and it's awesome from start to finish. Don't leave this band in the dust, go check them out!

48.) Avatarium- The Fire I Long For
FFO- Doom Metal

The band's 4th album is what I've always wanted to hear from the band. It is diverse, it's the strongest material to date, and the production is so pounding and perfect. The use of the keys, synths, and organs throughout really make this album stand out amongst other doom metal bands of today. This is a perfect doom album and it only gets better on repeat listens. It'll just take one listen to understand why.

47.) Pensees Nocturnes- Grand Guignol Orchestra
FFO- Avant Garde Metal; Carnival Music You Will Be Killed To In A Horror Movie

Don't just take the album cover's word for it. One taste of this album and you'll hear the description. This sounds like the literal carnival from hell and if you enter you will be brutally tortured and mutilated within it's confines. This is a literal definition of avant garde music, you do not see where the music will lead you at all and the twists and turns will lead to your doom. If you are the adventurous type, why not give this a shot and throw it on at parties; it will guarantee to have everyone talking about you later.

46.) Abigail Williams- Walk Beyond The Dark
FFO- Abigail WIlliams

This album is essentially a tribute to every AW album that came before it with all new material. Whether you like the atmospheric, black metal, or even the metalcore side of the band; there is a song here for you. It almost feels like a farewell album of sorts. I really hope not as I have always dug the band and always will, but let's just hope that this is the closing of one chapter of the band before it goes into it's next era. Stellar, stellar work.

45.) Finsterforst- Zerfall
FFO- Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Metal

5 albums in and the band has created their masterpiece (at least up till now). Zerfall takes the most epic parts of melodic, black and folk metal and combined it into some of the best songs  you'll hear this year and with it's 36 minute long epic, Ecce Homo, closing out the album; you are guaranteed for a trip that you will get from no other album this year. Come find out what this band is all about.

44.) A Pale Horse Named Death- When The World Becomes Undone
FFO- Gothic Metal, Doom Metal

This album speaks to me in a way that no other album has in 2019. This album literally feels like someone that is falling under the weight of depression and the world around them and that is exactly how I feel every single day. With catchy hooks, fantastic songwriting, the most heartfelt lyrics, I could hear right now and that feeling that I am not alone in this world with how I fell; this album is a perfect, dark antidepressant that fellow people like myself need. It helps on some of my darkest days, it may for you too.

43.) Pounder- Uncivilized
FFO- Speed Metal, Heavy Metal

If you thought Matt Harvey could only do grindcore and death metal, you are sorely mistaken. The debut album from LP shows Harvey letting his heavy metal colors fly with his insatiable guitar riffs and uniquely perfect vocal delivery. This is what a lot of revival metal bands have been trying to do for years and it's quite clear that other bands have truly fallen short upon hearing Uncivilized for the first time. This feels like it was made right in the heart of the 80s metal movement and it gives bands like Overkill, Death Angel, and Testament a run for their money. I can't recommend this band enough.

42.) Liv Sin- Burning Sermons
FFO- Heavy Metal, Dark Metal, Melodic Death Metal

The sophomore album from former Sister Sin vocalist, Liv Jagrell shows her love of heavy metal become even stronger. The songs are so much heavier and catchier, the riffs seriously rival those done in bands like Arch Enemy or In Flames' best years. And Jagrell's top notch vocals and horror inspired lyrics really make this album one of the albums that ironically, shine brightest this year. If you missed out on this albu,, go remedy that now.

41.) Saor- Forgotten Paths
FFO- Celtic Folk, Black Metal

Saor's 4th album is without question, their best album to date. The perfect blend of Celtic folk and black metal is at it's purest form. Along with the band's best production to date, stellar songwriting and even a guest appearance from Alcest's Neige on the title track. If this is intriguing to you in any way. I implore you to check this out and see what can happen when a band takes two genres that feel so strange on paper together, feel so right when it's performed.


And there we go folks, we are officially 60 albums down in the top 100 and only 40 more albums to go. Haven't seen your favorite album yet? Have you made any new discoveries yet? Can you see what the number 1 album will be from a mile away? Let's get some of those answers tomorrow with Part V: 40-21

See Ya!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

As hard as it is to believe, we are at the half way mark of this list when we get to the end today. But till then, we got another 20 albums that deserve any and all listening ears and hopefully you will agree. Let's not waste too much time and get into the list rules shall we?

Let's go over the ground rules:

1.) This is my own personal top 100 list, that is made in 6 parts. Parts II-VI is the Top 100 and Part I is the Honorable Mentions. Check back every day for a new part till all six are available.
2.) This is done 20 albums per part, in countdown order (100-1).
3.) As mentioned, this is my own list. I am not paid, asked, or sponsored by any band, label, etc.My choices are mine and mine alone.
4.) 2019 has been an incredibly horrible year for my personal life and I have not been able to cover nearly as much music as I had hoped. There is many albums that I really dug that I had to cut from the list do to not being able to hear it enough, giving it enough time or simply it wasn't my bag...baby.
5.) CHECK OUT EVERY PART OF THIS LIST!!! My favorite one may be yours as well. Your favorite album may be number 17 or 34 or 89 or even an honorable mention. You simply don't know if you skip any part. The numbers don't matter; a good album is a good album. All of these are good albums.
6.) All 100 albums of the list will be made into a Spotify list (or at least as many that are on Spotify), where I'll pick a track from each album and show it off countdown style. Check back every day for the playlist to updated till the list is complete.
7.) The whole purpose of list is to not only show off my favorite albums of the year, but to try to get every person who reads this recommendations for new music to check out. My goal is to have everyone make one new discovery they dig. If you do, spread the joy!


80.) Angel Witch- Angel of Light
FFO- NWOBHM

It is so great to see Angel Witch still in prime form in 2019 and Angel of Light is prime example of that fact. With their signature blend of riffs, catchy choruses,a and pure NWOBHM vibes, this is a perfect representation of what can happen when you stick to your guns and just want to make the best music you possibly can. Seriously, throw on your denim vest, grab some PBRs and throw this one on for a raging good time.

79.) Leprous- Pitfalls
FFO- Progressive Rock, Alternative Rock

Well, Leprous has never been known for making the same album twice, but I'm not sure who was expecting an album like this from the band ever. For some this will turn you off the band completely, for others, this is exactly what you wanted from the band. Unless you are brand new to the band, I can't imagine that you were just feeling meh on the album. But anyways, the production is crisp and clear, the vocal melodies are so intoxicating, and seeing the music being explored to intently. It really feels like an antidepressant album in the best way. With more listens this would be way higher and it will get there in time. It is indeed worthy of you checking it out and seeing if it for you.

78.) Hyvmine- Retaliation
FFO- Groove Metal, Progressive Metal, Hard Rock

I didn't get this album until recently as I apparently don't have their press contact info anymore...but that's besides the point. Last year's debut LP and EP are masterful works and seeing the band back again for their sophomore album is a fantastic listen. The songs are even catchier, the tones are even heavier and the musicianship is only getting stronger and stronger. That great blend of prog, groove and modern metal really makes this band stand out and they will only get better as time goes on. I only wish i had heard this sooner.

77.) Entombed A.D.- Bowels of Earth
FFO- Swedish Death Metal

While the band has been split in two, Entombed A.D.'s side of Entombed have returned in 2019 for an excellent display of death metal. fast, heavy, brooding and just what you want from some of the pioneers of one of the strongest genres in death metal. Pure gem of an album and exactly what you need in 2019 if you're into death metal.

76.) Forever Still- Breathe in Colours
FFO- Melodic Metal, Alternative Metal

THis band's sophomore album showcases the band becoming even stronger in their sound. A wonderful mix of melodic metal, alternative metal, and dark overtones makes this album stand out and phenomenal vocals from soaring cleans to haunting raspy lows. This is what you wish you were hearing on top 40 radio and once you listen to the band you'll understand why. This is phenomenal work.

75.) Silvertomb- Edge of Existence
FFO- Gothic Rock, Hard Rock, Doom Metal

The debut album from Silvertomb shows all the members of the band branching out from their former bands and showing sides you'd never expect. While the album does get heavy and brooding, there are these melodic riffs and styles that really stand out and makes the music speak for itself. Once you give it a spin, I think you'll understand better. this is an underrated album that should be on your radar.

74.) Crazy Lixx- Forever Wild
FFO- Glam Metal, Hard Rock

What a perfect throwback to the best music parts of the 80s glam scene. Crazy Lixx has been making fantastic music since 2002 and 17 years later, it's like they just started with their enthusiasm, inspired riffs and just a fun atmosphere that is missing in rock music today. Sometimes going back is truly going forward and that's what Crazy Lixx brings to the table. Go check this one out!

73.) Thy Art Is Murder- Human Target
FFO- Deathcore

If I am going to check out a deathcore band, it better be in this style. Substance over style. TAIM is much more than just breakdowns and pits; While both of those are there in spades, the music actually stands out no matter how blistering fast or deceivingly slow it gets. This is for the heavy fan that wants it all in deathcore from the lyrics to riffs to great production and what you know will be a killer show when you hear these songs live. Even for my non deathcore fans *or at least the people who read these lists every year* go give this a shot, you may be happily surprised.

72.) Chrome Waves- A Grief Observed
FFO- Post Black Metal

For as long as I've been a fan of this band, it blows my mind that this is only their debut LP that has been released this year. The post balck metal band shows off their signature blend of atmospheric black metal, post rock, and a heart ripping lyrical presence that makes this band one that brings you to the bowels of the grave, but it returns you feeling less alone. This is what I want from my post black metal and Chrome Waves pioneered it before it became cool with their 2012 EP, go find out what you've been missing all this time.

71.) Misery Index- Rituals of Power
FFO- Death Metal, Grindcore

This was my favorite deathgrind album of the year for quite some time, and for good reason. This is the most inspired I've ever heard the band been ever. The production really shows off the brutality so well. The songwriting is also at levels that other bands can only aspire to obtain one day. This is THE Misery Index album from the band so far and if you missed it, remedy that now.

70.) Exhorder- Mourn The Southern Skies
FFO- Groove Metal, Thrash Metal

This is an album I never thought I'd get to talk about as I never thought the band would return to make a new album. I am so happy to have been wrong. Mourn The Southern Skies sounds like the band never left, yet it feels like all of the time they took recharged their batteries to become a new entity. WHile yes, it has their signature southern metal style all over this album, it's updated and just different enough to make this album you always wanted from the band and we are so honored to have it here for your enjoyment. If you want to know where southern groove metal came from, check out Exhorder.

69.) Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra- Legacy of the Dark Lands
FFO- Orchestral

If you go into this album thinking it is going to be a full on Blind Guardian power metal album, you will be disappointed. If you go into this thinking it's just an orchestral album with Hansi on vocals, you will also be disappointed album. While you do not hear the electric guitar, bass and double bass drums you know in the band, this is a full on Blind Guardian album with the power of the Twilight Orchestra backing the band musically to tell an amazing story that brings you back to days such as NIghtfall in Middle Earth. It's not traditional metal nor is it what you will expect to hear at your local symphony orchestra; It's Bl;ind Guardian at arguably their best. Just let the music flow and enjoy.

68.) Vitriol- To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice
FFO- Death Metal

No nonsense death metal. This debut album from this Portland band is the perfect showcase of amazing talent and amazing restraint. While everyone in the band is capable of so much on their respective instruments, they only show it off in doses and let the songs speak for themselves. This is a 44 minute attack of the sense that brings you back to when death metal can be brutal yet musical and not over the top wanking. Vitriol is going to destroy everything in it's path. Just you wait!

67.) Nott- The Great Furnace
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Progressive Metal

Another debut album featuring the same vocalist of Chrome Waves featured earlier. Nott is an Atmospheric Black Metal band that pushes the boundaries of their sound, it gets proggy, it gets avant garde, it gets folky at times. There are no boundaries that are left unturned here. A fantastic display of what creative minds can do when they make the music they want to make. Nott is going to continue making big waves in the future and I can't wait to see what's next.

66.) Gygax- High Fantasy
FFO- Heavy Metal, hard Rock, D&D

The band's 3rd album since 2019 is another fantastic display of what a table top game can truly inspire. While the band is not breaking new ground or reinventing the wheel; that was never their intention. They are writing what fits the band, fits the style and making sure every song is as solid as the next. That's all you need in Gygax and they bring it to us in spades. Go check this out and see what you roll!

65.) Eluveitie- Ategnatos
FFO- Folk Metal

As much as I've loved the band over the last decade; the band is FINALLY back to their roots of the first two albums and it is amazing to hear that. This album rivals my love of their debut album Spirit as their best album to date. In a lot of ways, the band is back to that spirit but with updated production and even more killer songwriting. This is what I've missed about Eluveitie and I am so happy to see it come back home. The band will only get better from here on out.

64.) Gloryhammer- Legends from Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex
FFO- Come On, You Know Who This Is For

As mentioned on my Top Epics of 2019 list. Gloryhammer is THE power metal band. While Dragonforce and Twilight Force come close, no one envisions the absolute power and glory that the genre is defined by than Gloryhammer. While this album is simply a solid Gloryhammer album, it doesn't need to be anything else. It's fun, catchy, doesn't take itself seriously at all, and just makes you smile when you hear it. That's what I go to power metal for and as long as they keep this up, I'll never be dissatisfied.

63.) Ashbringer- Absolution
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal

There sure is a lot of Minnesota bands on my list this year for someone who is accused of not caring about Minnesota bands by a particular scene, but I'll digress. Ashbringer's 3rd album shows the band at their most diverse. Showing off more of their post rock, folk, and acoustic elements that really give the band a fantastic touch. It's almost feels like a Minnesota version of Agalloch. I am also so happy to see the band got signed to Prosthetic Records as they are a band that truly deserved to be able to get out their and show the world their style of atmospheric black metal. I've loved Ashbringer since they started and I know as long as they keep at it, they will only get bigger and stronger from here on out. Go! Go listen to them now!

62.) Dream Theater- Distance Over Time
FFO- Progressive Metal

Yeah, who saw this coming? I know I didn't. There is so much I could say about this that I even maybe should say, but I will say this. It's the band's best album in the Post-Portnoy era. It's actually the first album to be under an hour since Images in Words in 1992. The songs are concise, as long as they need to be. The tones are magnificent, the production is quite clear this go around, and the band seems to be in a great headspace. For personal reasons, this came out at a time I simply couldn't devote to listening to it as much as others did and in my line of work, I lost track of it over time. Far from a bad or even a mediocre album. It's a solid DT album and may even win over those that gave up on the band long ago. Let's see if it does.

61.) Opeth- In Cauda Venenum
FFO- Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, Psychedelic

Another band in the prog world that bands jumped ship from nearly a decade ago (where does the time go?) Opeth returned for their 4th album since dropping the death metal elements of the band to be a proggy, psychedelic, nearly fusion type band. Many say they lost their intensity over the years and that is simply not true. This album sees the band at their absolute darkest possibly ever (just read the lyrics). And the band also is showcasing if not their heaviest material in this new era, it's quite close. The music is also the most inspired since Blackwater Park, which I think truly says a lot. It's also really cool that there are two versions of this album; one sung in English one sung in Swedish (a first for the band). It's great to see that after all this time, the band continues to push the boundaries of what their sound can be. Will this win back the growling fans, of course not, but at this point, they don't need to. They get to be themselves and that is truly for the best.




And there you go folks! Another 20 albums down and only 3 parts left of this monolith of a list. Come back tomorrow for Part IV: 60-41

SEE YA!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Hey Everybody! It's That Drummer Guy here back with my yearly tradition of showing off the top 100 albums of the year. I simply can't believe that not only the year is almost up, but the DECADE is almost over as well. 2020 will be 9 years since I started as That Drummer Guy and I have been thankful to be able to check out, discover, and promote so many good bands and albums in that time. So let's kick off the end of the decade right with Part II of this gigantic list. For anyone confused, the Honorable Mentions (20 albums in total) are part one and can be checked out here.

Let's go over the ground rules:

1.) This is my own personal top 100 list, that is made in 6 parts. Parts II-VI is the Top 100 and Part I is the Honorable Mentions. Check back every day for a new part till all six are available.
2.) This is done 20 albums per part, in countdown order (100-1).
3.) As mentioned, this is my own list. I am not paid, asked, or sponsored by any band, label, etc.My choices are mine and mine alone.
4.) 2019 has been an incredibly horrible year for my personal life and I have not been able to cover nearly as much music as I had hoped. There is many albums that I really dug that I had to cut from the list do to not being able to hear it enough, giving it enough time or simply it wasn't my bag...baby.
5.) CHECK OUT EVERY PART OF THIS LIST!!! My favorite one may be yours as well. Your favorite album may be number 17 or 34 or 89 or even an honorable mention. You simply don't know if you skip any part. The numbers don't matter; a good album is a good album. All of these are good albums.
6.) All 100 albums of the list will be made into a Spotify list (or at least as many that are on Spotify), where I'll pick a track from each album and show it off countdown style. Check back every day for the playlist to updated till the list is complete.
7.) The whole purpose of list is to not only show off my favorite albums of the year, but to try to get every person who reads this recommendations for new music to check out. My goal is to have everyone make one new discovery they dig. If you do, spread the joy!

Now let's do this thing!

100.) Odd Logic- Last Watch of the Nightingale
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal

Odd Logic's new album is a tad bit more on the darker side compared to their previous material, but it strongly benefits the band. From catchy hooks, amazing twists and turns and undeniable songwriting; Odd Logic is an underground prog band that deserves your love and attention. If you want a mix of Dream Theater, Riverside, Opeth, and Porcupine Tree; this is the band for you.

99.) Car Bomb- Mordial
FFO- Mathcore, Experimental, Progressive Metal

Car Bomb's 4th album is one that features some of it's catchiest moments ever, while showing off some of the most experimental and left of center genre shifts you may hear all year. It bone crushingly heavy, with crystal clear production and off the charts musicianship. If you want your music unconventional, Car Bomb is your gateway into what's possible in to heavy side of unconventional and Mordial is your welcome pamphlet.

98.) Freedom Call- M.E.T.A.L.
FFO- Power Metal, Fun

Gloryhammer or Rage are the only other power metal band's that come close to rivaling Freedom Call for the amount of fun you can have listening to an album and seeing a band live. The latest album from this longstanding German band has some of their most fun moments matching with their most sing along worthy choruses and the undeniable mention that metal is for everyone. Elitists can go away, Freedom Call is here to stay!

97.) Kadavar- For The Dead Travel Fast
FFO- Occult Rock, Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Kadavar's latest album shows the band returning to it's horror roots with not only their lyrics, production, and writing style; but the band literally took their album cover picture right in front of Dracula's castle! The band still continues to show off their diversity and each song is a great horror story in and of itself. For the uninitiated; if you want Ghost without the theatrics, Kadavar should be your new favorite band.

96.) Ringworm- Death Becomes My Voice
FFO- Hardcore, Crossover Thrash

There is not many vocalists that can match even a tenth of the anger, power and intensity that Human Furnace shows off on every single album. The latest release from Ringworm shows the band becoming even more intense yet with some of the musical moments and killer solos of the band's career. This is simply how you make some of the most intense music you can ever hear. Check out Ringworm!

95.) Despised Icon- Purgatory
FFO- Deathcore, Death Metal

Easily the band's best work to date; Purgatory show's the band show off more of their diversity while never losing what made the band stand out in the first place. The riffs and breakdowns are some of the best in this style all year. This is the return of the band that no one knew they needed. If this is how brutal the album sounds, the live shows will be absolutely insane!

94.) Turilli/ Lione Rhapsody- Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution)
FFO- Symphonic Metal, Neoclassical Metal, Modern Metal

WHile there have been so many renditions of Rhapsody that it can be very hard to keep track; Turilli and Lione have rejoined forces for their version of the band and created a new chapter of the band's legacy. WHile still keeping tinges of their original sound; the band added a sense of modern metal, synths, and shorter songs that really make the band appeal not only to a potential new fanbase, but appealing to the band themselves instead of making the same music over and over again. This is one of the most refreshing Rhapsody albums ever and you really need to give it a spin.

93.) Lord- Fallen Idols
FFO- Power Metal, Heavy Metal

Lord's 6th album shows the band with blistering riffs, soaring vocals, and some of the catchiest choruses in power metal this year. This Australian band has only gotten stronger over the years and 16 years in, the band has no signs of slowing down or writing stale songs. Watch as this band continues to rise and rise with fantastic albums.

92.) Aenimus- Dreamcatcher
FFO- Extreme Progressive Metal

Taking the works of Stephen King and making songs surrounding some of the band's favorite novels; Aenimus continues to grow and grow with each subsequent album and Dreamcatcher is undoubtedly their best work to date. The unique sense of atmosphere really add to the band sound of heavy breakdowns, insane riff changes and crisp production style. Whether you like horror, extreme music or both, do yourself a favor and pick up Dreamcatcher!

91.) Nile- Vile Nilotic Rites
FFO- Brutal Death Metal, Technical Death Metal

Gotta be completely and utterly honest here, I never thought I'd enjoy a Nile album again. The last several albums haven't really been my bag sansa a few songs here and there. That completely changed here with Vile Nilotic Rites. The band has evolved and become the strongest they have been since possibly the beginning of the band.  Inspired songs, not just brutal for the sake of being brutal, every note matter. Nile is back in top form and you left the river, it's time to get back in and see where the band is at now.

90.) Destruction- Born To Perish
FFO- Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal

There's not much to say about this legendary German thrash band that hasn't been said over the year. THis band is one of the most underrated bands in all of thrash and every album they release is a pure gem. Born to Perish is no different. A perfect thrash album from start to finish from one of the best bands in thrash. What else could you possibly as for?

89.) Afterhand- Escaping Misfortune
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock

Afterhand is a prog band from Salt Lake City and they have come in like a firestorm with Escaping Misfortune. The band's debut album is such a unique blend of prog styles that really makes the band stand out. Sing along choruses, heavy riffs, great production, and excelled musicianship and songwriting; Afterhand has what it takes to become one of the standout bands of the next decade. Check them out now before the explode to the masses.

88.) Rotting Christ- The Heretics
FFO- Experimental Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal

Simply put, this is the best Rotting Christ album ever. This is what I've always wanted from the band. Their awesome black metal styling but diverse, captivating and the absolutely perfect closing track with The Raven. While the name will scare away many (possibly that's the point) I highly suggest going into this album with no reservations, let this album play and see what you enjoy. No preconceived notions and see that names are not all a band has going for it; it's the music.

87.) Ardours- Last Place On Earth
FFO- Gothic Metal, Alternative Metal

Had I been able to check out this album more, this could have easily been in my top 20 of the year; it's that good. Some of the most inspired songs of the year combining such a great gothic atmosphere with alternative metal and hints of 80s power choruses. Imagine  mid era Anathema mixed with Coheed and Cambria and hints of Eurythmics. Just because it's low on this list doesn't mean it's not one of the best albums of the year. Seriously, give this one a go, It's more than worth it.

86.) Plague of Stars- Daedalus
FFO- Gothic Metal, Alternative Metal, Black Metal

There's many more genres I could throw into that FFO section as well, but that gives a good stance of what Plague of Stars has to offer. With some jaw dropping vocals, mindblowing songwriting, and the perfect raw, dark, and haunting production; Plague of Stars is one of the....ugh, sorry for the pun...shining stars of the Minnesota Metal scene. Give them a shot and understand why genre labels only can define so much of a band's sound.

85.) Abrahma- In Time for the Last Rays of Light
FFO- Post Metal, Doom Metal

A discovery I made earlier this year that has be constantly going back to it is Abrahma's 3rd album and there's good reason for it. It's not that often where you hear a band that is classified in the doom, post metal, stoner rock genres that really stands out unless they innovate something first. With Abrahma, they definitely do that and then some with excelled vocals, fantastic songwriting, and brilliant musicianship. Think of a French version of Pallbearer, but give it it's own spins and you have this band. Seriously don't sleep on these guys, this is amazing work.

84.) Drifting Sun- Planet Junkie
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal

This studio band is some of the best prog bands releasing an album in 2019. not being shackled by having to play live or touring or worrying if something will translate live; Drifting Sun literally just focuses on making the best songs possible. Their styles of early prog mixed with enough modern styles and catchy flair makes this band stand out in the sea of prog bands that you see how other bands get lost in the shuffle. If you want some forward thinking prog this year, check out Drifting Sun.

83.) Aspherium- The Embers of Eternity
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Progressive Metal

You don't often hear about Norwegian melodeath the way you hear about Swedish melodeath; but it's there and it is ferocious. This band's third album is with melodeath riffs and sensibility, metalcore tendencies, and progressive changes and time lengths. This band truly shows what a band is capable of by being themselves and writing the best music they can. A band you may miss, but you must remedy that now.

82.) Une Misere- Sermon
FFO- Blackened Hardcore

The debut album from this brilliant Icelandic band is one that you need to experience. Throwing away any need to stay true to one main style; The band has such a unique blend of black metal and hardcore and mathcore that it's just an apocalyptic mix of breakdowns and black metal tremolos and blasts. This is a band that will take the world by storm in the next decade, just you wait and see.

81.) Puppy- The Goat
FFO- Alternative Metal, Occult Rock

As I mentioned in my best EPs of the year list; Puppy is like King's X making occult rock; though on The Goat, the band added much more to their sound from that EP (or did they strip down for iii to sound more KX?) with more abstract sounds, catchy hook after catchy hook and a band that should be on the top of the rock rocks right now. In a perfect world they would be there touring stadiums. Maybe one day. But till then, check out the band's debut LP (4th release overall) and see what this band is all about before the masses discover the band.



And there we go folks, 20 albums down, 80 to go. I hope you enjoyed tis list and come back tomorrow for Part III: 80-61. See Ya!


- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Alright everyone, it's time, it's time. It's Vader ti....wait wrong area of entertainment. We're back here again for another year of great music that you either missed out on, haven't heard yet, are your favorites, or think completely suck. 2019 has had a lot of great things happen musically and I got 100 albums to show you next week, but until then, I got 20 that didn't make the cut. I can pretty much say for all of these, it either comes down to I didn't have enough time to hear these to rank them higher, I heard them too late to fairly put them on the list, or simply found other albums I dug more. 2019 has been a really rough year on my end and I sadly have not been able to cover as much as I have wanted to. With that in mind I only have 20 honorable mentions this year. Though to make up for that, I have a special list coming at the end of the year that just may be up your alley if you dig 2010s music. I simply can't stress this enough, especially if you are new...I don't think these albums suck. I dig all of them and that's why I am taking the time to write these up for you as one of these could be your Album of the Year. All 120 in these lists are worthy of my time and they be worthy of yours, don't let the ranking numbers fool you, a good album is a good album.

As these are the honorable mentions, I am doing these 20 in alphabetical order, but numbered on the side, in case you get lost on where an album you're interested is located. The Top 100 will be in countdown order. Let's Begin!



1.) Allegaeon- Apoptosis
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal

Back with their signature belnd of tech, prog and melodeath comes the brand new album from Allegaeon. Musically, this is a grand step up from their previous album, Proponent of Sentience, which made the top 100 in 2016. The band feels even tighter, the songs feel stronger, and the overall vibe has this great sense of structure and wonder that makes a fan of almost any style of metal take notice and enjoy. Plus if you are big on science, science fiction, & philosophy; this is the band for you! GO check them out!

2.) The Aristocrats- You Know What...?
FFO- Instrumental Progressive Rock

Sadly this and one other album are the only instrumental albums I have in contention for the best albums this year. It is not for a lack of albums, but a lack of time on my end to hear them. This is an album that deserves all the attention it can get. The band's 4th album shows the band at their most diverse, creative, and tightest. Between these three monsters of their crafts; there is no shortage of jaw dropping moments and moments that will tug on your heart and really make you think.You know what? If you dig 3 musical virtuosos creating instrumental music together; go check this album out immediately!

3.) Boris- Love & Evol
FFO- Doom Metal, Post Rock, Drone

I'm actually shocked to see Boris just in the honorable mentions this  year, but that's just how it rolls sometimes. With the diverse catalog Boris has, you never know what a new album will bring. With Love & Evol, You hear the band bring back many of it's doom metal and drone sides that many long time fans crave. The release is separated into two discs (yet each album is roughly a half hour) both showcase the darker side of the band compared to their lighter side shown on 2017's Dear. If you dig the band's earlier works, this will be right up your alley.

4.) Cellar Darling- The Spell
FFO- Progressive Folk Metal

Ever notice when a band says they are going to release a heavier album and it ends up sounding very light, fluffy and mainstream? That's not what happened here. The band's sophomore album takes a much darker and sinister turn. The songs are still catchy as all get go, but the whole vibe of the album really feels like this is what the band has been trying to achieve. I only wish I had been able to take more time to appreciate it as it is more than worthy of all the praise it has recieved.

5.) Edenbridge- Dynamind
FFO- Symphonic Power Metal, Progressive Metal

One of the most consistently great bands of their style, Edenbridge has released another album that is perfect for long time fans and those that are just getting acquainted with the band. Catchy, heavy in the right moments, epic as it can get; Dynamind has all the flavors that brings in the symphonic power metal masses and it's just another fantastically solid album.

6.) Falaise- A Place I Don't Belong To
FFO- Depressive Blackgaze

Falaise's 3rd album is such a beautiful and depressing album at the same time. the production is just clean/raw enough to make you feel the emotion in the lyrics. The songs themselves are wonderfully crafted and the lyrics are so bittersweet and relateable. While the vocals will not be for everyone, I highly advise anyone that digs blackgaze to give this album a shot it is an album you simply do not want to miss.

7.) Frantic Amber- Bellatrix
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

This international sensation is back with their sophomore album and they have returned with some of the most ferocious songs you'll hear all year. With a concept celebrating great women of history and war; Bellatrix represents each woman talked about perfectly in the metal sense and really gives you a very cool look of history while you try not to snap your neck headbanging, easily a band and album that deserves your ears.

8.) Kayo Dot- Blasphemy
FFO- Kayo Dot

You simply won't hear the same style of Kayo Dot album done twice. the band is incapable of it. with Blasphemy, they take on more of their avant garde stylings, but combine it with synth heavy moments, post rock inklings, and just that overall sense that Toby Driver and Co have release another fantastic Kayo Dot album. Again it's hard to describe the band with words, you simply must check it out and see if it's for you. If not, they may released an album that is totally for  you.

9.) Mgla- Age of Excuse
FFO- Black Metal

Mgla's 4th album is the first to come out in four years and they have been missed. I sadly did not have the time to be able to give this album the ranking it deserves (which is much higher), but this album is a perfect black metal album. 42 Minutes, covering the gambit of black metal, making some of the most cohesive music this year; yeah, this album rules. Honestly, you're missing out if you dig Black Metal and never heard of Mgla.

10.) The Mute Gods- Atheists & Believers
FFO- Depressing Progressive Rock

Another album that breaks me to put in the honorable mentions list and not in the top 100, but it is because I just was not able to give this album the spins it deserves. The band continues to grow more cynical with each album, and rightfully so. The lyrics are so dreadful, but honest in today's world. Plus the music perfectly captures that prog rock sound, and just upbeat and catchy enough to feel like a paradox with the lyrical content. The Mute Gods are such a fantastic band and you really should give this new album a shot.

11.) Myrath- Shehili
FFO- Middle Eastern Progressive Metal

Myrath is a band that's incapable of putting out a bad album. With Shehili, the band has it's best production to date, soaring vocals, and that ever flavorful Middle Eastern/folk vibe that makes the songs truly stand out and grab your attention. Myrath deserve to be one of the biggest prog bands in the world, go check them out and help them get to the top.

12.) Oceanwake- Light Flashing in Mute Scenery
FFO- Doom Metal, Progressive Death Metal, Post Metal

Another band releasing their 4th outing, Oceanwake brings some of the most somber sounding death/doom metal to 2019. Bordering on straight up funeral doom metal, Oceanwake have that keen sense of dread, somber tones, and moody vibes that truly make the band one of the most powerful in it's style. An overlooked band by some, but one that should be no longer. I mean it, this is some amazing work!

13.) Rise Twain- Rise Twain
FFO- Progressive Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Rise Twain released their self titled debut this year and it's not being talked about enough. With such a unique sense of musical chemistry, the band has written some of the most ear catching and attention grabbing prog rock of the year. It won't be  up everyone's stream, but for that's that enjoy it, you will have found a new favorite band and they are worthy of that attention you give.

14.) Satan Takes A Holiday- A New Sensation
FFO- Alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Proving once again that Sweden is not all ABBA and melodic death metal; Satan Takes A Holiday brings on one of their most electric outing's in the band's career. Such a fun, catchy album that really gives off great vibes that you want to hear on top 40 radio, but is currently lacking. A New Sensation is literally that; it feels like a new yet familiar take on the band with the band improving and writing their best material to date. An album and band that should not be overlooked.

15.) The Three Tremors- The Three Tremors
FFO- Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal

Ripper Owens, Sean Peck, and The Tyrant on one album, singing together showing off their amazing pipes over some perfectly tracked and mood setting evil sounding heavy metal. What more could you possibly ask for? This is a power metal, heavy metal and thrash metal treat and this album helps you savor the flavor. THis is what a group of well known singers making an album should sound like and I'm grateful this happened. Can't wait to see what's next.

16.) Varaha- A Passage For Lost Years
FFO- Post Metal, Gothic Metal, Doom Metal

The debut release from Varaha has that perfect blend of gothic, doom and post metal that many bands try to achieve but never grasp. Combining elements of early day Anathema, Paradise Lost and Opeth into one hauntingly perfect album is no easy feat, but it's done here in strides. I wish I h ad more time wit this one, but you should not overlook it if you want something on the heartbreaking, relateable yet uplifting side.

17.) Vaura- Sables
FFO- Gothic Rock, Post Punk, Avant Garde

I can't beleive that it's been 6 years since the band's last album. That may explain why I was so late to this party. Every album Vaura releases feels like such a different adventure and on Sables, it really feels like the band took their nods to post punk and updated enough with a modern sound and layered it in this goth rock tinge that makes it such a unique experience. Quite unconventional, but that's what makes it so intriguing and enjoyable. 

18.) Witchden- Deus Nihil
FFO- Sludge Metal, Black Metal

YOu didn't know you wanted a band that combined elements of Celtic Frost, Bathory, The Melvins, and Weedeater...did you? That's what this MInnesota band brings to the table with their unique blend of sludgy black metal that just hits home with all of the bases covered. A great raw production that is clear and presentable amongst it's rich heavy tones and atmosphere. WItchden is one of the best bands going in Minnesota, time you find out why.

19.) Yurei- Saudade
FFO- Instrumental Modern Metal

One of the most mindblowing instrumental debuts I've ever heard. Combining a love of video game soundtracks, modern metal, and some of the most insane guitar playing you'll see this side of Guthrie Govan or Tosin Abasi. The album itself feels like a video game, going through every level and fighting your way through with a killer soundtrack backing you. THis is how you make music with no vocals. Memorable, catchy, monumental and leave you wanting more.

20.) The 69 Eyes- West End
FFO- Gothic Rock, Glam Metal

This band has been going strong for 30 years and the band has no sign of slowing down. West End provides some of the heaviest, catchiest and darkest songs the band has ever created. The song 27 and Done is the perfect example of all three. Finland has provided some of the best bands to ever exist in rock and metal and The 69 Eyes goes underappreciated. That needs to change, Check out West End and see what you've been missing.



And there we go folks, My 20 honorable mentions for 2019. HOpefully you found something to enjoy here. If not, Don't Fret. My Top 100 Albums of 2019 starts on Monday with Part II: 100-81. See you then!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

2019 has become a year where more and more EPs are being made as albums are not on everyone's radar anymore. Covers are a great treat to close out or be fully recognized on a release. Live Albums are becoming more and more extinct but sometimes hearing a live album is just an incredible thing to hear. In this hodgepodge of lists, I will be covering all three. WHile these are nowhere near as extensive as the Top 100 List coming up next week, this is a nice treat for those that want different experiences.

As with the previous list, these are just my personal rankings in countdown order. Nothing personal at all and I have missed out on so many releases for reasons out of my control, but hopefully you will find something to enjoy. Let's Do It!



BEST EPs OF 2019

Honorable Mention 2: Arsis Thesis- Pangaea
FFO- Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Fuzz Rock, Hardcore

This 5 track debut release (released on April 20th no less...you know...4/20) is a great beginning for this band. It's raw feel mixed in with chaotic vibes, stoner doom goodness and original takes on this style really makes this album a joy to listen to. Never dull and doesn't overstay it's welcome. A fleshed out raw stoner release from a band that is sure to be doing great things in the future.

Honorable Mention 1: Vader- Thy Messenger
FFO- Death Metal

Vader is one of the most consistent death metal bands around. Their take on death metal mixed with thrash and undeniable hooks is what has kep the band rolling all these years. The band's latest 4 track release is a short, sweet, brutal showcase of where the band is at in 2019 and doesn't disappoint in the slightest. If you love Vader, this will keep you satisfied till the next monster of an album is released.

5.) Municipal Waste- The Last Rager
FFO- Crossover Thrash Metal

Municipal Waste, there's no one that does this style with more justice that wasn't part of the original wave of crossover thrash. The Last Rager is 4 tracks, barely over 10 minutes and it feels like a full release. All sides of the band are shown here between all 4 songs and it makes me want more. A definitive fun release.

4.) The Contortionist- Our Bones
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, Alternative Rock

The Contortionist is definitely showing what it means to evolve as a band. From proggy deathcore roots, to some of the most calming and chill progressive metal you'll ever hear. Between three new songs and a cover I'll talk about in the next list; The Contortionist continues to push the boundaries of what the band is capable of achieving. I can only imagine how much the band will flourish on their next LP.

3.) Puppy- iii
FFO- Hard Rock, Alternative Metal, Occult Rock

This band has completely and utterly taken me by surprise and I love it. I actually checked out this EP before checking out their debut album and my jaw dropped to the grown. Imagine King's X doing occult rock. That is this EP and works so perfectly. Seriously I haven't heard a band do KX worship this well and it works magnificently. OF course there are other tinges to the band and this EP, but if you love that KX sound or you want something different, check out Puppy.

2.) Witherfall- Vintage
FFO- Dark Progressive Metal, Power Metal

I am being a stickler here and only not putting this at number 1 because the titl;e track is from 2018 (and I can't just put them at number 1 for everything despite me really, really wanting to.). The short story is original drummer (and one of my dearest friends) Adam Sagan passed away almost 3 years ago now and the band wrote their sophomore album, A Prelude to Sorrow, as a tribute album to Adam and you absolutely hear all of the pain, anger, and full on emotion on this album if you've experienced a hard loss. Vintage EP is the title track from the album, plus a couple covers, acoustic medley of Vintage and a couple new renditions of songs on the debut album; this is jam packed EP and you absolutely get your money's worth. Hopefully you will agree.

1.) Clemens Wijers- Parasite Twin
FFO- Avant Garde, Industrial, Symphonic

Wijers is best known for his work with Carach Angren and it's so fantastic what he can do on the side. Be it doing symphonic work with other bands or working on his own material he can just capture everything that needs to be done. Parasite Twin is a perfect, twisted, fun look at what is capable outside of Symphonic Black Metal. The title track is a humorous take on the movie Basket Case yet other tracks go into darker territory and feels just perfect. If Carach Angren is not your bag, but you like the ideals and imagery; maybe give Wijers' solo work a shot. It may be perfect for you!



BEST COVERS OF 2019

Honorable Mention 2: Dragonforce- My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion cover)

In fairness, I do love this cover and it totally fits an album titled Extreme Power Metal, but it's not my favorite Dragonforce cover (that goes to Death's Evil Dead). If you want what you would imagine Dragonforce covering Celine Dion would sound like, this is exactly it. a fun 3 and a half minute cheesy goodness cover.

Honorable Mention 1: Wednesday 13- Animal (Fuck Like A Beast) (W.A.S.P. cover)

Anyone who covers W.A.S.P. in 2019 gets an A in my book. When you cover their best song, that makes things even better. Funny enough not having the industrial or horror aspects in this cover at all; it feels like a mostly straight ahead cover with just enough double bass fun and raspier vocals to make this a signature W13 song in live shows (I Hope). All in all, this cover rules!

5.) Rage Of Light- Twilight Of The Thunder God (Amon Amarth cover)

The song that introduced the majority of the metal world to Amon Amarth has been covered by some great bands. Most famously by Swedish band Sabaton. This cover features the song with much more symphonic, synth heavy, and some of the most ferocious female vocals you will hear in 2019. If you want a different take on this song to make it just a tad poppier, this is right up your alley.

4.) The Contortionist- 1979 (Smashing Pumpkins cover)

The band that wrote Exoplanet, nearly a decade later, records a Smashing Pumpkins that is not only better than the original, but sounds like it was recorded by an entirely different band. I love that The Contortionist has no limits to what they can record and making a flawless cover of this classic song with zero tinges of metal or prog and just playing for the song is just fantastic to listen to. A sheer delight on a killer EP from one of the best proggy bands around.

3.) Chrome Waves- Something In The Way (Nirvana Cover)

Not being a Nirvana fan (sorry, I'm just not), this was the one song I did truly appreciate from the band., It felt so different than what the band was known for and became known for later. Chrome Waves took this dark closer of a song and made it into one of the darkest covers of the year. besides some cymbal flourishes, there is no percussion, just synths, strings, guitar and haunting vocals. I love when a band can take a dark song and make it even dark and Chrome Waves nailed it. Seriously, check this one out!

2.) Mastodon- Stairway To Heaven (Led Zepplin cover)

Tragedy can sometimes bring a band to write their best work; or in this case, show off one of the great covers you will ever hear. A nearly flawless note for note remake of one of the most famous rock songs ever made. Vocals by Brann Dailor (seriously, how much better has Mastodon improved since he became one of the lead singers of the band?) have such a great haunting vibe and absolutely matches the reason this cover exists. Saying goodbye to long time manager Nick John; this is such a beautiful way to say farewell. It is hard press to find a cover with more passion and heart behind it than this one...

1.) Witherfall- I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty cover)

...yet there is one cover I found. Yes, Witherfall has a way to make me tear up when they record something in the memory of Adam Sagan. This cover, while not only a rousing acoustic version of the song; it sings perfectly to Adam's spirit as this was his mentality his entire life. I never met anyone that had a passion for life more than Adam. This views on life his positive energy, his love of wanting to see everyone around him succeed;p it can't be replicated. When it came to his Lymphoma; this was his attitude, he wasn't going to leave this mortal coil without a fight and he was never going to back down. This rendition of the song is perfection and if only Adam could have heard it. What a great way to show his mentality and show haunting of a song a Tom Petty song can truly be.



BEST LIVE ALBUMS OF 2019

5.) Nightwish- Decades: Live In Buenos Aires

Floor Jansen is covering 3 eras of one of the most legendary symphonic bands in history with Decades. 21 songs that sound pitch perfect, no matter the era. The band is absolutely on fire and the crowd is in love with the band this night. If you want that full blown Nightwish live experience, this is a release you must have.

4.) Tribulation- Alive & Dead at Sodra Teatern

Playing all of the band's latest album, Down Below, and a full set of Best Of songs; Tribulation brings their flavor of blackened gothic metal in their first live release in the best way possible. Recorded in an old gothic theater really capture the band at their best and the performance in both sets is exactly what you would wish to hear. Tribulation simply rules and Alive & Dead proves what the band is capable of. I can't wait to see what's next.

3.) Entombed- Clandestine Live

The legends of Swedish death metal have returned to the live stage and in 2016 they did their most ambitious show. Playing a full set of their album Clandestine, with the Malmo Symphony Orchestra, then a set playing Clandestine just as Entombed and the killer track, Left Hand Path to close things out. This live release is of the 2nd set (though both sets are available on DVD). Hearing the classic album from start to finish brings you back to those early days of death metal and how  band that captured that sound still remains just as relevant and reliable after all these years. Seriously, check this out.

2.) Zeal & Ardor- Live In London

This band has taken the world by storm in the last few years and I hope that start continues to rise further and further. rather than a new album for 3 years in a row, the band released a live release that features basically both LPs and a couple other tunes to make a showcase of what African spirituals, black metal, and avant garde music can truly achieve. As great as the albums are, Live In London hears the band in their truest form. If you are not familiar with the band, I highly recommend checking this out first and get this ritual of a show a shot. It's more than worth it.

1.) Helloween- United Live In Madrid

What can be said about this live release that would truly capture it? It's Helloween in it's greatest form, featuring all three singers of the band singing together on stage. If you are not familiar with power metal and the true...power...it can have, this is a release you truly need to experience. Every Helloween song you could want is featured here and done to perfection; it feels like you are actually at the show. A truly remarkable show shown off here and is worthy of all the attention it can get.



And there you have it folks, 19 reviews in the worlds of cover songs, EPs, and live releases. Tune in next time for the start of That Drummer Guy's Top 100 albums of 2019 Part I: Honorable Mentions.


- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

2019...I can't believe that it is almost gone already. This year has been a complete and utter whirlwind for my personal life and work life. To focus on the latter, there has been so much good music to come out this year. I certainly can';t cover it all, but I like to think that I can cover a good chunk of the rock and metal worlds with my 2019 Best Of Lists. So why not start it off in an epic way with...the top 10 epics of the year?

So how I am going about this (if you're new) is that I am going in countdown order from 10 to 1 with what are my personal favorite songs over the 10 minute song length. No suites or multiple tracks on an album; one pure song over the ten minute mark. Let's crack on!


Honorable Mention:
Tool- 7empest- Fear Inoculum (15:44)
FFO: Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal

This epic was the shining light on an album that I feel was perfectly described in an interview I did earlier this year "The album feels like walking in the desert for an hour and a half". It truly does, some people will dig that, others will not. 7empest is the final "song" on the album and it is the song where all the riffs are hidden, the most most interesting rhythm section moments and MJK arguably does his best vocal work ever. Was the rest of the album worth the wait? Not for me, but the wait was worth it for this song alone. The nearly 16 minute song could (maybe should?) have been released on it's own and people would call it the greatest thing Tool has ever done. I still think it is. I will be shocked if they ever top 7empest for the rest of the band's career.

10.) Gloryhammer- The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny- Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex (12:34)
FFO- Power Metal, Epic Metal

WHile not breaking any new ground in the slightest, Gloryhammer doesn't need to do that anymore. If you familiar with the band at all, you know their over the top power metal stylings is not for the faint of heart, you either get it or you despise it. I love it and the band does not to change. The final track on this album is the perfect combination of everything the band is known for with a great story in the lyrics and just everything you love about the band. The perfect power metal/fun/cheesy blend you can't get enough of.

9.) Drifting Sun- Everlasting Creed- Planet Junkie (10:09)
FFO- Progressive Rock

With a pure love of progressive rock and metal before it's time; Drifting Sun was able to capture so much of what really makes prog rock work in a slightly over the 10 minute mark (just BARELY made the list criteria). The song is a whirlwind of keys, 70s inspired sounds, modern prog tinges, and amazing guest vocal work from Joshua Corum of Head With Wings. If you like your prog with natural twists and turns; I can't recommend this band enough and Everlasting Creed will be the song to suck you into the band.

8.) Together To The Stars- Apathy- An Oblivion Above (11:51)
FFO- Blackgaze, Post Hardcore

When you think of Stockholm, Sweden, you're first thought is of the Swedish melodeath scene created in the 90s. That is not all that has evolved there and Together To The Stars proves that. With the band's debut album, they have perfectly melded blackgaze and post hardcore into an emotional impasse that really grabs you. The nearly 12 minute epic shows this off in strides, never feeling meandering or boring and a constant ebb and flow that just makes you happy that you stayed for the ride.

7.) Cult of Luna- The Fall- A Dawn To Fear (13:13)
FFO- Post Metal

Cult of Luna made arguably their best work at the time with their previous album with Julie Christmas. So how was the band ever going to top that? By being themselves and letting the music go where it needed to go. That's what happens with this album and with The Fall, it showcases what the band is about in 2019. The combination of heavy, melodic, slow, somber, and brilliant songwriting take this track to where it needed to go. Truly a post metal masterpiece of an epic.

6.) Blood Incantation- Awakening From the Dream of Existence to the Multidimensional Nature of Our Reality (Mirror of the Soul)- Hidden History of the Human Race- (18:02)
FFO- Atmospheric Death Metal

It's not too often that you hear a death metal band outside of Gorguts attempt to do epic length songs. Usually it's as fast, heavy, and brutal in as short of time it needs to take. While the rest of the album (all 3 other track), follows closer to that rhetoric, the epic song with an absurdly long title track,  shows what can be done in a true epic length death metal song. The brutality is there, but so are atmospheric tinges and mindblowing riffs and songwriting that make this adventure of a song something you want to experience again and again. There is a reason Blood Incantation is starting to get the attention they deserve, why don't you find out for yourself what all the hubbub is about.

5.) Panopticon- The Crescendo of Dusk- The Crescendo of Dusk (13:53)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, North American Folk Metal

While Panoptiocon has stripped a lot of the folk, bluegrass and Americana sounds from their black metal sides (those sides are still there, but in their own songs) The Crescendo of Dusk feels like a track that really captures the dark aspects of what the band was originally known for with more ominous keys and synths. The power of this band is fully in tact and I don't think the other sides of the band have been put to rest, but it is great seeing the band showcasing that they are an atmospheric black metal band first and foremost. Give this a shot.

4.) Periphery- Reptile- Periphery IV: HAIL STAN! (16:44)
FFO- Modern Progressive Metal

Simply put this is the best Periphery song of the band's best album since PII. After losing the shackles of being on a label and creating their own, the band was free to make the music they wanted to make. What's a better way to do that then putting out a nearly 17 minute track as the opener for your brand new album? Everything I personally love about the band is in this song. What people referred to as Djent in the past is all but a spice in the flavoring of the band now. It is much more about writing the songs they want to make, no matter how abstract of left of center it becomes and the band benefits from that so much more. This opening track gives you a great taste of whats to come on the rest of the album (much shorter songs for the rest), but this has the potential to be the best Periphery song to date and it is more than worthy of that title.

3.) Devin Townsend- Singularity- Empath (22:33)
FFO- Devin Townsend

Hevy Devy has gone through so many changes and metamorphoses in his life. Empath is the beginning of that next chapter. No longer wanting to be in a "band" but being able to do anything he literally wants to write, Townsend decided to write nearly everything he possibly could with Empath. the closing track, Singularity is a great culmination of that fact. Starting off so pretty for so long, then becomes a tad bit strange and eerie, then becoming a full blown cyclone of progressive destruction. Going from hitting insane BPMs to moments that remind you of The Great Masturbator off the album Deconstruction. This album hits so many strange and exotic territories. It's just fantastic hearing Devin be happy making music again and you hear that so much in this 22 and a half minute epic.

2.) the Offering- Home- Home (14:42)
FFO- Extreme Metal

I don't think there is a fair way to describe this band or this epic to give it full context.  The transitions of sound going from a nu metal riff into power metal going into death metal going into progressive metal and so much more I am leaving out. It sounds like a complete hodgepodge but it is a perfect hodgepodge of sound. The title epic track shows off the band is capable of and so much more. It's such a trip listening to this album. There may be parts you don't enjoy if you only stick to one genre or two, the parts that you do enjoy makes up for everything! the Offering has the makings to be a trendsetter for what is coming next in metal and I can't wait to see what's next.

1.) Finsterforst- Ecco Homo- Zerfall (36:29)
FFO- Folk Metal, Pagan Metal

This absolute monster of an epic is exactly what more bands need to strive for in their music. Literally a song that is longer than so many studio albums in the world; Finsterforst made a true epic story in this 36 and a half minute track that is an incredible rush to hear. The melodies, harmonies, songwriting, tones, and especially the production on this track makes Finsterforst stand out in the sea of folk and pagan metal bands in the world. If you are up for the journey of Ecco Homo, I can't recommend this track enough, it's more than worth the ride.



Alright Kids, there's are first list for That Drummer Guy's Best of 2019. Go check out some brand new epics, bands and tune in next time to see what list comes next!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

The adult entertainment business has always been a place of controversy, debates of morality, and stereotypes. Especially when it comes to the latter, the stereotypes is that it is people getting into the business that are dumb, have no other way to make money, and it's always women made of plastic from head to toe. The modern day business is breaking those boundaries down everyday and showing that it can be as inclusive as music can be (with obvious legal exceptions). Rae Lil Black is a shining example. With her love of Metal, drumming, and doing some very...creative work, she is a fast rising star in the business with nowhere to go but higher and higher. I recently had the chance to be able to ask her a few questions about her work in the business, metal, drumming and more. Enjoy!

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview!
No worries, thanks for offering the interview! 

For those that may not be familiar, tell us who you are.
I’m Rae Lil Black, people call me Rae. I’m one of the naughtiest girls on the Internet world. You probably don’t know me, but you dad does... Search me on Google! haha 

You have been able to travel the world and most recently to the United States, what was that like coming over here to the U.S. for the first time?
Visiting the US is not my first time actually, it’s actually my 3rd time. It was a nice experience indeed. Meeting new people and having fun is always great. And I feel super thankful that my fans are making it possible.

What was it like being a presenter at the 2019 Pornhub Awards?
It was so honored! When they asked me to do one of the presenters, I was like “what, this can’t be real...” but it was real! It took time, but I could feel that I’m slowly getting recognized and I’m so happy about it. Although it was my first time attending Awards thing, and I got super nervous. I was about to pass out on the stage haha.

While you were over here in the states, you were also able to do some filming. What was it like shooting over here as compared to Japan or Europe?
It’s always the same. I always try to have as much fun as possible, no matter where and who I am with! 

One of the coolest aspects of who you are is your appreciation of metal. How did you discover metal?
My dad gave me some CDs (about 10?) when I was 11 or so. That changed my life. They were mostly classic rock or hard rock from 79/80s (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bryan Adams, Kiss, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Van Halen, GnR etc I remember), but I started from there and I’m still a big fan of that genre.

What was the album(s) that you checked out and made you realize that you were into metal?
I actually don’t remember! I was super into 80s music, so I checked every single “classic” bands that music magazine recommend and I loved it.

What has been your favorite show/festival you have been to so far? What made it the best for you?
Hmm. This is a real hard question. But I’d say Mötley Crüe final tour when I was 18. Crüe has been my No.1 all time favorite band since 12 yo and the first show I’ve ever seen was Crüe. So it was a really emotional tour for me. I still cannot believe that they’re not playing as a band anymore. Also I got to see them at the airport and luckily I got autographs and could take pictures with them. That makes it special too.

To flip the coin, was there any shows or bands that disappointed you in a live setting?
Hmm I’m not gonna name the bands, but I’ve seen some at the festivals and I just left.

When filming, you have occasionally had metal on in the background, such as Dissection. Was that a conscious decision to do that, or did that just happen to be in the background at the time?
Yeah it was with Estella I believe. We were just having a good time before production shoot, chilling with nice music and it happened. With that in mind, I know you have a huge love and appreciation for Black Metal. What drove you to appreciate black metal as much as you do?
I was (I still am) a pretty depressed kid. I had so much depressions, sadness, anger and everything inside. (Yes I’m a super emotional hoe) One day my friend recommended to go see Marduk, I wasn’t into BM at that time, and their show got me into BM. I felt like I am free from everything at the show, I remember.
After that I started listening to BM and I get to know what’s behind the lyrics. For me, it’s like finding friends. When I felt lonely, I went to the record shop, find new stuff to get and they became my friends. I appreciate that they express their emotions with beautiful music and share with us. They’re making some people’s life better. 

When creating your aesthetics, was it a natural decision to use more of a metal presentation for your visual presentation?
I didn’t want to be just a normal boring one of porn performers. I am RaeLilBlack and I wanted to put my personality into my work. That’s why I offered Mfaxii to create the logo and some drawing for my merch. I think it’s nice to have Black Metal looking logo, even though not many people understand my taste. I don’t think I look like metal head haha. I have my personal account (@rlblack666) on Instagram, but I made that account to communicate with music fans. And post some personal collections and stuff. My fans don’t really need to check that account haha.

It is also awesome seeing your love love of music so much that you are actually going to start up taking drum lessons. What is it about drums that grabbed your attention enough to try them out?
Because my forever crush is Tommy Lee and I just like the way they look and people looks like a beast when they’re playing drums.

Who are your favorite drummers and why?
Tommy Lee. I got nothing to say about him anymore I guess. He’s just my hero. And I’m doing porn thanks to him haha. James Stewart. I still clearly remember the first time I saw him playing. I'm pretty sure I creeped him out by watching him whole set. I don’t know much about technical stuff, but he just plays super complicated shit very well as if it’s not difficult. I loved it. Fredrik Widigs. Mind blowing drummer and also super talented artist. I love his artwork so much and I got one of his paintings. They are dark, subtle and delicate like his drumming.

What’s the first song you want to be able to play on the drums?
I don’t expect much. Probably I’ll start with some AC/DC truck. Then hopefully I’ll blast like Hellhammer.

Any albums or shows that you are looking forward to in 2020?
Dark Easter Metal Meeting! Or Inferno Metal Fest. I haven’t decided which one to go yet but i got tickets for both and I’ll come to one of them.

For anyone checking you out here for the first time from this interview; what do you want to say to them?
I’m not a trve kvlt. You can leave now if you don’t like me. (Jk) Thank you so much for reading! 

Where should people go to check out your work and keep up with you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram @raelilblack or @rlblack666. if you’re dirty nasty human being, check my Twitter or PornHub page, haha

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

350 albums, just the links to each part, each album counted down from 350-1 and the Spotify playlist covering all of the albums that are on Spotify (238/250 ain't bad) ENJOY!

350-326
350.) My Chemical Romance- Welcome To The Black Parade (2006)
349.) Metallica- Ride The Lightning (1984)
348.) Rishloo- Eidolon (2007)
347.) Mew- No More Stories... (2009)
346.) Sons of Aeon- Sons of Aeon (2013)
345.) Vital Remains- Dechristianize (2003)
344.) Peeping Tom- Peeping Tom (2006)
343.) Burning Inside- Apparation (2001)
342.) Wilton and Akerstache- Storm Corrosion
341.) Dave Brockie Experience- Diarrhea of a Madman
340.) Widowmaker- Blood And Bullets (1992)
339.) Karnivool- Sound Awake (2009)
338.) Vertigo Steps- Surface/Light (2012)
337.) 1349- Demonoir (2010)
336.) Shai Hulud- Misanthropy Pure (2008)
335.) Burst- Lazarus Bird (2008)
334.) Pelican- City of Echoes (2007)
333.) Twelve Foot Ninja- Silent Machine (2012)
332.) Acid Bath- When The Kite String Pops (1994)
331.) Thrice- The Artist In The Ambulance (2003)
330.) Mr. Bungle- Mr. Bungle (1991)
329.) Levi/Werstler- Avalanche of Worms (2010)
328.) Kaddisfly- Set Sail to Prairie (2006)
327.) Portal- Vexovoid
326.) Goo Goo Dolls- Dizzy Up The Girl

325-301
325.) Exhorder- Slaughter in The Vatican (1990)
324.) Solstafir- Köld (2009)
323.) Egypt Central- Egypt Central (2008)
322.) The Exies- A Modern Way Of Living The Truth (2007)
321.) Cephalic Carnage- Anomalies (2005)
320.) Fear My Thoughts- The Great Collapse (2004)
319.) Izah- Sistre (2015)
318.) Judgement Day- Peacocks/Pink Monsters
317.) The 11th Hour- Burden of Grief (2009)
316.) The Kris Norris Projekt- Icons of the Illogical (2009)
315.) Primal Rock Rebellion- Awoken Broken
314.) Wolves In The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage (2011)
313.) OSI- Free (2006)
312.) Gridlink- Longhena (2014)
311.) Goes Cube- Another Day Has Passed (2009)
310.) Hella- Hold Your Horse Is (2002)
309.) Red Fang- Whales and Leeches (2013)
308.) Miss May I- At Heart (2012)
307.) Spiral Architect- A Sceptic's Universe (2000)
306.) Hate Eternal- Upon Desolate Sands (2018)
305.) Earshot- Two (2004)
304.) From Autumn To Ashes- Abandon Your Friends (2005)
303.) Mercenary- The Hours That Remain (2006)
302.) D.R.I.- Danger Zone (1989)
301.) Mercyful Fate- Melissa (1983)

300-276
300.) The Man Eating Tree- In The Absence of Light (2015)
299.) Badlands- Badlands (1989)
298.) Slayer- God Hates Us All (2001)
297.) Queens of the Stone Age- Songs For The Deaf (2002)
296.) The Human Abstract- Nocturne (2006)
295.) Ghost Bath- Starmourner (2017)
294.) Cryptopsy- Once Was Not (2005)
293.) Gorefest- Rise To Ruin (2007)
292.) A.F.I.- Sing The Sorrow (2003)
291.) TesseracT- One (2011)
290.) Winterfylleth- The Dark Hereafter (2016)
289.) Mnemic- The Audio Injected Soul (2004)
288.) King Parrot- Bite Your Head Off (2012)
287.) Dekadent- Veritas (2015)
286.) Type O Negative- Life Is Killing Me
285.) Subterranean Masquerade- The Great Bazaar (2015)
284.) Mutemath- Mutemath (2006)
283.) Megadeth- Rust In Peace (1990)
282.) Spock's Beard- Snow (2002)
281.) Warbringer- Woe To The Vanquished (2017)
280.) Star One- Victims Of The Modern Age (2010)
279.) Rosk- Miasma (2017)
278.) The Mars Volta- Deloused In The Comatorium (2003)
277.) Dynazty- Titanic Mass (2016)
276.) Vallenfyre- Splinters

275-251
275.) Soulfly- Prophecy (2004)
274.) Against The Wall- The Truth (2009)
273.) Horrendous- The Chills (2012)
272.) Arctic Sleep- Arbors (2012)
271.) Pig Destroyer- Phantom Limb (2007)
270.) Vaura- Selenelion (2012)
269.) Nailed To Obscurity- Black Frost (2019)
268.) Alter Bridge- AB III (2010)
267.) Saor- Roots (2015)
266.) Bison- Dark Ages (2010)
265.) Minus The Bear- OMNI (2010)
264.) Suicidal Tendencies- Lights...Camera...Revolution (1990)
263.) Oceansize- Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up (2010)
262.) From A Second Story Window- Conversations (2008)
261.) Probot- Probot (2004)
260.) Kyuss- Blues For The Red Sun (1992)
259.) Grave Digger- Healed By Metal (2017)
258.) Sonata Arctica- Reckoning Night (2004)
257.) Falloch- Where Distant Spirits Remain (2011)
256.) 96 Bitter Beings- Camp Pain (2018)
255.) Bad Religion- New Maps Of Hell (2007)
254.) Meshuggah- Destroy, Erase, Improve (1995)
253.) The Haunted- rEVOLVEr (2004)
252.) GWAR- Lust In Space (2009)
251.) Harakiri For The Sky- III: Trauma (2016)

250-226
250.) Insect Warfare- At War With Grindcore (2005)
249.) Polkadot Cadaver- Purgatory Dance Party (2007)
248.) Sabaton- Primo Victoria (2005)
247.) We Sell The Dead- Heaven Doesn't Want You And Hell Is Full (2018)
246.) The Dear Hunter- The Color Spectrum (2011)
245.) Wearing Scars- A Thousand Words (2015)
244.) The Sword- Warp Riders (2010)
243.) Wintersun- Wintersun (2004)
242.) Trivium- Ascendancy (2005)
241.) Overkill- Ironbound (2010)
240.) Hurt- Vol. 1 (2006)
239.) Zimmer's Hole- While You Were Shouting At The Devil... (2008)
238.) Machine Head- Burn My Eyes (1994)
237.) Cold- Year Of The Spider (2003)
236.) Abigail Williams- Becoming (2012)
235.) Destrage- Are You Kidding Me? No. (2014)
234.) Power Trip- Nightmare Logic (2017)
233.) Corrosion of Conformity- No Cross, No Crown (2018)
232.) Tribulation-  Down Below (2018)
231.) Johnny B. Morbid- Fall of The Cicada (2015)
230.) Hail of Bullets- III: The Rommel Chronicles (2013)
229.) Kayo Dot- Hubardo
228.) Celtic Frost- Monotheist (2006)
227.) Exhumed- Gore Metal (1998)
226.) Queensryche- Operation: Mindcrime

225-201
225.) Obsidian Kingdom- A Year With No Summer (2016)
224.) My Dying Bride- Feel The Misery (2015)
223.) Horse The Band- A Natural Death (2007)
222.) Threat Signal- Under Reprisal (2005)
221.) Shadows Fall- The Art Of Balance (2002)
220.) Akercocke- Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone (2006)
219.) Weezer- The Blue Album (1994)
218.) Lamb Of God- As The Palaces Burn (2003)
217.) Terror Syndrome- Terror Syndrome (2008)
216.) Mono- Hymn To The Immortal WInd (2009)
215.) Sevendust- Seasons (2003)
214.) Iron Thrones- The Wretched Sun (2010)
213.) World Under Blood- Tactical (2011)
212.) The Ocean- Pelagial (2013)
211.) Muse- Absolution (2003)
210.) Sentenced- The Funeral Album (2005)
209.) Napalm Death- Utilitarian (2012)
208.) Obituary- Obituary (2017)
207.) Bolt Thrower- For Victory (1994)
206.) Sonic Syndicate- Confessions (2016)
205.) Selpultura- Chaos A.D. (1993)
204.) Yob- Our Raw Heart (2018)
203.) Armored Saint- Symbol Of Salvation (1991)
202.) Intronaut- The Direction of Last Things (2015)
201.) Falconer- Black Moon Rising

200-176
200.) 30 Seconds to Mars- A Beautiful Lie (2005)
199.) Moron Police- Defenders of The Small Yard (2014)
198.) Pyramaze- Immortal (2008)
197.) Suspiria- Attitude (2009)
196.) Pantera- The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)
195.) Kalmah- Seventh Swamphany (2013)
194.) Dying Fetus- Wrong One To Fuck With (2017)
193.) Ramallah- Kill A Celebrity (2005)
192.) Iron Maiden- Dance Of Death (2003)
191.) Hypocrisy- The Arrival (2004)
190.) Eluveitie- Spirit (2006)
189.) Junius- The Martyrdom Of A Catastophist (2009)
188.) Protest The Hero- Kezia (2005)
187.) Cattle Decapitation- The Anthropocene Extinction (2015)
186.) ICS Vortex- Storm Seeker (2011)
185.) Candiria- While They Were Sleeping (2016)
184.) maudlin of the Well- Leaving Your Body Map
183.) Converge- Jane Doe (2001)
182.) Exodus- Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
181.) Judas Priest- Angel of Retribution (2005)
180.) Last Chance To Reason- Level 2 (2011)
179.) Destroyer 666- Wildfire (2016)
178.) The Black Dahlia Murder- Everblack (2013)
177.) In Vain- Ænigma (2013)
176.) Bend Sinister- Animals (2014)

175-151
175.) This Will Not End Well- GOFUCKYOURSELF (2009)
174.) Hope Drone- Cloak Of Ash (2015)
173.) Goatwhore- Constricting Age Of The Merciless (2014)
172.) So Hideous- Laurestine (2015)
171.) Aborted- Terrorvision (2018)
170.) Cage- Hell Destroyer (2007)
169.) Behemoth- The Satanist (2014)
168.) Leprous- Bilateral (2011)
167.) Fallujah- The Flesh Prevails (2014)
166.) Kataklysm- Serenity In Fire (2004)
165.) Municipal Waste- The Art Of Partying (2007)
164.) Into Eternity- The Scattering Of Ashes (2006)
163.) Tokyo Motor Fist- Tokyo Motor Fist (2017)
162.) The Mantle- The Mantle (2017)
161.) Unearth- The Oncoming Storm (2004)
160.) Insomnium- Across The Dark (2009)
159.) Pagan's Mind- Heavenly Ecstasy (2011)
158.) Circus Maximus- Nine (2012)
157.) Frank Zappa- Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
156.) The Mute Gods- Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth (2017)
155.) S.O.D.- Speak English Or Die (1985)
154.) Inter Arma- The Cavern (2014)
153.) Alice In Chains- Dirt (1992)
152.) Helmet- Meantime (1992)
151.) Gojira- Magma (2016)

150-126
150.) Evans Blue- This Pursuit Begins When This Portrayal Of Life Ends (2007)
149.) Wolfheart- Constellation Of The Black Light (2018)
148.) In Mourning- The Weight Of Oceans (2012)
147.) Cauldron- In Ruin (2016)
146.) Periphery- PII: This Time It's Personal (2012)
145.) Prong- Ruining Lives (2014)
144.) Arcturus- Arcturian (2015)
143.) Sybreed- Slave Design (2004)
142.) At The Gates- Slaughter Of The Soul (1995)
141.) God Forbid- Gone Forever (2004)
140.) Bloody Hammers- The Summoning (2019)
139.) Freak Kitchen- Organic (2005)
138.) Anaal Nathrakh- The Whole Of The Law (2016)
137.) 3- The End Is Begun (2007)
136.) Orange Sky- Dat Iz Voodoo (2008)
135.) Kamelot- Karma (2001)
134.) Journal- Chrysalis Ordalias (2018)
133.) Obscura- Akroasis (2016)
132.) Anthrax- We've Come For You All (2003)
131.) King Crimson- In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)
130.) Oceans Of Slumber- The Banished Heart (2018)
129.) Fear Factory- Archetype (2004)
128.) Carcass- Heartwork (1994)
127.) Pain- Coming Home (2016)
126.) Distorted Harmony- Chain Reaction (2014)

125-101
125.) Lantlôs- Melting Sun (2014)
124.) Primordial- Redemption At The Puritan's Hands (2011)
123.) Deafheaven- Roads To Judah (2011)
122.) Shining- Blackjazz (2010)
121.) CKY- Infiltrate.Destroy.Rebuild (2002)
120.) The Faceless- Autotheism (2012)
119.) Revocation- The Outer Ones (2018)
118.) Sum 41- Chuck (2004)
117.) Atheist- Unquestionable Presence (1991)
116.) Scar Symmetry- Pitch Black Progress (2006)
115.) Kyng- Trampled Sun (2011)
114.) Stolen Babies- Naught (2012)
113.) Amorphis- Skyforger (2009)
112.) Demians- Building An Empire (2008)
111.) While Heaven Wept- Fear Of Infinity (2011)
110.) Alcest- Les Voyages De L'Âme (2012)
109.) Textures- Drawing Circles (2006)
108.) Cannibal Corpse- Kill (2006)
107.) Dog Fashion Disco- Adultery (2006)
106.) Dark Tranquillity- Character (2006)
105.) Head With Wings- From Worry To Shame (2018)
104.) Darkest Hour- Undoing Ruin (2005)
103.) Scale The Summit- The Collective (2011)
102.) Emperor- Prometheus-The Discipline Of Fire and Demise (2001)
101.) Necromancing The Stone- Jewel Of The Vile (2016)

100-76
100.) Galactic Cowboys- Machine Fish (1996)
99.) Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Raise Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (2000)
98.) Dark Funeral- Where Shadows Forever Reign (2016)
97.) James LaBrie- Static Impulse (2010)
96.) Story Of The Year- Page Avenue (2003)
95.) Daylight Dies- Dismantling Devotion (2006)
94.) Candlemass- Candlemass (2005)
93.) Lords of Black- II (2016)
92.) Toothgrinder- Phantom Amour (2017)
91.) Riverside- Love, Fear, And The Time Machine (2015)
90.) Testament- The Gathering (1999)
89.) For The Imperium- For The Imperium- (2012)
88.) Being- Anthropocene (2012)
87.) Mutiny Within- Mutiny Within (2010)
86.) 6:33- Deadly Scenes (2015)
85.) Magic Dance- New Eyes (2018)
84.) Ancient VVisdom- A Godlike Inferno (2011)
83.) Novembers Doom- Aphotic (2011)
82.) King Diamond- Abigail (1987)
81.) Sanctuary- Refuge Denied (1987)
80.) Fates Warning- Theories Of Flight (2016)
79.) In Flames- Clayman (2000)
78.) Paradise Lost- Tragic Idol (2012)
77.) Boris- Pink (2005)
76.) Redemption- This Mortal Coil (2011)

75-51
75.) Skull Fist- Chasing The Dream (2014)
74.) With The Dead- Love From With The Dead (2017)
73.) Native Construct- Quiet World (2015)
72.) Thulcandra- Ascension Lost (2015)
71.) Clutch-  Earth Rocker (2013)
70.) Symphony X- Paradise Lost (2007)
69.) Cloudkicker- Beacons (2010)
68.) Raunchy- Death Pop Romance (2006)
67.) Black Crown Initiate- The Wreckage of Stars (2014)
66.) Ayreon- The Source (2017)
65.) Ghost- Opus Eponymous (2010)
64.) Blind Guardian- Imaginations From The Other Side (1995)
63.) Torche- Meanderthal (2008)
62.) Bloodbath- Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)
61.) Panopticon- Roads To The North (2014)
60.) Faith No More- Angel Dust (1992)
59.) Body Count-  Bloodlust (2017)
58.) Amon Amarth- With Oden On Our Side (2006)
57.) HIM-  Razorblade Romance (2000)
56.) Fleshgod Apocalypse- Veleno (2019)
55.) Rivers of Nihil- Where Owls Know My Name (2018)
54.) Loch Vostok- From These Waters (2015)
53.) Demons And Wizards- Touched By The Crimson King (2005)
52.) Iced Earth- Burnt Offerings (1995)
51.) Vattnet Viskar- Settler (2015)

50-26
50.) Dillinger Escape Plan- Ire Works (2007)
49.) Gruesome- Savage Land (2015)
48.) Haken- Affinity (2015)
47.) mc chris- mc chris is dead (2008)
46.) Within Temptation- Hydra (2014)
45.) Borknagar- Winter Thrice (2016)
44.) Rush- 2112 (1976)
43.) Ne Obliviscaris- Citadel (2014)
42.) Shaded Enmity- Forsaken and Forgotten (2013)
41.) Cynic- Traced In Air (2008)
40.) Pallbearer- Heartless (2017)
39.) Omnium Gatherum- The Burning Cold (2018)
38.) Swallow The Sun- Songs From The North (2015)
37.) Baroness- Purple (2015)
36.) Zeal and Ardor- Stranger Fruit (2018)
35.) Fair To Midland- Fables From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
34.) Ihsahn- After (2010)
33.) The Contortionist- Language (2014)
32.) Katatonia- Last Fair Deal Gone Down (2001)
31.) Enslaved- RIITIIR (2012)
30.) Agalloch- The Mantle (2002)
29.) Toehider- Good (2017)
28.) Killswitch Engage- The End Of Heartache (2003)
27.) Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand (2017)
26.) Nevermore- Dead Heart In The Dead World (2000)

25-1
25.) Witherfall- A Prelude To Sorrow (2018)
24.) Steven Wilson- To The Bone (2017)
23.) "Strapping Young Lad"- Alien (2005)
22.) Soilwork- Stabbing The Drama (2005)
21.)  SikTh- Death Of A Dead Day (2006)
20.)  Evergrey- Recreation Day (2004)
19.) Opeth- Blackwater Park (2001)
18.) Astronoid- Air (2016)
17.) Between The Buried And Me- Colors (2007)
16.) Porcupine Tree- In Absentia (2002)
15.) Death (Official)- Leprosy (1988)
14.) Avantasia- Ghostlights (2016)
13.) Witherscape- The Northern Sanctuary (2016)
12.) Triptykon (Official)- Melana Chasmata (2014)
11.) Long Distance Calling- Avoid The Light (2009)
10.) King's X- Gretchen Goes To Nebraska (1989)
9.) Edge of Sanity- Crimson (1996)
8.) Anathema- We're Here Because We're Here (2010)
7.) Pain of Salvation- In The Passing Light Of Day (2017)
6.) dredg- Catch Without Arms (2005)
5.) Dream Theater- Images And Words (1992)
4.) Nightingale ( Approved by Swanö )- Retribution (2014)
3.) Woods Of Ypres- Woods V; Grey Skies and Electric Light (2012)
2.) Green Carnation- Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness (2001)
1.) Devin Townsend- Biomech: Ocean Machine (1997)

We have finally done it, we've reached the promise land, the top 25 albums of all time...according to some guy! Wait, I am that guy, I am....THAT DRUMMER GUY! But seriously, this is been an endeavor that has really taken a lot out of me, messed with my sleep schedule pretty bad and my mental psyche is a bit out of whack as of late; but it's all for the greater good of music and I finally got the wind at my back doing these last 25 albums proper justice and showing you the top of the top, the best of the best, the ones that I listen to, cherish, enjoy and love more than anything else in the world. What are those albums? WEll well well, let's get into it in this final stretch of this 350 albums list!
 

Here we are, folks. The penultimate part before the grand finale tomorrow. After having to write up yesterday's list twice over, it took a lot of my joy away, but after seeing the reactions to it, it was all worth the hassle. This part of the list are ones that easily could have made the grand finale and some albums were originally on that list, but moved for what ever reason. I know this is where a lot of people will start to care about this list (despite everything I attempt to do to make that not happen), I gotta make these last two parts the strongest they possibly can be in the order that I really feel represents me the most. So like X, I'm gonna give it to ya!



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!



25.) Witherfall- A Prelude To Sorrow (2018)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Power Metal, Dark Metal

THis album is only going to go higher and higher as the years go by. I mean this album is less than a year old at this point. But the subject matter means more to me than anything else a band has put on record. Rather than do a big long essay about it, I'll try to condense it the best I can. One of the best people I will ever know, Adam Sagan was the drummer of the band Witherfall, started the band, asked me for help along the way as far as labels and PR and marketing when they first started off and things just took of from there, both good and bad. At that point, the band got signed to Century Media Records and the band was starting to get the recognition of a band full of promise to show off that debut album. Sadly, Adam did not live to see the debut album come out, passing away from Lymphoma nearly three years ago now. This tore me apart, it tore the local music scene apart, it tore Witherfall apart, but it did not break them. THey were able to finalize a lineup after his passing and the band has sailed forward ever since becoming a stronger entity. If there is anything beyond this life and Adam could see the success Witherfall has had, I bet he is so happy right now. BUT that's just the first album we are talking about, let's get to A Prelude to Sorrow. This album is not only dedicated to the memory of Adam Sagan, it is literally a concept album about losing him. If you don't know him personally, you can also take it as losing anyone important to you and the idea of moving on. It's a heart shattering album for me and I miss Adam every single day. There is a reason why I end both my show as That Drummer Guy and my mental health show, Something Gives, with his voice, he has more of an impact on my in what I do as a drummer, what I do as That Drummer Guy, and as a human being than almost anyone else in my life. But to continue on with the album, it is a dark, heavy album with some of the most melancholic and melodic moments you will hear in a modern metal album. As hard of an album it is for me to listen to personally, it is one that fills me with hope as Adam knew my struggles with mental health and only wanted to see me conquer them and that what I'm trying to do every single day. The very least I could do is praise the album that is literally about is legacy and memory. If somehow you can't relate to anything I've said here, Joseph Michael is now in Sanctuary and Jake Dreyer is playing guitar in Iced Earth; if that tickles your fancy anymore. Seriously, this album is dark gold. Go pick it up!

24.) Steven Wilson- To The Bone (2017)
FFO- Pop Rock, Art Rock, Progressive Rock

I'll just give you a bit of a heads up now. My Top 25 is filled with some of the darkest albums made with some albums of positive clarity, but we'll get to those as they show up. To The Bone is the poppiest album that Steven Wilson has made since the Stupid Dream/Lightbulb Sun era of Porcupine Tree. but that doesn't mean that this is any less dark. Its filled with loss, tragedy and mental struggles in life, just more on a relateable platform for the more top 40 crowd. I'm so glad to see this album is the biggest selling Steven Wilson album to date as it absolutely deserves to be. The man is a gift of music and it's a dark gift that should be shared. No matter how heavy, poppy, proggy or abstract his music gets, it always finds a way to hit home. To The Bone does that in the most commercial way so far, but it can absolutely make you tear up at the same time. WHile we are not getting a PT reunion any time soon (if ever), take solace in the fact that everyone is off doing things they love and Mr. Wilson himself is putting ut some of his best material he has ever written to this day.

23.) Strapping Young Lad- Alien (2005)
FFO- Extreme Metal

When you talk about life changing albums for me, boy howdee, this one hell of a doozie of an impactful album on my musical tastes back 14 years ago. For a long time, I always heard about Devin Townsend, I was dumb and thought he was related to The Who's Peter Townshend at the time, haha. But through various message boards and forums, I always heard people say that SYL was one of the craziest bands in existence and I just didn't know any better at the time and ignored it. Until one day when watching Headbanger's Ball, I saw the video for the song Love? and my jaw dropped to the floor. I never heard ANYTHING like that before in my life, the use of triplets, the insane screams, the most beautiful chorus I ever heard in extreme metal, I couldn't believe it. That Tuesday I went and picked up Alien and you can only imagine how my brain exploded when I finally heard the album. Imperium alone took me out of the realm of this world and put me into a chaotic minefield that I never knew existed. The whole album is extreme on both paralells, the brutality and the clean/pretty moments, you never heard anything like that in extreme metal before right? at least I didn't back then. I became obsessed with it and ever since that day, Devin Townsend became a musical hero of mine and one for mental health as well. Little did I know at the time that Devin Townsend also did solo material. I thought this was his only band and man, I tell you when I first heard Devin's solo work I.....you know what, I'll save that for another discussion. Alien is the most insane SYL album and one of the most insane albums that is not labeled as avant garde or noise. If you can prepare yourself for this intensity, you can prepare yourself for anything. Give this album the proper love it deserves (though I will say, you don't need to listen to the last song, Info Dump, unless you are into 11 minutes of guitar feedback, random synth noises, distortion and nothing else.

22.) Soilwork- Stabbing The Drama (2005)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Modern Metal

Soilwork...ok, this was another choice that I had to spend DAYS on deciding what album I should choose here. I love the early day era so much, I love the mid era of the band, and I LOOOOOOVE what the band is now. But I finally settled on Stabbing The Drama for the fact that it affected me in the way a lot of bands at this time period of 2003-2006 did. Showing me the power of mixing screams/growls over great riffs and writing some of the greatest clean choruses around. Bascially, showing me a band can mix heavy and melodic vocals in the same band and it honestly makes some bands so much better for it. Stabbing The Drama was that album for me that showed off how close you can get to a mainstream rock sound, but keep that heaviness in check and write some amazing metal riffs. WHile everyone was going ape poopy over Meshuggah's Bleed in 2008...where the hell were they when the song Nerve came out on this album? That, by far, showed off the power of mixing bass, guitar and double bass into a single chugging entity better than any band up to that point and honestly...better than any band since. This album was the last of an era showing off the sides they once were, the more mainstream sound that was to come, and the sheer insanity and melodic prog meldeath that was to come with the rejuvenation to come. I'll say it again, I love the latest era of Soilwork the most, but Stabbing The Drama was a musical defining moment for me and that can never be taken away and for that reason it will always be my favorite Soilwork album.

21.) SikTh- Death Of A Dead Day (2006)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Mathcore, Art Metal

SikTh is an entity into itself. There are bands that have been influenced by them, but not a single one of them could ever replicate the sounds, genres bending, and style that the band has made their own. While still an underground album in the grand scheme of things (hell how many of these 350 albums are ones that are NOT underground in the entire sense of music?), Death Of A Dead Day is one of the most brilliant albums of the 21st century so far. It's unique blend of avant garde stylings, spoken word poetry in the right moments,  and progressive, metal, pop, electronic, and controlled chaos makes this album a pure highlight in heavy music in general. The song, Part Of The Friction could easily go down as not only the best song the band has ever done, but one of the greatest metal songs that will ever be written. The only real justice to give this album and band is picking up the music, dropping all your notions and go into it with a completely clear and unopinionated mind and give it a fair shot. I think you'll be happy with the results.

20.) Evergrey- Recreation Day (2004)
FFO- Progressive Power Metal, Dark Metal

I will always remember this story of me discovering Evergrey. The band had an appearance on Headbanger's Ball promoting this album the Tuesday before it came out. IN it they talked about the album speaking of how heavy and dark the album was. I was still on my high horse at this point about screams and growls and I only wanted to stick to music that had ZERO of those and just used clean vocals, so I got really scared when they started talking about the album more and I thought, "oh no, another screaming band. I bet I'll like the music and the vocals will be terrible" but then the video for Blinded started and I had my fingers crossed "don't be another screaming band. Don;'t be another screaming band" that intro riff made me think it could be pure screaming. BUT THEN, Tom Englund's soulful, mournful and powerful voice took over and every single preconceived notion I had about heavy music was gone. Zero screams or growls to be had, just pure dark clean vocals that brought out so much power and emotion that I didn't realize was possible in THIS kind of music. I was floored! Then the 2nd video of the band came later, for the song I'm Sorry, and that's when I knew I discovered one of my favorite bands ever. That Tuesday, I bought the album at Target and never olooked back. THis album is the progressive power metal and dark metal that I never knew existed at the time and it's band that has meant so much to me over the years, so many tears, dark thoughts, bad memories came from em during this time and Evergrey helped me with so much of that pain. It truly was a life changing moment for me as a music fan and even though it's been 15 years since it's release, why don't you give this album a shot and see if it does the same thing for you?

19.) Opeth- Blackwater Park (2001)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

I'll be honest, I'm honestly surprised to see this album so low in my top 20, but that goes to show how many band's I've discovered thank to bands like Opeth. Much like Evergrey at the time I heard Opeth, I hated growls and screams and wanted nothing to do with it, then I heard a song off Damnation that grabbed my attention on Headbanger's Ball and thought, wow I should actually check these guys out. That Tuesday I picked it up along with another album that may or may not be talked about later in some capacity and realized I actually bought Deliverance instead, you know, the heaviest Opeth album ever? Anyways I heard it, did my best to like it, but then I completely ignore them and the band for a good half a year if not longer. Then one day while I was gaming, I thought, screw it, I'll give them another shot. And it actually clicked Opeth actually opened my eyes to bands that I missed out on for so long because I never gave screams/growls a chance. I missed out on so much and there was a lot to learn. But the next Opeth album I bought was Blackwater Park, usually regarded as the best Opeth album (along with Ghost Reveries), BWP is the album for me, the perfect blend of progressive death metal, acoustic and haunting tones that just pulls me in and never lets go. Do I miss this side of Opeth? Honestly, no. I never want a band to make a sound just to make me happy. they should make what will make them happy, otherwise it becomes unauthentic. but even with that there will always be Blackwater Park and honestly, that's all I will ever need from the death metal side of Opeth ever again. *mic drop*

18.) Astronoid- Air (2016)
FFO- Post Black Metal, Dream Pop, Positivity

Ok, not every review is going to be an essay from here on out, just had to get those two out of the way. Astronoid is one of the only positive albums on my top 25 and it's a life changing album for me both musically and conceptually. The idea of making  band that could be part Deafheaven, part Devin Townsend and part Mew seems implausible, so impossible, it makes no sense does it? Only till you actually hear it! And you will hear some of the most gorgeous, beautiful and mesmerizing metal you will ever hear in your life. The use of blast beats and tremolo picking over soothing and soaring clean vocals (no screams or growls in this band what so ever). With that, the lyrics are filled with such uplifting thoughts and ideals that I honestly need to put on when I'm at my lowest to fill me with the sense that life can and will be ok. This is a band that will continue to rise bigger and better and 2018's self titled album is one that is another jaw dropping masterpiece; but Air wins for me for the initial impact it had on me and if you never checked out the band. It may do the same for you.

17.) Between The Buried And Me- Colors (2007)
FFO- Adult Contemporary Progressive Death Metal

BTBAM broke all the barriers with this album. showing they were more than the sum of their parts as initially shown, the band ventured to make a concept album that is really one song broken into 8 parts. and it is one of the finest progressive death metal albums ever made. there is a good reason why they toured with it again for it's 10th anniversary back in 2017. I actually saw this album played in it's entirety back in 2007 and I never stopped being a fan since. It was a life changing show for me and day in general for various reasons. But seeing this album live was something that changed me forever and for that reason it will always be my favorite BTBAM album for it's amazing genre blending, grandiose songwriting, ambitious concept, and one of the most important exptreme metal albums of the 21st century.

16.) Porcupine Tree- In Absentia (2002)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal

I actually didn't get into Porcupine Terr till the album following this one, Deadwing came out (what an underrated album that is!). It was actually a good amount of time before I bought In Absentia but in hindsight, I'm glad I waited. I was able to explore more sides of the band before I found their clear cut masterpiece, that was I could appreciate their other albums that much more. In Absentia was a turning point in the band, who was slowly becoming a progressive pop band, but then Steven Wilson gained a new found low of metal, and death metal to be specific. while you will never hear that style in the band, you will hear influences in the songwriting, riffs, and the lyrical content. Every song on this album is so dark in depressing, be it about the downfall of the music industry, serial killers, child death and so many other dark things. It's so hauntingly beautiful and you need a dark, nearly depressing mind to fully grasp what's going on in Porcupine Tree, to fully get it. I sadly can relate to the music all too well and PT, amongst many other bands in this top 25 speaks to me in the darkest ways. But seriously PT was one incredible band, go check them out if you have missed them for whatever reason.

15.) Death- Leprosy (1988)
FFO- Death Metal

Simply put, Death is the single greatest death metal band ever, and has the single greatest 7 album streak in music. Fight me, jerks! But seriously, this was the last choice I had to make as to what Death album to pick because...how could I? Every single album has had a gigantic impact on me from my drumming, to musical tastes to lyrical concepts. Upon listening to Death Discography (the best way to spend an afternoon), I ended up picking the band's sophomore album, Leprosy. Why? Because it took everything that was fantastic about Scream Bloody Gore, but gave it better production, longer song lengths and one of the greatest guitar tones of the 80s. To me, it's the band's Ride The Lightning and Ride The Lightning is my favorite Metallica album (see, see how I brought things back around from part 1???) But seriously, you can do zero wrong with picking any Death album. Pick up all 7 albums and enjoy! But hey if you need to pick one, go Leprosy, It's death metal with the beginning signs of the progressive death metal side that was to come.

14.) Avantasia- Ghostlights (2016)
FFO- All Star Power Metal

Much like how Ayreon is the all star progressive metal project; Avantasia is the all star power metal band. Ghostlights is the easiest choice I could make for this top 25. It's the darkest album in the band's discography, has my favorite vocal lineup and has some of the absolute most beautiful songs in power metal history. The title track alone has Tobias Sammet, Michael Kiske and Jorn Lande alone! What else could you possibly need? Well the rest of the album is guaranteed to fill out the rest for you. This is, and I mean this whole heartedly, the best power metal album ever made!

13.) Witherscape- The Northern Sanctuary (2016)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

I finally get to talk about Dan Swano again. Some call him my doppelganger, depending on the pictures used from either man, you are right. But seriously, Swano's return to screaming and progressive death metal since Edge of Sanity came back with Witherscape debut album, The Inheritance in 2013. When that album came out and I got the promo for it, I listened to it all day every day. back when I was doing a "real job", in the car, when I went to bed, when i woke up, it consumed me. When I fell deathly ill in 2013, it actually stayed in my car for 7 months and was the first album I heard in my car again when I was able to start driving again. Witherscape was a life changing band for me in the world of progressive death metal and there's not many people outside of Swano who can do it better. 3 years later, my life changed dramatically, and The Northern Sanctuary came out and took everything I loved about the debut album and expanded upon it 100fold. I will say it till my dying day The Examiner is not only one of the greatest ballads ever made, but one of the best songs ever made, in general, yes, in all of music. Listen and you'll understand. But back on point, Dan Swano is a life changing individual for me in my musical life and Witherscape is a fine, fine example of that. PIck up both Witherscape LPs and their EP and enjoy!

12.) Triptykon- Melana Chasmata (2014)
FFO- Doom Metal, Death Metal, Gothic Metal

Both Triptykon albums are two pieces of the darkest music ever recorded. Recorded from the mind of Tom G Warrior, who suffers with his own demons in mental health (a hell I know all too well), both of these albums reaches into the darkest parts of the abyss and drags you along for the ride. For the sophomore album, the depression, hopelessness, and let's face it, suicidal sides come out in full force and it's an album that can destroy any well adjusted person. IF you are in the state of mind that Tom was in at the time, or myself in general, this album is actually a palette cleanser. The idea that it takes hearing, knowing, talking to someone who is suffering or suffered as much as you have  is sometimes the only way you can move forward and that's what Triptykon does for me. Amongst it's stellar production, killer songwriting and amazing musicianship is that sense of all loss, but that's what truly gives you hope. As absurd as that sounds, it's actually really true. Sometimes you just need relatability to stay in the game of life. I'm glad I'm still here and I'm glad Tom is here as well.

11.) Long Distance Calling- Avoid The Light (2009)
FFO- Progressive Post Metal

One of the greatest sophomore albums put on record. LDC came in like a firestorm in my life and they have never left. Their utterly dark album, Avoid The Light is the perfection of the genre progressive post metal. Every song is dark in it's own way, but only one song has vocals, and that is one of my favorite songs of all time, The Nearing Grave, which actually has the vocals sung by Jonas Renske of Katatonia. With that, the ending of the song brings me to tears every single time. Besides stellar production and out of this world production, this is what I needed in my life at the time and it is one one of my favorite albums ever for that reason. There is the argument to be made that the 2016 album Trips is actually the best album to date, which is considerable, but Avoid The Light had that impact on me that very little albums ever could and that's why it will always be one of my favorite albums.

10.) King's X- Gretchen Goes To Nebraska (1989)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal

The most underrated band of all time is King's X. No argument can or will be made, it's King's X! Case friggin closed! With that, their breakthrough album was Gretchen Goes To Nebraska, and deservingly so. Some of their best songs ever are on this album, and a perfect way to end the 1980s. Even 30 years later, this album holds up as an absolute classic and it's one that deserves your love and affection, it's tremendous in every sense of the word.

9.) Edge Of Sanity- Crimson (1996)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

40 minutes even of one of the greatest progressive death metal songs ever conceived. Between the songwriting, Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth guesting on the album with vocals and lead guitar work, and one of the first examples of not only true progressive death metal, but one of the very first progressive death metal concept album. Crimson is perfection, utter perfection. Even in 2003 with Crimson II that is pure perfection as well, but this came out first so Crimson wins! Seriously, Once again, Dan Swano can do no wrong! *should note that some releases has this as one full 40 minute track, others have it split into 8 parts*
 
8.) Anathema- We're Here Because We're Here (2010)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Ambient Rock

The fact that this band came back after so many hardships, returned with a brand new sound and became the best the band could ever be 9 years ago is breathtaking. Combining prog, atmospheric sounds and some of the most beautiful sounding songs ever possible in a band like Anathema and you have this resurgence of an album. The band has only gotten tighter and stronger from this point onward, but there is just something about this reformation of a return that has a particular magic you will not hear on any other Anathema album and for me, that's what makes it win as best Anathema album to date.

7.) Pain of Salvation- In The Passing Light Of Day (2017)
FFO- Progressive Metal

While the band never left or stopped making good music; POS returned to the more classic Pain of Salvation progressive metal style that fans knew and loved. Besides being the most personal album to date, the most heartfelt, the best production the best musicianship, etc. It's an album that I relate to on a level that no one should. This album is about being rushed to the hospital and finding out that you may die and readjusting your life, if there is any life left, so you can move forward in all ways and make the best of yourself. That actually happened to me in 2013 before Daniel Gildenlow has a similar fate in 2014. If there is anything to take away from this album it's this. Live your life while you are still here, be the best possible you that you can be. you only get one chance to do so, don't life a life of regret if you still have a chance to make a difference in your life. *I'm actually in tears writing this out, my apologies*

6.) dredg- Catch Without Arms (2005)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Pop Rock

I'll keep this one shorter, but sweet. For the longest time, the band's previous album, El Cielo, was my favorite of all time, and my favorite non metal album. That slowly evolved into Catch Without Arms. It is a masterpiece of what mainstream music could have been. Every single song could have been a top 40 hit if FM radio has an open mind (we all know it doesn't). The band knew that and gave us an album that those in the know could appreciate and those that could search and hear it could see what could have been in a different world. The band is back and hopefully releasing an album this year or in 2020. I simply can't wait. It's been 8 years strong, it's been much too long.

5.) Dream Theater- Images And Words (1992)
FFO- Progressive Metal

Dream Theater for the longest time, was my all time favorite band. It wasn't until the last couple years that they were toppled, but this album sstill remains one of, if not the greatest progressive metal albums ever made. Train of Thought (along with Opeth's Deliverance mentioned earlier in passing) were the two albums that steered me away from the Metallica binge I was on for almost 4 years and showed me a world of music I never knew existed and for that I can't thank DT enough. This album is THE progressive metal. I can't sell it any better than that.

4.) Nightingale- Retribution (2014)
FFO- Melodic Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Gothic Rock

My favorite Dan Swano band, bar none. I love everything he has done from Unicorn to Bloodbath to Witherscape to Edge Of Sanity to countless other projects. Nightingale is the band for me above all others in his work. The perfect blend of prog, goth, and hard rock. It doesn't get too heavy, it doesn't get too poppy, it's just dark prog with that sense of other genres when needed and a fantastic story that is intermittent between so many of the albums. Retribution is thel atest album from the band (6 years ago already???) and it's just a crowning achievement of what a band can do. If you want a good place to start with Dan Swano's work, I can't recommend Retribution by Nightingale enough!

3.) Woods Of Ypres- Woods V; Grey Skies and Electric Light (2012)
FFO- Doom Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Gothic Metal

It's utterly tragic seeing the end of David Gold's life happen just a week and a half before I got this promo and it's the album I put on the most when I am depressed. When I am at my wit's end and nearly on the edge of making things be done, I put this album on and it saves me every time I do. While not a concept album, so many of the songs are about death, foreseeing your death, and to live your life while you are still alive. It's utterly haunting listening to the lyrics when you know he died before the release of this album. THis album always brings me to tears just thinking about it and having dealt with death, suicide, attempted suicides, and and the darkest of depression, I can't relate to this album enough and for that it is one of my favorite albums of all time. R.I.P. David Gold.

2.) Green Carnation- Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness (2001)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Gothic Metal, Doom Metal

Possibly my last cop out of the list. This is technically one song. 60 minutes 7 seconds long. But it is known as their sophomore album. It is also my favorite song of all time, especially after seeing the song live in it's entirety. Since it is such a grey area, I'm leaving an actual album as my favorite album of all time, but before we get there. This mammoth of a song is about death and life; both bringing the absolute worst and best emotions one can possibly feel respectively. Every single range of emotion is shown here and the music matches those moods getting into death metal territories at times but keeping that prog, doom, gothic metal sound in check. TO make, if you appreciate many different styles of music, especially the darkest genres, this album will make you feel every possible emotion and for that, it is my favorite song of all time.

1.) Devin Townsend- Biomech: Ocean Machine (1997)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Pop, Electronic

For anyone who knows me, I am a Hevy Devy fan for life and there's no way I could go without making a non-SYL Devin Townsend album not one of my top choices for favorite album of all time. So why not, in this case, the best album of all time? For those that knew me for a long time, Terria was my number one pick for the longest time. It hit me in every way I needed it to at the time, but over time, Ocean Machine kept creeping up on me with it's pop sensibilities, progressive metal goodness and just being Devin Townsend. I realize now how perfect this album is from beginning to end. From the overly happy sounding song Life to the heavy Regulator to my second favorite song of all time, Bastard, to the 10 minute epic The Death Of Music. This is perfection all around, front to back, top to bottom and sealed with a wet Hevy Devy kiss. If I ever make a solo album, I want it to be even a tenth of the power that this album holds. It's that important to me.



And there we have it folks, it's over it's done. 350 albums signed, written, and accounted for. I can't believe this epic journey has come to an end and I thank you so much for sticking around (unless you skipped parts 1-13 then SHAME ON YOU!). Thanks for sticking around, Go enjoy some new (or new to you) music and until next time this is That Drummer Guy saying, SEE YA!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Here we are, folks. The penultimate part before the grand finale tomorrow. After having to write up yesterday's list twice over, it took a lot of my joy away, but after seeing the reactions to it, it was all worth the hassle. This part of the list are ones that easily could have made the grand finale and some albums were originally on that list, but moved for what ever reason. I know this is where a lot of people will start to care about this list (despite everything I attempt to do to make that not happen), I gotta make these last two parts the strongest they possibly can be in the order that I really feel represents me the most. So like X, I'm gonna give it to ya!



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!

50.) Dillinger Escape Plan- Ire Works (2007)
FFO- Mathcore, Experimental, Pop

While taking on some of it's biggest risks, this is the most commercially accessible DEP album ever and that is such an odd thing to say. Mixing a great deal of pop into the band's already diverse sound was a big risk but it was one that totally paid off for songs such as Black Bubblegum and Milk Lizard, while still maintaining the classic style DEP songs that you know and love. This also mark's Gil Sharone's only drumming appearance on a DEP record and he absolutely shines no matter the style that is thrown at him. Overall, It's so diverse and exactly what a Dillinger album should sound like. It's the perfect gateway album to the band and one that should be appreciated as such. It's sad we had to say farewell (Mona Lisa), but at least we still have their entire discography to go back to and enjoy!

49.) Gruesome- Savage Land (2015)
FFO- Death, Death Metal

Gruesome is 100% a Death tribute band that plays original music. Every release is dedicated to a different period in Death's discography. WHile the band still has several albums to go to fill out the entire discography of original music, it all started with their debut Savage Land; which is of course in the vein of Death's Scream Bloody Gore album. The production is raw, the songs are maniacal, and vibe brings you back to 1987 perfectly. As you'll see later in the list, Deathis a band that truly means a lot to me in my musical endeavors and I absolutely appreciate that this band is dedicating themselves to replicating Death';s sound on every album they make, covering every single era and album. Start here and go forward. There is many more albums to enjoy and I can't wait.

48.) Haken- Affinity (2015)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock

Haken is slowly but surely becoming the 2010's version of Dream Theater. Every album is a bombastic take on prog that they add their own spin to and they are not afraid to go into any territory, no matter how heavy, light, progressive or poppy it gets. With Affinity, it absolutely feels like an album that was made in 1985 (funny enough, that's also a track on the album, 1985). WHile they keep their Haken core sound, they mix it with enough 80s aesthetics and flair that totally bring up the electronic years of prog 34 years ago. This is also the most commercial sounding...or should I say least complicated Haken album to date. Either way, it's the band at their most simplified and that is still off the wall crazy in technical ability, time signatures, and pure wackiness at times. But if you don't mind the prog noodling (though I am a huge noodling of the prog kinda guy). This is a good starter album for those that want to see what all the hype is about the band. It could very well be your gateway into prog and if it works, I have so many wondrous prog things to show you!

47.) mc chris- mc chris is dead (2008)
FFO- Hip Hop, Pop Punk, Nerd Culture

I'll say it straight up, this is the only non rock/metal album on this list but it still has plenty of great rocking moments in it. I love mc chris, he represents so many facets of what I love about music, nerd culture, comics, life in general. If you are like me and not that big into rap and hip hop, mc could be the guy that brings you into it as it shows off relateable and funny lyrics, amazing music composed and arranged my mc and some of the best skits you'll hear on a music album. Every album is more of a less a concept album or at least a theme album that brings everything together. The skits help the pacing out of the albums and the music is able to take stage as needed. mc chris is dead is the album that helped bring him into the forefront and show that he was more than just a voice that was on Adult Swim, he could really rap, he could really make you laugh and he could really make you think. That is all represented here and then some. Seriously, just give the album a shot, it may break down some self composed barriers you have on music.

46.) Within Temptation- Hydra (2014)
FFO- Symphonic Metal, Modern Metal

It blows my mind that this album is already 5 years old. It feels like I just saw Within Temptation supporting this album last year. Hydra is a bit of a farewell to the WT sound we grew up with and loved, which was represented in it's new form with 2019's Resist with it's focus almost entirely on the modern metal sound. Hydra keeps the symphonic elements still in check, but in hindsight, this change in sound is not a jaw dropping surprise, you can hear it on this album. It's very catchy, poppy and heavy and the keys and symphonics are ever so slightly pushed back. This has some of my favorite WT songs of all time and features such amazing appearances from the likes of Howard Jones, Tarja, and yes...X to the Z Xzibit (hey, that song is arguably the best overall song on the album, shut your mouth!). Just in case you are only familiar with WT from the Papa Roach collaboration on Resist, seriously, go back and discover what brought Within Temptation to this spot. Hydra is one of the most beautifully put together albums of the 2010s and it doesn't take long to understand why. (p.s. I actually dig Resist a lot and it will be in my top of 2019 list).

45.) Borknagar- Winter Thrice (2016)
FFO- Progressive Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal

I'll be honest here, my view on this album, while still very positive, is a bit different now. ONLY because as I'm writing this up, I just received the new album from Borknagar, True North, TODAY, coming out in September and it is so very...VERY hard not to put that album in this spot and just talk about where the band is at now, but I'll do my best. Winter Thrice is now to be looked at as a watershed album for the band as a mass exodus of the band happened before, during and after this albums release that shifted the band in many ways. A way to look at Winter Thrice is an album of desolation, isolation, and hopelessness. Looking back at what was going on with the band, this completely makes sense. WHile I will say up till today, this was my favorite Borknagar album, it is one that you really should check out as it is a beautiful album amongst it's inner chaos. Just know that the band is even stronger now on the other side and it's glorious.

44.) Rush- 2112 (1976)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Hard Rock

The greatest prog album from the greatest prog band of all time? There is a very strong argument to be made for that! Some may say it's Hemispheres or Moving Pictures instead of 2112. I will for one say that I think both of those albums are actually better than 2112, but 2112 is the prog album that set the standard for what prog rock could be. It was one of the first progressive albums to be heavy, have sci-fi stories and have a song that takes up the entire side of an LP. I guess my love for 2112 went down the more that I think about the Ayn Rand/Libertarian influence the title track had and I totally understand why the band really didn't play the whole song anymore while together and just focused on the first two segments; BUT, that's a different discussion for a different day! Besides the mega epic 2112, the rest of the album has such killer rockin tracks that really makes this release a full album rather than just on epic to be known for. This is Rush entering it's pure prog phase and from there on out, it made some of the best recorded music ever in the process. I'll always go to bat for this album even if I feel differently about it now. The music is just so undeniably amazing.

43.) Ne Obliviscaris- Citadel (2014)
FFO- Extreme Progressive Metal

NeO is a band of tragedy and eventual triumph. Hitting almost every conceivable roadblock along the way, the band eventually released their debut album nearly a decade after formation, Portal Of I, in 2012. 2 years later, we got the sophomore album from the band Citadel and it will go down as one of the absolute strongest progressive metal albums of the 2010s if not the 21st century as a whole. You could feel the band finally being able to focus their attention on the next chapter of the band and show off all their tricks. Progressive, black, death, post rock, classical; the band can pull off any genre, make it just extreme enough and add an element of unparalleled beauty to it all that could make anyone with emotions tear up. There is a reason why I have a Citadel wall hanger hanging up on my wall that I look at every single day in my living room. This band is such an incredible thrill ride of emotions and Citadel is the culmination of years of struggle that lead the band to FINALLY be able to turn the page, explore the world and become they wanted to be all along. Seriously, go check this out immediately!

42.) Shaded Enmity- Forsaken and Forgotten (2013)
FFO- Extreme Melodic Death Metal

One of the saddest things about discovering music on your own comes from finding an incredible band that makes your jaw drop, it makes you stop anything you are doing and just try to comprehend everything you are hearing, being so excited to know that you found the band's latest album and showing it to the world....only to find out that will eventually be the band's last album. Especially in my line of work, when I discover music directly on my own (which I still try to do every single day amongst all the promos sent my way), I discover a band like Shaded Enmity and their musicality is some of the most awe-inspiring music I have ever heard. Their use of genre changes, melodic overtones and sheer brutality that made me so infatuated with the band I tried playing them on the early version of my radio show as much as I possibly could. Then in 2015 the band split up and I was devastated. We all have those bands that wreck us when you hear the band will be no more. It crushes you. But it's moments like Shaded Enmity that remind me that the music will always be there to enjoy and that's what you should do with this band as well. This also sadly marks one of the final guest appearances of Warrel Dane, the song in question is now even harder to listen to now all things considered, but still absolutely breathtaking.

41.) Cynic- Traced In Air (2008)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

For the longest time, it was believed that Cynic would always be one of those bands that could have been when they released their stand alone album, Focus, before the band split up in the 90s. THANKFULLY the band reemerged and started playing live shows again that lead to new music in the form of Traced In Air. One of the greatest pieces of prog music that we had no idea we would ever get to see. Expanding upon the sounds of Focus but updating it just enough with new influences, new styles and simply killer production; Cynic became a new inspiring band to many of prog nerds like myself. While the beauty did not last and as of just a couple years ago, the band has fallen apart again and is now just in Paul Masvidal's hands. We get to appreciate the work they did in that time because we had no idea we would ever get to see anything new from Cynic and what could of been, eventually came to be. Traced In Air is a full blown masterpiece of an album.

40.) Pallbearer- Heartless (2017)
FFO- Doom Metal, Progressive Rock

THis album tugs at my heartstrings in a way that it simply should not, but every time I listen to it, it pulls me in and does not let go. WHile the band's previous material were master classes in doom metal; Heartless turn everything you thought you knew about the band and changed it for the better. The tempos varied more, the styles switched up, and the core Pallbearer sound became more versatile. With that, when the band does a full blown doom epic like one of my now favorite songs of all time, A Plea For Understanding; it is so much more heartwrenching to listen to because it hits you so much harder on a musical and emotional level. When a band can put out music that can literally toy with your emotions, they are doing things right. That's what Heartless came to be and is easily what I feel will be one of the greatest doom albums of all time.

39.) Omnium Gatherum- The Burning Cold (2018)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

On the opposite end of the metal spectrum comes the Finnish melodeath Omnium Gatherum, who put out their most positive album ever last year. WHile having a much more poppy, electronic and 80s vibe overall; the lyrics are a great look at looking at yourself, trying to rebuild yourself and be the best you possibly can be in this dark world of ours. Plus when you have the magnificent Dan Swano mixing and mastering your album; you know it will end up sounding the best it possibly can be. This is by far the best OG album to date and it only takes one listen to understand why. Go, be happy, and check this out!

38.) Swallow The Sun- Songs From The North (2015)
FFO- Melodic Doom Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Post Rock

It's almost unfair to put this album on this list as it is 3 albums combined over 3 discs with all 3 having a very different sound. I is the Swallow The Sun sound you know and love. II is the band exploring their post rock/ambient side. III is exploring their funeral doom metal side. Essentially, this is everything you love about the band spread over the course of 3 discs of original music. And as it was all released under one package...it counts as a single entity of one album to me so suck it! But seriously. If you love melodic death/doom, post rock/ambient, or funeral doom metal; you are doing your self a gigantic disservice by ignoring this band for any longer. Go pick up this triple album and let your ears feast on some of the darkest and most depressing music to every come from Finland.

37.) Baroness- Purple (2015)
FFO- Alternative Metal Progressive Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal

It took 5 albums into a 6 album cycle dedicated to the color spectrum, but Baroness finally broke into the mainstream and into our hearts in 2015 with Purple. Easily some of their best material ever. Baroness is a band that will never put out the same album twice and every color album made so far has it's own flavoring. Purple has the most commercial sounding of everything done in the band to this day and it absolutely works for the band throughout every track. Getting to see this album live (though not played all the way straight through) was absolutely amazing to see and made me appreciate it even more. While I may even have to give it up to Gold and Grey as my favorite Baroness album now, it's honestly a little too early to say. For one it just came out and two it's competing against Purple, it's an absolutely tough call for me, so let's just stick with this modern musical masterpiece for the time being. Go pick up Purple and see how varied music really can be with heavy tones.

36.) Zeal & Ardor- Stranger Fruit (2018)
FFO- Avant Garde Black Metal

Starting off as a one man project combining African-American spirituals and Black Metal (sounds completely absurd doesn't it?; Zeal & Ardor has become a fully fleshed out band and has been able to add more influences into the band. Combining more jazz, post rock, blues and electronic movements into it's twisted tales of the concept of "What would happen if the African American slaves sang about Satan instead of God?". Stranger Fruit also ups everything about the band, not just musically, but the production on this album is beyond stellar and what I was hoping the band would be allowed to have at some point. I can't stress this enough, if you love innovative and I truly mean INNOVATIVE takes on music, you simply must check out Zeal & Ardor. Also, somebody get Jordan Peele on the phone and tell him to help write a story about the lyrical concepts of Zeal & Ardor and turn it into a horror movie. make that happen right damn now!!!

35.) Fair To Midland- Tales From A Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True
FFO- Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal

Is this band truly broken up? I...have no idea. I just know they have been inactive for entirely too long and I wish they would come back. It took 3 albums, but FTM finally broke through the mainstream with Dance Of The Manatee which took mainstream radio by storm. To the uninterested listener, this was the only song the band ever had. But not only did they miss out on two LPs and EP beforehand. They missed out on one of the most original pieces of music to come out in the 21st century rock/metal scene. Combining elements of Native American, alternative, progressive and pop music; the band released this masterpiece of an album and every song is just jaw droppingly fantastic. Only reading about this album is an injustice, go listen to it. And check out the equally good Anchors and Arrows album which may end up being the final album from the band. I know they are probably never reforming, but I really, REALLY wish they would.

34.) Ihsahn- After (2010)
FFO- Progressive Black Metal, Avant Garde

Much like discussed a while back about the final Emperor album. Ihsahn grew weary of just making standard black metal music and wanted to make his own visions of music. while having other projects along side, his solo work is some of the most courageous music ever put under the extreme metal moniker. YOu simply will not hear the same Ihsahn album twice, he will not allow it! 3 albums into his solo career came After. A brilliant masterwork of black metal, progressive metal, jazz, post rock and avant garde music. It sounds absolutely strange on paper, but the execution is nothing short of perfection. WHile also may go down as the most subdued Ihsahn album to date (depending on how you look at it) Other albums are far more black metal, or more avant garde or even in recent times nearly mainstream radio friendly. After takes what I mentioned earlier and puts into an album that never goes too fast or too slow, it just goes at the tempos that feel the most natural and it pays off for that reason. This album was also my introduction to Saxophonist and frontman of Shining (NOR) Jorgen Munkeby. As mentioned before there is no two similar Ihsahn albums so it's really hard to say which direction to go in. But if you want Ihsahn at his proggiest (not avant garde, prog) After is the album for you.

33.) The Contortionist- Language (2014)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Post Rock, Ambient

A Watershed moment for fans of the progressive deathcore fans of The Contortionist as the band needed a change to stay a band, but they didn't necessarily know where to go. With Last Chance To Reason Frontman Michael Lessard filling in for the band on a tour, they realized he was the guy they needed to change the band into what they have become. A very fair representation of that is a modern day Cynic. While still having metal elements, the band bands has become much moe focused on ambient, post, progressive and alternative music and that change really came with Language. An album that really says goodbye to The Contortionist you used to know and hello to The Contortionist the band is now. Like Cynic's Traced in Air mentioned earlier, this is a seminal masterclass in songwriting and one of the most standout prog albums ever made in the 21st century. Listen and you will understand that change is good...and needed.

32.) Katatonia- Last Fair Deal Gone Down (2001)
FFO Progressive Metal, Dark Rock, Alternative Rock

Man, oh man, did I contemplate about this choice for such a long time. All year I have been really going through a more dark/gothic era of my life t match all of the horrible things that my life has brought me in 2019. With that made me play the Katatonia discography on repeat many....many times. upon repeated listens I learned there are so many sides to the band, there is the dark progressive metal side that the band became, there is death/doom side that the early day fans know, and there was the alternative era that is the mid point of their career so far. Upon all those listens, the album that hit me harder than anything else was 2001's Last Fair Deal Gone Down. While one of the band's least heavy albums, musically, it is one of the darkest and most emotional albums of the band's career. Songs like Teargas and Sweet Nurse nearly make me choke up every time I listen to them and it's such a great feeling. While this obviously wouldn't be a lot of people's choice for top album and a lot of people will be shocked to see this album as my choice. It truly has become my favorite over time and if you want your Katatonia more on the rock side instead of the metal side, this is the album for you!

31.) Enslaved- RIITIIR (2012)
FFO- Progressive Black Metal, Viking Metal

I've really come to terms with the fact that there is almost little to no fans that love all of Enslaved's albums. You either love their early day raw black metal sound or you love their newer proggy black metal side. WHile I actually do love both sides of the band, without question my favorite era is the current latter era. Every single album gets better and better with every release and yeah, I will say the band's latest album, E, is actually their finest work to date. So why didn't I choose it for this? Because RIITIIR is the album that made a casual Enslaved fan into a diehard Enslaved fan forever. Roots Of The Mountain is my overall favorite Enslaved song and it just warped my mind on what is possible in progressive and black metal music. This juggernaut of an album is actually when a lot of the older fans eventually gave up on the band. Of course I went against the grain and loved them even more for it and for that reason this will always be my favorite Enslaved album. Simply majestic music!

30.) Agalloch- The Mantle (2002)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Progressive Black Metal, Folk Metal

Despite words and phrases that came from a member of the band in recent times, and the fact the band simply imploded after their last tour (including their only time visiting Minnesota, so glad I went), Agalloch is still a band that matters so much to me and yeah, it's one of those instances where you have to separate the art from the artist. The Mantle is the godfather album of what atmospheric black metal, blackgaze, post black metal, and folk metal would eventually evolve into. Every song is just as superb as the next no matter if it's a post rock instrumental, a heavy black metal song or the somber Desolation Song (which I didn't realize has a chord progression that sounds just like Dream Theater's Disappear, which came out the same year). Simply put, The Mantle is a life changing, genre defining, and masterclass of an album. There is a reason it is so beloved and you should go listen to it and see why for yourself.

29.) Toehider- Good (2017)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Pop

Toehider rules. There's no other way to describe it. This band has written a song in almost every single genre of rock and metal music and it sounds completely natural and...do I say it?....GOOD! So good in fact, it was about time that the band actually released an album called Good just a couple years back. It more than lives up to the album name as it showcases some of the most off the wall time changes, style changes, and emotionally driven songs the band has done so far. How Do Ghosts Work? has become one of my favorite songs of recent times for good reason. Seriously if you want some of the best musicianship, songwriting, vocal performances and overall album experiences you can ever have pick up good. You may even say it's good yourself!

28.) Killswitch Engage- The End Of Heartache (2003)
FFO- Metalcore, New Wave Of American Heavy Metal

WHile I will always credit a band that will show up in the top 25 of this list as the band that opened my doors to screaming/growling in music and actually appreciating it; It was Killswitch Engage that made me realize that it could be done in a way that wasn't just reserved for bands that no one knew in my inner circle of a town of 10,51 people of Clear Lake, WI; It could be a band that would be heard by the masses in the mainstream and man, did KSE ever kick off for the big times with The End Oe Heartache. This is just a perfect album from start to finish and the perfect example of what modern metalcore is, could be and should be. WHile I do love both eras of KSE (Howard and Jesse), Howard has my heart and Jesse has my mind (because we both suffer heavily from mental  health issues, damn I hope I can interview him some day,). I truly discovered Killswitch with The End Of Heartache, but even more so, on the Freddie Vs Jason soundtrack (amazing soundtrack, terrible movie) which both has the song When Darkness Falls and my enjoyment of knowing that metal could be just as catchy as the radio and commercial music could be just as pummeling as any metal band that you'll never hear on the radio can be. Absolutely no shame. I will love KSE until my dying day, go check out The End Of Heartache, then the rest of their stuff, then pick up the new album in August, it rules!

27.) Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand (2017)
FFO- Progressive Metal

Mastodon is one of the great, most consistently great, and genre mastering bands to come to this civilization we know as human life. It is so rare to see a band last 7 albums so far and not have a single lineup change. You could easily make the argument that any Mastodon album is their best and you would not be wrong, every Mastodon album rules for various reasons. And for the longest time Crack The Skye was my all time favorite for it's pure prog atmosphere. That changed in 2017 when a seemingly new Mastodon album would come out, chloroform Crack The Skye off my favorite Mastodon album ranking and take it's place. This literally has EVERYTHING you love about the band in all new original music. No matter how heavy, catchy, somber or proggy you love the band for; its represented here and it's an album sheer wonder and I couldn't dare to skip a single track ever. This is simply how you write modern progressive metal, making the music YOU want to make. Mastodon will go down as one of the best progressive metal bands of all time, there's just no denying it.

26.) Nevermore- Dead Heart In The Dead World (2000)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal

Little did anyone know 19 years ago that when Jeff Loomis switched from his standard 6 string guitar to a 7 string guitar, he would be not just redefine the band, but redefine metal. WHile he was not the first to use a 7 string drop tuned guitar in metal; he revolutionized it and Nevermore became the underground heroes of metal. Of course everything that came before this album is amazing to listen to an enjoy, you just can't deny that the band became what they were meant to be with Dead Heart In A Dead World. Absolute proves that you don't need to scream and growl your music to make some of the heaviest music on the planet. Plus the musicianship from everyone in the band set the standard for what band's should be able to accomplish going forward. While the band will be forever lost with it's fallen hero Warrel Dane's passing (taking away any chance of a reunion) we are left with some of the greatest albums in prog, thrash and metal history. You may as well start with the cream of the Nevermore crop with Dead Heart In A Dead World.



And That's it folks 13 parts down, 325 albums covered and only 25 more albums left for the final part of this mammoth colossus of an epic album list concluding tomorrow with That Drummer Guy's Top 350 Albums Of All Time Part XIV: The Top 25. See you then!


- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

*In all honesty, I will be scooting by this one relatively quickly as I already wrote up this entire part of the list my host site decided to get rid of of my draft as I was editing the final touches and I now have to redo this, plus write up part 13 Today, so my apologies if this is not my best part of the list. My apologies for having this list be less in depth, but I'll try to make it count*

Part 12 of this Colossal List is here and we only got two more part of this list before we are all done. We are really getting into the nitty gritty of albums that I put on as often as possible and ones that have affected me the most. Maybe You'll have a similar feeling? Lets forge ahead with part 12!

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!



75.) Skull Fist- Chasing The Dream (2014)
FFO- Speed Metal, Heavy Metal

Canada's Skull Fist creates a great sense of speed, thrash, and heavy metal that really makes the band stand out amongst it's peers. 2014's Chasing The Dream is my favorite example of their work and gives that great 80s sound, but updated just enough to make it completely fresh. Well worth a listen.

74.) With The Dead- Love From With The Dead (2017)
FFO- Doom Metal, Stoner Metal

Lee Dorrian and doom are a perfect match. When you think of Cathedral, you wonder how much heavier doom can get, then Dorrian aligned himself with past members of Electric Wizard and made (so far) two of the heaviest, sonically brutal doom metal albums to date. The latest album from With The Dead could not possibly be heavier on all fronts and the music is top notch. Seriously, one of the best doom albums ever made.

73.) Native Construct- Quiet World (2015)
FFO- Progressive Metal

Sadly what will be a one album band. Native Construct made an amazing concept debut album with an incredible story and extremely well crafted prog songs that hit you on every level. Similar to bands like Spiral Architect, you are going to wish for a sophomore album that will never be, but that should not take away from the power and glory that is Quiet World.

72.) Thulcandra- Ascension Lost (2015)
FFO- Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Black Metal

If you like Dissection but want to not feel guilty about liking the music for...you know...reasons...check out Thulcandra. The band is a loving tribute to the melodic black metal and progressive black metal of bands like Dissection and Emperor but with all original music created by Obscura's Steffen Kummerer. Everything you love about mid to late 90s black metal (and no guilt) is covered here and it sounds amazing. The band's latest album is one that shows the band at prime originality and songwriting. Go check it out.

71.) Clutch-  Earth Rocker (2013)
FFO- Hard Rock, Blues Rock

Clutch is one of the hardest working and longest running bands that has continued to have their original lineup since the beginning. in 2013, a change was needed in the band and they decided to strip away most of the keyboard influenced blues rock that had been taking over the last few clutch albums and got back to the 4 piece rock sound that people came to the party for. Earth Rocker is the heaviest Clutch album of the 21st century and with the exception of one slower song right in the middle to give you a breather (Gone Cold), this album is filled to the brim with fast, heavy, rockin' songs that makes you wanna rock hard. It's easily my favorite album from the band for that reason alone.

70.) Symphony X- Paradise Lost (2007)
FFO- Symphonic Progressive Power Metal

Paradise Lost is a pure watershed for the band. Everything that came before it had the more classic progressive power metal sound and epic tracks. Everything that came after is more consistent and heavier songs. Paradise Lost was that bridge of an album that combined the best of both and they were able to create the best SX album to date for that reason. You'll be hard pressed to find a SX fan who doesn't consider Paradise Lost one of their favorite album, if not their favorite album from the band.

69.) Cloudkicker- Beacons (2010)
FFO- Instrumental Progressive Metal, Ambient

There is a reason I use Cloudkicker tracks as themes for all of my shows, podcasts, interviews, etc (well besides the fact that they are available to use for fair use). Cloudkicker's sophomore album is one that is one of the most consistent pieces of the band's puzzle. A turning point in the band that had one of the last examples of full on metal and more emphasis on the post rock/ambient/softer side of the band that has been shown off more in the past decade. Simply put, this shows off both sides of the band perfectly in one concise LP.

68.) Raunchy- Death Pop Romance (2006)
FFO- Death Metal, Industrial Metal, Pop

Every single band since 2006 that has used the modern metal sound has Raunchy to thank for making that style popular and forging it into what it is now. Creating that viable mix of death metal, metalcore, industrial, and pop music into a special blend that can make pop fans a fan of heavy music and metalheads a fan of poppy music. While every Raunchy album rules, Death Pop Romance is their masterpiece (so far) and I can't wait to see where the band continues to go next.

67.) Black Crown Initiate- The Wreckage of Stars (2014)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Atmospheric Metal

Easily one of my favorite bands that has really taken off since I started off as That Drummer Guy; BCI takes extreme music, progressive death metal, black metal and ambient music to create such a unique blend of sounds that is overcomes you. Between both LPs and their debut EP, there is no wrong choice to star, but you may wanna go with the debut LP to see what the band started off as in a full length album. WHile the band has had many ups and downs, I have my complete faith in the band they will come back as the reckoning force that they deserve to be. THey are about to embark on a new tour, go see them! 

66.) Ayreon- The Source (2017)
FFO- All Star Metal

Arjen Anthony Lucassen is an absolute genius of music. No matter the project that he writes for, he makes that album cycle the best that it can possibly be. With the latest Ayreon album, it is a prequel to the Ayreon story and features some of the best voices in prog, power and symphonic music. It's a masterpiece of symphonic, power and progressive music. Listen and find out why.

65.) Ghost- Opus Eponymous (2010)
FFO- Occult Rock, Heavy Metal

Before the band became the mainstream superstars that they are now (for better or worse), they were the underground satanic occult rock, heavy metal band that shook up the metal world in the early 2010s. The debut album is a perfect mix of Mercyful Fate and Blue Oyster Cult that combines the best of heavy and catchy music that band forged and refined the band into what they are today. Check out this debut album and see if your preconceived notions of the band change.

64.) Blind Guardian- Imaginations From The Other Side (1995)
FFO- Epic Power Metal

Blind Guardian is THE power metal band. They set the bar with every album they release as to what every power metal band around should be capable of at the time. In 1995, they put out one of, if not their best work with Imaginations From The Other Side. The perfect showcase of the epic, folk, and power metal the band is known for and influenced every single power metal band that came after. Blind Guardian is one of the best for a reason, find out why.

63.) Torche- Meanderthal (2008)
FFO- Alternative Metal, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal

Putting a genre label on Torche is meaningless as every album changes the band and every song on every album will sound completely different. 2008's Meanderthal is a prime example of an album that can have some of the poppiest rock songs match with some of the heaviest doom metal songs you've ever heard. WHile the band has gotten lighter with every subsequent album from here on out, they never lost what made them the established band they are with Meanderthal. Go pick up this underground classic.

62.) Bloodbath- Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)
FFO- Death Metal

Along with Paradise Lost, this was the hardest decision as to what Bloodbath album I was going to put on this list and I finally settled on Nightmares Made Flesh. I mean besides being the lone album featuring Peter Tagtgren, they band is rounded out with members from Katatonia, Edge of Sanity and Opeth playing the most brutal old school death metal. You simply couldn't ask for anything more. This is what death metal should strive to be.

61.) Panopticon- Roads To The North (2014)
FFO- North American Folk Metal

A genre that you may not have heard of, but perfect fits the style of the band. Taking the black metal and blackgaze sound mixed with North American folk instrumentation and songwriting and you get one of the most unique bands around. This album is a metaphor for the band moving from Kentucky to Minnesota and all that comes with it and it is some of the most beautiful black metal music you will ever hear. Just one listen and you'll completely understand.

60.) Faith No More- Angel Dust (1992)
FFO- Alternative Metal

The heaviest FNM album by far is also their greatest. While it is still diverse is in it's musical stylings, it covers ground from everything from alternative rock to country to cheerleader chants to death metal. Faith No More has never settled on one style for the band and they are so much stronger for that reason. ANgel Dust is the pinnacle of the band's career for good reason.

59.) Body Count-  Bloodlust (2017)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Rap Metal

It's not a novelty. Ice T's metal band has put out some of the best metal albums in the past 30 years. The band's latest album is a great look into social issues, personal struggles, and a few horror metal songs thrown in for good measure. Catchy and brutal, this is what I've loved Body Count for for so long and it's about time that you do the same as well. Start here and go backwards.

58.) Amon Amarth- With Oden On Our Side (2006)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Viking Metal

This is the band's Back In Black, the band discovered the perfect formula for the band on this album and they have kept that songwriting formula ever since. While the band has put out some of their best songs after this album; this is BY FAR the best overall AA album to date.

57.) HIM-  Razorblade Romance (2000)
FFO- Gothic Rock, Love Metal

My love of gothic music started from here and there is no shame in saying that. H.I.M. is a band that knew how to write catchy and heavy songs that you could relate to, be it the dark love songs or the more dark looks into yourself that came with later album (including what I feel is their best album Venus Doom). Razorblade Romance will always be my favorite album from the band for it's unique sense of songwriting that influenced me personally for almost 20 years now, and that is absolutely insane to think about now that it's been that long.

56.) Fleshgod Apocalypse- Veleno (2019)
FFO- Extreme Symphonic Death Metal

Simply put, sometimes the roughest patches in a band's career can lead to the band's biggest triumphs and that is exactly what happened here. WHile it's only been out a couple months now, Veleno is BY FAR the greatest achievement in the band's history, but quite possible extreme symphonic death metal as a whole. This is how you can make a complete diverse album that can make you tear things apart and make you cry at the same time. This is perfection!

55.) Rivers of Nihil- Where Owls Know My Name (2018)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

In speaking of perfection, Rivers of Nihil has put out their magnum opus so far with 2018's epic. Taking their established sound and fusing more prog, classic rock and jazz elements was such a risky move; but it was a move that has pushed them to the upper tier of metal bands going today. the 3rd album of the bands 4 album cycle focusing on the Earth's seasons is their darkest and most depressing so far, but it is an album that may not be able to be beaten by any of their peers and it will take their greatest work to beat it in the future. This album is what I wish more bands would try to accomplish.

54.) Loch Vostok- From These Waters (2015)
FFO- Extreme Progressive Metal

One of my favorite underground bands is one that needs to be in your ears immediately. Teddy Moller has one of the most unique voices in metal, you match that with a great sense of extreme, death black, and prog metal. It feels like a mix of Fates Warning and Ihsahn. From These Waters is one fo most commercial sounding albums in the band's catalog, but nowhere near a top 40 rock band. It's an excellent starting album that should get you to see the brilliance that is LOch Vostok.

53.) Demons And Wizards- Touched By The Crimson King (2005)
FFO- Power Metal

Jon Schaffer and Hansi Kursch's immortal power metal band may have only two albums to it's name (at least so far), both albums are exactly what you would want from the masterminds behind Iced Earth and Blind Guardian. The Sophomore album, to me, refines the sound into exactly what they want the band to be and it's done to perfection. If you want the epic of epic power metal bands, it doesn't get better than Demons And Wizards.

52.) Iced Earth- Burnt Offerings (1995)
FFO- Power Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal

The closest thing to a black metal album Iced Earth will ever write and Matt Barlow's debut album with the band. It just doesn't get any better than that.The darkest album in the band's career my go down as one of the least talk about albums in the band's catalog, but it deserves to be one of the most talked about for everything it accomplished from story writing, to production to the 17 minute epic Dante's Inferno. Burnt Offerings is an underground classic pwoer metal album and it's about time you heard it for yourself.

51.) Vattnet Viskar- Settler (2015)
FFO- Post Black Metal, Atmospheric Metal

Writing a concept album about the 1986 Challenger explosion may be one of the darkest ideas for a metal album and VV did it to perfection. While the band went from straight up black metal to a post hardcore band; Settler was the album that was the perfect album that showcased both the post side and black metal side to the band in one of the strongest showings of blackgaze and post black metal in the 2010s. While the band is gone, the legacy will always be there, go check out all three albums, but start off with Settler, it's well worth it.



And that does it folks, there is part 12 of this mammoth list. with only the top 50 left to talk about, this adventure is coming close to an end. Thank you so much for sticking around and hopefully enjoying what you've seen so far *again I apologize for the shortness of reviews in this section, all the bands should be talked about more, but I gotta keep on schedule* Tune in tomorrow for Part XIII: 50-26!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

We are finally in the Top 100. For some people this alone is too much to comprehend and can't even begin to think of 100 albums they enjoy. For me? I feel like I am hitting the albums that mean the absolute most to me and shaped me the most in my music listening, enjoyment, and life in general. The previous 250 albums did that as well, of course they did, but for a lot of people reading, this is where you are going to start paying the most attention so I had to make sure to get these as close to the perfect order as possible. So let's crack on and explore the beginning of my top 100 albums of all time.

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!



100.) Galactic Cowboys- Machine Fish (1996)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Groove Metal, Pop/Rock

Galactic Cowboys are the perfect culmination of heavy metal with pop sensibilities. Imagine King's X, Pantera, and The Beatles formed a band. That's right, you take the song structure of King's X, the aggression of Pantera, but you make the vocals either as heavy as Anselmo or as catchy as the Beatles and you get one of the most underrated bands to ever exist. Machine Fish was a great example of all three bands described. It gets as heavy as it does poppy, it gets as emotional as it does aggressive; all within amazingly well crafted songs and killer production. This is a band that thankfully came back into our lives and give them the attention that they deserved all this time!

99.) Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Raise Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (2000)
FFO- Post Rock

When a generation that never grew up on the genre, or at least the term post rock, they are usually left with the question...what the hell is post rock? Well the prime example of what post rock is all about is in the band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Most specifically this seminal album. 4 tracks, double album. Many uses of voice, movie, speech, and sound clips. Every song taking emotion in music without vocals and gradually building every song from simple and ambient to some of the most bombastic chaotic sensations you ever felt in your life. Don't believe me? Listen to the track, Static, when the voice clips are done and the strings start to take affect; close your eyes and let the music take hold of you. If you make it through the segment called World Police and not feel a sense of dread and terror hitting you, you have never been affected emotionally by music before and I feel very, very sad for you. This is a perfect double album and one that can be life changing. Go listen and find out why.

98.) Dark Funeral- Where Shadows Forever Reign (2016)
FFO- Black Metal

I love Dark Funeral, but in the band's catalog if I had to pick something I don't like about the band's material is the fact that the albums can be so raw, production wise. You wanna hear everything going on and especially on the early albums, that's nearly impossible. Fast forward to 2016 and all of that has been changed with the band's latest album. It is a pure sonic delight. The production is everything I wanted out of Dark Funeral for the first time. And of course, the songs are absolutely killer. This is the Dark Funeral album for the ages and it doesn't take long to sit down with the album and understand why. Seriously, go do it!

97.) James LaBrie- Static Impulse (2010)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal

Yes, you read that description right. If you have yet to hear the latest two JLB solo albums, you are in for a bit of a rude awakening from what you've heard in Dream Theater., Before you ask, no, James is not doing the screams, that is Peter Wiloder (who tried out for Dream Theater on drums; and does the drums on this album). Simply put, this album is what it sounds like if Dream Theater and Soilwork ever formed a band and it's a thing of pure beauty. I really hope we can get more solo albums from JLB in the future, especially like this. It's been way too long.

96.) Story Of The Year- Page Avenue (2003)
FFO- Alternative Metal, Pop Rock, Emo

I'm not sure if it's been shown yet in this list yet, but I am a complete sucker for great hooks and riffs. That's what brought SOTY brought nearly 20 years ago with Page Avenue (damn, I feel old). WHile I've never related too much to the sappy love songs or breakup songs that are apart of almost every genre of music (just never had that kind of life), I do love vocal melodies, catchy hooks and if it can be a great example of making things poppy; I'm sold. WHile in all honesty, I do love the band's next album, In The Wake Of Determination, much more as it is a metal album; Page Avenue was another example of a band and album that proved to me that pop is not a bad thing and be just as good as any metal album out there. Just drop your preconceived notions and give it a chance.

95.) Daylight Dies- Dismantling Devotion (2006)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Doom Metal

Daylight Dies is a band that never got the recognition they deserved. They took so many great elements of death, doom, and progressive metal and really made it their own. This amazing sophomore album is what sorrow, dread and hopelessness really feels like. Every track brings sorrow in a new way, like an american Opeth/Candlemass mixed with Novembers Doom and Woods of Ypres. The final track on the album, the instrumental title track brings me to tears every single time I hear it and it was the very first instrumental track I ever heard to do so. I can't recommend this enough. Go check it out!

94.) Candlemass- Candlemass (2005)
FFO- Candlemass

In speaking of Candlemass, this is THE doom metal band. While everyone has their favorite era of the band, I say it loud and proud; the Messiah era of Candlemass is superior to all. That voice is unparalleled and no one else can pull off his voice. Plus the music matched with it in his time in the band is undeniably some of their best riffs ever. The Title track stands out to me as that perfect combination of everything I love about the band all in one album and while I newver hear enough people talk about this album...they should! Go pick up this phenomenal album asap!

93.) Lords of Black- II (2016)
FFO- Power Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal

This is just a sheer masterpiece of an album by a perfect lineup of musicians. The Sophomore album picked up the best parts of the debut album, added even more to it's absolute power and made this one of the most important albums of 2016, let alone the 21st century so far. The real standout of the album is the vocal performance from Ronnie Romero, who sadly is no longer in the band. I'm interested to see where the band will go now with their 4th album, but till then, the band's 2nd album is a perfect album from beginning to end, everything just feels so natural and the way it should be and it just can't be topped...or can it? We'll find out!

92.) Toothgrinder- Phantom Amour (2017)
FFO- Atmospheric Rock, Progressive Metal, Post Hardcore

Talk about an absolute change in sound! Seriously, go check out the band's debut album, Nocturnal Masquerade (which was recorded a year earlier), then come back to this. Completely night and day difference. But here's the kicker! Those are both sides of the band. As chaotic as the band gets on the debut album, they get just as atmospheric, ambient, and beautiful at the same time. I love a band that is able to show off both sides of their personality like that, especially with both albums being released so close together.  Phantom Amour can go from Devin Townsend to Deftones to Thrice to The Cure all in one round. It's quite impressive. I can't wait to see what tricks are up the band's sleeve for their 3rd album, but until then, check out both albums and kick back and relax to Phantom Amour. You'll be glad you did!

91.) Riverside- Love, Fear, And The Time Machine (2015)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal

Sadly the final album from Riverside's guitarist, Piotr Grudziński, before his death. This album, in hindsight, is actually a sad but perfect album to showcase that fear of death, life and everything that happens between those two. While most of Riverside's material has that very somber, Porcupine Tree depression filled sadness, this album is actually a departure from that, to focus more on yourself and to make the most of your life while you are still here. I love that message and listening back, it's a tear jerker of an album even before you know that Pitor died a year after it's release. It's a grand reminder that we never know when your time is done on this planet. Make the most of it and live life.

90.) Testament- The Gathering (1999)
FFO- Thrash Metal, Death Metal

Had the world really ended with Y2K, this would have been the perfect soundtrack to the apocalypse. By far, The Gathering, and the previous album, Demonic, are the two most brutal Testament albums ever made. WHile other albums touch on what's done between both albums, nothing even compares. WHile Demonic is more focused on the death metal side of the band, The Gathering brings back the thrash attack amongst the death metal aspects and it makes for a perfect formula of evil music that feels like what you see when all hell reigns down on earth. If we live to see the end of the world, put this album on and see if I was right. Also, the album just slays (not a pun about the fact that Dave Lombardo plays on this album, I swear)!

89.) For The Imperium- For The Imperium- (2012)
FFO- Experimental Metal, Pop, Trance, Progressive Metal

For The Imperium has something for everyone, literally! And it might all be played at the same time. This is a band that has never recorded the same song twice let alone same album twice and the controlled chaos all came from this self titled debut album. WHile there were two EPs before it, the self titled release is what got the underground world hooked on the band and they were catching steam ever since. Though it's been a few years since their last release, I really hope something new is in the pipeline at some point as we need this mix of rock, metal, electro, death and insanity once again.

88.) Being- Anthropocene (2012)
FFO- Modern Metal, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal

A short way to describe this band is blend of dredg and Periphery. It takes some of the modern metal/down tuned styling of Periphery, but written with an alternative metal tinge that you would hear on a dredg album and it's a beautiful combination. This lone album is something that a nearly lost treasure, but it is such a great album that is worthy of your time. No screams here, just amazing clean vocals over some of the most beautifully controlled heavy metal. *As of June 2019, there is talks of a sophomore album, let's hope everything comes to fruition*

87.) Mutiny Within- Mutiny Within (2010)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Metalcore

Another great blending of bands. Imagine Dream Theater mixed with Killswitch Engage and you got the first album from Mutiny Within. For a good long time, this was the sole album from the band, but they have released two albums since, which is fantastic to see. There is just something about the beauty of the first album that still holds up nearly a decade later with it's soaring vocals, beautiful guitar and bass work, proficient drumming, and killer keys. This was such a perfect debut album and it's sad to see the band did not reach the masses it deserved to reach. The fact they wills till write music together though proveds that the passion is still there. Seriously, go pick up this album!

86.) 6:33- Deadly Scenes (2015)
FFO- Extreme Progressive Metal, Avant Garde Metal

Ever what a band would sound like consisting of Mike Patton and Devin Townsend backed up by the guys in Dog Fashion Disco? This is the closest thing you'll get to that. 6:33 is a jaw dropping band that can go from some of the most emotionally hard hitting riffs, to parts that will make you laugh your ass off and everything in between. This is not an album or band for the faint of heart. This goes all across the board musically in ways you would never think about. Deadly Scenes is jsut an album you have to experience for yourself and get back to me. It's worth the deadly trip.

85.) Magic Dance- New Eyes (2018)
FFO- 80s AOR

Magic Dance has become one of my favorite bands ever since I interviewed the band last year. They are EVERYTHING I love about 80s music. They can go from AOR to Genesis to Kenny Loggins and cover so much ground all while still maintaining an edge that makes them still sound original. Really it sounds like a band that got sent in a time machine from 1984 to present day and continued on as band. If you want a fantastic but contemporary throwback to the 80s, go check out Magic Dance. If you want more of just the heavier side, pick up the album Vanishings. If you want the full 80s experience like me, go New Eyes. You won't be disappointed.

84.) Ancient VVisdom- A Godlike Inferno (2011)
FFO- True Occult Rock

Seeing Ancient VVisdom open for Ghost and Blood Ceremony at the long lost but never forgotten Station 4 in St. Paul, MN was one of the best shows I ever seen in my life. All 3 bands just blew me away, but to focus on that first band, Ancient VVisdom played this Satanic occult rock that made my jaw drop. Imagine Alice In Chain's Jar Of Flies album being 100% Satanic. The band is true to their word and it's not a shtick to the band, it's the real deal. With every AVV album, it has a different sound. Some are purely electric, some are the acoustic/electric mix, some are mainly focused on acoustic. Point being, you will not hear the same album twice. While the band has only gotten better with age, A Godlike Inferno will forever be my favorite for making my jaw drop during their set with their intensity and immediately having to buy their album after their set. While I am not really man of any religious beliefs, if you can pull me in like AVV has done, you have my upmost attention. Go check these guys out!

83.) Novembers Doom- Aphotic (2011)
FFO- Death Metal, Doom metal, Progressive Metal

This album came out in a very important time in my life, while I had a fan of the band for years at the time, my life was going to hell in a bad way (a sadly normal situation in my life) and I got the promo for this album very quickly into my career. The absolute pain, heartache and sorrow that hurts you emotionally on this album was a pain that I needed to hear to feel less alone. WHile some songs are just straight up horror songs like Buried (which has one of my favorite guitar solos ever on it), there's a song like What Could Have Been that makes me tear up every single time I hear it. Novembers Doom may be the best death/doom band in the business who seriously gets better with every album (I know the new album coming soon will be their best work yet) but Aphotic holds onto me as my favorite for being that album I needed at the time to relate to my woes. You just may feel the same way.

82.) King Diamond- Abigail (1987)
FFO- Horror Metal, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal

There will be some that disagree, but I love King Diamond more than Mercyful Fate. I am a sucker for concept albums and every KD album is a horror story. There is a reason why I have a King Diamond Abigail Alternate Artwork wall hanger hanging over my tv at home. This album is just killer from start to finish. As much as I love the album, it took me seeing the album live to fully appreciate the story being told and if you got the chance to see Abigail live, you understand. You just can't top the king for horror metal, no one ever has and no one ever will. If you haven't yet, go check out this album and understand why.

81.) Sanctuary- Refuge Denied (1987)
FFO- Power Metal, Thrash Metal, Progressive Metal

In speaking of undeniably phenomenal falsetto vocals....WARREL DANE! This man changed my life in so many ways, it could have been his solo albums, Nevermore, or Sanctuary, his vocal delivery is something to behold and I feel we took it for granted why he was still here. It really pains me that I was at his last show in Minnesota with Sanctuary and I got to do my only interview with him. Had I known what was come just a couple years later I would have asked so many more questions, more in depth thinking of what was on Dane's mind because he was such a smart, intellectual guy, and I only got 15 minutes with him. But with that, This album is what dreams are made of in 80s metal. This is a landmark album that paved the way for so many bands that would be influenced by it in time. You can't tell me that Battle Angels isn't one of the greatest metal songs ever made...you can't! WHile the band is active again with one of the greatest voices around Joseph Michael of Witherfall; you can still enjoy the Sanctuary legacy in a smaller way. Warrel Dane was one of a kind, Check out the debut album from Sanctuary to understand why.

80.) Fates Warning- Theories Of Flight (2016)
FFO- Progressive Metal

Fates Warning is an example of a band that no matter who is in the band at the time, they will do their best to put out the best material possible. in 2016, a fire got lit under the entire band and they seriously released their best album ever. I don't say that lightly as albums like Awaken The Guardian and Parallels are absolutely some of my favorite albums. There was some kind of awakening in the band that made them write their best work, give their best recorded performances and just give uis their greatest album ever 12 albums into their career. This is a modern progressive metal masterpiece, go listen and understand how this came to be.

79.) In Flames- Clayman (2000)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal

In Flames is an ever evovling band. Be it in the way you want them to or the way you don't want them to evolve. in 2000, hot off the presses of the album, Colony, they wrote another album in a similar, but more refined style with Clayman. AN album that I feel is the strongest work they have ever done. A great blend of melodeath, thrash metal and great pop sensibilities that would be explored on every subsequent album from this point forward. It was almost written as if it was a farewell to the band's original sound before they realized they needed to reroute their sound to remain in the metal game (see what I did there?). Some of the biggest IF songs are on this album and the album tracks are some of the most stellar songs of the band's career. Start to finish, this is melodeath at it's finest and I wouldn't want it any other way.

78.) Paradise Lost- Tragic Idol (2012)
FFO- Doom Metal, Gothic Metal

Paradise Lost is a band that has become more and more important to me as time rolled on and this was easily the HARDEST choice for an album I had to make on this list. There is a strong argument for every single PL album and I could easily change my mind once again before finishing this up, but I won't, I'm staying with Tragic Idol. Tragic Idol was another farewell album of sorts. For the longest time, the band stayed away from it's death metal, deathdoom sound vocally and stayed with either clean vocals or heavy clean vocals. Tragic Idol is the last album to do that before the band let the growls come back stronger than ever. WHile again, I can make the argument for the early day, mid era goth electro, modern doom metal or the resurgence of the band of the last two albums combining it all. Tragic Idol has some of the heaviest songs in the band's career growled or not. and has one of the very best album feels in the band's discography,. This is an album that you can listen to front to back and instantly start it over without a second thought. Its a gothic masterpiece and Paradise Lost is a band that needs to be cherished. I think with just one listen of Tragic Idol will make you understand.

77.) Boris- Pink (2005)
FFO- Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Noise, J-Pop, Hard Rock

Boris is band that can and will play any style at any time, you never know what you are going to get with any Boris album until you get it and hit play. With Pink, it feels like a grand culmination (at the time) or all of their best work in all new original music. the monster 18+ minute epic, Just Abandoned Myself is essentially a best of song that starts off hard, wild, and fast, but slowly but surely goes slower and slower into the stoner metal roots, then the doom metal territory, then the drone atmosphere and finally the noise ending that is expected from the band (being friends with Merzbow after all), it's almost a metaphor for life in an 18 minute epic just from the music alone, it starts off fast, then you just get slower and slower until you become nothing. But anyways! This is Boris at my absolute favorite and I can't recommend it enough. Pink is the perfect starter album.

76.) Redemption- This Mortal Coil (2011)
FFO- Progressive Metal

I'll try to keep this one brief as it's a hard story to tell on my end. I got this album not too long after a suicide attempt and it was the album I needed at the time (along with Novembers Doom's Aphotic talked about earlier in this section of the list). This album is about coming to the realization of your mortality and somehow, someway, being able to defeat death (in this case, a real bout with cancer) and live life the way it was meant to be. WHile I've noticed it's not one of the fans favorites due it's more raw production; I found it to be the album I needed to keep me going in a time of need. I still struggle every single day from mental health issues; be it depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma. But sometimes it takes hearing someone relating their struggles with life and their possible mortality to make you feel less alone and want to get the best out of life while you still can. It may not be considered the best, and it may not be what I even consider their best work, but it will always be my favorite album from Redemption.



And there you go, folks, another 25 albums down. 275 albums down in total and 75 more to go. I am fully aware that I am a madman for covering 350 albums in such a short amount of time, but it's been so incredibly worth it. Thank you for sticking around and tune in tomorrow for Part XII: 75-51!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Welcome to the last week of showing off my favorite albums of all time. We've finally hit part ten and only 4 parts to go after this. I hope if you've been reading so far, or checking out the Spotify playlist, that you found some great new (to you) music to enjoy. Let's get right into it with albums 125-101!

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!

125.) Lantlôs- Melting Sun (2014)
FFO- Post Rock, Post Metal, Shoegaze

Lantlôs is a band that completely reinvented themselves in 2014. From being a completely raw, atmospheric black metal band to embracing the new resurgence of shoegaze, post rock, and the tiniest bits of metal left in their sound. The band's latest effort is a concept album separated into 6 parts is a mesmerizing piece of music that fills you with a sense of colored wonder, every song, bringing in a different color. WHile it's been 5 years since this album, let's hope the band comes back in 2020 and shows the world that they are stronger than ever.

124.) Primordial- Redemption At The Puritan's Hands (2011)
FFO- Celtic Metal, Black Metal

I've always found a good description of this band (especially in the 2nd half of their career so far) is to think if Blind Guardian made black metal. There is no finer example of that description than this album. Combing the best elements of their black metal roots, continuing on with the Celtic influence, and really making clean vocals/screams as majestic/ferocious as possible. If you love your folk/Celtic music more evil or if you want your black metal with more originality, Primordial is the band for you!

123.) Deafheaven- Roads To Judah (2011)
FFO- Blackgaze

Arguably the most recognized band to use blackgaze is Deafheaven. A Band that mixed black metal and shoegaze to utter perfection on 2011's Roads To Judah. With that, starting a revolution of sound to what is possible in more indie music and metal music. While some say they have gone too far in the indie side of things with every subsequent album, Roads To Judah is the band at their darkest. The black metal shown off here is superb and it adds the right amount of the shoegaze flavor to separate it from it's peers (at the time). While many people actually believe the band started with the album, Sunbather; they are missing out on their most metal album to date, and it's an excellent showcase of songwriting and how to create something original in music.

122.) Shining- Blackjazz (2010)
FFO- Blackjazz

Just like the FFO proclaims, this is blackjazz, black metal and jazz fused together in a bombastic, insane display or genre bending. Only a band that started off in jazz and wanted to move into a new direction could have pulled this off in such an incredible way. This album is a perfect midway album into the band, everything before this was jazz, everything that came after gets more and more commercial rock/industrial sounding. If you can withstand the power and insanity that this album brings, you can take on the world, because this album goes completely bonkers in the best ways possible. Though if it's not for you, their are the other sides of the band to check out, so don't be scared off completely. Shining is an ever evolving band and they absolutely deserve to be.

121.) CKY- Infiltrate.Destroy.Rebuild (2002)
FFO- Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal, Punk

I can't believe this album is 17 years old this year. 2003 brought out a lot of things for me musically, and when I finally discovered CKY, I was behind by nearly a year on this album. Between it's slick production, catchy as all get go riffs, and phenomenal songwriting; this is what I wish mainstream radio would have strived for instead of what happened in the 2000s, but that's all in the past now. With CKY they put on some of their finest work in the early stages and it still lives up to this day. Go check this out and find out why.

120.) The Faceless- Autotheism (2012)
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Progressive Metal

It's quite hard to talk about this band in whole, so I'll just leave it up to you to look up if you want to explore what Michael Keane has done with the band, so I'm just going to talk purely music here. Autotheism is an album that mix of tech death and prog that really showed that there is a difference between the two genres. Before this album, the prog was hinted at, but here it's on full display amongst the chaos being played. Many diehard fans hated this album, for ones like me, it brought me to enjoy the band more. While other things made me less interested in the band as years have gone by, I can't deny the power and glory that is Autotheism. You just may enjoy it as well.

119.) Revocation- The Outer Ones (2018)
FFO- Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Progressive Metal

Modern day saviors of death metal, Revocation out out their most brutal and death metal album last year with The Outer Ones, a loving tribute to the work of H.P. Lovecraft and the horror he brought to fiction and literature as a whole. The album is the perfect soundtrack to his work and fills you with a sense of dread and despair, but it's done in one of the best ways. While previous albums from the band explored so many different territories from prog to fuck to thrash to death metal, The Outer Ones sticks closest to just one style and in this case, it made the album as strong as it could possibly be. Not that I am against experimenting on subsequent album, but here, it was the perfect album at the perfect time. Go check out Revocation!

118.) Sum 41- Chuck (2004)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Punk Rock, Pop Punk

At the time, this was the heaviest album Sum 41 ever put out and it held that moniker till their latest album came out just a week or two ago. But with that, they didn't lose the pop punk, punk rock elements that made the band known. They just started embracing the heavy side that people always wanted to see in the band.  While this was a polarizing album for the band with many fans not liking metal in the slightest, it made me a bigger fan of the band and this is an album I constantly spin all the time. Even if you think Sum 41 isn't your thing, Just try giving Chuck a chance, it may change your mind.

117.) Atheist- Unquestionable Presence (1991)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, Jazz Metal

Atheist is one of the lesser known bands in the US tech death scene of the early 90s. Most people think of Death, or Cynic. Others travel over to the Netherlands to think of a band like Pestilence. But Atheist released of the most seminal album in metal in the late 80s/early 90s and this sophomore album is a thing of beauty. WHile embracing the sides that was brought from the beginning of the band, but going even further with their jazz influences. This is a musician's band. There is so much to appreciate from everyone in this band and on each album and Unquestionable Presence may be the greatest showcase of talent the band ever put out to date.

116.) Scar Symmetry- Pitch Black Progress (2006)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Scary Symmetry is one of the most underrated bands in melodeath and I will never understand why. This seminal piece of melodeath has beent eh benchmark for what melodeath can be in the 21st century. The most brutal growls you will ever hear in the genre mixed with the most beautiful vocals you'll hear in melodeath (both provided by Christian Alvestam) and of course the amazing music. This is one of the best metal albums around for a reason, it's about time you hear it and understand why.

115.) Kyng- Trampled Sun (2011)
FFO- Stoner Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

Kyng is another example of a band that's flying way too far under the radar. With 3 fantastic albums to the band's name so far. The band's debut will always have the most sentimental meaning to me. For my own thoughts, Trampled Sun is what I feel commercial rock radio could be if given the chance. It's not afraid to be fast and heavy, it's not afraid to be fun and catchy, it's not afraid to slow things down and bring some cool vibes. Kyng plays what they want to play and are unafraid of how they will sound. They make the music they want to play and I love them for it. Go check out this and the other two albums to see exactly what I mean.

114.) Stolen Babies- Naught (2012)
FFO- Experimental, Avant Garde, Metal

Stolen Babies is a true treasure to behold. Combining such great theatrics with insane musicianship, soaring vocals, hellacious screams, and genre bending on the turn of a dime. Stolen Babies does it all and so much more. WHile there is very little in the band's discography so far, I'm hoping that will change in the future, if nothing else, a good excuse to play live again as they put on an amazing show! If you like your music quirky, twisted, and insane, check out either album from the band, but possibly start with Naught, it's a bit more accessible and easier to find.

113.) Amorphis- Skyforger (2009)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Folk Metal

Amorphis went from being a straight up death metal band to one of the most majestic Finnish melodeath bands in the world. Skyforger was my introduction to the band and I was immediately hooked from it's majestic vocals, killer songwriting and the right amounts of melodeath, folk and rock elements to make this band completely stand out. There is no bad era of Amorphis, but a great starting point for someone like me is Skyforger, so I can't recommend it enough.

112.) Demians- Building An Empire (2008)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock

Quite possibly one of the greatest debut albums ever made. Demians is a one man project where the one man literally does it all (except live). The beginning of this underground empire began in 2008 with Building An Empire. It's a unique blend of prog, pop, and alternative rock. It's like a mix of King's X and Goo Goo Dolls. SOunds odd on paper, but it truly works. All 4 albums are fantastic, but this album is complete and utter brilliance. Listen and let the music take over you.

111.) While Heaven Wept- Fear Of Infinity (2011)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Power Metal, Epic Metal, Doom Metal

The penultimate from this band was nothing short of a masterpiece. Showcasing the power, prog, doom, and simply epic moments of this band in one album is almost too much to take in one listen, but the more you give it a chance, the more you start to understand everything going on and you really feel the power of what this band was about. WHile ever release from the band is something that is worthy of your time. There is something about Fear Of Infinity that sticks out as their best work to my ears and it very well could be for you as well. With that, it is a my sheer disappointment I will never get to see this band live.

110.) Alcest- Les Voyages De L'Âme (2012)
FFO- Blackgaze, Post Black Metal

For many of Alcest fans, this is either 2nd or 3rd place in the overall grand scheme of their discography. For me, it's been number one since I picked it up day one. The reason is simple. Every Alcest album has a palette of heavy, clean, heavy, clean, etc. Except this one. This is the one album that feels like a best of Alcest with all original music. Whether you like the all clean sun shoegaze era, the fierce raw black metal era, or the band expanding into strange territories like japanese culture in the latest Kodama, Les Voyages De L'Âme has it there and more. Plus this album has the finest use of blast beats ever used in the song, Faiseurs De Mondes. THAT is how you use blasts for a purpose! Anyways, go check out Alcest and all of the emotional power they hold!

109.) Textures- Drawing Circles (2006)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal,  Metalcore, Ambient

The band's sophomore album is one that got my attention and it's something I still love to this day. It's such a unique blend of prog, metalcore, and ambient music. While that letter genre is more focused on the debut album, Polars, on Drawing Circles, it's used in the perfect doses to offset the more metal vibe that really takes hold. Not many bands ever got to match metal and ambience as well as Textures did and it's a shame we not longer get to hear new material from the band, but on the upside, this fantastic album is still around for the world to enjoy!

108.) Cannibal Corpse- Kill (2006)
FFO- Death Metal

It's not too often that you get to say that a band put out their most memorable album 16 years and 10 albums into their career, but that's exactly what happened with Kill.  While the rivalry continues on between who was better Barnes or Corpsegrinder, I gotta give the edge to Corpsegrinder for his pure power on every CC album he has ever been on. The production is just clear and raw enough on this album, and the absolute greatest part of this album is the songs. Every single song is a sheer brutal attack be it fast or slow or mid paced. It's everything you want from Cannibal Corpse, sans the artwork (being the only CC album that just shows the band name and logo and nothing else). Seriously it's a death metal masterpiece!

107.) Dog Fashion Disco- Adultery (2006)
FFO- Avant Garde Metal, Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal

For a good long time, this was to be the final album from DFD, and they really left things with a bang. The heaviest album in the band's career (at the time), thier sheer quirkiness, sinister lyrics, and genre shifting is jaw dropping to say the least. If you enjoyed me talking about Polkadot Cadaver before and liked what you heard, you will LOVE what you hear from Dog Fashion Disco. Thankfully, the band is back and put out a few album since coming back, including completely replayed albums from the band's discography (I hope they go all the way through, I love the idea).

106.) Dark Tranquillity- Character (2006)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Dark Tranquillity is the unsung heroes of Swedish melodeath. Well, not completely unsung as they are still around today and consistently get better and better, but in the grand scheme of it all, they are not as well known as bands such as In Flames or At The Gates in melodeath. CHaracter is a prime example of why this is a shame. They take the melodeath formula and make it their own with their great sense of keyboard overtones, chaotic riffs and melodic riffs that is just so pleasing to listen to. Dark Tranquillity is still one of the tightest band's I've ever seen live and they show those skills off right in the studio. Go check them out and start with Character.

105.) Head With Wings- From Worry To Shame (2018)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Post Rock, Alternative Rock

An album so good, I had to name my mental health podcast after a song on the album (Somewhere, Something Gives). I'm not really sure how to sell you on this album besides saying it is one of the finest emotional roller coasters of an album you may ever experiences. Taking an overall story arc and being able to relate to so much of it it something that is complete tear jerking. From production to musicianship to songwriting to the soaring vocals, this band is going to only keep getting better and better as time goes on, get on the hype train now before it leaves the station. I'm serious!

104.) Darkest Hour- Undoing Ruin (2005)
Melodic Metalcore, Hardcore

Between Undoing and Deliver Us, this was another coin toss I had to make to pick out the best album from Darkest Hour. Undoing Ruin won and it's indeed worthy. Produced by Devin Townsend, the band's 4th album is such a great departure of metalcore you were hearing in the early to mid 00s, their unique sense of melodies and hardcore over the metalcore sound makes the band stand out even to this day. It's just an overall grand sense of musicianship and songwriting on this album that you need to hear if you are into 00s metalcore. You may have been sleeping on one of the genre's best bands.

103.) Scale The Summit- The Collective (2011)
FFO- Instrumental Progressive Metal

The band's 3rd album is easily their darkest album to date and it came out at the perfect time. The collective that an instrumental band doesn't need to just be bright and shimmering all the time and they can indeed focus their attention on darker scales and tones to create a beautiful yet chaotic world. WHile the band has had many ups and downs since the release of this album; The Collective brings things back to 2011, where things felt like they were going to get better overall in life and if this was the darkest we had to deal with, life would be ok. I still remind myself of that every time I listen, I still think we can be ok. SO can STS, so can the world.

102.) Emperor- Prometheus-The Discipline Of Fire & Demise (2001)
FFO- Symphonic Black Metal

Let's call a spade a spade here. This is essentially Ihsahn's first solo album before the band broke up and he really did go solo. That's not a knock in any way, shape or form (as you'll see later in this list), but this album is a grand departure from Emperor's first 4 albums. It's very symphonic, it hits new territory for the band, a bit avant garde really, and it's easily my favorite Emperor album for the fact that it is almost eh perfect send off to the band. In hindsight, you can see this album as the band truly saying goodbye (to new music) and they will go their different ways to do what they love. Emperor may be one of if not my favorite black metal band. Start here and go backwards in their catalog to see why.

101.) Necromancing The Stone- Jewel Of The Vile (2016)
FFO- Speed Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Death Metal (but all clean vocals)

If this is the only full LP we get from the band (and I hope that's not the case), it could go down as one of the greatest albums from a one album only band ever. This seriously has everything I love about metal in one album. The lyrics, the vocals, the production style, proof that you can write some of the sickest heaviest riffs ever and it doesn't need to be screamed over it. This is how you make an original metal album in 2010s and it needs to be appreciated by everyone and anyone that is willing to give it a fair shot. You'll love it!



And there we go folks! 250 albums down and only 100 more to go. THe rest should be a breeze right? I'll just pretend it will get easier from here on out! TUne in tomorrow for Part XI: 100-76!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Oy! After writing 200 album reviews in ten days, You'd think I would be completely worn out...and you would be right. I am nearly out of it, but I got the weekend coming up to recharge my batteries and power through the rest of the list! But til then, I can not forget these 25 albums that I hold dear. Let's start talking about them!

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!

150.) Evans Blue- This Pursuit Begins When This Portrayal Of Life Ends (2007)
FFO: Hard Rock, Alternative Metal

Another underrated hard rock band that should have been one of the biggest bands in the world. Between the first couple Evans Blue albums they had everything that makes for the perfect formula of a successful band and they did start getting the right recognition, then the ups and downs of being in a band hit and members left and all parties either continued on with the band or ventured elsewhere. This album in particular is a fantastic record from start to finish, no matter how heavy it gets or somber ballady it gets, it hits right at home on so many emotions and something I still put on all the time. Seriously, if you want some of the most solid hard rock of the 21st century, pick up this album and enjoy the pain you hear in this album.

149.) Wolfheart- Constellation Of The Black Light (2018)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Another winning point for Finnish Metal! Wolfheart is such an incredible band that tears apart at you in the most melodic of ways and equally, the most brutal of ways. Don't believe me? Just watch the video for The Saw! The latest album from this Finnish melodeath band takes everything you love about the band and intensifies it. There's much more orchestration, brutality, melodic moments and the cleanest production for the band to date. The band is really starting to garner attention over here in the US, and deservingly so. I can't wait to see where the band goes next.

148.) In Mourning- The Weight Of Oceans (2012)
FFO- Progressive Melodic Death Metal

This is what I love about bands, there's nothing they have to stick to one style and make that their own. You can adapt, you can evolve. That's exactly what In Mourning did and they became such a stronger band for it. You really started to hear that 7 years ago with this album. Instead of focusing on the Gothic metal side, they started incorporating more progressive and melodeath elements and the sound became so much bigger, stronger, and more diverse. I will go on record and say that Celestial Tear is one of my favorite ballads of all time. In Mourning is such a phenomenal band that is worthy of your time. Start with this album and go from there.

147.) Cauldron- In Ruin (2016)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Speed Metal

One of Canada's best kept secrets, Cauldron is a band that is slowly taking the underground speed metal/heavy metal revival and making it their own. Everything from their imagery to their vocal harmonies, to their overall sound is exactly what I love in this style. Match it with their just clean enough but raw production and you feel like you are in the 80s listening to that music that your parents told you would send you to hell. A seriously great band and such a killer album. Go get it!

146.) Periphery- PII: This Time It's Personal (2012)
FFO- Modern Progressive Metal

While a hilarious album title, it's also the perfect title for this album. It is a much more personal album. It proves that the band was much more than the DJent tag that is attached to the band to this day. PII showed off their true progressive metal, melodic metal, and band writing skills. With several great guest guitar solo spots, so many great nods to other genre styles and up till this year's release of PIV, the most authentic Periphery album to date. If you continue to overlook Periphery, go back and check this album and actually give them a proper shot (or the brand new album, that thing is so killer!).

145.) Prong- Ruining Lives (2014)
FFO- Industrial Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal

What? You mean your favorite album isn't the one with the snap your fingers, snap your neck song? It's not. I love Cleansing a lot, but I honestly feel that Prong is a band that only gets better with age and the biggest point to prove that is Ruining Lives. While yes, there have been a couple albums after this one, this one shows off everything the band is capable of. Their industrial/groove roots, their heavy metal aesthetic, hell, there even blast beats on this album! It's just a consistently fantastic album that fits perfectly in what I love about music and fits right at home every time I throw it on. GO pick it up!

144.) Arcturus- Arcturian (2015)
FFO- Avant Garde Metal, Black Metal, Progressive Metal

I never through that my first time seeing ICS Vortex live would be with the almighty Arcturus. Featuring past and present members of Mayhem, Dimmu Borgir, Ulver and others; Arcturus writes what really feels like an evil orchestra for a dark viking steampunk carnival. I have no other real way to describe it. They are just this unique blend of atmospheric black metal, progressive black metal, and avant garde that can only be heard (or thankfully in my case, seen) to be believed. Venture down the road of Arcturus, if you dare!

143.) Sybreed- Slave Design (2004)
FFO- Modern Metal, Industrial

To those people that feel that the Meshuggah influence of down tuning, machine orientated grooves and syncopation only started being realized in the late mid 00s, have not heard Sybreed. This band was a complete well oiled machine of a band the matching of guitars, bass and drums is jaw dropping to say the least, and the insane double bass patterns shown throughout was ahead of the start of all the hype kids hearing Meshuggah's Bleed a few years later. SYbreed was a thing of beauty, go back and appreciate them for the band they were, and became.

142.) At The Gates- Slaughter Of The Soul (1995)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

There's nothing I can really add to talk about this album that hasn't been covered by everyone else in the world. It's the album that put melodeath on the map. It's a perfect album from start to finish and one of the most important albums in metal history. And is every bit as good as been hyped up for almost 25 years now. IF you are a metalhead and haven't heard this album, get on that right now before anyone finds out!

141.) God Forbid- Gone Forever (2004)
FFO- New Wave Of American Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Groove Metal

Arguably the most underrated band that broke out during the NWOAHM era. While they were around before the scene picked up, Gone Forever was the band that made the masses (and myself) pay attention to the band and see the absolute talent in this band. The production is perfect, the songwriting blows my mind every time, and the vocals are so perfect between it's screams and cleans. It's an absolute shame that this band never got the same love that came from ones like Lamb of God, because they absolutely deserved it. While all of the band members are off doing various things musically and otherwise, this was a pinnacle album of the early 00s. Go find out why.

140.) Bloody Hammers- The Summoning (2019)
FFO- Gothic Metal, Heavy Metal, Doom Metal

Full disclosure, the only reason this album is not in my top 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, etc albums is because it's not been out even a month yet as of writing this up. BUt if I was to have waited till 2020 to write this album, this would be near the top of my list. This is THE perfect album for someone of my tastes. Between the imagery, the haunting atmosphere and the beyond catchy songwriting, this band has become one of my favorite bands of recent times and The Summoning has taken what I already loved about the band and double downed on EVERYTHING. It's overall heavier, faster, and so much catchier; I wish it was on top 40 radio, it would fit right in, yet would be some of the heaviest stuff you'd heat on it.. It feels like a rejuvenation in the band and it was for the absolute best. I love album to date, but The Summoning is a thing of dark beauty. I can't recommend this enough!

139.) Freak Kitchen- Organic (2005)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, Zappa

I honestly feel like Freak Kitchen would have been one of Frank Zappa's favorite bands had he been around to hear them. Their unique blend of catchy commercial rock, layered in over the top progressive riffs and absolutely insane playing from all three members of the band. This band is a band with jaw dropping wonder and continues to prove that with every album released. 2005's Organic is a terrific starting point to check out the band as it has some of their most recognizable songs and with it, some of their utterly insane playing on any album. Funny for an album called Organic, right?

138.) Anaal Nathrakh- The Whole Of The Law (2016)
FFO- Sounds of the Apocalypse

AN makes the perfect soundtrack for the impending apocalypse. Industrial, black metal, grindcore, noise, and the most oddly catchy moments in metal. In the later half of the band's history so far, the band has been embracing the clean vocaled approach and catchy moments more and more, but the rest of the music is just as brutal as ever. The Whole of The Law, I feel, is a perfect blend of both sides done right. Plus their bonus track covering Iron Maiden's Powerslave is a sight to behold! Not for the faint of heart, but if you can make it through, it's completely worth it.

137.) 3- The End Is Begun (2007)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, Pop Rock, Acoustic

3 may go down as one of the most underrated and underappreciated bands around. Their awesome blend of prog, metal, pop and acoustic is something that should be cherished. 2007's The End IS Begun is easily their heaviest album to date, but it also features some of their most insane  musicianship (the title track alone...) along with some of their most commercial sounding songs and an overall sense of musicianship that is hard to top. I implore you to check out 3 and embrace the power and the glory of what they have brought us to this point!

136.) Orange Sky- Dat Iz Voodoo (2008)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Reggae

The Trinidad Metal band (A phrase you just don't hear that often) Orange Sky is a band that I saw open for King's X back in 2009 and they put on one of my favorite sets ever. Having a well crafted sensibility of mixing prog, metal and reggae is mind blowing to this day. It can get as heavy as the heaviest Opeth song, it can get as groovin' as any Bob Marley song, it can get as technical and proggy as a Dream Theater song. This band is one that flew way too far under the radar, but let's remedy that by making this as appreciated as it should be.

135.) Kamelot- Karma (2001)
FFO- Symphonic Power Metal

This American/Norwegian/European power metal band has been one that is hard to knock. No matter how the lineup changes, not matter what direction they go in, it's always in a direction that is going to make the overall machine work more efficiently. With the band's 5th album, Karma, while not always the go to or talked about album, is what I consider to be a perfect power metal album. The emotional power behind every song, no matter the tempo, no matter the subject matter, hits you so hard and leaves you wanting more. It can be a legendary live staple like Forever, or the three part trilogy in Elizabeth, it will have something you enjoy about the genre in strides. Seriously, this is a quintessential power metal album, go find out why.

134.) Journal- Chrysalis Ordalias (2018)
FFO- Extreme Progressive Metal, Video Game Inspired Metal

Journal's sophomore album may have been a long time in the making, but it was more than worth it. Making absolutely beautiful chaos is a thing that takes a lot of work and it totally paid off. Chrysalis Ordalias is filled to the brim with chaotic riffs, that oddly to into some of the most epically majestic riffs you have ever heard in your entire life. It's a complete thing of beauty. While it may take you quite a while to wrap your mind around what exactly is going on with the music (maybe even the point of it), but when you sit down with it and just let it be what ist is, it will all makes sense and you will wonder how you ever lieved without it previously. I mean it, check this thing out asap!

133.) Obscura- Akroasis (2016)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Technical Death Metal

The band's 3rd album of a 4 album concept is the band at their most courageous. While the band's latest release, Diluvium, is quite possibly their best; it does hearken back to the band's previous 3 albums musically and conceptually to fully comprehend it. So with it, that I would hold off on it till you heard the previous three. But back to Akroasis, it shows the band being their most adventurous, bombastic, and creative to date. It was also the first album to come out after a mass exodus of the band's lineup, so the band did have a lot to prove to make sure that the band will continue to get better and better, and they more than proved that here. It's an album that proves that when you put in the effort, there is no shortage of what you can accomplish. Go check out Akroasis.

132.) Anthrax- We've Come For You All (2003)
FFO- Thrash Metal, Melodic Metal, Hard Rock

Sit down kids and old school metalheads alike. It's time to tell you some facts that you need to hear. *clears throat* The John Bush era is the best era of Anthrax. We've Come For Your All is the best Anthrax album. It doesn't matter if you wanna commercial rock hits, the heaviest of heavy songs, or the classic Anthrax sound, this album has it all and done with some of the best vocals ever on an Anthrax album. You can go start to finish on this album and not get sick of it, which is a triumph in thrash music. I'm dead serious, this is how 21st Century Anthrax should have stayed as it is 100% their best work. what do the kids say these days...fight me...or change my mind? eh, pick your poison...or anthrax if you will.

131.) King Crimson- In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Experimental

King Crimson has been all over the board. Heavy, proggy, electronic, poppy, etc, but it all came from their debut album that was one of the most daring ventures in 60s music. You just didn't hear an album like this before and arguably, you haven't since. It's dark eerie vibe, it's prog sensibility, and it's experimental sense of wonder. You wouldn't have progressive music the way that it is today without King Crimson, go back and check out the album that truly started it all.

130.) Oceans Of Slumber- The Banished Heart (2018)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal

With a covers EP introducing the band, and their self titled debut blowing the roof off the metal hinges, where could this band possibly go next? Well, life decided the fate of the band for them. With the trial an tribulations of band life being hard enough as it is, when personal life starts to hurt you, it can bring up some of the most painful moments of your life. What is what's on display here with The Banished Heart. Love, love loss, heartache. These are all things one can feel and most likely will feel in life at one point or the other, and there's no other way out than through it. That's what this album accomplishes and you so see a good light at the end of the tunnel both in the music and the band itself. The music itself is even heavier, doomier and moodier than before, but it works to it's advantage to really heighten the sadness on display. If you are hurting or ever been hurt in life, this is an album you need to experience and know that you are not alone in your pain.

129.) Fear Factory- Archetype (2004)
FFO- Industrial Metal

This is BY FAR, my favorite Fear Factory album and I know I am alone on this statement. It's how I imagine others feel when they something like Digimortal or Transgression is their favorite FF album. With Archetype, it's the first album without Dino and it is a completely hate filled album from start to finish. It's easily the angriest album to date. The production is more raw like the first album, it's much more cynical and bitter, but you do see how the band can write some of their best music ever when they have a motivation to do so. While it's the most underrated album in the FF discography (I don't think you'll hear a song off this album now that Dino is back in the band), it isn't one that should be passed up. Go check it out!

128.) Carcass- Heartwork (1994)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Death Metal, Grindcore

Talk about a watershed album. This album is either considered one of the great metal albums of the 20th century, or it is absolutely hated by those that love the original sound of the band (the pure grindcore, noise, raw production era) With Heartwork, the band decided to switch directions and go in a more melodeath direction. I for one think it was the right thing to do as they wanted to go in this directions and it made the band more successful and valued as a band. Plus their songwriting skills got so much better with it. It lives up to it's hype, its one of the greatest metal albums ever made.

127.) Pain- Coming Home (2016)
FFO- Industrial Metal, Progressive Metal, Hard Rock

Another shocking statement to made here, hold on to your hats.... I enjoy Pain more than Hypocrisy. I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW, JUST CALM DOWN! It's just more in line with what I love and there is more variation in the music. I love both bands, but when it comes to Peter Tagtgren, Pain is just more my bag...baby. THe songs are more commercially accessible, but they are also so much more tongue in cheek (or hit you over the head with its meanings). THe songs are fun, funny, and so enjoyable. And with Coming Home, it's a perfect Pain album, go find out why.

126.) Distorted Harmony- Chain Reaction (2014)
FFO- Modern Progressive Metal

This was utterly impossible to decide to decide whether I should go with the Chain Reaction or 2018's A Way Out, to me they are both perfect albums in different ways. The reason I went with Chain Reaction is simple...I flipped a coin. But I'm not disappointed, Chain Reaction is where the band fully broke out to the rest of the world and showed off what the band is capable of. Their unique sense of modern metal and prog metal is something to behold and cherish. The riffs, the songwriting, the production; this is what I wish more bands would strive to do in their own bands and really open the doors of what their band's could be. Go check them out and understand what makes them such a  powerful band.



And there we go, folks! 9 parts down and 125 more albums to go! I'm taking the weekend off to recharge my batteries and Monday I'll be back with Part X: 125-101!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

We finished up the front half and now we are on the back half of this gigantic list (I think I used my golf references correct...right?) Anyways, we are officially half way through this top 350 albums of all time list and now we get even closer to that elusive number 1 spot. WHat could it be? hmmm, we'll find out soon enough! But till then let's get there with 174 other amazing albums!

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!

175.) This Will Not End Well- GOFUCKYOURSELF (2009)
FFO- Death Metal, Grindcore, Mathcore, Progressive Metal

One of my favorite bands to have ever come out of the Twin Cities. This band literally did not care who they offended both musically and lyrically. For that reason, the band stood out amongst the MN metal scene at the time and put a huge staple into my enjoy of music and drumming style. While this is technically an EP, I'm still counting it as an album because these 5 tracks are worth praising on a list like this. And again, some LPs are shorter than this EP so, I don't care, it fits. If you want one of the most unapologetic pieces of recorded music in the 21st century, do what you can to get this EP and enjoy it as much as I do. So many great twists and turns that really make any musician smile and fans' jaws drop. While sadly is no more, all the guys in the bands are doing other great musical ventures worth checking out. But seriously, go check this out or THIS WILL NOT END WELL

174.) Hope Drone- Cloak Of Ash (2015)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Post Black Metal

Hope Drone is such an amazing band that will only get better and better as time goes on. Their unique blends of black metal mixed with post and atmospheric elements make this band so much enjoyable and authentic. Every song on this release is a lengthy one, but it's well worth the trip. It's the kind of roller coaster that brings you through hell and back on every track but a ride you never want to get off. I can't wait to see where the band goes 5-10-15 years from now. *They have a new album coming out August 30th, I'm chomping at the bit to hear it*

173.) Goatwhore- Constricting Age Of The Merciless (2014)
FFO- Blackened Death Metal, Thrash Metal

Goatwhore may be the tightest live band the world will ever see. The band's musicianship is bar none; especially considering the speed, riffs, and blasts that they play. This 5 year old album may have the most polished sound on any Goatwhore album to date (which depending on who you ask is good or bad). The songs though, you can't deny how fantastic these songs came out and stand out as some of, if not the best songs in the band's catalog to date. Even if you have never checked out this band because of the band name, drop your prejudice and give this album a shot, you just may be very well surprised at the quality of music you've been missing.

172.) So Hideous- Laurestine (2015)
FFO- Post Black Metal, Blackgaze

If we never get another album from these guys (the band hasn't really been active/talkative since it's release outside of a few shows here and there) it still may go down as the greatest Blackgaze concept album ever. The short version of the concept is the brain being active after one dies for 7 minutes and what goes on in the brain for those 7 minutes. It's an incredible hard album to get through with that concept in mind, but it is such a rewarding one at the same time. It's so hauntingly beautiful and it pulls at your heartstrings and gives you chills at every possible moment it can. This is an album that really went under the radar, but it is an album that should not be overlooked anymore. Go check it out and enjoy *NOTE: I can't recommend the "orchestral version" of this album that was released. The concept sounded perfect, but the production value is way too hot and you can still hear the actual band if you got the volume up at normal levles. If it ever gets remixed or remastered, then ABSOLUTELY, get this too*

171.) Aborted- Terrorvision (2018)
FFO- Brutal Death Metal, Goregrind, Progressive Metal

I absolutely love it when an established band like Aborted can forge a new path in their style and remain just as brutal and intense as ever....if not more so. Terrorvision brings upon. All of the Goregirnd, Brutal Death (and slam?) that you love about the band is still in tact, but they made the songs more diverse by adding more relaxing atmospheric moments, added keyboards, and time signature changes to make the brutal parts sound even more aggressive while at the same time, show that the band is capable of so much more than what's been established. I hope other brutal metal bands take note of Terrorvision, this is what makes you stand out from the crowd, not just how low you can tune, how guttural your vocals can get, and how fast you can play. Terrorvision is my kind of horror!

170.) Cage- Hell Destroyer (2007)
FFO- Power Metal, Heavy Metal

Sean Peck has one of the greatest Falsetto screams this side of King Diamond. Cage is such an underrated power metal band that has put out some amazing work since it's infancy. Hell Destroyer is what helped bring Cage to the forefront in the power metal community with it's first full track being one that can rip your soul apart. The rest of the album goes from bombastic heavy metal goodness to the ever raging power metal speed we all know and love. Cage is a band that has put out so much great material and my starting point was Hell Destoyer, I recommend you doing the same, then check out the rest of their work. If you dig power metal I can imagine how you would be disappointed.

169.) Behemoth- The Satanist (2014)
FFO- Blackened Death Metal

Going from Christian Power Metal to Satanic Blackened Death Metal; I guess you can say I have eclectic tastes. But anyways, what do you do when you defeat blood cancer? Well you put out your greatest album to date about the devil himself, of course! The concept album goes through as many evil, death metal, black metal, and other forms of dark metal in a way that is so pleasing to hear from start to finish. While I know Nergal and Co. are going to continue to write some great music. They are not going to top this album from start to finish. I just don't know how it could physically be done.

168.) Leprous- Bilateral (2011)
FFO- Progressive Metal

With a band like Leprous, there is no wrong album to say is your favorite or their best album. You could make an argument for any album the band's ever growing catalog and it will be a convincing one for a band that has shown off so many sides of their songwriting. I'm probably copping out by picking out the album that brought me to the Leprous dance, but Bilateral is such a great progressive metal album. The sophomore album from the band brought the band to a bigger stage and started getting worldwide attention to what has become one of the most celebrated bands in prog. As mentioned, the band crosses so many musical boundaries and it all started being refined with Bilateral. Go check it out and see where the band started getting the well deserved praise.

167.) Fallujah- The Flesh Prevails (2014)
FFO- Atmospheric Death Metal

While the affects may not have shown quite yet, this may be one of the most influential death metal albums of the 21st century going forward. Proving that you can have death metal and tech death elements mixed in with atmospheric, post elements to complete perfection. This is how you redefine an established genre. While I will honestly say I haven't enjoyed the band nearly as much since (or even before) this album; The Flesh Prevails is one of those albums that is put on such a pedestal that I don't know how the same band could possibly top it. It's perfection in every sense of the word.

166.) Kataklysm- Serenity In Fire (2004)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

While the argument that the latest album from Kataklysm, Meditations, is the best album in the band's career (which it really is), I still have to give my favorite nod to Serenity of Fire. This was another life changing album for me that helped me in finding death metal that had a true sense of melody, harmony and groove. Plus you simply can't deny the founding fathers of the hyperblast beat. This album has a raw, but pure sound to it while songwriting that is off the charts. There is a reason why it is so loved to this day. While again, Meditations is the best album in the band's discography; give Serenity in Fire a chance as well. It's sucha  quality album.

165.) Municipal Waste- The Art Of Partying (2007)
FFO- Crossover Thrash

Sometimes you need to take all the seriousness out of music, and the world in general, and just party and have fun. That's what Municipal Waste started out being, and for the most part still maintains (though they have updated their lyrical content a bunch since this album). This album is a purely fun, fast, aggressive, crossover thrash album. That's all the band ever needs to be. But as they have added more to the band's Rolodex, that can only be seen as a bonus. If you need a break from the stresses of life, throw on some Municipal Waste and just party (whoever it is that you party, that is).

164.) Into Eternity- The Scattering Of Ashes (2006)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal

Given the circumstances of recent times, it's really hard to listen to this album. My good friend, Adam Sagan, wrote out the drum parts for this album while still in the band, and every time I hear this album, I can't help but think about him. Coming up on 3 years since his passing coming up in December, this album, and ESPECIALLY the album after it (The Incurable Tragedy) just wrecks me given how he passed. But enough about that (for now) This album is a progressive death metal masterpiece. Taking so many great formulas in songwriting and make it so catchy and heavy amongst it's time signature changes and ferocious vocal changes is a wonder to behold. This is a band that has gone through so many ups and downs that it can make your head spin, but at least of all the tragedies, there is quality music to be enjoyed. This is by far my favorite of them all.

163.) Tokyo Motor Fist- Tokyo Motor Fist (2017)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Despite my efforts, this album really went under the radar to the masses, so it's my duty to promote it proper again. This album is such a fun throwback to what made 80s hard rock and heavy metal fun. Combining some of the great names of the genre at the time and having them come together for music of this quality in 2017 is something to be cherished. You're not going to get the most genre changing album here, it's not going to be something that makes your jaw drop from its innovation. It's just a completely solid album that brings back those 1980s memories of rock and metal. That's all they never need to be and when the next album comes out in 202, I can't wait to see where they go next.

162.) The Mantle- The Mantle (2017)
FFO- Instrumental Metal

This is not hyperbole; this is my favorite debut album from an instrumental band, ever. The absolute masterclass of songwriting that is shown on this album is awe-inspiring. It's as if you are literally hearing an electrified orchestrated album from just what you hear in a normal band setup. No matter how heavy, proggy, or mellow the songs get, it feels so majestic and forward thinking. If this is what two guys could come up with on their own in a minimal setup, I simply can't wait to see where the band goes now with a full group and how much more exploration is in store for this band. Give The Mantle all the praise you can, they deserve it.

161.) Unearth- The Oncoming Storm (2004)
FFO- New Wave Of American Heavy Metal, Metalcore

It's still baffling to me that Unearth was one of the more underground bands when the NWOAHM/Metalcore scene started getting recognized in the early to mid 00s. They brought a sense of melodic hardcore to the scene that the other bands just did not bring. It was as brutal as it was fascinating to dissect how each member of the band was able to pull off their parts. Between songs like The Great Dividers, Black Hearts Now Reign, and Zombie Autopilot (easily my favorite Unearth song); The oncoming storm was a metalcore masterpiece that still holds up to this day. Listen and find out why.

160.) Insomnium- Across The Dark (2009)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Another point on the Finnish score board for best metal bands per capita, Insomnium is such a killer band who has never released a dud, and I don't think they could if they even tried. Across the Dark was when the world really started to take notice of the band and the world truly saw what the band was capable of. While I will say their 2017 EP/LP/One Song Divided Into 7 Parts or Kept as One Track Depending On The Version You Got), Winter's Gate is by far the best thing they have done; I went with my 2nd favorite release that in undoubtedly an LP and easily some of the most beautiful melodeath you wille ver hear.

159.) Pagan's Mind- Heavenly Ecstasy (2011)
FFO- Progressive Power Metal

What an amazing band Pagan's Mind truly is. They have a way of taking the progressive and power metal genres and making them sound so epic and catchy in ways that should not even be possible. As of right now, the latest studio release from the band serves as a great reminder of why the band should never be forgotten as we wait for new music. Seriously, the melodies, harmonies, heaviness, hooks, etc; everything about this band is what I love about both genres when done right and it's hard to find bands that do it better. Keep Pagan's Mind on your mind and check them out. You'll see what I mean and fall in love.

158.) Circus Maximus- Nine (2012)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock

Through the band's 4 album discography so far, the band has gone from showing their inspirations, to forging their own path, to forging even more different paths. The band's 3rd release, Nine really shows off what the band has learned from their first two albums and improves upon everything hundredfold. No matter how commercial or grandiose the music gets, it feels completely and utterly natural and fresh in a way that only hearing it can be truly appreciated. I can't wait to see where Circus Maximus goes with their next album as since the organic sound of Nine took place 7 years ago, things have only gotten better and I know it will continue to do so.

157.) Frank Zappa- Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Avant Garde, Frank Zappa

I can't believe this album is 40 years old now! Possibly considered Zappa's best known, or at least commercially accepted album, Sheik Yerbouti explores so many different sides of 70s Zappa era and little nods as to what to expect from the 80s Zappa album. There's no fair way to really describe a Zappa album with written words, it can only be truly done by listening to the albums. Sheik Yerbouti is no exception, Basically, if you ever heard of Zappa and wanna know where to start, this is the album to start with.

156.) The Mute Gods- Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth (2017)
FFO- Progressive Rock

One of the greatest bands that will just tear you apart with the realism in the band. While the band is one of the commercial sounding and catchiest bands in prog right now...just listen to the lyrics. On this album, in particular, is one that is especially heartbreaking because it really makes the case that we ruined this planet and there is no chance of saving it. I've said it many times elsewhere, but this is one of my favorite albums that completely bums me out. Check it out and see why.

155.) S.O.D.- Speak English Or Die (1985)
FFO- Thrash Metal, Punk Rock, Hardcore

When you talk about unapologetic album, there is nothing that really tops S.O.D.'s debut album. This album is one that just fueled the fires of the world. Even with the album slightly under 29 minutes, not a single second is wasted. Where you laugh, get pissed, or just love the riffs, there is something for you on this album and it's a great throwback to that 1980s metal, punk, core angst that helped keep all of those genres alive.

154.) Inter Arma- The Cavern (2014)
FFO- Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Post Metal

Another release that can be considered an LP, EP, or one long song, depending on who you ask. Regardless, it's 46 minutes long, that's long enough top be considered for this release. Plus, if I left it out, I would be leaving out the band's best work. When I think of bands that do doom/death/sludge metal, I need there to be something that makes it stand out from it's peers to make me go back, and that's exactly what The Cavern does in strides. This 46 minute monstrosity of a track takes you on an epic journey that can be fun, scary, heavy, catchy, and exhilarating. No matter how you classify the band, this is how bands of this style/genre need to be in the future, take your sound make it the best it can possibly be. While the band has released more music since The Cavern, they took a lot of inspiration from this song, and it really show. Start off your Inter Arma journey with their best work!

153.) Alice In Chains- Dirt (1992)
FFO- Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

I refuse...I resist calling Alice in Chains a grunge band as they are so much more than that and I never heard grunge in their sound at all (same goes for Soundgarden). Dirt is widely considered the band's best work and yes, it is. While other albums sounded more commercial, more mellow and even reached doom metal territory on their latest release. Dirt has the darkest lyrics in the band's history and it completely fits the mold of the album. How you could write an album this dark and not have it destroy the band is something to commend, it would destroy weaker souls. While some of the best known AIC songs are on this album, their b-sides are easily some of the band's finest work as well. On a whole, this is an album's album. The type of album you have to listen to start to finish to get the full effect. and once that effect hits...it moves you. If you never have, do it now!

152.) Helmet- Meantime (1992)
FFO- Groove Metal, Alternative Metal

Dirt wasn't the only album in 1992 that changed my life, so did Meantime. This absolute monster of a groove metal album is exactly that, a metal album that truly grooves. While the band's best known song, Unsung is also featured on this album, it is still a song that I have never gotten sick of, which is rare of a band's biggest song to do that for me. The whole album from start to finish just makes you bob your head and appreciate the down tuned tones going on and it makes you instantly want to start the album over after it's done. A perfect sign of a fantastic album. WHile you are waiting for new music from the band, In The Meantime, check out this album!

151.) Gojira- Magma (2016)
FFO- Groove Metal, Progressive Metal

Are the death metal days of Gojira gone? Maybe? But regardless, I absolutely love what Gojira has turned into and yeah, Magma is their finest album front to back. Does it have all my favorite tracks? No, but it is the album I can go back the most and enjoy from start to finish more than anything else in their extensive catalog. If that is the price to pay for a band becoming more commercial and accessible, than I am completely fine  with wherever the band goes next. Maybe tehy'll go make From Mars To Sirius II, or they will continue down this current route, maybe a mixture of both? WHo Knows? Only the band, and I can't wait to see what happens next, till then, go pick up Magma nad hear those chunky grooves, soothing clean vocals,a nd overall aggression take a hold of you.



And there we go folks, 8 parts down in this 14 part list. TO say that I am anything other than exhausted would be a complete lie, but it's all worth it and even after 200 albums; the best is still to come! Tune in tomorrow for Part IX: 150-126!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

We are almost at the promise lan...oh wait there's 7 more parts before the finale, but hey Mr. Bon Jovi said himself that we are half way there (well, when you get to the end of this section)! 7 parts in, and after this 7 to go. Let do this thing!

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!

200.) 30 Seconds to Mars- A Beautiful Lie (2005)
FFO- Space Rock, Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock

I don't think it's hyperbole to say that the first two 30STM albums are two of the finest rock albums of the early 2000s. Everything that came after though.....but hey, let's focus on the good shall we! Wile my heart actually be more in the self titled album, I can't deny that A Beautiful Lie is the better album overall. It's the perfect blend of what made the band stand out on the self titled album and mixing in just enough mainstream appeal to grab everyone else's attention. Obviously The Kill and the title track became radio staples even to this day, but for the older fans, songs like Attack make you so happy to hear that great blend of rock, metal and prog being on an album that garners so much attention. Overall, a fantastic album that made, but also broke(?) the band. Gues that's all personal opinion. But again, the first two albums are brilliant and worthy of your time.

199.) Moron Police- Defenders of The Small Yard (2014)
FFO- Alternative Metal, Progressive Rock, Comedy

The album has a song called T-Bag Your Grandma, and if you didn't already know what that term is, they describe it in the chorus. If that doesn't tell you all you need to know about the band, I'm not sure what else could. This band does not take themselves seriously in the slightest, but actually, they do enough to make seriously killer songs with great production and a vibe that tells you not to take life so seriously. This is a band that Frank Zappa would love if he was around in the 2010s. Get off your high horse and t-bag...I mean check out this band!

198.) Pyramaze- Immortal (2008)
FFO- Symphonic Progressive Power Metal

Matt Barlow has the power to make any band better that he sings in. It seemed almost impossible at the time that Pyramaze could get any better vocally, than Barlow came into the band with Immortal and put those thoughts to bed. Pyramaze itself is a band of wonder that really fills the void in all symphonic, power, and prog metal bands that mixing the genres could feel foolish. So why not make it all as epic as it can possibly be? You get that with every Pyramaze, but I have to give it to Immortal on this one. Though every album is killer, You just can't beat Matt Barlow singing this style...you just can't...

197.) Suspiria- Attitude (2009)
FFO- Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal Bits of Black Metal

Easily the best Suspiria album. It just combined the attitude (no pun intended), power, and songwriting the band has been trying to achieve up to this point and absolutely nailed it. Rising up from it's black metal roots and slowly evolving into what they became. Hell, even Chuck Billy and Shagrath make guest vocal appearances on this album, if that says anything at all. A true gem of an album that you should check out.

196.) Pantera- The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)
FFO- Groove Metal, Thrash Metal

The Penultimate album from this legendary band is the angriest, darkest, and my personal favorite album the band has ever done. This is true emotion on this album and those emotions are anger and sorrow. The band was in turmoil at this point for various reasons, and musically, you can hear it. But I mean that in a great way as when you have nothing left to lose, you show who you really are. TGST is that in a nutshell. PLUS, Floods is one of the greatest songs ever made (and Dimebag's best solo & and riff ever *you know the riff...the ending riff* are in this song). Even if you are not a big Pantera fan or you overlooked this album because Cowboys nor Walk are on it, go back and give this album the proper credit it deserves.

195.) Kalmah- Seventh Swamphany (2013)
FFO- Symphonic Death Metal, Power Metal

Kalmah is an example of why Finland, per capita, is the best country for metal. So many great, legendary bands are from here that really paved the way for what metal can be. Kalmah is an example of such a band, pushing the boundaries of symphonic death metal and power metal to it's extremes. 2013's Seventh Swamphany (as you may have guessed, their 7th album) continues that trek going even further in their sound and just becoming an even great band in the process. A seriously overlooked band in the grand scheme of things, that deserves all the love you can give. This album is a great starting point!

194.) Dying Fetus- Wrong One To Fuck With (2017)
FFO- Death Metal, Grindcore, Goregrind

The title alone should let you know how intense of an album this band put out in 2017. Featuring the band's best songwriting, production (that production though...) and musical boundary pushing is something that still amazes me two years later. This is what intense bands inspired by Dying Fetus should strive to achive (but, you know, in their own way). This is a death metal/goregrind, grindcore band that is hard top!

193.) Ramallah- Kill A Celebrity (2005)
FFO- Heavy Hardcore

Man, does this album hold up even more 14 years later than it did in 2005. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, or the world in general this album harbors all the hatred in you have in the world and spells it out right in front of you. From celebrity worship to the state of the world and just life in general; Ramallah just nailed those feeling amongst the heavy hardcore that is backing it up. It's short, sweet and killer. Give it a go!

192.) Iron Maiden- Dance Of Death (2003)
FFO- NWOBHM

Oh boy, I'm waiting for the replies and comments abut this one. My justification? A few things. First it was my first true introduction to the band outside the singles. Second, It's Bruce Dickinson and Co. reforming and getting back to what made them great after first getting back together on Brave New World. This feels like one of the most consistent yet boundary pushing Maiden albums ever. While almost all of the slack on this album goes towards the album cover...if you just listen to the music involved, you'll understand where I am coming from in saying this could be the best Maiden album and it is, for sure, my favorite.

191.) Hypocrisy- The Arrival (2004)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Hypocrisy has never put out a bad album and I don't think Peter Tagtgren is capable of putting out anything other than brilliant. With The Arrival, the world really started to take notice of the band and show off their true brilliance of melodeath songwriting. This is melodeath done right. Plus if you're not sold on the album Dan Swano wrote half of the album lyrically! Ok, not enough?....ALIENS! *there, that should seal the deal*

190.) Eluveitie- Spirit (2006)
FFO- Folk Metal

This is how you make folk metal. While other band try to be more fun with it, or take it into different directions; Eluveitie perfected it on their sophomore album and on their most recent album, Ategnatos, they brought it back to the roots of the band and made you remember what made the first two Eluveitie albums so perfect. Spirit takes the debut album and perfects and tweaks anything that was missing. Such a fantastic mix of folk, black metal, death metal, melody, and traditional songwriting. You truly need to listen!

189.) Junius- The Martyrdom Of A Catastophist (2009)
FFO- Post Metal, Art Rock, Experimental

Seeing this band open for Enslaved and Alcest (yeah, that tour ruled!) was a sight to see. Junius is a band that truly looks at music as an art form and wants to present it in all the ways that it can. While mainly focusing on the darkest aspects and horror of life, the band creates such a surreal atmosphere that can't be topped. As heavy as it gets, as dark as it gets, it never feels too metal or too boundary pushing. It perfectly fits for the mood and this album, in particular is a true, crowning achievement of that. The band can do no wrong.

188.) Protest The Hero- Kezia (2005)
FFO- Mathcore, Progressive Metal

While many, Many, MANY will disagree with me on this one (saying the follow up, Fortress is the band's best album) Kezia is the album for me. It's raw, unadulterated, and fantastic concept album. While, sure, the band perfected it's sound on later albums and you can even say the band gets better from here on out, this album is where it truly began for the band and you see them at their most primal and experimental, trying to find what works and what doesn't. In part of another great Canadian band, there is All Killer, No Filler on Kezia, and it will always be my favorite.

187.) Cattle Decapitation- The Anthropocene Extinction (2015)
FFO- Grindcore, Death Metal, Progressive Metal

Pretty much the exact opposite of the review above, Cattle Decapitation just gets more and more up my alley with every release and the fact that they did add progressive metal elements and clean vocals (strapping young lad style cleans/screams) only makes the band more boundary pushing and what I want out of music like this. As brutal as it absolutely gets, the brief moments of clarity on the album make the album stand out so much more and I can only hope that is even more expanded upon with the next album. For my prog nerd fans, this would be a great introduction into the dark side of metal with the prog elements shown off here, you just may get converted.

186.) ICS Vortex- Storm Seeker (2011)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Black Metal (without the black metal vocals)

SO far, this is the only solo album from this mastermind to date. And I hope that another solo album comes together at some point because this album is so brilliant and dangerously underrated. I have, for years, been trying to figure out the best way to describe this album and I think I finally got something. If Frank Zappa discovered Emperor's Prometheus album and Opeth's My Arms, Your Hearse album at the same time, and wanting to combine both albums...but make it with his signature quirk. Yeah the album is as abstract and (WTF did i I just read?) as it sounds, but seriously, give it a shot. Absolutely worth it, plus ICS Vortex has one of the best voices in Metal.

185.) Candiria- While They Were Sleeping (2016)
FFO- Math Metal, Progressive Metal, Jazz Metal

This band has had ups and down the world has never seen and in some aspects, should never have to go through. Thankfully, a few years back, the band came back for a brand new album and it is by far the freshest album of this style (if not in the band's history). The music takes their abstract styles of jazz prog and math metal and makes it into purely a sense of controlled chaos that I'm not sure any other band could pull off. I discover more on this album the more I listen to it, and that is truly the sense of a great album in this style. While the intent of this album as to start off a trilogy of albums about the concept going on in said album; I hope it comes to fruition, I NEED this side of Candiria back as often as possible!

184.) maudlin of the Well- Leaving Your Body Map
FFO- Avant Garde, Progressive Metal

To put it as simple as I can (which is hard in this case). If you like Kayo Dot, but want it more focused on prog and metal (most of the time); motW is the band for you. Leaving Your Mody Map might be the heaviest album overall between both bands and it is a completely bonkers albums (so right in line with every album between both bands). Look, my words here can only do so much. It's a very avant garde album and if that's up your alley and you haven't discovered maudlin of the Well yet, you found your new obsession.

183.) Converge- Jane Doe (2001)
FFO- Metalcore, Post Hardcore, Mathcore

Regarded as one of the best albums of it's genre, Jane Doe is the perfect example (lyrically) of your mind being so overwhelmed that it can destroy you and everyone around you (family, friends, relationships, etc). A great statement of mental health, really. Plus the title track is probably the greatest song ever made in metalcore (I'll go on record saying that). This is the definitive Metalcore (in the original sense before New Wave Of American Heavy Metal took over the metalcore genre) album. Listen and find out why!

182.) Exodus- Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
FFO- Thrash Metal

One of the greatest things about Exodus is that no matter what era of Exodus you enjoy, it does not suck! Every single release has it's own flavor, yet sounds exactly like Exodus. Much like potato chips, even if you enjoy different flavors, you still know what you are getting. With Tempo of The Damned, it's the perfect post 9/11 album, talking about tragedies, adversities, and pure hatred that comes from that pain; be it from your country or anywhere in the world. Plus the music is absolutely phenomenal. There's a reason why they play as many songs as they do from this album live. A pure highlight from the band!

181.) Judas Priest- Angel of Retribution (2005)
FFO: Every Era of Judas Priest

I am a defender of (the faith) this album and I will never understand why this album is talked about so little. I mean it's the return of Halford into Priest for crying out loud!!! Angel of Retribution is the definition of a best of album of brand new material. Every era you love from the band at the time (well...sans the Ripper albums) are represented to perfection here and it sounds like Priest at it's absolute freshest in the 21st century. I will forever feel this will be the Priest album, even if I am the only one on this hill, I will die on it!

180.) Last Chance To Reason- Level 2 (2011)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Video Games, Tech Death

LCTR is such an underrated band who released 3 brilliant albums (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) so far and I'm still hoping for Level 4 to be made. Combining progressive metal attributes over video game soundscapes and throw in some jaw dropping tech death spurts and you got Last Chance To Reason! Level 2 feels like the album that has the most variety in sound. Level 1 is the heaviest, Level 3 is the most accessible, Level 2 combines both in a great way. While Michael Lessard has joined The Contortionist as lead vocalist, and the rest of the band has continued different music paths; if we don't get Level 4; Enjoy this video game band as if it's a demo disc for an unreleased game. SO much to enjoy, yet it leaves you wanting so much more.

179.) Destroyer 666- Wildfire (2016)
FFO- Black 'N Roll, Thrash Metal

D666 is a band of controversy, though I side with the band on almost all of it. From a strictly musical aspect, the band covers so much ground of what I love about this style. It can death, thrash, black, and rock n roll into one evil ball and make that a ball of envy to it's peers. The songwriting on this album can go from fast and mid pace hell to some of the most grandiose epic tracks you could ever have; and that completely showcases Wildfire. Wildfire is filled to the brim with both and just fits that void of anger of the world around us. It's a pure evil joy to listen to.

178.) The Black Dahlia Murder- Everblack (2013)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

This was the right album to come out at the right time for me. It's a culmination of what made TBDM stand out amongst it's peers and to journalists who labeled the band as a metalcore band when they first appeared. Making the melodies even more melodic, making the metal even more metal and just making the band that it could possibly be. Every fan of the band has their favorite album, and while some of my favorite songs from the band are on different albums; but Everblack is the album fro me that I could go back to and put on constant repeat for days on end and ever wanna skip a track even after 20 spins. It's just a masterpiece of an album.

177.) In Vain- Ænigma (2013)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Progressive Black Metal

In Vain is another dangerously underrated band who has released 4 absolutely solid albums so far in their run. Their 3rd album, Ænigma is a thing of beauty that shows off the bands melodic side to a perfect T, while making the dark side of the band stand out even more in contrast. These are by far some of the best written songs from the band and they have not let up on their songwriting skills since. Every note has a purpose, no matter what direction it goes in, and it's pure bliss to the ears. Give In Vain your love and attention now!

176.) Bend Sinister- Animals (2014)
FFO: Indie Rock, Progressive Rock

Bend Sinister walks that fine line between Indie Rock and Prog Rock that you can't justifiably call them one genre without the other (though if you ask the band, they are not prog in the slightest). Animals is quite possibly the most heavy album in the band's career, both musically and thematically. It was a bit of a risky move for the band putting out their proggiest song (an 8 minute epic) as the opener to the album, followed by more of the band's signature sound, but it absolutely works and makes the band stand out from it's peers. Animals is a thing of beauty no matter how indie, hipster, hardcore or proggy you think you are. Give it a spin and you'll understand why. And remember...When The World, It Brings You Down. Keep Your Head Up High And Your Feet On The Ground!




And there we go folks, 175 albums down! And we are only now halfway through this baffling ordeal list. But no, seriously, writing this up is giving me the joy that I need in life right now and with every person who is checking out the lists and telling me they have made new discoveries thanks to this list, it makes me feel like I have a purpose in continuing to be That Drummer Guy, so thank you so very much for sticking around so far. TUne In Tomorrow for Part Vii- 175-151!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Part 6 of this megalodon of a list is here, which means we are almost half way through the saga. What will be up next? Only time will tell...and that time is now!

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!

225.) Obsidian Kingdom- A Year With No Summer (2016)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Post Metal, Experimental

Between both LPs from Obsidian Kingdom, you will hear every type of genre of heavy music you could want on an album. With the debut album, 2013's Mantiis, it deeply featured the darkest of the dark sides, with A Year With No Summer, you hear more of the abstract and atmospheric. I would not dare say either album is without the polar opposite in it's sound. In a way, both albums serve in a yin and yang sense with neither the lighter nor heavier sides being completely left out. in the latter's case, the heavier sides a done in the right amount of doses compared to the post feel that transcends the album, and makes the album so much stronger for it. Obsidian Kingdom are a masterclass of how to write what you want to write and not feeling like you have to leave any genre out. If it fits together, do it, and they do it so very, very well. Give either album a shot, but you may want this one first and go backwards.

224.) My Dying Bride- Feel The Misery (2015)
FFO- Death Metal, Doom Metal

There may not be a single band still active today that better showcases off the genre of death/doom better than My Dying Bride. Every single album that has been released has felt like they rip your heart and emotions right out of your chest and shove them back down your throat. The latest album, Feel The Misery is no exception. Quite possibly the saddest album in the band's discography so far; Feel The Misery showcases even more of the clean vocal approach that makes the band stand out amongst the rest, but is not shy to bring the growls in when called for. Plus the lyrics...if you don't choke up during at least one song on this album, you have never teared up in your life. Case in point, My Dying Bride is arguably THE best band in death/doom. There's no better place to start than the latest album, and go backwards in time.

223.) Horse The Band- A Natural Death (2007)
FFO- Nintendocore

Much like the FFO describes it, this is metalcore with 8-bit Nintendo synths. While this is easily the biggest album from the band, it is easily their best as well. Garnering them attention from around the world and getting on some fantastic tours in the process. Of course the band went on to forge their own path around the globe in great ways, A Natural Death helped pave that wave. If you love the 8-bit sound, or you just like your music a bit on the quirky side, Horse The Band is for you, and you really dig this album.

222.) Threat Signal- Under Reprisal (2005)
FFO- Metalcore, Groove Metal

This band's debut album is one of the finest albums in metalcore and that is undeniable once you hear it. The use of melodic vocals and screams are so seamless amongst the melodic grooves, hooks, and riffs showcased. While the band has yet to hit those top tier popularity levels as some of it's peers; Threat Signal is a band that is worthy of all the love it gets and it came from this top tier album. Give this a shot and see for yourself.

221.) Shadows Fall- The Art Of Balance (2002)
FFO- New Wave Of American Heavy Metal, Metalcore, Groove Metal

I still remember hearing songs off this album for the first time on the 2nd incarnation of Headbanger's Ball and being in awe that a band like this could even be played on tv. Even with how melodic and catchy the singles were off the album, it made no sense to me how a band could be showcasing screaming on tv. That was my line of thinking back in 2003 when I first discovering bands outside of Metallica (hey, we all started somewhere). While the band is gone, the legacy lives on between this and their next album The War Within, which are two biggest achievements for the band. With the former, it showcased a level of intensity that really opened my eyes to heavy music and how it could be so melodic and crushing at the same time. Plus their cover of Pink Floyd's Welcome To The Machine is the stuff of wonders. Go back and check out both albums in question and check out the rest if you enjoy what you hear; but definitely make The Art Of Balance a priority, it helped pave the way for new music that came out 10-15 years after it's release.

220.) Akercocke- Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone (2006)
FFO- Blackened Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal

Music just doesn't get that much more evil than Akercocke. With the band's 4th album, they continued to explore even more of the band's proggier side (even hitting the over 10 minute mark with the epic, Shelter From The Sand). The great and unique blend of black death and prog metal really shines through in all faucets on this album and many consider it their best album to date. While there is a great argument to be made about the band's latest album, 2017's Reminiscence In Extremis; I gotta give it to WTGU/DTGU. This helped pave the way for a new generation to incorporate new styles of music into their satanic metal arsenals and what an amazing job it does of that!

219.) Weezer- The Blue Album (1994)
FFO- Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Power Pop

So...to go in the almost exact opposite direction. Let's cover some Weezer! It's almost cliche to say The Blue Album (yes, I'm calling it The Blue Album) is the best Weezer album (almost as cliche as bigger fans of the band, hipsters, and those that keep getting their hearts broken say Pinkerton is the superior album) For me, this is the perfect Power Pop album from start to finish. Every song is a genuine classic and worthy of all the praise it gets (even if some songs have been more than overplayed). Even if you know the classic songs off this album, go and check out the b-sides/album tracks on this album with songs lie The World Has Turned And Left Me Here or My Name is Jonas. Especially if you are not in the know, these songs will be as infectious to you as Undone or Buddy Holly was to the rest of the world in '94.

218.) Lamb Of God- As The Palaces Burn (2003)
FFO- New Wave of American Heavy Metal, Groove Metal

Even though Devin Townsend (who produced this album) refers to the overall sound of this album as "a bag of ass" (due to production struggles and various other reasons), I absolutely love the raw authentic feel of this album from start to finish. Every track has it own unique crushing sound that pulls you in and makes you understand why the NWOAHM became so popular in the mid 00s. While so many others will say the follow up, Ashes Of The Wake is the better album, I disagree. THIS is how I love my Lamb of God! And hye, if you've never checked out this album or band, you just might as well!

217.) Terror Syndrome- Terror Syndrome (2008)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Groove Metal, Death Metal

It's only been in recent times where I've given up hope on ever hoping for a follow up to this album, so with that, I'm able to appreciate this album even more. Starting from the conception of former Devin Townsend Band/Devin Townsend Project drummer, Ryan Van Poederooyen; Terror Syndrome was meant to show off the heavier side of RVP's listening and playing habits. For that, it absolutely delivers. Whether you want full on aggression, progressive thrash goodness, or instrumental wackiness; it's all here and then some! While this album is definitely far under the radar that even some of the biggest Hevy Devy fan may not even be aware of this album's existence (especially funny given that everyone that is on this album, sans Denton Bramley, was IN the Devin Townsend band around the time) This is an underrated gem that deserves to be heard and loved in every way, shape and form. A stellar metal album.

216.) Mono- Hymn To The Immortal WInd (2009)
FFO- Post Rock

Quite possibly one of the top 3 greatest post rock albums ever recorded, Hymn To The Immortal Wind is a sheer masterpiece of songwriting and how the post rock genre works in the grand scheme of music. The art of taking songs and slowly but surely building them into some of the most bombastic sounds on record is what makes the genre so powerful and it's rare to find a band or an album who does that better than Mono's Hymn To The Immortal Wind. Reading this description doesn't give it justice. Just listen...and experience....

215.) Sevendust- Seasons (2003)
FFO- Alternative Metal, Groove Metal

Between Seasons and Animosity, this showcases Sevendust's range of diversity in their unique, heavy sound. It is rare to find that can throw in THIS much groove into heavy songs and make them so undeniably catchy. Seasons for me is the best thing they have put onto record with it's haunting ballads, mainstream accessibility and overall crushing prowess. Like I said, there's not many who can conceive how to pull this off, let alone doing it. Sevendust is a pure gem of popular heavy music.

214.) Iron Thrones- The Wretched Sun (2010)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Post Metal

This might be cheating again as it is technically an EP, but it's over 41 minutes long. There's 2 full LPs from bands that you could fit in this time frame. But I digress. Iron Thrones released a killer LP and EP in the mid 00s that have gone so SEVERELY under the radar that I'm glad to give them even the slightest bit of recognition. The Wretched Sun is the last release of this amazing band and it's a progressive post metal masterpiece. No matter the track length, each song feels so natural and fresh in it's sound, it's haunting production fills the unsettling void and the sheer songwriting ability that this band had is something that bands of any style need to find and help forge their own path in music. Thankfully, the sound of the band is somewhat in check with bands like Wolvhammer and in the latest album from Skeletonwitch (funny enough, Adam Clemans of Iron Thrones now fronts both bands), but Iron Thrones will always be in a class of their own in my eyes and one that lives on in two releases.

213.) World Under Blood- Tactical (2011)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Brutal death metal meets CKY? This is what genre bending was meant for! Deron Miller shows up on this list once again for this dangerously underrated band World Under Blood. When I listen to death metal, especially the more brutal it gets with constant blasts and just growls, I miss the melodic sides that you hear in melodeath (hell, that's why the genre got invented in the first place!) but I never before (or since heard a band take Miller's signature guitar style (and vocal approach) and put it to death metal. It's a sheer sight to behold and every track is simply mindblowing. If only all melodeath bands could pull this off. I would give anything for a sophomore album from WUB, maybe it'll happen in time, but in the meantime, we got Tactical. If that's all we get, they may go down as the best death metal band with only one release to their name.

212.) The Ocean- Pelagial (2013)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Post Metal, Doom Metal

It's amazing that this concept has never been fully explored on an album as in depth as The Ocean pulled off with Pelagial. A literal concept album about the different layers of the ocean (the actual oceans, not the band). Each level of the ocean is played musically starting with some of the happiest sounding material the band has done to this date, and as you progress through, it becomes deeper, darker, heavier to the most brutal tracks the band has done to date. A pure concept album and works so efficiently, it puts so many other concept albums to shame. While I know the band will continue to put out amazing albums over and over again; conceptually, this can never be topped!

211.) Muse- Absolution (2003)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Alternative Rock, Electronic Rock

The last great Muse album, that's right, you heard me! Everything up to and including Absolution were such great prog rock albums that had that electronic tinge to it. If Radiohead was heavy, if Nine Inch Nails wrote prog, so many other examples that could only be pipe dreams. Absolution was the last album that had rock be the focused of the band's sound before the keyboards and synths fully took over and everything progressively went to the wayside. The melodies and harmonies on this album are jaw dropping. How it can go from nearly metal to beautifully melancholic to depressingly uplifting in a ballad from song to song to song (or in the same song!). It's a complete shame that I'll probably never have that love for a Muse album again as I know they have this style of songwriting left in the band, but those days are gone and both of us have moved on.

210.) Sentenced- The Funeral Album (2005)
FFO- Gothic Metal

The final album from this legendary Finnish band is one that is hard one to get through, though in a great way. It's rough because the music is so good, you don't want it to be their last. But even 4 years before the death of Miika Tenkula, the band knew they were done and wanted to make The Funeral Album the perfect send off to the fans and a proper thank you for all the support over the years. As a band in a live setting, you always want to leave the fans wanting more; in this case, Sentenced fans will always wish they had more, but can be happy with the legacy they left. The Funeral Album is one that can tear you apart in the best way possible. Fun Fact: in the booklet for the album, this is the only time in my entire history of buying music that a piece of artwork scared me to death. One of the pieces of artwork in the liner notes has a river that flows into the shape of a coffin, that image still haunts me to this day for some reason.

209.) Napalm Death- Utilitarian (2012)
FFO- Grindcore, Death Metal

NO band has ever blended Grindcore and Death Metal better than Napalm Death. While through most of their career, it's been one of the other. Albums like Utilitarian prove that you can do both on the same album and it is a perfect culmination of sound. Everything you love about the band, and so much more (including jazz saxophone from Jorn Zorn) is on this album and it's almost as if it's a best of album with all new material. A perfect starter Napalm Death album and overall, my favorite ND album to date.

208.) Obituary- Obituary (2017)
FFO- Old School Death Metal

I'll keep this one short and sweet. The band wanted to put out their best album ever as it would be their self titled. They wanted to make it they most signature Obituary album ever. And that's EXACTLY what they achieved. Every single thing you love about the band is on this album with brand new material. It's THE obituary album.

207.) Bolt Thrower- For Victory (1994)
FFO- Death Metal

Bolt Thrower is the signature mid-paced death metal band. While they are still quite fast (and on the earliest work, there is the grindcore era of course) but for the band's signature sound, there is no one who can do death metal that is brutal without having to do blast beats or over the top fret aerobics. Oddly enough, they can be considered one of the most accessible death metal bands for a good portion of their run. 1994's For Victory is a great example of that in strides. Every song pummels you at the right pace of each song. A killer production value and of course...WAR! While the band is gone, Bolt Thrower will always be there for us and why not go with what could be, their best work ever.

206.) Sonic Syndicate- Confessions (2016)
FFO- Modern Metal, Power Pop Metal

It is not often when a band can so DRASTICALLY change their sound from their previous work and have it work out so magnificently. Sonic Syndicate proves that you need to write whats in your heart. While previously being a melodeath band, the band wrote an entirely new album, and before getting it out there, scrapped the album and said they need a change. And change they did, NO double bass rides happening here, no chance of any screaming or growling either. This is one of the closest things I've heard to modern power pop being done on a metal album. Sure, there are other bands who kinda(?) do what's been done here in the likes of latter day BRing Me Tee Horizon or Asking Alexandria, but this is an entirely different take. Rather than go for those crowds intentionally, they wrote Confessions as the band addressing they are making this change for themselves. making the songs fun, catchy, and so uplifting, which is not always done in examples listed earlier. Confessions is nothing you need to confess to liking, this should be something you are proud to enjoy, I sure as hell do!

205.) Selpultura- Chaos A.D. (1993)
FFO- Groove Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal

Talk about a watershed album! While Roots may have been the most drastic change in the band's sound to date, imagine being a Sepultura fan in 1993 and hearing Chaos A.D. for the first time. Hearing this much groove when you were used to hearing just thrash, death and even black metal in the band's sound. But with that change, lead to Sepultura becoming one of the biggest metal bands to ever come out of Brazil. Not just that but helping popularize groove metal as a whole and helping bring in (with bands like Faith No More and Pantera) the styles of Nu Metal that were about to forge by the end of the decade. This has one of my favorite drum sounds on record, especially the bass drum. No clicky sound to be had. just a pure bass drum sound as the metal gods intended! While the early day Sepultura albums will always rule. Chaos A.D. is the game changer of a metal album the world needed and to me, it's easily their best.

204.) Yob- Our Raw Heart (2018)
FFO- Doom Metal

There's nothing quite like possibly being on your deathbed to make you reevaluate priorities in life and what you will do next, if there is a next. That's what happened here with Yob's Mike Scheidt and his health struggles that eventually lead to writing one of the 21st centuries greatest doom metal albums, Our Raw Heart. A heart wrenching album that has you go through all the motions you think of with death and what comes from facing your own mortality. This is how you make music and ESPECIALLY on this list, it's one of the most authentic albums ever made.

203.) Armored Saint- Symbol Of Salvation (1991)
FFO- Heavy Metal

John Bush does no wrong in any band, any side project, any guest appearance he has done. Bush and Co. but out the band's finest work with Armored Saint in 91 with Symbol Of Salvation, a loving trademark of that fine line between the thrash, death, black metal fans on one side, and the glam pop metal bands of the other side in the 80s and 90s. No matter what side of the fence your on in that debate, you will find something to love about Armored Saint and they are such a band to treasure and behold. Go check out their finest work to date here and support them in any way you can.

202.) Intronaut- The Direction of Last Things (2015)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Post Metal

Considering the meanings behind both genres, you wouldn't think on paper that prog and post would meld well together. There are sooooo many examples of it working and Intronaut is one of the finest examples. Taking the ideals of post metal and making it just proggy enough, they have created a signature sound that is unparalleled. The band's latest album is the perfect culmination for the band that combines everything there is to love about the band and just makes it even better (how is that even possible). Some say you can have too much of a good thing, this album proves that is not always the case. Just a completely stellar album top to bottom from a band you should overlook no longer.

201.) Falconer- Black Moon Rising
FFO- Power Metal

Quite possibly the most authentic and exquisite power metal band ever. So much so, Falconer took it upon themselves to know when to hang it up...in the live setting. Knowing the band was not going to always be able to give 100% for every show they play for multitude of reasons, the band released this album and said they were doing one last show at 2015's ProgPower USA, which I was not only in attendance for, but also gave their last, in person (as a whole band) interview. That is not to say the band is hanging it up, far from it, just the live shows are going away and they are becoming strictly a studio band once again. With Black Moon Rising, it almost feels like these songs were intentionally written to be played live for one last set of shows before focusing on just making the best albums possible. All the more reason I was honored to be at that last show. The songs are so efficient and full of soul and one of the best vocal(ly trained) performances in metal on record. There is no better send off to the live era of Falconer than Black Moon Rising.

And that does it folks, the first 150 albums of this mammoth 350 album list. Come back tomorrow where we finish off the first half of 350 albums with That Drummer Guy's Top 350 Albums of All Time Part VII- 200-176.

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

After a couple weeks off, I have returned and here to present 25 more albums for your enjoyment. With 4 parts and 100 albums down, we are just getting to the half way point this week and the list will just keep getting better and better! SO let's get crackin' on shall we!

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!

250.) Insect Warfare- At War With Grindcore (2005)
FFO: ...Grindcore

Am I cheating with this one coming in at just barely 8 minutes in length? Possibly! But even the band's ONLY full length LP clocks in at 22 and a half minutes, so, you know what? IT COUNTS! These 8 minutes and 11 seconds of bliss goes by so fast and all you want to do is go back and enjoy every second again and again. It's a straight up grindcore release in every sense of the word. Fast, heavy, brutal, raw, and fun. If you've missed out Insect Warfare, you've missed out on one of the best Grindcore bands in the biz, go remedy that now.

249.) Polkadot Cadaver- Purgatory Dance Party (2007)
FFO- Experimental Metal, Experimental Rock, Electronic Rock

Polkadot Cadaver is a hard band to describe, much like most of the member's other band, Dog Fashion Disco. They are just a band you got to go into with an open mind, no expectations and see what you get from it. What I get from this band's debut album is a fun, quirky, exhilarating, and dark album. It goes all over the rock and metal worlds, but it is oddly accessible for as experimental as it gets. You can't tip your toe into this band, you gotta dive in and see how you feel after. I for one love it, you might too.

248.) Sabaton- Primo Victoria (2005)
FFO- Power Metal, War

Sabaton's debut album shocked the world of Power Metal for it's accessibility, fun atmosphere, and war themed lyrics that were based in reality rather than fiction. They also put one hell of a fun show no matter if you are a fan of any kind of metal genre. Primo Victoria is that album that is a perfect introduction into power metal to get your friends into the genre. If they like this, they will dig others. It all began here 14 years ago....wait, 2005 was years ago??? Ugh....

247.) We Sell The Dead- Heaven Doesn't Want You And Hell Is Full (2018)
FFO- Gothic Metal, Heavy Metal

A supergroup featuring past and present members of In Flames, Firewind and HIM? SIGN ME UP! This band is as good as that combination sounds. Taking inspiration from Jack The Ripper and adding so much more to it. This band's debut album is one o the catchiest rock albums of last year and deservingly so. no matter how heavy, light, somber, or evil it gets, it just fits perfectly and gives you a great experience from start to finish. This is an album to be experienced in it's entirety and its worth the ride!

246.) The Dear Hunter- The Color Spectrum (2011)
FFO- Indie Rock, Prog Rock, Alternative Rock

This might be another cheat as this is a collection of EPs that make a full collection, but this is my list, so deal with it. *puts on sunglasses* The Dear Hunter took a break from their Acts story arc to write a collection of EPs to represent each color of the color spectrum, from black to white and everything in between. It goes all over from quite heavy material, to electronic/industrial, to sober piano ballads to classic TDH sounds and anything you could imagine this band accomplishing; it's all here and more. This is a full blown crash course of the band with brand new material and while a bit of a journey, you'll leave satisfied with at least one or two of the EPs, if not like me and enjoy them all.

245.) Wearing Scars- A Thousand Words (2015)
FFO- Modern Rock, Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal

A fantastic UK band that really shines through it's other bands to create a unique take on what should be top 40 radio rock. As heavy as it gets, it gets just as commercial. As nearly metal and proggy as it gets, it hits you with emotional ballads. This is one of the finest pieces of mainstream style rock you will hear in the 2010s, if I dare say the 21st Century in general. This is such a gorgeous album and I really hope a follow up will be coming in the future. I need more.

244.) The Sword- Warp Riders (2010)
FFO- Stoner Rock, Progressive Rock, Classic Rock

HOW DARE I NOT PICK ONE OF THE FIRST TWO SWORD ALBUMS? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??? Well a lot, actually, but this list isn't about that! I personally feel that Warp Riders is the perfect Sword album. It has the stoner feel everyone fell in love with; it adds the right amount of prog and classic rock to make me happy (and truly expand the sound in the right way), and the production is the best on ANY of their albums to date. SOme say they lost it after this album (or those that say they lost it before this album) but I again, genuinely feel that Warp Riders is THE album from The Sword that is recommended hearing and hey, maybe if you check out the album (or check it out again) it might be for you as well.

243.) Wintersun- Wintersun (2004)
FFO- Extreme Metal, Power Metal, Blackened Folk Metal

I love Wintersun. Wintersun is one of the most underrated bands in existence and every release from the band is a pure gem. But there is just something about the debut album...maybe it's because it was the first album of it's style to REALLY take over the world. No one did epic metal like THIS before that caught on as much as it did. Combining so many genres (power, folk, prog, melodeath, black metal, etc) and creating a musical melting pot that you just can't mess with. It just fills the void of what metal can be and should be. Wintersun rules and you may as well go in the order of the discography. Start with this legendary debut album and work up!

242.) Trivium- Ascendancy (2005)
FFO- Metalcore, New Wave Of American Heavy Metal

Trivium's sophomore album is a thing of beauty. While the band has taken every single left turn you can think of since this albums release; this album put the band on the map and they never truly left. So many bands have come since this album's release that had a huge impact on them. The way people look at heavy metal changed in 2005 with this album and it inspired a new legion of metal fans. And of course the music is killer. IF you want a look at how NWOAHM and Metalcore came to the forefront; check out Ascendancy.

241.) Overkill- Ironbound (2010)
FFO- Thrash Metal

One of the best thrash band's in the world had their own resurgence with Ironbound. Basically, it's a perfect thrash album from top to bottom. Everything you love about thrash is here and you this legendary east coast band at their peak form (which has yet to falter ever since) If you need your thrash fix, look no further than IronBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUND!

240.) Hurt- Vol. 1 (2006)
FFO- Alternative Metal

Hurt is a band that was so very, VERY underrated, and it is such a shame to see the band is disbanded. With the band's 3rd album, they finally hit top 40 rock radio and for the dark ones amongst us; they were the perfect band for us. Just heavy enough, just mainstream enough, just enough of a good thing. Sadly, the band started going deeper into the underground with every subsequent album until it was finally laid to rest, but we have so many great albums to check out in their discography to help remember the memory. A lost band, but one that deserves the love they get.

239.) Zimmer's Hole- While You Were Shouting At The Devil... (2008)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Comedy Metal

It saddens me that this is the last album from the band so far. 11 years is TOO LONG! They are the extreme metal version of what Steel Panther has made a full on career of. Every song is hilarious in it's own right, so fun and catchy, and hey, Nathan Explosion shows up for the intro of a song. You can't get more metal than that! If you like metal, but not take things so seriously; Zimmer's Hole is the band for you!

238.) Machine Head- Burn My Eyes (1994)
FFO- Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal

How is this album already 25 years old? I was in kindergarten in 94...ugh... Anyways! Machine started a legacy ups and downs musically and within the band (as if the case with pretty much every band) with 1994's Burn My Eyes, a perfect album fro the time. A good rebellion against the grunge era. It was the right amount of Pantera groove, Vio-Lence thrash, and Sabbath style heavy metal to make an impact that lives to this day. Literally! the original lineup is back and they are about to embark on playing the album live! This is a great definition of 90s metal proving that the genre was far from dead, and it didn't have anywhere to go but up!

237.) Cold- Year Of The Spider (2003)
FFO- Alternative Metal, Hard Rock

Back in 2003, this album was a great definition of how I felt as a kid in middle school. Even with 16 years later, very little has changed. This great mix of emotions of sorrow, hurt, and anger is something I think anyone can relate to. And it is catchy as all get go. Another band that should be at the top of the rock charts to this day, but they will always be that band in my pocket that I pull out when I need those school year days back and get a sense of reality. You may feel the same way.

236.) Abigail Williams- Becoming (2012)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal

It can be easy to knock Abigail Williams for how many style changes they have had. For me, that doesn't matter. They write what they want to write and that's how any band should be. This album is pure atmospheric black metal at it's finest and it's unadulterated Abigail Williams. A fantastic album all around and really shows off the band's musicianship and songwriting abilities in one of it's purest forms. This album just slays and even after all this time, it always will.

235.) Destrage- Are You Kidding Me? No. (2014)
FFO- Experimental Progressive Metal

Italy's Destrage is one of those rare breed that has ZERO problem writing the songs they want to write. No matter how wacky the time signatures get or how commercial it gets at the turn of a dime; it feels so purely natural and it's such a sight and sound to behold. Through the band's discography you will see the evolution of the band, but this was my introduction to the band, and for that, I think it may be a great starting point for you as well.

234.) Power Trip- Nightmare Logic (2017)
FFO- Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal, Crossover

This is how you do modern day thrash. You bring the old school feel but you mix in just enough of modern flavoring and you create Power Trip. One of the finest bands rolling today. They are just a fantastically solid thrash band that knows how to write killer metal songs no matter how fast or slow. IF any band has ever screamed battle vests, PBR, and circle pits in the 2010s, It's Power Trip. And right now, no one does it better!

233.) Corrosion of Conformity- No Cross, No Crown (2018)
FFO- Corrosion Of Conformity

It's hard to put COC in a box. They can go from heavy metal to crossover thrash to hardcore to sotner metal at any time. With the return of Pepper Keenan, the band return's to it's signature heavy, southern, stoner metal style that got them worldwide recognition. And it is the finest album the band has put out to date. IF you loved what the band did in the 90s through the early 2000s, this is the album for you!

232.) Tribulation-  Down Below (2018)
FFO- Black 'n Roll, Gothic Metal

A band that truly wants to show that you don't need to be the heaviest band to show your true power. Tribuilation, no matter how they evolve continues to show their evil prowls and gives you great chills down your spine. Down Below is the latest example of this with it's most commercial (but far from a commercial band) sounding album to date and it's what really suits the band. An absolute powerhouse of an album and one that needs to be experienced to truly understand.

231.) Johnny B. Morbid- Fall of The Cicada (2015)
FFO- Horror Punk, Power Metal, Black Metal

The band's final album is one that leaves such a powerful last message. For the uninitiated, imagine The Misfits, Blind Guardian, and Emperor made a band. AN odd concept right? Can't imagine it working, then you clearly haven't heard the band. This album is such a great example of where to start, then go backwards and see all that you have missed. This band had it all and more, go show them some posthumous love.

230.) Hail of Bullets- III: The Rommel Chronicles (2013)
FFO- Death Metal, War, WWII History

Oh Hail of Bullets, one of the finest death metal supergroups ever assembled. Sadly we only have 3 albums and one EP from the band, but they are all magnificent. While unintentional, the band's final album is such a great closing moment for the band showcasing it's love for WWII History and playing some of the most killer old school death metal you can find. If you missed out on these guys, you are doing an injustice by waiting any longer, get to studying up on your death metal of days gone by, and I mean now before history repeats itself.

229.) Kayo Dot- Hubardo
FFO- Experimental

The FFO is the only way I can describe it. Kayo Dot is guaranteed to never give you the same experience twice. One album could be a blade runner soundtrack, one could be jazz metal of hellacious fury, another can be one of the most calming experiences of your life. This double album showcases almost every style the band has tried out in some way, shape or form, but in a totally new context. Even in one song it can go from blast beats, to jazz to vapor wave to noise. It's an experience that only does justice by listening to it. Do some experimenting of your own and give Kayo Dot a show. There's bound to be at least one track you'll love on this double album.

228.) Celtic Frost- Monotheist (2006)
FFO- Gothic Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal

The heaviest Celtic Frost album ever and it absolutely paved the way for Tom G. Warrior's future band, Triptykon. This final album was a great mission statement for where the band was at the time and a terrific send off for fans. The aggression, the heaviness, the atmosphere. It's classic Celtic Frost, but at it's darkest form. Long gone are the days of Cold Lake, but sadly as is the band. This is a pure testament to how you make a heavy album.

227.) Exhumed- Gore Metal (1998)
FFO- Goregrind, Grindcore, Death Metal

THE Grindcore album. All that came after this album have only been inspired from it. This is how you make goregrind and it's one of the most vile, disgusting, raw, and perfect albums of it's kind. Exhumed rules in all levels and there is no better place to start with the band, than it's beginning. A true metal experience.

226.) Queensryche- Operation: Mindcrime
FFO- Progressive Metal

Some say the greatest prog metal band ever. It's hard not to deny their influence and between the albums, Empire and O:M, who could really disagree? The latter is a perfect concept album that hits you in every way. From it's heavy rockers to emotional ballads, it has it all wrapped up in a great story. There is an absolute reason this album gets as much love as it does and if you have missed it all this time, you should give it a shot now!



And there we go, folks, 5 parts down and 9 more to go. This is an absolute insane idea of mine to do 350 albums, but I love every second of it and I hope you are enjoying it as well. Tomorrow will bring Part VI: 225-201.

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

3 Parts Down, 11 More To Go! It's a pure labor of love, but the response has been fantastic so far, so let's see what happens next!

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!

275.) Soulfly- Prophecy (2004)
FFO- Groove Metal, Thrash Metal, Industrial

Max Cavalera's Soulfly, after some soul searching, has only gotten better with age. With every proceeding album, it has only gotten heavier, faster, and more brutal over time. That all started with the resurgence album , Prophecy. Cavalera really knew where he wanted Soulfly to go at this point and it truly shows in the dedicated songwriting.  While the industrial and nu metal influences are still hinted at, It was the heaviest Soulfly album to date at the time and they've only continued pushing those boundaries ever since. This is the great watershed album going between industrial and death metal and it's perfection.

274.) Against The Wall- The Truth (2009)
FFO- Hard Rock, Progressive Rock

This album is criminally underrated. A seamless blend of hard rock, prog, and heavy metal that sounds so catchy and accessible. The production really showcases the whole band perfectly and it just gives you this great sense of joy and wonder, and of course that wonder is how they are not filling stadiums. Seriously an underrated gem that is worthy of your time.

273.) Horrendous- The Chills (2012)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal, Death

There is zero denying that Horrendous shows off their Death influence on their sleeves (especially the first 3 albums) but that is not the only card they have up their sleeves. Combining a great sense of prog, thrash, and a evil raw production gives The Chills the ability to live up to it's name. It can give you the chills as you listen. WHile many can argue that the subsequent albums are better, and in some cases they are. This is the rawest they have sounded and it only gets better from here, so start here and enjoy!

272.) Arctic Sleep- Arbors (2012)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Post Metal, Alternative Metal

This Wisconsin band is a band that can grab your interest and never let go. Arbors, in particular, bridges the gap between instrumental songs and vocal songs in such a great way. A mix between Devin Townsend, Deftones, and Pelican really makes this band stand out amongst the masses and they have yet to put out anything other than stellar work. Arbors is where I started and you should too!

271.) Pig Destroyer- Phantom Limb (2007)
FFO- Grindcore, Noise

Pig Destroyer is the definition of modern grindcore and of their wave, no one can do it better. The title track's breakdown is the sickest in music and it's nearly meaningless for anyone to try to do one better. At first it may feel like a gargled mess, but give it time, you'll see how smart this album truly is.

270.) Vaura- Selenelion (2012)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Shoegaze, Black Metal, Post Rock

There's so many subgenres I could list under Vaura (especially with every single different album), but Vaura is truly one of the most proficiently effective bands of experimentation. While other albums have gone either way heavier or way mellower, the dbue album shows off both sides, as if it's there to say this is what we have to offer you in the future, so strap in. What an amazing band.

269.) Nailed To Obscurity- Black Frost (2019)
FFO- Doom Metal, Death Metal

One of the greatest death/dooms in the business have put out their latest album back in January of this year and it's a mindblowing experience. It's such a great melding of death, doom, sorrow, and oddly uplifting music that pulls you in with it's passion and makes you stay with it's execution. Easily one of the best albums of the year and easily one of my favorite albums ever (hence why it's in the list).

268.) Alter Bridge- AB III (2010)
FFO- Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

Alter Bridge is a modern day savior of modern rock radio music. They instantly prove with every album that no matter how heavy, how commercial, or how mellow they get, they will always write bangers that will bring you back every time for more. AB III is the right culmination of all of those in one album, not too much of anything on the album it's just...right...all the way through and it's just what you want in a band like this. If you haven't yet, go check out Alter Bridge and see what I mean.

267.) Saor- Roots (2015)
FFO- Folk Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal

This band is what is saving both folk metal and atmospheric black metal. Between their long epics, their instrumentation and there never ending sense of wonder that brings your imagination to a new landscape with every song; Saor just does everything perfectly. The debut album from Saor is what brought them to the table and now, they are here to stay.

266.) Bison- Dark Ages (2010)
FFO- Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal

Currently the middle album for the band, their 3rd LP stands out as the album that really pushed the band's boundaries in all directions. This is by far their heaviest work and I'm not sure if it will be topped, or if it should be. Don't get me wrong, every album is great, and their diversity on other albums is really what seals the deal on this band, but their pure heaviness and the instinct to explore what the band is about at this time is what needed to happen and to be, it stands out as their best work.

265.) Minus The Bear- OMNI (2010)
FFO- Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, Indie Rock

Who would have thought this was the founding members of the band, Botch, eh? The 4th album from the band that named themselves after the punchline of a dirty joke is one that truly shows what the band is all about. It's pop sensibilities, it's odd time signatures that feel so natural, their distinct sound becoming so natural. OMNI has it all and so much more. it is well worth the listen.

264.) Suicidal Tendencies- Lights...Camera...Revolution (1990)
FFO- Crossover Thrash

This standout album really helped put the Suicidal Army on the map. It showed the beginnings of a new route of the band, showing off more rock sensibilities than ever before and with that, some tinges of funk, that would later be shown off more in the band Infectious Grooves. From top to bottom this is one of, if not the strongest ST album and it definitely warrants that claim. Just a completely solid album.

263.) Oceansize- Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up (2010)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal

The final album from this UK act is without a doubt their strongest. It's almost as if they knew this would be off and wanted to give the band a proper send off and show appreciation to fans old and new. Everything you love about the band is here from it's complex song structures, to it's quirky sense of humor, to emotional hooks are shown in strides and its such a great way to say farewell to the band. Fantastic work!

262.) From A Second Story Window- Conversations (2008)
FFO- Post Hardcore, Progressive Metal, Emo

The 2nd and final album from this band was sadly the last offering from the band, but they left such a big impact. Their sensibilities of emotional lyrics and tones matched with it's heavy structures and style changes at the turn of a dime make this band such a pleasure to listen to. It's a shame the band broke up with this release, but alas, we got this, and their debut to enjoy.

261.) Probot- Probot (2004)
FFO: Metal

Dave Grohl may have quote unquote "killed" metal with Nirvana, but he sure knew how to revive it in 2004. Taking some of the greatest voices in all forms of metal and showcasing them each with a different song all written and performed by Grohl himself. It's a loving tribute to that gene of music we all know and love and no matter what you listen to, it has a song that was mean for you. Such a solid but underground release.

260.) Kyuss- Blues For The Red Sun (1992)
FFO- Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Let's just call a spade a spade here. Kyuss was the greatest stoner metal band ever. Their legacy is untainted, all parties are now doing what they love, but when they were together, they gave us some of the great albums in it's genre. Blues For The Red Sun is that album that made me fall in love with the band, along with so many others like myself. It's perfect sense of rock, metal and fuzz is untouchable. While often imitaded, it'll never be duplicated, ever!

259.) Grave Digger- Healed By Metal (2017)
FFO- Heavy Metal

WHile there are so many great bands to come out of Germany, Grave Digger is easily one of the greatest, consistent metal bands from the country. Healed By Metal shows that it doesn't matter how many albums you put out, you can always become bigger and better, no matter how long it takes. This album is perfect from start to finish and it's everything you've wanted out of the band, at least I know it is for me. Seriously, give this a shot.

258.) Sonata Arctica- Reckoning Night (2004)
FFO- Power Metal

When you think power metal, at least one of the first 3-5 bands you think of is Sonata Arctica and their greatest work was graciously given to us in the form of Reckoning Night. The entire album is what power metal stands for in every sense of the genre and it just puts a big grin on your face. Just a fantastic album!

257.) Falloch- Where Distant Spirits Remain (2011)
FFO- Atmospheric Metal, Folk Metal

Another dangerously underrated band whose 2011 album just opened my eyes to what atmosphere can really add to metal, if not, music in general. Every song just drops your jaw in astonishment and leaves you wanting more. No matter how heavy or somber the music gets, it always keeps your attention and you never want to leave. That is how good music should be. (Andy Marshall, formerly of Falloch went on to form Saor).

256.) 96 Bitter Beings- Camp Pain (2018)
FFO- Hard Rock, Alternative Metal, CKY

The split in the CKY camp (pain) was not a pretty one in the slightest, but on the plus side, we did get a new band that keeps the spirit of the old school CKY style alive in 96 Bitter Beings. Deron Miller  keeps his signature style in tact and brings you an undated 2018 approach to what CKY could have been had he stayed in the band, and it's honestly one of the best CKY styled albums ever made. It just works in every single way and it's great that it FINALLY is able to be enjoyed.

255.) Bad Religion- New Maps Of Hell (2007)
FFO- Punk Rock

I don't really know how this album ranks amongst the BR diehards, but this is by far my favorite album from the band and one of my favorite punk albums ever. Every song feels so perfect. NO matter how fast or slow things get, it feels almost like the last truly great Bad Religion album (at least so far). NOt to knock the two albums to come after, but NMOH is just what I look for in the band and no album since (or even prior) has done it this well. A perfect punk album.

254.) Meshuggah- Destroy, Erase, Improve (1995)
FFO- Meshuggah

SO what happens when you destroy, erase, and improve one's sound. For Meshuggah, it means putting our your finest work. While many will disagree (saying Nothing or ObZen is better) DEI is just that perfect Meshuggah album, where the band realized what they wanted to accomplish as a collective and improved it a hundred fold. While other albums have their charm, DEI is the one Meshuggah album (besides Nothing) where I can listen from start to finish and never want to press the skip button or listen to something else. It was the right album at the right time and they did it so very well.

253.) The Haunted- rEVOLVEr (2004)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal

As you may have guessed by this point, 2004 was a big year of discovery for me, musically, and The Haunted was another band that grabbed me and never let go with this particular album. It's just that heavy, aggressive, and oddly poppy side of melodeath that only The Haunted could accurately explore, while the band explored so much territory after this album, rEVOLVEr was the last album of it's era to really shine that melodeath flag high and for that, I salute it!

252.) GWAR- Lust In Space (2009)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal

Again, I have no idea what the verdict of this album is with the GWAR fanbase, but for me, this is the album I always wanted from GWAR that I never thought I'd get. A full on progressive rock/progressive metal concept album, that you just can't take seriously, but works on every single level. That's why I love GWAR, despite the story, characters, and the stage show, they are phenomenal musicians, and this is the album that finally showed that off in all forms. Hail Orderus!

251.) Harakiri For The Sky- III: Trauma (2016)
FFO- Blackgaze, Post Black Metal

While there has yet to be a subpar HFTS album, Trauma is the album that really let the emotional side take place at it's strongest at the time. The personal lyrics can hit home with anyone. The songwriting it phenomenal and it's one of the strongest examples of why the post black metal, blackgaze genres should be ignored no longer. IF you want your black metal to really grab your soul, check out Harakiri for the Sky.


And there we go folks, 100 albums done over 4 parts and only 10 parts left to go. This is proving to be a massive undertaking but worth every second of it all. Thank you so much for enjoying, read the last 3 parts if you haven't already, and get ready for Part V: 250-226 on Monday!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

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)

Part II has arrived! With all of the great love Part I has already received, I can't wait to keep going with this. Let's just right on to it shall we?

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.


325.) Exhorder- Slaughter in The Vatican (1990)
FFO- Groove Metal, Thrash Metal

Thankfully, our prayers have been answered and not only has Exhorder reformed, but we are getting a new album from the band! But before that, the two album legacy the band gave us are filled to the brim to what would be taken and transformed into other forms of thrash and groove in metal in the forms of Pantera, Machine Head, and many others. But this is where it all started. The debut album paved the way for the heavy side of heavy metal once again for the 90s and that future, while underground at the time, was shining bright. When you listen to it now, it sounds as fresh as ever and I can't wait to see what nearly 30 years difference makes with the new album.

324.) Solstafir- Köld (2009)
FFO- Post Metal, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal

This Icelandic band has evolved in many ways like the band, Ulver, where they are unrecognizable from their black metal roots. By this time, they heaviness was still around, but was fading. Everything after this album became much more focused on post rock and atmosphere, In a sense, Köld is the perfect gateway to the band, if you like the heaviness shown off, go towards the albums that came before it. If you like the post atmosphere, go towards the albums after it through today. TO me, the band can do no wrong and they are following their hearts. Köld was a great album that really showed off the bands past, present, and future.

323.) Egypt Central- Egypt Central (2008)
FFO- Hard Rock, Alternative Metal

This band had all the potential in the world when this debut album came out in 2005. The singles, You Make Me Sick and Taking You Down, made the Top 40 charts and the band was getting some real recognition. That continued with their next album, White Rabbit, but sadly the band didn't go on much longer after. Basically, this band is a band that should have taken the world by storm with it's songwriting, catchy hooks and fantastic abilities, but the two albums we got was a great showcase of what they could give us.

*EDIT* Shortly after writing this up, I discovered the band has released new music 5 days ago and it's incredible stuff!

322.) The Exies- A Modern Way Of Living The Truth (2007)
FFO- Hard Rock Alternative Metal

The final album from The Exies is a solid album of radio hits after radio hits, but the good kind of earworms, not the force fed catchy songs you hear several times a day on FM radio. Just songs that deserve your attention and give you a reason to listen. If you want a great showcase of what 00s hard rock radio should have beem, pick this album up.

321.) Cephalic Carnage- Anomalies (2005)
FFO- Technical Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal, Deathgrind

This band is capable of playing anything any this album truly shows it. While most of the album showcases the technical, death metal, grindcore that makes up a majority of ti's sound. I do find their satirical take on metalcore, the song "Dying Will Be The Death of Me", to be the best thing they have done. They are a band that rip you apart and still make you give you a smile with a track or two off each album making fun of a genre of metal. Anomalies, in particular is the perfect album to get your feet wet with the band and show off what they band really can do.

320.) Fear My Thoughts- The Great Collapse (2004)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore

A severely underrated melodeath band, the band really came into it's own with The Great Collapse. A great blend of melodeath and metalcore that makes it some of the most catchy and forward thinking melodeath of it's era. Fear My THoughts is a band that deserves your love, even after they are gone. Start with this album and go from there.

319.) Izah- Sistre (2015)
FFO- Sludge Metal, Post Metal, Doom Metal, Atmospheric

This band's debut (so far, only) LP is a sheer masterpiece. It's such a great combination of sludgy doom metal, atmospheric post metal, and some hardcore thrown in for good measure. While at only 4 tracks, they are 4 phenomenal tracks all over the 10 minute mark (the title track being over 31 minutes). I really hope the band comes back soon with another killer album to decimate all that's in it's way. Till then, pick this monster up!

318.) Judgement Day- Peacocks/Pink Monsters
FFO- Orchestral/String Metal

This three piece was a thing of beauty. A violin, a standup bass, and a drum set; making some of the heaviest music that has ever come out of those three lone instruments. I had the gracious opportunity to see them once opening for dredg and they blew my mind, I bought their whole discography they had at the merch table. Not long after came this album and it was everything I wanted it to be. A fun, heavy, insightful instrumental album that showcased all of the band members perfectly. If you want a band like Apocalyptica, but not doing covers nor doing radio rock, Judgement Day is the band for you. Go check out ALL of their stuff (and the various projects they do now).

317.) The 11th Hour- Burden of Grief (2009)
FFO- Doom Metal, Death Metal

This sorrow filled band coming from musician mastermind Ed Warby, released their debut album 10 years ago. A Concept album about a man's final days/hours living with cancer. It pulls on your heartstrings, brings you down to the depths of hell and yet, you never want to escape it. The music is extraordinary, the theme can hit anyone emotionally, and the overall vibe is something you want to see to the bitter end. We need some more music from The 11th Hour at some point, we really, really do.

316.) The Kris Norris Projekt- Icons of the Illogical (2009)
FFO- Mainly Instrumental Metal, Progressive Metal, Metalcore

Not long after Norris left the band Darkest Hour, came this fantastic solo album that really features off his writing style and everything is capable of creating. With so many great nods to different styles shown off and of course absurdly great guitar playing, this album is underappreciated and deserves some great love. It is not a full on instrumental album, Randy Blythe of Lamb of God lends his vocals on two tracks to add even more variety to this album. I love it to death, and you may as well.

315.) Primal Rock Rebellion- Awoken Broken
FFO- Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

Combining the talents of SikTh and Iron Maiden sounds absurd on paper, but the execution is brilliant. Mikee W. Goodman of SikTh and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden created this (so far) lone album and it's one for the ages; showing off both musicians in the best ways possible. It's a proggy, heavy, melodic rock and metal album that would fit right at home if I had a top 40 rock station. While both guys are extremely busy, I really hope in the future that wee will get another Primal Rock Rebellion album in the future, the world truly needs it.

314.) Wolves In The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage (2011)
FFO- Atmospheric Black Metal, Post Metal

Wolves In The Throne Room is a true watershed band. Bands that came before it explored or hinted at atmospheric elements at times. Bands that came after really started exploring the post rock, post metal sides of what black metal can do. WITTR is still that fine line between black metal and atmospheric post metal and this is heavily demonstrated with Celestial Lineage. It's a very grandiose album that they even made a 2nd album, Celestite, to be played along with this album to add more synths, style, and atmosphere. It's one of the most dense black metal albums you will ever find and a true gem in the genre. 

313.) OSI- Free (2006)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Industrial Metal

From brainchild, Kevin Moore, this album features guests from all over the prog landscape, though not nearly as many as the debut album. This album features more on song structure and feel rather than exploring everything it did before and after Free. So with that its the most commercial(?) of it's catalog and I have no idea if the project will come back in any form, but I love(d) what they have done and Free is a great discovery album for the band.

312.) Gridlink- Longhena (2014)
FFO- Grindcore, Progressive Metal

Grindcore with song structures? Surely you jest? I jest not! This is one of my favorite grindcore albums ever made and for good reason, this final album from Gridlink shows off the band at it's proggiest, yet never losing the grindcore touch at all. It's an absolutely insane album and it deserves any and all love you can give it.

311.) Goes Cube- Another Day Has Passed (2009)
FFO- Post Hardcore, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Post Rock

When I discovered the band Torche, I was looking to see if I could find any band that did similar, as I love that sound. Goes Cube is the closest I could find (back in 2009) and I was not disappointed. a great mix of all the genres listed above gives the band it's own distinct flair and it's something that is sadly missed with the band being put to rest a few years back. Give this album a shot if you want an album with so many twists and turns that feels like an emotional roller coaster in the best way.

310.) Hella- Hold Your Horse Is (2002)
FFO- Experimental, instrumental

Back before Zach Hill was known for staring the experimental hip hop duo, Death Grips, he was the drummer of one of the most spontaneous, genre defying, and insane technical abilities I've ever heard in a band with, Hella. Hold Your Horse Is is the duo at it's most creative and death defying. I've never heard a drummer who could pull off septuplets on a bass drum with one foot before, but it's here. The music is not for the faint at heart. It's courageous, wacky, and completely insane; yet, musical. Words can't really describe it, you would just have to listen for yourself.

309.) Red Fang- Whales and Leeches (2013)
FFO- Sludge Metal, Hard Rock

The album that brought me to the beer drinking party is still my favorite from the band after all this time. This is such a ridiculously fun album from start to finish. Whether you want fast songs, slow songs, mellow songs, crunchy songs, they are all here and more. The band is just unadulterated fun and this just a great example to start off your adventures with Red Fang.

308.) Miss May I- At Heart (2012)
FFO- Metalcore

This is the generation of American metalcore I missed while I was discovering other bands, so not many of the bands ever really grabbed my attention. Miss May I on the other hand...what a great band that really shows the powerful of writing a good catchy song while keeping metal attached to it all. While they are not everyone's cup of tea (most people refuse to listen for the band name alone), if you go past your preconceived notions, there is so much to enjoy here, and why not start off with this fantastic album (then jump immediately to their latest album Shadows Inside, which is arguably their best, but I went with what brought me to the band).

307.) Spiral Architect- A Sceptic's Universe (2000)
FFO- Progressive Metal

I've talked so much so far about final albums or only albums from bands and projects. This band/album is no exception. If Cynic was inspired by Black Sabbath and Candlemass, you get Spiral Architect. This lost gem is mandatory listening if you are a prog fan. It's an album that stretches your creative imagination to the brink and it's worth every single second.

306.) Hate Eternal- Upon Desolate Sands (2018)
FFO- Death Metal, Technical Death Metal

Anyone can say what they want, but when it comes to American technical death metal, no one does it better than Hate Eternal. Only getting more ferocious with every new album, the band's latest album showcases this in strides. The production is top notch, the musicianship is mindblowing, and the songs the kind of brutality that you just want to keep in your life. Hate Eternal rules and there is no end in sight. I can't wait to see what's next.

305.) Earshot- Two (2004)
FFO- Hard Rock, Alternative Metal

What a great band Earshot was when they came out in the 2000s and by the time of their sophomore LP, Two, they really showed the world what they were capable of. Every release from the band is such a joy to listen to, but I go back to Two the most as it just really captures what the band had in store, but with what they had before this and everything that came after. So catchy, hooky, heavy, and sadly missed on modern airwaves. I hope they come back and make the best album they've ever made.

304.) From Autumn To Ashes- Abandon Your Friends (2005)
FFO- Post Hardcore, Emo

I love every single album these guys have done and it's a shame that the band has had it's ups and downs the way they have. Abandon Your Friends really showed off the band in the perfect musical light. Everything you could possibly want in this band is shown off here and done to perfection. This is about as far as I really go down the post hardcore, emo rabbit hole, but the adventure every time I hear them is absolutely worth it.

303.) Mercenary- The Hours That Remain (2006)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Power Metal

There is no bad Mercenary album and it's so hard to choose my favorite, but again, I chose the one that brought me to the dance. This album showcases that perfect blend of In Flames, Nevermore, and Dream Theater that I wish bands would have done to even greater heights. Such an underrated band and they need a comeback, like yesterday! You can't go wrong with any Mercenary album, like mentioned, but hey, give The Hours That Remain a chance you may fall in love with them the way I did.

302.) D.R.I.- Danger Zone (1989)
FFO- Crossover Thrash, Punk, Heavy Metal

D.R.I. are such a fantastic abnd that is still going strong to this day. But back in the day, they wrote albums for the generation, most particularly 4 of a Kind and Danger Zone. The latter in question is what I love about the band. So many great ragers,  killer riffs, and relateable lyrics. D.R.I. has it all and if you missed out on them so far, it's not too late to get on the bus before you get trapped, down, BENEATH THE WHEEL!!!

301.) Mercyful Fate- Melissa (1983)
FFO- Heavy Metal, Early Black Metal

What can I possibly say about this album that hasn't been covered already? It's one of the most groundbreaking albums in extreme metal. It inspired Metallica in so many ways, a whole genre was helped inspired by this album (and of course the bands Venom and Hellhammer/Celtic Frost) in Black Metal, and of course, KING DIAMOND!!! It's a landmark album in heavy metal history and it should be required listening for any metal fan. There's a reason why you don't hear people talk much crap about Mercyful Fate nor King Diamond; Melissa is such a prime example.



And there we go, folks. 2 parts down, 50 albums covered. 300 more albums to go (what have I done to myself???) I hope you are enjoying this so far and if you haven't found what you've been looking for, my personal favorites are yet to come!

- Josh Rundquist (That Drummer Guy)

Part 1: 350-326

So here we are in 2019. The past decade since the last time I did a definitive top albums list has been quite a decade of growth for me personally and musically. I joined so many bands that eventually failed, I have had my life torn apart in every conceivable way, I've made what I thought were true friends that turned out to be incredibly terrible people, but there has been one gigantic upside to it all. I started what has become known as That Drummer Guy on August 2nd, 2011. Since then I have done over 600 interviews, endless reviews at the end of every year, so many grand experiences that no one else would get to have and so much more that I know that I am forgetting. With all that, my musical tastes have grown,l I've discovered so much new music and I have been able to put my stamp in the rock and metal world, even if it is still a small stamp. And a decade later, I wanna bring back what has made me known online to begin with, my favorite albums of all times list, but, with a twist!

Here's how it will all 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 how about we get started...eh?

350.) My Chemical Romance- Welcome To The Black Parade (2006)
FFO- Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Emo

How's that for a shocker?!?! Yes, I very much enjoy this album from start to finish. IN all honesty, it's the only one that I ever really got into. I love that it's a dark concept album, which outside of Green Day's '00s albums, you just never saw that in mainstream music at the time. It's very proggy for that and I truly appreciate it for that. Wish they would have kept that in mind for everything after this, but hey, at least I got one album I enjoy out of them, can't complain too much.

349.) Metallica- Ride The Lightning (1984)
FFO- Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal

Yes, Metallica is this low. Why? Frankly, I burned myself out on the band in 2003 and the love never truly came back. It's the only band that ever had that effect on me. Mainly it's because of Metallica it's been my mission to go out and search for new music so I never burn myself out on one band, style, etc. RTL though it their best album. Best album cover, best Metallica logo, best Metallica instrumental, and the best track order from start to finish. While many will disagree and say it's Master of Puppets or even the past version me would say it's ...And Justice For All; but as I've grown up, Ride The Lightning just does it best for me and what a great album for it to happen with.

348.) Rishloo- Eidolon (2007)
FFO- Tool meets Fair To Midland

That's the best way I can describe this sadly underrated band. A great mix of the prog, heavy, quirky, and experimental sides of both of the aforementioned bands, but still a great example of taking influences and creating something new with it. Introduced to me from a friend I sadly don't really talk to anymore, this was a fantastic recommendation from them and I'm so thankful I got to check them out as I would have missed them had I not been shown the band. Eidolon showcases the band's strengths in the best ways and you just can't help but feel a great chill down your spine at some of it's highest moments. Well worth a listen.

347.) Mew- No More Stories... (2009)
FFO- Progressive Rock, Dream Pop, Alternative Rock

Mew are a shining example of how to forge your own sound and making the music you want to make. WIth that, Mew carved out their finest work to date with No More Stories... a perfect blend of dancey, proggy, angelic, and blissful music that makes you feel like you are floating through through the clouds over the most beautiful landscapes. This album/band won't be for everyone reading this list, but if you need something that's not heavy in the slightest and want a break from the world, No More Stories... is the album to make that happen.

346.) Sons of Aeon- Sons of Aeon (2013)
FFO- Melodic Death Metal

Unless they somehow reform and put out another album, this is one of my favorite one album bands ever. I've often said this album is what I would imagine if Pain of Salvation would ever put out a melodeath album. The melodies, the harmonies, the overall sense of darkness, it's a flourishing and brilliant album from start to finish and it's an absolute shame that there is no follow up to this debut album. Maybe my prayers will be answered and we'll get album two, but if not, we got this untouchable, meldodeath album of awesomeness.

345.) Vital Remains- Dechristianize (2003)
FFO- Death Metal

Vital Remains is that definition of a raw, heavy, satanic death Metal band. Dechristianize is their pinnacle of brilliance with it's epic title track showcasing everything the band is capable of. It's brutal and oddly, so melodic at the same time. If you've never ventured into true satanic death metal, you may as well start with an album that's title gives you exactly that...Dechristianize!

344.) Peeping Tom- Peeping Tom (2006)
FFO- Trip Hop, Pop, Alternative

It's still strange to know that a lot of people will still only know Mike Patton for his work with Faith No More, when he has done so...SO much more. From scary as hell metal with Fantomas to absurdly quirky and catchy stuff with Mr. Bungle to too many projects, collaborations and one offs to count. This stand alone album is what Patton considers his version of pop music and it really, really works. It can get heavy to trippy to poppy to laid back all at the turn of a dime. There's something for everyone on this album and it's well worth your time checking out.

343.) Burning Inside- Apparation (2001)
FFO- Progressive Death Metal

The work of Richard Christy is nothing short of brilliant. No matter if he's making prank calls on the Howard Stern show, or sharing the stage with Death. The man has done no wrong so far. This dangerously underrated album from 2001 is a worthy album to follow his stint with Death, showcasing his phenomenal drumming along with some brilliant songwriting, ferocious vocals and brutal production; it's a death metal album that is worthy of any and all praise it gets.

342.) Wilton & Akerstache- Storm Corrosion
FFO- 80s Pop, Progressive Rock

Quite possibly the greatest prog parody album ever made. SADLY, I have no idea where to ever find it again. It was available for free through the band's YouTube channel and it disappeared, so if you have it...you know! If it's out there, share that stuff! But anyways, one man took it upon himself to ask himself what he thought a collaboration between Steven Wilson and Mikael Akerstache would sound like. If you ever heard the actual one off project Storm Corrosion, then you know it was a sinister, dark soundscape album. This however is the warped mix of Miami Vice, Genesis, and the best over the top and hysterical vocals you'll ever hear. Seriously, if it's out there, go find it and enjoy, it's worth every single second.

341.) Dave Brockie Experience- Diarrhea of a Madman
FFO- Comedy Punk Rock

If you love the idea of GWAR but not the theatrics, DBX may be what you've been looking for. It's a 3 piece band of Dave Brockie and CO making simple punk rock and some hilarious songs to go with it. Some of my favorite bass riffs ever on this album (I'm serious). I would have loved to have seen these guys live but will sadly never get the chance. Brockie ruled at everything he did and between both DBX albums, there is so much to enjoy before you get back into GWAR.

340.) Widowmaker- Blood And Bullets (1992)
FFO- Heavy Metal

DId you know that Dee Snider had a heavy metal band. No I don't mean Twisted Sister, I mean something much heavier. Ok, no I don't mean his new solo album which is really, REALLY heavy all things considered. I mean back in the late 80s, early 90s; Snider created Widowmaker, a heavy as hell album that showcased his love for heavy metal. It's fast, it's catchy, it's two fantastic albums. WIdowmaker's sophomore album Blood and Bullets, much like Skid Row's Slave To The Grind, showed the band get even heavier and more fun. THis is such a fun album to listen to and I highly recommend you check it out as well.

339.) Karnivool- Sound Awake (2009)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Tool

Karnivool is still the front runners of the Australian Tool-esque prog metal bands that came out of the 21st century and really blew the doors off the house. Sound Awake is when things exploded for the band and they became the worldwide band that prog fans have been asking for. Super catchy, so many great twists and turns, plus a great sense of musical songwriting that really makes the bands stand out. If you're a prog fan and have yet to hear Karnivool, you are in for a real treat.

338.) Vertigo Steps- Surface/Light (2012)
FFO- Melodic Metal, Alternative Rock

A band that I feel like never got the love they truly deserved and I sadly discovered them too late. The band's final album showcased some of the greatest melancholic & melodic rock, alternative, and Metal riffs put to record of it's style and I love every second of it. It's hauntingly beautiful and an album that when you discover it, you may just fall in love as well.

337.) 1349- Demonoir (2010)
FFO- Black Metal

1349 has been around for 22 years now and every album seems to crush on such a great, consistent way. My turning on point of the band was Demonoir and what a great record to start with. The production just raw and polished enough, the songs are so evil and has some of their most memorable songs to date on it. If you wanna heat what the 3rd/4th generation of Scandinavian Black Metal has to offer the world, what's a better place to start than the band who named themselves after the black plague?

336.) Shai Hulud- Misanthropy Pure (2008)
FFO- Hardcore Punk, Mathcore

This band is one that I wish would make a return from hiatus and take over the world again. At least to date, the band's last album, Misanthropy Pure is that perfect blend of hardcore, punk rock, and touches of mathcore that just grabs your attention and makes you pay attention. A short, sweet, brutal, 42 minute display of what can be done with creative minds.

335.) Burst- Lazarus Bird (2008)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal (Mastodon, Baroness, early day Torche)

Man, I have a lot of final albums on this so far don't I? Didn't realize it till now. Anyways, Burst was an unsung inspiring band for me that really showcased what could be done in heavier progressive metal. Sadly, the final album was the last great display this band had to offer and boy, they really gave it their all on this one. I dare say they were there along with bands like Today is the Day that really showcased what bands like Mastodon would carve out and make their own later in time. And by this time, those types of bands were exploding and Burst gave a proper farewell. All of it's great twists and turns, heavy riffs and overalls sense of wonder hits you from beginning to end and it leaves you wanting more. Sadly, that's how it looks to be...leaving us wanting more. Seriously, go check them out if you have not done so.

334.) Pelican- City of Echoes (2007)
FFO- Instrumental, Post Metal, Post Rock

Pelican are one of greatest instrumental post bands to ever exist and they prove it with every single album. City of Echoes, in particular, just does it for me with it's heaviness on top of it's proggy landscapes and dark atmospheres. Any Pelican album is a great place to start, but if you wanna start where I did, go City of Echoes, it's an awesome trip!

333.) Twelve Foot Ninja- Silent Machine (2012)
FFO- Progressive Metal, Alternative Rock (Meshuggah meets Mike Patton)

It's heavy, it's quirky, it's just a fun album from start to finish. This Australian band shows that not every prog band needs to be inspired by Tool to make an impact, and they did it perfectly. Silent Machine is the perfect gateway album into this band that puts on such a great atmosphere that y ou will expect upon your first listen. Meshuggah riffs going into reggae into pop? Oh, that's there and so much more!

332.) Acid Bath- When The Kite String Pops (1994)
FFO- Doom Metal, Sludge Metal

When you hear the name acid bath, you just automatically think it's some brutal grindgore or brutal death metal band right? Acid Bath is far from that. They took new directions of sludge, doom and southern gothic and really created a style that many have tried to duplicate, but could only imitate. Dax Riggs and Co really made an amazing impact in the world and while all parties when on to form create music, from blues in Dax's solo material to Goatwhore; the musicians involved created incredible music and despite it's tragic end, it's great to see their passions live on.

331.) Thrice- The Artist In The Ambulance (2003)
FFO- Post Hardcore, Pop Rock

Thrice is a band that instantly grabbed my attention when I was discovering new bands in 2003. It was a great mix of radio friendly hooks but nearly metal at times, something that I was very interested in at the time. The Artist In The Ambulance still stands out as the band's biggest album and for good reason. While every album after this goes into much deeper territory thematically, conceptually and musically, this album was that shining album for me that reminded me that not everything that is popular is bad. A rule I genuinely live by now (though it took a while), don't judge a band by it's trend; judge it by it's music. And what a great album Thrice released 16 years ago.

330.) Mr. Bungle- Mr. Bungle (1991)
FFO- Experimental

Putting a pure label on Mr. Bungle is meaningless. There isn't two Bungle songs that sound the same, let alone albums. It's Mike Patton's band before Faith No More, but oddly got going after Faith No More broke out (possibly one of only two instances where a musician joins a bigger band and says "Don't worry guys, I'm not forgetting about you. After things get rolling here, I'll come back and bring this band with." the other being Corey Taylor with Stone Sour) I chose the S/T album because it has the most metal moments that come out of nowhere, but it's so funky, quirky, danceable and bat guano insane (though that last part you could LITERALLY say that about any of the albums). Mr. Bungle is not for the faint of heart, but worth your time if you dare.

329.) Levi/Werstler- Avalanche of Worms (2010)
FFO- Instrumental Metal

Eyal Levi, Emil Werstler, and Sean Reinert....seriously what else do I need to say? This is a perfect instrumental album that showcases all of the band's phenomenal skills in production, songwriting and chops. This one off band needs love after nearly a decade away and you should really give it your time if you dig instrumental metal. I can't fathom how you would be disappointed.

328.) Kaddisfly- Set Sail to Prairie (2006)
FFO- Alternative Rock, Experimental Rock

For the longest time, this was the band's final album, but in 2015, they came back with a killer reunion album, Horses Galloping on Sailboats. But this album is a fantastic concept album focusing on a different month in a different spot in the northern hemisphere starting from June and ending in May. It ranges from so many emotions and musical territories that is well worth your time if you're adventurous. 

327.) Portal- Vexovoid
FFO- Blackened Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Avant Garde

Challenge Time! Get this album, stay up till you go to bed, turn off all the lights, light a candle or two. Put this album on and see how long you can last before you start to feel terrified. Vexovoid in particular is one of the scariest albums put out to date and it completely messes with your senses. The sheer brutality, the noise affects, the haunting vocals, everything about this band is horrendously scary, but in the best way possible. Another album and band not for the faint of heart, but if you can survive this album, you can survive any band ever.

326.) Goo Goo Dolls- Dizzy Up The Girl
FFO- Alternative Rock, Pop Rock

Unless you are of those few that remember my original Top Albums list back on the old Dream Theater and Mike Portnoy forums, there's no way you saw this album coming did you? I honestly love this album and I feel Black Balloon is one of the greatest pop rock ballads ever made (FIGHT ME, JERKS!). It's funny how a band that started off on Metal Blade Records became one of the biggest 90s bands with the band's main single, Iris. I still enjoy the song to this day, but the rest of the album showcases some killer songwriting and so many songs that never got the time of day. That tends to happen when one song skyrockets you to stardom. But anyways, the older, heavier, more punkish days of the band disappeared on this album, and everything that came after this album never really did anything for me. This was the case of the right album at the right time and yeah, I really love it.



And there you go folks, the first 25 of my humongous top 350 albums of all time list. 325 albums to go and I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. But I have shown off a broad taste of music from the most brutal of blackened death metal to the most radio friendly pop rock the 90s had to offer.

Next time, Part II: 325-301

- Josh Rundquist