Hair metal was essentially done and dusted in 1990, just hanging on by a strand as the alt rock and grunge scenes were taking form. Nevertheless, the stalwart genres of thrash and heavy metal were still going strong, delivering some of the greatest metal albums of all time.
Don't let the narrative of the '90s fool you. Plenty of '80s bands thrived throughout the decade. Here's 10 awesome albums to prove it.
Judas Priest – Painkiller
One of the ultimate ’90s triumphs from the innovators of heavy metal, Judas Priest’s Painkiller was a phenomenal return to form following the somewhat disappointing Ram It Down. It brought back the rip-roaring Priest that dominated the early ‘80s and proved the longevity of classic British heavy metal, even as grunge began to take hold.
Overkill – Horrorscope
Overkill didn’t take the slightest break in the ‘90s, releasing six full-length albums from 1991-1999. W.F.O. and Necroshine were both pretty good, but Horrorscope remains the thrash legends’ fiercest release from the ‘90s. That sludgy riff from the album’s title track was a perfect bridge between the thrashy ‘80s and groove-driven ‘90s.
Testament – The Gathering
Gifted to the metal masses in 1999, Testament’s The Gathering remains one of the heaviest thrash albums ever released. With the brutal edge of Death musicians James Murphy and Steve DiGiorgio along with Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, The Gathering is seething with malevolence from front to back. Do not resuscitate me if I die listening to this album!
Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss
The pinnacle of ‘80s extreme metal, Slayer delivered arguably their best overall album in the year 1990. Seasons in the Abyss is the perfect Slayer album — “War Ensemble,” “Dead Skin Mask,” “Born of Fire”… just ferocious stuff from the band’s classic lineup. Hair metal may have been dying before our eyes in 1990, but thrash was on fucking fire.
Mercyful Fate – 9
Yes, King Diamond’s insanely theatrical The Eye came out at the beginning of the ‘90s, but let’s give some love to Mercyful Fate’s decade-ending 9. Hank Shermann was really on some shit here, busting out more fat riffs than any nü-metal band of the age. Like Judas Priest’s Painkiller, 9 was both a return to form and an “ain’t broke so don’t fix it” proclamation.
Megadeth – Rust in Peace
There were few thrash albums that legitimately rivaled the greatness of Metallica’s Master of Puppets — and Megadeth achieved that feat in 1990. Rust in Peace is a 10/10 album, filled to overflow with the genius of Mustaine, Ellefson, Friedman and Menza. Zero wasted space, zero dull moments. A Rushmore thrash album without a doubt.
Motörhead – 1916
Motörhead proved they still had the sauce on 1916. Released in 1991, the band’s ninth album somehow crammed classic jams like “The One to Sing the Blues” onto the same record as a punk rock tribute to the Ramones and a slow, soulful ballad about World War I. There’s was no stopping Motörhead when they hit a hot streak, and this was one of those records.
Savatage – Edge of Thorns
There wasn’t much room for prog or power metal in the sonicscape of 1993, but Savatage didn’t give no fucks. Edge of Thorns wasn’t the first solid ‘90s album from the band (and it wouldn’t be their last!) but Savatage’s seventh full-length was particularly inspired. Edge of Thorns also happened to be the last album recorded by guitarist Criss Oliva before his death, and he’s magnificent throughout.
Sepultura – Arise
Possibly the finest work of Sepultura’s discography, 1991’s Arise was a perfect union of the band’s thrash and death metal styles. Released during a chaotic time in Brazil’s cultural history, Sepultura’s music canonized the energy of the era and spread it to the world.
Kreator – Coma of Souls
Ahh these were the days. Adding to the lore of thrash in 1990, Kreator unleashed Coma of Souls at the beginning of the decade. It was like every ‘80s thrash lessons had been learned by the German powerhouse band, resulting in one of the most war-torn, totalitarian records of the age.
