Death Magnetic by Metallica
Death Magnetic, Metallica’s 9th studio album, was released 5 years after St. Anger
Death Magnetic became Metallica’s fifth number one album in a row on the US charts upon its release. For many fans it was seen as a return to form after the much-maligned St. Anger. I didn’t mind St. Anger myself, but this album was way better in my opinion. I enjoy every track on it and six singles were released. It topped the album charts all around the world and even the tracks that didn’t make the cut, were released as an EP called Beyond Magnetic a couple of years later.
Favourite track: “The Day That Never Comes”
Black Ice by AC/DC
Black Ice is AC/DC’s 15th studio album and the 9th recorded with Brian Johnson
Producer Brendan O’Brien set out to push AC/DC to sound more like they did in the 1970s on this album. He felt that the previous two albums had been more blues-oriented and instead wanted them to focus more on the melodic side with strong choruses. Four singles were released and the album was a multi-platinum seller around the world.
Favourite track: “Big Jack”
The Long Now by Children Collide
The Long Now was the debut studio album from the Melbourne-based indie band
I first heard this thanks to my co-host on community radio at the time of the album’s release. He added one of the album’s singles to our playlist and I have been a fan of the band ever since and own all of their albums (four at the time of writing). Four singles were released from the album and they received airplay on Australian radio station Triple J.
Favourite track: “Social Currency”
Along Came A Spider by Alice Cooper
Cooper’s 18th studio album was his highest charting in the US since 1991’s Hey Stoopid
I really enjoyed this and Alice has never been afraid to make a concept album. The premise here is based on a serial killer called “Spider” collecting a leg from each of his victims to make his own arachnid. He is brought down by falling in love with the 8th victim. I was totally chuffed when it is revealed at the end that “Spider” is actually the character Steven from Cooper’s 1975 album, Welcome To My NIghtmare.
Favourite track: “The One That Got Away”
Indestructible by Disturbed
Indestructible was the fourth studio album released by the American heavy metal band
Debuting at number one on the US charts, Indestructible also topped the charts in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Four singles were released from the album and “Inside The Fire” was even nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. It was the first of their albums I purchased and ended up buying its predecessors as well as those released since.
Favourite track: “The Night”
The Slabthrower 