Apocalyptic Anniversaries

How would the album reinvigorate the progressive metal scene and what would it do for Cynic’s legacy? Watch and celebrate the anniversary with us. 

Why was this album such a pivotal moment for the band and how did it become a definitive death metal classic as well as a turning point for the genre?

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tool’s breakthrough album along with us.

We take a look back at Opeth’s My Arms, Your Hearse on its 20th anniversary.

Unquestionably DT’s heaviest album ever, where does it sit in the pantheon of the band’s expansive catalogue? Aside from simply being heavy, is it also truly great? (yes, yes it is)

How did the album cement Gojira’s place in the metal pantheon and lead to their increased popularity in the years to come? How would its proprietary blend of brutality, progressiveness, technicality and unique production make it into a modern day classic? 

“The Reign in Blood of tech-death.”

How would “Mindcrime” set the framework for metal concept albums to come? Can anyone completely follow the complicated plot, and does it even matter with music this good?

How did Stained Class serve as a turning point in the band’s career? How would the elements first displayed here go on to define the band’s later sound and eventual legacy?

How would Shogun solidify Trivium’s place in the metal kingdom, and how would it be a sign of things to come?

Where does The Sound of Perseverance place in Death’s metamorphosis from thrashy death metal to technical prog? How would a band that already defined an entire genre go on to pioneer yet another one?

We look back at Korn’s landmark 1998 album “Follow the Leader” on its 20th anniversary and in advance of some special live shows the band will be performing this fall.

A landmark album in the band’s career.

Why was St. Anger so controversial at the time of its release? Which parts of it hold up today and which parts do not? Why was the album such an important part of the band’s identity crisis at the time? Watch below to rehash this… umm… “classic,” sure, let’s call it that.  

What elements did the band bring to their metalcore base on this album that made it stand out at the time? How did the newly solidified lineup (with Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance joining the fold) improve the band’s sound? How did this album set the stage for the band’s future evolution?

How did the band’s new, more guitar-oriented style change their sound? How does the album masterfully mix speedier songs with slower ones? Why did this album in particular launch Bodom into the worldwide metal spotlight? And what about THOSE GUITAR SOLOS THO?!?!

How did the collaborative nature of writing on this record impact Maiden’s sound? What did the band’s newfound exploration into epic storytelling and more progressive songwriting do for their future direction? What would happen next after Adrian Smith’s departure?

It would end up being both Paul Gray and Joey Jordison’s final records with the band.

What made this album in particular so important to Machine Head’s career, especially as a precursor to the sonic expansion they’d explore on The Blackening? How well does it stand up today on its own merits? 

What elements made The Black Dahlia Murder’s music so fresh and innovating when Unhallowed came out? How did the band’s wide palette of influences from both the old and the new go on to define a generation of metal?