Top 10 for 1996

TheBigBlack's Rock Top 10

Korn
Life Is Peachy

Nu Metal | Album | 15 October 1996

Marilyn Manson
Antichrist Superstar

Alternative Rock | Album | 8 October 1996

'Antichrist Superstar' is the second studio album by Marilyn Manson. It was recorded at Nothing Studios in New Orleans and produced by the band's eponymous vocalist along with Sean Beavan, former Skinny Puppy producer Dave Ogilvie and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. The recording of the album was marred by excessive drug use, which provoked a high level of antagonism between band members. Consequently, it was their last release to feature contributions from founding guitarist Daisy Berkowitz, who was acrimoniously fired partway through recording. A rock opera and a concept album, it was the first installment in a trilogy which included succeeding releases Mechanical Animals (1998) and Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley of Death) (2000). The central storyline on the album revolved around a supernatural being who seizes all power from humanity in order to initiate an apocalyptic end event; a populist demagogue who is driven solely by resentment, misanthropy, and despair, he uses his newfound position to destroy the world. The record can be seen as a social critique, utilizing this premise as a metaphor for the perceived fascist elements of the conservative political movement and the Christian right in North America.

The Offspring
Ixnay On The Hombre

Punk Rock | Album | 4 February 1997

Screaming Trees
Dust

Grunge Rock | Album | 25 June 1996

'Dust' is the seventh studio album by Screaming Trees. It was the final album released while the band was active.

Johnny Cash
Unchained (American II)

Country | Album | 5 November 1996

Soundgarden
Down On The Upside

Grunge Rock | Album | 21 May 1996

'Down On The Upside' is the fifth studio album by Soundgarden. Self-produced by the band, the music on the album was notably less heavy and dark than the group's preceding albums and featured the band experimenting with new sounds. It was the band's last studio album before breaking up.

Bush
Razorblade Suitcase

Post-Grunge Rock | Album | 11 November 1996

Powderfinger
Double Allergic

Alternative Rock | Album | 2 September 1996

'Double Allergic' is the second studio album by Powderfinger. The album was the band's mainstream breakthrough. It has been certified platinum three times, with over 200,000 copies sold, and was also nominated for five ARIA awards, with singles from the album nominated for an additional four, however, it won none of the awards it was nominated for.

Pearl Jam
No Code

Grunge Rock | Album | 27 August 1996

'No Code' is the fourth studio album by Pearl Jam. Following a troubled tour for its previous album, 'Vitalogy' (1994), in which Pearl Jam engaged in a much-publicized boycott of Ticketmaster, the band went into the studio to record its follow-up. The music on the record was more diverse than what the band had done on previous releases, incorporating elements of garage rock and worldbeat. Although No Code debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it their third consecutive number one album, it left a large section of the band's fanbase unsatisfied and quickly fell down the charts. Critical reviews were also mixed, with praise to the musical variety but criticism to the album's inconsistency. The album became the first Pearl Jam album to not reach multi-platinum status, receiving a single platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States.

Tool
Anima

Alternative Rock | Album | 17 September 1996

TheBigBlack's Rock Honourable Mentions

The Beatles
Anthology 2

Classic Rock | Album; Compilation | 18 March 1996

'Anthology 2' is a compilation album by The Beatles, released as part of The Beatles Anthology series. It features rarities, outtakes and live performances from the 1965 sessions for Help! until the sessions immediately prior to their trip to India in February 1968. It is the second in a trilogy of albums with Anthology 1 (1995) and Anthology 3 (1996), all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology (1995). The opening track is 'Real Love', the second of the two recordings that reunited The Beatles for the first time since the band's break-up. Like its predecessor, the album topped the Billboard 200 album chart and has been certified 4? Platinum by the RIAA.

The Beatles
Anthology 3

Classic Rock | Album; Compilation | 28 October 1996

'Anthology 3' is a compilation album by The Beatles, released as part of The Beatles Anthology series. The album includes rarities and alternative tracks from the final two years of the band's career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles (1968) to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in 1969 and early 1970. It is the last in a trilogy of albums with Anthology 1 and Anthology 2, all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology (1995). The album was certified 3? Platinum by the RIAA and was the group's third double album in a row to reach number one on the U.S. charts, equalling a record set by Donna Summer in the 1970s.

TheBigBlack's Metal Top 10

Sepultura
Roots

Thrash Metal | Album | 12 March 1996

Pantera
Far Beyond Driven

Groove Metal | Album | 22 March 1994

'Far Beyond Driven' is the seventh studio album by Pantera. It was their fastest-selling album, and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Napalm Death
Diatribes

Death Metal (Grindcore) | Album | 30 January 1996

My Dying Bride
Like Gods Of The Sun

Doom Metal | Album | 7 October 1996

'Like Gods Of The Sun' is the fourth album by My Dying Bride. It is the last album by the band to feature Rick Miah on drums and Martin Powell on keyboards and violins. Like its predecessor 'The Angel And The Dark River' this album has completely clean vocals. Singer Aaron Stainthorpe has stated many times that this is his favorite My Dying Bride album. In October 2011, it was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association which indicated sales of at least 75,000 copies throughout Europe.

Katatonia
Brave Murder Day

Doom Metal | Album | 1 November 1996

'Brave Murder Day' is the second studio album by Katatonia. The lead vocals on the album are provided by Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, as Katatonia frontman Jonas Renkse was medically unable to perform screamed vocals anymore following health issues that arose from performing the band's debut. It was also the band's first album with second guitarist Fredrik Norrman.

Edge Of Sanity
Crimson

Death Metal | Album | 2 April 1996

'Crimson' is the fifth studio album by Edge Of Sanity. It was their first concept album and features a single 40-minute track, telling a story in the distant future, when human civilization is about to end. The album, which features Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt, received substantial critical acclaim, and is considered by most fans to be Edge Of Sanity's finest achievement. A sequel, Crimson II, was released in 2003 and picks up directly where the first album left off.

Cradle Of Filth
Dusk... And Her Embrace

Black Metal | Album | 19 November 1996

Burzum
Filosofem [Philosopheme]

Black Metal | Album | 31 January 1996

Opeth
Morningrise

Death Metal (Progressive) | Album | 24 June 1996

Metallica
Load

Thrash Metal | Album | 4 June 1996

Metallica had already taken a massive risk with their 1991 self-titled album, and proved that if the material is strong enough - you can update your sound and not only survive, but actually thrive. Load took the stylistic changes one step further, moving from a classic metal sound to more of a southern rock flavoured alternative style. They are a band that always trusted their instincts, and again got it just right - creating an album that was a step forward in their development, but also an album that appealed the 'alternative nation' audience so fashionable at the time. Fans of older alternative bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More embraced them, as did fans of newer nu-metal like Korn and Limp Bizkit. That isn't to say a few feathers weren't ruffled, with many older fans of Metallica finally proclaiming this was too much of a stretch musically, and that isn't even mentioning the much publicised haircut and fashion choices thrown about in marketing photos at the time. For those fans that did persevere and continue to follow the band, they were rewarded with a album rich with groove and personality, something that they had not really been part of the Metallica make-up before. Frontman James Hetfield even loosened the reigns enough to allow guitarist Kirk Hammett to add rhythm guitar parts to the album, something that had never been done before. The two different styles of the guitarists weaved together to give the music room to reveal tapestry of harmonies. The album opens with the succinct 'Ain't My Bitch'. With a slower pace than the usual opener, and a jaunty bounce that moves the song along, this didn't feel like the epic opener that a song like 'Enter Sandman' was. It feels like someone has opened a window and let some light into a dark room, but the lyrics still reveal the darkness that light can't quite get to in the corners. '2 x 4' provides even more breathing room, and anyone not sure where this album is heading will work it out here. It has a massive bouncing groove, and the cynical and intelligent lyrics are the only things connecting the listener to where this band were a decade ago. 'The House Jack Built' slows things down to doomy chug, something Metallica have done many times in the past - but this is still very different. A morbid tale of the woes of Hetfield's addictions that would catch up with him very soon, it again showcases that although the musical edge of his writing has been deliberately dulled, his lyrics were still tight and ever meaningful. It is something that occurs throughout the album, with these lighter edged songs being weighed back down to the dirt with the heaviness of Hetfield's lyrics. 'Until It Sleeps', the world's first introduction via single of this new Metallica a couple of weeks before the album, tells of his mother's battle with cancer. 'Hero Of The Day' opens the album up yet further with an almost rock-styled, single ready, anthem. 'Bleeding Me' is a slow chugging monster, that only really shows it's underbelly on repeat listens. Monster is indeed the only word that can describe it. At almost 80 minutes, it is a long album, and for what heaviness is lost in the music it seems by mid-point has been replaced by a heaviness in emotion. The songs drip with a dark energy, like a sleeping giant slowly awakening, and it isn't until the acoustic country-tinged ballad 'Mama Said' that the mood feels like it lifts. Penultimate track 'Ronnie' has a bluesy riff that challenges the listener not to bob their heads, and it isn't until you realise that the song is about a mass shooting that the smiles leaves your face. The final track, 'The Outlaw Torn' is an epic weighing in at almost 10 minutes. On first listen it feels a sprawling dirge to self-depreciation, but only repeat listens reveal the majesty of the track. It is full of space and air, yet fills the head with mud and confusion. With some of the best guitar work of the album on display, it is a masterpiece that may well have been lost to time if the rest of the songs had not resonated with audiences. When listening to the album, leave behind the edgy photography and the silly outfits. Forget about the band wearing makeup and cutting their head. Even try if you will to forget anything they had done prior. With a clear and open mind this album is revealed as an amazing statement by a band that were willing to destroy their own popularity if necessary, because they were driven by their urge to evolve into something new. Whether it was successful or not lies in the eye of beholder, no pun intended.