I admit I'm kind of in catch-up mode, at this point, as I do want to make sure these Top 5 articles stay within their intended year, so I admit I didn't listen to everything I could have for 1990. And I'm afraid this may be the case for the next few, but we'll have to see. In any case, 1990 is a curious year, as it was one where rock and metal were in transition, like I mentioned in my Anniversary Article. A few honorable mentions include that Blue Tears album I just reviewed, and Megadeth's Rust in Peace. However, with my tastes, there really aren't many surprises here. Here's my Top 5 of 1990!
While their first two albums are some curious speed metal, this album is the one where they start to forge their iconic power metal sound. Great tracks like "Welcome to Dying" and "The Last Candle" help this album be a landmark in the genre's history before it would explode later in the decade.
Upon relistening to this one, I'm discovering that I'm fond of it more than I expected. While this may have been Kai Hansen's first album away from Helloween, his iconic riffing and song-writing is all over it, and with Ralf Scheepers on board, it makes for a delightful collection of melodic metal.
Looking back at my recent review, you'd think I was relatively unimpressed with it, but upon considering it for this list, I can't deny Dio's consistency. It may not have any major hits, but I'll take a solid album of B's over one with a few A's and too many D's.
The comeback album for these Australian titans of hard rock. It's not flashy, or particularly fresh, but the production finally captures them at their best, playing iconic, anthemic, fist-pumping tracks. It's not perfect, but the highlights, like the unforgettable "Thunderstruck," help raise this album to #2.
However, the #1 album was not hard to pick. It's Judas Priest doing what they do best: rocking faces off and rolling over listeners with powerful, catchy, excellently-played heavy metal. After a few lackluster releases in the late 80s, the band came back roaring with their new drummer Scott Travis! While this era wouldn't last very long, it definitely made an impression to anyone that listened to it, ensuring that classic metal can be as timeless as anything else.
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