I'm the Man
Artist: Anthrax
Community Score: 6.55

Genius. Pure genius. Way before Rage Against the Machine, before Run-D.M.C.'s collaboration with Aerosmith, and before their infamous collaboration with Public Enemy, Anthrax take the credit -- or blame -- for being the pioneers of merging rap and metal. Released in 1987, their now-classic I'm the Man is a funny tribute/parody/attempt at hip-hop... Read More

XYZ
Artist: XYZ
Community Score: 10.00
The Legacy
Artist: Testament
Community Score: 8.03

Comparable to Slayer, Megadeth, and Metallica, Testament is one of thrash metal's more accessible and best-known bands. Testament quickly earned respect in thrash circles with its debut album, The Legacy, a relentlessly heavy and promising effort focusing on such subjects as the occult, witchcraft, nuclear war, and global destruction. Though one... Read More

Second Heat
Artist: Racer X
Community Score: 10.00

Racer X's debut album, Street Lethal, established the band as little more than a vehicle for guitarist Paul Gilbert's virtuosic neo-metal soloing style. For its sophomore release, Second Heat, Racer X ups the intensity of its already terrifying instrumental attack by adding second guitarist Bruce Bouillet to the fold, thereby enabling some of... Read More

Kingdom Come
Artist: Kingdom Come
Community Score: 5.00

It contains the hit single "Get It On." ~ Dan Heilman, All Music Guide Read More

Greg Howe
Artist: Greg Howe
Community Score: 10.00

During the mid- to late '80s, talent scout and Shrapnel Records owner Mike Varney was the ultimate source for new high-tech guitar virtuosos in the post-Yngwie Malmsteen era (Malmsteen was also one of his finds). Among the dozens of young guns who emerged from Varney's stable, Greg Howe was one of the best. His debut album, Greg Howe, was... Read More

Howe 2: High Gear
Artist: Greg Howe
Community Score: 10.00

After Easton, PA, native Greg Howe established himself as a promising new guitar virtuoso in the hard rock underground with his instrumental, self-titled debut in 1988, he immediately returned in 1989 with a band effort called Howe 2. Collecting the local talents of brother Al Howe (lead vocals), Vern Parsons (bass), and Joe Nevolo (drums), Greg... Read More

No Place for Disgrace
Artist: Flotsam & Jetsam
Community Score: 9.00

Though they had recently lost lyricist and principal songwriter Jason Newsted to Metallica, Arizona thrashers Flotsam and Jetsam neatly avoided the sophomore slump with 1988's No Place for Disgrace. The album basically repeats the formula of their debut but benefits from a cleaner, yet still-in-your face production job. And while Newsted... Read More

Perfect Symmetry
Artist: Fates Warning
Community Score: 8.75

This was the recording that established Fates Warning as a progressive band. Their metal influences still dominate the group's overall sound; however, Mark Zonder's unique approach to drumming adds another level of depth and credibility to the music. His double bass, odd-time introduction to "Part of the Machine" is the session's defining... Read More

The Collection
Artist: Motörhead

In the never-ending battle of Motörhead compilation albums, this one has both its strengths and its weaknesses. Certainly the disc does not hold up to No Remorse, the definitive "best of" collection by the group. That album has this one beat both on the basis of quantity and quality of material. However, there are some unique cuts here that are... Read More