10 of the most disappointing metal albums ever

Have you ever been massively anticipating a band's new album, or discovered a new band whose shit you just seem to absolutely love, only to discover that most of their discography isn't at all the same quality as that which you discovered them through? I can be honest when I say that I rarely get disappointed by an album by bands I like, really just about whatever band it is in question. But sometimes, hell yeah, I have felt failed by my sworn idols.

Now, I really do support artistic freedom. After all - as a musician myself, I'd like to do whatever the fuck I want to do, but sometimes...your supporters just won't accept it. I'm gonna list ten albums down below that I felt disappointed about. This does not necessarily mean that I completely dislike the album, not at all, but simply that it (like really) didn't live up to my expectations, or just felt too different. Here we go...


10. DevilDriver - Beast 

When this album hit in 2011 I wasn't exactly stoked - I wasn't really the bigget DevilDriver fan at that time, yet, but I knew them a little bit and I was fairly new to modern metal, so I figured I'd give 'em a fair chance. Well, after a fair chance I thought it was fair enough to say that it was one big disappointment. I didn't look back on it for several years after that, but these days I'm quite keen on their sound - like 'em a lot. However, while this certainly is not bad by any means, this does not really remain among my favorite DD albums either.


9. Chimaira - Crown Of Phantoms

I started listening to Chimaira in 2009 when they released "The Infection", which is my favorite album of theirs btw. They were, together with Lamb of God, like the first bands of modern metal that I came to appreciate. However, after a lot of touring for "The Infection", half of the band left, including powerhouse drummer Andols Herrick and their most unique addition to their sound, keyboardist/electronics specialist Chris Spicuzza. They made another album, "The Age Of Hell", in 2011 which wasn't really well received (I love it, though), and then both of the bands' longtime guitarists Rob Arnold and Matt DeVries left too.

2013 came and an all-new Chimaira, apart from ever-lasting frontman Mark Hunter, delivered "Crown Of Phantoms". What can I say about it? Some people think it kicks ass while others seem to dislike it. I, personally, just don't feel like it was Chimaira anymore. I mean, it obviously sounds completely like another band to me. The guitars (especially the solo stuff) and drums have different vibes and styles compared to before, which is logical, but just not the same. I simply just didn't like its sound and direction very much, and (un)fortunately(?) they broke up after this album. As I see it, it was for the better - the original band was already gone since a long time, and it didn't sound like Chimaira anymore. Yet, it's fucking sad that they're not around anymore.


8. Mötley Crüe - Theatre Of Pain

After a great debut album in "Too Fast For Love" and even greater follow-up in the legendary "Shout At The Devil", the Crüe traded in the red and black satanic leathers and imagery for happy-colored women's clothing with dots and shit on 'em. I just think their new image spoke for itself in the music as well - having closed the "Shout At The Devil" album with a song called "Danger", it was the last time the Crüe actually sounded and/or appeared dangerous as well. On this one, they just sound like whatever fucking party glam band there ever was. Some tunes are still good though, but I hate most of it.


7. Life of Agony - Ugly

After unleashing the lyrically deep, musically awesome and just ripping debut "River Runs Red" in 1993, as well as some great hardcore demos before it, Brooklyn's LoA released this in 1995. It's not a bad album, but it's fucking let down after the assault the debut provided. This just sounds a lot more "safe" and influenced by alternative/grunge music (something that would only progress further on later albums as well). Mjah, I just never quite felt this album.


6. Iron Maiden - No Prayer For The Dying

I love Iron Maiden but after ten years they released this piece of shit. Yes, I called it that. I'm not a fucking fanboy - if a band, even if I really love 'em, releases a shit record, I will regard it as such. This was a shit record, kind of acknowledged by Steve Harris himself as well, but I was okey with it. Why was I? Because Maiden worked hard for over a decade, provided seven(!) amazing albums throughout the 80's, lost one of their key-writers (and my favorite writer in Maiden) in guitarist Adrian Smith the year before this album. They had a lot to live up to, and they failed this time around. It was understandable after so many years and albums. Sometime there must be a shit record. This was their first one (of very few). They compensated this failure with several amazing albums in the 2000's instead.


5. Megadeth - Th1rt3en

Dave Mustaine and his many different setups of company have been riding a lengthy roller-coaster when it comes to good and bad albums. They started off greatly with some awesome thrash albums in the 80's, then they made the highly acclaimed "Rust In Peace" which I actually never were very fond of, before jumpin' on Metallica's "black album-train" like so many others. They did the melodic "Youthanasia" in 1994 which I love, but after that they fucking lost it - well, until 2004's "The System Has Failed" anyway.

Dave and some of his companies did "United Abominations" and "Endgame" in the late 00's which I really liked as well, but after those came "Th1rt3en" - a mix of re-worked old vault songs as well as some new stuff, if I remember correctly. Well, I'd like to think that there was a reason for much of this material to have been scrapped before - and much of it should've just stayed that way.

This whole album is just a mix of aged turds that Dave and co. in vain tried to polish up. Some stuff here, especially lyrics, make me fucking cringe. I cannot shake the thought that this is the same mastermind who wrote "Peace Sells", "In My Darkest Hour" or "A Tout Le Monde". This album is just plain fucking crap, and fans were surprised by how shitty "Super Collider" was. Let me tell you, after this piece of crap I didn't expect anything from "Super Collider" at all, but I actually prefer that one over this seasoned crap collection. At least that was experimental and explored new ideas, for better or (probably) worse.


4. Danzig - Skeletons

Glenn Danzig - legendary frontman and musician - love the guy's works - from the Misfits to, well, Danzig. He announced in, like, 2011 or something already, that he was working on a covers album. I didn't think much about it, his music hadn't been all that great since 1994, even if I did really enjoy "6:66 Satan's Child" and "Deth Red Sabaoth".

Anyway, this album was finally released in 2015 - so it was at least four years in the making. Let's just say that... Glenn is cool, he's still got a nice voice, but his fucking band (especially Tommy Victor of Prong on guitar) is just so wrong for Danzig's music, not to mention that Glenn's own production skills sound like shite. Half of the covers on here aren't that interesting or good either, unfortunately. Let's just say that it was a too long wait for almost nothing. Glenn should stick to making originals - his original arrangements for covers on this album were the only good ones as well.


3. Spread Eagle - Open To The Public

Not many people know this band but they were a sleaze band that came out with their most excellent debut in 1990. Think a punkier and/or thrashier version of Skid Row, even if you think of "Slave To The Grind". These guys were from NYC, not L.A. They were raw - not polished.

Anyway, their debut went by pretty much unnoticed, which is a real fucking shame (it's actually my favorite album of genre glam/sleaze - ever). Three years later they release their follow-up and ultimately last album - "(Spread Eagle -) Open To The Public" (ha, that's funny). The first song is really cool, I like a lot, but after that one is just one endless fucking shitfest of boring songs leaning more towards alternative crap than their original sound. Disappointing to say the least.


2. Fate - Cruisin' For A Bruisin'

These guys are from Denmark and released a really nice debut in 1985. It was actually Hank Shermann from Mercyful Fate who went on to form this band after MF disbanded, but it's not the same musical style. These guys were more towards the same sound as, let's say early Europe, early Bon Jovi, and such likes. However, the guitar tone and style was just the same as on MF's "Don't Break The Oath" album, so it was still fucking cool. Next they did another album where the guitar was turned down a lot in favor of keyboards, you figure the rest. It was an okey album but Hank Shermann left after that one in 1986.

Now, fast forward to 1988 and Fate's third album - this sausage fest. I have honestly don't listened to this album too many times throughout the years, and I will let the reason for that be obvious. I'll just tell you - if you hate Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet", Europe's "Out Of This World", or...whatever, then you'll fucking hate this one too. It's just one of the shittiest records I've ever heard, and a most disappoint album (and direction) after their great debut three years prior to this one. Fear not though, Fate actually redeemed themselves already in 1990, and also in latter years, with several (at least) solid albums again.


1. Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood

And the winner of this shitfest sausage makarov blöjkaka is the very same band that is now also officially listen twice on this list: Mötley Crüe. First off, let me tell you. I am a huge fan of the Crüe's first two albums as well as "Girls, Girls, Girls", but obviously "Theatre Of Pain" wasn't on par with those to my ears, and this album...well.

Let me just put it like this: when a formerly constantly drugged-out band did a few great records, and they all of sudden decide to get sober to do an album, it can only end in one way: this way. And let me tell you, the Crüe's music lost all of its fucking balls when the drugs went out of the picture. This is truly the most disappointing record I've ever heard in my life. I just think Mötley Crüe should be junkies, that's the way they did great music. This shit is just lame, like glam metal for middle-aged moms who'd like to party while believing themselves to still be 20 when they're really 40. Fuck this shit.

Top-10 Best Metal Records By Each Year: 2003-2015

Yo everybody! I've been going back and forth over the years after 1996 or 1997, basically from where the last list stopped. There were some years, like 1998-2002, that are too hard to even find as much as ten(!) metal records that I like from each of those years. It's impossible to be honest. 

Anyway, from 2003 it was manageable to find ten from each year, even if that wasn't the easiest task either. Anyways, here are the lists for my personal - top-10 favorite metal records - by year - each year - 2003 to 2015. I will also comment some short thoughts on each year respectively. I hope you enjoy!

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2003:

Type O Negative – Life Is Killing Me

Chimaira – The Impossibility Of Reason

Watain - Casus Luciferi

Lamb of God – As The Palaces Burn

Children of Bodom – Hate Crew Deathroll

Septic Flesh - Sumerian Daemons

Iron Maiden – Dance Of Death

Jane’s Addiction - Strays

Strapping Young Lad – S/T

Black Label Society – The Blessed Hellride

Comment: The first year in quite many that actually began to take metal music uphill again. Not a very rich year (metal) musically, the the first 5-7 albums in this list are rather strong efforts in my opinion.

2004:

Lamb of God – Ashes Of The Wake

Mastodon - Leviathan

Megadeth – The System Has Failed

God Forbid – Gone Forever

Scarve – Irradiant

Motörhead - Inferno

Fear Factory – Archetype

Amon Amarth – Fate Of Norns

Saxon – Lionheart

Damageplan – New Found Power

Comment: A small step backwards, decreasing the strength in musical quality from the previous year, and not a very good year overall. What's in this list is pretty much "it" of what I either liked or found the slightest interest in.

2005:

Chimaira – S/T

Strapping Young Lad - Alien

DevilDriver – The Fury Of Our Maker’s Hand

Bolt Thrower – Those Once Loyal

Judas Priest – Angel Of Retribution

Crashdïet – Rest In Sleaze

Grand Magus – Wolf’s Return

Kreator – Enemy Of God

Soulfly – Dark Ages

Trivium – Ascendancy

Comment: A pretty big improvement from the previous two years, and quite a massive improvement if looking back to, like, 1998-1999 and onward. This was where (good) metal started to get a firm base to build upon again.

2006:

Iron Maiden – A Matter Of Life And Death

Lamb of God - Sacrament
Mastodon – Blood Mountain

Trivium – The Crusade
DragonForce – Inhuman Rampage
Amon Amarth – With Oden On Our Side

Celtic Frost - Monotheist
Cannibal Corpse - Kill 
Strapping Young Lad – The New Black
Tool – 10.000 Days

Comment: I'd say this year was not worrying as it was a quite good one, but it's a slight decrease in quality from the previous year. At least it was nothing that worried me at the time. Lamb of God and Trivium step it up a notch each, while Celtic Frost returns with a brooding dark album, and DragonForce gets interesting (I actually do like them).

2007:

Type O Negative – Dead Again

Chimaira – Resurrection
DevilDriver – The Last Kind Words
Samael – Solar Sun 

Machine Head – The Blackening

Ozzy Osbourne – Black Rain

Megadeth – United Abominations

W.A.S.P. – Dominator

Helloween – Gambling With The Devil

A Perfect Murder – War Of Aggression

Comment: Now this was the best year in over ten years time, I believe. 1996 and '97 weren't bad years at all (I have not listed anything for them in my previous list, though), but this year was like an official statement that "yes, metal is back, and it's here to stay". Bands like Machine Head and Helloween release their best albums in many years, while Type O Negative unknowingly releases what would ultimately be their last album, but a damn fine one.

2008:

Judas Priest – Nostradamus

Amon Amarth – Twilight Of The Thunder Gods

DragonForce – Ultra Beatdown

Trivium - Shogun

Cavalera Conspiracy – Inflikted

Soulfly - Conquer
Cannabis Corpse – Tube Of The Resinated

Dismember – S/T
Unleashed – Hammer Battalion

Texas Hippie Coalition – Pride Of Texas

Comment: After an excellent year in 2007, this year had a lot to do if it was going to top it, and it just didn't - unsurprisingly and understandably so. I for one loved "Nostradamus", like my favorite form Priest to be honest. Amon Amarth, Soulfly and DragonForce released their best albums (so far) respectively in my opinion.

2009:

Chimaira – The Infection

Mastodon – Crack The Skye

DevilDriver – Pray For Villains
God Forbid - Earthsblood
Lamb of God - Wrath 

Heaven & Hell – The Devil You Know

Dethklok – Dethalbum II

Devin Townsend - Addicted

Immortal – All Shall Fall

W.A.S.P. – Babylon

Comment: Despite this list being fucking awesome, with Chimaira, LoG, Mastodon, God Forbid and DevilDriver all releasing my favorite albums of theirs respectively in this year, the year as a whole (outside of this list) was pretty poor. Not really a weak year musically, but just too few interesting releases. A thin but strong year.

2010:

Watain – Lawless Darkness

Enforcer – Diamonds

Helloween – 7 Sinners
Death Angel - Relentless Retribution

Raintime – Psychromatic

Overkill – Ironbound

Fear Factory – Mechanize

Black Label Society – Order Of The Black

Accept – Blood Of The Nations

Valkyrja - Contamination

Comment: A new decade, new trends and possibilities ahead, and it started rather good I'd say. First off, and of most worth to me, the current trend of "retro metal" crawls out of the underground and starts to become popular, with bands like the almighty Enforcer leading the pack to my ears. Watain also just kills everything in their way, and Helloween, Death Angel, Fear Factory and Overkill release their strongest material in a long time.

2011:

Skull Fist – Head Öf The Pack

Samael – Lux Mundi

Chimaira – The Age Of Hell

Mastodon – The Hunter
DevilDriver – Beast

Revocation – Chaos Of Forms

Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist

Amon Amarth – Surtur Rising
Vicious Rumors – Razorback Killers

Machine Head – Unto The Locust

Comment: This was a really long/slow and worrying year for me. Not only was the amount of interesting albums very small this year, but some bands like Machine Head and DevilDriver delivered a lot weaker material than their previous releases. Fans of Chimaira and Mastodon thought the same of their releases this year, but I actually liked both "The Age Of Hell" and "The Hunter" a lot. All in all though, this was not a very good or fun year for me as a metal music fan.

2012:

Steelwing – Zone Of Alienation

Overkill – The Electric Age

Unleashed - Odalheim
God Forbid - Equilibrium

Accept – Stalingrad

Bleeding Through – The Great Fire

DragonForce – The Power Within

Fear Factory -  The Industrialist

Lamb of God – Resolution

Cauldron – Tomorrow’s Lost

Comment: After the most mediocre year of 2011, this year was to become a whole lot better. More "retro metallers" deliver some great albums (Steelwing and Cauldron), while an old band like Unleashed suddenly comes back and releases their best album like...ever! It was at least an interesting year again, even if it wasn't on par with, say 2007 and 2010.

2013:

Power Trip – Manifest Decimation

Enforcer – Death By Fire
Death Angel - The Dream Calls For Blood

Watain – The Wild Hunt

Carcass – Surgical Steel

In Solitude – Sister

Sepultura – The Mediator Between The Head And Hands Must Be The Heart

DevilDriver – Winter Kills
Motörhead - Aftershock

Chaos Invocation – Black Mirror Hours

Comment: Once more, this particular year was an improvement over the last year(s). This year really passed by fast for me, I found my life's love and everything just went by so goddamn fast. There was a lot of good music this year, even outside of the actual top-list. Enforcer and Watain continue to release really strong and great albums, while DevilDriver returns with their strongest album for a while, and the biggest surprises of all: Sepultura delivers their best album since Chaos A.D., possibly even Arise. If fans weren't convinced of their quality without Max after this year, then those fans are fucking inbred or brainless or something. The second: Hardcore-thrashers Power Trip just rip metal a new asshole with their awesome debut.

2014:

DragonForce – Maximum Overload

Mastodon – Once More ‘Round The Sun

Accept – Blind Rage

Satanic Warmaster - Fimbulwinter

Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestite

At The Gates – At War With Reality

Behemoth – The Satanist

Arch Enemy – War Eternal

Skull Fist – Chasing The Dream

Revocation – Deathless

Comment: Once again a strong year, even though if it wasn't perhaps just quite as good as the previous one. Anyway, I had nothing to complain about - apart from time passing by so fucking fast. These albums feel like they were released yesterday to me. Fuck, I feel old.

2015:

Enforcer – From Beyond

Lamb of God – VII: Sturm Und Drang

Fear Factory - Genexus

Ghost – Meliora
Motörhead - Bad Magic

Queensrÿche – Condition Hüman

W.A.S.P. – Golgotha

Europe – War Of Kings

Tribulation – The Children Of The Night

Saxon – Battering Ram

Comment: Another strong year to my ears, even if it's still on a slight downfall (again). At this pace however, it will be a few years till metal is truly gone to shitters again. I must admit though, I did not have as much focus on releases during this year than the years before. So much happened in my life last year, so I just didn't have the same time to discover music, and thus I don't really have an overall picture of what the year provided as a whole, but I really enjoyed these albums at least.