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.
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