Celebrating 30 years of iconic albums

Year 1995 was an excellent one for Swedish metal. Obviously great albums from many other countries were released back then too, and now it’s time to take a look at and celebrate these iconic albums turning 30 this year:

1. At The Gates – “Slaughter of the Soul”

Swedish band At The Gates’ “Slaughter of the Soul” is considered one of the defining albums of the Gothenburg sound and melodic death metal. Rightly so, as the band’s fourth album delivered 11 tracks of heavy onslaught, dark guitar melodies, and the cherry on top: Tomas Lindberg’s raspy growls. Following “Slaughter of the Soul”, fans had to wait nearly 20 years for a new At The Gates album, with “At War with Reality” finally seeing the light of day in 2014.

2. Dark Tranquillity – “The Gallery”

Alongside At The Gates’ “Slaughter of the Soul”, “The Gallery” by Dark Tranquillity stands as another cornerstone of the Gothenburg sound. This second album marked the first time Mikael Stanne took over vocal duties, having previously played rhythm guitar on the band’s debut. Highlight tracks from this album include the blistering “Punish My Heaven” and the hauntingly melodic “Lethe.”

3. Meshuggah – “Destroy Erase Improve”

While 1995 was dominated by melodic death metal from Sweden, Meshuggah carved out their own path with “Destroy Erase Improve”. This second full-length album showcased intricate syncopations, raw screamed vocals, and crushing riffs. A clear evolution from their debut, it marked a significant step toward the signature Meshuggah sound. There’s no room for restraint here—this album drives relentlessly forward from the opening beats of “Future Breed Machine” to the closing moments of “Sublevels.”

4. Faith No More – “King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime”

Faith No More’s fifth album truly embodies the band’s eclectic nature, featuring a mix of everything from funk to metal. Standout tracks include “Evidence,” “Digging the Grave,” and “The Gentle Art of Making Enemies.” This was also the first Faith No More album to feature guitarist Trey Spruance, known from Mr. Bungle, who replaced Jim Martin. The result is a bold and varied record that pushes boundaries while remaining unmistakably Faith No More.

5. Foo Fighters – “Foo Fighters”

After the tragic loss of his Nirvana bandmate, drummer Dave Grohl didn’t let grief consume him. Instead, he channeled it into creating a project that would later become Foo Fighters. A year after Kurt Cobain’s death, Grohl released the Foo Fighters’ self-titled debut album, a work he almost entirely wrote, composed, played, and recorded on his own. The band’s name, Foo Fighters, is derived from the nickname American pilots gave to mysterious UFO sightings during World War II—not the band, but the extraterrestrials. This album marked the beginning of one of modern rock’s most enduring acts.

6. Radiohead – “The Bends”

Radiohead burst into mainstream consciousness in 1993 with their breakout hit “Creep“, featured on their debut album “Pablo Honey”. This rapid rise to fame led some critics to dismiss them as a one-hit wonder. Then came 1995, and the release of their second album, “The Bends”. This record showcased a more artistic and experimental style compared to their debut, paving the way for the electronic and introspective sound Radiohead is best known for today. Songs like “Fake Plastic Trees” and “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” became timeless tracks, cementing their status as a band with lasting creative depth.

7. Sentenced – “Amok”

What better way to kick off an album than with the iconic Finnish war cry “Hakkaa päälle pohjan poika” from The Unknown Soldier -movie. Sentenced’s first two records were pillars of death metal, but their third album, “Amok”, marked a shift towards a lighter musical direction. Despite the softer sound, the lyrical themes remained as dark and brooding as ever. “Amok” features Taneli Jarva’s last appearance as the band’s vocalist, making it a turning point in Sentenced’s evolution. Tracks like “Nepenthe” and “Forever Lost” reflect this transitional phase with haunting intensity.

8. Dissection – “Storm of the Light’s Bane”

Dissection’s second album delivered eight tracks of dark, unrelenting blackened death metal. “Storm of the Light’s Bane” is a landmark release, often hailed as one of the defining albums of the melodic black metal genre. Tragically, it also became the last Dissection album before Jon Nödtveidt’s conviction for murder. After his release from prison in 2004, Dissection reformed and released “Reinkaos” in 2006. However, that same year, Nödtveidt took his own life, marking the end of Dissection’s haunting and controversial legacy. Tracks like “Night’s Blood” and “Where Dead Angels Lie” continue to define the band’s enduring impact.

9. Van Halen – “Balance”

It likely comes as no surprise that tensions within Van Halen were high during the recording of “Balance”, particularly between the Van Halen brothers and vocalist Sammy Hagar. Despite the turmoil, the band’s tenth studio album produced memorable tracks, including the beautifully heartfelt “I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You“, which undoubtedly contributed to the record’s commercial success. Released in 1995, “Balance” became Sammy Hagar’s final full-length album with the band before they parted ways in 1996. The album is noted for its blend of hard rock energy and introspective ballads, marking a bittersweet chapter in Van Halen‘s history.

10. Rammstein – ”Herzeleid”

Back in 1995, few could have predicted that this band would become one of the biggest in the world. “Herzeleid”, Rammstein‘s debut album, brilliantly showcases the distinct sound that would define the group—powerful industrial metal blended with theatrical flair. Tracks like “Du riechst so gut” and “Asche zu Asche” remain staples in their live performances even today. In 2020, Rammstein celebrated the 25th anniversary of this iconic album with the release of a remastered edition, “HERZELEID XXV”, honoring the record that set the stage for their rise to global fame.

11. Opeth – “Orchid”

Swedish progressive metal pioneers Opeth‘s debut album, “Orchid”, also celebrates a milestone this year. The album, adorned with a beautiful orchid cover, blends death metal with progressive elements and, most notably, features Mikael Åkerfeldt’s distinctive growling vocals. “Orchid” is definitely an album to be experienced in its entirety, offering a unique mix of intricate musical layers and powerful, atmospheric moments that laid the foundation for Opeth’s legendary sound.

12. Paradise Lost – “Draconian Times”

The timeless “Draconian Times” marked a pivotal shift in Paradise Lost’s sound, moving away from death metal and embracing a more doom-laden gothic metal style. Released in 1995, this album remains one of the band’s most iconic works. In 2011, Paradise Lost celebrated the album’s legacy with the release of a live DVD, “Draconian Times MMXI”, recorded during their performance at a London show on April 1, 2011. As the title suggests, the band played “Draconian Times” in its entirety during this memorable concert, offering fans a chance to relive the album’s atmospheric and powerful tracks live.

13. AC/DC – “Ballbreaker”

AC/DC‘s popularity started to rise again in the 1990s, following the release of “The Razors Edge” in 1990, which brought them back to the commercial success levels of the early 1980s. With the return of Phil Rudd on drums and legendary producer Rick Rubin at the helm, expectations for their 13th album, “Ballbreaker”, were high. However, the album did not fully meet these lofty expectations, as it performed commercially worse than “The Razors Edge”. Despite this, “Ballbreaker” still delivered some memorable tracks, including “Hard as a Rock,” “Cover You in Oil,” and, of course, the title track “Ballbreaker.” While the album didn’t quite live up to its predecessors, it still maintained the band’s signature energy and gritty rock sound.

14. The Smashing Pumpkins – “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness”

While “Siamese Dream”, The Smashing Pumpkins‘ previous album, was highly praised, their double album “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness” was hailed as a masterpiece. And the praise was well deserved. The album features 28 remarkable tracks, many of which became some of the band’s most iconic songs, such as “1979,” “Tonight, Tonight,” and the angsty “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” which likely had the teens of that era angrily punching the air. With its mix of alt-rock, orchestral influences, and raw emotion, “Mellon Collie” remains a landmark release of the 90s, showcasing the band’s musical range and songwriting prowess.

15. Anthrax – “Stomp 442”

Anthrax‘s seventh album, “Stomp 442”, continued the groovier metal style introduced on “Sound of White Noise”. It is also the first Anthrax album without guitarist Dan Spitz. With no lead guitarist, most of the solos on the album were performed by Paul Crook, though you can also hear solos by Pantera‘s Dimebag Darrell on tracks like “King Size” and “Riding Shotgun.” Unfortunately, “Stomp 442” marked the beginning of a decline for the band, which lasted until 2010, when Joey Belladonna rejoined Anthrax and they released “Worship Music” in 2011. Despite the challenges, “Stomp 442” remains an interesting, if often overlooked, chapter in Anthrax‘s career.

16. Gamma Ray – “Land of the Free”

This year also marks the anniversary of Gamma Ray‘s fourth album, “Land of the Free”, a key release in the power metal genre. Formed by Kai Hansen after leaving Helloween, Gamma Ray saw a major lineup change on this album, with Hansen stepping in as the lead vocalist, replacing Ralf Scheepers. “Land of the Free” is the first album since Helloween‘s “Walls of Jericho” where Hansen took on the primary vocal duties. The album’s closing track, “Afterlife,” is dedicated to the memory of Helloween‘s drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg, who tragically took his own life in 1995. This album cemented Gamma Ray‘s place in the power metal pantheon, with its soaring vocals, intricate guitar work, and anthemic tracks.

17. Strapping Young Lad – “Heavy As a Really Heavy Thing”

Formed in 1994 by Devin Townsend after his stint as the vocalist on Steve Vai’s “Sex & Religion” album, Strapping Young Lad‘s debut album, “Heavy As a Really Heavy Thing”, was released the following year. The album can be seen as a burst of raw emotion from Townsend, delivering a chaotic blend of intense, heavy music with his signature humor. The record is a whirlwind of aggression and confusion, but its unpredictability and intensity make it stand out in the metal world. While the next album, “City”, would refine the band’s sound and reduce the chaotic elements, “Heavy As a Really Heavy Thing” remains a fascinating snapshot of Townsend’s early work. And, of course, any album that has a track titled “Satan’s Ice Cream Truck” can’t be all bad!

18. Death – “Symbolic”

“Symbolic” marked a shift in Death‘s sound, incorporating more melodic and even progressive elements compared to the band’s earlier, more straightforward death metal approach. This sixth album was intended to be Death‘s final full-length release, with frontman Chuck Schuldiner already contemplating the end of the band’s journey. However, fans were fortunate to receive one more album, “The Sound of Perseverance”, in 1998, which would go on to solidify Death‘s legacy. “Symbolic” remains a standout in Death‘s discography, showcasing Schuldiner’s evolution as a musician and composer, blending technicality, melody, and darkness in a way that would influence future generations of metal musicians.

19. Deicide – “Once Upon the Cross”

“Once Upon the Cross” is the third studio album from the American death metal band Deicide. The album features nine tracks of brutal, uncompromising death metal, continuing the band’s tradition of aggressive and dark music. One of the most controversial aspects of the album was its original cover artwork, which depicted a disfigured, crucified Jesus with his entrails exposed. This graphic image led to censorship, and the record label intervened, resulting in a modified version of the cover. Despite the controversy, “Once Upon the Cross” solidified Deicide‘s place in the death metal scene with its intense sound and anti-religious themes.

20. Fear Factory – “Demanufacture”

“Demanufacture” is the second album by the American industrial metal band Fear Factory and the first to feature their classic lineup. The album is a concept album that explores themes of humanity’s struggle in a society controlled by machines. “Demanufacture” is often regarded as Fear Factory‘s best work, and this reputation is supported by standout tracks like the singles “Replica” and the title track “Demanufacture,” both of which embody the album’s aggressive industrial sound and futuristic themes. The combination of aggressive guitar riffs, mechanized drumming, and dynamic vocals (ranging from growls to clean singing) helped define the band’s signature style and solidified “Demanufacture” as a landmark album in industrial metal.