Germany Metal & Hard Rock Albums of the 1990s - Page 2

Rainmaker deepens Fair Warning’s clear melodies and lyricism through more settled, patient performances.

Land of the Free puts Kai Hansen’s own lead vocal at the front and restores Gamma Ray’s sense of speed-metal uplift with real force.

Kreator's seventh studio album, from 1995, their first for GUN Records and the only one with a different drummer.

Change introduces David Readman and gives Pink Cream 69 a heavier guitar frame with more mid-1990s shadow.

Black in Mind uses Rage’s heavy riffs and intelligent shifts to create a dark, unsettling world.

Rammstein's debut album, released in September 1995 on Motor Music by the six players who have been the band ever since.

A mid-1990s record for No Bull Records; Zero Corporation issued the Japanese edition.

Death Row finds ACCEPT in a phase that takes Accept into a heavier, darker direction through down-tuned guitars and a colder overall atmosphere.

Master of the Rings, HELLOWEEN's sixth album, brings in Andi Deris and Uli Kusch and returns the band to the drive of straight-ahead power metal.

10 Years in Rage is a useful way to hear RAGE from a different angle within the 1994 catalogue.

Objection Overruled is a reunion record on which ACCEPT, with Udo Dirkschneider back, reasserts its core of steel-edged riffs and sing-along choruses.

The Big Thrill finds AXXIS in a phase that polishes the uplifting drive of German melodic hard rock by combining open melodies with hard-edged guitar work.

Insanity and Genius finds GAMMA RAY in a phase that frames Gamma Ray’s fast German-metal drive and singable melody with a firmer riff attack.

Chameleon, HELLOWEEN's fifth album, steps far beyond the band's familiar speed-metal frame to try keyboards, acoustic color and pop melody.

Games People Play finds PINK CREAM 69 in a phase that combines Pink Cream 69’s large melodic-hard-rock hooks with heavier guitar and more shadowed songwriting.

The Missing Link finds RAGE in a phase that layers heavy riffing, dramatic movement and introspective color onto Rage’s speed-metal sharpness.

Face the Heat finds SCORPIONS in a phase that keeps Scorpions’ large melodic sense while taking in harder riffs and the social tension of the early 1990s.

Issued by GSE Records, and released in Japan by Zero Corporation the following year.

Blind Guardian's fourth album, released in June 1992 as their first for Virgin; its sleeve of time-travelling bards gave the band its nickname, the Bards.

Fair Warning’s debut balances strength and delicacy through Tommy Heart’s emotionally rich vocal and Helge Engelke’s polished guitar.

Kreator's sixth studio album, from October 1992 and the first on which they brought industrial music into their writing.

Trapped! brings sharp guitar riffing, mobile rhythm and Peavy Wagner’s distinctive vocal together at high density.

The band's return after the Noise years, on Mausoleum. Andy Susemihl played guitar on several tracks, and Victor issued the album in Japan.

Sigh No More carries forward Gamma Ray’s early lift while adding darker riffing and a stronger sense of tension.

Pink Bubbles Go Ape finds Helloween moving into a lighter, more colorful song style after Kai Hansen’s departure, while retaining speed and lift.

One Size Fits All tightens Pink Cream 69’s blend of thick riffs, Andi Deris’s clear vocal and memorable chorus hooks.

Timebomb centers on Udo Dirkschneider’s rough roar and sharply chugging guitar in a hard-edged metal setting.

Axxis II is a useful way to hear AXXIS from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Blind Guardian's third album, released in 1990. Kai Hansen guests on it, and it is the first record on which the band's layered choral vocals and sense of drama carry the whole album.

Heading for Tomorrow finds GAMMA RAY in a phase that combines racing riffs, layered chorus and narrative melody to paint power metal on a large emotional scale.

Kreator's fifth studio album, from November 1990, recorded in Hollywood and closing their 1980s thrash period.

Reflections of a Shadow finds RAGE in a phase that combines racing riffs, layered chorus and narrative melody to paint power metal on a large emotional scale.

Crazy World finds SCORPIONS in a phase that joins large choruses, thick guitar and arena-scale drive to tighter song construction.

Faceless World is a useful way to hear U.D.O.