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

P.H.U.Q. throws together noisy guitars, punk speed and unexpectedly sweet melody with typical Wildhearts force.

UFO's fourteenth album, out first in Japan on 15 April 1995, reunited Phil Mogg and Pete Way with Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond and Andy Parker.

Aria finds ASIA in a phase that rebuilds Asia's dramatic scale around John Payne's voice and Geoff Downes's keyboards in a clearly 1990s sound frame.

Cross Purposes finds BLACK SABBATH in a phase that lets the Tony Martin-era lineup balance Sabbath's ominous weight with unusually clear melodic definition.

Cradle of Filth's debut album, from February 1994, and a then-unusual welding of gothic metal to black metal.

Pride in Tact finds LIONSHEART in a phase that centers on Steve Grimmett's powerful voice and gives Lionsheart a dramatic, traditional British melodic-metal frame.

A 1994 album, twelve tracks cut at Showplace Studios in Dover, New Jersey.

Welcome to the Madhouse finds SHY in a phase that brings Shy's established melodic-hard-rock instincts into a tougher sound with more distinctly 1990s shade.

The Cult finds THE CULT in a phase that places hard-rock riffing and a 1990s alternative sensibility inside Bob Rock's weighty production.

Carcass's fourth album, issued by Earache in 1993. It was recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, and it is the reference point for melodic death metal.

Cathedral's second album, released in May 1993: the crawl of the debut gives way to Seventies hard-rock swing, and Columbia issued it in America.

The Battle Rages On... finds DEEP PURPLE in a phase that puts Deep Purple’s heavy hard-rock riffing and tense ensemble work back in sharp focus.

Nothin' but Trouble is a useful way to hear JOHN SYKES from a different angle within the 1993 catalogue.

Bastards was released on 11 October 1993 by ZYX of Germany. Twelve tracks, and the first album on which Mikkey Dee plays drums throughout.

Paradise Lost's fourth album, released in September 1993: the record that made their name in gothic metal, and the last with Matthew Archer on drums.

The fourth Praying Mantis studio album, released by Pony Canyon on 21 May 1993 as PCCY-00422, with Mark Thompson-Smith singing and former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton in the band. Eleven songs.

Earth vs The Wildhearts captures THE WILDHEARTS at a point where the later image is not yet fully fixed.

Aqua by ASIA: track list, Spotify player and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Dehumanizer reunites Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice for a return to Black Sabbath’s heavy, uneasy sound.

Bolt Thrower's fourth album, issued by Earache in 1992. It was cut at Sawmill Studios that August and slows the band down sharply from the record before it.

Adrenalize gathers Def Leppard’s layered chorus work, hard guitar and immediate melody into a record completed after the loss of Steve Clark.

Aphrodisiac centers on Steve Overland’s smooth, powerful vocal and gathers FM’s refined AOR and melodic-hard-rock feel.

Fear of the Dark keeps Iron Maiden’s sense of charge while moving into darker, harder riffing and more sustained tension.

Lionsheart’s debut puts Steve Grimmett’s powerful high vocal at the front of thick riffs and dramatic melody.

Released by Epic in July 1992, March ör Die carries Ozzy Osbourne and Slash on "I Ain't No Nice Guy". Epic issued the Japanese pressing on 22 August as ESCA 5641.

Paradise Lost's third album and their first for Music for Nations, released on 14 July 1992; it closes with "As I Die", later issued as a single.

Saxon's eleventh album, released in 1992. It is the last full album with the founding guitarist Graham Oliver.

UFO's thirteenth studio album, released in February 1992, was the only one with Laurence Archer and Clive Edwards and brought Pete Way back.

Carcass's third album, issued by Earache in 1991. It is the first with guitarist Michael Amott and the first the band recorded as a four-piece.

Cathedral's debut, released in October 1991: doom played at a crawl on all but one track, and Lee Dorrian's favourite of all the records he has made.

Takin’ It to the Streets centers on Steve Overland’s smooth vocal and adds soft soul and pop color to FM’s melodic-hard-rock frame.

1916, released by Epic in January 1991 and a UK No. 24, holds "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.", the band's tribute to the Ramones, and a title track about the dead of the First World War.

No More Tears connects large heavy riffs and melancholy melody with unusual consistency.

Paradise Lost's second album, released by Peaceville on 19 March 1991: the record their own biography credits with making them pioneers of gothic metal.

The band's second album, ten years after the first, and in practice their restart. Pony Canyon released it on 21 March 1991 as PCCY-00207, with Gary Barden of MSG singing and Dennis Stratton, formerly of Iron Maiden, on guitar. Eleven songs.

Queen's fourteenth album, released in February 1991 (in Japan on 30 January): the last released in Freddie Mercury's lifetime, and a UK No. 1.

Made in Germany after the band took up with Kreator's management. Gallagher calls it darker and heavier than the low-budget record before it.

Saxon's tenth album, released in 1991. It is the first with Nibbs Carter on bass, a place he has held ever since.

Ceremony builds a longer, more shadowed song world around Billy Duffy’s thick guitar and Ian Astbury’s deep vocal.

Tyr is a useful way to hear BLACK SABBATH from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Slaves and Masters is a useful way to hear DEEP PURPLE from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

No Prayer for the Dying finds IRON MAIDEN in a phase that reasserts the force of traditional metal through steel-edged riffs, forward beat and proud vocal delivery.

Painkiller finds JUDAS PRIEST in a phase that reasserts the force of traditional metal through steel-edged riffs, forward beat and proud vocal delivery.

Paradise Lost's debut album, released by Peaceville Records on 5 February 1990: the slow, heavy doom-death sound the band started out from.