1990 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

Dio's fifth studio album, released in May 1990, had an all-new line-up around Ronnie James Dio, including guitarist Rowan Robertson, hired at 17.

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

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

The second album, the record that set the standard for instrumental rock: number 18 in the US and certified Gold.

Outrage's third album, out on 10 September 1990. It extends the two before it while opening out the arrangements to give the singing room.

Suicidal Tendencies' fifth album, released by Epic in 1990. It is the first with bassist Robert Trujillo and the last studio record with drummer R.J. Herrera, and it moves the band from crossover toward thrash metal proper.

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.

Alice in Chains' debut, released by Columbia in 1990. It was the first grunge album certified gold by the RIAA, reached number 42 on the Billboard 200 and has since gone triple platinum.

Obituary's second album, out on 19 September 1990. It was cut at Morrisound Recording in Tampa with Scott Burns producing, and it is one of the records by which Florida death metal is measured.

Entombed's debut, recorded in under a week at Sunlight Studio in Stockholm in late 1989 and issued by Earache in the United Kingdom in 1990.

Death's third album, out on 16 February 1990. It drops the gore of the first two records for social subject matter and raises the level of playing a step, and it is the turn in the band's course.

Atheist's debut, taped in 1988 and held back for years by a label bankruptcy before its international release in 1990. It is one of the earliest death metal records built on jazz-fusion phrasing.

No Smoke Without Fire is Anthem's sixth studio album, released on 21 March 1990. It was their first record made abroad, cut in London with Tony Taverner, and it carries a guest appearance by Don Airey of Rainbow.

The fifth album, released in 1990, closing out the run that began in the mid-80s.

A third album produced by Deep Purple's Roger Glover, after which the band came close to breaking up.

The Razors Edge is a useful way to hear AC/DC from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Never, Neverland finds ANNIHILATOR in a phase that uses angular riffs and urgent rhythm to examine thrash-metal aggression from several sides.

Persistence of Time finds ANTHRAX in a phase that uses angular riffs and urgent rhythm to examine thrash-metal aggression from several sides.

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

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

Heartbreak Station finds CINDERELLA in a phase that puts hard rock’s physical pull forward on a base of bluesy grit and thick riffs.

Act III finds DEATH ANGEL in a phase that uses angular riffs and urgent rhythm to examine thrash-metal aggression from several sides.

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

Impact Is Imminent finds EXODUS in a phase that uses angular riffs and urgent rhythm to examine thrash-metal aggression from several sides.

Pornograffitti finds EXTREME in a phase that crosses heavy riffs, bouncing rhythm and dense harmony to create a distinctive groove.

FireHouse captures FIREHOUSE at a point where the later image is not yet fully fixed.

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.

Brigade is a useful way to hear HEART 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.

Rust in Peace finds MEGADETH in a phase that uses angular riffs and urgent rhythm to examine thrash-metal aggression from several sides.

Cowboys from Hell finds PANTERA in a phase that pursues pressure that reaches the body through heavy riffs and clinging rhythm rather than speed.

Flesh & Blood is a useful way to hear POISON from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Empire finds QUEENSRŸCHE in a phase that joins intricate movement and high-level musicianship to vocal melody and dramatic structure.

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.

Detonator is a useful way to hear RATT from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

The Privilege of Power finds RIOT in a phase that reasserts the force of traditional metal through steel-edged riffs, forward beat and proud vocal delivery.

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

Stick It to Ya finds SLAUGHTER in a phase that uses hard-edged guitar and wide-open vocal melody to deepen a melodic-hard-rock outline.

Seasons in the Abyss is a useful way to hear SLAYER from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Talisman captures TALISMAN at a point where the later image is not yet fully fixed.

Souls of Black finds TESTAMENT in a phase that uses angular riffs and urgent rhythm to examine thrash-metal aggression from several sides.

Trixter captures TRIXTER at a point where the later image is not yet fully fixed.

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

Rev It Up is a useful way to hear VIXEN from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Cherry Pie is a useful way to hear WARRANT from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

In the Heart of the Young finds WINGER in a phase that uses hard-edged guitar and wide-open vocal melody to deepen a melodic-hard-rock outline.

Ten is a useful way to hear Y&T from a different angle within the 1990 catalogue.

Eclipse is the fifth album by YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE, joining the flair of neoclassical guitar to powerful singing on a dramatic scale.