1991 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

Attack of the Killer B's is best heard not simply as a covers-related entry, but as a record that shows how ANTHRAX translates outside material into its

Screw It! uses Ted Poley’s clear vocal, Andy Timmons’s vivid guitar and thick chorus layers to create bright, flamboyant hard rock.

Prisoners in Paradise keeps Europe’s large arena-rock outline while adding a calmer melancholy and greater polish.

Parallels keeps Fates Warning’s complex rhythm and extended development while giving the songs a clearer outline around Ray Alder’s vocal.

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.

Unusual Heat introduces a new front voice and places Mick Jones’s guitar at the center of a harder, more early-1990s sound.

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

Use Your Illusion I keeps the dangerous charge of Guns N’ Roses’ earlier work while greatly expanding song length, arrangement and emotional range.

Paired with the same-day first volume, Use Your Illusion II shows a darker shade and a broader swing of feeling.

Harem Scarem’s self-titled debut joins Harry Hess’s smooth, powerful vocal to Pete Lesperance’s expressive guitar, balancing hard-rock drive with AOR refinement.

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

The Human Factor brings Metal Church’s sharp guitar attack, heavy-moving rhythm and Mike Howe’s forceful voice into a focused whole.

Metallica, widely known as The Black Album, streamlines some of the band’s more complex thrash construction and brings low, heavy riffs and larger melody to the front.

Lean Into It places Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan’s virtuosity inside songs led by Eric Martin’s melodic vocal.

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

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

Roll the Bones steps slightly away from Rush’s synth-centered 1980s design and brings Alex Lifeson’s guitar and the trio’s interplay back into sharper view.

Shadows of the Past is an early Sentenced death-metal record of sinking riffs, rough growls and dark air.

Slave to the Grind keeps Skid Row’s ability to write large hooks but pushes guitar weight, Sebastian Bach’s scream and rough rhythm much further forward.

Psychotic Supper avoids excessive overdubbing and brings guitar texture, Jeff Keith’s rough vocal and the band’s shared breathing to the front.

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

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

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge reduces the keyboard emphasis and puts Eddie Van Halen’s thick guitar riffs and the band’s live-feeling drive at the front.

Mane Attraction keeps White Lion’s melodic strengths while moving toward longer forms and thicker guitar weight.

Hungry combines streetwise guitar riffing, Terry Ilous’s strong vocal and direct chorus hooks.