10
Ten albums that changed my life. Cross-posted from Facebook.
Tagged by dj_steve_rbn. This is done in order of acquisition......
Jean-Michel Jarre - The Essential
Long before I had a CD player, I had this LP on long-term loan from my parents collection. I played it constantly - last time I gave it a spin, you could barely hear anything over the crackle. It was this early obsession that led to my first CD purchase (Rendez-Vous) and my first gig (Oxygene Tour 1997 at Wembley Arena).
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
THIS is the album that turned me to the dark side. THIS is the album that killed off the last of my childish naivety. THIS is why I'm writing to you lot now. THIS album was my turning point. Nothing was ever the same again after listening to this.
Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar
The soundtrack to the very darkest era of my life (The first three months of 1998). "I Looked Ahead And Saw A World That's Dead - I Guess That I Am Too!". Say what you like about Brian Warner - this album is one hell of a ride.
Frontline Assembly - Tactical Neural Implant
At the end of that dark era came my introduction to the electronic side of the industrial scene. Before Front 242 (by a few days!), before Skinny Puppy, before DAF, were Front Line Assembly. 'Mindphaser' obviously, but 'Lifeline' was a surprise favourite.
Rammstein - Sehnsucht
I heard 'Du Hast' and 'Engel' in Hollywoods in Romford over the summer of 1999 (thanks to Big Rob Ruien), a long summer break that started out enjoyable and ended in frustration. I bought this at import prices (hard to get hold of back then) and listened to it start to finish about three times a day for the rest of summer. The beginning of German language music for me.....In Ex, Megaherz, Tanzwut, Eisbrecher, Oomph! - it all started here.
Apoptygma Berzerk - 7
Another one to thank Big Rob for - though the name didn't make things easy. It took me to Resurrection Records for the first time, a habit I've kept up for 10 years. I took it back to my hall of residence, and it actually proved to be one of the most popular CDs on our landing! It also led me to a gig, to Full Tilt, and also inspired one of the rare occasions I actually pulled in Slimelight. I still think this is the best thing this band's done.
Diary Of Dreams - One Of 18 Angels
Bought with the refund money from the lost weekend. Not a bad consolation prize, in fact. This is uber-goth - mopey, doom-laden, no-hope-for-mankind atmospherics - but with a dance beat! It's close to perfection on that front. This for me was everything I was ever looking for in goth music - not washing-machine guitars, tinny drum machines and wailing banshee vox. The song 'Chemicals' saw a dangerous degree of obsession over the next 18 months (plagued with mental illness) but I came out stronger.
Killing Joke - Killing Joke 2003
I was only a casual Joker before this came out. This was their comeback CD, with Dave Grohl's guest drumming. Somehow, it finally led to me realising how raw and primal this band are, and suddenly their backcatalogue made more sense than ever. 'The Death And Resurrection Show' and 'Asteroid' stand as two of their most violent recordings of all, but even here there are surprises - 'Implant' and 'You'll Never Get To Me' showcase other aspects of the bands sound.
Earth Loop Recall - Compulsion
There was several reason why this band should never have worked, but they did. There were several reasons after than as to why they should have held it together, but it wasn't to be. But it demonstrated to me that great albums could come out of nowhere, and disappear again without making a real mark on the world. It vindicated my random purchases in Music and Video Exchange. Also 'Like Machines' is a epic of momentous proportions, whilst 'Optimism Creeping In' demonstrates how one makes a loud song, erm, louder!
System Of A Down - Mezmerize
The beginning of the end for EOL-Audio. In the Combichrist-copist obsessed 2005, in the era of living in with Revolution By Night's studio, in the era of getting advance listening of certain scene hits, it surprised many when I voted this my favourite album of the year. This included SOAD fans, who generally prefer their first two efforts. But this one touched a nerve - especially 'Revenga'. "I Saw Her Laugh - And She Said Go Away"
I'm not tagging anyone because I want everyone else to do it. Yes, including you!
Tagged by dj_steve_rbn. This is done in order of acquisition......
Jean-Michel Jarre - The Essential
Long before I had a CD player, I had this LP on long-term loan from my parents collection. I played it constantly - last time I gave it a spin, you could barely hear anything over the crackle. It was this early obsession that led to my first CD purchase (Rendez-Vous) and my first gig (Oxygene Tour 1997 at Wembley Arena).
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
THIS is the album that turned me to the dark side. THIS is the album that killed off the last of my childish naivety. THIS is why I'm writing to you lot now. THIS album was my turning point. Nothing was ever the same again after listening to this.
Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar
The soundtrack to the very darkest era of my life (The first three months of 1998). "I Looked Ahead And Saw A World That's Dead - I Guess That I Am Too!". Say what you like about Brian Warner - this album is one hell of a ride.
Frontline Assembly - Tactical Neural Implant
At the end of that dark era came my introduction to the electronic side of the industrial scene. Before Front 242 (by a few days!), before Skinny Puppy, before DAF, were Front Line Assembly. 'Mindphaser' obviously, but 'Lifeline' was a surprise favourite.
Rammstein - Sehnsucht
I heard 'Du Hast' and 'Engel' in Hollywoods in Romford over the summer of 1999 (thanks to Big Rob Ruien), a long summer break that started out enjoyable and ended in frustration. I bought this at import prices (hard to get hold of back then) and listened to it start to finish about three times a day for the rest of summer. The beginning of German language music for me.....In Ex, Megaherz, Tanzwut, Eisbrecher, Oomph! - it all started here.
Apoptygma Berzerk - 7
Another one to thank Big Rob for - though the name didn't make things easy. It took me to Resurrection Records for the first time, a habit I've kept up for 10 years. I took it back to my hall of residence, and it actually proved to be one of the most popular CDs on our landing! It also led me to a gig, to Full Tilt, and also inspired one of the rare occasions I actually pulled in Slimelight. I still think this is the best thing this band's done.
Diary Of Dreams - One Of 18 Angels
Bought with the refund money from the lost weekend. Not a bad consolation prize, in fact. This is uber-goth - mopey, doom-laden, no-hope-for-mankind atmospherics - but with a dance beat! It's close to perfection on that front. This for me was everything I was ever looking for in goth music - not washing-machine guitars, tinny drum machines and wailing banshee vox. The song 'Chemicals' saw a dangerous degree of obsession over the next 18 months (plagued with mental illness) but I came out stronger.
Killing Joke - Killing Joke 2003
I was only a casual Joker before this came out. This was their comeback CD, with Dave Grohl's guest drumming. Somehow, it finally led to me realising how raw and primal this band are, and suddenly their backcatalogue made more sense than ever. 'The Death And Resurrection Show' and 'Asteroid' stand as two of their most violent recordings of all, but even here there are surprises - 'Implant' and 'You'll Never Get To Me' showcase other aspects of the bands sound.
Earth Loop Recall - Compulsion
There was several reason why this band should never have worked, but they did. There were several reasons after than as to why they should have held it together, but it wasn't to be. But it demonstrated to me that great albums could come out of nowhere, and disappear again without making a real mark on the world. It vindicated my random purchases in Music and Video Exchange. Also 'Like Machines' is a epic of momentous proportions, whilst 'Optimism Creeping In' demonstrates how one makes a loud song, erm, louder!
System Of A Down - Mezmerize
The beginning of the end for EOL-Audio. In the Combichrist-copist obsessed 2005, in the era of living in with Revolution By Night's studio, in the era of getting advance listening of certain scene hits, it surprised many when I voted this my favourite album of the year. This included SOAD fans, who generally prefer their first two efforts. But this one touched a nerve - especially 'Revenga'. "I Saw Her Laugh - And She Said Go Away"
I'm not tagging anyone because I want everyone else to do it. Yes, including you!