1991 in Heavy Metal Music: The Best of the Year
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Looking back at 1991 in heavy metal music, it’s hard to deny that it was an incredible year for the genre. From groundbreaking albums to unforgettable live performances, 1991 was a true high point for metal.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best metal releases of 1991, as well as some of the biggest metal moments of the year. So strap on your headbanging helmet and get ready to relive one of the greatest years in metal history
Best Albums of the Year
1991 was a great year for heavy metal music. Many great albums were released that year, including Metallica’s self-titled album, Slayer’s “Seasons in the Abyss,” Megadeth’s “Countdown to Extinction,” and Pantera’s “Vulgar Display of Power.” These are just a few of the many great metal albums that were released in 1991.
Metallica-Metallica
Billboard 200 and stayed there for four weeks, while in the UK it charted at number one for three weeks. It was the band’s most commercially successful album, selling over 16 million copies in the US alone, and 22 million copies worldwide, making it the 25th-best-selling album of all time. The album has been certified 16× platinum by the RIAA.
Pantera-Cowboys from Hell
Cowboys from Hell is the major label debut album by American heavy metal band Pantera, released on July 24, 1990 through Atco Records. The album was considered innovative for its time, and has since been credited as being one of the albums that set the template for the groove metal genre. Upon its release, Cowboys from Hell peaked at number 44 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2000.
Megadeth-Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on September 24, 1990 by Capitol Records. The album was produced by Jeff Ross and Mike Clink. Rust in Peace received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics and publications regarding it as one of the best thrash metal albums of all time. It has been cited as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time by publications such as Kerrang! and Guitar World. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1992.
Best Songs of the Year
1991 was a great year for heavy metal music. Many new bands emerged and released great songs that are still popular today. In this article, we will be countdown the best songs of the year.
Metallica-Enter Sandman
Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” was one of the best songs of the year, and it was a great way to start off their self-titled fifth album. The song quickly became a fan favorite, and it remains one of the band’s most popular songs today.
Pantera-Cemetery Gates
This song is off of Pantera’s sixth album, Cowboys from Hell. The song was written by Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. It is one of the band’s most popular songs. It is a ballad about addiction and suicide.
Megadeth-Holy Wars…The Punishment Due
Released on Megadeth’s fourth studio album, Rust in Peace, “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” is a thrash metal song written by band frontman Dave Mustaine. The song is one of the band’s most popular and renowned tracks, and is often considered one of the greatest metal songs of all time. The lyrics of the song are based on the Gulf War, and the song’s title is a reference to the Islamic concept of Jihad. “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1992.
Best Metal Bands of the Year
It was a great year for metal music with many bands released awesome albums. Some bands that released great albums that year were Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Pantera, and Slayer. Many of these bands are still around today and are considered to be some of the best metal bands of all time.
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, and has been based in San Francisco, California for most of its career. The group’s fast tempos, instrumentals, and aggressive musicianship placed them as one of the founding “big four” bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer. Metallica’s current lineup comprises founding members Hetfield and Ulrich, longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine was a member of the band from 1981 until 1983. Bassists Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted are former members of the band.
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. The group was formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers – drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell – along with lead vocalist Terry Glaze. Bassist Rex Brown joined the band the following year, replacing Tommy D. Bradford, who was the unofficial original. Having started as a glam metal band, Pantera released four albums during the 1980s. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera signed a new record deal with Atco Records in 1990, and released Cowboys from Hell that year.
Megadeth
Formed in 1983 by Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, Megadeth rose to prominence in the early-’80s thrash metal scene. The band’s 1985 debut album, Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!, is considered a classic of the genre, and their 1986 follow-up, Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, cemented their status as one of the most important bands in metal. Megadeth went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the ’90s and 2000s, including Countdown to Extinction (1992), Youthanasia (1994), and The World Needs a Hero (2001). The band has also been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, and in 2010 they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
