(Also check out our list “Why the 1990s Were a Terrible Decade for Heavy Metal”)
In the minds of most metal fans, the 1990s were a dismal decade that nearly killed the genre. This isn’t completely fair, however. While metal certainly took its share of blows during the ’90s, a number of great and important events took place as well. Things that changed metal forever, brought it to a new generation of fans, and propelled it into the 21st century. Here are some of the standout moments from the 90s that made it a great decade for heavy metal.
The Arrival of PANTERA
One of the most revolutionary bands in metal history hit their peak in the ’90s, releasing multiple all-time great albums: including Cowboys From Hell (1990) and Vulgar Display of Power (1992). Their 1994 album Far Beyond Driven even debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. PANTERA perfected the groove metal genre and metal has them to thank for keeping it alive and relevant during the grunge era.
Rob Halford Goes Solo
When Rob Halford left JUDAS PRIEST in 1992 it signaled the end of an era and was deemed yet another piece of evidence that heavy metal music was a dying breed. However, Halford’s departure and subsequent solo career allowed him to think outside the box, musically. This freedom led to some of the greatest metal releases to date. His first solo band, FIGHT, released War of Words in 1993 which received critical acclaim and is ranked as one of the 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time. His last solo band, HALFORD, released Resurrection in 2000 (which began recording in 1998). This album also received widespread acclaim and was listed at number 54 on the Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums list by Metal-Rules.com. In total, Halford released five studio albums, all inspired efforts, before he rejoined JUDAS PRIEST in 2003.
Tim “Ripper” Owens is Discovered
While Rob Halford enjoyed his solo venture, the band he left behind went looking for a new singer. They found Tim Owens in 1996 and a new legendary metal vocalist was born. While his time with the band was not always applauded by the core JUDAS PRIEST fans, his talent was undeniable. With a vocal range and strength that rivals the all-time best metal singers, Owens has gone on to have a very successful career releasing albums with JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, and BEYOND FEAR among others.
Thrash Metal Has it’s Day in the Spotlight…
As the decade started off, the hair metal movement died a pretty blunt death at the hands of the alternative boom coming out of Seattle. At the same time, the titans of heavier genres like thrash metal were taking over the mainstream to fill the heavier void. Bands like OVERKILL and TESTAMENT were picked up by major labels (with varying levels of success), MEGADETH enjoyed commercial success with 1992’s Countdown to Extinction and METALLICA‘s rise to one of the biggest acts in the world began with their 1991 ‘Black‘ album. Say what you want about the interference and discord the big labels created. It’s also fair to say METALLICA’s ‘sold out’ and went mainstream. Regardless, these opportunities gave the bands, and the genre, avenues to attract fans they would not have had otherwise.
…but Heavy Metal Quickly Loses Mainstream Popularity
Ironically, heavy metal’s waning mainstream popularity was actually a blessing in disguise. Although major labels quickly dropped many bands and the masses abandoned heavy metal in droves, the die-hard fans remained as loyal as ever, eagerly anticipating the next evolution of the genre. No longer under the thumb of big-time record contracts, metal bands enjoyed increased freedom to pursue new and unconventional directions. Left to its own devices, many original and avant-garde interpretations (often the synthesis of multiple sub-genres) exploded onto the scene.
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