Family Albums Page 2
by C.J. Cain

Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East: Just as memorable and far more pleasurable than my first lay, I can remember exactly where I was the first time I heard it. I was at a party in a rat-hole apartment when a friend of mine said, "Check out these guys from England." The twin-axe attack, and impossible vocals on songs like Exciter and Victim of Changes made me want to abuse my hearing as much as possible, and I wore grooves in the record. No "family album" is complete without a picture of its patriarch, so this one is a must!!

Metallica - Ride the Lightning: The process of picking a Metallica album was made easier by the fact that I went back at least 15 years for all my choices. The early Metallica stuff shows that an '80s West-coast band could rely on its music, and not overly tight spandex, to show its balls. For Whom the Bell Tolls and Fade to Black could be the most formidable back-to-back tracks ever etched in vinyl.

Van Halen - Van Halen: Long before keyboards and Gary Cherone, Van Halen was IT. Eddie defined the term "guitar god" with Eruption, and David Lee's screaming-banshee-like vocals inspired countless limp imitations. Add the unique harmonizing of Michael Anthony and the heavy-hitting of Alex behind the kit, and you have as impressive a debut as has ever been recorded.

Welcome to the metal "family," where reunions are actually something you look forward to!