Crucial Years in Metal: 1988

Continuing our countdown of Crucial Years in Metal, we arrive at 1988. A year when thrash was approaching it's zenith and grindcore and death metal were beginning their rise. The rapidly approaching reign of Earache Records was only a few years away and the tent pole bands of Carcass and Napalm Death were changing as quickly as they released records. Within a few short years we'd see the rise of Swedish Death Metal scene, black metal's second coming and the apparent decline of the whole genre. Turbulent years are on the horizon, but 1988 marked a year of beginnings and endings in the various genres and sub-genres of the metal umbrella.

Metallica, "Blackened", ...and Justice For All

Talkset #1

Queensrÿche, "Spreading the Disease", Operation: Mindcrime

Voivod, "Tribal Convictions", Dimensional Hatross

Napalm Death, "Lucid Fairytale", From Enslavement to Obliteration

Carcass, "Burnt to a Crisp", Reek of Putrefaction

Bolt Thrower, "Concession of Pain", In Battle There is No Law

Talkset #2

Slayer, "Read Between the Lies", South of Heaven

Testament, "Trial by Fire", A New Order

Death, "Born Dead", Leprosy

Bathory, "For All Those Who Died", Blood Fire Death