2006: Albums That Shaped The Fabric of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.

2006 was a wild and weird time in the music scene. Nu-Metal was being phased out and hard rock was taking centre stage once again. The New Wave of American Heavy Metal was a runaway train, trampling over ravenous crowds by the thousands, and punk rock was re-emerging out of the shadows.

Two albums were completely responsible for why my personal taste in music took a complete left turn from what was considered “popular” at the time, and they’re must listen to material for anyone who either wants to take a trip down memory lane, or to be introduced to something for the very first time. Let’s get the first one out of the way right now.

Papa Roach emerged out of California right at the turn of the century with their debut effort Infest. Hanging true to what Nu-Metal was at the time, rap-style vocals, down-tuned guitars and lyrics surrounding teenage angst and issues many may be facing on a day-to-day basis. It wasn’t until 2006, when they truly found their stride and sound. I’m of course talking about “The Paramour Session” and oh boy did they arrive into the mainstream of rock with an absolute explosion of energy.

From the title track of “… To Be Loved” which immediately lets knows the listener that this wasn’t the Papa Roach of old. An energetic build-up of mayhem builds before the band, lead by frontman Jacoby Shaddix takes you on an absolutely energy charged thrill ride for the three minute listen time. This opening track was so popular among listeners and as well with how it performed on the rock charts, Monday Night Raw gave it the privilege of being the opening track used in their video package for the next 4 years!

If you know wrestling from the mid 2000’s, you knew your Monday Night was going to be electrifying. But as we dig deeper into the album. Tracks like “The World Around You” and “Reckless” were evidence of a band on the rise with how to change your sound the correct way. I still crank this album on the regular, and if I had to personally pick a deep cut off this album to show someone, it without a doubt has to “The Fire.”

One more album completely changed my music taste in 2006, and this one will require a seatbelt. I of course am talking about Lamb of god’s 2006 behemoth known as “Sacrament.” As soon as the CD starts spinning you’re met with the absolute chaotic dual guitar intro from Willie Adler and Mark Morton which is sets up the tone of their live show opener for which seems like forever in “Walk With Me In Hell” and it only gets more out of control the second you hear Randy Blythe’s guttural scream bring the first verse in. You will be absolutely assaulted with inhuman drum beats, thundering bass guitar work and then a pair of absolutely face-melting guitar solo’s in the five minute introduction track.

Don’t think you’re safe however, as the energy is unrelenting into the rest of the album. The third song “Redneck” is one that has made crowds of festivals, stadiums, and events centres bang their heads, pump their fists in unison and create some of the largest circle pits I have personally ever seen. The song may be a crowd favourite, but it tells the dark tale of how Blythe would act while intoxicated, but the song merely serves as a reflection of the past now as Blythe has been sober for the better part of the decade. This album is pure adrenaline right to your eardrums and makes for that perfect album you need in a workout playlist (take it from me on this one, do it.)

There’s one last song on this album that makes it must listen to material and that is “Blacken The Cursed Sun.” From the intro of one guitar playing a slowly descending riff that welcomes in its playing partner paired with ominous hi-hat cymbals before the entire band joins in, will give you goosebumps hearing it for the first time.

I could have written for hours about what albums were absolutely integral for rock n roll and heavy metal, but these two albums immediately shot to the forefront of what 2006 meant to me in the music scene. So go check these albums out, and even take a dive down the discography rabbit hole, as both bands have so much material to discover.

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