10 Albums That Define Me

I'm sure some of you might have seen, there's been a little thing going around on the social media universe where you share 10 music albums that have impacted you. So I figured..what the heck?

1. Korn- Untouchables

About the time I started writing music, this album was making it's rounds. I seem to remember a lot of Korn fans didn't care much for this album, but I didn't care. It was dark, melodic, powerful, and it spoke the right things to me at the right time.

Here To Stay was one of the first songs I learned how to play on guitar, I even taught my wife to play it as well.

2. Orgy- Vapor Transmission

There was a time when Orgy was considered one of the coolest bands around. Perhaps you may remember their cover of Blue Monday was HUGE around the turn of the century. I, along with my inner circle, thought their 2nd album Vapor Transmission would skyrocket alongside with Linkin Park's debut album. But for some reason, it didn't. My theory, they simply didn't fit the mold for what the higher ups wanted, no surprise there.

...Also probably didn't help that they set their tour bus on fire. I can see how that could rub someone the wrong way. Those guys had quite the wild side. Nonetheless, to this day, I still have to give this album a listen from time to time for both enjoyment and inspiration.

3. Rammstein- Mutter

When it comes to the music industry, Til Lindemann has to be the baddest dude I've ever seen. He is a licensed pyrotechnician who literally plays with fire on a nightly basis, he often burns himself, sometimes on purpose. Not to mention that he looks like he can bench 400 pounds.

Oh, yes...and Mutter was perhaps their masterpiece. Songs like Ich Will, Mein Herz Brennt, Links 2-3-4 and Sonne are all considered some of their best songs to most fans, myself included. With this album, they developed that powerful sound that, in my opinion, blows just about everyone else out of the water.

4. Celldweller- Wish Upon A Blackstar

After hearing Blackstar and Wish I Am Making, my first impression was "This is Orgy on steroids!"

When I dove further into his music, I started thinking "this guy is like me...but a lot better."

Wish Upon A Blackstar in my opinion is his coup de grace. Klayton is a musical genius that is on a level of his own, and if I ever manage to become just half as talented as him, I will be content.

5. Sevendust- Animosity

A much underrated album in my opinion...I'm beginning to sense a pattern here.

Many great songs here, like Praise, Crucified, Angel's Son, and my favorite Live Again. Sevendust helped showed me with Angel's Son and Live Again that hard rock doesn't always have to always be doom and gloom.

6. Korn- Serenity Of Suffering

This definitely had a 'they're back" feel to it. It just wasn't the same without Brian, but ow that he is back, it's like they're complete again.

The fact that these guys keep putting out great music for so long is astounding.

On a side note, I have so much respect for Brian and Fieldy for what they do with their fans.

7. John Williams Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith Soundtrack

Why is there a movie soundtrack on the list? Why not?

John Williams work in Star Wars is nothing short of a masterpiece, and it's one of the reasons I wear a long trench coat.

...Ok I guess the movie itself had a little more to do with that, but regardless.

8. Disturbed- Believe

While most people would say The Sickness would be their favorite from them, but the album that got me on the Disturbed bandwagon was Believe. I remember MTV banning their video for Prayer. I know 9/11 is a sensitive subject, but that didn't stop an Eminem video making fun of Osama Bin Laden from being in constant rotation. So after hearing that, I rallied behind them.

9. Rammstein Reise Reise

"We're all living in America, Coca Cola, sometimes war."

..Is he insinuating that we like to drink Coke and start wars? Well, I guess he's not wrong.

Another great piece from Rammstein. Very loud, very powerful. If your not ready for it, it could knock you out of your seat just like it did me.

10. Linkin Park- Hybrid Theory

Gotta give credit where credit is due. They were one of the bands that made it cool to mix genres. A close friend of mine once made a little bet after we first listened to the album, that in a year from now, they will be the biggest band on earth. That was December of 2000, and one short year later, turns out he was right. Sadly, we lost Chester much too soon. RIP brother.