DREAM THEATER - Images and Words (1992)

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Even though this hasn't dated overly well, I'm still giving it 5M's because it was, and still is, a great album. When this was released in 1992 it was a huge success, and rightfully so. Totally uncompromising, almost to the point of arrogance, this turned progressive Metal on it's head just as millions of people were listening to Nirvana and abandoning Metal in favour of four chord Grunge songs. This was the perfect antidote for the disenchanted and what I really loved about this was the fact that every member of the band really shone as outstanding players. Sadly this didn't last, and each subsequent Dream Theater album became more of a John Petrucci wankfest at the expense of everyone else. Oh well, sit back and listen to the truly awesome 'Metropolis' anyway...

MEGADETH - Countdown to Extinction (1992)

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Megadeth's answer to Metallica's 'Black' album, and an unashamed bid for commercial success. Countdown to Extinction (originally to be titled 'Symphony of Destruction', but changed for commercial reasons!) certainly  gave Megadeth a considerable sales boost, if not exactly satisfying the fanbase eager for 'Rust in Peace' part two. While it is a blatantly commercial re-imagining, and let's face it, a whole-hearted sell out, the album is not without merit. Songs like 'Foreclosure of a Dream' and 'Architecture of Aggression' stack up well against the dreary plod of songs like 'Of Wolf and Man' and they even had the decency to include the nifty 'Ashes in Your Mouth' which is a million times Thrashier than anything Metallica were doing at the time. Overall a solid album, with undeniable flashes of brilliance and quality, and a crystal clear production by Max Norman (something that was sadly lacking on the otherwise monumental 'Rust in Peace').

KREATOR - Renewal (1992)

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Heavily criticised for treading water with 'Coma of Souls' (utter bollocks), Kreator set about re-inventing themselves for the post-Nirvana era. Taking on some industrial influences and general nastying their sound up a bit, Kreator created a unique and quite brilliant album that confused their fanbase a little but for those who got it, well it's damn near perfect. 'Karmic Wheel' is the centrepiece of this amazing album and I also recommend checking out the remixed version where you can actually hear the intriguing mid section properly.

This is a genuinely stunning album and fully deserves to mentioned in the same breath as 'Pleasure to Kill'.

EXODUS - Force of Habit (1992)

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Not as bad as most would have you believe but dragged out to ridiculous lengths. Such was the curse of the new CD format which left bands feeling the need to produce albums that were 70 minutes in length. Truly there's a good 45min album in here, it's just weighed down with fillers. 'Architect of Pain' should be far too long for it's own good, but remains a massively heavy Exodus classic, at least in my book. Just about merits a three overall.