URBAN: "Wow! Take a look at my personal album list of 1993 and you'll notice that Top-10 include nine different genres of hard rock and metal. It's one helluva mix really as the sub-genres are (in reverse alphabetic order just to upset some folks): Symphonic Rock, Pomp, Melodic Hardrock, Industrial, Alternative, Grunge, Death, Classic Rock and AOR.

"the eighties hardrock died an awful death". 

You could also say that 'diversity' pretty much sums up the year of 1993 really. The eighties hardrock died an awful death, while others saw and grabbed its opportunity to step into the spotlight and become both commercial and MTV friendly. 

Grunge and Kurt Cobain - still alive and kickin' as their release of the year (In Utero) enstablished them as the best 'new thing' since sliced bread. Apparently more into "Pennyroyal Tea" than bread, but you get the picture, if not, 'All Apologies'. Actually, rumors circulated in the press that their record label would at first not release the album in its original state, since they felt that the result was not commercially viable. Yep, that's typical A&R for ya'!!!

Brazil, no longer just a country full of mad footballers, their hooligan fans, and half-naked women dancing in the streets. Sepultura, the name on/off everybody's lips and it was all of a sudden trendy and popular to enjoy their well-crafted metal music and groove - Chaos A.D. 

"the best follow-up ever to a very successful part one album?"

But hang on teddybear, it's not over until the fat man sings' - the best follow-up ever to a very successful part one album? Indeed, 'Bat Out of Hell II - Out Of Hell' sold over 15 million copies, and the single "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" reached number one in 28 countries!!! The big lad aka Meat Loaf won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance in 1994 for that very song which also stayed at #1 in the UK charts for seven consecutive weeks. 

It's all very pompus and over the top and we like that too!!! ...And don't forget that "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are". So what if Jim Steinman is a pompous git - there's always something magic, there's always something new. And when you really really need it the most - that's when rock and roll dreams come true. Geeez, enough already. There's no need for another silly quote of Meat Loaf lyrics. We're all sooo bitter - life is a lemon and I want my money back. No, seriously, stop it!!!

"they were once entitled 'young gods' and hardly anyone in the U.K. seemed to bother really".

They were once entitled 'young gods' and hardly anyone in the U.K. seemed to bother really... until this very year and their third album, 'Jam', where the Little Angels could finally reap the rewards of their fans. 'Jam' entered the U.K. chart at number one and they experienced or rather 'had' their 15 minutes of fame. Hardly anyone seemed to care the following year again, but at least they recorded a classic album that would eventually end up on RockUnited.com's #5 spot of 1993 in twenty ten. Very impressive, yeah? no? whatever...

Lars Ulrich of the band Metallica could be seen throwing a dart on a poster of Kip Winger in the video for "Nothing Else Matters" and Winger were the subject of constant ridicule in MTV's animated series Beavis and Butt-head. But truth be told, it's probably all jealousy since Lars and co. couldn't for the world figure out how to play along to the music of the wingers.

"and no, it's not the old 'hair-metal' music since it's more 'progressive'." 

Their album of the year (Pull) is a classic album and a perfect showcase of their talent as a band. And no, it's not the old 'hair-metal' music since it's more 'progressive' and heavier than previous efforts. It's basically an timeless effort with a slightly moodier approach than previous Winger albums (the eighties keyboard sound and production is gone). 

The interview I did with Kip ('Just For The Record' series) regarding 'Pull' and what kind of 'sound', production wise, they were looking for, I got this answer and I quote: "Exactly what we got. The Beau Hill years were fine (the self-titled debut from 1988 and 'In The Heart Of The Young' from 1990), and I'll give credit where credit is due. I worked with Beau from the time I was sixteen and he definitely help further my career. But his mixing skills leave a lot to be desired. He's extremely talented and great at song structure, etc, etc. And knows his way around the studio, but couldn't mix real instruments too well. There was always too many samples and no bass etc, etc. I really learned how to make a proper recording from Mike Shipley (producer of "Pull"). Who, in my my humble opinion, is the best mix engineer in the universe for rock and pop". end quote.

Harem Scarem recorded their best album ever! this year and they will sadly never top it! It's quite a remarkable change from the at times very sappy and boring debut in 1991. "Mood Swings" is more guitar based, catchier, and frankly just a classic melodic hardrock album. 

"tells the story of an old woman behind a counter (duh!) who has been stuck there her whole life"..

Pearl Jam's Vs. broke all records for most copies of an album sold in a week. Thus why(?) the band decided to decrease the level of promotion, including refusing to release music videos. Is that crazy or what??? That's the work of idiots really. Topics on "Vs." include child abuse ("Daughter"), gun culture ("Glorified G"), police racism ("W.M.A."), and the media ("Blood"). Where the utterly happy "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" tells the story of an old woman behind a counter (duh!) who has been stuck there her whole life. Well, not literally, but more like stuck with his crap life, crap job, in a crap town.

Happy, happy, joy, joy. Or like the big lad would have said it and I quote: "As long as the planets are turning, as long as the stars are burning, as long as your dreams are coming true, you better believe it - That I'd do anything for love..."

KIMMO: 1993, the dark ages. The kind of music I liked (and still like) was still being released, but in limited quantities and on small labels. A quick look at my personal Top 20 proves it... maybe two of those album were commercial successes, Meat Loaf and Richard Marx, otherwise we're strickly talking about cult classics.

Unlike some of my fellow RockUnited'sters, I've never really gotten into the sounds that ruled during these years, even though I tried. I did and do enjoy Winger's "Pull", which is one of the most successful attempts to "shed one's skin", an album that sounds current even today. Too bad the big audience didn't see past the old image and the Beavis and Butt-head anti-Winger propaganda.

[ 1993 ] Back to the nineties' index

Alan, Bandi, Kimmo, Martien, & yours truly, Urban of RockUnited.Com have once again been spending weeks, months, wading through a bunch of nasty looking artcovers and albums. Only this time it's the nineties and not like our first massive series of the eighties!  Indeed, not an easy task, tracking back in space and time, especially since most of us are still mere kidz (early teens) at the early days of this era of grand and fantastic music. Check out the left-side border for our yearly write-up in 'black', and this is RockUnited's official 'Best-Of-Album Chart of 1991', calculated from the individual charts. No live-ones, EP's or compilations are included, merely studio albums. You can find them all and complain about our personal taste (or rather the complete lack of it) further down this page! This is merely our humble and tiny celebration of the 90's metal days or daze for that matter. Enjoy or not - this is the nineties: 1993.

THE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR: 1993

90. Inside Out - Inside Out
89. Quireboys - Bitter Sweet and Twisted
88. Arcade - Calm Before The Storm
87. Pink Cream 69 - Games People Play
86. Every Mother's Nightmare - Wake Up Screaming
85. Steve Vai - Sex and Religion
84. Entombed - Wolverine Blues
83. Greg Howe - Introspection
82. Cathedral - The Ethereal Mirror
81. Ken Tamplin - Tamplin

80. Lawrence Gowan - But You Can Call Me Larry
79. Paradise Lost - Icon
78. Coverdale/Page - Coverdale/Page
77. Gotthard - Dial Hard
76. Love/Hate - Let's Rumble
75. Clawfinger - Deaf Dumb Blind
74. George Lynch - Sacred Groove
74. Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Last Rebel
72. Allison - One
71. Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine

70. Open Skyz - Open Skyz
69. Tour de Force - Tour de Force
68. Manic Street Preachers - Gold Against The Soul
67. Suicidal Tendencies - Still cyco...
66. Enuff Z'Nuff - Animals with Human Intelligence
65. Deep Purple - The Battle Rages On
64. Royal Hunt - Clown in the Mirror 
63. Pole Position - Pole Position 
62. Crowded House - Together Alone
61. Alien - Alien

60. Praying Mantis - A Cry For The New World
59. Monster Magnet - Superjudge
58. Scorpions - Face The Heat
57. Redd Kross - Phaseshifter
56. Metal Church - Hanging In The Balance
55. Casanova - Some Like it Different
54. Shotgun Symphony - S/T
53. Neil Zaza - Thrills and Chills
52. Erika - Lady Luck
51. Thomas Vikstrom - If I Could Fly

50. Living Colour - Stain
49. Lillian Axe - Pscychoschizophrenia
48. Blue Murder - Nothin' But Trouble
47. Sepultura - Chaos A.D.
46. The Hooters - Out Of Body
45. Jimmy Barnes - Heat
44. The Almighty - Powertrippin
43. Elegy - Labyrinth Of Dreams
42. Cannata - Watching The World
41. Takara- Eternal Faith 

40. John Cougar Mellencamp - Human Wheels
39. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dreams
38. Red Dawn - Never Say Surrender 
37. Goo Goo Dolls - Superstar Car Wash
36. Wild Hearts - Earth Vs The Wildhearts
35. Big Country - The Buffalo Skinners
34. Henry Lee Summer - Slamdunk
33. Anthrax - Sound of White Noise
32. Galactic Cowboys - Space In Your Face
31. White Heart - Highlands

30. Richard Marx - Paid Vacation
29. Poison - Native Tongue
28. Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses
27. Kingdom Come - Bad Image
26. Joe Satriani - Time Machine
25. Glenn Hughes - Blues
24. Skagarack - Big Time
23. Shotgun Messiah - Violent New Breed
22. Crown Of Thorns - Crown Of Thorns 
21. Heart - Desire Walks On

20. Tool - Undertow
Tool's debut album 'Undertow' had a more strict 'heavy metal' approach and sound than later (more complex) efforts by the band. The nihilistic theme and also lyrics and video which dealt with child abuse, led the American branch of MuchMusic to call the band in a hearing. It deemed the video too graphic and obscene and MTV stopped airing it.

19. Sic Vikki - Kiss Me In French
Why is Vikki sic? Made in the U.S. of A and signed to a record company in Europe where cheesy hairmetal could still be representative in 93. All songs are co-written by Steve Plunkett of Autograph fame (he produced it too), but don't expect it to sound like 'Sign In Please' in 84. It's more like a mix of Trixter and Danger Danger (but not as impressive).

18. Mr Big - Bump Ahead
'Oh baby-baby, it's a wild world - I'll always remember you as a child, girl'. It's merely a shame that we'll always remember this platter for the cover of Cat Stevens' masterpiece: 'Wild 'World'. Why is that, you say? Simply because it's the best song on the album and it's yet another smash hit ballad for the band. Sex and the city???

17. Talisman - Genesis
The 'comeback' album after a couple of years without a recording contract and with singer Matt Alfonzetti (Jagged Edge). 'Genesis' had once again Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Eyes) behind the microphone and it was recorded and mixed in three weeks in Dec 92. Solid effort by the "Swedes" and quite "Mysterious" - this time it's serious? RIP Marcel.

16. Freak Of Nature - Freak Of Nature
'I'm just a freak of nature - singing an old song, doing you no wrong'. Mike Tramp is the 'freak' as well as former White Lion vocalist. Merely days after the demise of the Lions, Tramp started writing material for his new project. Boasting a much tougher sound and image than his previous outfit, it's music somewhere between 'alternative' and melodic rock. Neat!

15. Annihilator - Set The World On Fire
Ehem, don't let anyone know, but, "Phoenix Rising" is a really sappy (yet superb!) power ballad in the style of eighties hair metal. Annihilator - Thrash kings from Canada yet to enjoy major international success, 'Set The World On Fire' was at least a decent attempt at commercial metal music in the year of 1993. Not too shabby really.   

14. Nirvana - In Utero
The third and final studio album by Kurt Cobain and the lads. Upon release, ' In Utero' entered the Billboard 200 chart at Number One and received critical acclaim as a drastic departure from 1991's ' Nevermind'. 'Heart-Shaped Box' and 'All Apologies' were successful singles and everything seemed to work out great for the grungy lads. R.I.P. Kurt.

13. Jeff Paris - Lucky This Time
"If it wasn't for bad luck"... American vocalist, guitarist and also songwriter for the likes of Cinderella, Lita Ford, Vixen, Y&T, etc. with his third solo album.  It's once again slick and pretty catchy material in the vein of AOR and radio friendly rock. Not the best of sound quality though and a step back from his previous efforts. Neat.

12. Pearl Jam - Vs.
Vs. set the record for most copies of an album sold in a week, 950,378 copies and outperformed all other entries in the U.S. Billboard Top-10 (where it also spent five weeks at #1). It's quite a drastic change from "Ten" and certainly not just a carbon copy of their very successful debut. It's actually a step away from the "typical" grunge sound.

11. Romeo's Daughter - Delectable
'Romeo's Daughter is the lovely Leigh Matty and a couple of geezers. They were actually in the hands of manager Olga Lange, the then wife of producer/songwriter Robert "Mutt Lange, and 'Delectable' is their second and last(?) studio album release. Considered as a more mature affair than their debut, it's hard to describe without refering to Heart.

10. Vince Neil - Exposed
Vince was according to himself fired from Motley Crue in 92, because he didn't approve of the bands new musical direction. His first solo album is strickly "hair/party metal" and features guitarist Steve Stevens of Billy Idol fame. The album peaked at #13 on the Billboard charts and "You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)" was on the Encino Man soundtrack.

9. Robby Valentine - The Magic Infinity
Robby is the Dutch singer, keyboardist who started his professional career in the eighties 1st Avenue and later Zinatra. His sophomore release is a magic carpet ride on Pomp and Symphonic rock and literally a bombastic overture. The Queen influence is quite obvious and he toured with Brian May in 93. Big in Japan and elsewhere...

8. Rush - Counterparts
The song "Leave That Thing Alone" earned the band a Grammy nomination for "Best Instrumental track" the following year and there's a distinct alternative rock influence, showcased throughout the record. 'Counterparts' became Rush's highest charting album in the US, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200. Yet another successful album!

7. Savatage - Edge Of Thorns
The first Savatage album to feature Zachary Stevens on lead vocals, following the departure of Jon Oliva. It's unfortunately also the last album to contain the talents of Jon's brother and guitarist Criss Oliva (R.I.P.). The use of electronic drums and overall melodic songs makes this a different platter and considered as the beginning of the second era. Nice!  

6. Mark Free - Long Way From Love
Former King Kobra, Signal, Unruly Child vocalist with his first solo album. It's basically a collection of demo songs originally recorded in the eighties as a showcase of the songwriting by Judith and Robin Randall (RIP). 'Someday (You'll Come Running)' was recorded by FM in 1989, and 'The Last Time' by ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog. Superb AOR.

5. Little Angels - Jam
Scarborough/ U.K's pride and joy (it's not like they have a lot of famous acts) with their third and most successful album. 'Jam' hit the number one album spot in the U.K. and they toured with Bon Jovi and Van Halen (singer Jepson would be approached to join VH in 96, but lost out to Gary Cherone of Extreme). Several tracks, quite similar to Aerosmith actually.

4. Aerosmith - Get A Grip
"Crazy", "Amazing", "Crying" - 'Get a Grip' won the band two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with vocal. It's actually their best selling album world-wide, a tad strange since they recorded better ones in the seventies. Featuring song collaborators from songsmiths: Desmond Child and Jim Vallance. Get a cow?

3. Winger - Pull
Quite a change from the happy, poppy 'hair metal' albums in the past to a darker and more progressive style of music with a sort of political agenda. Clearly the band's overall best effort, but in terms of sales figures, 'Pull' wasn't as successful in the charts. Excellent songwriting, amazing arrangements, and a production that sounds just a fresh today.

2. Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell II (Back Into Hell)
It's probably the best sequel ever and more impressive than the original and first bat out of hell. Steinman is a genius at coming up with bombastic, over the top melodies which you'll either love or hate. "I'd Do Anything for Love" (But I Won't Do That) a #1 hit in 28 countries and the album is a world-wide success for the big lad. Classic. 

1. Harem Scarem - Mood Swings
"So get up and fly away or forever be in doubt, you know? - Saviors never cry". Scarborough strikes again!!! (see Little Angels). However, this time it's Ontario/Canada and the perfect album release by Harem Scarem. Sadly underrated in most countries and so much better than their debut - 'Mood Swings' - melodic hardrock at its very best!!! [all album comment nonsense by: Urban]

So you think we're way off mark? Well, here's your chance to cast your vote!

PS. If the form doesn't work, just copy the question to your e-mail program and send your answers to giveaway "at" rockunited.com.