Here we go! Part FIVE of my Favorite Albums Series!

I’m just gonna start diving into each album from here on out!

This time – I’m sharing three more of my fav albums!

Snot – Get Some – 1997

It’s hard to fathom to me that ‘Get Some,’ Snot’s debut and currently lone album is turning 30 soon, as it still sounds as fresh and snappy as the day it was released. For those who don’t know, ‘Get Some’ came out, Snot got a ton of buzz, but then tragically their singer, Lynn Strait was killed in a car accident – along with his dog and band mascot, Dobbs – after leaving the recording studio. A tribute album (Strait Up), a soundtrack song and a live album followed, but none of it holds a candle to the power and attitude of ‘Get Some.’

I distinctly remember the first time I heard ‘Stoopid,’ their first music video. It was on MuchLoud and once the video ended, I knew I needed to track down the album. The musical mix of punk, thrash, a hint of ska and rap, that was all blended into a metal album was phenomenal and to this day, it’s one of the greatest crossover albums and heavy multi-genre albums out there.

There’s new hope in Snot Head land, with the arrival of Andy on vocals, who seems to be channeling Lynn like no one’s business and the tease of new material has me salivating.

Key tracks – ‘Stoopid,’ ‘The Box,’ and ‘Unplugged.’

Live – actually yes! Though, without Lynn. Back in 2008 or 2009, Snot reformed with Tommy Vext on vocals and toured. They came to Vancouver, opening for Devildriver and we managed to get tickets and see them. The live show was great, Vext on vocals did a solid job of handling Lynn’s spot and it was a great experience. Saying that, seeing the live videos of Andy on vocals, I’m excited for the possibility of seeing this new, true, revival of Snot at some point in the future!

Misery Index – Rituals of Power – 2019

If you’ve read my novella, ‘We Watch,’ you’ll know I’m a Misery Index fan. Hell, I have lyrics of theirs tattooed on my chest. I was turned onto them with their classic DeathCrust album ‘Traitors’ and have really enjoyed everything they’ve done. But their 2019 release, ‘Rituals of Power’ took everything that is awesome about them and ramped it up by a bajillion. From the opening track to the closing track, Misery Index slays with each and every song and pummels you with their musical muscle as well as their insanely layered lyrics.

They kept the vibe going with 2022’s ‘Complete Control’ album, which was also phenomenal, but ‘Rituals of Power’ takes the cake, as every song feels like both a ‘single’ but also a part of the whole.

Key tracks – ‘The Choir Invisible,’ ‘Hammering the Nails,’ ‘Rituals of Power.’

Live – lamely, no! They’ve come through a bunch, in the various places I’ve lived, but I’ve just never managed to get out and see them! They’re high on my list of bands I still need to experience live and I’m hoping we’ll see a new album and tour cycle shortly.

Terror – Keepers of the Faith – 2010

‘Keepers of the faith, I will defend your name’

What happens when you mix a lifelong hardcore punk kid with the full belly assault of Slayer infused music? Fucking Terror, that’s what. A hardcore band that loves to slam just as much as offer an insanely heavy breakdown, Scott Vogel and crew sing about loyalty, respect and sticking up for your fellow person, while also delivering blistering track after blistering track.

But for me, ‘Keepers of the Faith’ is their classic album and best album. A mix of rock and roll tempos with blast beats and breakdowns, ‘KotF’ goes from one strength to the next and showcases why they’re the leaders of the hardcore punk/crossover pack.

In this case, Terror came onto my radar by seeing them live. Back in the mid to late 2000’s they opened for pretty much EVERY metal band we saw live, and they could care less about size of venue or size of crowd. If they were there playing, they were playing for a million people in their eyes, and every show was crazy and fucking amazing.

Throughout ‘KofF’ the band calls out fake fans, fake bands just as equally as they do government and political bullshit. It makes for a sociopolitical album that equally speaks to the casual fan, but also to the hardcore, long-time listener. A masterpiece.

Key tracks – ‘Your Enemies Are Mine,’ ‘Stick Tight,’ & ‘Keepers of the Faith.’

Live – yup! Actually, they’re up there with bands I’ve seen the most live. I think I’ve seen them at least eight times, if not ten. And every show was sick!