Top Ten Most Influential Albums: Jesse

Here's my top 10 records. I picked my favorite song from each record to showcase it for you. It's important to note that I only picked albums that I can listen to front to back, mostly interchangeably. I don't have a particular order to list these in except for Brand New, those are pretty much one/two on my list.

10. Muse - Absolution

Muse is my contemporary Queen. They always have big choruses and catchy songs. This record is my favorite of theirs because of the end of the world concept thrown into the mix. Pretty much anything involving the Apocalypse or Revelations will gain my attention. Muse also put on the best live show I've ever seen. I implore you to check them out.

9. Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me

I remember absolutely hating this CD when it came out because it wasn't the Brand New I loved on Deja Entendu, but this album grew on me when I took a closer listen. This one is great to listen to with headphones on because the production is so fine tuned. The subtle hints of religious and grim overtones really add to the emotional train that it takes you on.

8. Thrive - Vheissu

Here's a good one to listen to when you're feeling apocalyptic. Very dark, but with bits of hope. It has heavy parts, but also takes it down to very nice bridges. Not good to try to sleep to, but great to stay awake on late night car drives.

7. Matchbook Romance - Voices

This came out on Valentine’s Day. I remember when I bought it, they gave out little boxes of candy hearts. This is a great CD about heartbreak with very dark overtones. Perfect to listen to no matter what the mood, but particularly good to listen to on a rainy day when you just aren't feeling like yourself.

6. Senses Fail - Let It Enfold You

Buddy Nielsen is one of the craziest people I have ever met. What's not to love about an album packed with death, drinking, hate, revenge, and sailors.

5. Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends

This CD is jam packed with teenage angst and big choruses to sing along to. Another one of those "I hate you, but that's ok" records.

4. Blink 182 - Mark, Tom, & Travis Show

This is one of my all-time favorites to play along to. It has most of my favorite Blink songs and because it's live, they play everything at like 1.5 times the normal speed with tons of extra things added plus it’s very challenging to keep up with Travis. The in between song jokes are also very entertaining.

3. Something Corporate - North

I put this CD on when I'm having trouble falling asleep. It's very low-key and has some great songs on it. This CD is also good to cruise to in the car.

2. The Used - The Used

This is the first CD that I ever purchased. To be honest, I bought it because the cover looked interesting. It hits hard for the era of music I was listening to. I would play along to the drums on this record when I was feeling angry; which around this time was a lot.

1. Brand New - Deja Entendu

This is my favorite album. I remember the day I bought this back when it came out. I was in a rough part of my life and it helped me get through it. The lyrics spoke so much to me and the music is just on point with the mood. I always fall back to this record if I'm feeling out of sorts.

Top Ten Most Influential Albums: Brad

10. In Flames - Soundtrack To Your Escape 

This is not one of the band's most popular albums, but for whatever reason it has sonic ability to put me into a trance of melodic genius. 

9. Shadows Fall - War Within

This album has some of the best metal guitar work that I've ever heard. Shadows Fall is a very underrated band, but their pounding anthems 100% influenced my guitar playing. 

8. Motograter - Motograter

This concept album put the listener head first into a horrific environment of terror. The album builds with suspense and an eerie composition of roller coaster brutality.

7. Motley Crue - Shout at the Devil

The first time that I heard this album I felt like I was doing something wrong, but it kept coming back for more. Dark, raunchy, sexy, and dangerous. What more could a person ask for?

6. Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg

Before I got into rock n' roll,l I was very much into rap. Snoop took the genre to the next level with this album, and is maybe one of the best overall rap albums of all time. 

5. Prince - Purple Rain

Purple Rain! Purple Rain! Who doesn't love singing that song?! Prince is my biggest influence and this album gives you EVERYTHING, R&B to guitar ripping rock n' roll. 

4. Killswitch Engage - Disarm the Descent

I can easily say that this was the most excited I had ever been while awaiting an album release. Every song is perfection, every song is an anthem. I already can't wait for their next one!

3. Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache

This album infused me for the first time with the concept of brutal, hard pounding sections of songs leading to an ultimate soaring anthem of melody, which stopped me in my tracks. Heavy plus melodic will always equal a perfect song. 

2. Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power

Pantera changed metal music with this album, led by the ripping guitar playing of Dimebag Darrell, whom I can hands down define as my guitar hero. Who needs coffee when this record is so intense?

1. 36Crazyfists - Rest Inside the Flames

Heavy and catchy; power and swift. This record is full of emotion which takes you on a ride from each end of that spectrum. This band is an underdog in the metal community, which strikes a chord with me and my journey. This band isn't well known, but this band holds respect with some of the top acts in the new wave of American heavy metal. 

Saturday, May 9th at Altar Bar with From Ashes to New

Our next Pittsburgh show is Saturday, May 9th at the Altar Bar in the strip district, with From Ashes to New. This is an all ages show, which is rare for us, so if you are under 21 don't miss this!! Tickets are on sale now at the link below ($12.00). We hope to see you all there!

Get your tickets now! http://ticketf.ly/1ES7AE6