Blog Post // 2020-08-11

Bands From The 90's That Continue To Speak To Me

The music of the 90's had a large influence on my young soul. The attitudes and words struck me in just the right way. I am going to take a nostalgic look at what bands stick out to me from the 90's.

The 90's were a time of CDs, Discmans, making mixed tapes, my first glimpses at music videos, and creative album covers that included lyrics.

For me personally it meant many days laying in my bedroom and reading lyrics, and giving the music time to soak in. It meant going out to local battle of the bands events and dreaming of seeing the more well-known bands in a bigger city.

Here are some bands that I still listen to over 20 years later. They have stood the test of time:

Nirvana

It is embarrassing to say, but I only started listening to Nirvana after Kurt Cobain’s death. Regardless, it became a defining feature of my life. I was that girl. The one who owned a different Nirvana shirt for each day of the week. The one who spent art class drawing Nirvana artwork.

I think the rawness of Nirvana drew me in. I hadn’t heard anything so catchy, yet giving me a taste of some pandemonium. It felt like they were my true introduction to artists that were truly consumed by their experience creating music.

Each of their albums has something unique to bring.

Soundgarden

I think the first song I heard by Soundgarden was Black Hole Sun. I was at a friends house and we watched the video. I needed to hear more.

The deep tone to their sound along with Chris’ vocal range created a great impression. Not just anyone could come up with this combination of talent.

They impressed me when they came out with their album in 2012. They had matured, but not lost the essence in their music. Definitely a sad loss when Chris took his life.

Rage Against The Machine

This energetic music felt antagonistic as a young person. Honestly, these days this rappy type of vocal isn’t something I seek out in other bands. I do find I have gone to some of their songs as an adult in those moments when I feel oppositional, angry or emotional.

I also remember watching some of their videos on my friends big screen television!

Pantera

This band came to my attention when I heard their album “Vulgar Display of Power”. I had no knowledge of how different they had been earlier on.

They just seemed to have the right movement/groove for me paired with great vocal work of Phil.

There was also an aggressive tone to them. I still like to grab onto this in a moment of stress or energy release.

What a sad end to a great guitarist!

Tool

Tool is like a day in the sunlight travelling a long a path with changing scenery.

Still makes me feel great today. I Love singing along with Maynard!

They do have some songs that are quite powerfully sad or angry with lots of emotion in them. “Hooker With A Penis” is one go-to song for me when I am angry.

Their newest album showed they haven’t lost talent. I have hopes for more from them.

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden was a new experience for me. The artwork on their albums. The melodic instrumentation along with the vocals that were always telling you a great story.

I came into the Iron Maiden scene while Blaze was singing and I enjoyed his vocals. I know some people don’t like him at all, but I do think all of this band's vocalists have been great and brought something to them.

For me Iron Maiden is easy listening. I have listened to them many times since the 90's. I saw them live in 2006. For me, they are classic!

Megadeth

I came to know Megadeth after hearing their Youthanasia album. The artwork and themes seemed like the right amount of blatancy to catch my young eye. The catchiness and pace kept me humming the songs.

I think they have really done well with newer releases. I look forward to what their upcoming album brings for them!

I saw them in 2004. One of my favourite concerts. I really think Mustaine is king!

Metallica

To me Metallica was in their prime in the 80's. “The Black Album” of the 90's continued on that vein.

You can feel the passion in the pace they had in their albums from that period.

I saw Metallica in the 90's. One of my first concerts.

Type O Negative

I was most familiar with October Rust when I was a child.

The low vocals and dark atmosphere was so new to me at the time. Somehow it was still catchy. The low notes were pretty unique to my young ears.

I would still consider this album to be something I could listen to now.

Alice In Chains

A great band to sing along with. There was a rawness about them.

Their self titled album reminds me of times in my camper, which we had in our yard growing up. It was a place I could blast music with friends and we could feel like it was just us and the music.

Though losing Layne was big, I feel like they have made some great songs not too many years ago.

For me anyways, a lot of these bands have become standards for comparison as music has morphed and moved along over the years.

And upon reflection, there have been several losses along the way. Some of the music will stay a part of the past. They won’t create new material because of losses. I think they were, and continue to be, important.