Empire is the fourth full-length studio album by the American heavy metal band Queensrÿche, released on August 20, 1990. The album is Queensrÿche's most commercially successful release, reaching triple-platinum status. The primary single, the power ballad "Silent Lucidity", reached number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Silent Lucidity" was also nominated in 1992 for the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The album won a 1991 Northwest Area Music Award for Best Metal Recording.
Prayers of Steel is the debut full-length album released by the German heavy metal band Avenger in 1985, before they changed their name to Rage. The only other release that followed under the name Avenger was the EP Depraved to Black. German label GUN Records reissued the album on CD in 1995, including the track of the EP.
Rage for Order is the second studio album by the American progressive metal band Queensrÿche, released on June 27, 1986. The album was re-released on May 6, 2003 with four bonus tracks.
Heaven Forbid is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released on March 24, 1998. It was the band's first studio album with new material in a decade. American science fiction and horror writer John Shirley wrote lyrics to most of the songs on the album. While he is primarily known as an author for his cyberpunk stories, many of the lyrics on this album revolve around early science fiction and mystery motifs. The album's working title was 'Ezekiel's Wheel,' after the Biblical story that some take to reference an early visitation by UFOs.
Cold Lake is the fourth studio album by Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost, released on 1 September 1988 by Noise Records. It features a new lineup, reformed by bandleader Tom Warrior with newly joined musicians Oliver Amberg, Curt Victor Bryant and a returning Stephen Priestly, who had previously played with the band in 1984 on the Morbid Tales EP. Despite it being marketed to exploit the mass appeal of glam metal, the album has more of a traditional heavy metal sound.
Vicious Circle is the fourth album by the American hard rock band L.A. Guns. The first single was "Long Time Dead". The band supported the album with a North American tour.
Vanity/Nemesis is the fifth studio album by Swiss heavy metal band Celtic Frost, released on 11 April 1990 through Noise Records.
Raging Silence is the 17th album by British Rock group Uriah Heep. It marked the studio debut of Canadian vocalist Bernie Shaw and keyboardist Phil Lanzon, both of whom have remained with the band since. It was produced by Richard Dodd and the title is an allusion to the Manfred Mann's Earth Band album The Roaring Silence (1976). It was the first Uriah Heep studio album to have a contemporary release on CD.
Different World is the 18th studio album by British rock group Uriah Heep, released in 1991 in Europe and Japan, but not in North America. Different World was the first Uriah Heep studio album from which no single was released in the UK. It is the second studio album to feature this line-up. Bass guitarist Trevor Bolder produced the album and has said that, although it was an experience, he found it tricky wearing the hats of both band member/musician and producer.
The Ultra-Violence is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Death Angel, released in 1987. The album was recorded while all members were under 20, with drummer Andy Galeon just 14 years old. It was mixed at George Tobin Studios in Hollywood, California.
Land of the Free is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Gamma Ray, released in 1995. It is considered a concept album, telling a story of rebellion of Good against Evil. Continuing a trend that would conclude with the band's fifth studio release, the lineup for the album was different from the previous one, as Land of the Free was the first Gamma Ray album to be released since the departure of Ralf Scheepers, leaving guitarist and founder Kai Hansen to take up lead vocals. While not his first stint as a vocalist, it would be the first time he had performed lead vocals exclusively in 8 years.
Heading for Tomorrow is the first studio album released by German metal band Gamma Ray on 26 February 1990 by Noise Records. In 2002 it was re-released with a different cover as part of the Ultimate Collection box-set. This re-released version of the album has also been released separately from the box-set.
Sigh No More is the second studio album released by German power metal band, Gamma Ray in 1991 by Noise Records. Beginning a trend that would continue until their fifth studio release, the band's lineup changed from the previous album, with Uli Kusch replacing Mathias Burchardt on drums and Dirk Schlächter officially joining the band on guitars.
Execution Guaranteed is the third full-length album released by the heavy metal band Rage in 1987. The album was remastered by Noise/Sanctuary in 2002 with slightly altered cover art, and six bonus tracks. Rudy Graf had been a member of the German heavy metal band Warlock until 1985.
Perfect Man is the fourth full-length album released by German heavy metal band Rage in 1988. This album introduces the Refuge years line-up, with the new members Manni Schmidt and Chris Efthimiadis, and the band's mascot, the "Sounchaser", which would feature in most other Rage cover arts. The album was remastered by Noise/Sanctuary in 2002 with slightly altered cover art, and five bonus tracks.
Trapped! is the seventh studio album by German heavy metal band Rage. The album was remastered by Noise/Sanctuary in 2002 with five bonus tracks, two of which are from the EP Beyond the Wall.
Secrets in a Weird World is the fifth full-length album by the German heavy metal band Rage. It was released in 1989. The album was remastered by Noise/Sanctuary in 2002 with slightly altered cover art, and five bonus tracks.
The Missing Link is the eighth full-length album released by the heavy metal band Rage in 1993. The album was remastered by Noise/Sanctuary in 2002 with five bonus tracks, three of them are from the EP Refuge.
Running Wild is the fifth studio album by the British heavy metal band Girlschool, released on Mercury Records in 1985.
Night of the Blade is the second studio album released by the British heavy metal band Tokyo Blade on Powerstation Records in 1984. It is the first Tokyo Blade album with Vicki James Wright on vocals. He replaced Alan Marsh when the vocal tracks for the album were already completed, forcing him to re-record the lead vocals in a very short time. Marsh's backing vocals remain on the album except on two tracks, which were recorded after he left the band. The original vocal recordings by Alan Marsh were released in 1998 in the album re-issue Night of the Blade... The Night Before.
