Fourteen days into my Full Albums, No Playlists challenge, and what started as a “fun little experiment” has fully turned into a loud, slightly chaotic musical identity crisis—in the best possible way. Another week, another wild batch of albums: brutal metal, nostalgic rock, unexpected folk, and yes, some choices purely based on album covers.
This week proved again why sticking with the Full Albums, No Playlists approach feels so different—sometimes frustrating, but also surprisingly rewarding.
Here’s what I listened to during Week 2, how it hit, and what I learned about myself (and my stubborn taste in music).
Götz Widmann – Tohuwabohu
Genre: German Liedermacher
Rating: 3/5
Definitely not my usual thing, but I figured it’s all about trying new stuff, right? This album is all about clever lyrics and that classic German Liedermacher vibe—very focused on storytelling. Honestly, it’s not bad at all, just not fully my cup of tea. I can respect it for what it is, though, and it wasn’t unpleasant to listen to. Probably won’t be on repeat anytime soon, but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
Slipknot – Slipknot
Genre: Nu Metal
Rating: 5/5
Now this is where I thrive. Absolute, beautiful chaos from start to finish. It’s aggressive, fast, loud—and somehow incredibly calming. Weird, I know. But there’s something about this album that completely silences the noise in my head and lets me just exist. This wasn’t just good—it was exactly what I needed. No surprise here: this one’s going straight into my regular rotation.
Also, I have to say it—Joey Jordison’s drumming on this album is just unreal. The speed, the power, the precision… it’s out of this world. I’ve been a fan of his playing for years, and this album just reminded me why. Rest in peace, Joey—you were truly one of a kind behind the kit.
Falling in Reverse – The Drug in Me Is You
Genre: Post-Hardcore, Alternative Metal
Rating: 5/5
This album caught me off guard—in the best way. It’s heavy, yes, but it’s also super melodic and catchy without feeling shallow. It strikes that perfect balance between energy and emotion. It honestly felt like being punched in the face by a pop chorus, and I mean that as the highest compliment. I already know I’ll come back to this one a lot.
Metallica – Metallica (The Black Album)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 5/5
An absolute classic, and now I fully understand why. This was my second Metallica album during this challenge, and it just cemented their legendary status for me. Sure, it’s heavy and powerful—but what really surprised me were the lyrics. Songs like The Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters hit a lot deeper than I expected. Suddenly, it’s not just about the riffs—it’s about self-reflection, loneliness, and emotional honesty.
It’s rare to find an album that can go from full-blown aggression to such raw vulnerability and make it feel completely natural. Of course, Enter Sandman still hits like a truck—but it’s this combination of heaviness and introspection that makes the album stick. No wonder it’s a timeless favourite.
Sick of it All – Truly Yours
Genre: Hardcore Punk
Rating: 4/5
Fast, fun, and loud—this was exactly the kind of punk energy I expected, and I loved it. Sure, it doesn’t have the same emotional weight as some of the metal albums I’ve been listening to, but it’s so unapologetically in-your-face that I couldn’t help but enjoy it. It’s like a shot of espresso for the ears. Not my go-to genre, but I’d absolutely listen again when I need a quick kick of energy.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Best of
Genre: Classic Rock
Rating: 4.5/5
This one immediately lifted my mood. It’s packed with familiar songs that somehow feel like they’ve always been part of your life, even if you don’t remember hearing them before. It’s pure feel-good music, and yes, I may have annoyed my husband by singing along a little too enthusiastically. This album is sticking around for those lazy, sunny afternoons where nothing needs to be complicated.
Steel Panther – On The Prowl
Genre: Glam Metal, Comedy Rock
Rating: 3.5/5
Alright, I’ll admit it—I chose this one because the album cover looked cool. And honestly? No regrets. This album doesn’t take itself seriously, and neither did I while listening to it. It had a few solid tracks and plenty of ridiculous lyrics, which is part of the charm. It didn’t totally blow me away, but it was fun for what it was—and sometimes that’s enough.
Final Thoughts – Week 2
This week brought me everything from soothing metal to kitchen dance parties to albums that made me ask myself, “Why am I listening to this again?” Not every album was love at first listen, but almost all of them had at least one moment that surprised me in a good way.
Honestly, I’m starting to crave these full album experiences more than I thought I would. The skip button is losing its power, and I’m kinda loving it.
Your Turn – Throw Your Albums at Me (Gently)
Two weeks in, and this Full Albums, No Playlists experiment is already teaching me a lot. There’s something really satisfying about sticking with full albums—even the weird ones—and hearing them in full, without jumping around or skipping.
If you’ve got any weird, wonderful, or downright unhinged album recommendations, please drop them in the comments. I want to keep this chaos going, and I’m wide open to suggestions—whether they’re heavy, soft, experimental, or just plain bizarre.