By now, I’m fully committed: no skipping. Not less skipping, none. Every song plays. All the way through. Even the ones that sound like they were written in a rush, on a hangover, and recorded in a shed.
That’s the challenge. And weirdly? It’s working. I’m paying closer attention. I don’t just wait for my favourite part anymore. I listen to everything, even the bits that don’t land right away. Sometimes that patience pays off with a grower of a track. Other times, well… I admire the creative risk and move on.
But more full albums, less skip temptation isn’t just the name of the game, it’s rewiring how I interact with music. Turns out, giving every track a fair shot changes the whole experience.
Wind Rose – Troll Slayer
Genre: Power Metal, Dwarven Metal
Rating: 4/5
Let’s just say… if you’ve ever wanted your metal to sound like it’s being shouted triumphantly from the top of a mountain by a band of very enthusiastic dwarves. This is it. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from an Italian band that calls its style “Dwarven Metal,” but Troll Slayer is pure chaotic joy.
The riffs are epic, the choruses are huge, and the whole thing sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack to a fantasy RPG where everyone’s slightly tipsy and wearing fur boots. And yes, it’s absurdly fun.
It’s not deep or subtle, but it’s unapologetically over-the-top in the best possible way. And honestly? Sometimes what you really need on day 14 of a full albums challenge is a bit of axe-swinging, horn-raising silliness. Would I listen again? Absolutely, especially when I need a musical pick-me-up or just feel like slaying metaphorical trolls.
Stone Sour – House of Gold & Bones, Part I
Genre: Heavy Metal, Alternative Metal
Rating: 4.5/5
This one caught me completely off guard, because apparently, I already owned it. I found it tucked away in my old CD stash and had absolutely zero memory of buying it. No idea when or why. But hey, past me had good taste.
Stone Sour is Corey Taylor’s “other” band (yep, that Corey from Slipknot), and honestly, it couldn’t be more different. Less chaos, more melody. Less “I want to throw furniture,” more “I’m thinking about life while still kind of wanting to throw furniture.”
The album has a solid concept feel, but what stands out is how polished and dynamic the whole thing sounds. It’s heavy, sure but there’s also a ton of structure, emotion, and even vulnerability underneath those riffs. Corey’s vocals go from raw power to something way more introspective, and it works.
If Slipknot is the storm, Stone Sour is the aftermath, the part where the dust settles and you realize you’ve got some stuff to think about. Definitely one I’ll be revisiting, probably with headphones and a bit of a stare into the void. In a good way.
Linkin Park – From Zero
Genre: Nu Metal
Rating: 3.5/5
This album caught me off guard in the best way. You can absolutely tell it’s Linkin Park—familiar sound, signature energy but with a new twist. The female vocalist fits in surprisingly well and holds her own next to the band’s classic vibe.
I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but after a couple of tracks, I was into it. It feels like a respectful evolution rather than a reboot. Emotional, energetic, and satisfying without being a nostalgia trip. A solid listen that I’ll probably revisit, especially when I’m in the mood for something familiar but still fresh.
Tetrarch – The Ugly Side of Me
Genre: Nu Metal
Rating: 4/5
This album hit like a well-placed steel-toed boot to the chest—in a good way. Tetrarch brings solid Nu Metal energy without sounding like a Limp Bizkit tribute band (thankfully). The riffs are heavy, the vocals raw, and the whole thing feels tight and purposeful.
Also: shoutout to their guitarist, who is not only incredible but also one of the few African-American women shredding in the metal scene. That’s badass. The songs are punchy, the attitude is loud, and while it’s not a life-changer, it’s definitely a repeat-worthy surprise.
Five Finger Death Punch – Got Your Six
Genre: Groove Metal, Hard Rock
Rating: 2.5/5
I wanted to like this more—really. I like the singer’s voice, I like heavy guitars, and I was totally ready to be punched in the face (musically speaking). But after a few tracks… I couldn’t help thinking I was stuck in some kind of metal Groundhog Day.
The songs start to blur together pretty fast. Same structure, same energy, slight variations—but nothing that really sticks. It’s not bad, it’s just aggressively average. Like background music for a bar fight that never actually happens. Would I listen again? Maybe. If someone else puts it on.
Machine Head – Øf Kingdøm And Crøwn
Genre: Groove Metal, Melodic Trash Metal
Rating: 4.5/5
I honestly have no idea how I managed to know Machine Head only by name all these years. This album absolutely floored me. It’s heavy, melodic, and emotionally intense in the best way. The vocalist? An absolute dream—raw, powerful, and surprisingly nuanced. Bonus: they’re playing Wacken Open Air this year, and after hearing this record, I’m way more excited to see them live. A standout in Week 3, no doubt.
Orbit Culture – Descent
Genre: Death Metal, Groove Metal
Rating: 5/5
Holy sh*t. This album hit me like a truck, in the best possible way. Orbit Culture brings a perfect storm of heaviness, atmosphere, and crushing vocals. Their sound is dark, tight, and seriously intense. I found them through the YouTube channel “Tank the Tech” and instantly knew I’d struck gold. “Descent” is brutal but also smart, and exactly what I want in heavy music. I didn’t even finish the album before pre-ordering the next one, which drops in October. Metal is alive and kicking, just maybe not on your Top 40 playlist.
Final Thoughts – Week 3
Week three was when this whole full album listening thing really started to click. I didn’t just listen to albums—I lived with them. Some surprised me, others pushed me out of my comfort zone, and a few (Orbit Culture, I’m looking at you) downright wrecked me—in the best way.
What I’m noticing more and more: when I stop skipping, I start noticing. The flow of an album, the shifts in mood, the weird tracks in the middle that don’t grab you immediately but grow on you by track eleven. It’s not always love at first riff—but that’s kind of the point. And honestly, even the albums I didn’t love still taught me something.
Week three felt heavier, louder, and somehow more focused. Maybe because when you stop searching for the “next best song,” you finally hear what’s right in front of you.
Got a Heavy, Weird, or Beautiful Album? Throw It My Way (Gently)
Three weeks in, and I’m not just hearing music, I’m actually listening. Even the albums I didn’t totally vibe with gave me something: a lyric, a mood, a guitar tone that made me pause mid-coffee sip. Full album listening is like musical therapy. Loud, chaotic, and occasionally confusing, but worth it.
So, if you’ve got an album that shook you, confused you, or made you scream “what the hell is this and why do I love it?”… send it my way. Bonus points for stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into a genre. Surprise me. Scare me a little. You know where the comments are.