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.
Helloween – Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II
Genre: Power Metal
Rating: 5/5
If we’re talking about timeless classics, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II by Helloween still stands tall as one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to. From the very first notes, it’s clear this is more than just a good record, it’s a masterpiece of Power Metal. The melodies soar, the guitars blaze, and the whole thing feels both massive and beautifully constructed.
Even after all these years, it hasn’t aged a day. Every track feels intentional, rich, and surprisingly modern in its energy. It’s one of those rare albums that sets a high bar and still manages to clear it, again and again.
Eddie Vadder – Into The Wild
Genre: Soundtrack
Rating: 3/5
This album is actually the official soundtrack to the film Into the Wild—and it sounds exactly like that: reflective, raw, and designed to drift alongside wide landscapes and quiet moments. Eddie Vedder’s solo work here is acoustic, unhurried, and emotionally grounded.
Was it groundbreaking? Not really. But it made for an easy, enjoyable listen. “Society” was by far the highlight—simple, powerful, and quietly haunting. The rest of the album felt more like musical scenery than something that pulls you in—but that’s also what it was made for.
Parkway Drive – Atlas
Genre: Melodic Metalcore
Rating: 4/5
Atlas by Parkway Drive was a bit of a dive into the unknown for me. Melodic metalcore isn’t exactly my home turf—more like a detour into slightly aggressive but surprisingly emotional terrain. And honestly? Not bad at all.
The mix of heavy breakdowns, shouted vocals, and atmospheric melodies caught me off guard in a good way. It’s intense, but there’s structure and purpose behind the chaos. Even if I’m not fully fluent in the genre yet, I could definitely see myself returning to this band.
Consider me intrigued—and ready to explore more from Parkway Drive.
Falling In Reverse – Fashionably Late
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Rating: 4/5
Fashionably Late is exactly what its title promises—bold, flashy, and unapologetically loud. Falling in Reverse blends heavy riffs, electronic elements, and a healthy dose of attitude into an album that knows how to keep your attention.
Tracks like “Rolling Stone”, “Born to Lead”, and the title track “Fashionably Late” really stood out to me. They’re energetic, punchy, and surprisingly catchy. It’s not an album that takes itself too seriously, and that works in its favor.
Definitely one I’ll be coming back to. Not groundbreaking but a solid listen with a few certified bangers.
Disturbed – The Sickness
Genre: Nu Metal
Rating: 3/5
Let’s be honest, The Sickness isn’t a bad album. It’s got energy, some iconic riffs, and a lot of growly attitude. But after a few tracks, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was hearing the same song over and over again. Deja-vu with a distortion pedal, basically.
That said, the standout track is obviously “Down with the Sickness.” It’s iconic for a reason—raw, aggressive, and somehow still stuck in your head an hour later. The rest of the album? Consistent, but maybe too consistent. Still, worth a listen, especially for fans of that early 2000s nu metal sound.
Dogma – Dogma
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 5/5
This one hit me out of nowhere. Dogma is one of those debut albums that makes you stop mid-scroll and wonder, “Where the hell have they been hiding?” I stumbled across them while checking out the Wacken 2025 lineup—turns out they played while I was watching someone else. Oops.
But wow… these women absolutely crush it. It’s solid, riff-heavy, unapologetic hard rock with grit and swagger. The standout track for me? “Father I Have Sinned.” Dark, powerful, and ridiculously addictive.
If you like your rock loud, bold, and unapologetically badass—this one’s worth a spin. And a second. And probably a third.
Ambush – Infidel
Genre: Heavy Metal, Power Metal
Rating: 4.5/5
Ambush was a completely new name to me, and Infidel turned out to be one of those pleasant surprises that remind me why I started this Full Albums, No Playlists challenge in the first place. This is pure, old-school heavy metal energy mixed with a bit of power metal flair—sharp riffs, soaring vocals, and that unmistakable anthemic feel.
I liked it so much I went ahead and pre-ordered their latest album, and I’m already planning to check out their entire back catalog. Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel—you just need to make it spin faster and louder.
Hanabie. – Reborn Superstar
Genre: J. Metal, Metalcore, Kawaii Metal
Rating: 4.5/5
Hanabie are absolute chaos in the best possible way and Reborn Superstar just proves it again. I’d already seen them live at Wacken, so I knew they could bring the heat, but this album seals the deal.
It’s heavy, it’s playful, it’s got hooks that get stuck in your head for days. The combination of aggressive riffs, high-energy screams, and pop-style melodies is so uniquely theirs. The girls from Japan have serious skills, and this album is staying firmly on my “listen again” list.
Korn – Untitled
Genre: Nu Metal
Rating: 1/5
I’ll be honest, Untitled and I did not get along. From start to finish, I just couldn’t find a way in. It felt flat and honestly, boring. I was relieved when it ended, which is never a great sign for an album.
This listen definitely didn’t help me understand the hype around Korn, but I’m not writing them off completely. I’ll give one or two of their other albums a shot before I make a final judgment because hey, even bands with legendary reputations have their off days.
Final Thoughts – Week 4
Week 4 of the Albums Listening Challenge was a wild ride through power metal masterpieces, heartfelt soundtracks, heavy riffs, and… one album I’d rather forget. From the timeless brilliance of Helloween’s Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II to the raw punch of Dogma’s debut, there were moments that absolutely reminded me why I started this challenge in the first place.
Even the misses, looking at you, Untitled by Korn, had value. They reminded me that part of listening to full albums is taking the good with the bad, and that every “meh” record makes the great ones shine even brighter.
This week had a bit of everything: nostalgic sing-alongs, first-time discoveries, and enough heavy tracks to rattle my neighbours’ windows. And the best part? I didn’t skip a single track. That commitment is starting to feel less like a rule and more like a gift—forcing me to stay present, even when the music challenges me.
The challenge has definitely changed the way I engage with music. I’m sure I’ll keep listening to full albums more often than playlists, simply because I haven’t missed them at all. In fact, I feel like I appreciate music more now, and it’s genuinely fun to listen again, without the constant urge to hit “next.”
Your Turn – Have You Tried This?
So, that’s Week 4 in the bag. Now I’m curious, have you ever done something like this? Maybe not exactly a full albums, no playlists challenge, but a conscious decision to change how you listen to music?
Did it make you appreciate the songs more, or did you find yourself itching to skip? Drop your thoughts, experiences, or even your own album lists in the comments. And if you’ve got any “must-hear” records—heavy, mellow, or completely out there, I’m all ears.