Imo there is no such band. over six albums is a lot of material, there is bound to be some mediocre stuff on one of them.

the closest i can think of are "winning streaks", as in 6 albums all released consecutively which are really consistent. like Megadeth's first 6 albums, it was quite a winning streak up until Cryptic Writings which was just meh. another one would probably be Judas Priest from Screaming for Vengeance until Jugulator (though some might argue Turbo is shit, but i love it), and of course all seven of Maiden's 80s albums definitely count.

but a single band which has had all that until now.. hmm.. my best bet would be Nightwish, which range from really good (Oceanborn, Angels Fall First) to decent (Dark Passion Play), but i wouldn't say any of them are shit. as a matter of personal preference though, i can find something i like from every Judas Priest album (they're my no. 1 favorite band after all) so i guess their 16-album discography is completely unbeatable in terms of consistency for me.

Written by Valentin B on 30.08.2011 at 09:23

Imo there is no such band. over six albums is a lot of material, there is bound to be some mediocre stuff on one of them.

Actually, I think there are plenty (relatively speaking).

Esoteric, for one, if you count Metamorphogenesis as a full-length. Most people do, and so does Metal Storm, but I think the band labels it as an EP. Their discography is pretty spotless, IMO, with Maniacal Vale being their highest point.

Moonspell too. Granted, I'm not crazy about Darkness and Hope, but I wouldn't call it a dud, though. Just not quite as good as the rest.

The Stone, a Serbian black metal are quite consistent, all great albums. Album #7 is coming out soon, so we'll see if it spoils the score.

Paradise Lost came close. A very big discography, 12 albums, with only crappy album - One Second. But people usually like that one, so I'm not sure if I should count it as a dud or not.

And plenty others that I either can't think of right now, or that people already listed.

Written by listmor on 30.08.2011 at 03:33

Written by edgethrasherx on 29.08.2011 at 22:42

Written by Powerslavex on 29.08.2011 at 20:03

Iron maiden
metallica

I think you read it wrong its 6 albums not 4 (metallica) kill em all - ...and justice for all are good black album ok, but after that they suck so 4-5 good albums not 6 for sure, iron maiden i totally agree though

This is what makes listening to music so personal. Lets assume he really does like all of Metallica's and Iron Maiden's albums I am sure most people would say that both of these bands have produced some real garbage to the point where you couldn't say that these bands are among your favourites anymore.

By the way a big thumbs up to the guy who said Bolt Thrower, I had never heard any of their stuff and upon recent listening I found that I really enjoy their music and so far have to say that its all been great listening!

Metallica has produced some garbage but Maiden have never produced an average album IMO

Written by IronAngel on 30.08.2011 at 01:14

Written by Powerslavex on 29.08.2011 at 23:24

Written by edgethrasherx on 29.08.2011 at 22:42

Written by Powerslavex on 29.08.2011 at 20:03

Iron maiden
metallica

I think you read it wrong its 6 albums not 4 (metallica) kill em all - ...and justice for all are good black album ok, but after that they suck so 4-5 good albums not 6 for sure, iron maiden i totally agree though

nop i did read it well i like 5 of their albums so it doesnt have 2 be 6 plus or minus 1 wont make difference

You both misunderstood. The idea was to talk about bands who have not released a single bad album, ever. And to limit the flood of bands with one great debut, we're only talking about bands who have released 6 or more albums. Not bands who've released a lot of albums and 6 of them good.

Silly us well then I'll stick to Iron Maiden and a future candidate agalloch

Well, I'd say Dream Theater, but I know that's not the general public's opinion. In long careers, you gotta have SOME flops though... Except if you're Dark Tranquillity. There's not a single album of theirs which I don't adore; even The Mind's I's only problem is that the others are way too good and don't allow you to listen to that one more. Amorphis is superb and comes to mind almost instantly, but I know most people don't like their mid-era. Sentenced and Symphony X also come to mind, even with albums which are not as good as the rest, they still made no duds. Also, Pain Of Salvation, though Scarsick is too weird for me, there's a lot of people who love it.

Well I think Kamelot with their 6 albums are the best (The Forth Legacy - Karma - Epica - The Black Halo - Ghost Opera - Poetry For The Poisoned)

For me it's Blind Guardian (I enjoy their every song, except one), Priest, Iced Earth, Testament, Opeth and even maybe Megadeth... Risk and United Abominations are let downs, but they're 'listenable'

For me Cannibal Corpse, Iron Maiden, Obituary and Carcass. They may have a weak album here and there, but no duds. Morbid Angel would have been there except for there recent catastrophe.

Carcass? Swansong is terrible. And I would qualify weak albums as duds. if the bar is set at a certain level (and bands like Megadeth and Maiden set the bar high with albums like Powerslave and Peace Sells) and both have a couple albums that don't remotely stack up. Megadeth has an album on the MS all-time Bottom 20. considering they don't get near the hate that other bands 'round these parts do, that album must really suck...

i looked over my list today and cannot really add anything to the list.

Ulver is on the cusp, but i still am a bit torn on "Blood Inside" - some tracks i like, some annoy me to no end. it's the lone Ulver album i don't seem to ever feel like listening to. I cannot recall, after the 60 day purchase grace period ever thinking "golly, i want to listen to Blood Inside right now."

Death also comes close, but same boat with "Sound of Perseverance". never really liked that one. i rated it a 7 based upon technical merits, but i've never enjoyed it like their prior albums.

High On Fire and Esoteric are on the cusp, each with 5 really good releases.

Opeth Opeth and again Opeth
old bands like big 4 and old heavy metal bands cant release a really great album more

Written by BitterCOld on 30.08.2011 at 20:15

Carcass? Swansong is terrible. And I would qualify weak albums as duds.

I like that album. Some rocking songs on it...... Keep on Rotting...., Tomorrow Belongs...., Blackstar, Room 101, Rock the Vote. Would never consider it a dud.

I'm thinking some more "unexpected" bands:

Absu has only made good things,
Napalm Death never had a bad album (maybe 1 or 2 less good in a loooooong career)
Of Course Rotting Christ need to be here: for the most people Aealo is their weakest album and even that is a very good release.
God Dethroned, Samael, Hypocrisy, Limbonic Art, Vomitory...I wasn't aware there were so much of them in my collection alone.

Written by Powerslavex on 30.08.2011 at 11:11

Written by listmor on 30.08.2011 at 03:33

Written by edgethrasherx on 29.08.2011 at 22:42

Written by Powerslavex on 29.08.2011 at 20:03

Iron maiden
metallica

I think you read it wrong its 6 albums not 4 (metallica) kill em all - ...and justice for all are good black album ok, but after that they suck so 4-5 good albums not 6 for sure, iron maiden i totally agree though

This is what makes listening to music so personal. Lets assume he really does like all of Metallica's and Iron Maiden's albums I am sure most people would say that both of these bands have produced some real garbage to the point where you couldn't say that these bands are among your favourites anymore.

By the way a big thumbs up to the guy who said Bolt Thrower, I had never heard any of their stuff and upon recent listening I found that I really enjoy their music and so far have to say that its all been great listening!

Metallica has produced some garbage but Maiden have never produced an average album IMO

Have to Disagree on Maiden.... IMO they have released nothing worth getting since SSOASS.

Boy,do i love registering just to be able to post my opinion on something.

Anyway.

Imho, bands like this include: Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy, Slayer, Exodus, Stratovarius (especially them), Helloween, possibly Megadeth and Overkill...
Of course, we can't forget Death...

One could throw in Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath, but my current musical interests have slightly diverted from the classics of Heavy Metal.

Once they release their upcoming album, then LAMB OF FUCKING GOD!! \m/ \m/

Its a hard question to definativly answer because everyone will hava a different opinion about what albums are shit and what arn't. Some people probably like St. Anger.
Anyway, my picks would be Nightwish (6 albums, all of which I like) and Opeth (just look at their album rating on this site, all over 8). I also like all the Judas Priest and Black Sabbath albums I've got/have heard, although I havn't heard Rock'n'Rolla or the 2 albums with Ripper Owens, or thelast 4 Sabbath albums with Tony Martin (can't get hold of them anywhere). Same with Dimmu Borgir, I've got Enthone Darkness Triumphant through to Abrahadabre, excluding the Stormblast re-recording, and I wouldn't consider any of them duds. I also like all the Therion albums I've heard (9 all up).
Oh yes. No dud albums- the mighty King Diamond (and possibly Mercyful Fate, I've only got 5 from them). Long Live The King!

Written by M C Vice on 31.08.2011 at 11:12

Its a hard question to definativly answer because everyone will hava a different opinion about what albums are shit and what arn't. Some people probably like St. Anger.
Anyway, my picks would be Nightwish (6 albums, all of which I like) and Opeth (just look at their album rating on this site, all over 8). I also like all the Judas Priest and Black Sabbath albums I've got/have heard, although I havn't heard Rock'n'Rolla or the 2 albums with Ripper Owens, or thelast 4 Sabbath albums with Tony Martin (can't get hold of them anywhere). Same with Dimmu Borgir, I've got Enthone Darkness Triumphant through to Abrahadabre, excluding the Stormblast re-recording, and I wouldn't consider any of them duds. I also like all the Therion albums I've heard (9 all up).
Oh yes. No dud albums- the mighty King Diamond (and possibly Mercyful Fate, I've only got 5 from them). Long Live The King!

King Diamond, Nightwish and Therion i agree with. I didn't agree with Nightwish at first, but the new material without Tarja is certainly not bad, even though i don't like it as much as older albums.

Damn, I disagree with almost everyone so far.

I think that Immolation and Dying Fetus are the most consistent metal bands who haven't released any duds. Harnessing Ruin is definitely Immolation's weakest, but it still isn't bad at all. Both bands have been able to consistently release great albums while backing each album up with continuous, monster live performances every year.

Written by BitterCOld on 30.08.2011 at 20:15

High On Fire and Esoteric are on the cusp, each with 5 really good releases.

High on Fire is about the only band I can think of...And yeah, they're only at 5. Does that mean their next one is going to suck?

Maybe Nachtmystium? I haven't heard the first 2, but if they are decent, and their upcoming album doesn't suck, perhaps they can join the list.

I'm surprised noone mentioned Primordial thus far. I think it's an extremely consistent band.

Written by SaleFlamand on 01.09.2011 at 15:22

I'm surprised noone mentioned Primordial thus far. I think it's an extremely consistent band.

True. Surprised i didn't think of them, being Irish an' all I think they had one or two weaker albums but no duds. Everything since The Gathering...... are just epic.

Written by Sean 79 on 02.09.2011 at 13:23

Written by SaleFlamand on 01.09.2011 at 15:22

I'm surprised noone mentioned Primordial thus far. I think it's an extremely consistent band.

True. Surprised i didn't think of them, being Irish an' all I think they had one or two weaker albums but no duds. Everything since The Gathering...... are just epic.

Totally Primordial. The new album slays, Spirit the Earth Aflame, A Journeys End, Storm Before Calm, Imrama, The Gathering Wilderness. OOOSH so much tasty music. By far my favourite band.

Written by @gent_-_orange on 31.08.2011 at 00:08

Written by Powerslavex on 30.08.2011 at 11:11

Written by listmor on 30.08.2011 at 03:33

Written by edgethrasherx on 29.08.2011 at 22:42

Written by Powerslavex on 29.08.2011 at 20:03

Iron maiden
metallica

I think you read it wrong its 6 albums not 4 (metallica) kill em all - ...and justice for all are good black album ok, but after that they suck so 4-5 good albums not 6 for sure, iron maiden i totally agree though

This is what makes listening to music so personal. Lets assume he really does like all of Metallica's and Iron Maiden's albums I am sure most people would say that both of these bands have produced some real garbage to the point where you couldn't say that these bands are among your favourites anymore.

By the way a big thumbs up to the guy who said Bolt Thrower, I had never heard any of their stuff and upon recent listening I found that I really enjoy their music and so far have to say that its all been great listening!

Metallica has produced some garbage but Maiden have never produced an average album IMO

Have to Disagree on Maiden.... IMO they have released nothing worth getting since SSOASS.

well in your opinion maybe i really enjoy most of their albums....hence i choose maiden

Akercocke, Rotting Christ and Rammstein so far.

Opeth definitely for me! All pefect.

Cannibal Corpse
Dying Fetus
Nile
Iron Maiden (until the last two... )

Written by BitterCOld on 30.08.2011 at 20:15
And I would qualify weak albums as duds. if the bar is set at a certain level (and bands like Megadeth and Maiden set the bar high with albums like Powerslave and Peace Sells) and both have a couple albums that don't remotely stack up.

I would have to agree with you here... My list would be pretty huge if I only counted a "dud" (from a band I love) as an album that I hated, and liked no songs on it. The list would be far smaller though, if I counted albums in a band's catalogue that are of lesser quality than the band's absolute best works, as "duds". Maiden are a great example. I don't hate any of their albums, but I do consider several of their albums (Fear Of The Dark, both Blaze albums, Dance Of Death, and The Final Frontier) to be weaker than their best stuff. So for this thread, I guess it depends on what criteria has to be met in order for albums to be classed as "duds" before I could give a proper answer.

Written by I_Die_Often on 05.09.2011 at 04:32

Cannibal Corpse
Dying Fetus
Nile
Iron Maiden (until the last two... )

Just curious, what makes AMOLAD and TFF worse than Dance of Death, No Prayer, and Virtual XI?

Written by Angelic Storm on 05.09.2011 at 06:03

Written by BitterCOld on 30.08.2011 at 20:15
And I would qualify weak albums as duds. if the bar is set at a certain level (and bands like Megadeth and Maiden set the bar high with albums like Powerslave and Peace Sells) and both have a couple albums that don't remotely stack up.

I would have to agree with you here... My list would be pretty huge if I only counted a "dud" (from a band I love) as an album that I hated, and liked no songs on it. The list would be far smaller though, if I counted albums in a band's catalogue that are of lesser quality than the band's absolute best works, as "duds". Maiden are a great example. I don't hate any of their albums, but I do consider several of their albums (Fear Of The Dark, both Blaze albums, Dance Of Death, and The Final Frontier) to be weaker than their best stuff. So for this thread, I guess it depends on what criteria has to be met in order for albums to be classed as "duds" before I could give a proper answer.

just using MS rankings - which are generally inflated to begin with:

Iron Maiden 8.7
Killers 8.4
Number of the Beast 9.1
Piece of Mind 8.9
Powerslave 9.2
Somewhere In Time 8.8
Seventh Son of Seventh Son 9.1

Avg - 8.85

No Prayer 7.3
Fear of the Dark 8.1
X Factor 6.9
Virtual XI 6.7

Brave New World 8.7
Dance Of Death 8
A Matter Of Life And Death 8
Final Frontier 7.5

Avg 7.65


The AVERAGE score of their first 7 albums is higher than any single album they have done since. And i would say based on ratings that X-Factor and Virtual XI are duds. Maiden (and a lot of other bands) get their mediocre albums padded by more forgiving fans.

all i know is my interest in the band pretty much evaporated after SSoaSS. i heard the next couple at friend's houses all they made me want to do was go home and listen to the older stuff again.

Symphony X

7 in a row! And their newest (iconoclast) is among their greatest releases. Great riffs. Great vocals. Great structures...everytime!