1991 is one of the peak years of heavy music. Maybe the actual peak year itself. So many legendary artists released some of their best material. Ozzy’s ‘No More Tears,’ RHCP’s ‘Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic,’ Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten,’ and Van Halen’s ‘For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.’ To name just a few. The list seems endless sometimes. And through all the mix, Jersey’s Skid Row would have a meteoric rise to heavy metal greatness with their second album ‘Slave to the Grind.’
‘Slave’ has the unique honor of being the first true heavy metal record to hit No. 1 on the Billboard hot 200. Some say it was Quiet Riot’s ‘Metal Health.’ But that’s really more of a hard rock album. Some say that Pantera’s 1994 megaton ‘Far Beyond Driven’ takes the trophy. And while it is heavier than ‘Slave.’ ‘Slave’ is more than heavy enough to be considered a true metal album. It’s significantly heavier than Skid Row’s self titled debut. Surprising and pleasing hard rock and metal fans the world over. The band knew where the genre was headed. And they struck gold. Well, more like platinum.
With the opening ‘Monkey Business,’ the standard is set. You know exactly where this album is going to go. Heavy as hell, and then heavier. Which it does with the following title track. Skid Row gets very close to entering the thrash metal realm. ‘The Threat’ brings it back closer to 80’s hard rock. But it’s really really really heavy 80’s hard rock. These guys have been listening to Pantera, Soundgarden, Prong and the like. Not so much their late 80’s peers. However, it wouldn’t be a true Skid Row album without a few epic ballads. And the first one on the list ‘Quicksand Jesus’ is in tow with their darker lyrical subject matter. Not necessarily going for the obvious.
‘Psycho Love’ is just loaded with an insane amount of guitarittude. A simple, classic metal track. Displaying Sebastian Bach’s incredible metal vocal wail. ‘Get the Fuck Out’ is a perfect meld of metal and punk. Just so much snarky bad asserey. The two strongest tracks on the album follow: ‘Livin’ on a Chain Gang’ and ‘Creepshow.’ The former just gets the groove going so hard. While the latter truly exemplifies the true meaning of funk metal. A heavy triumph that’s never lost its edge. ‘In A Darkened Room’ brings back the balladry. While ‘Riot Act’ is part two of ‘Get the Fuck Out’ essentially. The mega groove heavy ‘Mudkicker’ is perhaps my favorite Skid Row track. An absolute monster song that puts the nail in the coffin on how heavy the band was willing to go. ‘Wasted Time’ closes things out in mid tempo melodic fashion. An unexpected way to finish off a total metal banger. But, it works well with the other ballads.
Upon its release, ‘Slave to the Grind’ was a massive success. Skid Row were the biggest metal band in the world. Going out on a huge tour with the likes of Soundgarden, Pantera and Prong as opening acts. What a magical time for heavy music. Crank it, live it, love it. Celebrate one of the best heavy metal album of all time.
