HardLore: Perfect Albums (The Master Killer Tier)

Colin and Bo discuss "The Master Killer Tier" of albums across all genres throughout the entire history of (mostly modern) music.
When perfect production, songwriting, sequencing, musicianship and lyrics are combined, you have a qualified candidate for the Master Killer Tier.
Did your favorite album make it? Is Master Killer better than Thriller? Find out in this epic 2+ hour episode.
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[@knotfest]

Save the official Hardlore Master Killer Tier Playlist (51 Hours of perfect albums): open.spotify.com/playlist/16HQyUPXLuDOdHmQ9KEFWr?si=bdd2ab5798d34e0c Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code HARDLORE at MANSCAPED.com!

[@x.BRAiNZ.x]

The boys never looked or smelled so good!

[@psobrien74]

While this episode was over a year ago, the one with Jasta and one of the more recent episodes with Stigma were epic.

[@psobrien74]

I think I would've used Arise over Chaos AD.

[@zpineda3294]

This episode is the Master Killer of Hardlore episodes.

[@MarcosAntonio-vf3ln]

Finally rich by chief keef is def master killer tier. No skips and the hits are amazing and it shifted the paradigm too. 10 years later and it’s still influential

[@worldrenownfailure]

As a Chicagoan, Bo most definitely agrees other wise he has to leave the city

[@magicwaffl3z]

Accurate

[@j0sedotexe]

absolutely goated comment

[@davidemmons4670]

Chicago rap for the most part sucks

[@the_real_tay_loud2072]

⁠@@davidemmons4670chicago has goats in pretty much every sub genre of rap

[@jdeez8073]

Colin - left, Bo - right has thrown me

[@diazable]

all i can see is colin wearing a merauder one-piece dress and i cant unseen it lol

[@DrTabarnak]

I wish I had a friend I could debate music on this level with.

[@riffreaper]

So real

[@zvchobag]

Feel the exact same.

[@narwhalcupcake1107]

yep

[@JohnnyGingy]

Sounds like y’all technically could become friends…. Just saying. I collect new concert homies every show I go to.

[@duhlike]

The problem is is that all of us who love music on this level, we kind of dislike people ahaha. Unless we can relate with them on this level. So it's a really tough situation.

[@Regulatethespot]

I’m so glad Bo named Carry On- A Life Less Plagued. Such an underrated album.

[@gulagwithahumanface4471]

Youth crew revival revival time

[@Anachronistic-qf1sp]

Goliath LP

[@BoneyBonesVids]

Throwdown- Haymaker Down - Nola Metallica - Ride the Lightning. Life of Agony - River Runs Red Organectomy - Nail Below Nail Clutch - Robot Hive/Exodus Sepultura - Chaos A.D. Knocked Loose - A Different Shade of Blue And many more, just of the top of my head

[@TheJordanHageman]

For Those Who Were Crucified is definitely up there too. Devil and God and everything AFI put out 1998-2003 would be Master Killer tier 1000%

[@HVU52]

If not in the Master Killer Halls already, I humbly submit my nomination for Isolation (2011) by Harms Way. Perfect listen from front to back, top to bottom. Every track goes hard; record does not let up even during the instrumental (Becoming). Insanely energetic, driving, and bouncy drums lay the foundation for seriously groovy, menacing riffs that are still highly-surprisingly!-catchy. Literally every track is distinguishable and each breakdown is recognizable. Appropriate samples throughout from one movie, so that gives the tracks a sense of continuity and ties the whole album together. Very personal and thematic lyrics delivered in a consistent vocal style. To be honest, I just needed a place to talk about how much I love this record. I will never tire of it. Even though the bystanders that I gym-mosh into on a regular basis probably do. Overall, genuinely the first album that comes to mind when I think of a go-to/on-repeat album. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@VQS_Bradley]

My favourites front to back Alice in chains - Dirt Loathe - I let it in and it took everything Killswitch engage - Alive or just breathing Suicide silence - The cleansing Spiritbox - Eternal blue Dying wish - Symptoms of survival

[@miserablessed86]

BO, Thank you for loyalty to Art of Drowning. People give a lot of us a hard time for loving that record endlessly.

[@miserablessed86]

with that being said I'm a No Heroes guy for some reason.

[@TheJordanHageman]

Art of Drowning is probably my personal favorite. You’re not alone

[@austinrumans2292]

Man i love you guys. If i did not have this podcast id be one lonely pup.

[@ehkitbraygan8787]

I've paused like 3 times to go listen and I'm not even 7 minutes in. You guys keep mouthing the riffs, and my brain is like, "Oh yeah! That part! Gotta go listen now!!"

[@alexbeckers4849]

No skips! Cryptopsy - Whisper Supcremacy // Refused - Shape of Punk to Come // Battery - Only the Diehard Remain // Damnation AD - No More Dreams // Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity

[@masterofnull9695]

for non heavy music. Cursive - The Ugly Organ and Mars Volta - De-Loused

[@daef3355]

Darker Handcraft by Trap Them is one of the best heavy records ever made. It‘s got everything: hardcore, punk, metal, grind in a blender, catchy yet nasty riffs, unbridled aggression, vberkvlt art (RIP), weird poetic lyrics and ridiculous drumming (Chris Maggio is an unsung hero on the instrument and the drums on this album still make me chuckle because they‘re so over the top yet tasteful). Certainly doesn't‘t hurt that production and sequence are also great.

[@robotomassi2011]

Underrated band. Seizures in Barren Paradise better imo, but obvs subjective. Both amazing records.

[@Danzigscat]

Poison idea feel the darkness is the best 90s hardcore punk album. No skips for sure!

[@jamesbarron9096]

ALLP is my favorite HC lp of all time. It’s genuinely flawless. I’m glad Colin came to his senses.

[@ColossusCo]

Sing the Sorrow is a top 5 album of all time for me, SPOT ON

[@jbasti227]

All day no question

[@yellowsaurus4895]

Angel Dust really is a masterpiece innit? I mean i think all their records are pretty amazing but they really caught lightning in a bottle with that one

[@olihudd2852]

Band sucks

[@robotomassi2011]

@@crooked-halo they're talking about the album by Faith No More

[@crooked-halo]

@@robotomassi2011 Oh, crap! Silly me. I'll delete that comment.

[@bigmono3000]

If you guys want to some master killer hip hop, I got you! A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Merauders (the album title says it all bitches!) Gang Star - Moment of Truth Big L - Lifestylez Eric B. And Rakim - literally all of it

[@Regulatethespot]

I back this comment so hard. Especially the Big L and Gang Star.

[@tylerjodeblock1224]

add Mobb Deep the Infamous.

[@bigmono3000]

@@tylerjodeblock1224 that record is definitely master killers vibes

[@ClayF403]

Damn, no love for Beastie Boys eh? Paul's Boutique, Licensed to Ill, Check Your Head, Ill Communication...all front to back certified bangers. Honestly can't pick one above the other they're so fucking good

[@bigmono3000]

@acidDJclay I agree all of those beastie records are amazing. I was just picking a few of my favorites. There are so many amazing hip-hop albums. I honestly could have went on and on

[@BabyfaceThompson]

"I used to get really depressed on my birthday" - Colin. Of course this dude loves Morrissey..

[@ClintoCinco]

Now we need an ALL TIME RIFFS pod

[@ShawtyWantAThug]

Need "Disintegration" by The Cure on this list

[@bigmono3000]

Death - Symbolic Deftones - Around The Fur TUI - Stay Cold Radiohead - In Rainbows Cannibal Corpse - Tomb of the Mutilated Cranberries - everybody else is doing it Tears For Fears - Songs from a Big Chair Obituary - Back From the Dead Brand New - Deja .... and I pick Morbid Angels' - Dawn of the Angry over covenant Just to name a few

[@HatewerK]

Domination*

[@bigmono3000]

@@HatewerK thank you! I just named my favorite song lol

[@bengreenbank]

Radiohead have 3 perfect albums. Goat band

[@XHEADTOWALLX]

Back From The Dead is the Obituary one you're going with?

[@chesterfield9682]

"White Pony", tho?

[@MrJeffwards]

Fact: Alice In Chains’ “black gives way to blue” is one of, if not THE best comeback record ever and is on par with the Layne records.

[@jackbarrettevans7399]

At The Gates - At War With Reality is the best comeback record ever.

[@drownthepoor]

I think Jane Doe is perfectly acceptable as the ultimate Converge album. It stands on it's own, and everything after it is sort of like a tightening up and simplification. If I had to pick something else I'd probably go older and say Petitioning is my favorite since it's what got me into them in the first place.

[@dancino5601]

came here to say this

[@urmumsbaps]

Can't argue with Jane Doe being anyone's number 1 but for me You Fail Me is at the top, without question. I am VERY picky about ever calling anything a perfect album because it's something that shouldn't be said lightly, there are only maybe 4/5 albums from the entire history of music that I'd consider perfect but YFM is one of them.

[@drownthepoor]

@@urmumsbaps YFM is great too. I saw them tour just as that album was released. Every album they put out sounds different from the one before and after it. Drop-Out is probably my favorite track from YFM.

[@robotomassi2011]

Petitioning is no skip, legit fucking unreal

[@drownthepoor]

@@robotomassi2011 Now the real question: the original release or the remaster? I love that the remaster is louder/compressed, but some of the tracks "feel" better as the originals.

[@zvchobag]

Shout out Kiss guys! That was the band that really started it all for me. I was obsessed as a child.

[@unsoundproductions-cn1py]

P4P Bad Religion has the best 6 album stretch ever starting with Suffer. I'll debate it with anyone! Lol

[@pal4385]

Bo going Bjork first just hit like a M Night Shyamalan twist

[@alexpdrumz684]

I made it to 4:09 before I had to switch over and go re listen to Master Killer

[@Carlo.WTF416]

Earl Sweatshirt - IDLSIDGO, ummmm YES!? - Every bar is a bar ✅ - no skips ✅ - all beats/production is sick ✅ - paradigm shift in “underground” hip-hop ✅ Outbreak Fest put this man on the bill for a reason goddamnit! Oh yeah and Frank Ocean is a GOAT, everything he put out is Master Killer tier

[@unholyloaf]

Korn - Korn Madonna - Ray of Light Ice Cube - Death Certificate Discharge - Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing Pig Destroyer - Prowler in the Yard Dido - No Angel Massive Attack - Mezzanine The Acacia Strain - Continent

[@Jfigs777]

F**K WORK! IT'S HARDLORE TIME!!!

[@staleycameron]

Great pick with Nails - Abandon all life, id argue equal to that is Gatecreeper - An unexpected reality, amazing record!

[@coled2424]

7 angels 7 plagues - jhazmyne's lullaby

[@rxchavira]

in keeping secrets of silent earth: 3 is the master killer of concept albums

[@drownthepoor]

These guys have awesome taste. When I heard him bring up Devil and God from Brand New after talking all that hardcore I knew this was worth listening to. To anyone who reads this: If you haven't listened to the first 3 releases by Underoath, particularly Cries Of The Past, listen to it and tell me that's not an amazing piece of music from a bunch of kids who love death-metal and hardcore from Florida. Most people know them for everything after the original singer left, but they were amazing while he was in the band. Also Converge, Modest Mouse, Alkaline Trio, Dillinger Escape Plan, The Chariot, Norma Jean, Neutral Milk Hotel. Botch's album We Are The Romans is easily one of the most influential metalcore albums of all time.

[@rossh2386]

Is botch the band that wanted to “out dead guy” dead guy or was that Dillingers early days?

[@drownthepoor]

@@rossh2386 I honestly don't know this story. What were they going to out them about? But I'd have to guess it was Dillinger because Botch is from Tacoma and both Dillinger and Dead Guy are from Jersey.

[@sunless__]

At the Gates-Slaughter of the Soul Prayer for Cleansing-The Rain in Endless Fall Misery Signals-Of Malice and the Magnum Heart 7 Angels 7 Plagues-Jhazmyne's Lullaby Poison the Well-The Opposite of December Thursday-Full Collapse Thrice-The Illusion of Safety American Football-American Football (the first one)

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

opposite of December repreSENT

[@alexanderjacobs3404]

Thank you for this, the first podcast I listen to on a regular base. Very heartfelt talking. Also great episode dudes, will check out some of these records. My favorite 'MK' album of all time: Heartwork from Carcass.

[@justinrodenbeck]

friend of the Colin in keeping secrets fuckin rips 10/10

[@brainrottedindividual]

my list acme-to reduce to choir to one soloist born against-nine patriotic battle hymns for children government warning-no moderation moss icon-lyburnum everything unbroken ever did drive like jehu-both lps (RIP Rick) pinback-summer in abaddon

[@joaocarlosmartinramosjr9782]

Me growing up as a Metal Head master killer got me as "Shit they are the hardcore version of Bolt Thrower"

[@arthurlisi9296]

49 yrs old.. grew up in dc hardcore.. I absolutely love the facts that podcasts like this exist.. thank you

[@samjimenez8713]

Downward Spiral is actually perfect. Pretty Hate Machine is not

[@ucomeb4december]

For the more Melodic side of Hardcore I'd include. Lifetime - Jersey's Best Dancers Kid Dynamite - Shorter, Faster, Louder Stay Gold Pills and Advice I would also say Saves the Day - Can't Slow Down and Deftones- White Pony would be on my list.

[@matthewbeckwith663]

I loveeee that Stay Gold album. I discovered that gem late

[@qsackk]

Choosing between Definitely Maybe and Morning Glory is such an impossible question. Deeper cuts like She's Electric, Some Might Say, and a closer the magnitude of Champagne Supernova is god tier, but Colin pulling out Slide Away as a counter almost completely negates that point. Just an insane run (especially if you include Be Here Now).

[@Matthiacle666]

Morning Glory takes it. I listen to Definitely Maybe more, but the 2nd half has a couple of songs I skip. Morning Glory is all hits

[@bengreenbank]

They’re just one of those bands with 2 perfect albums.

[@urmumsbaps]

@@Matthiacle666 Wonderwall is just flat out terrible, She's Electric is annoying and mediocre and DLBIA, while objectively good, is overplayed and overrated. Definitely Maybe has no skips, it's worst song (digsys dinner) is still short and sweet and doesn't need to be skipped. It also has Slide Away soooo

[@jackwittich5659]

Sing the Sorrow is an excellent choice

[@austinrichardson7144]

Gods hate the album is the master killer of violence unlimited. I feel like that record makes me want to eat Culver’s and then buy a shit load of merch. Front to back a fever dream. The intro rivals any intro in music. Did we forget about downward spiral? Prodigy fat of the land as well. Hardlore is the greatest thing on the internet. Thanks for everything boys!

[@chains1108]

I agree TUI is master killer with their discography the acacia strain for heavy music to me is almost the whole discography master killer as well. Albums change up "sound" while doing what they do and bringing fresh things every time. Continent is a no skip album. Wormwood so good. But it comes in waves is probably my favorite album by them. Slow decay is great. That band to me for heavy music is the master killer because I listen to more hardcore than I do metalcore or deathcore or whatever but the acacia strain is the best heavy band to me probably.

[@SweetDeeSee]

I think Shed by title fight is a no skip album

[@juicerock960]

ANIMOSITY - EMPIRES

[@blinksoad]

Very interesting. Listening to new bands because of you two. Deja Entendu and The Devil and God, I couldn’t decide on the two. You Won’t Know, goes hard.

[@816yardcore]

ones i think you missed... Thrice - illusion of safety Against me! - reinventing axle rose His Hero is gone - monuments to thieves Notorious BIG - ready to die Bad Religion - Suffer Descendents - milo goes to college Blue MEanies - A Sonic documentation... (their live album) Tom waits - rain dogs Cake - Fashion Nugget Cave in - ...until your heart stops Drug Church - Cheer R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant The Broadways - broken star (better than any alkaline trio)

[@corycourtney8923]

The Art of Drowning is a perfect record. I can't even remember any other songs from Sing the Sorrow beyond Dancing Through Sunday and only because of the guitar solo on that song. I also would have had Stop at Nothing over Reign Supreme. No one asked, but I submit: Mike Patton - Adult Themes for Voice Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops Blood for Blood - Revenge on Society Evergreen Terrace - Writers Block Unearth - III: In the Eyes of Fire Jawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge Therapy Minor Threat - Complete Discography

[@drownthepoor]

Oh man, you and I share some eclectic taste. Modest Mouse I don't know if I could pick one album. Lonesome Crowded West and This is a Long Drive are essential, and Building Nothing Out of Something. Cave-In album is awesome, but Converge is more my style. If you know Cave-In I'm sure you know Converge. Minor Threat & Fugazi: both excellent. The Argument is one of my favorite albums. Mike Patton isn't a big one for me, but he was frontman for Dillinger Escape Plan and I love that EP. Underoath's first 2 EP's and Changing Of The Times are some of the best heavy music I've ever heard. It was before they became a band that girls listen to. Diff singer, guitarists, everything. Listen to the Cries of The Past EP and tell me how no one knows that recording.

[@corycourtney8923]

@@drownthepoor The Mike Patton was a joke for anyone in the know. Look that record up and you'll see why.

[@10wnuatgh123]

53:10 Bloodborne soundtrack is the GOAT of video game soundtracks, shit is so good

[@zvchobag]

Feel like an etid record should’ve been mentioned.

[@willlabuffalo6679]

Drink every time these foos say “Master Killer”🍺🥃

[@chesterfield9682]

...are you trying to kill me?

[@maxonteamone]

The new Inclination album is one for me. Can’t stop listening to it.

[@garyforshaw3707]

Bringing it down is probably the best rev release so yeah it's definitely master killer level

[@josephjames9090]

I'm kinda where bo said with type o, only really heard their hits, and thought they were cool, but they went into more detail about why they love them this episode now I feel like I gotta check them out

[@zvchobag]

This episode made me check out Type O and October Rust is just a fucking masterpiece. Especially with the season change. It’s crazy. I slept on them for YEARS

[@znesk13]

Foo Fighters "The Colour and the Shape" and Queens of the Stone Age "Songs for the Deaf" are straight up bangers for radio rock and as for hardcore Suburban Scum "Internal War"

[@wizardtooth666]

Thank you sooo much for mentioning co&ca never thought I'd hear that on this show. You guys constanly surprise me with your wide range of musical intrests.

[@DaveyBlade13]

Dem hardlore boys are at it again

[@197Media]

Shout out get it faster. growing up and hearing that on KROQ regularly is a memory forever engraved

[@shit_pant]

for me just a couple that come to mind absu - tara dissection - storm of the lights bane watain - lawless darkness (some would argue that no watain album should be here, or even that this is their best album, i stand by it) fields of the nephilim - elizium

[@Jakecemented98]

Downfall of Christ and dead end path are probably my favorite hardcore songs

[@gabeg1152]

Nola by Down

[@boredbyheaven138]

You Are The Quarry is banger after banger, perfect album

[@netomhclopez4244]

My friends and me we had this conversation about Master Killer! and yes, i believe that what makes a record perfect is the one that you dont skip one single track. Non HXC records: The Smiths - The Queen is Dead, Morrissey - i was going to go for Bona Drag and Your Arsenal, but yes Vauxhall is merauder tier, American Nightmare - Background Music, and The Misfits - Walk among us.

[@Mamiehash]

Stooges-Funhouse Black Sabbath-Master of reality

[@PinkPantherPunk]

Dude that take on Kill EM All, c'mon

[@wearingthegrudge]

Can't believe Colin called himself a Gillman guy and nobody even mentioned Jawbreaker...

[@ody2494]

first time long time definitely one of my favorite episodes so far the mix of hardcore/emo love is amazing love just a Bo and Colin sit down

[@scrumjohnson]

Gotta shout out for Watching from a Distance. Amazing record that I've gotten so many hours out of

[@jvallely_]

I gotta give it up to Poison the Well’s first three LP’s.

[@aneverflowingstream]

Thursday is my Friday. Thank you Bo and Colin

[@dylanraffaelli5204]

Sing the sorrow an 11 out 10 fr 🔥

[@recordshape2528]

Didn’t even think about Bleed American until Colin brought it up. Amazing choice.

[@robotomassi2011]

No 'Slaughter of the Soul' ooooof

[@souter199216]

Every time you mention brightside I thought of the album by Perth hardcore band break even. Great album also

[@issamoniker]

Fantastic album, more people should hear it

[@tonyvarella7297]

In other words, "Master Killer hits my spot"

[@MetalVolcano]

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs and Nick Cave - Let Love In are the Master Killers of Leonard Cohens

[@bomonttyler]

Love Waits- my Master Killer record of his is Mule Variations

[@816yardcore]

mule variations got some yawns on it though@@bomonttyler

[@pal4385]

Is it Christmas morn

[@BONELOKO7018]

HAAARDLOOOORE

[@livefreeprintguns]

Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today Hatebreed - Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire Trapped Under Ice - Stay Cold The Acacia Strain - The Dead Walk God's Hate - Mass Murder

[@akukta]

The second half of this episode really brings it home. Bleed American Coffee Dr Pepper Through Being Cool All Master Killer tier shit.

[@itsonlyalex3254]

Laughed way too hard at "MASTER THRILLER GOD DAMN IT"

[@MrMikewright1980]

Alice In Chains - Dirt Foo Fighters - The Colour & Shape Massive Attack - Mezzanine Killswitch Engage - Alive Or Just Breathing A Perfect Circle - Mer De Noms Deftones - Around The Fur Zao - Liberate Te Ex Inferis Isis - Oceanic Strongarm - Advent Of A Miracle Comeback Kid - Wake The Dead Beastie Boys - Ill Communication Cult Of Luna - Somewhere Along The Highway

[@THEAGGROS]

Physical Grafitti is my favorite by far but all of them are masterpieces Destroyer is KISS’ pinnacle and made me a fan for life. Carnivore RETALIATION is on my list and every metal fan should own. Ride The Lightning is my top Metallica record Aerosmith ROCKS Pantera Great Southern Depeche Mode Violator merciful fate IN THE SHADOWS Black Flag Damaged Crumbsuckers Life of Dreams

[@jake_villanueva]

Love the fact this episode was so long. Lots of stuff to check out.

[@masterofnull9695]

I've began approaching that Dead Again is the best Type O record.

[@withafrown]

Liquid Swords IS the Master Killer of 90's rap tho

[@816yardcore]

that came out in the 2000s

[@withafrown]

@@816yardcore nah, it came out in 95!

[@APC62]

Colin, where’s the All Out War brother? Also, is a jets square pie the master killer of delivery za?

[@reggieeeeeeee]

@bosxe Was the verse riff from Warriors an homage to Downfall of Christ?

[@bosxe]

BIG time

[@johnwpeters]

Amazed I haven’t heard any mention of Bury Your Dead “You Had Me at Hello” End to end MOSH-terpiece

[@jordanmoran1983]

Weezer blue album and potentially Pinkerton. As much as I love faith no more - angel dust I prefer king for a day. Mastodon - leviathan, blood mountain and crack the Skye. Clash, damned and specials first albums.

[@EyesLikeBatailles]

Toots and the Maytals: Funky Kingston is ABSOLUTELY the Master Killer of Ska/early reggae. Perfect record.

[@garyforshaw3707]

Integrity systems overload