Fanboys Anonymous

They were the albums we all grew up listening to on our CD players (back when people still bought CDs). There's no doubt that 1994 was a pivotal year for both punk and metal, with Green Day's Dookie and the debut albums from KoRn, Cradle of Filth, Weezer, and The Bouncing Souls still going strong. Today I present my list of the albums and artists who are still holding their own twenty years later.

Here's a look back at the fifteen albums that rocked '94!

P.O.D.
Snuff the Punk
Released Jan. 25, 1994 (Rescue Records)


The first studio album by alternative rock band, P.O.D. is considered a collectible by fans and was later remastered and rereleased with new artwork in 1999.

Green Day
Dookie
Released Feb 1, 1994 (Reprise Records)


Dookie quickly became a worldwide success, peaking at the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 and charting in seven other countries. The third album propelled Green Day into mainstream popularity, winning the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1995 and ranking No. 193 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." This is the album that truly inspired so many.

Cradle of Filth
The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
Released Feb. 24, 1994 (Cacophonous Records)


Before frontman Dani Filth changed his vocal style, the British black metal band's debut album was a successful beginning with a raw sound and gave ample room for them to grow into their spikes and bondage we know them as today. The Black Goddess (indeed) Rises.

Nine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral
Released March 8, 1994 (Interscope Records)


Everyone has heard this song at least once. The Downward Spiral is the second studio album by industrial metal band Nine Inch Nails. It ranked No. 2 on the American Billboard charts before it went 4x platinum. Trent Reznor never disappoints.

Pantera
Far Beyond Driven
Released March 22, 1994


Far Beyond Driven is the seventh studio album from Pantera, and as the album enters its twentieth anniversary, this year also marks the tenth anniversary of the legendary guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's death.

Weezer
The Blue Album
Released May 10, 1994 (DGC Records)


Weezer's debut album, with singles such as Buddy Holly and Say it Ain't So, launched the band into the mainstream spotlight. Twenty years later, Buddy Holly is still one of the most catchiest songs. Oo-ee-oo! Be honest, we all know you sang along!

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Pure and Simple
Released June 14, 1994 (Warner Bros.)


With their height of success resting in the 80s with bar favorites like I Love Rock N' Roll and Bad Reputation, Joan Jett's eighth studio album took over the 90s as one of the biggest female fronts. Pure and Simple was the band's first album with a new lineup after the departure of guitarist Ricky Byrd and bassist Kasim Sulton.

Rancid
Let's Go
Released June 20, 1994 (Epitaph Records)


Rancid's second studio album gave way to sheer energy and was ranked No. 8 on Guitar World Magazine's top 10 guitar albums of 1994. The 80s punk veterans Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman released one of the biggest successes for punk in '94.

NoFx
Punk in Drublic
Released July 19, 1994 (Epitaph Records)


With punk in full force and taking over 1994, NoFx's fifth studio album is regarded as the best album the band has ever released and is considered a punk classic, reaching Gold Album status.

Bad Religion
Stranger than Fiction
Released Sept. 6, 1994 (Atlantic Records)


Stranger than Fiction is Bad Religion's eighth full-length studio album and most successful album to date.

Slayer
Devine Intervention
Released Sept. 27, 1994 (American Recordings)


The sixth studio album from thrash metal band Slayer, this was their first album with Paul Bostaph after replacing the band's original drummer, Dave Lombardo.

KoRn
Korn (debut album)
Released Oct. 11, 1994 (Immortal/Epic Records)


The self-titled debut album is still regarded as a classic and was the first band to coin "nu-metal" in the 90s, with hit singles like Blind, Clown, and Faget. This is possibly one of the band's greatest albums. How could you not like a kilt-wearing, bagpipe-playing vocalist with obscene lyrics?

The Bouncing Souls
The Good, The Bad, The Argyle
November 1, 1994 (Chunksaah Records)


The debut album of the punk band that took over Asbury Park, NJ, and went on to release hit albums such as Hopeless Romantic, Anchors Aweigh and The Gold Record.

Megadeth
Youthanasia
Released Nov. 1, 1994 (Capitol Records)


Megadeth's sixth studio album, which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's 200 Chart and achieved Platinum. The album title is a play on words, implying euthanizing the youth.

Nirvana
MTV Unplugged
Released Nov. 1, 1994 (DGC Records)


Nothing screams '90s grunge better than Nirvana, and (for the third album on this list released on November 1st) this live album was recorded at Sony Music Studios in New York City. A fair end to 1994.

Feeling old yet? What was your favorite album from the list? Let us know in the comment section below.