P.O.D.

 Today in 1998 P.O.D. released the EP The Warriors EP

San Diego, California, Christian metal, nu metal, rap metal, alternative metal, rapcore , hard rock

Status:Active

Years active: 1992–present

P.O.D. (Payable On Death) is a San Diego nu-metal band that draws from some familiar influences (Rage Against The Machine (particularly the earlier releases), and Korn, to name two), as well as throwing their own originality into the mix. They have been referred to as a Christian band by others, and though there is definite spirituality in the lyrics, they don't come across as preachy or heavy-handed in their approach, nor are they entirely comfortable with the label of Christian band. After a string of locally-released albums, they signed to Atlantic and hit it big with 2001's Satellite. More recently has come the first lineup change, with guitarist Marcos Curiel deciding to pursue other interests. His replacement is a veteran in the Christian extreme metal scene, former Living Sacrifice guitarist Jason Truby. 2003's Payable On Death, the first featuring Truby, is in general a more relaxed alterna-nu-metal album, though also more diverse in its approach.

Tooth And Nail Records

Sonny Sandoval – vocals

Marcos Curiel – lead guitar

Traa Daniels – bass

Wuv Bernardo – drums, rhythm guitar

1. "Intro" 1:37

2. "Southtown" 4:30

3. "Breathe Babylon" 6:02

4. "Rosa Linda" 1:42

5. "Draw the Line" 3:14

6. "Full Color" 5:53

7. "Sabbath" 4:33

The Warriors EP is an extended play by the rock group P.O.D.. It was released on November 17, 1998 as a transitional album from Rescue Records to Atlantic Records. Only 30,000 copies were ever made which made it a collector's item and very rare to find. The EP contains a message from lead singer Sonny Sandoval thanking the 'Warriors', P.O.D.'s following of fans, for supporting them throughout the years before signing with Atlantic Records. Though produced by Atlantic Records, the album was actually released by Tooth & Nail Records. The entire EP is made to sound like the songs are being played through a phonograph, being mixed with a faux vinyl crackling throughout each song.

Faith No More

 Today in 1998 Faith No More released the single I Started a Joke

San Francisco, California Avant-garde/Alternative/Heavy Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1979-1980 (as Sharp Young Man), 1980-1982 (as Faith No Man), 1982-1998, 2009-present

Faith No More was the kind of band that usually garners a cult following but not commercial success, since their style is often varied, quirky, hard to describe, and off the mainstream. But the band scored a massive hit with "Epic" off The Real Thing, and so the band did indeed enjoy some success, even though their succeeding albums failed to generate the same level of airplay. In retrospect the band's decision to split up in 1999 is not too surprising, since several members had other projects in the works and there was increased reports of creative friction between various members. They reunited in 2009 and spent the next several of years touring, and have been reported on working on a new album for spring 2015.

Slash Records

Mike Patton Vocals

Jon Hudson Guitars

Billy Gould Bass

Roddy Bottum Keyboards

Mike Bordin Drums

1. I Started a Joke (Bee Gees cover) 03:03

2. The World Is Yours 05:52

3. Theme from Midnight Cowboy 01:02 instrumental

09:57

"The World Is Yours" and "Theme from Midnight Cowboy" were previously unreleased.

Different version (songs 2 & 3 recorded live at the Horden Pavilion in Sydney, Australia by MTV Australia on October 21, 1997):

1. I Started a Joke (Bee Gees cover) (3:03)

2. This Guy's in Love with You (live) (4:20)

3. We Care a Lot (live) (3:55)

Sacred Steel

 Today in 1997 Sacred Steel released there debut album Reborn in Steel

Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Epic Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1997-present

Sacred Steel was one of two bands that emerged as a result of the breakup of Tragedy Divine, with vocalist Gerrit Mutz and guitarist Jörg Knittel pursuing a more traditional metal direction as opposed to the more progressive stylings of the other post-TD band, Spiral Tower. Their style derives strongly from mid-eighties speed metal, crossing prime Helloween with Mutz's whiny, John Cyriis (Agent Steel) vocal style. Lyrically, Manowar-style metal anthems seem to be the focus, judging by titles such as "Sacred Steel", "Sword Of The King", "True Force Of Iron Glory", etc. Typical of German speed/power bands, the name of the game here is not originality (one might think that eventually they'd stretch their own musical boundaries a bit), but they have never wavered from their true metal stance, and that continues to serve them well.

Metal Blade Records

Mathias Straub Drums

Jens Sonnenberg Bass

Gerrit P. Mutz Vocals

Jörg M. Knittel Guitars (lead)

Oliver Grosshans Guitars (rhythm)

1. Metal Reigns Supreme 03:58

2. Battle Angel 04:45

3. Trapped in Hell 03:25

4. True Force of Iron Glory 03:43

5. Reborn in Steel 04:42

6. Purified by Pain 04:20

7. Sword of the King 07:35

8. In the Mouth of Madness 03:09

9. Kill the Deceiver 03:35

10. Sacred Steel 05:14

44:26

Rough Silk

 Today in 1997 Rough Silk released the album Mephisto

Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany Melodic Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active:1989-2004, 2006-2012, 2015-present

Formed in 1989 and originally comprising Jan Barnett (vocals/guitar), Herbert Hartmann (vocals/drums), Ferdy Doernberg (vocals/keyboards/guitar), Hilmer Staacke (d. 25 May 2006; guitar) and Ralf Schwertner (bass), Hannover, Germany-based rock band Rough Silk represented part of the new wave of European rock music. With an easily detectable bent towards American AOR stylings, in the vein of bands such as Rainbow, Bon Jovi and REO Speedwagon, Rough Silk struggled to throw off accusations of imitation. However, they have proved competent at their craft, most notably on two early 90s albums recorded at Dieter Dierks’ German studio. The second of these, Walls Of Never, was the better, with songs such as ‘Toxical Roses’ and ‘One More For The Ride’ demonstrating the band’s ability to tackle contrasting material without losing momentum.

Hartmann, Doernberg and Schwertner remained at the helm into the new millennium on a series of albums for the Massacre and SPV labels. Other members have included Thomas Ludolphy (vocals), Andreas Laszewski (guitar), Curt Doernberg (drums) and Nils Wunderlich (vocals/guitar).

Massacre Records

Ferdy Doernberg Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals

Jan Barnett Vocals

Nils Wünderlich Guitars, Vocals

Ralf Schwertner Bass, Vocals

Curt Doernberg Drums

Guest/Session

Jochen Wollenhaupt Programming (additional) (tracks 4, 6)

Mirko Mikulicz Violin (tracks 4, 6)

1. Mystery Bay 00:48

2. Recall 04:32

3. Mephisto 05:25

4. Subway Angel's Caravan 06:38

5. My Last Farewell 04:37

6. Dust to Sand 05:15

7. Glissando 04:36

8. Stay Cold 04:02

9. Far from Home 06:02

10. The Day of the Loner 04:56

11. Wheels of Time 05:20

52:11

Produced by Rough Silk.

12. On the Edge of a Dream (Bonus track)

2002 Russian Reissue on CD Maximum has following bonus tracks:

12. Wisdom In Steel 6:38

13. Desent Wind 5:37

Recording information:

Recorded at Big House studios

Anti-Nowhere League

 Today in 1997 Anti-Nowhere League released the album Scum

Royal Tunbridge Wells, England Hardcore punk, Punk rock

Status:Active

Years active 1980–1989,1992–present

Even when judged by the often confrontational standards of U.K. punk, the Anti-Nowhere League were a band committed to offending people. Looking less like a group of bohemian rebels than an especially unsavory biker gang eager to stomp someone (frontman Animal admits to being a former member of outlaw motorcycle clubs), the Anti-Nowhere League made an immediate impact when they burst onto the British rock scene in 1980. They were heroes to hard-boiled U.K. punks, and to nearly everyone else they were an affront to all decency -- which, of course, made the punks love them all the more.

Impact

Animal - vocals

Magoo - rhythm guitar

Beef - lead guitar

JJ Kaos - bass guitar

Revvin Taylor - drums

All songs written by Animal/Magoo, except where noted.

"Fucked Up and Wasted"

"Chocolate Soldiers"

"Get Ready"

"Suicide...Have You Tried?"

"Pig Iron"

"Scum"

"Burn 'Em All"

"Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" (Robert Stone)

"How Does It Feel?"

"The Great Unwashed"

"...Long Live Punk..."

Scum is the third studio album by English punk rock band the Anti-Nowhere League and the first album of new material released since the original band's breakup ten years previously. A new lineup is featured, with only lead singer Animal and guitarist Magoo remaining from the band which recorded the much-criticised The Perfect Crime LP in 1987. The album also marks a return to the ANL's "classic" punk-metal sound.

Anorexia Nervosa

 Today in 1997 Anorexia Nervosa released there debut album Exile

Nantes, Pays de la Loire/Limoges, Limousin,France Symphonic Black Metal

Status:On hold

Years active: 1991-1995 (as Necromancia), 1995-2007

Formed in 1995, Anorexia Nervosa specializes in symphonic black metal, along the lines of, say, Dimmu Borgir. The French black metal scene has blossomed in recent years, with arguably more standout bands than any non-Scandinavian country (examples include Seth, Himinbjorg, and Blut Aus Nord), and these guys deserve to be mentioned in the same breath.

Season of Mist

Pierre Couquet — bass

Nilcas Vant — drums

Marc Zabé, Stéphane Bayle — guitars

Stéphane Gerbaut — vocals

1. Prologue: To Exclude From the Cycle of Generations (5:30)

2. Delusive Complexion: Sequence 1: Spiritu Fornicationis: Action 1: Distressing Amnios (6:36)

3. Delusive Complexion: Sequence 2: Say the World That Fall in the Sky: Action 2: Gnostic Wails (3:35)

4. Delusive Complexion: Sequence 3: The Unveiled Mirror: Action 3: Other Wails (2:50)

5. Delusive Complexion: Sequence 4: Divert the Necessities of the Body (1:10)

6. Burning Tongue: Sequence 1: Against the Sail: Action 1: Vertebrae Embryo (1:20)

7. Burning Tongue: Sequence 2: Faith: Action 2: Discordant Effects of Suicides (3:00)

8. Burning Tongue: Sequence 3: Acclaim New Master: Action 3: Slave (7:37)

9. Burning Tongue: Sequence 4: First Tasting of Faecal Matter (2:21)

10. Man-Machine: Sequence 1: Some Miracle of Entrails: Action 1: Not Showed (4:32)

11. Man-Machine: Sequence 2: Spirit of the Valley: Action 2: Enclose (4:44)

12. Man-Machine: Sequence 3: Flesh Goes Out Without Grace (6:40)

13. Epilogue: Running of Mental Fluids (0:50)

Total Time: 50:50

Recorded at LB Studios - Lille - France

Exile is the first studio album by the French symphonic black metal band Anorexia Nervosa. It was released in 1997, through Season of Mist. It is notable as the band's only industrial metal album, before they became a symphonic black metal band. It is also the only album to feature Marc Zabé as one of the guitarists and Stéphane Gerbaut on vocals, as he was later replaced by R.M.S. Hreidmarr when the band decided to abandon the industrial metal

Accept

Today in 1997 Accept released the Live album All Areas – Worldwide

Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia,Germany Heavy Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1968-1976 (as Band X), 1976-1989, 1992-1997, 2005, 2009-present

Accept is arguably the second most popular band to emerge from Germany, behind Scorpions, and like their countrymen, did a lot of their best work before breaking worldwide. The Breaker and Restless And Wild albums showed the band at their metallic best, blending power and speed metal with just enough accessibility to keep it all together. But it was the next album, Balls To The Wall, that finally gave the band worldwide acclaim, with the style of the band shifting slightly towards a more anthemic sound, kind of reminiscient of AC/DC in places. While the band prospered for many years afterward, they didn't quite match the popularity of that album again. The band broke up early in 1997, during with time vocalist Udo Dirkschneider revived his solo band U.D.O., a project he started in 1986 or so and has been thriving in recent years. The other members scattered to various projects, with guitarist Wolf Hoffman doing some solo work and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann joining Udo for a time. They reunited for a time in 2005 for a 25th anniversary tour, went dormant for a spell, and then came back together in 2009 with a new vocalist, former TT Quick frontman Mark Tornillo. And the band plays on ...

GUN Records

Peter Baltes: Bass Guitar

Udo Dirkschneider: Vocals

Wolf Hoffmann: Guitars

Stefan Kaufmann: Drums

Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums on the last six songs on disc two.

Disc 1

1. Starlight (5:23)

2. London Leatherboys (4:42)

3. I Don't Wanna Be Like You (4:29)

4. Breaker (4:49)

5. Slaves to Metal (5:14)

6. Princess of the Dawn (10:45)

7. Restless & Wild (2:46)

8. Son of a Bitch (3:26)

9. This One's for You (4:08)

10. Bulletproof (6:17)

11. Too High to Get It Right (5:43)

Total Time: 57:46

Disc 2

1. Metal Heart (6:19)

2. Fast as a Shark (3:50)

3. Balls to the Wall (11:11)

4. What Else (5:27)

5. Sodom & Gomorra (6:39)

6. The Beast Inside (6:25)

7. Bad Habits Die Hard (4:53)

8. Stone Evil (4:32)

9. Death Row (6:02)

Released in 1998 as "The Final Chapter" for Japanese and US markets with a different cover

All Areas – Worldwide is a double live album by Accept. It was released in Japan and U.S.A. under the title The Final Chapter in 1998.[3]

The first fourteen tracks were recorded while Accept toured supporting their 1993 Objection Overruled release, while the final six tracks were recorded during support of their 1994 Death Row offering