Listed here are 10 wonderful solo tasks by members of beloved ’90s bands.
Whereas the impact of the ’90s on music is a polarizing subject, there isn’t a doubt that the last decade abounded with groundbreaking acts boasting charismatic personalities, of whom audiences by no means tire.
Thus, it comes as a reduction that many such figures have experimented on their very own.
The next function notable examples, although some peaked barely earlier than or after the period in query: Rage In opposition to the Machine’s Tom Morello, The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Weapons N’ Roses’ Slash, System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Turbonegro’s late Hank von Hell, Foo Fighters’ additionally late Taylor Hawkins and Pantera’s Rex Brown. We must always point out Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, extra of a group, nonetheless, as effectively.
READ MORE: 10 ’90s Rock Bands That By no means Matched the Hype
Top-of-the-line surprises got here in 2023 when Ville Valo launched Neon Noir, his premier solo album containing the tracks from the EP Gothica Fennica Vol. 1 (2020) and extra. Valo could stand as an icon of the brand new millennium, however he did rejoice the revealing of HIM’s acclaimed full-length debut in 1997.
In 2024, Slayer’s Kerry King, a conqueror of all epochs, equally dropped his first solo report, From Hell I Rise. Within the realm of maximum steel, we likewise have Emperor’s Ihsahn, who has opted for a progressive route along with his self-titled band. As well as, let’s give a shout-out to the revered Marko Laiho, who not solely, at occasions, has dealt with all duties in Beherit and has taken the outfit in surprising instructions, however he moreover continues to current ingenious choices below different banners.
Jerry Cantrell
One of many best songwriters of our time, Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell wowed listeners along with his first full-length solo effort, Boggy Depot, in 1998.
Cantrell unleashed his newest album, I Need Blood, in, 2024. It contains a solid of high abilities, corresponding to returning friends Robert Trujillo of Metallica, with whom Cantrell has carried out, and Duff McKagan of Weapons N’ Roses. In 2023, Cantrell made a latest look with the previous’s eponymous mission and the 2 of them at the moment are contemplating making a joint report.
Scott Weiland
Described as a wordsmith, chameleon of a stage presence and voice of his era, the late Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver fame has left behind classics that proceed to resonate with the quantity of his trademark megaphone, in a duplicate of which his ashes now relaxation.
As a one-man enterprise, Weiland additional flaunted his already established potential to sort out any problem, whether or not Christmas tunes or a canopy of, let’s say, Radiohead’s “Let Down.” With songs corresponding to “Lacking Cleveland” and “Photos & Computer systems (I’m Not Superman)” that summon infinite blended feelings, we are able to hear the story of Weiland’s life unfolding.
In Not Lifeless & Not for Sale: A Memoir (2011), Weiland mirrored that his solo creations not solely introduced him deep satisfaction, however they have been “additionally a solution to inform my bandmates, ‘Ciao, so lengthy, buenas noches.’”
Mark Lanegan
Luckily, the legacy of Screaming Bushes and Queens of the Stone Age’s Mark Lanegan has turn into a extra frequent subject of debate as a result of twentieth anniversary reissue of the star-studded Bubblegum.
Take heed to a composition such because the heartrending “Taking pictures Gallery” from Whiskey for the Holy Ghost (1994), an album even praised by Behemoth’s Nergal, after which attempt to declare that Lanegan was something however a useful nationwide treasure. All the identical, if you happen to ask me, I would simply inform you that the quantity that greatest highlights his energy as an artist is Mad Season’s “Slip Away.”
Learn Lanegan’s genuinely distinctive Sing Backwards and Weep: A Memoir (2020) for extra data, and, no, you received’t be sorry.
Ljungblut
Seigmen have carried out with Crown Prince Haakon, earned a Spellemann / “Norwegian Grammy” and collaborated with the now Grammy-winning producer Sylvia Massy, however exterior of Scandinavia, they’re arguably essentially the most underrated gem in various rock.
Their most important composer and lyricist, Kim Ljung, is a real genius who based Ljungblut as his solo vessel. Though Ljungblut has turn into a gaggle, that won’t cease Ljung from going again to the lone-wolf strategy: Ljung dealt with the music for the attractive 2023 EP Sauda principally by himself. Capturing the importance of the outfit in a couple of phrases, Ljung informed Metallic Insider: “Ljungblut is simply the band I’m going to develop outdated with.”
For extra Seigmen side-project brilliance, take a look at Sverre Økshoff’s Jared Atmosphere Inc., Zeromancer, and Marius Roth Christensen appearing out his double life as an awarded opera tenor.
Liam Gallagher
Oasis’ reunion has given trigger for pleasure around the globe, however, in the present day, we wish to rejoice Liam Gallagher’s chart-topping solo materials. Liam’s flawlessly balanced earworms completely go well with all moods.
Noel Gallagher’s Excessive Flying Birds could technically be a gaggle, however we’ll observe our respect for that endeavor as effectively.
Certainly, generally it’s simply more healthy for brothers, and particularly this pair, to spend time aside, although maybe forming a trio with the fatherly Phil Collins would show a pleasant bonding expertise for the Gallaghers.
Chris Cornell
Even after his dying, the Seattle-born Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave continues to be seen as a “Whole F*cking Godhead.” It is extra proof of his standing vital than the truth that Johnny Money not solely selected to cowl Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage,” however he truly received a Grammy for doing so (and, sure, Cornell acquired Grammys as effectively)?! As with all of his endeavors, Cornell discovered a lot success along with his solo adventures, which, at occasions, revealed his versatility.
Cornell established Temple of the Canine, by which our subsequent choose participated, as a tribute to his roommate, the tragically deceased Mom Love Bone luminary Andrew Wooden. Had he lived, he certainly would have ultimately crafted a superb one-man report or perhaps even a couple of.
Eddie Vedder
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder stays a fan-favorite musician who by no means ceases to impress. Vedder’s first solo album, Into the Wild, was impressed by his work for the like-titled movie, which secured him a Golden Globe for “Assured.” For these questioning, Vedder has contributed to different soundtracks as effectively.
Vedder’s second solo report, Ukulele Songs (2011), definitely represents a novel experiment, and Earthling (2022) showcases none aside from Sir Elton John as a visitor.
Joakim Berg
Joakim Berg has earned his place in historical past by fronting the Swedish Music Corridor of Famers Kent, conceived in 1990 earlier than assuming their destined moniker in 1993.
Along with raking in different prestigious awards, Kent, who will lastly be reuniting for live shows in 2025, have garnered 23 of Sweden’s coveted Grammis, together with Berg’s two scores for the lyricist of the 12 months in addition to his win for the very best composer. Berg acquired one more Grammi for producing Lisa Miskovsky’s Fallingwater (2003).
For sure, Joakim Berg’s solo artwork is impossibly catchy excellence that ought to undoubtedly overtake radio stations in each nation.
Sebastian Bach
Strictly rhetorical query: Has a extra delightfully vibrant character than ex-Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach ever existed?! Bach has charmed audiences in every single place from Broadway to these tuning into Gilmore Women, confirming that his voice and smile of gold may definitely conquer any stage.
Many esteemed musicians have handed by the ranks of Bach’s backing band and his son Paris at the moment gives drums.
Curiously, Bach linked with Skid Row as a result of Bon Jovi’s dad and mom determined that he can be match for the collective after witnessing a efficiency he gave at a marriage with two different greats, who’ve likewise spawned profitable solo efforts — the Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society hero Zakk Wylde and Quiet Riot’s Kevin DuBrow.
Nattefrost
Because the earlier choose, the immortal Nattefrost of Carpathian Forest demonstrates that the ’90s supplied a lot greater than grunge and alt-rock — they have been additionally about “Black Shining Leather-based” and a unique type of soiled. Certainly, this really Norwegian tyrant, the progenitor of extremely inventive excrement corresponding to “Nattefrost Takes a Piss” from Blood & Vomit (2004), is a remarkably filthy boy with solo content material that appears to quantity to booze, medicine and violence compressed into sonic-orgasm type.
Though it has been a complete 15 years since we have been first floored by Nattefrost’s most up-to-date title along with his eponymous enterprise, Engangsgrill, a break up with Fenriz’ Crimson Planet, he has promised followers a model new scorcher.
Sure, Carpathian Forest’s full-length debut could have premiered behind these of different outstanding Norwegian black steel bands in 1998, however they, nonetheless, nonetheless equate to some of the vital excessive voices of the last decade of honor, enormously serving to outline the darkest style of all of them.
