An unlikely coming together of glam, hair and trad metal, Contraband comprised of Michael Shenker, Bobby Blotzer (Ratt), Tracii Guns (LA Guns), Richard Black (Shark Island) and Share Pedersen (Vixen) and this 1991 album was to be both their debut and swansong!

Slaves and Masters is a 1990 album from Deep Purple featuring ex-Rainbow frontman Joe Lynn Turner with Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Richie Blackmore and Roger Glover – hear MP3 samples and video

Black Moon is a 1992 album from 1970s prog rock giants Emerson, Lake and Palmer – hear MP3 samples and video

Pornograffitti was the second album from Extreme and delivered powerful, commercial rock tracks with strong musicianship from Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt in particular and featured the worldwide hit More Than Words.

Gold Against the Soul is a 1993 album by Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers featuring Richey Edwards and James Bradfield – hear MP3 samples and video

If you’re thinking ‘Phantom who?’, you’re probably not alone – especially on the UK-side of the Atlantic! I have to confess to missing Phantom Blue the first time around completely!

Come In And Burn is straight edge, ex Black flag vocalist, raconteur, philosopher, spoken-word poet and general all-round legend Henry Rollins’ last album with the ‘classic’ lineup of Rollins Band.