While there were no specific trends that dominated the musical landscape of 1998, the year saw the release of a host of impressive and successful rock and metal albums, both from established artists and promising newcomers. The grunge cycle of the early 1990s had run its course, while industrial metal had failed to make a significant impact on the music scene. Glam rock promised a revival but, with perhaps the exceptions of Placebo and Marilyn Manson, this would also not come to fruition. Several groups announced their split in 1998, with Faith No More bowing out with their career-spanning compilation Who Cares a Lot?, while riot grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill also called it a day as singer Kathleen Hanna formed Le Tigre.
Following a slow start to the year, February saw new releases from Pearl Jam, who issued one of the best albums of their career, Yield, while Morbid Angel unleashed Formulas Fatal to the Flesh. 1998 would prove to be a productive year for Sonic Youth, not only releasing the full-length album A Thousand Leaves but also two experimental EPs, SYR3: Invito Al ?ielo and Silver Session for Jason Knuth. Legendary guitarist Joe Satriani gained acclaim for his album Crystal Planet, which many felt was akin to his earlier material, specifically his 1989 classic Flying in a Blue Dream. With Sammy Hagar having departed with the band, Van Halen recruited former Extreme vocalist for the recording of Van Halen III, an album which was greeted by a less-than-enthusiastic response from both fans and critics.
Another band to struggle without their regular frontman was Iron Maiden, whose eleventh album, Virtual XI, saw the return of Blaze Bayley, previously known to metal fans for his work with Wolfsbane. May was one of the more productive months of 1998, with new material from Lacuna Coil, Pitchshifter, Stabbing Westward, Cannibal Corpse, Katatonia and VAST. Former Led Zeppelin collaborators Jimmy Page and Robert Plant reunited for Walking into Clarksdale, while Obituary released a live album entitled Dead. The following month would see the arrival of Cruelty and the Beast by Cradly of Filth, Version 2.0 from Garbage and Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk, a collection of previously unreleased tracks by the recently deceased Jeff Buckley.
With the Smashing Pumpkins having fired drummer Jimmy Chamberlin due to his increasing drug use, the band had departed from their previous rock sound by incorporating elements of industrial and gothic rock, first with their 1997 single The End is the Beginning is the End, which was recorded for the soundtrack to the critically panned Batman and Robin movie. But it would be their fourth studio album, Adore, that would alienate much of their fan base, despite the track Ava Adore proving to be a minor hit. Renowned guitarist Yngwie J. Malmsteen opted to experiment with classical music by for his latest release, Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra.
While System of a Down released their self-titled debut, new albums from established artists would include Deep Purple, Rancid, Anthrax, Fear Factory and Slayer. Four years on from their acclaimed Ill Communication and the Beastie Boys returned with their third number one album, Hello Nasty, which would produce the hit singles Intergalactic and Body Movin’. Korn continued to gain popularity with their third album Follow the Leader and the track Freak on a Leash, as industrial group Orgy enjoyed their fifteen minutes of fame with their cover of the New Order classic Blue Monday. Having revamped both their sound and image with 1996′s Everything Must Go following the disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards, Manic Street Preachers gained their first UK number one with the single If You Tolerate This Your Children Will be Next. While the accompanying album, This is My Truth Tell Me Yours, lacked the energy or attitude of their previous work, it would still gain acclaim from various British newspapers.
With glam rockers Poison on hiatus, frontman Bret Michaels decided to venture into filmmaking with the thriller A Letter from Death Row, in which he wrote, directed and co-starred alongside Martin Sheen, as well as releasing a solo album to accompany the movie. Prior to his own filmmaking career, former White Zombie frontman Rob Zombie released the acclaimed album Hellbilly Deluxe, while Mansun‘s second effort Six was noted for its avant garde structure and references to literature and philosophy. While 1996′s Antichrist Superstar had caused considerable controversy, Mechanical Animals would prove to be a radical departure for Marilyn Manson, venturing into David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust territory. Hole enjoyed considerable success with Celebrity Skin, while Kiss made a comeback with Psycho Circus.
Having recruited a second guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, Ash attempted to distance themselves from the Britpop scene that the press had associated them with by incorporating elements of The Velvet Underground and The Stooges for their sophomore album Nu-Clear Sounds. Following the departure of Max Cavalera in 1997, Sepultura returned with a new singer, Derrick Green, for their seventh studio album Against. As 1998 gradually came to an end other releases would include Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, Alanis Morisette’s follow-up to the best-selling Jagged Little Pill, Placebo‘s seductive second album Without You I’m Nothing, 100% Colombian by the Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Americana from the Offspring.
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