Melvins

alternative rock, experimental rock, noise rock, stoner rock

United States Est. 1983

"Thick layers of heavy guitar riffs intertwine with unpredictable rhythms, creating an oppressive yet captivating atmosphere that demands attention."

Quick Start

A good place to start with Melvins is…

The Bride Screamed Murder

2010

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Career Arc

Melvins's discography from 1986 to 2025

1986 2005 2025

Six Songs (1986) 10 Songs (1986) Gluey Porch Treatments (1987) Ozma (1989) Sweet Young Thing Ain't S... (1989) Love Canal / Someday (1990) With Yo' Heart, Not Yo' H... (1990) Bullhead (1991) Eggnog (1991) Your Choice Live Series (1991) Tanx (1991) Here She Comes Now / Venu... (1991) Lysol (1992) Salad of a Thousand Delig... (1992) King Buzzo (1992) Dale Crover (1992) Joe Preston (1992) Houdini (1993) Hooch (1993) Stoner Witch (1994)

Melvins matter because they have carved out a niche that bridges the gap between heavy, sludgy sounds and avant-garde experimentation, influencing generations of artists across diverse genres.

Melvins matter because they have carved out a niche that bridges the gap between heavy, sludgy sounds and avant-garde experimentation, influencing generations of artists across diverse genres. Their audacious approach to structure and tone has helped redefine what it means to be heavy, pushing listeners to rethink their expectations of rock music. By rejecting conventional song forms and adopting a slower, more deliberate pace, Melvins have created a sonic landscape that invites exploration and challenges the norms of the alternative rock scene. Their process is characterized by a relentless drive toward innovation, often employing unconventional time signatures and dynamic shifts that create tension within their music. This willingness to experiment is reflected not only in their recordings but also in their live performances, where unpredictability reigns supreme. By embracing the raw and the unusual, Melvins have cultivated an atmosphere that feels both confrontational and immersive, inviting audiences into a world where chaos and precision coalesce. Lyrically, Melvins often explore themes of existential dread, absurdity, and the darker aspects of human experience, conveyed through a voice that oscillates between sardonic humor and earnest introspection. Their storytelling tends to favor impressionistic imagery over straightforward narratives, creating a sense of unease that resonates deeply with listeners. The overall tone veers from menacing to playful, reflecting the band's complex relationship with the subject matter.

Full discography

Melvins's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

75 releases • 64 albums • 6 EPS • 1986–2025

Type:

Albums ()

Tarantula Heart

2024

Bad Mood Rising

2022

Five Legged Dog

2021

Pinkus Abortion Technician

2018

A Walk with Love & Death

2017

Basses Loaded

2016

Hold It In

2014

Everybody Loves Sausages

2013

Tres Cabrones

2013

The Bulls & the Bees

2012

Freak Puke

2012

1983

2012

Endless Residency

2011

The Bride Screamed Murder

2010

Sludge Glamorous

2010

Cover Songs

2010

Isis / Melvins

2010

Chicken Switch

2009

Manchild 4/Pick Your Battles

2009

Nude with Boots

2008

Melvins vs. Minneapolis

2008

The End

2008

Pick Your Battles

2008

The Making Love Demos

2007

Manchild 3: The Making Love Demos

2007

(A) Senile Animal

2006

A Live History of Gluttony and Lust

2006

Sieg Howdy!

2005

Mangled Demos from 1983

2005

Pigs of the Roman Empire

2004

Neither Here nor There

2004

Never Breathe What You Can't See

2004

26 Songs

2003

Hostile Ambient Takeover

2002

Electroretard

2001

The Trilogy

2000

The Crybaby

2000

Live at Slim's 8-Track Tape

2000

The Maggot

1999

The Bootlicker

1999

Alive at the Fucker Club

1998

Honky

1997

Singles 1–12

1997

Stag

1996

Stoner Witch

1994

Prick

1994

Houdini

1993

Lysol

1992

Salad of a Thousand Delights

1992

Bullhead

1991

Eggnog

1991

Your Choice Live Series

1991

Ozma

1989

Gluey Porch Treatments

1987

Six Songs

1986

10 Songs

1986

Thunderball

2025

Working with God

2021

Sugar Daddy Live

2011

Live from London 2006

2008

Melvinmania: Best of the Atlantic Years 1993–1996

2003

Colossus of Destiny

2001

King Buzzo

1992

Dale Crover

1992

EPs ()

Melvins / Isis

2010

Hurray for Me, Fuk You

2010

Smash The State

2007

Tora Tora Tora

1995

Joe Preston

1992

Tanx

1991

Singles ()

Hooch

1993

Here She Comes Now / Venus in Furs

1991

Love Canal / Someday

1990

With Yo' Heart, Not Yo' Hands

1990

Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More / I Dreamed, I Dream

1989

No releases match the current filters.

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Six Songs (1986)

10 Songs (1986)

Gluey Porch Treatmen... (1987)

Ozma (1989)

Eggnog (1991)

Bullhead (1991)

Your Choice Live Ser... (1991)

Salad of a Thousand... (1992)

Houdini (1993)

Stoner Witch (1994)

Prick (1994)

Tora Tora Tora (1995)

Stag (1996)

Honky (1997)

Singles 1–12 (1997)

Alive at the Fucker... (1998)

The Maggot (1999)

The Bootlicker (1999)

The Crybaby (2000)

The Trilogy (2000)

Live at Slim's 8-Tra... (2000)

Electroretard (2001)

Colossus of Destiny (2001)

Hostile Ambient Take... (2002)

Melvinmania: Best of the Atlantic Years 1993–1996

Melvinmania: Best of... (2003)

26 Songs (2003)

Never Breathe What Y... (2004)

Neither Here nor The... (2004)

Pigs of the Roman Em... (2004)

Sieg Howdy! (2005)

Mangled Demos from 1... (2005)

(A) Senile Animal (2006)

A Live History of Gl... (2006)

The Making Love Demo... (2007)

Manchild 3: The Maki... (2007)

Smash The State (2007)

Nude with Boots (2008)

Melvins vs. Minneapo... (2008)

Live from London 200... (2008)

The End (2008)

Pick Your Battles (2008)

Chicken Switch (2009)

Manchild 4/Pick Your... (2009)

The Bride Screamed M... (2010)

Melvins / Isis (2010)

Sludge Glamorous (2010)

Cover Songs (2010)

Hurray for Me, Fuk Y... (2010)

Isis / Melvins (2010)

Sugar Daddy Live (2011)

Endless Residency (2011)

The Bulls & the Bees (2012)

Freak Puke (2012)

1983 (2012)

Tres Cabrones (2013)

Everybody Loves Saus... (2013)

Hold It In (2014)

Basses Loaded (2016)

A Walk with Love & D... (2017)

Pinkus Abortion Tech... (2018)

Five Legged Dog (2021)

Working with God (2021)

Bad Mood Rising (2022)

Tarantula Heart (2024)

Thunderball (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Melvins sound like?

Thick layers of heavy guitar riffs intertwine with unpredictable rhythms, creating an oppressive yet captivating atmosphere that demands attention. Rooted in alternative rock and experimental rock. Start with Houdini.

What is the best Melvins album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Houdini" (1993). It's the most representative of what makes Melvins worth hearing.

Who is Melvins for?

If you're into alternative rock and experimental rock, Melvins is worth your time. Thick layers of heavy guitar riffs intertwine with unpredictable rhythms, creating an oppressive yet captivating atmosphere that demands attention.

How many albums does Melvins have?

Melvins has 75 releases in their discography, including 64 albums and 6 EPs.

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