Skid Row’s Greatest Albums Ranked

Skid Row albums weren’t plentiful, but they sure packed a punch in securing their legacy on heavy metal.

From their massive 1989 debut to their much heavier follow-up, the band showed that they could do more than just big hair and power ballads.

So, which Skid Row albums are the best? Here’s our ranking.

Slave to the Grind (1991)

The best Skid Row album. Period.

Slave to the Grind took everything that worked on the band’s debut and made it heavier, darker, and louder.

It has songs like “Monkey Business,” “Slave to the Grind,” “Wasted Time,” and “Quicksand Jesus.”

The album also made history when it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was the first heavy metal album to reach No. 1 on the chart.

This is Skid Row at their absolute best.

Best for: Anyone who wants to hear the band’s heavier side.

Skid Row (1989)

This is the album that made Skid Row famous.

Their self-titled debut is packed with huge songs, including “18 and Life,” “I Remember You,” and “Youth Gone Wild.”

It’s catchy, dramatic, loud, and very much a product of the late ’80s glam metal scene.

But it has aged surprisingly well.

Even if you’ve never listened to the full album, you’ve probably heard at least one of these songs.

Best for: First-time listeners and glam metal fans.

See also: Who is Skid Row?

Subhuman Race (1995)

By 1995, the music world had changed.

Grunge and alternative rock had taken over, and the glam metal era was coming to an end. Skid Row responded by making one of their darkest and heaviest albums.

Subhuman Race isn’t as instantly catchy as the band’s first two albums, but it has plenty of great material.

Songs like “Monkey Business”—along with tracks such as “Into Another” and “Breakin’ Down”—show a band that wasn’t interested in simply repeating its old formula.

Best for: Fans who want the darker side of Skid Row.

Revolutions per Minute (2006)

Revolutions per Minute came more than a decade after Subhuman Race.

By this point, Sebastian Bach was no longer the band’s singer, and Johnny Solinger was handling vocals.

The album has a more modern hard rock sound and shows that Skid Row was still trying new things.

It doesn’t have the same impact as the first three albums, but longtime fans may find plenty to enjoy.

Best for: Fans who want to explore beyond the classic era.

The Gang’s All Here (2022)

The Gang’s All Here was Skid Row’s first studio album in 16 years.

It also introduced a new singer, Erik Grönwall, who brought a powerful voice and plenty of energy to the band.

The album feels like a return to Skid Row’s classic sound, with big riffs, huge vocals, and plenty of attitude.

It’s not going to replace Slave to the Grind or the original Skid Row, but it was a welcome return from a band that had been away for a long time.

Best for: Fans who want to hear the modern version of Skid Row.

So, Which Skid Row Album Is the Best?

If you’re only going to listen to one, make it Slave to the Grind.

If you want the classic glam metal experience, start with Skid Row.

And if you want to hear how the band changed over time, listen to all three of their classic albums: Skid Row, Slave to the Grind, and Subhuman Race.

That’s where you’ll find the heart of Skid Row.

And honestly? That’s a pretty damn good place to start.