As part of an ongoing weekly Friday series, OOTB is acknowledging and recognizing Music Industry Leaders in various fields with their Top 5 Albums.
This week we feature Music Industry Leaders in Audio: Charles Doss, Brian Jester, Johnny Roberts
Charles “Chuck” Doss
Freelance Audio Tech
All these artists and albums have played a huge impact on my musical taste from the first spin. I could list 100s, but here are five of my favorite albums of all time:.
Top 5 Albums
Limp Bizkit - Three Dolla Bill, Y’all
Deftones - Around The Fur
Norma Jean - Bless The Martyr and Kiss The Child
Glassjaw - Everything you ever wanted to know about silence
Arlo McKinley & The Lonesome Sound - Self titled
Brian Jester
Owner Of JCR Studio & Sound
www.jcrstudio.com
I’ve been in the industry for 28-30 years doing live sound recordings, installs and freelance audio engineering.
I’ve also played in bands through the years as a drummer; Stryck9 was the biggest band I've played in.
Top 5 Albums
Steely Dan - Aja
Zakk Wylde - Book Of Shadows
Pantera - Far Beyond Driven
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir - Handles’ Messiah
Johnny Roberts
Freelance Audio Engineer
Dread The Ogre Drummer
Top 5 Albums
1. Primus - Frizzle Fry
Every Primus album is legendary, but Frizzle Fry is so unlike anything I've ever heard as we stand here today in 2026. When I first heard this album as a kid, it blew my feeble mind! My progression as a musician has continually unlocked different layers of this album, and it continues to be a neverending source of inspiration. I picked up bass guitar AND drums because of this album. Thanks, Primus! - 11/10
2. Meshuggah - Nothing
I first experienced Meshuggah through the song “Future Breed Machine,” and it changed my perspective on metal instantaneously! I spent months learning the breakdown to this song on drums as a kid, and it subconsciously taught me about polyrhythms before I knew how to articulate any of what I was doing. While I was in deep learning, they released the album Nothing (2002). Everything about this album is perfect, it's an onslaught of brutality. I learned about polyrhythms because of this album. I appreciate it, Meshuggah! - 11/10
3. Pantera - Vulgar Display Of Power
I first heard Pantera through stealing my older sister's cassette tapes back in the day, I'd guess it was around 1995. I found a mixtape with a variety of Pantera and Nirvana songs on it. I was so obsessed with the Pantera songs that I'd skip the Nirvana songs every time, and grew a childhood hatred for Nirvana for always being in the way. haha. I don't regret it, Pantera is superior. Dimebag's guitar riffs are like classical music to me. Vulgar Display Of Power is a masterclass of metal riffs that is still in regular rotation today. I picked up guitar because of this album. Good lookin out, Pantera! - 11/10
4. Mastodon - Leviathan
I first heard Mastodon at Ozzfest 2005, we were passing the 2nd stage to seek shade because it was like 105 degrees, and I broke away from my group and ran to the stage to see who was playing, it mesmerized me big time. It turned out to be the song “March Of The Fire Ants,” which is a fitting song for how sunburnt and dehydrated I was at the time. I marched to that stage and I went home with a new favorite band. They had recently released Leviathan at the time, and I listened to it exclusively for a year straight. Leviathan is extremely unique, Brent Hinds’ style of guitar is one of a kind and will forever be mesmerizing to my ears. Rest In Peace, my dude! I learned music theory and hybrid picking because of this album. I owe you one, Mastodon! - 11/10
5. Loathe - I Let It In And It Took Everything...
I really wanted to put Darkest Hour’s Undoing Ruin on this list, but only 5 is realllllly hard to do and I decided for this number 5 spot for some newer jams that I can't get enough of. It's in the hopes that somebody who loves this album and doesn't know it yet, finds their way to this perfect album! Loathe is a band from Liverpool, and I Let It In... is a roller coaster of emotion and a masterclass of dynamics and energy shifts. Not unlike Undoing Ruin, this album's outro bleeds into the intro; repeats of the album are seamless. That's a minor detail that makes all the difference when you have such a legendary album! They expand on the sound that Deftones created and made popular, but they add so much more. George Lever mixed this album and did a phenomenal job; the tones and FX you hear on this album are unique and expertly weaved in. Both the mix and the music are symbiotic in a way that makes this album legendary to me. I learned about mixing because of this album. I couldn't have done it without ya, Loathe! - 11/10
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