Discs of the Zombie

How better to get to know someone than by their favourite records? Writing for Hammer has made me a lot more conscious of how much my tastes have developed over time, so without further ado, time to plagiarise Discs of Doom!

The first album I bought was...

Busted - Busted

The epitome of anarchy for young Ali was Matty Jay's blonde streak and Charlie's unruly eyebrows. In hindsight, Blink 182's mainstream brothers, Busted brought a shit tonne of optimism to my musically-vulnerable youth. Although I never perved on Miss Mackenzie.

The album with the best artwork is...

The Used - In Love And Death
I have this tattooed, so this shouldn't be a surprise, this artwork encapsulates my fragile teenage years and the consequent recovery. Alex Pardee is a phenomenally surreal and haunting artist, as proved by the artwork for 'Lies For The Liars' too.

The album I wish I'd made is...

Fall Out Boy - Save Rock And Roll

An outstanding concept album complete with episodic music videos which screwed with my life for well over a year. The title track shattered my heart when I first listened to it, and it still makes me tear up even thinking about it. I'd give anything to be talented enough to compose the likes of 'Young Volcanoes' and 'The Phoenix'. Not only that, but, I'd happily erase Courtney Love's presence from 'Rat A Tat'.

A kid asks me what metal is. I hand them a copy of…

Metallica - Metallica / The Black Album

Funnily enough, this was the first true metal record I heard. There's just no faulting it, from 'Nothing Else Matters' to my personal favourite 'My Friend of Misery', and of course 'Enter Sandman'. To me, they'll never top it as a band, and metal's had a hard time trying the same as a genre.

The album that broke my heart is…

Funeral For A Friend - Hours

No matter how many years pass, 'Alvarez' and 'Roses for the Dead' make me burst into floods of tears. Every lyric, every note, every second of silence on this record kept me going for a long time. I'm gutted I missed the anniversary show when they played it front to back, but hearing some at Download this year was enough to confirm that this band are one of my all-time favourites.

The album that reminds me of school is…

Panic! At The Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

In case you haven't already noticed, I was a very, very emo kid at school and still am. Not one day went by at school that I wasn't listening to this record, either through headphones or my memory. Panic! had this inimitable way of vocalising each and every emotional stage teenage Ali went through on a daily basis. Plus nothing quite beats their lyrical mindfuck, right?

The album I break the speed limit to is...

Escape The Fate - Escape The Fate

I don't drive, but I walk fast when I hear this, which is almost the same. It totally isn't.

No-one will believe I own a copy of...

Will Smith - Lost and Found

Probably not something to brag about, but I loved the hell out of this record when it came out. If you don't know all the words to 'Switch', we can't be friends.

The most underrated album is…

Foxy Shazam - Foxy Shazam

Picture a traditionally glam rock stage act infused with trumpets and an incredibly passionate pianist, led by the most energetic frontman since Freddie Mercury. From the contagious 'Count Me Out' to the heartbreaking 'Bye Bye Symphony', this will change your outlook on life. Guaranteed.

The album I want played at my funeral is…

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

Last but by no means least, my favourite record of all time which will (hopefully) serve as my swan song. If you're reading this and you have any say over my funeral whatsoever, please make sure they play 'Famous Last Words'. I'd hate to have to haunt your every waking second...

What would your answers be?