In 1986, Sammy Hagar gave Van Halen the best album of his career. Now, he admits it was topped by another

Sammy Hagar says Van Halen’s 1991 album *For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge* is his favourite record with the band, ranking it above *5150*, his first album after replacing David Lee Roth. His view highlights how Hagar’s era developed its own identity, despite fans’ continuing division over the band’s two lead singers.

Hagar praised the writing, vocals and playing on *For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge*, which included the hit “Right Now” and deeper cuts such as “Judgement Day”. The article describes *5150* as a landmark that helped establish Hagar in the group, while the later album showed the band still had creative momentum in the early 1990s. Their partnership eventually ended, and Hagar did not fully reconcile with Eddie Van Halen before Eddie’s death.