I stole this idea from a metalzine website (metalreview.com), and like them I will be going over all the albums that I know which I deem as must haves for this first decade of the 21st century. I was just going to do metal but decided to open it up to other types of music too, although I will say that the majority of the albums are still within the metal genre simply because I know it better than everything else. The only rule here is that there is no more than one album per band. EPs and demos were fair game for me also. I haven't ranked any of these so no need to complain about a certain album being higher than another. Enjoy.
Decapitated- Winds of Creation
The debut album from these insanely talented Polish guys, who were all extremely young when they recorded this, is a modern death metal classic. I think the thing that really makes this album stand out is the thick as cement guitar tone, inventive riffs, and near flawless drumming of the late Vitek. They came out of the gate with something to prove and forever made their stamp in the ever growing death metal scene.
Extol- Undeceived
An obscure band, even for the metal undeground, Extol were ever changing during their career and this album (while unlike any of their other albums) is their best effort. Their sound is a blend of death metal, progressive metal, even a bit of black metal. Their songwriting has no method at all and that's a good thing. They do things their way and end up sounding like no one else in the metal scene.
In Flames- Clayman
Ah, this is what In Flames is all about. Those sweet, melodic, harmonious guitars. Not only is this one of their best albums, it's the perfect album for new fans to start with and get themselves into the melodic death metal genre. The songwriting is practically flawless. Unfortunately, In Flames took a bit of a nosedive immediately after this work of theirs. They're just not the same.
Morbid Angel- Gateways to Annihilation
Given the grandeur of their earliest works, it seems this later effort of the death metal gods is often forgotten. That's a shame, because this release exudes confidence that only a veteran band can show. The guitar sound on this album has the thickness of sludge and Steve Tucker’s vocals are extremely befitting of the assault that Morbid Angel were going for at this point in their career, and will likely remain their last great album.
Nevermore- This Godless Endeavor
This appears to be the last Nevermore album of this decade, and it’s been five years since its release. When the new album is released is uncertain, but what is certain is that this remains maybe the best in their quality catalogue of work. The bar was raised extremely high on this album and they managed to blow everyone away upon its arrival. It essentially combines all the band’s best attributes into one mind blowing 57 minute journey.
Nightwish- Wishmaster
You better believe Nightwish have made this list. Like it or not, what the band does they do well. Tarja’s soprano vocals never sounded better than she did on this third release for the band, and the production is sheer perfection, bringing out the entire band the way they were meant to sound. Tuomas’ creative juices were working overtime and some of the best songs the band has written to date are on this album. The title track, ‘Wishmaster’, remains a staple in all their live shows.
Opeth- Blackwater Park
I can’t tell you how difficult it was just choosing one Opeth album. All of Opeth’s recent albums easily deserve a spot on this list, but I feel that Blackwater Park perfectly encapsulates what this band is about more so than any release of theirs this decade. Simply put, the band is firing on all cylinders here, with just about every single song on the album becoming a masterpiece in its own right. This is about as close to perfection as albums get.
Anaal Nathrakh- The Codex Necro
Absolute chaos is what this debut is all about from the industrial/grindcore influenced black metal of Anaal Nathrakh. This will test the tolerance of your ears and you will either relish in every second or run away in terror. The vocals are incomprehensible and ugly. The guitars buzz with malevolence and the drums pound your ears into dust. I think a lyric from one song perfectly sums up the response you should have listening, and that is “Down on your knees!”
…And Oceans- A.M.G.O.D.
One of the best mixtures of music that I’ve yet to hear, …and Oceans seemingly perfected the art of integrating electronics into their brand of black metal. There are hooks galore, especially on the infamous “Tears Have No Name”, and the guitars move forward with reckless abandon. The best thing about this album though is the songwriting and how they pull all their influences together to make one tight and cohesive work of experimental black metal.
Ensiferum- s/t
As debut albums go, this certainly ranks near the upper echelon of the crowd. While this band has always put out great material, they’ve never quite matched the power of this first album. There are so many standout tracks that it’s almost ridiculous a new band can have this much creativity and songwriting skills. Even today, this stands as one of the best folk metal albums and I don’t see it being shoved aside in the future.
Lost Horizon- Awakening the World
By the metal gods, what is this band? From out of nowhere, this band called Lost Horizon delivers one of the great power metal albums of all time, led by the immortal vocal talents of Daniel Heiman. This band is bursting with vibrant energy and their performances reflect their obvious enthusiasm for the metal. They understand that at its roots, it’s about fun and this is as good a traditional metal album you’re bound to find anywhere and anytime.
Summoning- Oath Bound
One of the truly original and unique bands in metal has always been Summoning. Even within the constraints of black metal, they have found a way to make a name for themselves, and an epic one at that. This is perhaps the best work they’ve ever put forth. The kinds of emotions evoked are many and they all touch the soul equally. To experience Summoning is to experience art in music form.
Windir- 1184
When one thinks of tragedy within metal, it’s hard not to think of the heartbreaking and somehow almost appropriate death of Windir’s Valfar. He died in the midst of a blizzard, and given the icy feel of Windir’s music on 1184, it’s rather ironic. Nevertheless, this album is one of few that can go toe to toe with just about any album you can think of and annihilate it in terms of its success. Perfect songwriting, memorable melodies, and passionate vocals…this is Windir’s magnum opus.
Agalloch- The Mantle
There are few bands in music today that have a perfect track record and Agalloch is one of them. This, their second release, is no less amazing than any of their other works. In fact, each of their albums ranks as some of the best material to ever spew forth from the metal scene. But on The Mantle, Agalloch perfected their already perfected sound by adding in elements from post-rock and a more doom-filled atmosphere. The only other thing I can say is, this is on many “Favorite albums of all-time” (including mine) lists for good reason.
Bloodbath- Resurrection Through Carnage
A glorious ode to the sounds of yore, Bloodbath resurrected the Swedish death metal assault of bands like Entombed and Dismember with this debut album and impressed many with their flawless execution. One might believe this album was a lost gem from the early 90s if not for the production clarity. Did I mention Mikael Akerfeldt sounds more brutal here than ever in his career? That’s saying a lot.
Dark Tranquillity- Damage Done
Without a doubt, Dark Tranquillity are the longest enduring band of the melodic death metal scene from the early 90s, and have long surpassed In Flames in terms of consistent quality across their entire career. While their mid-era albums saw more experimentation, Damage Done is a revitalization of sorts where they found their current calling. Damage Done succeeds with a kind of charm that I can’t explain. Perhaps it’s Stanne’s particular vocal styling on this album, or perfect melding of electronic elements the band introduced? All I know is that this is one album that will stick with you.
Darkspace- Dark Space III
Much like Negură Bunget, Darkspace are at the forefront of black metal in terms of progressing the genre in ways previously unexplored. Unlike Negură, Darkspace are the current masters of ambient black metal, taking their influence from the vast blackness of the universe. The atmosphere is so rich and otherworldly that the band becomes hypnotic in their unforgiving performances that defy what makes music usually work. Minimalism is the name of the game and Darkspace utilize it masterfully.
Immortal- Sons of Northern Darkness
Immortal were always considered a classic band due to their involvement in the burgeoning black metal scene in Norway in the early 90s, but after At the Heart of Winter was released, I think everyone was taken by surprise. This album picks up the pieces that were laid out for that album and arranges them into easily one of the best black metal albums of the decade. The production is frigid and even with the crystal clear sound the band’s brutality and grimness comes just as well as any time before. This album proved why these guys truly are the “Sons of Northern Darkness.”
Negură Bunget- Om
I’m not sure any band has taken the concept of progressive black metal to the heights that Negură has on their latest and greatest effort, Om. To even attempt to analyze this beast of an album is to realize your own mortality. In just the three years it’s been out, I feel this to me a monumental album in the black metal genre and one that will influence many bands in the future, though I doubt any will conquer a style like this in the way Negură has here.
Nile- In Their Darkened Shrines
As great as Annihilation of the Wicked is, In Their Darkened Shrines is Nile’s best work thus far for a couple reasons. For one, I’ve never heard a death metal album have this much atmosphere. It captures the Egyptian feel better than any work from the band. Also, the songwriting is extremely focused on this album and there are many standout tracks. No matter how you take in this album, the fact that it’s a masterpiece rings loud and clear.
Well, that's just the first of five volumes that I'll be assembling before the year is up, which means there's still 80 albums to go if you were counting. It might take me awhile before I get all five up because of school and work. So keep checking back periodically to see the rest of the list.
Dark Tranquillity
