10 Best Metal Albums Of The 2000s - Ranked
Marvellously millennial metal.
In the early 2000s, metal was very much in the mainstream. Bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot had helped its ascension, and many more nu metal acts also made their debuts into what was a very lucrative market.
A generation of young people were set to grow up with heavy, chart-topping anthems, selling millions of copies and cementing metal’s place as the go-to genre of the decade. But alas, the music industry is a cruel mistress, and by the time the mid-2000s came along, metal had fallen from it’s big money, mainstream status to become an afterthought in the eyes of mass audiences.
This fall in popularity was devastating in terms of profit, but musically, metal artists were as talented as ever. Not only that, but the music was heavier than ever before, with metalcore taking centre stage, with all the screaming, breakdowns and blast-beats that came with it.
That’s not to say that the old guard, and nu metal generations didn’t produce and good work, as they too were responsible for some truly great albums.
These three generations, along with the shift in style, produced some of the greatest metal albums of all time, and their influence has proved endless...
10. Lamb Of God – Ashes Of The Wake
Ashes Of The Wake is Lamb Of God at their very best. The albums song writing was catchy and memorable, showing the band’s brutal, no-nonsense lyrical style.
Above all else, the vocal work of frontman Randy Blythe must be commended for it's sheer force, blending well with the band’s riff heavy nature to create some of the heaviest un-clean vocal tracks the genre has ever seen. Chris Adler’s drum work is also first class, gelling well with the previously mentioned elements.
The record also received praise from critics, stating their approval for Blythe in particular, which likely helped it reach #11 in the United Kingdom rock chart, along with the assistance of singles Laid To Rest, and Now You’ve Got Something To Die For.
Another little known highlight is the inclusion of Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, and former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland on the album’s title track, playing the second and third solos respectively.