My favorite albums of the third millennium
Only releases after Jan 1, 2001 --- Only 1 album per band --- In no particular order (because how on Earth does one compare, for example, Blackwater Park with Hatred For Mankind?) |
| 1 |  | Vektor
Terminal Redux
A complete redefinition of the trash genre. Who saw that coming in 2016? Truly spectacular writing and musicianship. |
| 2 |  | The Dillinger Escape Plan
Miss Machine
I'm one of those people that prefer the later works over Calculating Infinity. This was obviously the greatest leap forward in their sound, which is why I chose it for this list, but I love the later albums too. |
| 3 |  | Converge
Jane Doe
One of the great classic metal albums of the new age. Axe to Fall is right behind this, though, with its more metal sound. |
| 4 |  | Cobalt
Slow Forever
Love the drums, new vocals and atmosphere of the album. It's not THAT mind-blowing at first glance, but I keep returning to it. |
| 5 |  | Dragged Into Sunlight
Hatred For Mankind
Vile, dark, abrasive, but addictive. This band opened a door to (even) darker genres for me. Great at parties. |
| 6 |  | Nails
Unsilent Death
The intensity of this one is just incredible. It reminds me of Terrorizer's World Downfall and Reign in Blood. |
| 7 |  | Schammasch
Contradiction
A dark and honest meditation on the human condition and mortality. I didn't know metal could offer this depth. And it all sounds so pretty too! Every note and beat is in its right place on this album. Beats Triangle by a hair. |
| 8 |  | Mastodon
Leviathan
Mastodon had a spectacular run from Remission to Crack the Skye, essentially releasing 4 (near-) classics in a row. Leviathan remains their best and profoundly influenced my future listening habits. |
| 9 |  | Celtic Frost
Monotheist
Tom G makes you embrace the darkness on this one. I love older Celtic Frost, and this new incarnation -- although very different -- blows me away too. My favorite guitar tone ever on any record, period. |
| 10 |  | Pig Destroyer
Terrifyer
This opened up the world of grindcore to me. Oozes atmosphere. |
| 11 |  | Meshuggah
Nothing (Re-release)
I could've gone with obZen or Catch Thirtythree too, but I think Nothing was the greatest leap forward in the band's sound. After 20 years of listening to them, I still can't imagine how one would go about writing something like this. I prefer the re-release's tone over the original. |
| 12 |  | Arcturus
The Sham Mirrors
One of my favorite albums of all time. There really, really is nothing quite like them. Vocals and musicianship is just otherworldly (pun intended). |
| 13 |  | Opeth
Blackwater Park
The metal world was never the same after this. One of the greatest metal albums of all time. |
| 14 |  | Gojira
The Way of All Flesh
Yes, I love From Mars to Sirius too. The band shows much more maturity here, though. |
| 15 |  | Neurosis
A Sun That Never Sets
One the highlights in their legendary discography. |
| 16 |  | Tool
Lateralus
What can I say that hasn't been said before? Tool's best. |
| 17 |  | Enslaved
Axioma Ethica Odini
I'm not a huge fan of black metal, but I've found myself growing more and more impressed by this band. The stars align on this one, and it's my favorite Enslaved album by a long shot. |
| 18 |  | Sleep
Dopesmoker
Cheating a bit since Jerusalem came out in 1999. But how can I leave out the greatest stoner doom record of all time? |
| 19 |  | Devin Townsend
Terria
Love me some Devin. This one is one of the Canadian god's best. |
| 20 |  | Isis
Panopticon
Isis is still mentioned often with great reverence, and rightfully so. Probably peak post-metal. |
| 21 |  | Elder (USA-MA)
Lore
What a roll these guys are on. Could've picked almost anything in their discography. |
| 22 | | SubRosa
More Constant Than The Gods
Unique and powerful. Beautiful marriage of atmosphere, melody and heaviness |
| 23 |  | Amenra
Mass IIII
Desperation in sonic form. Do catch these guys live, they destroy. |
| 24 |  | Mgla
Exercises in Futility
These guys know how to write good metal, as the repetition is crushing but never goes too far, the playing is beautiful but never too showy (one of my favorite drummers in that regard). They also conjure up a great nihilistic atmosphere. |
| 25 |  | Rotten Sound
Exit
Fast and furious. What a drum performance! |
| 26 |  | IDLES
Brutalism
A burst of raw, fresh energy to a genre that I had written off |
| 27 |  | Deftones
Diamond Eyes
One of those bands that never made a bad album. Love the guitar tone on this! |
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