The Best Metal Albums of the 1990s

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1. 1
   MetallicaMetallica

   Metallica

   Metallica · 1991 · Metal

   The 'Black Album' that took metal mainstream, trading thrash complexity for tight, heavy anthems like 'Enter Sandman'. Massive and inescapable. Their commercial peak.

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2. 2
   Rust in PeaceMegadeth

   Rust in Peace

   Megadeth · 1990 · Metal

   Technical thrash at its most dazzling, all intricate riffs and breakneck solos. Widely regarded as their masterpiece. Precise and savage.

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3. 3
   Cowboys from HellPantera

   Cowboys from Hell

   Pantera · 1990 · Metal

   The arrival of groove metal, swapping glam for sheer power and Dimebag Darrell's riffs. Heavy, tight and hugely influential. A 90s metal cornerstone.

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4. 4
   Vulgar Display of PowerPantera

   Vulgar Display of Power

   Pantera · 1992 · Metal

   Brutal, grooving and uncompromising, the album that defined 90s heaviness. 'Walk' became an anthem. Pure aggression channelled with precision.

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5. 5
   PainkillerJudas Priest

   Painkiller

   Judas Priest · 1990 · Metal

   A ferocious, speed-driven late peak with thunderous drums and screaming vocals. Relentless and precise. A metal essential.

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6. 6
   AenimaTool

   Aenima

   Tool · 1996 · Metal

   Dense, dynamic and cerebral progressive metal, swinging between rage and meditation across long, evolving tracks. Demanding and rewarding. A modern metal landmark.

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7. 7
   SlipknotSlipknot

   Slipknot

   Slipknot · 1999 · Metal

   A brutal, chaotic nu-metal debut of masked aggression. Heavy and influential. A genre landmark.

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8. 8
   Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine

   Rage Against the Machine

   Rage Against the Machine · 1992 · Metal

   A furious fusion of metal, funk and hip-hop with revolutionary politics. Tight and explosive. A debut that changed rock.

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9. 9
   Chaos A.D.Sepultura

   Chaos A.D.

   Sepultura · 1993 · Metal

   A groove-metal pivot toward tribal rhythm and politics. Heavy and acclaimed. A turning point.

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10. 10
    RootsSepultura

    Roots

    Sepultura · 1996 · Metal

    A groove-and-tribal-metal landmark fusing thrash with Brazilian percussion. Heavy and innovative. Their most influential record.

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11. 11
    Angel DustFaith No More

    Angel Dust

    Faith No More · 1992 · Metal

    A wildly eclectic, genre-blurring peak of unpredictable invention. Bold and influential. Their masterpiece.

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12. 12
    Countdown to ExtinctionMegadeth

    Countdown to Extinction

    Megadeth · 1992 · Metal

    A polished, commercial thrash peak. Tuneful and huge. Their best-selling record.

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13. 13
    Seasons in the AbyssSlayer

    Seasons in the Abyss

    Slayer · 1990 · Metal

    A balanced peak of speed and atmosphere. Ferocious and beloved. A genre high point.

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14. 14
    Far Beyond DrivenPantera

    Far Beyond Driven

    Pantera · 1994 · Metal

    A brutal, chart-topping peak of groove-metal heaviness. Relentless and huge. A 90s landmark.

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15. 15
    AriseSepultura

    Arise

    Sepultura · 1991 · Metal

    A ferocious thrash-death peak of precision. Brutal and acclaimed. A high point.

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16. 16
    SymbolicDeath

    Symbolic

    Death · 1995 · Metal

    A melodic, progressive death-metal peak of craft. Sharp and acclaimed. A genre high point.

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17. 17
    HumanDeath

    Human

    Death · 1991 · Metal

    A technical, progressive death-metal peak of complexity and feel. Ambitious and acclaimed. A genre high point.

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18. 18
    Slaughter of the SoulAt the Gates

    Slaughter of the Soul

    At the Gates · 1995 · Metal

    The album that codified melodic death metal and inspired a generation of metalcore. Sharp and relentless. A genre cornerstone.

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19. 19
    In the Nightside EclipseEmperor

    In the Nightside Eclipse

    Emperor · 1994 · Metal

    Symphonic black metal of grandeur and fury, layered with keyboards and blast beats. Majestic and influential. A landmark debut.

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20. 20
    De Mysteriis Dom SathanasMayhem

    De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

    Mayhem · 1994 · Metal

    A foundational, notorious black-metal album of icy tremolo riffs and raw atmosphere. Historically pivotal. A genre touchstone.

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21. 21
    A Blaze in the Northern SkyDarkthrone

    A Blaze in the Northern Sky

    Darkthrone · 1992 · Metal

    A foundational black-metal pivot to raw, cold aggression. Influential and stark. A genre cornerstone.

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22. 22
    HeartworkCarcass

    Heartwork

    Carcass · 1993 · Metal

    A melodic death-metal landmark of precision and hooks. Sharp and influential. A genre high point.

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23. 23
    Destroy Erase ImproveMeshuggah

    Destroy Erase Improve

    Meshuggah · 1995 · Metal

    A pioneering, polyrhythmic landmark that helped birth djent. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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24. 24
    UndertowTool

    Undertow

    Tool · 1993 · Metal

    A heavy, brooding debut of alt-metal intensity. Powerful and beloved. A strong start.

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25. 25
    Still LifeOpeth

    Still Life

    Opeth · 1999 · Metal

    A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak of melody and heaviness. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.

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26. 26
    Around the FurDeftones

    Around the Fur

    Deftones · 1997 · Metal

    A heavier, sharper second album of dynamic alt-metal. Powerful and beloved. A breakthrough.

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27. 27
    King for a Day... Fool for a LifetimeFaith No More

    King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime

    Faith No More · 1995 · Metal

    A wildly eclectic peak of genre-hopping invention. Bold and beloved. A creative high.

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28. 28
    Evil EmpireRage Against the Machine

    Evil Empire

    Rage Against the Machine · 1996 · Metal

    A fierce, funky follow-up of political fire. Tough and huge. A strong second record.

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29. 29
    The Battle of Los AngelesRage Against the Machine

    The Battle of Los Angeles

    Rage Against the Machine · 1999 · Metal

    A polished, furious peak of rap-metal fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.

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30. 30
    The Downward SpiralNine Inch Nails

    The Downward Spiral

    Nine Inch Nails · 1994 · Metal

    A harrowing, abrasive industrial-rock masterpiece of self-destruction, home to 'Hurt' and 'Closer'. Bold and influential. A defining 90s record.

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31. 31
    The FragileNine Inch Nails

    The Fragile

    Nine Inch Nails · 1999 · Metal

    A sprawling, ambitious double album of texture and despair, more layered than its predecessor. Dense and rewarding. A cult favourite.

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32. 32
    Antichrist SuperstarMarilyn Manson

    Antichrist Superstar

    Marilyn Manson · 1996 · Metal

    A theatrical, industrial-metal concept record of shock and ambition that defined his notoriety. Heavy and provocative. His peak.

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33. 33
    KornKorn

    Korn

    Korn · 1994 · Metal

    The debut that launched nu-metal, heavy and raw with detuned dread. Influential and huge. A genre origin point.

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34. 34
    Follow the LeaderKorn

    Follow the Leader

    Korn · 1998 · Metal

    A blockbuster nu-metal peak, home to 'Freak on a Leash'. Heavy and huge. Their commercial high.

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35. 35
    Individual Thought PatternsDeath

    Individual Thought Patterns

    Death · 1993 · Metal

    A technical, progressive death-metal peak. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.

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36. 36
    Cause of DeathObituary

    Cause of Death

    Obituary · 1990 · Metal

    A heavy, groove-laden death-metal landmark. Brutal and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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37. 37
    Left Hand PathEntombed

    Left Hand Path

    Entombed · 1990 · Metal

    A foundational Swedish death-metal landmark of buzzsaw guitar. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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38. 38
    Necroticism - Descanting the InsalubriousCarcass

    Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious

    Carcass · 1991 · Metal

    A technical, gory death-metal peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre high point.

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39. 39
    The Jester RaceIn Flames

    The Jester Race

    In Flames · 1996 · Metal

    A melodic death-metal landmark of Gothenburg craft. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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40. 40
    My Arms, Your HearseOpeth

    My Arms, Your Hearse

    Opeth · 1998 · Metal

    A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak. Bold and beloved. A high point.

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41. 41
    Anthems to the Welkin at DuskEmperor

    Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk

    Emperor · 1997 · Metal

    A majestic symphonic black-metal peak. Grand and influential. A genre high point.

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42. 42
    Transilvanian HungerDarkthrone

    Transilvanian Hunger

    Darkthrone · 1994 · Metal

    A raw, hypnotic black-metal landmark of lo-fi tremolo. Cold and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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43. 43
    At the Heart of WinterImmortal

    At the Heart of Winter

    Immortal · 1999 · Metal

    A frostbitten, epic black-metal peak. Powerful and beloved. A genre high point.

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44. 44
    Storm of the Light's BaneDissection

    Storm of the Light's Bane

    Dissection · 1995 · Metal

    A melodic black-death landmark of icy beauty. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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45. 45
    The Great Southern TrendkillPantera

    The Great Southern Trendkill

    Pantera · 1996 · Metal

    A brutal, abrasive peak of pure aggression. Heavy and beloved. A fan favourite.

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46. 46
    Burn My EyesMachine Head

    Burn My Eyes

    Machine Head · 1994 · Metal

    A crushing groove-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre landmark.

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47. 47
    System of a DownSystem of a Down

    System of a Down

    System of a Down · 1998 · Metal

    A frantic, political nu-metal debut of unhinged invention. Heavy and influential. A breakthrough.

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48. 48
    Mechanical AnimalsMarilyn Manson

    Mechanical Animals

    Marilyn Manson · 1998 · Metal

    A glam-rock concept pivot of melodic ambition. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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49. 49
    Calculating InfinityDillinger Escape Plan

    Calculating Infinity

    Dillinger Escape Plan · 1999 · Metal

    A chaotic, technical mathcore landmark. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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50. 50
    Through Silver in BloodNeurosis

    Through Silver in Blood

    Neurosis · 1996 · Metal

    A monolithic post-metal landmark of crushing atmosphere. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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51. 51
    Welcome to Sky ValleyKyuss

    Welcome to Sky Valley

    Kyuss · 1994 · Metal

    A heavy, hypnotic desert-rock peak. Fuzzy and beloved. A stoner-metal cornerstone.

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52. 52
    Blues for the Red SunKyuss

    Blues for the Red Sun

    Kyuss · 1992 · Metal

    A heavy, desert-rock landmark that shaped stoner metal. Fuzzy and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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53. 53
    Persistence of TimeAnthrax

    Persistence of Time

    Anthrax · 1990 · Metal

    A darker, heavier thrash peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.

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54. 54
    The Sound of PerseveranceDeath

    The Sound of Perseverance

    Death · 1998 · Metal

    A technical, progressive death-metal peak and final album. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.

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55. 55
    Blessed Are the SickMorbid Angel

    Blessed Are the Sick

    Morbid Angel · 1991 · Metal

    A dark, ambitious death-metal peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre high point.

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56. 56
    CovenantMorbid Angel

    Covenant

    Morbid Angel · 1993 · Metal

    A polished, hooky death-metal peak that crossed over. Heavy and beloved. A high point.

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57. 57
    DeicideDeicide

    Deicide

    Deicide · 1990 · Metal

    A ferocious, blasphemous death-metal debut. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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58. 58
    Effigy of the ForgottenSuffocation

    Effigy of the Forgotten

    Suffocation · 1991 · Metal

    A foundational brutal-death-metal landmark. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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59. 59
    Like an Ever Flowing StreamDismember

    Like an Ever Flowing Stream

    Dismember · 1991 · Metal

    A foundational Swedish death-metal landmark. Heavy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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60. 60
    The GalleryDark Tranquillity

    The Gallery

    Dark Tranquillity · 1995 · Metal

    A melodic death-metal landmark of Gothenburg craft. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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61. 61
    WhoracleIn Flames

    Whoracle

    In Flames · 1997 · Metal

    A melodic death-metal peak. Sharp and beloved. A high point.

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62. 62
    Nemesis DivinaSatyricon

    Nemesis Divina

    Satyricon · 1996 · Metal

    A sharp, melodic black-metal peak. Bold and acclaimed. A genre high point.

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63. 63
    BergtattUlver

    Bergtatt

    Ulver · 1995 · Metal

    An atmospheric, folk-tinged black-metal landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

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64. 64
    Sleep's Holy MountainSleep

    Sleep's Holy Mountain

    Sleep · 1992 · Metal

    A foundational stoner-doom landmark of monolithic riffs. Heavy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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65. 65
    Come My Fanatics...Electric Wizard

    Come My Fanatics...

    Electric Wizard · 1997 · Metal

    A fuzz-drenched doom landmark of occult heaviness. Crushing and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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66. 66
    We Are the RomansBotch

    We Are the Romans

    Botch · 1999 · Metal

    A chaotic, influential mathcore landmark. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

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67. 67
    Ocean Machine: BiomechDevin Townsend

    Ocean Machine: Biomech

    Devin Townsend · 1997 · Metal

    An ambitious, atmospheric progressive-metal landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A cult classic.

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68. 68
    CityStrapping Young Lad

    City

    Strapping Young Lad · 1997 · Metal

    A dense, extreme industrial-metal landmark. Brutal and acclaimed. A cult classic.

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69. 69
    DemanufactureFear Factory

    Demanufacture

    Fear Factory · 1995 · Metal

    A pioneering industrial-metal landmark of mechanical precision. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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70. 70
    AdrenalineDeftones

    Adrenaline

    Deftones · 1995 · Metal

    A raw, heavy debut of early alt-metal intensity. Powerful and beloved. A strong start.

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