The Best Metal Albums of the 2010s

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1. 1
   L'Enfant SauvageGojira

   L'Enfant Sauvage

   Gojira · 2012 · Metal

   A tighter, more streamlined record than its predecessor, trading some sprawl for concision without losing the environmental themes or the tectonic low end. Focused and acclaimed. The lean counterpart to The Way of All Flesh.

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2. 2
   Fear InoculumTool

   Fear Inoculum

   Tool · 2019 · Metal

   A sprawling, hypnotic late peak of long progressive epics. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.

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3. 3
   Diamond EyesDeftones

   Diamond Eyes

   Deftones · 2010 · Metal

   A melodic, atmospheric comeback peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high point.

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4. 4
   MelioraGhost

   Meliora

   Ghost · 2015 · Metal

   A theatrical, melodic peak of occult hard rock, home to 'Cirice'. Catchy and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.

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5. 5
   SunbatherDeafheaven

   Sunbather

   Deafheaven · 2013 · Metal

   A divisive, beautiful blend of black metal and shoegaze. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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6. 6
   MagmaGojira

   Magma

   Gojira · 2016 · Metal

   A streamlined, emotional peak of accessible heaviness. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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7. 7
   KolossMeshuggah

   Koloss

   Meshuggah · 2012 · Metal

   A monolithic, groove-heavy djent peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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8. 8
   Koi No YokanDeftones

   Koi No Yokan

   Deftones · 2012 · Metal

   An atmospheric, dynamic late peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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9. 9
   Opus EponymousGhost

   Opus Eponymous

   Ghost · 2010 · Metal

   A catchy, occult-themed hard-rock debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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10. 10
    PrequelleGhost

    Prequelle

    Ghost · 2018 · Metal

    A catchy, plague-themed hard-rock peak, home to 'Rats'. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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11. 11
    Sorrow and ExtinctionPallbearer

    Sorrow and Extinction

    Pallbearer · 2012 · Metal

    A melodic, mournful doom-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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12. 12
    New BermudaDeafheaven

    New Bermuda

    Deafheaven · 2015 · Metal

    A heavier, dynamic follow-up to Sunbather. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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13. 13
    The SciencesSleep

    The Sciences

    Sleep · 2018 · Metal

    A long-awaited stoner-doom comeback of crushing weight. Heavy and acclaimed. A worthy return.

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14. 14
    Clearing the Path to AscendYOB

    Clearing the Path to Ascend

    YOB · 2014 · Metal

    A monumental, transcendent doom-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A modern high point.

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15. 15
    Foundations of BurdenPallbearer

    Foundations of Burden

    Pallbearer · 2014 · Metal

    A melodic, mournful doom-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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16. 16
    PurpleBaroness

    Purple

    Baroness · 2015 · Metal

    A bright, melodic comeback after a near-fatal crash. Heavy and acclaimed. A triumphant return.

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17. 17
    De Vermis MysteriisHigh on Fire

    De Vermis Mysteriis

    High on Fire · 2012 · Metal

    A blistering, riff-driven metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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18. 18
    Nightmare LogicPower Trip

    Nightmare Logic

    Power Trip · 2017 · Metal

    Crossover thrash that felt genuinely urgent — one of the most ferocious metal records in years, and a tragic final statement.

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19. 19
    A Different Shade of BlueKnocked Loose

    A Different Shade of Blue

    Knocked Loose · 2019 · Metal

    Hardcore-metal with real compositional ambition — one of the decade's most viscerally satisfying heavy records.

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