The Best Metal Albums of the 2010s

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1. 1
   L'Enfant SauvageGojira

   L'Enfant Sauvage

   Gojira · 2012 · Metal

   A focused, crushing progressive-death peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.

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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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