The Best Metal Albums of the 2010s
Our pick of the essential metal records released in the 2010s, ranked.
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1L'Enfant SauvageGojira
L'Enfant Sauvage
A focused, crushing progressive-death peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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2Fear InoculumTool
Fear Inoculum
A sprawling, hypnotic late peak of long progressive epics. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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3Diamond EyesDeftones
Diamond Eyes
A melodic, atmospheric comeback peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high point.
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4MelioraGhost
Meliora
A theatrical, melodic peak of occult hard rock, home to 'Cirice'. Catchy and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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5SunbatherDeafheaven
Sunbather
A divisive, beautiful blend of black metal and shoegaze. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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6MagmaGojira
Magma
A streamlined, emotional peak of accessible heaviness. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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7KolossMeshuggah
Koloss
A monolithic, groove-heavy djent peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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8Koi No YokanDeftones
Koi No Yokan
An atmospheric, dynamic late peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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9Opus EponymousGhost
Opus Eponymous
A catchy, occult-themed hard-rock debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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10PrequelleGhost
Prequelle
A catchy, plague-themed hard-rock peak, home to 'Rats'. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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11Sorrow and ExtinctionPallbearer
Sorrow and Extinction
A melodic, mournful doom-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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12New BermudaDeafheaven
New Bermuda
A heavier, dynamic follow-up to Sunbather. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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13The SciencesSleep
The Sciences
A long-awaited stoner-doom comeback of crushing weight. Heavy and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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14Clearing the Path to AscendYOB
Clearing the Path to Ascend
A monumental, transcendent doom-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A modern high point.
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15Foundations of BurdenPallbearer
Foundations of Burden
A melodic, mournful doom-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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16PurpleBaroness
Purple
A bright, melodic comeback after a near-fatal crash. Heavy and acclaimed. A triumphant return.
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17De Vermis MysteriisHigh on Fire
De Vermis Mysteriis
A blistering, riff-driven metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.