The Best Metal Albums
Heavy, precise and built to last — the definitive heavy records.
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1ParanoidBlack Sabbath
Paranoid
The album that effectively founded heavy metal, riff after monstrous riff from 'War Pigs' to 'Iron Man'. Heavy, doom-laden and impossibly influential. Year zero for the genre.
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2Master of PuppetsMetallica
Master of Puppets
Thrash metal's high-water mark, complex and crushing across eight tightly written epics. Widely held to be the best metal album ever made. Relentless and precise.
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3MetallicaMetallica
Metallica
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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4The Number of the BeastIron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
The arrival of Bruce Dickinson and the band's classic era, galloping, melodic and theatrical. Anthemic from start to finish. A heavy-metal landmark.
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5ToxicitySystem of a Down
Toxicity
Frenetic, political and weirdly catchy, blending thrash with Armenian melody. Inventive and huge. A defining 2000s metal record.
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6Black SabbathBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath
The debut that effectively invented heavy metal, dark and doom-laden. Heavy and historic. Year zero for the genre.
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7Master of RealityBlack Sabbath
Master of Reality
Down-tuned and even heavier, the record that seeded both doom and stoner metal. Sludgy, dark and pioneering. Essential Sabbath.
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8Vol. 4Black Sabbath
Vol. 4
A heavier, more experimental peak, home to 'Supernaut' and 'Snowblind'. Sludgy and assured. A devotee favourite.
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9Kill 'Em AllMetallica
Kill 'Em All
A blistering thrash debut of speed and aggression. Raw and influential. The genre's opening shot.
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10Ride the LightningMetallica
Ride the Lightning
The leap from speed to genuine sophistication, balancing ferocity with melody and ambition. A thrash cornerstone. The sound of a band finding greatness.
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11...And Justice for AllMetallica
...And Justice for All
A dense, complex thrash peak of long, intricate songs. Ambitious and dry-sounding. A divisive favourite.
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12PowerslaveIron Maiden
Powerslave
Epic, intricate and confident, home to the towering 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. The peak of their golden run. Grand metal done right.
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13Rust in PeaceMegadeth
Rust in Peace
Technical thrash at its most dazzling, all intricate riffs and breakneck solos. Widely regarded as their masterpiece. Precise and savage.
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14Reign in BloodSlayer
Reign in Blood
Twenty-nine minutes of pure, brutal velocity that redefined extreme thrash, bookended by 'Angel of Death' and 'Raining Blood'. Ferocious and flawless. A genre touchstone.
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15Cowboys from HellPantera
Cowboys from Hell
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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16Vulgar Display of PowerPantera
Vulgar Display of Power
Brutal, grooving and uncompromising, the album that defined 90s heaviness. 'Walk' became an anthem. Pure aggression channelled with precision.
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17British SteelJudas Priest
British Steel
The album that streamlined heavy metal into anthems, from 'Breaking the Law' to 'Living After Midnight'. Tight and iconic. A genre cornerstone.
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18PainkillerJudas Priest
Painkiller
A ferocious, speed-driven late peak with thunderous drums and screaming vocals. Relentless and precise. A metal essential.
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19Ace of SpadesMotörhead
Ace of Spades
Fast, loud and gloriously dirty, the album that defined Motörhead and bridged punk and metal. The title track is immortal. Pure adrenaline.
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20AenimaTool
Aenima
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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21LateralusTool
Lateralus
An ambitious, mathematically intricate suite that asks to be heard whole. Hypnotic and immersive. Many fans consider it their finest.
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22SlipknotSlipknot
Slipknot
A brutal, chaotic nu-metal debut of masked aggression. Heavy and influential. A genre landmark.
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23IowaSlipknot
Iowa
A brutal, claustrophobic peak of nu-metal aggression. Heavy and intense. Their darkest record.
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24Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
A furious fusion of metal, funk and hip-hop with revolutionary politics. Tight and explosive. A debut that changed rock.
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25LeviathanMastodon
Leviathan
A Moby-Dick concept album of intricate, crushing progressive metal. Ambitious and ferocious. Their breakthrough.
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26Blackwater ParkOpeth
Blackwater Park
The album that perfected their blend of death-metal heaviness and acoustic, proggy beauty. Dynamic and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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27White PonyDeftones
White Pony
Atmospheric, dynamic and heavy, the record that lifted them above nu-metal peers. Beautiful and crushing by turns. Their finest.
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28Chaos A.D.Sepultura
Chaos A.D.
A groove-metal pivot toward tribal rhythm and politics. Heavy and acclaimed. A turning point.
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29RootsSepultura
Roots
A groove-and-tribal-metal landmark fusing thrash with Brazilian percussion. Heavy and innovative. Their most influential record.
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30Holy DiverDio
Holy Diver
A landmark of melodic heavy metal, home to its iconic title track. Powerful and beloved. Dio's solo peak.
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31Blizzard of OzzOzzy Osbourne
Blizzard of Ozz
A solo debut powered by Randy Rhoads's virtuoso guitar, home to 'Crazy Train'. Sharp and influential. A metal classic.
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32Angel DustFaith No More
Angel Dust
A wildly eclectic, genre-blurring peak of unpredictable invention. Bold and influential. Their masterpiece.
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33Sabbath Bloody SabbathBlack Sabbath
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
A more sophisticated peak balancing heaviness with melody and strings. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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34Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?Megadeth
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
A sharp, technical thrash peak of political bite. Tight and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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35Countdown to ExtinctionMegadeth
Countdown to Extinction
A polished, commercial thrash peak. Tuneful and huge. Their best-selling record.
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36South of HeavenSlayer
South of Heaven
A slower, darker follow-up to Reign in Blood. Heavy and acclaimed. A strong peak.
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37Seasons in the AbyssSlayer
Seasons in the Abyss
A balanced peak of speed and atmosphere. Ferocious and beloved. A genre high point.
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38Among the LivingAnthrax
Among the Living
A fast, fun thrash classic of mosh-pit anthems. Tight and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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39Iron MaidenIron Maiden
Iron Maiden
A raw, punky debut of galloping NWOBHM energy. Vital and influential. The start of a legend.
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40Piece of MindIron Maiden
Piece of Mind
A polished peak of intricate, melodic metal, home to 'The Trooper'. Tight and beloved. A classic.
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41Seventh Son of a Seventh SonIron Maiden
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
A lush, keyboard-tinged concept peak. Ambitious and beloved. A high point of their run.
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42Screaming for VengeanceJudas Priest
Screaming for Vengeance
A sharp, commercial peak, home to 'You've Got Another Thing Comin''. Tight and huge. Their best-selling record.
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43OverkillMotörhead
Overkill
A fast, raw peak that helped birth speed metal. Loud and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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44Far Beyond DrivenPantera
Far Beyond Driven
A brutal, chart-topping peak of groove-metal heaviness. Relentless and huge. A 90s landmark.
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45Beneath the RemainsSepultura
Beneath the Remains
A ferocious, precise thrash peak that put Brazilian metal on the map. Relentless and acclaimed. A genre classic.
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46AriseSepultura
Arise
A ferocious thrash-death peak of precision. Brutal and acclaimed. A high point.
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47SymbolicDeath
Symbolic
A melodic, progressive death-metal peak of craft. Sharp and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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48HumanDeath
Human
A technical, progressive death-metal peak of complexity and feel. Ambitious and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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49Altars of MadnessMorbid Angel
Altars of Madness
A foundational death-metal landmark of speed and technicality. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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50Slaughter of the SoulAt the Gates
Slaughter of the Soul
The album that codified melodic death metal and inspired a generation of metalcore. Sharp and relentless. A genre cornerstone.
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51In the Nightside EclipseEmperor
In the Nightside Eclipse
Symphonic black metal of grandeur and fury, layered with keyboards and blast beats. Majestic and influential. A landmark debut.
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52De Mysteriis Dom SathanasMayhem
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
A foundational, notorious black-metal album of icy tremolo riffs and raw atmosphere. Historically pivotal. A genre touchstone.
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53A Blaze in the Northern SkyDarkthrone
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
A foundational black-metal pivot to raw, cold aggression. Influential and stark. A genre cornerstone.
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54HeartworkCarcass
Heartwork
A melodic death-metal landmark of precision and hooks. Sharp and influential. A genre high point.
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55Destroy Erase ImproveMeshuggah
Destroy Erase Improve
A pioneering, polyrhythmic landmark that helped birth djent. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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56obZenMeshuggah
obZen
A crushing, polyrhythmic djent landmark of mechanical precision. Heavy and influential. A genre high point.
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57From Mars to SiriusGojira
From Mars to Sirius
A crushing, environmentally themed progressive-death record of monumental riffs. Heavy and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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58L'Enfant SauvageGojira
L'Enfant Sauvage
A focused, crushing progressive-death peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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59Crack the SkyeMastodon
Crack the Skye
Their most progressive and melodic record, layered and conceptual. Dense and rewarding. A high point of modern metal.
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60Blood MountainMastodon
Blood Mountain
A dense, progressive-sludge concept peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A creative high.
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61UndertowTool
Undertow
A heavy, brooding debut of alt-metal intensity. Powerful and beloved. A strong start.
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62Fear InoculumTool
Fear Inoculum
A sprawling, hypnotic late peak of long progressive epics. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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63Ghost ReveriesOpeth
Ghost Reveries
A lush, progressive death-metal peak of dynamic range. Ambitious and acclaimed. A high point.
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64Still LifeOpeth
Still Life
A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak of melody and heaviness. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.
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65Around the FurDeftones
Around the Fur
A heavier, sharper second album of dynamic alt-metal. Powerful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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66Diamond EyesDeftones
Diamond Eyes
A melodic, atmospheric comeback peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high point.
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67King for a Day... Fool for a LifetimeFaith No More
King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime
A wildly eclectic peak of genre-hopping invention. Bold and beloved. A creative high.
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68MezmerizeSystem of a Down
Mezmerize
A frantic, political peak, home to 'B.Y.O.B.'. Heavy and huge. A high point.
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69Evil EmpireRage Against the Machine
Evil Empire
A fierce, funky follow-up of political fire. Tough and huge. A strong second record.
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70The Battle of Los AngelesRage Against the Machine
The Battle of Los Angeles
A polished, furious peak of rap-metal fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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71The Downward SpiralNine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral
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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72The FragileNine Inch Nails
The Fragile
A sprawling, ambitious double album of texture and despair, more layered than its predecessor. Dense and rewarding. A cult favourite.
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73Pretty Hate MachineNine Inch Nails
Pretty Hate Machine
A catchy, industrial-pop debut, home to 'Head Like a Hole'. Bold and influential. A breakthrough.
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74Antichrist SuperstarMarilyn Manson
Antichrist Superstar
A theatrical, industrial-metal concept record of shock and ambition that defined his notoriety. Heavy and provocative. His peak.
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75KornKorn
Korn
The debut that launched nu-metal, heavy and raw with detuned dread. Influential and huge. A genre origin point.
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76Follow the LeaderKorn
Follow the Leader
A blockbuster nu-metal peak, home to 'Freak on a Leash'. Heavy and huge. Their commercial high.
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77Hybrid TheoryLinkin Park
Hybrid Theory
A blockbuster blend of nu-metal and rap-rock that defined an era. Tight and enormous. A 2000s landmark.
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78MeteoraLinkin Park
Meteora
A tight, hit-packed follow-up to Hybrid Theory. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.
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79DopesmokerSleep
Dopesmoker
A single hour-long riff-pilgrimage of monumental stoner-doom. Hypnotic and uncompromising. A cult monument.
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80DopethroneElectric Wizard
Dopethrone
Monolithic, fuzz-drenched doom of crushing slowness and occult menace. Heavy beyond reason. A stoner-doom classic.
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81Jane DoeConverge
Jane Doe
A chaotic, cathartic metalcore masterpiece of raw emotion and ferocity. Intense and influential. A genre landmark.
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82Red AlbumBaroness
Red Album
A vibrant, melodic sludge-metal debut of riffs and color. Heavy and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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83MelioraGhost
Meliora
A theatrical, melodic peak of occult hard rock, home to 'Cirice'. Catchy and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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84Ashes of the WakeLamb of God
Ashes of the Wake
A ferocious modern-metal peak of groove and precision. Heavy and acclaimed. Their best.
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85SabotageBlack Sabbath
Sabotage
A heavy, varied peak of the original line-up. Powerful and underrated. A fan favourite.
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86Heaven and HellBlack Sabbath
Heaven and Hell
A triumphant Dio-fronted reinvention of melodic metal. Powerful and beloved. A late peak.
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87Somewhere in TimeIron Maiden
Somewhere in Time
A polished, synth-tinged peak of melodic metal. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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88Brave New WorldIron Maiden
Brave New World
A triumphant Dickinson-return comeback of classic Maiden. Bold and beloved. A late peak.
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89Sad Wings of DestinyJudas Priest
Sad Wings of Destiny
An early, ambitious landmark that helped define metal's template. Dramatic and influential. A cornerstone.
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90Hell AwaitsSlayer
Hell Awaits
A dark, fast early peak of proto-death thrash. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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91Spreading the DiseaseAnthrax
Spreading the Disease
A sharp, tuneful thrash peak. Tight and beloved. A high point.
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92Practice What You PreachTestament
Practice What You Preach
A polished, melodic Bay Area thrash peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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93Bonded by BloodExodus
Bonded by Blood
A ferocious Bay Area thrash landmark. Fast and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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94Pleasure to KillKreator
Pleasure to Kill
A blistering German thrash landmark of relentless speed. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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95Scream Bloody GoreDeath
Scream Bloody Gore
A foundational death-metal landmark, raw and pioneering. Brutal and historic. The genre's debut statement.
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96LeprosyDeath
Leprosy
A foundational death-metal peak of brutal precision. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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97Individual Thought PatternsDeath
Individual Thought Patterns
A technical, progressive death-metal peak. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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98Cause of DeathObituary
Cause of Death
A heavy, groove-laden death-metal landmark. Brutal and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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99Left Hand PathEntombed
Left Hand Path
A foundational Swedish death-metal landmark of buzzsaw guitar. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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100Necroticism - Descanting the InsalubriousCarcass
Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious
A technical, gory death-metal peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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101ScumNapalm Death
Scum
A foundational grindcore landmark of extreme brevity and speed. Brutal and influential. A genre origin point.
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102The Jester RaceIn Flames
The Jester Race
A melodic death-metal landmark of Gothenburg craft. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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103My Arms, Your HearseOpeth
My Arms, Your Hearse
A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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104DamnationOpeth
Damnation
A soft, mellotron-led prog-rock detour with no death growls. Beautiful and acclaimed. A bold pivot.
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105WatershedOpeth
Watershed
A dynamic, progressive peak balancing beauty and brutality. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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106Anthems to the Welkin at DuskEmperor
Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
A majestic symphonic black-metal peak. Grand and influential. A genre high point.
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107Transilvanian HungerDarkthrone
Transilvanian Hunger
A raw, hypnotic black-metal landmark of lo-fi tremolo. Cold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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108At the Heart of WinterImmortal
At the Heart of Winter
A frostbitten, epic black-metal peak. Powerful and beloved. A genre high point.
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109Storm of the Light's BaneDissection
Storm of the Light's Bane
A melodic black-death landmark of icy beauty. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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110SunbatherDeafheaven
Sunbather
A divisive, beautiful blend of black metal and shoegaze. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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111Mer de NomsA Perfect Circle
Mer de Noms
A dark, melodic alt-metal debut of moody precision. Polished and acclaimed. A strong arrival.
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112The Way of All FleshGojira
The Way of All Flesh
A crushing, ambitious progressive-death peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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113MagmaGojira
Magma
A streamlined, emotional peak of accessible heaviness. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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114NothingMeshuggah
Nothing
A downtuned, hypnotic djent landmark. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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115KolossMeshuggah
Koloss
A monolithic, groove-heavy djent peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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116SacramentLamb of God
Sacrament
A ferocious, Grammy-nominated modern-metal peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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117The Great Southern TrendkillPantera
The Great Southern Trendkill
A brutal, abrasive peak of pure aggression. Heavy and beloved. A fan favourite.
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118Burn My EyesMachine Head
Burn My Eyes
A crushing groove-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre landmark.
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119Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Slipknot
Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
A more melodic, dynamic peak that broadened their sound. Heavy and acclaimed. A creative high.
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120System of a DownSystem of a Down
System of a Down
A frantic, political nu-metal debut of unhinged invention. Heavy and influential. A breakthrough.
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121HypnotizeSystem of a Down
Hypnotize
A sharp, political companion to Mezmerize. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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122Koi No YokanDeftones
Koi No Yokan
An atmospheric, dynamic late peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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123OhmsDeftones
Ohms
A heavy, melodic late peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A strong record.
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124With TeethNine Inch Nails
With Teeth
A sharp, song-focused comeback, home to 'The Hand That Feeds'. Polished and acclaimed. A strong return.
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125Year ZeroNine Inch Nails
Year Zero
A dense, dystopian concept peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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126Mechanical AnimalsMarilyn Manson
Mechanical Animals
A glam-rock concept pivot of melodic ambition. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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127Opus EponymousGhost
Opus Eponymous
A catchy, occult-themed hard-rock debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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128PrequelleGhost
Prequelle
A catchy, plague-themed hard-rock peak, home to 'Rats'. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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129Calculating InfinityDillinger Escape Plan
Calculating Infinity
A chaotic, technical mathcore landmark. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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130ColorsBetween the Buried and Me
Colors
A sprawling, genre-hopping progressive-metal landmark. Ambitious and acclaimed. A cult peak.
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131Through Silver in BloodNeurosis
Through Silver in Blood
A monolithic post-metal landmark of crushing atmosphere. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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132OceanicIsis
Oceanic
A spacious, immersive post-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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133Sorrow and ExtinctionPallbearer
Sorrow and Extinction
A melodic, mournful doom-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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134Welcome to Sky ValleyKyuss
Welcome to Sky Valley
A heavy, hypnotic desert-rock peak. Fuzzy and beloved. A stoner-metal cornerstone.
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135Blues for the Red SunKyuss
Blues for the Red Sun
A heavy, desert-rock landmark that shaped stoner metal. Fuzzy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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136The End of HeartacheKillswitch Engage
The End of Heartache
A polished metalcore peak of melody and power. Heavy and beloved. A high point.
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137BomberMotörhead
Bomber
A fast, raw hard-rock peak. Loud and beloved. A high point.
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138Black MetalVenom
Black Metal
The crude, foundational album that named a genre. Raw and influential. A genre origin point.
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139MelissaMercyful Fate
Melissa
A theatrical, twin-guitar landmark of early metal drama. Sharp and influential. A cult classic.
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140Don't Break the OathMercyful Fate
Don't Break the Oath
A theatrical, twin-guitar metal peak. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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141AbigailKing Diamond
Abigail
A theatrical, narrative heavy-metal concept landmark. Bold and beloved. A cult classic.
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142Persistence of TimeAnthrax
Persistence of Time
A darker, heavier thrash peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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143Seven ChurchesPossessed
Seven Churches
A proto-death-metal landmark of extreme speed. Brutal and influential. A genre origin point.
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144The Sound of PerseveranceDeath
The Sound of Perseverance
A technical, progressive death-metal peak and final album. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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145Blessed Are the SickMorbid Angel
Blessed Are the Sick
A dark, ambitious death-metal peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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146CovenantMorbid Angel
Covenant
A polished, hooky death-metal peak that crossed over. Heavy and beloved. A high point.
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147DeicideDeicide
Deicide
A ferocious, blasphemous death-metal debut. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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148Effigy of the ForgottenSuffocation
Effigy of the Forgotten
A foundational brutal-death-metal landmark. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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149Like an Ever Flowing StreamDismember
Like an Ever Flowing Stream
A foundational Swedish death-metal landmark. Heavy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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150The GalleryDark Tranquillity
The Gallery
A melodic death-metal landmark of Gothenburg craft. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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151WhoracleIn Flames
Whoracle
A melodic death-metal peak. Sharp and beloved. A high point.
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152Twilight of the Thunder GodAmon Amarth
Twilight of the Thunder God
A triumphant, Viking-themed melodic-death peak. Heavy and beloved. A high point.
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153Nemesis DivinaSatyricon
Nemesis Divina
A sharp, melodic black-metal peak. Bold and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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154BergtattUlver
Bergtatt
An atmospheric, folk-tinged black-metal landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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155IsaEnslaved
Isa
A progressive, atmospheric black-metal peak. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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156Two HuntersWolves in the Throne Room
Two Hunters
An atmospheric, nature-themed black-metal peak. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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157The MantleAgalloch
The Mantle
A folk-tinged, atmospheric black-metal peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult landmark.
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158Ashes Against the GrainAgalloch
Ashes Against the Grain
An atmospheric, post-metal-tinged peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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159New BermudaDeafheaven
New Bermuda
A heavier, dynamic follow-up to Sunbather. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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160Morbid TalesCeltic Frost
Morbid Tales
An influential, avant-garde extreme-metal landmark. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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161To Mega TherionCeltic Frost
To Mega Therion
An adventurous, avant-metal landmark of crushing invention. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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162Epicus Doomicus MetallicusCandlemass
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
A foundational epic-doom landmark of slow, majestic heaviness. Grand and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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163NightfallCandlemass
Nightfall
An epic-doom peak of operatic vocals and crushing riffs. Grand and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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164Born Too LateSaint Vitus
Born Too Late
A foundational doom-metal landmark of slow, heavy alienation. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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165Sleep's Holy MountainSleep
Sleep's Holy Mountain
A foundational stoner-doom landmark of monolithic riffs. Heavy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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166The SciencesSleep
The Sciences
A long-awaited stoner-doom comeback of crushing weight. Heavy and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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167Come My Fanatics...Electric Wizard
Come My Fanatics...
A fuzz-drenched doom landmark of occult heaviness. Crushing and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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168Monoliths & DimensionsSunn O)))
Monoliths & Dimensions
An ambitious, orchestral drone-metal peak of immense weight. Singular and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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169PinkBoris
Pink
A loud, eclectic blend of drone, punk and psych. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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170Clearing 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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171Foundations of BurdenPallbearer
Foundations of Burden
A melodic, mournful doom-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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172RemissionMastodon
Remission
A heavy, sludgy debut of riff-driven power. Brutal and acclaimed. A strong start.
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173Blue RecordBaroness
Blue Record
A melodic, vibrant sludge-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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174PurpleBaroness
Purple
A bright, melodic comeback after a near-fatal crash. Heavy and acclaimed. A triumphant return.
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175Blessed Black WingsHigh on Fire
Blessed Black Wings
A thunderous, Albini-recorded peak of riff-driven metal. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre favourite.
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176De Vermis MysteriisHigh on Fire
De Vermis Mysteriis
A blistering, riff-driven metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A high point.
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177Axe to FallConverge
Axe to Fall
A ferocious, dynamic metalcore peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A high point.
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178We Are the RomansBotch
We Are the Romans
A chaotic, influential mathcore landmark. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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179Somewhere Along the HighwayCult of Luna
Somewhere Along the Highway
A vast, atmospheric post-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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180FortitudeGojira
Fortitude
A powerful, melodic peak of environmental themes. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high.
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181DeliveranceOpeth
Deliverance
A heavier, death-leaning peak of progressive metal. Brutal and acclaimed. A high point.
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182Thirteenth StepA Perfect Circle
Thirteenth Step
A polished, melodic alt-metal peak. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A creative high.
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183Catch ThirtythreeMeshuggah
Catch Thirtythree
A single, hypnotic continuous djent piece. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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184Ocean Machine: BiomechDevin Townsend
Ocean Machine: Biomech
An ambitious, atmospheric progressive-metal landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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185CityStrapping Young Lad
City
A dense, extreme industrial-metal landmark. Brutal and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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186DemanufactureFear Factory
Demanufacture
A pioneering industrial-metal landmark of mechanical precision. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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187As the Palaces BurnLamb of God
As the Palaces Burn
A ferocious modern-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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188AscendancyTrivium
Ascendancy
A polished, melodic metalcore breakthrough. Sharp and beloved. A high point.
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189Alive or Just BreathingKillswitch Engage
Alive or Just Breathing
A landmark metalcore record of melody and aggression. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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190AdrenalineDeftones
Adrenaline
A raw, heavy debut of early alt-metal intensity. Powerful and beloved. A strong start.
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191Glow OnTurnstile
Glow On
A genre-blurring hardcore peak of melody and energy that crossed over. Fresh and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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192Take Me Back to EdenSleep Token
Take Me Back to Eden
An ambitious, genre-spanning record blending metal, pop and atmosphere. Bold and huge. A breakout.