Must Listen: All

1.Masterplan - Masterplan

2.Kamelot - Epica

3.Evanescence - Fallen

4.Katatonia - Viva Emptiness

5.Deadsoul Tribe - A Murder Of Crows

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This list is meant to be an extensive, but by no means exhaustive, collection of the greatest (modern) metal albums and eps. Running the gamut from avant-garde to trve norweigan black metal. *As someone who is young in age, my tastes tend to revolve around the period of the 80s to the present.* Although certain metal albums from before will certainly be featured, the period of the 60s-70s will be under-represented. I refer you to this excellent list to gain a better appreciation for some of the best metal from that period: https://rateyourmusic.com/list/freis/martin_popoffs_the_top_500_heavy_metal_albums_of_all_time/

1.Aara - En Ergô Einai

2.Aarni - Bathos

3.Aaskereia - Dort, Wo Das Alte Böse Ruht

4.Aastraal - Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum

5.AATHMA - Avesta

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Stuff that got me hooked in the course of the years, from my very first blurred memories as a toddler to the present day.
Lots of catchy tunes, some cheese, very few flowers.
Songs that had a big impact on me and influenced my taste in music.
Stuff to let it all hang out, songs for campfire sing-alongs and soundtracks to slit your wrists to.
Love at first sight listen.

This is part II of II, covering the years since 2001.

Despite of the list's personal character, suggestions are very welcome.
After all I'm old and I may just have forgotten lots of stuff that did make my day.



Great albums that didn't make it on the list as they can only be enjoyed in their entirety, rather than by picking individual songs:

Thirdmoon - Sworn Enemy: Heaven (Death, 2004)
Defleshed - Reclaim The Beat (Death/Thrash, 2005)
Tyranny - Tides Of Awakening (Funeral Doom, 2005)
Mourning Beloveth - A Murderous Circus (Doom/Death, 2005)
Rotting Christ - Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy (Black, 2013)

1.Alastis - Unity

2.Diablerie - Seraphyde

3.Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia

4.Emperor - Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise

5.Hollenthon - With Vilest Of Worms To Dwell

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1.Amon Amarth - Versus The World

2.Iron Maiden - Dance Of Death

3.Arch Enemy - Anthems Of Rebellion

4.Cradle Of Filth - Damnation And A Day

5.Stratovarius - Elements Part I

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Compilation of many Hard Rock or Metal Ballads I've heard. Bands and Albums are ordered by name alphabetically.

1.Accept - Balls To The Wall

2.Accept - Blood Of The Nations

3.Accept - Eat The Heat

4.Adagio - Underworld

5.Aerosmith - Aerosmith

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1.Katatonia - Viva Emptiness

2.The Haunted - One Kill Wonder

3.Epica - The Phantom Agony

4.Soilwork - Figure Number Five

5.Moonspell - The Antidote

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1.Apocalyptica - Reflections

2.Apocalyptica - Cult

3.Apocalyptica - Apocalyptica

4.Apocalyptica - Inquisition Symphony

5.Apocalyptica - 7th Symphony

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Limited to one album for each band.

1.Kreator - Coma Of Souls

2.Vader - Litany

3.Blind Guardian - Imaginations From The Other Side

4.Apocalyptica - Reflections

5.Megadeth - Rust In Peace

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1.Diablo Swing Orchestra - The Butcher's Ballroom

2.Delain - Lucidity

3.Angtoria - God Has A Plan For Us All

4.Apocalyptica - Reflections

5.System Of A Down - Hypnotize

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If you know other wonderful songs which are missing in this list, feel free to suggest them to me

1.Adagio - Underworld

2.Aerosmith - Aerosmith

3.After Forever - Prison Of Desire

4.After Forever - Decipher

5.After Forever - After Forever

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- only studio albums
- only albums featured on MS

1.After Forever - Decipher

2.Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain

3.Ahab - The Call Of The Wretched Sea

4.Alcest - Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde

5.Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side

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I'll probably never get a thumb up for this list as there are a lot of controversial albums on it. 2003 is on the other hand maybe the best metal year so far in my opinion. It was here I really started listening to metal and nothing else. The top 4 has had a huge impact on me as a metalhead.

1.Cradle Of Filth - Damnation And A Day

2.Children Of Bodom - Hate Crew Deathroll

3.Norther - Mirror Of Madness

4.Iron Maiden - Dance Of Death

5.Illnath - Cast Into Fields Of Evil Pleasure

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1.Symphony X - Paradise Lost

2.Metallica - ...And Justice For All

3.Dream Theater - Train Of Thought

4.Dream Theater - Octavarium

5.Opeth - Blackwater Park

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A collection of metal albums that heavily use the likes of classical instrumentation, orchestral, opera or/and symphonic keyboard synths. Suggestions/Recommendations are welcome.

1.Adagio - Underworld

2.Aesma Daeva - Dawn Of The New Athens

3.After Forever - Decipher

4.Almôra - Kalihora's Song

5.Ancient Bards - The Alliance Of The Kings

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