Right... Let's get this out of the way from the get-go. Alternative metal is hard to define. I guess that comes from it always wanting to experiment, explore and fuse heavy metal with non-metal music genres. It also makes it an ever changing and growing genre.

Also, before you guys flood me, yes my list contains a lot of Industrial & Nu Metal bands, as well as other genre.. As far as I'm concerned, my picks all fit quite well in the scope of an alternative metal list. Don't you agree? Wait... You disagree? Well, let's agree to disagree and move on.

As for the list itself, I'm going to try and list through time what I (me, myself & moi) consider as essential alternative albums. I will also limit myself to a maximum of 4 releases each year to prevent a messy list, which often makes it a difficult decision, especially in the early 2000's. So yes, it is possible your personal favourite won't be featured. You can tell me all about it in the comments below and we can discuss it, even argue it.

Now, have fun, enjoy my list and let me know what you think or would personally put in your favourite alt-metal list!

-Guib-

EDIT: I will now add my pick for best album of each year using the (best of xxxx) in the chosen album's description.

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Guib's Best Alternative Metal Album Picks

Best Of 2022
Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die

Best Of 2023
Mutoid Man - Mutants

Best of 2024 So Far
...tbd

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Last Updated: March 27th, 2024

1.Living Colour - Vivid

2.Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

3.Faith No More - The Real Thing

4.Godflesh - Streetcleaner

5.L7 - Smell The Magic

      View entire list ››

The things I liked in 2014

1.Disforia - The Age Of Ether

2.Accept - Blind Rage

3.Arion - Last Of Us

4.Exodus - Blood In, Blood Out

5.Machine Head - Bloodstone & Diamonds

      View entire list ››

1.AC/DC - Back In Black

2.AC/DC - High Voltage

3.AC/DC - Highway To Hell

4.Accept - Blood Of The Nations

5.Allen/Lande - The Showdown

      View entire list ››

1.Freak Kitchen - Cooking With Pagans

2.Threshold - For The Journey

3.Serdce - Timelessness

4.Lux Occulta - Kołysanki

5.Freedom Call - Beyond

      View entire list ››

Cos, y'know, same shiz different year. Ran out of space again so will post final album opinions in comments.

1.Infestus - The Reflecting Void

2.Dirge - Hyperion

3.Nero Di Marte - Derivae

4.Steve Rothery - The Ghosts Of Pripyat

5.Agalloch - The Serpent & The Sphere

      View entire list ››

This is my personal list based on the albums i've enjoyed listening to the most this year, consider it a best to worst based on all the albums i've checked out from 2014. Bear in mind i'm a power metal fan for the most part - also this list does not reflect the views of others on MS, but some of the albums here are pretty decent and you should check some of them out.!!!!

1.Galneryus - Vetelgyus

2.Equilibrium - Erdentempel

3.Arch Enemy - War Eternal

4.The Algorithm - OCTOPUS4

5.Ancient Bards - A New Dawn Ending

      View entire list ››

100% subjective.
I also listened to albums far from metal or metal world (Hanggai, Lisa Gerrard, ...) but I decided not to list them there.

Updated constantly - feel free to recommend something to check out.

1.Darkspace - Dark Space III I

2.Blues Pills - Blues Pills

3.Earth - Primitive And Deadly

4.Aenaon - Extance

5.Triptykon - Melana Chasmata

      View entire list ››

Rating:
10 - Allmost impossible to get. The band need to create something astronomical good.
9 - Only the best albums of the year gets this.
8 - A really good album on all levels.
7 - A good album, but nothing special.
6 - An average album with some good songs.
5 - Not a good album, maybe 1 or 2 good songs.
4 and below - I rather not waste my time on it...

1.

2.Ne Obliviscaris - Citadel

3.Behemoth - The Satanist

4.Vanden Plas - Chronicles Of The Immortals: Netherworld (Path 1)

5.Beyond Creation - Earthborn Evolution

      View entire list ››

1.Evergrey - Hymns For The Broken

2.Periphery - Clear

3.Anathema - Distant Satellites

4.The Birds Of Satan - The Birds Of Satan

5.Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways

      View entire list ››

Albums I'm enjoying as 2014 progresses, order and all that is updated weekly. Suggestions and also comments are very welcome, I'm also finally finished my 2013 list. Check that out as well
As new 2014 albums come and go please note the order is subject to change before you have an aneurism.

Definitely always looking for more metal/music friends https://www.facebook.com/derek.handelong (add me)

1.Buckethead - Pikes 42-129

2.Vader - Tibi Et Igni

3.Mors Principium Est - Dawn Of The 5th Era

4.Delain - The Human Contradiction

5.Insomnium - Shadows Of The Dying Sun

      View entire list ››

1.Within Temptation - Hydra

2.DragonForce - Maximum Overload

3.Sonata Arctica - Pariah's Child

4.Linkin Park - The Hunting Party

5.Amaranthe - Massive Addictive

      View entire list ››

1.Accept - Blind Rage

2.Ahola - Tug Of War

3.Alestorm - Sunset On The Golden Age

4.Allen/Lande - The Great Divide

5.Amaranthe - Massive Addictive

      View entire list ››

1.Wintersun - Wintersun

2.Norther - Mirror Of Madness

3.Amaranthe - Massive Addictive

4.Be'lakor - Of Breath And Bone

5.In Flames - Colony

      View entire list ››