This was by far the most difficult list to do. That's because all top releases are so good that any could be number one. 1996 probably best metal year ever imo.

1.Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace

2.Theatre Of Tragedy - Velvet Darkness They Fear

3.Moonspell - Irreligious

4.Samael - Passage

5.Cradle Of Filth - V Empire

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1.Death - Human

2.Opeth - Still Life

3.At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul

4.Dismember - Like An Ever Flowing Stream

5.Emperor - Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk

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1.Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality

2.Black Sabbath - Paranoid

3.Katatonia - Discouraged Ones

4.My Dying Bride - The Angel And The Dark River

5.Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

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1.Novembre - Wish I Could Dream It Again

2.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

3.Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness

4.Metallica - ...And Justice For All

5.Autumnal - Grey Universe

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*** READ ME *** This list is about the greatest metal albums of all-time, from all sub-genres and all countries. You won't see bands like Deep Purple, Rush, BOC, Zeppelin, etc., nor will you see bands like Tool, Rage ATM, Melvins and Soundgarden. While I love many of those bands, my definition of metal does not include them.

1.Black Sabbath - Paranoid

2.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

3.Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

4.Death - Symbolic

5.Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath

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1.Novembre - Wish I Could Dream It Again

2.Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness

3.Metallica - ...And Justice For All

4.Novembre - Arte Novecento

5.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

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Pretty nice year, some absolutely outstanding albums.

1.Estatic Fear - Somnium Obmutum

2.Opeth - Morningrise

3.Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace

4.In Flames - The Jester Race

5.Devil Doll - Dies Irae

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