In the early 90's many new influential bands came and some new sub-genres emerged. But since late 90's not much new have happen. Bands are mixing the already existing sub-genres instead of creating new ones. The last new sub-genre I could think of that has emerged is post-metal, and that was with Neurosis' "Through Silver In Blood". The same year Therion released "Theli", which could be said turned symphonic metal into a sub-genre. But what have happened since then? OK, maybe djent has developed into a genre on it's own, but that is so far a very small genre.

So my question is: what is the most influential metal album the last 15 years, or since 1997 to date? I'm not asking about albums you think will be influential for the future, but for albums which influence have been proven.

1997 saw the release of HammerFall's "Glory to the brave", which is usually considered to be the album that made power metal popular again. But since that album only reinvented the 80's sound, and most of the newer bands were more influenced by older power metal bands like Helloween and Stratovarius, I can't say that is the most influential release.

The same year Rhapsody's "Legendary Tales" saw it's release. I personally think that was a more influential album since it brought in some new element to the power metal genre, the symphonics.

And then we have the nu metal scene, which was big in early 00's, but it was based on KoRn's debut released in 1994, so I can't think of any very important release in that genre, and the most commercial bands like Linkin Park could not be considered metal to me.

The nu metal hype was replaced by metalcore. I can't think of any specific metalcore album that has been influential. Most metalcore bands name In Flames and At The Gates' "Slaughter Of The Soul" (released in 1995) as their main influence, or maybe bands like Pantera and Sepultura (but that is early 90's).

We also have the folk metal scene, but although it has gained popularity in the 00's, it has been around since early 90's and the band Skyclad, and then a lot of different bands have emerged. I think Finntroll is the band that is most responsible for making the genre popular, or do you have any suggestions on any specific influential album in the genre released since 1997?

My vote for the most influential metal album since 1997 goes to Children of Bodom's "Something Wild", which (together with their later releases) is a typical example of how metal has evolved the last 15 years. Instead of creating new genres they are mixing as many genres as possible, and started what here usually is refered to as "extreme power metal", and had many followers.

edit: I have since I started this thread changed my mind, and I now think that Isis' "Oceanic" could be considered the most influential album. Neurosis was earlier (and definitely more influential, but outside the timeframe with their most influential album), but Isis expanded the sound further, and there are a lot of bands who have followed their path. I think that post metal is the genre that have evolved the most since 1997.