Written by Zap on 04.05.2013 at 00:25

Good list. I'd add Ensiferum myself, but the list is already very long.

Thanks! Someone already mentioned that album, but I still haven't checked it out. I'll do so for the next update.

And don't worry, I'll keep expanding this list until I can't find any great debut albums anymore.

Written by Erik M. on 04.05.2013 at 00:30

And don't worry, I'll keep expanding this list until I can't find any great debut albums anymore.

Which will be never Every year there are a ton of great debut albums.

Written by Zap on 04.05.2013 at 00:32

Which will be never Every year there are a ton of great debut albums.

Yep, you're 100% correct. Although note that I don't really keep up with new releases... I add suggestions of people here (if I like them) or search for myself on MS for music of my favourite genres (I don't think I have to point out those genres, haha).

Written by Erik M. on 04.05.2013 at 00:34

Yep, you're 100% correct. Although note that I don't really keep up with new releases... I add suggestions of people here (if I like them) or search for myself on MS for music of my favourite genres (I don't think I have to point out those genres, haha).

Ah, well, keep doing what you're doing. I'll be checking this list again. I'm also glad to see some of my personal favorite debut albums on here.

Written by Zap on 04.05.2013 at 00:40

Ah, well, keep doing what you're doing. I'll be checking this list again. I'm also glad to see some of my personal favorite debut albums on here.

Although some of these bands' debuts aren't for me they seem to be appraised. I've starred the albums that I enjoy the most (or enjoyed what I've listen to so far.)

Amiensus, Animals As Leaders*, Beyond Creation*, Beyond Twilight*, Bloodbath*, Cynic, Dissona*, Dragged Into Sunlight*, Hands Of Despair, Headspace, Kalmah, In Vain*, Masterplan*, Necrophagist, Obsidian Kingdom*, Periphery*, Shaolin Death Squad*, Tesseract* (songs from their first EP), Today I Caught The Plague*.

Written by LeKiwi on 06.05.2013 at 19:26

Although some of these bands' debuts aren't for me they seem to be appraised. I've starred the albums that I enjoy the most (or enjoyed what I've listen to so far.)

Amiensus, Animals As Leaders*, Beyond Creation*, Beyond Twilight*, Bloodbath*, Cynic, Dissona*, Dragged Into Sunlight*, Hands Of Despair, Headspace, Kalmah, In Vain*, Masterplan*, Necrophagist, Obsidian Kingdom*, Periphery*, Shaolin Death Squad*, Tesseract* (songs from their first EP), Today I Caught The Plague*.

Well, I don't expect someone to actually like 100% of all the bands that I've listed here, since that's almost impossible. The list could even have way more variety since there's little heavy metal, almost no power metal and no alternative, nu or metal/grindcore. I could just add anything people suggest, but that wouldn't be fun for me and I wouldn't like the list anymore in that case. So yeah, for people who are actually into doom, black, gothic, thrash, progressive and even death metal, this list isn't bad in the slightest, if I say so myself.

Now about your suggestions. I've already listened to Amiensus and I'm definitely going to add it the next time since I really liked it. Bloodbath is already on my to-listen-list a long time, so that one will be added too I think. Same goes for Necrophagist and Obsidian Kingdom. I've listened to Cynic's debut and I totally hated it, sorry. Might give it a second chance because apparantly people think it's amazing. I haven't heard any of the others but I'll check them out. But this could take a while because I'll be very busy next couple of weeks due to graduating, so updates on this list won't be weekly anymore.

Written by Erik M. on 06.05.2013 at 23:07

I've listened to Cynic's debut and I totally hated it, sorry. Might give it a second chance because apparantly people think it's amazing. I haven't heard any of the others but I'll check them out. But this could take a while because I'll be very busy next couple of weeks due to graduating, so updates on this list won't be weekly anymore.

I know what you mean I didn't particularly enjoy Cynic's debut either, but it seems to be an acclaimed masterpiece around here The one's I've starred you should really have a listen to...although some of those proggy albums are hard nuts to crack. It took me more than a month or so to begin enjoying Dissona and Shaolin. Enjoy it mate

Written by LeKiwi on 07.05.2013 at 13:43



I know what you mean I didn't particularly enjoy Cynic's debut either, but it seems to be an acclaimed masterpiece around here

Not only around here, but all around the metal and death metal world. And tbh only Focus is worth it, the rest Cynic has done is average at best.

Written by LeKiwi on 07.05.2013 at 13:43

I know what you mean I didn't particularly enjoy Cynic's debut either, but it seems to be an acclaimed masterpiece around here The one's I've starred you should really have a listen to...although some of those proggy albums are hard nuts to crack. It took me more than a month or so to begin enjoying Dissona and Shaolin. Enjoy it mate

Lol , then why did you suggest it to me? I only add albums that I like enough, not because other people think it's a masterpiece. Anyway, I'll check those other albums out... eventually (you know by now it could take a while ).

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 07.05.2013 at 16:17

Not only around here, but all around the metal and death metal world. And tbh only Focus is worth it, the rest Cynic has done is average at best.

As I said before, I might give it a second chance, but I highly doubt I'll enjoy it. And it's very simple: if I cannot enjoy an album at all, it isn't going to be on this list.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 07.05.2013 at 16:17

Not only around here, but all around the metal and death metal world. And tbh only Focus is worth it, the rest Cynic has done is average at best.

When I first checked out Cynic I had a listen to their debut and I heard some raw elements that detracted from my enjoyment. When they removed those aspects and came out with Traced In Air, I found their music much more pleasing. So it clearly depends on what your metal background is like; being fond of progressive rather than death means Traced In Air > Focus for me

Not sure if you were implying anything of the sort but I thought I'd clarify my opinion anyhow.

Written by LeKiwi on 06.05.2013 at 19:26

Although some of these bands' debuts aren't for me they seem to be appraised. I've starred the albums that I enjoy the most (or enjoyed what I've listen to so far.)

Amiensus, Animals As Leaders*, Beyond Creation*, Beyond Twilight*, Bloodbath*, Cynic, Dissona*, Dragged Into Sunlight*, Hands Of Despair, Headspace, Kalmah, In Vain*, Masterplan*, Necrophagist, Obsidian Kingdom*, Periphery*, Shaolin Death Squad*, Tesseract* (songs from their first EP), Today I Caught The Plague*.

Finally adding these albums to my to-listen-list, so don't get your hopes up just yet. One (rhetorical) question though: you really love progressive metal, don't you? Always good to have some more progressive bands on this list. I was amazed I didn't know most of these while they all get pretty high to very high ratings on different sites. I also like the fact that most of these are featured as full albums/playlists on Youtube, so it's really easy for me to check them out. I expect to add them in the next few (weeks or) months, although Cynic will not be included... probably. Furthermore, which album do I need to check out from Dissona? I mean, MS has an explanation and all, but Metallum and their bandcamp page say Ten Masks is actually their debut.

Written by Erik M. on 09.05.2013 at 00:56

Furthermore, which album do I need to check out from Dissona? I mean, MS has an explanation and all, but Metallum and their bandcamp page say Ten Masks is actually their debut.

To be honest, I haven't checked out Ten Masks yet and for all I know it could surpass their self-titled. But for the sake of this list consider their 2012 release their debut

Progressive is probably my favourite genre (if you could call it one as it's an amalgamation of several) but there are numerous prog albums that irritate me. It all boils down to the small details and I'm quite meticulous when it comes to filtering out the tracks/albums/bands I dislike, so I'm sure there are many other prog albums that are worthy of this list that I've discarded or not spotted yet

For instance Disperse's debut might be one to consider, but I can't tolerate the vocalist's accent and the frequent use of major scales/chords.

Written by LeKiwi on 09.05.2013 at 14:52

To be honest, I haven't checked out Ten Masks yet and for all I know it could surpass their self-titled. But for the sake of this list consider their 2012 release their debut

Progressive is probably my favourite genre (if you could call it one as it's an amalgamation of several) but there are numerous prog albums that irritate me. It all boils down to the small details and I'm quite meticulous when it comes to filtering out the tracks/albums/bands I dislike, so I'm sure there are many other prog albums that are worthy of this list that I've discarded or not spotted yet

For instance Disperse's debut might be one to consider, but I can't tolerate the vocalist's accent and the frequent use of major scales/chords.

Okay, I'll go with Dissona - Dissona then. But don't worry about your suggestions, because you gave me plenty music to check out (16 albums that I added to my to-listen-list, in fact). Seeing your votes for some music is rather strange (for example, you gave 4's to two albums of Agalloch and a 5 to Athems to the Welkin At Dusk... as well as two 5's to Opeth albums... I assume black metal isn't your cup of tea), I'd admit that much, although it all comes down to opinions in the end. I'm a bit the same in that regard, for example when I don't like the vocals of music. There's also music being praised a lot that I don't think is all that great, like Weighing Souls With Sand. Can't listen to that kind of music at all.

You know that every today's well known /successful band had a great debut album?

Written by ANGEL REAPER on 18.05.2013 at 03:04

You know that every today's well known /successful band had a great debut album?

No, what are you on about?

Written by Erik M. on 18.05.2013 at 14:42

Written by ANGEL REAPER on 18.05.2013 at 03:04

You know that every today's well known /successful band had a great debut album?

No, what are you on about?

you will never catch 'em all....

Written by ANGEL REAPER on 18.05.2013 at 16:11

you will never catch 'em all....

Haha, but I never had the intention of adding every great debut that was ever created. I just wanted to make a good list and discovering new music through it.

This list is getting longer , Did I suggest you to add How Like A Winter 's Debut ? I really like this album ! I guess this has been added to the list newly , also Rapture,Shape of Despair,Slayer,Possessed, In the Silence,Myrath,and Testament, am I right ?

Written by [user id=130727] on 18.05.2013 at 17:47

This list is getting longer , Did I suggest you to add How Like A Winter 's Debut ? I really like this album ! I guess this has been added to the list newly , also Rapture,Shape of Despair,Slayer,Possessed, In the Silence,Myrath,and Testament, am I right ?

No, you didn't. I really like all of those albums as well. But honestly, Shape of Despair's debut is the best out of those for me. Very atmospheric and relaxing stuff.

Any more stuff that I need to add in your opinion?

Written by Erik M. on 18.05.2013 at 18:02


No, you didn't. I really like all of those albums as well. But honestly, Shape of Despair's debut is the best out of those for me. Very atmospheric and relaxing stuff.

Any more stuff that I need to add in your opinion?

not at the moment, for sure I will if I find anything notable to mention, BTW now that you liked Rapture's debut I highly recommend you listen to Songs For The Withering by them too, seriousely one of the best albums I have ever found !

Machine Head and Pentagram?

Written by [user id=101272] on 23.05.2013 at 22:28

Machine Head and Pentagram?

Hah, that's a good one, given our discussion a few days ago. Anyway, you made it clear Machine Head isn't really Nu in the first place, so I'll definitely check it out then. I've been wanting to check out Pentagram for a while now, but still haven't done so.

Just let me know if there are any other essential (or at least great) debut albums missing in your opinion.

Written by Erik M. on 23.05.2013 at 22:36

Hah, that's a good one, given our discussion a few days ago. Anyway, you made it clear Machine Head isn't really Nu in the first place, so I'll definitely check it out then. I've been wanting to check out Pentagram for a while now, but still haven't done so.

Just let me know if there are any other essential (or at least great) debut albums missing in your opinion.

That's all I ask. Just be sure -*cough* even if there's nothing wrong with nu metal *cough*- that Machine Head's debut is not and is definitely one of the best debuts in groove metal.
Pentagram's debut is just as good; a nice slab of underrated doom metal.
I'll also keep an eye out for others and keep you posted.

Written by [user id=101272] on 24.05.2013 at 02:29

That's all I ask. Just be sure -*cough* even if there's nothing wrong with nu metal *cough*- that Machine Head's debut is not and is definitely one of the best debuts in groove metal.
Pentagram's debut is just as good; a nice slab of underrated doom metal.
I'll also keep an eye out for others and keep you posted.

Hehe, I haven't heard a lot (if any ) groove metal, so I guess I just wait and hear to find out. And I'm quite familiar with doom metal (especially death/doom), so I guess Pentagram will be added anyway. This list is huge, but it still needs to be bigger. You'd know since your list is even longer.

Written by Erik M. on 24.05.2013 at 02:39

Hehe, I haven't heard a lot (if any ) groove metal, so I guess I just wait and hear to find out. And I'm quite familiar with doom metal (especially death/doom), so I guess Pentagram will be added anyway. This list is huge, but it still needs to be bigger. You'd know since your list is even longer.

Well, while we're on that note, check out groove metallers Exhorder. They have a decent debut (Slaughter in the Vatican).

Great list, pretty authoritative too just due to the sheer length
I especially like how you bridged the gap between old and modern debuts, just goes to show that there are still plenty of great bands releasing quality albums today that some time in the future may be highly regarded as classics in themselves. I've got two that you can add though
1. Hail Spirit Noir - Pneuma (2012): Greek progressive black metal, really kinda psychedelic and an all-around fun release, plays with the inside of your head a lot and they're planning on following it up with another this year. If you're really into black metal, you gotta give this a peek.
2. Vektor - Black Future (2009): American progressive thrash. Sort of like a modern version of Voivod in all honesty: kinda technical, occasionally long songs, with a total space/sci fi theme. These guys bring a lot of fresh originality and great songwriting to the modern "thrash revival" scene that for the most part just stinks of Exodus and Kreator wannabes.

Written by Auntie Sahar on 25.05.2013 at 22:42

Great list, pretty authoritative too just due to the sheer length
I especially like how you bridged the gap between old and modern debuts, just goes to show that there are still plenty of great bands releasing quality albums today that some time in the future may be highly regarded as classics in themselves. I've got two that you can add though
1. Hail Spirit Noir - Pneuma (2012): Greek progressive black metal, really kinda psychedelic and an all-around fun release, plays with the inside of your head a lot and they're planning on following it up with another this year. If you're really into black metal, you gotta give this a peek.
2. Vektor - Black Future (2009): American progressive thrash. Sort of like a modern version of Voivod in all honesty: kinda technical, occasionally long songs, with a total space/sci fi theme. These guys bring a lot of fresh originality and great songwriting to the modern "thrash revival" scene that for the most part just stinks of Exodus and Kreator wannabes.

Thanks man! I know it's long, but it'll only increase in length. And there are definitely more modern debuts than old ones, but that's because I mainly listen to stuff of the 90's and later. Since I'm nearing an update and already checked out the usual 10 albums (I add 10 new albums each time I update this list) your albums will be added when I update it next week or so, if I like them enough that is (but I think the chances are pretty significant).

Written by X-Ray Rod on 18.01.2013 at 23:57

Definitely approve Nosurper's idea of
Godflesh - Streetcleaner
Lurker of Chalice - Lurker of Chalice

One being the monolith of industrial metal to me and the second one being some of the eeriest ambient black metal around.

I finally decided to add Godflesh. I liked it a lot more the second time. Lurker Of Chalice was already added months ago.

Written by [user id=101272] on 24.05.2013 at 03:11

Well, while we're on that note, check out groove metallers Exhorder. They have a decent debut (Slaughter in the Vatican).

Yep, just added Exhorder, definitely great stuff.

Written by [user id=101272] on 23.05.2013 at 22:28

Machine Head and Pentagram?

Forgot about these, but I already added them to this list last week, haha. Machine Head's debut is definitely a brutal album, holy shit. I've heard several albums by them, but this one destroys all of them (haven't heard The Blackening though, which is highest rated on MS) easily.

Pentagram was a little boring at first, but it grew on me. After one listen I think it's a great album, but it deserves more spins.