An interesting year for metal imo, not the most memorable but still had it's fair share of great albums.

My top 15 would be:

1. Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done
2. Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness
3. Inquisition - Invoking The Majestic Throne Of Satan
4. Agalloch - The Mantle
5. Sirenia - At Sixes And Sevens
6. Amon Amarth - Versus The World
7. Rhapsody - Power Of The Dragonflame
8. Bathory - Nordland I
9. Bloodbath - Resurrection Through Carnage
10. Opeth - Deliverance
11. Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines
12. Decapitated - Nihility
13. Xasthur - Nocturnal Poisoning
14. Nightwish - Century Child
15. Motörhead - Hammered

Yeah, not among the best years in metal. Hence, I only have a handful of highlights worth mentioning.

1. Agalloch - The Mantle
2. Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done
3. Mourning Beloveth - The Sullen Sulcus
4. In Flames - Reroute To Remain
5. Opeth - Deliverance
6. Blind Guardian - A Night At The Opera
7. Bathory - Nordland I
8. Desire - Locus Horrendus - The Night Cries Of A Sullen Soul...

My top picks:
Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines
Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness
Isis - Oceanic
Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done
Reverend Bizarre - In The Rectory Of The Bizarre Reverend

I must admit I struggled a lot to find 30 albums to put on the list. 2002 had some great albums, but overall it was not a strong year for metal releases. It is interesting how much it can vary from year to year, as 2005 had an abundance of releases to choose from.