Top 123 Albums of the 1990s

Album index | Top albums | Bottom albums | Album charts | Top lists | Staff picks

Top 123 Albums of the 1990s

List image
A list by
nonZero
Created
February 19, 2025
Entries
123
Endorsements
2
Here are the 90s albums that have stood out and made the largest impact on me. To be as transparent as possible, I've labelled albums as 'nostalgia bias' where my memories of the band give it an advantage over others.

(Score is an average of each album's song ratings, full list located here. There are a ton of albums that I've rated 9/10 in the 'TBR' tab that may never make it to this list, be sure to check those out.)

If you discovered any new albums or like the same sort of 90s metal, be sure to give this list a thumbs-up and leave a comment so more people can find these amazing bands!

My other lists:
Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 25 EPs (also ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
Top 200 Overrated Albums (trigger warning)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
123.
1.
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
10/10 (nostalgia bias) · Industrial Metal · 1994
123.
2.
Edge Of Sanity - Crimson
10/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1996
123.
3.
Opeth - Still Life
9.93/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1999
123.
4.
Pantera - Vulgar Display Of Power
9.82/10 · Groove Thrash Metal · 1992
123.
5.
Metallica - Metallica
9.79/10 · Heavy Metal · 1991
123.
6.
Alice In Chains - Dirt
9.71/10 · Grunge · 1992
123.
7.
Death - The Sound Of Perseverance
9.69/10 · Progressive Thrash Metal · 1998
123.
8.
Nirvana - Nevermind
9.67/10 · Grunge · 1991
123.
9.
Radiohead - OK Computer
9.55/10 · Alternative Rock · 1997
123.
10.
Faith No More - Angel Dust
9.54/10 · Alternative Metal · 1992
123.
11.
Dissection - Storm Of The Light's Bane
9.50/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1995
123.
12.
Judas Priest - Painkiller
9.50/10 · Heavy Metal · 1990
123.
13.
Emperor - Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
9.43/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1997
123.
14.
Machine Head - Burn My Eyes
9.41/10 (nostalgia bias) · Groove Thrash Metal · 1994
123.
15.
Death - Human
9.31/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1991
123.
16.
At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul
9.28/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1995
123.
17.
Testament - The Gathering
9.23/10 · Thrash Metal · 1999
123.
18.
Megadeth - Rust In Peace
9.22/10 · Thrash Metal · 1990
123.
19.
Empyrium - Songs Of Moors And Misty Fields
9.20/10 · Doom Folk Metal · 1997
123.
20.
In Flames - The Jester Race
9.20/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1996
123.
21.
Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss
9.20/10 · Thrash Metal · 1990
123.
22.
Dismember - Like An Ever Flowing Stream
9.19/10 · Death Metal · 1991
123.
23.
Dark Tranquillity - The Gallery
9.18/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1995
123.
24.
Death - Symbolic
9.17/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1995
123.
25.
Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse
9.13/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1994
123.
26.
Nirvana - In Utero
9.13/10 · Grunge · 1993
123.
27.
Sepultura - Arise
9.11/10 · Thrash Metal · 1991
123.
28.
Tiamat - Wildhoney
9.07/10 · Atmospheric Gothic Metal · 1994
123.
29.
October Tide - Rain Without End
9.07/10 · Melodic Doom Metal · 1997
123.
30.
Children Of Bodom - Hatebreeder
9.06/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1999
123.
31.
Blind Guardian - Imaginations From The Other Side
9.06/10 · Power Metal · 1995
123.
32.
Vinterland - Welcome My Last Chapter
9.06/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1996
123.
33.
Wrathchild America - 3-D
9.05/10 · Technical Thrash Metal · 1991
123.
34.
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II
9.00/10 (excluding tracks 13 & 14) · Hard Rock · 1991
123.
35.
Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free
9.00/10 · Power Metal · 1995
123.
36.
Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse
9.00/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1998
123.
37.
Cynic - Focus
9.00/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1993
123.
38.
Symphony X - The Divine Wings Of Tragedy
9.00/10 · Progressive Power Metal · 1997
123.
39.
Therion - Theli
9.00/10 · Symphonic Metal · 1996
123.
40.
Aria - Кровь За Кровь
9.00/10 · Heavy Metal · 1991
123.
41.
Lord Belial - Enter The Moonlight Gate
9.00/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1997
123.
42.
Stratovarius - Visions
8.95/10 · Power Metal · 1997
123.
43.
Anacrusis - Screams And Whispers
8.95/10 · Progressive Thrash Metal · 1993
123.
44.
Entombed - Left Hand Path
8.95/10 · Death Metal · 1990
123.
45.
Skinny Puppy - Too Dark Park
8.95/10 · Industrial Metal · 1990
123.
46.
Dan Swanö - Moontower
8.94/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1999
123.
47.
Necrophobic - The Nocturnal Silence
8.94/10 · Death Metal · 1993
123.
48.
Rhapsody - Symphony Of Enchanted Lands
8.94/10 · Symphonic Power Metal · 1998
123.
49.
Cryptopsy - None So Vile
8.94/10 · Brutal Death Metal · 1996
123.
50.
X Japan - Art Of Life
8.93/10 · Progressive Power Metal · 1993
123.
51.
Bathory - Hammerheart
8.93/10 · Black Metal · 1990
123.
52.
My Dying Bride - The Angel And The Dark River
8.92/10 · Gothic Doom Metal · 1995
123.
53.
Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory
8.90/10 · Progressive Metal · 1999
123.
54.
In Flames - Whoracle
8.90/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1997
123.
55.
Nightwish - Oceanborn
8.89/10 · Symphonic Power Metal · 1998
123.
56.
Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond
8.89/10 · Power Metal · 1992
123.
57.
Sentenced - Down
8.89/10 · Suomi Metal · 1996
123.
58.
Obituary - Cause Of Death
8.89/10 · Death Metal · 1990
123.
59.
Artillery - By Inheritance
8.88/10 (excluding track 9) · Thrash Metal · 1990
123.
60.
Dissection - The Somberlain
8.88/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1993
123.
61.
Cradle Of Filth - Cruelty And The Beast
8.86/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1998
123.
62.
Tristania - Widow's Weeds
8.86/10 · Symphonic Gothic Metal · 1998
123.
63.
Carcass - Heartwork
8.85/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1993
123.
64.
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I
8.84/10 · Hard Rock · 1991
123.
65.
Bolt Thrower - ...For Victory
8.83/10 · Death Metal · 1994
123.
66.
Blind Guardian - Nightfall In Middle-Earth
8.82/10 · Power Metal · 1998
123.
67.
Pestilence - Testimony Of The Ancients
8.81/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1991
123.
68.
Rapture - Futile
8.81/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1999
123.
69.
Nocturnus - The Key
8.80/10 · Atmospheric Death Metal · 1990
123.
70.
Sonata Arctica - Ecliptica
8.80/10 · Power Metal · 1999
123.
71.
Deicide - Deicide
8.80/10 · Death Metal · 1990
123.
72.
Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine
8.80/10 · Nu Metal · 1992
123.
73.
Pantera - Far Beyond Driven
8.79/10 · Groove Thrash Metal · 1994
123.
74.
Pantera - Cowboys From Hell
8.79/10 · Groove Thrash Metal · 1990
123.
75.
Coroner - Mental Vortex
8.79/10 (excluding track 8) · Technical Thrash Metal · 1991
123.
76.
Aria - Ночь Короче Дня
8.78/10 · Heavy Metal · 1995
123.
77.
Morbid Angel - Covenant
8.78/10 · Death Metal · 1993
123.
78.
Summoning - Stronghold
8.75/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 1999
123.
79.
Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding
8.75/10 · Heavy Metal · 1998
123.
80.
Dimmu Borgir - Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
8.75/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1997
123.
81.
Kreator - Coma Of Souls
8.75/10 · Thrash Metal · 1990
123.
82.
Windir - Arntor
8.75/10 · Viking Black Metal · 1999
123.
83.
Virgin Steele - The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Part II
8.75/10 · Symphonic Metal · 1995
123.
84.
Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears
8.73/10 · Heavy Metal · 1991
123.
85.
Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out In Space
8.73/10 (excluding track 12) · Power Metal · 1997
123.
86.
Tristania - Beyond The Veil
8.72/10 · Gothic Metal · 1999
123.
87.
Sanctuary - Into The Mirror Black
8.72/10 · Power Metal · 1990
123.
88.
Gorguts - Obscura
8.71/10 · Technical Death Metal · 1998
123.
89.
Cradle Of Filth - Dusk... And Her Embrace
8.71/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1996
123.
90.
Diabolical Masquerade - Nightwork
8.71/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1998
123.
91.
Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding
8.70/10 · Death Metal · 1994
123.
92.
Atheist - Unquestionable Presence
8.69/10 · Technical Death Metal · 1991
123.
93.
Demolition Hammer - Epidemic Of Violence
8.69/10 · Thrash Metal · 1992
123.
94.
Stratovarius - Episode
8.68/10 · Power Metal · 1996
123.
95.
Morbid Angel - Domination
8.67/10 · Death Metal · 1995
123.
96.
Graveworm - As The Angels Reach The Beauty
8.67/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1999
123.
97.
Sacramentum - Far Away From The Sun
8.67/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1996
123.
98.
Mr. Bungle - Disco Volante
8.67/10 · Avantgarde Metal · 1995
123.
99.
Dawn - Slaughtersun (Crown Of The Triarchy)
8.67/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1998
123.
100.
W.A.S.P. - The Crimson Idol
8.67/10 · Heavy Metal · 1992
123.
101.
Bathory - Twilight Of The Gods
8.64/10 · Black Metal · 1991
123.
102.
Gamma Ray - Power Plant
8.64/10 · Power Metal · 1999
123.
103.
Samael - Passage
8.64/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1996
123.
104.
Morgion - Solinari
8.64/10 · Death Doom Metal · 1999
123.
105.
Saturnus - Paradise Belongs To You
8.63/10 · Gothic Doom Metal · 1997
123.
106.
Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses
8.61/10 · Gothic Metal · 1993
123.
107.
Acid Bath - When The Kite String Pops
8.61/10 · Doom Metal · 1994
123.
108.
The Elysian Fields - We...The Enlightened
8.61/10 · Melodic Black Metal · 1999
123.
109.
Iced Earth - Night Of The Stormrider
8.61/10 · Power Metal · 1991
123.
110.
Opeth - Morningrise
8.60/10 · Progressive Death Metal · 1996
123.
111.
Empyrium - A Wintersunset...
8.60/10 · Doom Folk Metal · 1996
123.
112.
Ayreon - Into The Electric Castle
8.60/10 · Progressive Metal · 1998
123.
113.
Cradle Of Filth - Vempire Or Dark Faerytales In Phallustein
8.60/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1996
123.
114.
Rammstein - Sehnsucht
8.59/10 · Industrial Metal · 1997
123.
115.
Agalloch - Pale Folklore
8.57/10 · Atmospheric Black Metal · 1999
123.
116.
Limbonic Art - In Abhorrence Dementia
8.56/10 · Symphonic Black Metal · 1997
123.
117.
Strapping Young Lad - City
8.56/10 · Industrial Metal · 1997
123.
118.
Mr. Bungle - California
8.56/10 · Avantgarde Metal · 1999
123.
119.
Overkill - Horrorscope
8.55/10 · Thrash Metal · 1991
123.
120.
Danzig - Danzig II - Lucifuge
8.55/10 · Hard Rock · 1990
123.
121.
Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
8.50/10 · Grunge · 1991
123.
122.
Ulver - Bergtatt - Et Eeventyr I 5 Capitler
8.50/10 · Black Metal · 1995
123.
123.
Hypocrisy - Hypocrisy
8.50/10 · Melodic Death Metal · 1999
More lists by nonZero ››
Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by nonZero ]

Comments

‹‹ Back to Lists
Comments: 3 Visited by 11 users

Posts: 163
Permalink
05.04.2025 - 06:18

Posts: 163


Great list.
Loading...

Posts: 1376
Permalink
08.04.2025 - 11:59

Posts: 1376


Written by Kangaroo Jury on 05.04.2025 at 06:18

Great list.

Thanks! The 90s really was a great decade for music.
----
Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
Loading...

Posts: 5630
Permalink
+1
08.04.2025 - 12:13

Posts: 5630


Nice list, a lot of great ones in there.
----
I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
Loading...

Hits total: 342 | This month: 5