Right... Let's get this out of the way from the get-go. Alternative metal is hard to define. I guess that comes from it always wanting to experiment, explore and fuse heavy metal with non-metal music genres. It also makes it an ever changing and growing genre.

Also, before you guys flood me, yes my list contains a lot of Industrial & Nu Metal bands, as well as other genre.. As far as I'm concerned, my picks all fit quite well in the scope of an alternative metal list. Don't you agree? Wait... You disagree? Well, let's agree to disagree and move on.

As for the list itself, I'm going to try and list through time what I (me, myself & moi) consider as essential alternative albums. I will also limit myself to a maximum of 4 releases each year to prevent a messy list, which often makes it a difficult decision, especially in the early 2000's. So yes, it is possible your personal favourite won't be featured. You can tell me all about it in the comments below and we can discuss it, even argue it.

Now, have fun, enjoy my list and let me know what you think or would personally put in your favourite alt-metal list!

-Guib-

EDIT: I will now add my pick for best album of each year using the (best of xxxx) in the chosen album's description.

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Guib's Best Alternative Metal Album Picks

Best Of 2022
Polyphia - Remember That You Will Die

Best Of 2023
Mutoid Man - Mutants

Best of 2024 So Far
...tbd

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Last Updated: March 27th, 2024

1.Living Colour - Vivid

2.Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

3.Faith No More - The Real Thing

4.Godflesh - Streetcleaner

5.L7 - Smell The Magic

      View entire list ››

Great Songs on the 4 Strings, Classic songs… Remember from the rehearsal of your band, when the guy on the bass start to move the fingers on that song? Well this is a tribute to that moment and a tribute to those genius of the 4 strings.

1.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

2.Tool - Lateralus

3.Rush - Moving Pictures

4.Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

5.Motörhead - Ace Of Spades

      View entire list ››

This is very simple, I took the ratings for a bunch of alternative metal albums on MS and ranked them accordingly

To qualify:
The album must have been released when the band was labelled as "Alternative Metal" by MS. So for example the three most recent Gojira albums count, but early Gojira does not.

The band must have more than 10 fans on MS

Therefore this is not a reflection of my opinions, rather a reflection of numbers so if you wanna get mad, get mad at the numbers, not me. And remember that this really isn't that serious

1.Mass Hysteria - Contraddiction

2.Tool - Lateralus

3.The Butterfly Effect - IV

4.Tool - Ænima

5.Mass Hysteria - Le Bien-Être Et La Paix

      View entire list ››

1.System Of A Down - Toxicity

2.Soen - Lotus

3.Tool - Lateralus

4.Faith No More - The Real Thing

5.Tool - Ænima

      View entire list ››

1.Primus - Frizzle Fry

2.Primus - Sailing The Seas Of Cheese

3.Primus - Pork Soda

4.Primus - The Desaturating Seven

5.Primus - Green Naugahyde

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"CALENDAR MADE OF METAL"
January = Progressive Metal
Listening to as many albums as possible in said genre during said month and listing them here as I go. Suggestions welcome.

1.Rush - Caress Of Steel

2.Threshold - Wounded Land

3.Shadow Gallery - Carved In Stone

4.Porcupine Tree - Up The Downstair

5.Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways

      View entire list ››

An attempt to walk through almost 40 years of metal records, trying to pick one (and only one) record each year. The record that should be listened to at least once in life.
Some years are difficult because there are too many classics and in many situations the record that made it in the list is not my favorite by the band, but the one who had weaker competitors (and some of my favorite bands are not in the list too, for the same reason).

1.AC/DC - Back In Black

2.Motörhead - No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith

3.Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast

4.Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind

5.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

      View entire list ››

1.Metallica - Metallica

2.Sepultura - Arise

3.Death - Human

4.Carcass - Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious

5.Dismember - Like An Ever Flowing Stream

      View entire list ››

Wanna know what I headbang to on the regular? The releases that have seen countless re-spins... Well, this is a very simple list and something you've probably seen a lot of other MS users do in the past. Basically, I'm just going to list what are essential metal albums for me, my all time gems & masterpieces (very subjective and some are also in there due to nostalgia and sentimental value).

There's no particular ''Genre'' that I'll be covering and I will also try to limit myself to two albums per band and a few of my favorite tracks or highlights per album. Of course everything in this list is just my opinion, meaning that I'm not saying these albums are all masterpieces or whatnot, it's just my personal favorites. I hope most of you will agree with me and those few who don't, well... it's okay to be wrong, the next step is acceptance

🇨🇦 = From Canada, My Country!

Last Updated: April 15th, 2024

1.Absu - The Third Storm Of Cythrául

2.AC/DC - High Voltage

3.Alestorm - Black Sails At Midnight

4.Alien Weaponry - Tū

5.Amon Amarth - Fate Of Norns

      View entire list ››

Smooth as a babe's bottom on a well oiled judas chair.

1.Pantera - Far Beyond Driven

2.Strapping Young Lad - Alien

3.Reverence - The Asthenic Ascension

4.Meshuggah - Contradictions Collapse

5.Pantera - The Great Southern Trendkill

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Just a few of the albums I listened to early on that got me to be the metalhead I am now. I think everyone should have a list like this.

1.Metallica - Metallica

2.Rammstein - Sehnsucht

3.Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard Of Ozz

4.Cradle Of Filth - Nymphetamine

5.Korn - Follow The Leader

      View entire list ››

Here it is. In all it's glory, righteousness, and sexy-time (as in me air flute-ing the flute solo in Cross-Eyed Mary) delightful-ness. Mah kitteh and I's favorite things to jam to. As you may realize, this list is far better than any list you guys could make up, SO feel free to copy my EXACT list and post it on your profile. >:[

1.Pain Of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Part I

2.Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Beethoven's Last Night

3.Megadeth - Rust In Peace

4.Iron Maiden - Powerslave

5.Faith No More - Angel Dust

      View entire list ››