The best metal albums from the 21st century

Metal aside, it can be argued that Iowa is one of the great rock records of the 2000s. Saddled with pressure to follow up its stellar self-titled debut from two years prior, Slipknot did not disappoint with this well-polished yet undeniably heavy and intricate project that proved the band was going to be a Nu Metal force and set itself apart from contemporaries of the genre. A dark record, Iowa (where the band hailed from) produced a pair of Grammy Award-nominated tracks in "Left Behind" and "My Plague." However, the death-metal vibed "The Heretic Anthem" might be the highlight of this album.

It can be argued that the best parts of the 21st-century metal scene have come from the work of European bands. Mainstream metal in the United States, on the other hand, might be even more locked in a basement then during the early 1980s. With the likes of Metallica, the true exception. That said, there are plenty of reasons to appreciate American metal, and Massachusetts' Converge has carried the banner with vigor and power since 1990. It's put out 10 studio albums, but the fourth, Jane Doe, has long been considered a metalcore masterpiece. Ferocious, yet emotional, Jane Doe is a captivating album, right from the opening notes of opening number "Concubine."

Elusive and somewhat mysterious, Tool has always been an intriguing bunch. Of course, the music has plenty to do with the success and enigmatic reputation. The band's first record of the 2000s is certainly among the best of its studio collection (which, as of 2023, was only five albums). Lateralus debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and went double platinum. At the time, it could be argued that this was Tool's most complex, yet intricate record. The track "Schism" won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. 

As of 2023, System of a Down put out just five studio albums, and none since 2005. So, when looking back in the annals of the band, it's easy to land at this stellar sophomore effort. During the turn of the century, this release brought hope for the future of metal, notably within the mainstream. Critics have wanted to house System of a Down in the Nu Metal camp, but it's undeniable alternative metal, with plenty of progressive tendencies. Toxicity is all over the place in terms of sound, and even features some elements of jazz. A complex record no doubt, it touches on topics like brutality, the environment and addiction. It topped the Billboard 200 in the United States, and singles "Chop Suey!" and "Aerials" earned the group its first two Grammy nominations.

Consummate professionals, and masters of technical metal, Dream Theater also happens to be one of the great progressive rock bands of all time. With this double album from the early 2000s, Dream Theater kept up its frenetic yet melodic fervor, along with those ever-so-complex time signatures. The flow and arrangement of the album seem like a heavier version of Rush, though the band has noted this particular project drew influence from faster bands like Pantera and early Metallica. The nearly 14-minute, Mike Portnoy-penned opener "The Glass Prison" is broken down into three parts before going into the 10-minute-plus "Blind Faith."

The first of two mentions from Lamb of God on this list. In fact, the only band to earn that distinction here. Why? Because Lamb of God essentially helped revive true thrash metal in the U.S. during the 2000s. We start with the hard-charging, brain-busting As the Palaces Burn. Fueled by celebrated Lamb of God tracks like "Ruin," Vigil" and "11th Hour." A guitar-driven record, As the Palaces Burn cracked the Billboard 200 in the U.S., and is considered, by music critics, to be one of the best albums of 2003, regardless of genre. 

Sure, to hardcore metal fans, Evanescence is not the type of band worth acknowledging. But, when it comes to mainstream success and accessibility to hard rock and heavy metal fans, especially those of the alternative and Nu Metal varieties, around the globe, this Little Rock, Ark., outfit, led by the powerful voice of Amy Lee, delivered one special debut. Backed by top-10 hits "Bring Me to Life" nd "My Immortal," Fallen sold 10 million copies in America, and more than 17 million on the international front -- leaving it among the high-selling albums of the 21st century. The band also won Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance, and Best New Artist, based on the album.

A year after the greatness that was As the Palaces Burn, Lamb of God came back with an even more intense album with Ashes of the Wake. Drawing inspiration from the war in Iraq, Ashes of the Wake might be the most powerful and impactful record that Lamb of God ever put out. The title cut, "Now You've Got Something to Die For" and "One Gun" are just a few examples of how gritty and grueling this record truly is, and that Lamb of God had taken itself to the forefront of American thrash metal scene. Thus, continuing to give hope to those fans longing for something of this ilk. 

The pride of Atlanta, Mastodon has done a solid of job of carrying the banner of progressive metal that remains a vital part of the movement. Leviathan, the band's sophomore effort, was its first concept album, and, at least partially, based on the classic novel Moby Dıck. If there's one word to describe the project, it would be "epic," even though the album runs a little more than 45 minutes long. The structure and bombast that metal fans have come to love about Mastodon was truly on display for the first time. It paved the way for a confident, extremely talented band to excel. "Iron Tusk" and "Blood and Thunder" remain the highlights.

As we'll see, and metal fans should know, that Europe is a haven for quality heavy metal. Even, though there has been a steady resurgence in the United States for the past 30 years or so. Back to Europe, and Finland specifically, for Nightwish (known for its blend of symphonic and goth metal), which put out its first studio album in 1997, and most recent in 2020. We go back to 2004 for Once, which sold 2.3 million copies and could even be considered progressive through the drum work of "Wish I Had an Angel" and the chanting found on "Creek Mary's Blood." Not to mention the 3 1/2-minute "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan," done in Finnish.

When it comes to the pioneers of the heavy metal subgenre of "Metalcore," Massachusetts' Killswitch Engage is at the forefront of the movement. In fact, the band is considered one of the key figures within the so-called New Wave of American Heavy Metal, which spanned roughly from the mid-1990s-to-mid-2000s. The End of Heartache (which peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200) has been considered an album that remains one of the highlights of the subgenre. It earned a Grammy nomination for the title track and saw "When Darkness Falls" included on the soundtrack for Freddy vs. Jason (2003).

For those fans who like their metal rather straightforward, fast and to the point, than this Avenged Sevenfold gem is a must-own. Now, it's not easy narrowing it down to one album to pick from the popular band, which has been at the center of the 21st century metal revival in the United States, but this a killer collection from start to finish. Considered one of the great guitar albums of all time, and not just within the metal community, and known for frontman M. Shadows' change in vocal stylings, City of Evil is home to "Bat Country," arguably Avenged Sevenfold's most well-known track.

A solid mix of progressive and death metal, Opeth has been going strong and crushing skulls with its music since the mid-1990s. And, 10 years after the release of its debut album Orchid, Opeth delivered the exceptional Ghost Reveries. The band returned to those progressive roots on this record, and put out songs that aren't for the faint of ears. The album is also a marathon, not a sprint, while checking in nearly 67 minutes in length. Four the eight songs are clocked at 10-plus minutes, led by "The Grand Conjuration," which was the only official single from the album.

Yes, the Swedes do metal well. And, Meshuggah has refined extreme metal to an art. And, since truly turning heads with its sophomore effort Destroy Erase Improve (1995), this has been one of the most influential bands of the genre. The 2000s have also been good to Meshuggah, and this 2008 effort seems to shine the brightest within the confines of the current century. obZen features just nine tracks, but all are intense, while showcasing the band's progression in terms of musical maturity. While "Bleed" has a mass-appeal vibe, the 9 1/2-minute closer "Dancers to a Discordant System" can stand toe-to-toe with any other notable gems from the Meshuggah catalog. 

Questioning just how "metal" Shinedown is understandable. However, the band does have a rightful place on the alternative metal scene. The Sound of Madness elevated the Floridians’ status as one of the top hard-rock bands of time. Perhaps Shinedown's hardcore fans think this record is a bit too mainstream -- after all "If You Only Knew" is a ballad. That said, the album is extremely personal — especially for frontman Brent Smith — and exceptionally polished. "Devour" and the title track provide an assault on the ears to begin an entertaining ride.

If Slayer truly returned to its thrash roots with 2001's God Hates Us All, World Painted Blood proved the band could still deliver at a high level, even during the late stages of a stellar career. This was Slayer's second-to-last studio album, and the final one to feature the classic lineup of Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman and Dave Lombardo. Though undeniably thrash, there is a quirkiness to the record, with a healthy element of experimentation that the group had going on during the 21st century. The title track and "World Painted Blood" each earned Grammy Award nominations.

Perhaps Disturbed's most personal, even darkest, album to date. At least it seemed so through the lyrics of frontman David Draiman. Asylum debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making it the fourth straight Disturbed record to achieve that distinction. Critics and fans saw this as an experimental project, compared to the group's previous four studio releases. Both "The Animal" and "Another Way to Die" went to No. 1 the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The latter also cracked the Hot 100, proving Disturbed was still making mainstream noise. 

After opening its run in the 2000s with the widely-panned St. Anger from 2003, then somewhat bouncing back with Death Magnetic (2008), Metallica returned to its heavier roots on Hardwired. Drummer Lars Ulrich stated, at the time, that this is his favorite Metallica album. That’s a bold statement. However, considering mainstream hard rock and metal content has been rather weak for a long time, this Metallica release remains the group's best from this century. The opening 1-2 punch of “Hardwired” and “Atlas, Rise!” was a sign Metallica had made a resurgence.

This was a tough call. Meliora (2015) is a fantastic record that won a pair of Grammy Awards. That said, Prequelle takes things to another level. Ghost records are a true experience for the ears. On the Swedish band’s Grammy-nominated fourth studio album, there's brilliance in its haunting simplicity with tracks like “Life Eternal,” and the action-hero-esque, '80s-influenced, “Rats.” Fronted by the masked Tobias Forge, Ghost has always been an acquired taste for some, but once metal fans, especially those of the progressive persuasion, absorb this particular effort, it's well worth the time spent.

Sure, it would be very easy, and perhaps just, to list 2002's Untouchables as the best Korn album of the 21st century. That said, Korn was still carrying the flag for Nu Metal prominence at that point. In 2019, the band was trying to regain the magic from the 1990s, and three years removed from its previous record. Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch was firmly re-entrenched with the group, while the lingering pain and grief from the death of the estranged wife of singer Jonathan Davis added notable elements of darkness and a raw honesty that made this one of the best records -- regardless of genre -- in 2019. "You'll Never Find Me" is considered one of Korn's all-time great tracks.

Seven albums into what's become a brilliant career for this French Prog Metal outfit, and things keep getting better and better. It can be argued that Fortitude is the best of the Gojira lot. Which, is actually saying quite a lot for fans of this celebrated band, that also exudes vibes of alternative and groove metal. Revolver named Fortitude the best metal album of 2021, while the single "Amazonia" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal Performance. The 6 1/2-minute "New Found" is also a worthwhile metal journey.

Almost six years passed between albums for these metal legends. And, even the most hardcore of Maiden fans should agree that this was worth the wait. Even in their elder state, Iron Maiden is still conceptually, lyrically and musically on top of its collective game. With Senjutsu, which spans more than 80 minutes, the token Maiden intricacies are there. While the in-depth complexity and power of the songs (with a rather consistent underlying theme of doom) is certainly on-point. The title cut, "Stratego" and "The Writing on the Wall" served as the first three songs to Iron Maiden's live shows in support of the album.

Ozzy's 21st-century resurgence truly came with 2020's Ordinary Man, released 10 after his previous record Scream. But, just when we thought Osbourne was done, with age and health ready to shut him down for good, he persevered with Patient Number 9. And, when it comes to his work from the 2000s, this is the highlight -- thus far. From the riveting title cut (which features the late Jeff Beck) to the mortality-perspective "God Only Knows," this is a mainstream metal record that's among the best in the post-COVID era. Other big names like Zakk Wylde, Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton and Mike McCready play on the recorded, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and earned the Grammy for Best Rock Album. Meanwhile, Duff McKagen and the late Taylor Hawkins have writing credits on the project. 

All that Dave Mustaine has been through personally and professionally, he still finds a way to churn out quality music. Despite the controversy surrounding long-time Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson during the making of this record, and what caused his dismissal from the band -- again, The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! made it out, and earned wide critical acclaim. On the strength of tracks like "Night Stalkers" (featuring Ice-T), the melodic "Soldier On" and the relationship-revenge-fueled "Killing Time," some critics believe this is the band's best work since 1992's Countdown to Extinction.

Connecticut's Fires in the Distance made a name for itself with its superbly crafted, 2020 melodic death-metal debut Echoes From Deep November. Then, it stepped up the game through Air Not Meant For Us. The album, made up of just six songs, was lauded for its cohesion. The record passionately and intensely cover such themes as mortality and mental health, while reinforcing its signature melodic tone (check out the instrumental "Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves") that makes Fires in the Distance a true metal force to be reckoned with down the road.