1. Rhapsody- Dawn of Victory
Dawn of Victory is absolute fire. In contrast to the band's previous two records, this is heavier, faster and more high energy. If anything, they've taken the symphonic elements back just a notch, resulting in a record with a lot more drive. Tracks like the title track, "Triumph of My Magic Steel" and "My Last Winged Unicorn" are all totally addictive, and "Holy Thunderforce" is in my eyes the best song they ever wrote. At the same time, this record includes one of their best epics in "The Mighty Ride of the Firelord," a dramatic symphonic epic with a series of highs and lows that keeps coming back to an amazing chorus and includes a chilling crescendo. If you have even a passing interest in symphonic power metal, this record is a must.
2. Immolation- Close to a World Below
Immolation released a number of awesome death metal albums in the 90s, but it is on
Close to a World Below that they reach the next level. The foundation remains nasty, contorted riffs, and low yet comprehensible death growls. However, this album adds in more technicality, with lots complex rhythms and riffs. Yet, Immolation do a great job of a striking a balance, as a warped technical passage almost always feeds back into a memorable groove. Another area of improvement is the production. While there is something appealing about the muddier production of the previous albums, the crisp production on
Close to a World Below highlights instrumentation and interplay. Moreover, the iconoclastic fury that drives most Immolation, feels so front and center on
Close to World Below.
3. Stratovarius- Infinite
First of all, I just have to say that this album cover looks like one of those Lisa Frank binders. This is the album where Stratovarious peak. Here, Stratovarius find equilibrium between the progressive and symphonic elements while delivering some of their most memorable songs. "Hunting High and Low," "Millennium," "Phoenix" and "A Million Lightyears Away" are all loaded with great melodies that will stick in your head. Significantly, Timo Kotipelto delivers a very strong performance, showing much more discipline in his delivery and giving a warmer performance with fewer strained high notes. The album also has one of their most interesting songs- the gradually developing epic, "Infinity." Overall, if you want one Stratovarius album, this should be it.
4. Lykathea Aflame- Elvenefris
Yet another one-off album,
Elvenefris is death metal album themed to ancient Egypt, inevitably leading to Nile comparisons. However, musically, the two bands don't sound much alike. Lykathea Aflame have such an interesting mix of sounds. The foundation of this album is super low, muddy death metal that at times almost sounds like deathgrind. However, those heavier passages are interspersed with more melodic passages highlighted by some of the most divine, ethereal leads you'll find in extreme metal. The contrast implies some interplay between the sacred and the profane, or life and the afterlife. The vocals likewise offer a contrast between deep gurgled growls and clean singing that would sound right at home on a folk metal record. The record also closes with one of the most beautiful pieces of ambient any metal band has ever created, the eleven minute masterpiece "Walking in the Garden of Ma'at."
5. Deftones- White Pony
2000 was right at the heart of the explosion of nu metal and metal was probably bigger than it had been since the late 80s. Most of the nu metal bands have little of substance to offer, but Deftones, who I really consider more alternative metal with a few nu metal tracks, are the exception to the rule. This is a deeply atmospheric album, with haunting tones and rich layering. This is largely due to the shimmering guitar tone and DJ Frank Delgado's atmospheric touches (more similar to what Noah Landis does in Neurosis than what you might expect when you hear "DJ"). Chino Moreno's vocals fit perfectly into this style. He has a unique voice that can shift from icy cold to warm in an instant. He sound equally powerful doing clean vocals and a more hardcore shout. He hits some crazy falsetto notes that are raspy yet melodic. There's good variety on the record, with with more aggressive tracks like "Korea" and "Elite," and more atmospheric songs like "Change (House of Flies)" and "Knife Party." "Passenger" is another highlight, as it features Maynard James Keenan from Tool, resulting in some truly compelling interplay between two of the most distinct singers in alternative metal.
6. Nightwish- Wishmaster
Following up a masterpiece is no easy task, and while
Wishmaster is not as immaculate as
Oceanborn, it's still an excellent work.
Wishmaster is stylistically very similar to
Oceanborn: symphonic power metal with operatic vocals. If anything, this record can be critiqued for being a little safe in its shadowing of its predecessor. Still, at the end of the day, these songs deliver virtuosic musicianship, catchy choruses, and magical atmospheres. Every song on here is memorable. Tarja Turunen's vocals, as always, steal the show with her amazing power, range, and dramatic delivery. Also, the eight minute closer, "FantasMic" show the band exploring more progressive structures, which they would further develop on future records.
7. Isis- Celestial
Throughout the 90s, Neurosis were the vanguards for the more progressive or atmospheric brand of sludge metal. Isis is the first band of note to really build on Neurosis's legacy. While the influence is evident (heavy riffs, hardcore shouts, atmospheric elements), Isis do develop their own sound. Usually, it's the band's second album,
Oceanic that gets all the attention, and while that record is excellent, this debut deserves more attention than it gets. This is their heaviest album, with some absolutely crushing passages of sludge. However, offer great contrasts, as the more minimalist clean sections of this album work to accentuate the punch of the heavy passages. The instrumental "Deconstructing Towers" is a great example of this, as the acoustic passage at the end feels equally nerve-wrecking as the the pummeling riffs that preceded it.
8. Graveland- Creed of Iron
Creed of Iron is Rob Darken's second viking black metal record. it thins down the symphonic elements, using them more as an ambience builder rather than the driving force they played on
Immortal Pride. This results in a bit more aggressive of an album, with the primitive militant vibe being more prevalent. While the songs are still long, they are shorter than their predecessors, ranging from 9-11 minutes, as opposed to 16-23 minutes. The songs each have a few progressions that are revisited in an organized matter. The riffs and melodies are excellent, yet again, with that archaic folky sensibility. This is the first Graveland album to use a drum machine, but damn does Rob find some amazingly groovy tribal drum patterns to drive this album.
9. Dying Fetus- Destroy the Opposition
Destroy the Opposition is an excellent piece of brutal death metal that manages to subtly blend in other styles of death metal. Dying Fetus started as a goregrind band, and there are still hints of those roots in the sound, especially in the interplay between the lower brutal growl and the occasional higher shouts. Rhythmically, this band is all over the place. Some of the faster passages can get pretty technical, especially with the leads that offer lots of scaling. However, the band also goes into some great groovy mid tempo sections that are so damn infectious. The interplay of these different sounds results in a highly engaging record. Additionally, at least on this album, Dying Fetus focus on more punk rock anti-establishment and anti-government lyrical themes.
10. Nile- Black Seeds of Vengeance
Nile are famous for their Egyptian themed death metal. It's a really cool idea, as they mix pretty brutal passages of death metal with other passages that focus more on heaviness. Then, they infuse it with all these Egyptian themed passages, sometimes through percussion, other times through synths, and yet other times through chanted vocals. Their second album is one of their best, as it maintains the atmospheric folk songs but also offers a variety of death metal tracks from from fast paced bangers to the doom infused epic "To Dream of Ur."
Honorable mentions:
Weakling- Dead as Dreams
Dark Moor- Hall of the Olden Dreams
Garden of Shadows- Oracle Moon
Countess- Shining Swords of Hate
The Chasm- Procession to the Infraworld
Iron Maiden- Brave New World
Cradle of Filth- Midian
Abyssic Hate- Suicidal Emotions
