Mike's Top 50 Albums of the 2000's

[Epidemic Reign]

I'm still relatively new here, considering I've only been posting on a regular basis since September-ish. So if any of you would like to get to know me better, here's your chance

MPF's thread inspired me to start my own. As you can see, I'm not doing a proper "all-time" list, because I felt that limiting myself to the decade that had the most impact on my current taste in music would result in a much more cohesive list. About half of these albums would wind up on my all-time list anyway. I'm also limiting this list to METAL only, because my taste in non-metal is very random and that would just complicate things.

To clarify once more, this is my top 50 favorite albums from 2000-2009. Not necessarily the "best" albums released in that ten years, but the ones that mean the most to me. Please give me some feedback, and if you happen to see anything you're unfamiliar with, check it out... you might like it

Starting with #50 shortly!

[Epidemic Reign]

50.) Septicflesh - Communion (2008)

When you start your album off with a song about H.P. Lovecraft, it's safe to say you've caught my attention. I discovered Septicflesh when I found out I would be seeing them open for Cradle of Filth and Satyricon in February '09. After listening to "Anubis" on their myspace page, I immediately purchased this album via iTunes... and I was not disappointed in the least. Communion is brutal, beautiful, and epic as fuck.

Favorite Track: "Persepolis"

[Epidemic Reign]

49.) Symphorce - Godspeed (2005)

One thing you won't see a whole lot of on this list is power metal. Not that I dislike it, I just haven't taken much time to explore what's out there. I blind-bought this album when I was in Best Buy one day. Not too sure why, considering the cover isn't really all that fascinating... I suppose it was because finding a metal band I hadn't heard of in BEST BUY of all places kind of blew my mind. The music here is really catchy, but also groovy and quite heavy at times. To be honest, it's really more along the lines of hard rock than power metal for the most part. Nevertheless, it's a really good album with solid songwriting and a fantastic vocal performance by Andy B. Franck.

Favorite Track: "Wounds Will Last Within"

[Epidemic Reign]

48. Moonspell - Night Eternal (2008)

It was almost a tough call between this and The Antidote (you won't find repeaters in this list), as the latter was my first Moonspell album and essentially played a larger part in developing my overall taste. However, Night Eternal is without a doubt a much better and more diverse album. There is a wonderful blend of gothic/symphonic and melodic death metal on display here, as well as a guest appearance by the ever-so-charming Anneke van Giersbergen on "Scorpion Flower".

Favorite Track: "Spring of Rage"

[Epidemic Reign]

47.) Entombed - Inferno (2003)

After pioneering the Swedish death metal scene, Entombed abruptly changed gears to pioneer something else: Death 'n' Roll. A bit of a controversial genre mashup amongst death metal enthusiasts, but Inferno was certainly a game-changer. Who knew that death 'n' roll could be pulled off THIS fucking well? Sadly, this triumphant album was followed by a rather lackluster return to death metal on 2007's Serpent Saints. The band has been relatively quiet for the past five years, yet they promise new material soon... I'm hoping for Inferno II!

Favorite Track: "Descent Into Inferno"

[Epidemic Reign]

Think I'll stop there for the night. Haven't listened to my #46 in quite a while and I want to revisit it before posting.

[MPF]

I like where this is going so far. Great stuff!

[hellawaits77ny]

I never checked out that Entombed album, nor have I really checked out any death n' roll either. Sounds interesting.

[Epidemic Reign]

Originally Posted by MPF

I like where this is going so far. Great stuff!

Thanks man! Glad you're liking it. I'm having a lot of fun revisiting these albums.

[treghet]

Originally Posted by hellawaits77ny

I never checked out that Entombed album, nor have I really checked out any death n' roll either. Sounds interesting.

Entombed and Carcass are pretty much the only bands that do it well.