00’s Tribute Part 1: Top 50 Albums

It’s almost impossible to believe that, Metal music actually goes on its progress  year by year, and Opeth were there for this music in year 2001, to prove it once again! Does an acoustic guitar mix with a growling voice? Could an extreme death metal riff be followed by a 70’s mellow piano? It seemed impossible, but afterward someone had to do it! Dark, misty   and obscure this fifth observation, of the Swedish masters, was to set the metal world’s attention upon them forever. With the magic touch of Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson in the producer’s seat, for the first time, Opeth brought a whole new perspective on where the boundaries of each genre start and where they stop. Even though,after this release actually everyone started expressing in a more free way, in terms of genre restriction. Call it Death Metal, call it Progressive. After this release everything on will be simply METAL. That’s why it’s here!

Andrew Koran.

Once saving themselves from splitting up with ”From The Ashes Of Empires”, Machine Head take the big turn to the road that leads to immortality. They create their ”…And Justice For All” and they gain a place in the pantheon of great bands. The fact that they still tour for this album, almost 3 years after its release, proves its worth through time’s endurance. Should I speak about the content? I don’t think so. “Aesthetics Of Hate” is an anthem for the new generations already, the riffing, the rhythm sections, the vocals…They chew and spit fire, anger and honesty in every moment. Never has such a blackening release been so bright before, its light guides Machine Head to the constant recognition and we still bite our nails of what is about to follow, don’t be late gentlemen.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

In the year of 2004, this band force the world to give attention to this great album! Mastodon and their masterpiece “Leviathan” unite the metal society. Lost in psycho melodies and brilliant technique of groovy death metal! The new fresh blood called Mastodon is here to claim the throne! We have to admit that this band made ourselves not to be homesick of past but to face the future with great hope.

Ioannis Triantafillidis.

Strange but attractive, extraordinary but beautiful, technical but well-structuring, progressive but classic: that’s the oppositions that surround this piece of art which called “Lateralus”. I may have taken quite some time for Tool, but with this album they not only achieved to correspond to the high levels they placed with the predecessor of “Lateralus”, the great “Aenema”, but they also moved the band one step forward. This diamond is very fairly at this place of our tribute to one of the best releases of 00’s decade.

Karagiannidis Panagiotis.

Nevermore’s finest hour, ”Dead Heart In A Dead World” marked the turn of the band in its more simple songs until then, straight up to the point, they win the game from the beginning. ”Narcosynthesis” sets the stage of the riff massacre that follows, ”Inside Four Walls” and ”The River Dragon Has Come” are maybe two out of the five best songs of the band’s history and Warrel Dane seems relieved from the personal struggle of ”Dreaming Neon Black”. An album that was released in the dawn of the previous decade, revealing the bright future of our music. Let’s see if this also happens with their new album ”The Obsidian Conspiracy”. If history repeats itself as people say, we already smile in advance. Nevermore to feel the pain…

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Dawn of a new century and of a new era for Iron Maiden. After the 1999 Ed Hunter tour which saw Bruce and Adrian back with the rest of the boys, Maiden had the duty of reconquering the metal throne with a new album. The shivering first sounds of “The Wicker Man” announced the beginning of a new age for Maiden and heavy metal. A great album that put the British legends back on track after so many years and managed to bring three generations of Maiden fans together. Up The Irons!

Chris “Wild Child” Zarkadakis.

S.O.A.D. dared it, they made a step further mixing many different genres of music. Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian are two so different personalities that fits so perfect musicwise. and they proved that on “Mezmerize”. This album shows that wisdom and madness are the same thing, it just depends on the backround.

Stathis V.

What can a man comment about this masterpiece? Frantic, rude, soft, irrational, with social concerns. The fundamentals of their career strengthened with this and they begun to give sold out concerts in big arenas. All were listening to Slipknot, even they were 14 year-old who were trying to be “in fashion”, even they were 40 year old metalheads who wanted to listen something that really mattered.

Stathis V.

Out of many albums released on the 00’s, this to me is by far the best. Dream Theater heavier than ever, they simplify (as much as this is possible) their compositions and with the magic touch of Metallica by their side, they create their last phenomenal release to date. Tracks that are full of energy, crazy rhythms, John Petrucci producing some of the best riffs ever, Mike Portnoy surprising us with his technique, helped by John Myung in the most convincing way, Jordan Rudess filling any possible gaps and James LaBrie in his most passionate moment ever. ”In The Name Of God” could be easily nominated as song of the decade. A must have for each heavy metal fan, a spaceship without landing, in its eternal journey to history.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Divine wrath made music. Atmospheric, angry, brilliant and definitely something different to the world of metal, I consider this album to be a true masterpiece of death metal, compared only to few. Just listen to the title song or “The Dream of Ur” and see how dark feelings sound like.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

The best Kreator album for more than ten years was released 9 years ago and it still creates amok in every listening. Kreator decided not to experiment more like they did on ”Outcast” and ”Endorama” and the glory days of ”Coma Of Souls” were back with a vengeance (not only on the familiar cover). The title track is one of the best metal classics of all times, Kreator had to prove for the first time in their career that they were not over and all the unbelievers who once turned their back on them, returned with their heads down. Since then, the band has kept the same line up and has given thousands of shows. The call to arms was made. The throne was reconquered.Or wasn’t it lost at all and it was just a small break?

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

After the earthquake that Mastodon caused with “Leviathan”, the expectations was really high and everyone was wondering how would be the next album.With “Blood Mountain”, Mastodon welcome new fans and are challenging others to stay faithful. They experimented a lot and brought forth a new era for the band.

Stathis V.

Songs as Aerials, Chop Suey, Toxicity begun to make sense to the crowd before the album came out. The singles made way for the album “Toxicity”. Such caustic lyrics are written once a few years compiled with mad music and a strong anti-goverment attitude. This album is definitely one of the highlights of the decade while System Of A Down is one of the most important bands of the decade since they really brought fresh air to the metal scene and they constituted a real inspiration for the new bands that followed.

Stathis V.

Lamb of God is easily the best band of the world today and this album is the cornerstone of their career so far. Having set off the commerciality of ”Ashes Of The Wake”, they created a more song-oriented release, where riffs became thicker and more powerful, vocals are more mature, Chris Adler proves why he is the best drummer of the world and sales increased rapidly. If the previous album was the recognition, this one was the establishment. ”Redneck” became the ”Smoke On The Water” of the band and fans around the world are still filled with frenzy. This is something real and it is still happening. Attack is constant even to unarmed people. Will you bow to them silently, or do they have to enslave you in order to follow?

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

In 90’s the Swedish scene appeared like a real explosion. As many musicians comment, what happened with Sweden is the same that happened with Bay Area’s thrash metal in 80’s. In Flames was definitely one of the protagonists of the Sweden scene and they really taught what is catchy riff, melody and harmony. Their first four albums were just amazing but with “Clayman” they hit the top as from now on you can officially say that they entered the mainstream and their fame started growing up like a real monster. I bet that “Clayman” could be a greatest hit album since every song is a real hit! Check out the track list guys… “Pinball Map”, “Clay Man”, “Only For The Weak”, “Suburban Me”… aren’t they some of your favorite In Flames songs?

Karagiannidis Panagiotis.

There once was a little band from Poland trying and working as hard as it was possible, in order to achive something special. This band today is transformed into a beast that leaves thousands of corpses in every wake and everybody has turned an eye on them with ease. ”Demigod” is the most tight and representing effort they have offered us so far, it was the major breakthrough of the band and completed was started with ”Zos Kia Cultus-Here And Beyond”: Globad Domination. Just take a look on the videos of ”Conquer All” and ”Slaves Shall Serve”. You will find out how affinity and professionalism are combined more easily than you could ever think of. And still are more to come from this battering ram…

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Slipknot and Iowa, which were the first two albums of this great band appealed to a younger audience that was discovering heavy metal back then or to audiences with extreme sound preferences. The other saw Slipknot as a bunch of immature, masked, American screamers who had nothing to add or contribute to metal. For others, Slipknot was a band that pointed out the most common tenancies of the American nation. Subliminal Verses is the record that put Slipknot on track and appealed wider audiences. Their devoted fans saw this record as a sellout. The rest of them, as a record that made Slipknot classic from underground. After Subliminal Verses, their great concerts were not just rumors but reality. My neck still hurts since last summer in Rockwave Festival.I believe that’s the greatest proof of what Slipknot have caused to the world.

Chris “Wild Child” Zarkadakis.

When I got my hands on this and listened to it, I was left wondering what the Bjorlers drink and come up with such great music. With a taste of their legendary band At The Gates, thrashier sound and modern elements in it, this album made a lot of people headbang, and will surely keep doing that for the rest of the century.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

No wonder this album made the top list of the decade. Nile’s name should be carved onto eternity for giving this unique blend of atmosphere and brutality. By Ra, if this album hasn’t given you a taste of the underworld, you’d better go check your ears and musical taste.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

The third album by the German controversial group, is definitely the best they have ever done so far. An amazing moment of inspiration, where all great songs were gathered in one album and produced a massive and vast sum of industrial nightmare moving towards you. It stands out as a great example of how a band can sound when it has certain vision and will of what they want to achieve and how they will do it. The heavier they get, the more interesting they become. Not to mention any song, we are talking about an album you must definitely buy. Oh, and the videos for the songs of the album are amazing. Check this out immediately.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Taking stories and mythologies from Egypt and Mesopotamia, Septic Flesh created an incredible album. The contribution of the Orchestra of Prag leaded by Chris Antoniou and Septic Flesh’s dark and violent melodies make this album a real masterpiece.

Efi Burton.

The title is inspired by the 10,000 days that Keenan’s mother was in a paralytic state. That sadness can be seen in the album. Daze is what the album can come forth. Someone can feel a better person after the listening of this album, because of no particular reason…anyway who needs logic when this quartet is playing music.

Stathis V.

Load, Reload and St. Anger were the reasons for the upset that Metallica caused their fans for almost more than a decade. Although, I liked Load and Reload, the majority threw them away. St. Anger, was pure noise.After five years of almost nothing and a great concert in Rockwave Festival that kept the Greek fans going, on September 2008, the time had come. The well known record shops in Athens dressed up and on my way to work I only saw magnet coffins flying around! It was their 5th album that was no1 in Billboard charts, Metallica are the only band that have managed something like this. Musically, it’s an album that brings the band back to its roots. Thrash is back and combined with the great production that the album had, we have a hell of an album with a band that seems to be taking revenge from everyone that questioned them. Hunt You Down Without Mercy, hunt you down all nightmare long!

Chris “Wildchild” Zarkadakis.

The masters of extreme music rose a lot of contradiction with this release nine years ago. Many people considered their downfall was beginning, while others still could count on them as the album’s full of energy. Songs like ”Disciple”, ”Payback” or ”Exile” are examples that they never lost their speed or aggression. On the other hand, mid tempo tunes like ”God Send Death” or ”Bloodline” proved that if Slayer want to do something different, they can always be colossal. The production of Matt Hyde is on a different sound compared to previous works by Rick Rubin and generally, it is still referred as a good album. Not their best, not their worst.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Nevermore’s last studio work to date, stands out as one more stone in the pyramid of success they constantly build the last 15 years. Diversity, extremity, melody, progress, power, everything can be found in a very much balanced album. As soon as the hit on the drum in the beginning of ”Born” emerges, you get lost in a sea of riffs and Warrel Dane makes sure you won’t escape for an hour at least. In big loss of patience about their next release, ”This Godless Endeavor” has proved its worth through time and sounds still fresh until today. Maybe the best metal band existing today.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

First it came the fire (Remission), second was the water (Leviathan), after came the earth (Blood Mountain) and then… then came the air to “Crack The Skye”. Every new Mastodon album was really better than the previous one and I was really wondering how much higher they could go after Blood Mountain. Crack The Skye is an orgasm of melodies, feelings, harmonies and atmosphere and is definitely one of the best releases of 00’s that moved Mastodon one step forward.

Karagiannidis Panagiotis.

The world’s best sanitarium of all times! Five individuals that have made Meshuggah the most unique sounding band of all times. None can play like them and none can cope with how genius they are. Love them or hate them, Meshuggah marked the last two decades with their frenzied atmosphere. ”ObZen” is easily their most mature release, the right move at the right moment, an album full of songs that could work live perfectly and a balanced release, much more bearable than their previous works. Enough said, just check out this album and feel one of the best riffs of all times in ”Bleed” tear your soul apart. Not to mention the insane video…

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

I am very happy that I have the chance to write some words about an album like this. Porcupine Tree is not a metal band at all but has full respect from all metalheads, because through time they produce something unique. Their former claustrophobic compositions went far away when ”In Absentia” was released. Steven Wilson in excellent shape, releases the heaviest album of his lifetime, making many eyes get rubbed by surprise. Without forgeting the group’s identity until then, this album is the perfectly balanced release by an excellent band. They never repeated such a triumph since then, but who cares? This one was enough on its own.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

After becoming one, with mainstream audiences and having the highly anticipated “Damnation” in stores, Opeth release one of their most complete and representative albums. “Ghost Reveries” brought Per Wiberg (keys) and kicked out Martin Lopez (drums), after its release. This change of sound scapes makes it clear that Opeth will never sound the same with their past. Although, none can doubt the cleverness, complexity and of course the high quality music found on “Ghost Reveries”. Different but complete..After all it’s Opeth!

Andrew Koran.

The last masterpiece of the Norwegian Black Metal masters before their split-up in 2003, giving us something worthy to remember their would-be ending. The offer of a quick travel into a frozen infinity of dark emotions and memories, as this album gives, makes it worthy of respect and definitely a good choice to keep you company in the cold nights of the coming decade.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

The Irish Pagan metallers create an album so pure that our hearts stand frozen in time! There are no words to describe how human’s emotions can touch the divine beauty of music! The world bows to Ireland! Primordial gave us The reason to be proud of metal music as art! “I raise a glass in your name.” The album is dedicated in the memory of the only one king Quorthon [1983-2004 R.I.P] The perfect way to greed..

Ioannis Triantafillidis.

The year is 2000.nu metal has already exploded and new genres of metal have set aside anything classic. At times, bands that played 70’s or 80’s hard rock could be considered as graphics. However, Ad Astra changed everything. Spice and Michael Amott go into a hard rock riffing orgy that set the time machine back to the 70’s. Michael Schenker, U.J. Roth and Tony Iommi surely blessed this great album. The psychedelic sounds of this album made me see purple skies and smoke for a long time. Angel Of Betrayal with its colossal beginning and JB’s gripping vocals has been written in the pages of rock history as one of the best songs ever. Ad Astra was the beginning for many good albums that followed and set the foundations for the comeback of the 70’s.

Chris “Wild Child” Zarkadakis.

This is the album that set the stage of many things to follow in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.It was the first album to be released by a multinational company and it was the battering ram that made Lamb Of God conquer the whole world, finishing what had started with the previous album ”As The Palaces Burn”. None could resist in tunes like ”Laid To Rest”, ”Now You’ve Got Something To Die For” or ”Omerta”, whilst the main feeling of the album is more mature songwriting and a colossal production that cleans the dirt in the sound of their previous works, making them easier to listen to, but not cheesy at all. We owe a lot to this album, its worth will be proved through depth of time and it is already considered a classic.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

No words needed. Just put it in your stereo, turn the volume up and you’ll get the idea of what is it: a fucking 40-minute-long non-stop headbanging. Fast , aggressive and catchy, whatever a metalhead needs to call an album great.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

Here’s the recipe of making this masterpiece. Take lots of malice, hate for humanity and its ways and mix it with unhallowed and uncompromising sound. How can you blame Dimmu Borgir for their big success after listening to this album? It has touched our souls and gave the term “Symphonic Black Metal” a new meaning.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

“Perseverance” is the epitome of 00’s hardcore. Hatebreed with their second effort created a hardcore monster which is full of passionate lyrics, metallic riffs, and plenty of beatdowns . Tracks like “Proven”, “I Will Be Heard”, “A Call For Blood” and “Healing To Suffer Again” prove all of the above. Jamey Jasta and co delivered this hard hitting, ground breaking (in terms of hardcore of the 00’s) album. No doubt deserves to be in the top 50 albums of the 00’s…

Kostas Savatianos.

One of finest works of Napalm Death! The godfathers of death/grindcore was returned to destroy our minds! A release that lead us through time. The album sounds heavy, fast,”in your face grind” and full of hate. I feel so small to say something more.In simply words, Napalm Death with guts.!

Ioannis Triantafillidis.

Hypnotize – Mezmerize…written the same time but came to the public with a six month delay one from the other. A mixture of kinds of music, from folk to metal. Lyrics just ‘crazy’ as ever but always taken from the everyday life. A perfect epilogue for a perfect band.

Stathis V.

Inspired of Hesiod’s poem “Theogony”, Rotting Christ made their own “Theogonia” wedding the black metal music that the band used to play with traditional instruments and psalmodies. All of the above together breath out an awesome melodic and dark album waking up all the ancient Greek spirit. “Theogonia” moved the band one step forward since it was the most different album they have ever done and won even more fans from all over the world. This album proved once again why Rotting Christ are the leaders of the Greek metal scene.

Karagiannidis Panagiotis.

The full resurrection of the Portugal force called Moonspell occurred when they released this magnificent and lovable album. Having turned their backs on the experimentation of ”Sin/Pecado” and ”The Butterfly Effect”, they decided to return to more heavy and brutal forms, kinda discovered the roots of their music again and since then, they have become ferocious and unstoppable. Especially their live performances have risen many levels. Definitely one of the bands we can still count on for this next decade also, something tells me that we are on the verge of having something really unrepeatable in the future by them.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

If this wasn’t the biggest surprise and joy of the 00’s, then I don’t really know which one could be. 9 long years after ”Adagio” and while all of us started thinking that we would never see a SA release again, the Texans hit us the right moment with the weapon they carry the last two decades: Doom itself! ”Scent Of Death” could leave us speechless on its own, imagine it accompanied from eight more tracks where heaviness, blackness, sorrow, concern and redemption are all united to create a new path: The path of the righteous! It is no luck that after this album, singer Robert Lowe also joined Doomfathers Candlemass. Let’s hope they won’t do 9 more years this time. We need records like this one more often for sure.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

The second album by Soulfly marked the major breakthrough for the band of Max Cavalera. The selftitled debut album was not that much metal, but a logical continuation of ”Roots” by Sepultura. With ”Primitive” Max started showing signs of his return to more traditional metal sounds, that in each album become even larger. This album is characterized for its energy, for its songs, like the selftitled or and also the cooperations with Slayer’s Tom Araya on ”Terrorist” or Corey Taylor of Slipknot in ”Jumpdafuckup”. Almost a decade after its release, it still stands out as an up to date album. Ideal listening for every summertime.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

My Dying Bride! The masters of melancholy, enter the new decade with pure winter rain…”The Dreadful hours” is one of the band’s most intense, sincere and bitter observations. If I had to choose one song, for my own funeral, that would be anything, from this mourning masterpiece. WARNING: Don’t listen at high times! This is an eternal loneliness partner! Their hands brought once again DOOM! Observe!

Andrew Koran.

Songs with a prologue, which shows what is going to follow. Aggressive parts with melody, slow yet fascinating solos, brutal as well as melodic vocals. All these can be found in “Remission”. Mastodon put their most irrational ideas in this, and the metal crowd raised them to the top.

Stathis V.

…And suddenly everything fell into silence… Suddenly this world was no more as we knew it the last 16 years. Something returned from the past to haunt us and make us realize that its absence didn’t mean peace. The frost returned to bring chills upon untraines spines. ”Monotheist” is a beast that gets fed by fear, surprise and uncertainty. It is a frozen album that will make you disabled to do anything. You must be prepared that you have heard nothing like this before. Just a look on the video of ”A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh” will make things easier. Or worse, depends on your current mood. Live with it, it will consume you before you spell ”ugh”!

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

Grab your shield, axe and sword, go pillage and kill the neighbors and bring their heads home. Rings any bells? This is how you must have felt after listening to this album. Well, after the chill this album gave our hearts, I think that Amon Amarth have definitely earned a place in Valhalla.

Thanasis Gatziouras.

Being the last survival of U.K.’s unholy death/doom trinity (including also Paradise Lost and Anathema) My Dying Bride’s eighth studio release kept all high standards of a death/doom release. Pain, grief, sorrow, love, death, sweat, blood and tears, haunt this record and your lives. Probably, the greatest release of this band for this decade. Aaron’s monumental performance and the music, more to the point than ever. If you had a bad day, this one is a perfect companion. If you think, you had a great day, this one can make you reconsider!

Andrew Koran.

Melody, Atmosphere, Maturity, Quality are only a few things that defines this album. With their epic lyrics and powerful riffs transforms the album into the ultimate music experience. Amon Amarth is very hardworking band and Versus The World is the proof.

Efi Burton.

This album is to me not only the best moment in Soulfly’s history, not only one of the best records of the decade, but also one of the biggest shocks I have ever had in my lifetime. I still remember the feelings when I first got to listen to it. It blew me off and still continues to do so. Having a hard task to follow ”Prophecy” which was the best album they had done until then, ”Dark Ages” is a phenomenal album. It pulls out Max Cavalera’s soul and gives his fans his most aggressive and honest release the last 10 years. Would you resist his call to arms or follow him until the end? Back to the front lines!

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.

There have been many records, in this music’s history that weren’t a band’s peak, on any term at all. I could say, that this could be applied on this release also. Although, “Midian” could be described as the first big step of black metal to big audiences. An easy listening record full of concert hits. Dark lyrical concept once again, crystal clear production and much money for promotion, brought Cradle of Filth to mainstream audiences and black metal never was so “moving”. Bringing black metal to everyone’s ears is a great achievement and “Midian” did it!

Andrew Koran.