Caj picks his favorite albums

from 2000-2010

1. Angel Dust
Enlighten The Darkness
Germany (2000)
Power Metal
Video song: The entire album as a whole
Fun fact: Conceptual album about the 2nd world war told through the eyes of a soldier at the front.
The perfect album, probably. Just sit back and Enjoy!

2. Sentenced
The Cold White Light
Finland (2002)
Gothic (Heavy) Metal
Video song: No One There
Fun fact: There's a poem in Finnish in the booklet by I. Jylha that reads: Come, Death, turn a drill through my heart
One of the greatest albums ever made, ended by one of the greatest songs ever made. Enjoy...

3. Icon & The Black Roses
S/t
Portugal (2004)
Gothic Metal
Video song: Running Up That Hill
Fun fact: During the ten years it took the band to follow up this album they'd become legends in the gothic underground scene
Probably the best debut album of the 00's. No, not probably - it is the best!

4. The Vincent Black Shadow
Fear's In The Water
Canada (2006)
Hard Rock
Video song: Metro
Fun fact: Probably the only album that both me and Daniel agrees on that it deserves the 7/7 it has. We've been reviewing around 3000 albums together, this is the only one with this score system (there's another one with the old one… and that album is number one on this list)
This album sounds like No Doubt after they've gone goth. Amazing!

5. Children Of Bodom
Hate Crew Deathroll
Finland (2003)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: Needled 24/7
Fun fact: the first Children of Bodom album to reach first place on the Finnish charts
The album that from then on made me consider Children Of Bodom as my favorite band...

6. Amorphis
Silent Waters
Finland (2007)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: Silent Waters
Fun fact: The first of three albums based on the Finnish national epos Kalevala
The first album that scored full points in the new Hallowed era. Still one of the best!

7. Helloween
The Dark Ride
Germany (2000)
Power Metal
Video song: If I Could Fly
Fun fact: When Graphow and Kusch wanted to continue on this darker sound they were kicked out of the band and started Masterplan instead.
"The Black Pumpkin" album was a turn to the darker Helloween, which suited Andi Deris very well.

8. Tiamat
Prey
Sweden (2003)
Gothic Metal
Video song: Cain
Fun fact: Despite being a Hallowed full point scorer, it's the only album since 1994 not to chart on the Swedish charts and only making it to 83 in Germany - their worst chart there since 1992.
How could they do this album any better? Not possible…

9. Oratory
Beyond Earth
Portugal (2002)
Power Metal
Video song: Song Of Lust
Fun fact: Vocalist Ana Laura took over as lead vocalist after being a backing vocalist before.
One of the most perfect power metal albums ever made, simply put.

10. Ayreon
The Human Equation
The Netherlands (2004)
Progressive Metal
Video Song: Day 17: Loser!
Fun fact: Despite being the only "non-space" thematic album by Ayreon, the album ends with a computer shutting down the "dream sequencer" - a machine known from previous Ayreon albums.
An album that stands out from the other great Ayreon albums in my opinion.

11. Dark Tranquillity
Fiction
Sweden (2007)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: Misery's Crown
Fun fact: features guest vocals from Nell Sigland of Theatre Of Tragedy
The kings of electronic death metal!

12. After Forever
Decipher
The Netherlands (2001)
(Symphonic) Gothic Metal
Video song: Monolith Of Doubt
Fun Fact: Became a huge success in The Netherlands after Floor Jansen had appeared on Arjen Lucassens albums 'The Universal Migrator part 1' and 'Space Metal' by Star One.
The band that presented Floor Jansen to the world - their early work really rocked big time!

13. Alter Bridge
Blackbird
USA (2007)
Hard Rock
Video song: Watch Over You
Fun fact: Marks the first album where Myles Kennedy adds to the song writing
Alter Bridge managed to make a killer with their second album. Hard beaten!

14. Symphorce
PhorcefulAhead
Germany (2002)
Power Metal
Video song: Unbroken
Fun fact: Only album released on Metal Blade records by the band
Not a single bad song, no stand out great songs either… just a solid, great album!

15. For My Pain…
Fallen
Finland (2003)
Gothic Metal
Video song: My Wound Is Deeper Than Yours
Fun fact: Only album by this supergroup of Finnish musicians...
Overlooked but fantastic in every way. This album doesn't have a single bad song…

16. Edguy
Hellfire Club
Germany (2004)
Power Metal
Video song: Lavatory Love Machine
Fun fact: Due to the band changing label for a big money contract, Sammet made a ploy song where he threatened to "fuck his wife" if the label manager didn't pay in time.
Probably the best band from the new era of power metal and this is a solid album all the way...

17. Children Of Bodom
Are You Dead Yet?
Finland (2005)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: In Your Face
Fun Fact: First and only album with a new member in the band
The breaking point for the heavier era of the band that has been since…

18. In Flames
A Sense Of Purpose
Sweden (2008)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: The Mirror's Truth
Fun fact: Went immediately to number one on the Swedish chart
While their classics may be on the other side of the 2000 marker, this is the best in the 00's…

19. Elvenking
Heethenreel
Italy (2001)
(Folk) Power Metal
Video song: Oakenshield
Fun fact: The spirit of Elvenking is inspired by the fantasy world of JRR Tolkien
I just think the magic is sparkling more with this than the rest...

20. Lacuna Coil
Karmacode
Italy (2006)
Modern (Gothic) metal
Video song: Our Truth
Fun fact: The Lacuna Coil album with the highest charted singles
Still my favorite by the Italians...

21. Within Temptation
The Silent Force
The Netherlands (2004)
Symphonic (Gothic) Metal
Video song: Memories
Fun fact: Despite being a HUGE success in Europe (peaking top 5 in four countries and top 50 in 10 countries) it wasn't released in the US until four years after its original release (2008).
It's difficult to pick one Within Temptation album that stands out from the rest. This is slightly better though, in my opinion…

22. Beyond The Embrace
Against The Elements
USA (2002)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: Bastards Screams
Fun Fact: First line of the album is "chewing on razorblades again"
A band completely overseen by mainstream metal fans… why?

23. Nightwish
Once
Finland (2004)
Symphonic (Gothic) Metal
Video track: Nemo
Fun fact: Still the most popular album by the band in sales, certifications, chart positions and reviews.
The last studio album with Tarja and in my opinion the best with her as well...

24. Ensiferum
S/t
Finland (2001)
(Melodic) Folk Metal
Video track: Little Dreamer
Fun fact: In the "thanks to" part of the album booklet they thank pornographic movies
The viking era begun with Ensiferum all those years ago and they still keep plundering.

25. Rhapsody
Dawn Of Victory
Italy (2000)
(Symphonic) Power Metal
Video track: Holy Thinderforce
Fun Fact: First album with drummer Alex Holtzwarth who is still in the band.
Yeah, I know…Rhapsody are pretty lame but they still made some kick ass albums in the early years...

 

26. Dreamtale
Beyond Reality
Finland (2002)
Power Metal
Video song: Intro+Memories Of Time
Fin fact: Intro is a cover of the main theme from the movie The Rock.
One of the many bands from Finland appearing around the 2000s that was great from the start...

27. Evanescence
Fallen
USA (2003)
(Gothic) Nu Metal
Video song: Bring Me To Life
Fun Fact: Sold more than 17 million copies to date, making it one of the ten best selling new albums of the decade.
Mainstream but still really great!

28. Insomnium
Across The Dark
Finland (2009)
(Melodic) Death Metal
Video song: Where The Last Wave Broke
Fun fact: Last album on Candlelight Records
They've become even better after this one, but this album is still awesome!

29. The Birthday Massacre
Walking With Strangers
Canada (2007)
Electronic) Gothic Metal
Video song: Looking Glass
Fun fact: The song Weekend takes parts from Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.
Probably the greatest Canadian band ever… and that's a bald statement considering the competition…

30. Sentenced
The Funeral Album
Finland (2005)
Gothic (Heavy) Metal
Video song: Ever-Frost
Fun fact: Peaked at first place on the Finnish album charts
A farewell from Finnish royalty. The last album by Sentenced just as they were the biggest.