1.Suffocation - Effigy Of The Forgotten

2.Entombed - Left Hand Path

3.Death - Human

4.Terrorizer - World Downfall

5.Sepultura - Beneath The Remains

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Welcome to what I consider the "1001 Metal Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" or in other words, a list of records of various genres in the arrays of Metal and Hard Rock that I deem essential or at least very recommended to listeners of hard and heavy music. This may be a very overwhelming list but I essentially try to collect all albums in the History of Metal that strike me as worthwhile. May this be a guideline for people that seek for an entrance to a particular genre or certain bands. In no means I am saying, that this list is indisputable by any means. I consider these my personal picks for albums that should be listened to by die-hard metal fans at least once. Hopefully you can discover some new music or relate with my picks. If I missed something that you would include in such a list, please tell me in the form of a comment. Enjoy! \,,/

1.High Tide - Sea Shanties

2.Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

3.Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin

4.Sir Lord Baltimore - Kingdom Come

5.Josefus - Dead Man

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This is a list of all the death metal albums I have listened to that I thought were at all worth remembering. Like my other genre lists, this is just a record of my own listening experience that I use for personal organization, not a definitive account of the best or all of the death metal out there; there will probably be albums or bands that are not death metal in the strictest sense. You'll find some OSDM, melodeath, tech death, death-doom, maybe a bit of deathcore, I don't know. Maybe some non-death metal albums by death metal bands that I put in here just because.

1.Death - The Sound Of Perseverance

2.Death - Symbolic

3.At The Gates - With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness

4.At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul

5.Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side

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Note: Tool intentionally ommitted because they don't consider themselves metal. Otherwise you'd see their first 4 albums in top 25.

Last updated: 27 March 2024.

1.Moonsorrow - Kivenkantaja

2.Agalloch - The Mantle

3.Opeth - Blackwater Park

4.Edge Of Sanity - Crimson

5.Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath

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Some of the best metal albums ever released have been by bands that only had one full length release.
List is (and probably always will be) a constant work-in-progress.
If you know of a "one-and-done" metal band/album that isn't on my list, feel free to recommend

1.Weakling - Dead As Dreams

2.Caladan Brood - Echoes Of Battle

3.Lykathea Aflame - Elvenefris

4.Timeghoul - 1992-1994 Discography

5.Thorns - Thorns

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1.Faceless Burial - Speciation

2.At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul

3.Death - Symbolic

4.Entombed - Left Hand Path

5.Necrot - Blood Offerings

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This list is meant to be an extensive, but by no means exhaustive, collection of the greatest (modern) metal albums and eps. Running the gamut from avant-garde to trve norweigan black metal. *As someone who is young in age, my tastes tend to revolve around the period of the 80s to the present.* Although certain metal albums from before will certainly be featured, the period of the 60s-70s will be under-represented. I refer you to this excellent list to gain a better appreciation for some of the best metal from that period: https://rateyourmusic.com/list/freis/martin_popoffs_the_top_500_heavy_metal_albums_of_all_time/

1.Cacophony - Speed Metal Symphony

2.Cadaveria - In Your Blood

3.Caïna - Mourner

4.Caïnan Dawn - F.O.H.A.T.

5.Cain's Offering - Stormcrow

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The best death metal albums pre 2000, in alphabetical order.
Work in progress.

1.Amorphis - The Karelian Isthmus

2.Amorphis - Privilege Of Evil

3.Asphyx - The Rack

4.Asphyx - Last One On Earth

5.Asphyx - Embrace The Death

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My favorite old school death metal bands highlighted with my favorite album. All classic lineup with few exceptions of newer bands.

1.Autopsy - Mental Funeral

2.Impetigo - Horror Of The Zombies

3.Death - Leprosy

4.Obituary - Cause Of Death

5.Possessed - Seven Churches

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My favorite death metal albums.

1.Death - Human

2.Suffocation - Effigy Of The Forgotten

3.Edge Of Sanity - Crimson

4.Morbid Angel - Altars Of Madness

5.Demigod - Slumber Of Sullen Eyes

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1.Agalloch - Pale Folklore

2.Agalloch - The Mantle

3.Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain

4.Ahab - The Call Of The Wretched Sea

5.Ahab - The Boats Of The Glen Carrig

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Aiming towards building a list of the best of straightforward, analog, murky Death Metal

1.Possessed - Seven Churches

2.Death Strike - Fuckin' Death

3.Death - Scream Bloody Gore

4.Entombed - Nihilist (1987-1989)

5.Sadus - Illusions / Chemical Exposure

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Here's a little list displaying my personal favorite death metal albums, based on the same idea as my heavy metal list, thus stressing the raw and the genuine. For me death metal has to be crushing, then coloured with atmosphere. Some of my choices may seem exotic, considering the list overall, but it's what broadens it. Rules : one album per band, the order isn't strict (still bottom albums are weaker than their predecessors). Many good tbdm bands are lacking, mostly because of their unfitting sound. If you think some kick-ass piece are missing, don't hesitate to suggest them. Enjoy.

1.Carcass - Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious

2.Suffocation - Pierced From Within

3.Cynic - Focus

4.Septicflesh - Εσοπτρον

5.Death - Symbolic

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1.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

2.Vio-lence - Eternal Nightmare

3.Megadeth - Rust In Peace

4.Iron Maiden - Powerslave

5.Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

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*** MAX 3 ALBUMS PER ARTIST!!! (Except Death) Also... While extra weight will be given to classic death metal albums, this list will also include exceptional examples of melodic death, death-grind, technical/progressive death, death-thrash, and blackened death. LPs ONLY. *** /\ UNDER CONSTRUCTION /\

1.Cryptopsy - None So Vile

2.Death - Symbolic

3.Suffocation - Effigy Of The Forgotten

4.Carcass - Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious

5.Death - Human

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