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.Aara - En Ergô Einai

2.Aarni - Bathos

3.Aaskereia - Dort, Wo Das Alte Böse Ruht

4.Aastraal - Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum

5.AATHMA - Avesta

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This is a list of all the folk metal albums I have listened to that I found to be of at least marginal quality. It is purely for my own organizational purposes and is not meant to be a definitive statement about the genre; for that reason, there are some entries that don't entirely fit the description, including some neofolk albums and bands that don't exactly play "folk metal" but are close enough.

There used to be a good amount of crossover with my black metal list, but I have since cleaned house and removed anything labeled "pagan" or "Viking" to this list. Personally, I'm very skeptical of the idea that "pagan" anything is its own genre, and unless you're Bathory, the Viking shtick doesn't really work with me. I file it under blackened folk or folk black metal or something like that; if it has any ties to traditional music, I've decided simply to add it to this list and not bother with splitting hairs.

The first section of albums represents my favorite albums - sometimes just within the genre, sometimes overall. Beyond that, they are divided into sections by rating going down to 6/10, and within those sections in alphabetical order.

This list was last updated August 8, 2021.

1.Elvenking - Secrets Of The Magick Grimoire

2.Forefather - Ours Is The Kingdom

3.Forefather - Steadfast

4.Forefather - Last Of The Line

5.Dalriada - Áldás

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I'm a sucker for great hooks and catchy choruses. Some bands from this list will show that. Furthermore, I love technical, percise performances. I love the rise and fall of a song where the mood changes with the volume and pace. I love break downs and build ups to lyrically meaningful climaxes from the album's story. My number one, I believe, does all of that. The sound Anthriel is producing could, and maybe should, rival bands such as Symphony X and Dream Theater.

1.Anthriel - The Pathway

2.Neal Morse - Sola Scriptura

3.DGM - Different Shapes

4.It Bites - The Tall Ships

5.It Bites - Map Of The Past

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1.Karnivool - Sound Awake

2.Opeth - Blackwater Park

3.Angra - Temple Of Shadows

4.Tool - Lateralus

5.Ne Obliviscaris - Portal Of I

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A list of bands who have released just one album. Feel free to recommend!

Edit: If the band released their debut album between 2014-present and they haven't split, they are not viable.

1.ABACABB - Survivalist

2.Abstrakt Algebra - Abstrakt Algebra

3.Abydos - The Little Boy's Heavy Mental Shadow Opera About The Inhabitants Of His Diary

4.Abyssmal Sorrow - Lament

5.Age Of Silence - Acceleration

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A collection of metal albums that use Arabian, middle-east and far east folk elements. Recommendations are welcome. Image is the cover artwork of Shangren's Warriors of Devastation.

1.Acyl - Algebra

2.Aeternam - Disciples Of The Unseen

3.Akvan اكوان - شکوه فراموش شده / Forgotten Glory

4.Al-Namrood - Estorat Taghoot

5.Al-Namrood - Kitab Al-Awthan

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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE INTO MIDDLE EASTERN METAL

P.S :
1. there are other albums but the bands themselves are not featured on MS
2. thanks for the inspiration from JD's list ( http://www.metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=554 )
3. thanks for the inspiration from Mujtaba's list ( http://www.metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=1309 )

1.Ajdath - Triangle Of Death

2.Tyrant Throne - Abominations

3.Bilocate - Summoning The Bygones

4.Scarab - Blinding The Masses

5.Litham - Dhal Ennar

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Another yearly top 10 list.

1.Ayreon - 01011001

2.Sabaton - The Art Of War

3.Eluveitie - Slania

4.Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God

5.Draconian - Turning Season Within

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1.Ensiferum - Iron

2.Ensiferum - Ensiferum

3.Turisas - The Varangian Way

4.Eluveitie - Slania

5.Equilibrium - Sagas

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Best Folkish albums I've heard so far...!! Please feel free to post your Suggestions!!

1.Agalloch - The Mantle

2.Ensiferum - Iron

3.Moonsorrow - Kivenkantaja

4.Blackmore's Night - Under A Violet Moon

5.Blackmore's Night - Shadow Of The Moon

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No Real Order, just Great Albums!

1.Dio - Holy Diver

2.Metallica - Kill 'Em All

3.Metallica - Ride The Lightning

4.Metallica - Master Of Puppets

5.Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

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Top metal albuns based on the influence they have in my personality and by the way they changed some ideas and theories I had.

1.Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

2.Symphony X - The Odyssey

3.Therion - Secret Of The Runes

4.Dream Theater - Images And Words

5.Primordial - Spirit The Earth Aflame

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A list of albums that impressed me in some way... good or bad.
(this list is in no particular order)

1.Amaseffer - Slaves For Life

2.Communic - Conspiracy In Mind

3.Death Angel - The Art Of Dying

4.Eluveitie - Spirit

5.Evergrey - Monday Morning Apocalypse

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Limited to only those albums featured on Metal Storm.

1.Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick

2.Rush - Moving Pictures

3.King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King

4.Pain Of Salvation - Remedy Lane

5.Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime

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