THE REAL #1: MASTODON – LEVIATHAN
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 6:00pm by Vince Neilstein
OH, C’MON. YOU KNEW IT WASN’T REALLY ICP.
We recently polled a wide array of musicians, managers, publicists, label reps, and writers from within the world of metal to find out what they thought the 21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century So Far have been. Eligible albums were released between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2009. Each panelist turned in a ballot, with their #1 album worth 21 points, their #2 album worth 20 points, and so on and so forth. The ballots are now in and we’ll be counting down one album a day until we reach #1. Today we present the #1 album, coming in with a total of 320 points…
Mastodon, Leviathan (Relapse, 2003)
Troy Sanders — Bass, Vocals
Brent Hinds — Guitars, Vocals
Bill Kelliher — Guitars
Brann Dailor — Drums
Produced by Matt Bayles and Mastodon
“Deedily-deedily-doo” might be as instantly recognizable as any Mastodon riff, but the guitar riff that starts Leviathan album-opener “Blood & Thunder” is THE quintessential Mastodon riff. Riff; repeat; queue one of Brann Dailor’s graceful, rolling drumfills and it’s fucking ON. An album full of fire, fury, aggression; punk, metal; post-hardcore riffage, classic metal guitar leads; distinctly Mastodonian gruff vocals. On Leviathan, Mastodon infused their hardcore roots with more metal and more prog; it’s the album on which Mastodon became Mastodon.
Leviathan is unrelenting. The artful yet raw riffs continue to pummel from song to song, yet somehow never sacrifice dynamic for brutality. With tracks like “Iron Tusk” and “Heart Alive” the band dabbled in the progginess and delicate metal soundscapes that would come to define their later work. I call bullshit on so-called purist who claim Leviathan was the last good Mastodon album, because listening to this record – and make no mistake about, this is a Record with a capital R – it should’ve been plainly obvious where the band was going. If you’re one of said staunch purists I suppose your argument would hold water if you insisted Remission was the only good Mastodon album; but if that’s the case you’re just a dense idiot incapable of appreciating nuance and developed musical ideas. Oh shit. I said it!
“Aqua Dementia” holds another classic Mastodon moment; that twangy guitar pickin’ interlude (I know you know what I’m talkin’ ’bout) leading into the full band explosion like a herd of a thousand Mastodons (Side note: do Mastodon win the award for “band name that best represents the sound of the band”? Yes, they do.). And then, boy does the band fucking let loose with one of the best riffs known to man, followed by another monster riff, and another, and another… all miraculously tied together with a masterful elegance, grasp of musicality and pointed songwriting lexicon.
But the record’s definitely got its bangers too; “Naked Burn” is as angry and, yep, furious, as its title portends. “Megalodon” is another 3-minute smasher full of mosh, but even here the band doesn’t let you go without a minute of spazzed insanity to close the track. Mastodon hadn’t fully embraced their prog side yet, as the longest of the first 8 tracks is a mere 4:23, practically a haiku by later Mastodonian standards. But they somehow managed to cram some prog dalliances into each of their little furious 3-4 minute ditties. And of course, there’s the near-14 minute “Hearts Alive”… the brilliance of which speaks for itself.
Leviathan is the sound that’s come to define Mastodon – the hardcore plus the metal plus the prog – and the album saw them developing and honing in on their distinct craft at a moment in American metal where it couldn’t have been any more culturally relevant. It captures a moment in time, one that influenced countless bands in only the past 5 years since its release and will undoubtedly influence countless more in the years to come. Leviathan – and the band – is one of those albums you’re going to look back on and say “I was there when…”. We were there when.
-VN
THE REST OF THE LIST:
#2 – Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn
#4 – Killswitch Engage, Alive or Just Breathing
#6 – Killswitch Engage, The End of Heartache
#7 – Lamb of God, Ashes of the Wake
#9 – Gojira, From Mars to Sirius
#13 – Mastodon, Blood Mountain
#14 – System of a Down, Toxicity
#15 – Nachtmystium, Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1
#16 – Machine Head, The Blackening
#18 – Lamb of God, New American Gospel
#20 – Shadows Fall, The War Within
#21 – Slipknot, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses
THE PANEL OF VOTERS
Chris Adler, Lamb of God
Dan And, Bison B.C.
Ben Apatoff, Apatoff for Destruction/Metal Injection
Jason Bittner, Shadows Fall
Tim Brennan, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Freddy Cai, Painkiller Magazine
Ian Christe, Bazillion Points
Reverend David J. Ciancio, Yeah! Management
Betsey Cichoracki, Relapse Records
Paul Conroy, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
J. Costa, Thy Will Be Done
Dallas Coyle, ex-God Forbid/Coyle Media
Doc Coyle, God Forbid
CT, Rwake
Anso DF, MetalSucks/Hipsters Out of Metal!
Vince Edwards, Metal Blade Records
Charles Elliott, Abysmal Dawn/Nuclear Blast Records
Brian Fair, Shadows Fall
Leo Ferrante, Warner Music Group
D.X. Ferris, author 33 1/3: Reign in Blood/Freelance Journalist
Mike Gitter, Roadrunner Records
Nick Green, Decibel
Matt Grenier, August Burns Red
Anthony Guzzardo, Earache Records
Kevin Hufnagel, Dysrhythmia
Mark Hunter, Chimaira
Steve Joh, Century Media
EJ Johantgen, Prosthetic Records
Kim Kelly, Metal Injection/Hails & Horns/Freelance Journalist
Josh “The J” Key, Psychostick
Jason Lekberg, Epic Records
Eyal Levi, Daath
Bob Lugowe, Relapse Records
Matt McChesney, The Autumn Offering
Jake McReynolds, Psychostick
Marc Meltzer, The Syndicate
Josh Middleton, Sylosis
Matt Moore, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder
Vince Neilstein, MetalSucks
Sammy O’Hagar, MetalSucks
Anton OyVey, MetalSucks/Bacon Jew
Rob Pasbani, Metal Injection
Alex Preiss, Psychostick
Carlos Ramirez, NoiseCreep/Universal Music Group
Brian Rocha, Fresno Media USA
Jeremy Rosen, Roadrunner Records
Axl Rosenberg, MetalSucks
Satan Rosenbloom, MetalSucks/Cerebral Metalhead
David Bee Roth, MetalSucks
Jason Rudolph, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Amy Sciarretto, Roadrunner Records/NoiseCreep
Carl Severson, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Gary Suarez, MetalSucks/No Yoko No/Brainwashed
Geoff Summers, The End Records/Crustcake
Bram Teitelman, The Syndicate/Metal Insider
Alisha Turull, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Christopher R. Weingarten, 1000TimesYes/Freelance Journalist
I think I preferred ICP.
This person speaks truths that can never be fully comprehended.
haha, almost… I always thought Leviathan was a little boring.
ICP is at least more entertaining than Mastodon, regardless of musical quality.
TROLLS HERE.
*PEOPLE WITH TASTE HERE*
There, I fixed that for you.
after hearing lifesblood and remission, i hated leviathan when it first came out. it’s still my least favorite mastodon album… not to say that all four of their full lengths shouldn’t be on this list (because they are heads and shoulders above whomever you may consider to be “peers”), but for this to be 1? is it because this is the first y’all heard of mastodon? both remission and crack the skye are far superior to this record. blood mountain too.
ICP ftw!
I still get the ICP albums discounted, right?
i hope so……i like this number 1 better tho
Nice!
no on coming storm? or colors? come on people? not even 10,000 days….and NOT EVEN crack the skye?
gayy
Amazing jekel brothers FTW
Not even Fortress? Not even Watershed?
fortress fucking sucks listened to 21 seconds of the first song and it was all i could take chucked the cd out of my car on the way home didnt look back but for real watershed was yet another masterful work by opeth
DUR. AND, BRAVO.
“if you insisted Remission was the only good Mastodon album…if that’s the case you’re just a dense idiot incapable of appreciating nuance and developed musical ideas. Oh shit. I said it!”
Could not have said it better. This album is worthy of every accolade it’s given.
meh. I don’t buy the whole Mastodon thingy…or Opeth either. Metal is about kick your ass, hard shit rock n roll. Masto is maturB. Opeth is gay DnD. Long live metal.
Now the whole ICP was funny as shit.
Have fun with your deathcore and wigger slam, tough guy.
HA!
Some people like a little depth in their music. You know… the people who actually know two shits about music.
that’s pretty funny. Ironic really. My un-illuminated point is that Masto and their ilk are not exactly breaking new trail and are pretty silly. I’m down with the (I know older but they make my point) Cannibal Corpse, Carcass etc as they shared the same “wow” factor that Maiden’s first does. Napalm Death is another, “WTF did I just hear” band. Mastadon and Opeth etc all have the same sound as so many others.
Give me Tool long before these bands.
And props to the Gojira election to this esteemed list. Shit is wild on the phones.
Up the Irons!
Mastodon sucks but Tool is metal?
I just stepped into the twilight zone.
you like gojira but not mastodon?! gojira is a weak version of mastodon! and tool is a slightly harder version of NIN
“gojira is a weak version of mastodon! and tool is a slightly harder version of NIN”
These are hilariously false, and I like all of these bands.
posted like a true internet tough guy who’s compensating for something.
While I don’t agree with you, I do think Mastodon is way overrated as Opeth. I like Opeth, some albums and songs are just kickass, but some people seem to think they are the be-all end-all of metal because they write incredibly good long songs. Sometimes they do, but often it’s just long songs that don’t really do anything or go anywhere. While Still Life is a complete masterpiece in my opinion, I fail to see why Ghost Reveries is so much revered. Even My Arms, Your Hearse is overrated. Demon of the Fall is almost too good to be true but some are just lacklustre.
What bands would you recommend that I definitely check out? I am being serious, give me 5. Always looking to expand my horizons. BTW I disagree with you, I think they deserve the acclaim they get.
Well I do agree they deserve some acclaim, but i think some people are pushing it too far.
ok, well I’ll give bands from different genres which haven’t been covered or reviewed by MS (so no Obscura)
1. speaking of epic and awesome music: Hellveto : orchestral pagan metal or whatever you want to call that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3XLZiuZ5H0
2. The Chasm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsZNAvPo-e8 Mexican death metal, their first albums were really mystic, otherwordly and strange (and had a very weak production), but they got more refined over time. Still has an otherwordly atmosphere and has elements that are not so death metal, like some riffs and solos for example. The song is from the a short ep.
3. Cathedral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Qdj7pt7Iw&feature=related Doom/Stoner from an ex Napalm Death vocalist. I would have put a link of Ebony Tears, my all time favourite from the band, but it’s doom to the core so hard to grasp for the uninitiate.
4. Bolt Thrower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxMJDTJXleI Most kickass death metal band, it’s all about war. Not from my favourite album (which is IV Crusade, true atmospheric dm) but this one is a classic.
5. Magane. http://www.myspace.com/maganeyomimetal (the first one)Now this is underground and rather unknown. Hailing from Japan they integrate some cultural elements in their take on black metal. All sung in Japanese of course, about their folklore and such.
since it’s so hard to only name five and 3 are bands I newly discovered, random links of popular bands:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1idlOnDOII
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7oGGud2Jk4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuIe6HzWg-8&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBtllzF91Ds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muWkwj1xUmw
The Chasm !!!!…. we are from Mexico too….. http://www.myspace.com/anlace technical death metal
Yeah !!!
I don’t know if you can see my post, because of my links, it says it awaits moderation.
The bands were Hellveto, The Chasm, Cathedral, Bolt Thrower and Magane. Since a couple are relatively unknown, well 3 of them, I put random links of Sodom, Kreator, Sabbat, Hypocrisy and Carcass.
I would also like to recommend those bands H2O listed and add a couple others like: Candlemass, Vreid, Summoning, Sombres Forets, Septic Flesh, and anything by the musical mastermind Arjen Lucasson.
oh and I’d recommend visiting metal-archives.com your best resource to discover metal, or not.
Also, check out a band called Kalisia. Their album “Cybion” is some kick ass Prog metal.
Thanks H20, I will definitely check them out and hopefully they turn into something I like
YES! I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH CYBION
It was really close to making my list. Fantastic album.
This album kicks ass, unlike a good portion of the List
As expected and, with the exception of BWP (imo) prob the unanimous choice on most people’s list – regardless what genre of metal you hold sway to, there is no denying the dynamics of this record – good job Vince on the review also, it made me throw it on straight after reading it
I wouldnt pick either…too much of the slow borey bore
thanks for the list guys, sure took you a lot of time and work. it was fun. somehow. lml
its finally over….
My sentiments exactly. The clouds have parted and the sun shines once again.
Maybe the mighty Ziltoid will become human again. He won’t be able to tell the world how his music taste is the only taste!
Nope. My taste is the law of the land.
too bad it tastes like shit
Jeeezus…
So how are you and NotBall’s Barbie sessions coming along?
Have you given them corpse-paint yet?
Will you post vids of it on YouTube?
No youtube vids, but my Abbath Barbie doll just murdered my Euronymous Ken doll.
And yes, I excluded Varg because he doesn’t take nearly as funny pictures as Abbath.
Did they burn down your Barbie church yet?
Ok, I’ll be that guy. Crack the Skye is far superior.
Agree 100%, but I don’t think it’s been out long enough to qualify, or maybe just to “sink in”. But yeah… Crack the Skye is definitely one of the most epic works I’ve heard… possibly ever.
*nods* CTS will be number 1 on a lot of peoples 2009 list
Done. CtS is the best album of 2009.
Crack the Skye FTW. The only metal album I’ve heard in the last ten years that
I would give 10/10 for every single track. Dang it’s good. I will listen for years.
I wonder why he left Protest the Hero off the list when they gave it five out of
five….
I agree.
Well deserved. Party on.
Meh. I like these guys, but Remission is still their best. Then again, I got into them on Remission, thanks to a friend who saw them open for Clutch and wouldn’t shut up about how great they were.
Also, for the record: I like this album. Not as much as Remission or CtS, but I do like it.
Agreed. I must admit that there is this intangible quality to Matt Bayles’ production that really hits home for me. I can’t put my finger on what precisely it is, but I can say that I don’t think the guy has ever produced an album that didn’t floor me at first listen.
why doesnt anyone ever mention blood mountain? i think it was better than remission
I saw them open up for Clutch too……too bad I can’t remember it
THe artwork is impeccable too .
320 points, about 40 voters, that’s 8 points per voter, that’s equivalent to each voter placing Leviathan as #14 on the list.
MS, you guys should release the individual lists, but just don’t tell us who they belonged to so the voting is still anonimous and nobody has their feelings hurt and labels aren’t butthurt
my bad, 57 voters. I counted last week and forgot. That’s 320 poinbts, 57 voters, 5.6 points per voter, so half put this at 17 and the other half at 16.
Excellent point.
Nice math dude haha but good point. What harm could there be in releasing the lists but keeping them anonymous?
No, don’t keep them anonymous. I want to know who to make fun of for listening to some of this shit.
At the very leasthave Axl and Vince’s list up.
worst list ever….especially considering 10 of the spots are the same bands…one wasted of the deftones….2 for killswitch?!?!!?…..no amon amarth?!?! give me a fuckin break
Agreed
White Pony deserved it.
I love the deftones, but I don’t even think they should be on this list. If Around the Fur were released in 2000…then yes, but White Pony was way to atmospheric. Too many slow songs. Don’t get me wrong…I put deftones in my top 5 bands (prob top 3 live: kicked absolute ass @ Bamboozle this year in Irvine)…but still not on this list. Get well soon Chi!!!
Whit pony desereved a ckick up the rectum… as do All of the Deftones!!! NOT METAL
Nah White Pony belongs. Good choice.
I AGREE 100% From the artwork, songs, production and performance this album is perfect! In my top five metal albums ever!
I only liked the demo…..ok, sorry…had to do it. Great album.
Meh, ICP was more entertaining.
Saw this coming by a longshot…and it’s still my least favorite CD by them
eh, better then ICP but I find Mastodon still to be over rated. I could never really get into them and it doesn’t help that i have to hear how great they are from rock band/guitar hero retards.
Real metalheads don’t play Rockband or Guitar Hero.
what if your drunk??
…or stoned?
What if your GF is blowing you while you play GuitarHero?
Does THAT make it unMetal?
this list is so bad
Damn…. Mastodon and LoG dominated this list
How did everyone seem to know FOR SURE that palaces and leviathan would be the top
two? I would have never guessed either of those albums.
Process of elimination, once the list began to take shape it was clear what type of albums would make the top positons – While I agree with 1 and 3 (should have been other way round imo) I was a little disapointed to see Palaces considered the 2nd best record of the decade so far, when Meshuggah, BTBAM, DEP, Cynic, SYL/Dev et al didn’t even feature at all – That’s lists for you tho, ask 10 people to name their top 10 and you will get a couple of 100 different bands
Because the list is a popularity contest, not an actual attempt at presenting the best metal albums classified according to clearly defined criteria.
And because Leviathan would top any list devoted to recent metal albums.
Not mine…and i have listned to metal since age 8…. And dont rate Mastadon one ioata
And i am 22 now btw
omfg! im 27!!! lol!
Love this album, would definitely make it into my top 10 of the decade list. Number 1? That i truly cannot say.
WEAK!!!! Should have waited untill tomorrow to reveal this. If the website is looking for hits, they should have.
We knew it was coming and it is at least in the top 5 in my book. I would have put:
Enslaved – Isa,
Ensiferum – Iron,
Dillinger – Miss Machine,
Isis – Oceanic,
Cave In – Until Your Heart Stops
The Red Chord – Fused Together In Revolving Doors
Instead of:
SOAD, Hatebreed, Ghost Reveries, End of Heartache, New American Gospel, Nachtmystium.
Dillinger – Miss Machine,
Isis – Oceanic,
ABSOLUTELY. Would agree with Cave In, but it came out in 99.
That Cave In records, as badass as it was, was released 1999. I agree on the Isis pick, don’t know a lot of Ensiferum but will check them out. Dont know how you can say Ghost Reveries shouldn’t be on there. Hatebreed and EOH for sure shouldnt be
Ire Works was better.
Yup, a more rounded record than Miss Machine imo, not enough chug chug wee wee for the purists tho
concurred. I love the “pop” songs on Ire. commence cries of poseurdom.
i shall not cry against thee. milk lizard and black bubble gum are my two favorite songs from that album, and there is no shame in that. both those songs still kick more ass than a lot of “heavy” bands
Dream Theater-Systematic Chaos
Insomnium-Above the Weeping World
Sigh-Hangmans Hymn
Keep of Kalessin-Kolossus
Nevermore-This Godless Endeavor
Good stuff.
Yes, “Isa” would have been a great pick. It’s better than most of the stuff on this list. I would’ve expected “Isa” or “Below The Lights” … but perhaps they weren’t commercially successful enough for the panel.
bitchin. awesome choice.
Although I did enjoy the laugh-factor of the ICP pick, definitely one of the funniest things they’ve post here in a bit. This is still a good pick and probably some of Mastodon’s best work before taking the full leap into prog territory. Not that the proggier side of Mastodon is bad, because its not, this had the right balance that made this album one of my favorites. Hell, referencing this album got me an A on an English paper (the only one) in college.
No Nevermore, Amon Amarth, or Symphony X?
This list is just bad.
Seriously, let the readers make their own list now that this one is over. See what metal fans are *really* listening to.
A poll from all the readers will not come out how you expect it to…everyones lists will be greatly different. This album is #1 with not that many points.. if you read how the list was made you would then understand why it is the way it is.
I wanted to wait until I read the entire list before I posted, so here goes. The whole thing was pretty predictable (except White Pony…seriously, what the hell?). I can’t really say I’m surprised at what was on here, and I definitely think some of my faves were left out (Iron Maiden, BTBAM, anybody?). That being said, I took it with a grain of salt, and went on with my life. I own almost all of these records, and still listen to them pretty regularly. For me, these were the bands that got me further into metal beyond Megadeth and Metallica, and away from the dominant grunge/punk/garage scene that was floating around. Hopefully for kids that are looking for something new, these albums will do the same, and then they can get further into the depths of metal like I did, ie: Amon Amarth, Devildriver, Dillinger, etc.
To those who think it’s not metal (and you know who you are), stop bitching that your favorite bands were left off, and just take this a little less seriously. If you’re desparate to have your opinions heard, do what the guys here did, and start your own metal blog, and talk about the bands you like and you want other people to listen to. It worked for Metal Inquisition. But seriously, don’t go telling other people they listen to shit just because you don’t agree with their tastes. I’ve seen guys get their teeth knocked out for saying stuff like that. Besides, if we should be fighting anybody, it’s hippies, not each other. Stupid tye dying, hybrid driving, whale hugging idiots…
Well said. I happened to not wait and have been arguing with Ziltoid and Biff ever since (who should take your advice, stop blowing each other, and start their own website.)
Long live METAL!!
but the only time they aren’t posting is when they are blowing each other?!?
Amen dude. I used to write as a music critic a few years ago, and always came across guys like that who were pretty sold on what they wanted and didn’t want to hear about anything else. All I could say to them was “If you don’t like it, don’t buy the record. Not a challenge.” But to each their own I guess…
Biff is only half as bad as Zitload.
And GraZmus is closing-in for 3rd Biggest Douche Of The Universe.
I agree with number 1, I really don’t think LoG should have dominated so much, As Palaces Burn had a rightful place, their other albums are good, but best? Hardly. This is coming from a LoG fan for fuck’s sake.
Crack the Skye? I thought CTS was better than this.
If you think that..u have massive problems… CTS was one of the WORST albums this decade..not best.
Haha you are truly a Jackass. Your the little 8 year old kid with a mullet with a cut off ride the lightning shirt arent you? With the parents who basically look the exact same?
So, The Dick List Stand-Off at this point:
- 1. Ziltoid
- 2. Biff
- 3. notballs
- 4. GraZmus
meh
Hay wait a minute!!!! Reinventing the Steel came out in 2000!!!!! You didn’t for get did you??? THET ARE TAKING TO THE STREETS IN THE DALLAS/FT. WORTH AREA!!!!! FIRES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, YOU NAME IT!!! Let me know if you people need a place to hide out if you are around this area if Texas doesn’t secceed from the union and becomes a state of anarchy.
Pantera is my all time favorite band. I listen to Strength Beyond Strength more than any other song on my ipod…but even I will admit that Reinventing the Steel was a very boring CD. Phil wasn’t into it, so it was basically all Dime and Vinnie (and we’ve attempted to listen to what they produce w/out Phil…the unmighty Damage Plan. Now lets get one thing straight…I am not talking smack on Dime or Vinnie. I just think Phil brought out their greatness…especially Dime. I actually posted on an earlier post (probably #20 or 21) that I would like to see Reinventing the Steel on this list just to give Pantera some props. Mayve #21 would be fitting? I hope I didn’t piss you off, but Pantera fans will agree Trendkill was their last bad ass album. Reinventing was probably made just to fill contract requirements. Ziltoid: if you make a Pantera shit talking comment I will hunt you down and steal your World of Warcraft strategy guide. CFH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Screw Pantera. If Ziltoid doesn’t like it than it’s not good music. His taste is the only taste.
I just switched Leviathan to Reinventing the Steel to refresh my memory. It’s good, but not top 10. And actually w/ this list there is room for it. It Makes Them Disappear is fucking rad!! CFH!
Blood Mountain is better.
Agreed
i enjoy both, but the vocals on leviathan are kind of annoying so i would agree as well
Well played. Guess I should have bit my tongue on the blood mountain post.
Leviathan was a masterpieces for various reasons. To make a concept album for Moby Dick and have it still kick ass in itself is a feat. I spout this shit off a lot on mastodon threads, but they do deserve the attention.
The main problem with this list is the lack of variety and just bad choices. Slipknot, Hatebreed, SOAD??
When there are so much better albums out there that actually deserve to be on a top metal album list.
I could make a list of bands I rather see on this list but i’m lazy as of right now.
Crack the Skye is Mastodon’s best work by far, and I’m still disappointed by the fact that Meshuggah never made this list.
This can’t be said enough times. Any Meshuggah album is better than all Lamb Of God albums combined.
I could mold my shit into the shape of a CD and it would be better than any LoG album, and most of this list.
And at least that would have some corn…or maybe a peanut. That would be variation…something LoG certainly don’t have.
XD
And a new member makes his way into the suck Ziltoid off orgy…
It is truely a travesty that Meshuggah didn’t make the list though.
What??? You don’t like Ziltoidcore?
I am proud to reveal that I have NEVER sculpted anything with MY shit.
I merely said that I had the ability to. I never actually have…yet.
Ummm… so is obZen going to be #0? Also, I think there is a bootleg recording of Brent Hinds and Chris Adler taking a shit on a microphone that you forgot to put on the list. Probably just an oversight.
It was just always gonna be this. And deservedly so.
Jokes over, so tomorrow you reveal the real top 21?
I honestly think Crack The Skye and Remission are better than Leviathan, but still a great album.
So when is the REAL list going to be published?
I would like to take this opportunity to say that this whole list is a total farce. Most people involved in this list are involved in the mainstream metal industry in some way: bands, labels, etc. All albums mentioned in this list are all pretty much commercialised pieces of crap created to appease the trends currently running at their time of release. There are so many better albums in the underground scene. Why aren’t they being mentioned in this list? Because the list contributors just want to plug their old albums in the same way they did back when the albums first came out. The sole reason mainstream magazines give major label releases such high recognition is because the labels give them shedloads of money to advertise their bands; the magazines and other media depend on this money to stay afloat, they don’t wanna lose it, so they give favourable objective reviews to whatever is being advertised on their pages. The major label money also get these bands onto popular tours and festivals, giving them more exposure in the public light.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the bands themselves, I’m voicing my total disapproval of the industry that supports these bands, and the applicable trends that record companies constantly try to keep in line with. I would much prefer it if the list was filled with albums that deserve their popularity on the band’s musical merit, and not purely because of commercial influence. I have very little reason to believe that the albums listed are here purely on their own qualities – there’s an intent to sell more units.
I don’t hate all records that are plugged by major labels: Amon Amarth are (or were) a solid band that wrote very good material up until their newest album, which was created solely for selling records. I also quite like Goatwhore at the moment. I like both these bands for their musical and songwriting ability alone. My advice is to listen to the music for what it is, and pay no attention to the hype. I can also tolerate people listening to commercial bands, just as long as they don’t start echoing any praise that the magazines have given under the influence of their lifeblood of advertising revenue.
I’m gonna leave it at that, I’ve said all I want to say.
For the record, I’ll admit the ICP album at #1 was slightly amusing – for a few seconds. And I don’t like Mastodon one bit. A clear example of hype gone hyper. Leviathan, and all their other works, aren’t that good, and were never going to live up to the hype that the advertisers told the magazines to host. Give me a fucking break.
Agreed!
Well Done Sir… Especially the Part about Mastodon
What a waste of your time typing all that. READ how the list was created for fucks sake… It’s a point system pooling numbers from MORE THAN 50 people. This is the #1 Album and it only has 320 points… You can’t expect the hundreds of more obscure artists you want to be on this list to be on it. It’s not a list created by one person or a group of people in a room talking about it…it’s individuals submitting their own lists. I would have loved to see ISIS on this list somewhere but i realized it probably wasn’t going to happen because even if they did get points they could be split between the multiple quality albums they produced. Moral of the story: quit bitching.
If you’re underground instead touring for over a decade on a major label, chances are the 50 people who made this list won’t have heard your ‘amazing’ album
21 albums, 15 bands…
bah whatever
I agree with most of the picks, but there are some artists missing here: Nevermore, Baroness, Pantera or the projects of mighty Devin Townsend. Still, it was almost always at least a decent read. Nice work guys!
Good-Yes
#1-No
fuck this shit! this last one was so predictable that i almost liked seeing icp at the top.
Nice. The only album on this list I agree with besides Nachtmystium.
There were tons of bands I wish made the list, but, yeah, this is the album of the decade, easily.
Any chance we could get a list of the albums that came close to making the list?
ha…the beardos win, sweatpant dudes are crying!
win
So on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most metal, where would we rate the following?
- Leviathan
- Blackwater Park
- the Romulan ship in the latest Star Trek movie
- Mordhaus
Levithian-2
BWP-4
Star Trek-0
Mord-5
Star Trek is pretty damned metal.
The Romulan ship obviously most metal.
surely they use temperature-invariant ceramics or something…?
Actually, Phale, it was hyperplexating ceramite, but thanks for playing…..
Love this album. Predictable, yes, but I’m not complaining. Some random bands I thought were left out:
Protest the Hero
Cynic
BTBAM
Nevermore
Strapping Young Lad
Anubis Gate
Dream Theater
Akercocke
Also, I’m not going to Rage Against the List, but I thought Hatebreed, Converge, and Deftones were poor choices. I also liked SOAD, I loved them as a kid and I guess I never really turned my back on them.
Great to see some love for Anubis Gate here. They never seem to get mentioned anywhere, but their last two albums have been quite great.
Your absolutely right, I personally would have loved to see Andromeda Unchained on here.
That’s definitely on my top 21 list. The Detached is really starting to grow on me as well. I actually feel bad for A Perfect Forever, though. It’s a very good album, but nowhere near as great as the last two.
I love me some Akercocke.
Leviathan by Akercocke slays all the bands on this silly list.
this
I think Crack the skye would have been a better choice
Not a shocker at all, considering the predictability of the crap on this list.
I couldn’t care less anymore about arguing. What I would say here, I’ve already said in the other two Mastodon topics. That should be proof on it’s own that this list is obviously very flawed. This list was nothing but a bunch of crap from the start, and it ends on such a lame and predictable note.
Then again, by this list’s logic, Hatebreed released a better album than Cynic did this century. Great job, voters!
You are a very happy fellow, aren’t you?
I don’t get the Cynic hype either. I didn’t listen to their first one, but from what I’ve heard of Traced in Air… Obscura and Gorguts (Obscura album) are so much better.
Cynic isn’t very heavy at all, but they write amazing music. Their 1993 album “Focus” is mandatory metal listening. It’s basically progressive death metal (although there’s very little death metal at all), with jazzy influences, and a mix between kinda weird harsh vocals and clean vocals put through a vocoder that somehow blend really well. Traced in Air is much more enjoyable if you’ve heard Focus first. Then you can see the evolution. They ditched all death metal elements (except for minimal harsh vocals a few times) and stuck to stright-up progressive metal, but the composition as a whole flows much better as a result. Amazing atmosphere IMO, and the complexity is much more subtle this time, which makes it even more enjoyable once you find it.
Well said Ziltoid
yeah, I need to listen to Focus.
Focus is a really good album, but I have to disagree with the vocoder vocals. They annoyed the hell out of me. Thankfully it didn’t sound like they used is too much on Traced in Air.
traced in air just coasts on focus. if it was released by a different band we would all yawn at its massive pussiness.
Metal doesn’t have to be br00tal all the time. It’s cool when bands like Cynic contrast heaviness and softness, technicality and simplicity.
I agree 100%. Cynic, to me, have crossed that boundary between ordinary popular music and higher art. Whether or not they make it onto a list compiled by a website or any other publication will not change the fact that they have made some amazing music. They deserve to be heard. Check them out!
“And I don’t like Mastodon one bit. A clear example of hype gone hyper. Leviathan, and all their other works, aren’t that good, and were never going to live up to the hype that the advertisers told the magazines to host. Give me a fucking break”
LOL Dysenteric is PIST that his HXC black metal bands that no one’s heard of didn’t make the list. It’s called the top 21 albums, not the top 21 albums that you think should be on it. It’s a LIST of opinions you sad piece of shit. Don’t like it…. then fuck off!
Or go make your own list and have everyone bash it. OPINIONS MATTER!!!!!!!!!!!
Wouldn’t bashing the voters opinions also be an opinion in and of itself? I’ve never said this to anyone, but you definitely fail.
of the 21 albums
17 of them I haven’t heard. I heard a song or two and dismissed it.
1 of them I heard and ultimately didn’t think it was worth owning – Clayman
3 of them I love – both Opeths and Tool
based on that, i think you would enjoy mastodon if you got past the hardcore vocals. gojira even more.
i just discovered gojira this year, and they are the band ive been waiting for since tool started to bore me a few years ago.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will try out those two again although what i heard so far hasn’t grabbed me.
This is an awesome album I wouldnt say its the #1 album on my list but its up there
One last observation: there are no Trivium albums on this list. After all the hype and hoo-hah over them. Weird.
BOAT!
RUDDER!
STRANGE!
MOUNTAIN!
I think this is the only post of yours that I have actually enjoyed
Trivium > Mastodon
STOMPP
UKRAINE
THISSSSSSS LIMEEEEEEEEEEEEE
The only good songs on this album were Iron Tusk, Blood & Thunder and Seabeast everything else bored me to tears when i tried to listen to this the whole way through
Every critics favorite band, and the most overrated metal album of the last ten years.
Not bad by any means, but would have had a more appropriate spot around #15.
Sorry….lame list. This a list that a 15 yr old kid that just recently got into Metal would pick.
This is exactly what that is. Slipknot??? Common. Kills wich engage??? SOD??? Even the one’s that make a little sense like mastodon, lateralus, converge and blackwaterpark are basics. Where is deathspell omega? Agalloch or any other band that would make this list interesting. Cynic made a great record last year, what about it? Metalheads are just like rappers, full of there own little gay subculture without actually knowing wtf happens within it’s musical realm.
Anyone else surprised that Children of Bodom were not even on this list? I for sure would have thought they would have been mentioned
I’m not too surprised. None of their releases have been Top 21 material.
That’s why I expected them to be on this list tbqh.
Hahaha. True. The last two albums were complete trash that would have fit fairly well on this list.
I was thinking more along the lines Hate Crew Deathroll or Follow the Reaper as being albums that could have potentially been on this list. I like both albums. I will admit, their last two albums are weak
I first saw mastodon when they went on tour for this CD, right after it was released, and they came to the rave in milwaukee. There were less than 80 people there, about 40 of which actually heavy duty mastodon fanbs, myslef included. Back then, they werent everywhere, they werent world renouned, but, that was srtill one of the best shows of my life. I remember just watching them, watching Brann…kick ass…and im glad to see theyve remained awsome.
i think you said aqua dementia when you meant megalodon and vice versa. jackass.
This is my list. I’m not saying this is what the list should have been… this is just what has had the most impact on ME so far this decade.
1. Opeth – Blackwater Park
2. Akercocke – Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone
3. Kamelot – The Black Halo
4. 3 – The End Is Begun
5. Opeth – Deliverance
6. Strapping Young Lad – The New Black
7. Symphony X – The Odyssey
8. Dying Fetus – Destroy The Opposition
9. Epica – Consign To Oblivion
10. Opeth – Ghost Reveries
11. Between the Buried and Me – Colors
12. Iced Earth – Horror Show
13. Disillusion – Back To Times of Splendor
14. OSI – Free
15. Vile – The New Age of Chaos
16. Cephalic Carnage – Anomalies
17. Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance
18. Necrophagist – Epitaph
19. The Project Hate MCMXCIX – Armageddon March Eternal: Symphonies of Slit Wrists
20. Ayreon – 01011001 Earth/Y
21. Unexpect – In A Flesh Aquarium
Honorable mention:
Zimmer’s Hole – When You Were Shouting At The Devil…
There are some good albums on that list, although I never understood the hubbub about Disillusion. I guess I could never get into them.
I almost put Gloria instead. Both amazing and different albums. They definitely got a lot of hype, worthy or not, I still dig ‘em.
Not a bad list, but personally think there’s too much Opeth in the top 10.
Unfortunately “too much Opeth” does not make any sense to me. Sorry.
No Iced Earth…..ever
Whenever Iced Earth is mentioned (if I’m not too lazy), I shall now post this mockery of them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88jlseWPs_o&fmt=18
I can’t believe that I forget what forum I found this on, but I laughed for ages when I first sa it and read the description.
Eww….
Unexpect? The New Black? No Sigh or DT solo material? Blackwater Park as #1?
This list sucks almost as much as the real one
This album is a real ass kicker. It took me awhile to get into it, but now it’s one of my favorites.
Vince, you should have mentioned Iron Tusk! The main riff in that song is sick!
“Side note: do Mastodon win the award for “band name that best represents the sound of the band”? Yes, they do.”
No way! Bison b.c sounds way more like a bison than Mastodon sounds like a mastodon.
No!
The winner of the award for “band name that best represents the sound of the band” is…
BEHEMOTH
No surprise here. (On the false choice).
oh one more thing, atleast it aint slipknot. Just had to say that.
Ahab – Call of the Wretched Sea covers the same subject matter but is at least a hundred times better than Leviathan. The list is a failure from top to bottom and it helps me understand why the best albums are no longer released by the bigger metal labels: they wouldn’t know good metal if they heard it.
Ahab is some gooooooood metal.
I got goosebumps reading that article. Fuck, this album is a beast. Hearts Alive is the best song ever. Blood and Thunder rips cocks off. You forgot to mention 1:20 to 1:27 of Megalodon, probably the single greatest moment in the history of music. Jesus Christ this album is so good it hurts. People who say it sucks are just wrong. Leviathan wins.
I love that “yee-haw” part. Totally bad ass!
How utterly predictable. ICP > Mastodon.
Crack The Sky is better.
Upon reflection the top 5 should of been like this
1. Anal Cunt-The Greatest Metal Band, tears down the likes of Slayer/Metallica/Iron Maiden any day.
2. ICP-Greatest Creative Talent next to Rick Astley
3.Lil’ Jon & The East Side Boyz-Crunk Juice-Used a slayer track as sample
4. Cryptopsy-The Unspoken King: Completely beats None So Vile
5. Limp Bizkit-Any of their albums they’re all amazing
*anyone who believes this is a tool.
Woo Limp Bizkit mockery, you sure are original and funny.
The first time I ever listened to Mastodon was when I overheard someone at tower records talking about this CD. Sure enough, the nerd left, I walked around to the ‘M’ section, and bought it. I was a little put off at first because I was at the time a die-hard hip-hop fan. I had just recently discovered Metal that wasnt Metallica, and I wanted more. Still, the shit was too much to stomach right away. I went back a few days later, and just sat there listening to it, and was just floored by how different it was than anything I had ever listened to. I went back and listened to Remission, and that was that.
I ended up working in the music industry, and had the chance to work on Blood Mountain for a little bit. That was really one of the highlights of my career. Anyway, yeah, Leviathan is the shit.
I just posted to say that I was going to post my top 21 list, but then I got tired and said fuck it.
Good album, but not a #1
Honestly, I’m surprised that not one Darkest Hour album made it on here.
That would have been cool. I can see how they didn’t make the list, but I didn’t notice them as suggestions on other posts. I had a couple songs from Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation pop up on the ipod today.
Ok really how many jokes are you going to do for the number 1 slot? Now really who is number 1?
Mastodon? More like Mastubatory-don. Over-pretentious boring crap. And the vocals suck.
No:
Destroy the Opposition?
Prowler in the Yard?
Versus The World?
Wages of Sin?
Oceanic?
Clients?
Nihilty?
Helvete?
Dechristianize?
The Oncoming Storm?
Enemy of the Music Business?
Antitheisis?
Lucid Interval?
Colors?
hell…even A Matter of Life and Death?
this list is retarded.
Jane Doe
Leviathan
New American Gospel
and Blackwater Park are the only entries that don’t make me pull me eyes out.
Oceanic!! Nice!
Words don’t describe how relieved I am that #1 is an album worth the spot… Mastadon is a staple of metal music and they proved that they will be for a long time to come…
I am a little pissed however because nothing Devin Townsend did is on this list… sure he produced some stuff… but I was sure SYL’s Alien would have made it on this list somewhere… even if it was high, in place of hatebreed or shadows fall… but you can’t get everything you want and this list has kept me MORE THAN busy over the past month and it was by far the best internet article I have ever followed.
THANK YOU METAL SUCKS!
and I spelled Mastodon wrong… DUH!
SYL-Zen played at high volume= happiness.
Almost Again, Ziltoid or any DTB has mainly the same effect.
True. I find that in order to truly appreciate Mr. Townsend’s work you either have to listen to it really loud, or use headphones.
I find Devin’s music enjoyable at any volume, but the solo work is better with headphones. SYL is lots of fun to blast.
Agreed.
Although it was disappoointing not to see some of your own favourites in the list, and some quite questionable picks, it has been fun following the list, and entertaining reading through these comments. It’s also been useful to hear heaps of other bands mentioned throughout the posts, so now I’ve got a long list of new shit to go and check out.
Cheers MS
(now poll your readers)
i think you mixed up megalodon and aqua dementia
i actually discovered this album while reading moby dick. definitely two things im glad i did.
its #4 on my list, which is still pretty commercial, but obviously better than the ms list. im not gonna stew over the order or the runners-up any more, im just gonna post it.
1 gojira – the way of all flesh 2008 france
2 opeth – blackwater park 2001 sweden
3 tool – lateralus 2001 usa
4 mastodon – leviathan 2004 usa
5 dillinger escape plan with mike patton – irony is a dead scene 2002 usa
6 isis – panopticon 2004 usa
7 morbid angel – gateways to annihilation 2000 usa
8 meshuggah – nothing 2002 sweden
9 protest the hero – fortress 2008 canada
10 amon amarth – versus the world 2002 sweden
11 himsa – summon in thunder 2007 usa
12 opeth – ghost reveries 2005 sweden
13 cynic – traced in air 2008 usa
14 skyclad – folkemon 2001 england
15 nachtmystium – assassins 2008 usa
16 machine head – the blackening 2007 usa
17 dillinger escape plan – miss machine 2004 usa
18 strapping young lad – strapping young lad 2003 canada
19 protest the hero – kezia 2005 canada
20 horse the band – the mechanical hand 2005 usa
21 therion – secret of the runes 2001 sweden
wow…wow…how does prog’s dick taste?
Yeah man, Morbid Angel and Amon Amarth! Prog’s wet dream bands!
I own everythying on that list except skyclad, you missed out BTBAM tho, I’m sure you have heard Colors judging by the bands you have listed, and CTS should be there:)
I dont’t agree with this list. There is a lot of prog indeed, maybe too much. BUT at least it’s a list of someone who listens to metal, goddamn. This website is retarded.
Amazing album, amazing band, but not better then As The Palaces Burn
just got say one thing about this record
SPLIT YOUR LUNGS IN BLOOD AND THUNDER WHEN YOU SEE THE WHITE WHALE
thats the kind of thing that makes METAL so fucking AWESOME.
fucking great choise.
This is indeed the best metal album of this century. I agree fully.
im rocking this album rigth now, im not sure if its the best album of this century so far… but still its a great great album and i think anyone who likes metal should give it a try.. and yeah the riffs are kick ass!!
First off, I’d say that although I think this list was pretty bad I’d chalk that up more to sampling error and statistical methods than any malfeasance or ignorance on the part of the editorial board. All that sad, the list was pretty bad, but I think a lot of other people put some great albums on their lists in the comments section. The problem is that if we were to poll everyone else, the consensus picks would be few and far between. E.g. I love Akercocke and Converge, but I just didn’t listen to them enough for them to make my favorites for the past decade. Also, tons of us are diehard fans of certain bands that have released up to 4 albums in the past decade, and that splits up votes. Still, it put me in list making mood myself and here’s my own list of my 21 PERSONAL FAVORITE metal albums of the 21st century thus far. (In no particular order after the first 10 to spare me the anguish).
1. Mastodon – Leviathan (it is that good)
2. Byzantine – …And They Shall Take Up Serpents
3. Immortal – Sons of Northern Darkness (I will say that it was a goddamn crime this album didn’t make the list)
4. Strapping Young Lad – Alien
5. Nasum – Human 2.0
6. Amon Amarth – With Oden On Our Side
7. Lamb of God – As The Palaces Burn
8. God Forbid – Gone Forever
9. Nile – Annihilation of the Wicked
10. High On Fire – Surrounded By Thieves
Pig Destroyer – Prowler In The Yard (love this album, but it creeps me out. Just creeps the hell out of me)
Andrew W.K. – I Get Wet (that’s right, fuck you)
The Haunted – … Made Me Do It
Meshuggah – Nothing
Dimmu Borgir – Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia (they’re kind of a joke now, but Dimmu was the band that introduced and helped me acquire my taste for extreme metal. And this album does slay)
Slough Feg – Atavism
Killing Joke – Hosannas From The Basement Of Hell
Machine Head – The Blackening
Misery Index – Traitors
The Black Dahlia Murder – Miasma
Tool – Lateralus
So yeah. There’s my unsolicited opinion. Let the accusations of sodomy begin!
Annihilation of the Wicked was a great album.
Lashed to the Slave Stick kills you dead.
Shit yeah, that riff is what I presume being dragged to Hell sounding like. And if I were ever a major league closing pitcher I would come out to “User Maat Ra.” As is I just play it when I’m about to win at darts…
Lashed to the Slave Stick, Abata Ankh t Khet!!
I’m happy to see some Nasum. Good grind band.
Byzantine is/was an awesome band, it sucks that they broke up after Oblivion Beckons. BTW I think you’re they only one to mention them.
Byzantine. hell yeah
id add skeletonwitch- beyond the perfarost and Pantera RTS.
Wow Slough Feg mentioned on this site. Never expected it. I’d put Traveller in my top 21.
“With Oden on our Side” has more memorable riffs than all LoG’s albums combined.
Nice list. At least it has more variety than the actual top 21…
So… Another Mastodon album? Really? Meh.
I would have certainly thought that, I don’t know, maybe some diversity would have made this list more respectable. But, as others have alluded to, “The List” is essentially a Mastodon and Lamb of God advertisement. Whatever.
Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I feel that it’s impossible to reach the pinnacle more than once in any aspect of life. Anytime you reach the pinnacle, the only place to go is down. Whether that is peaking with your job, or personal well-being, or love-life, or even something insignificant like the biggest shit you’ve ever taken, what they all have in common is that once you’ve done the best, all that is left is everything that isn’t as good.
That is my stance with any “Best Of…” list. There should only be one item representing each respective element of the compilation. Call me a pessimist, but there ain’t no way more than one Mastodon or Lamb of God album should have been on this list. That’s what this all boils down to; a rant against Mastodon and Lamb of God.
“Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I feel that it’s impossible to reach the pinnacle more than once in any aspect of life.”
Definitely well said, and I’m with you on this one dude. I’m a big enough fan of both Mastodon and Lamb Of God, but filling up 1/4 of this list with just those bands really excluded a lot of deserving titles. Besides, “Iron Tusk” is on the NHL 2K9 soundtrack, so I’ve heard more of that song than I ever thought imaginable. I would’ve loved to have seen The Haunted, Maiden, Black Dahlia Murder, amongst others on this list instead of reruns by these two acts, but what can you do?
“Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I feel that it’s impossible to reach the pinnacle more than once in any aspect of life.”
What a bunch of apathetic bullshit!
SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE LOSER!
This was supposed to be sardonic; I don’t know if it came across that way (Though I do have a beef with Mastodon and Lamb of God).
I did not see this coming.
Oh, wait. Yes. Yes I did.
Boo.
Where the f*ck are Meshuggah and Nile ,guys?????????????????
dude this list had no variety…full of crappy American metal (with a few exceptions)
I’m not gonna sit here and name all my favorite bands, but come on it was all mainstream MTV metal.
“MTV metal” is an oxy-moron.
Anybody who didn’t see this coming before #21 was announced is an idiot. That is all. This album is the shit and Mastodon are kind of like Slayer, yes they are popular, but they totally deserve it.l
Yeah you’re right they are like slayer. They are really overrated
Mastodon like Slayerr? I presume you meant LOG are like Slayer, since half of the riffs are from Reign in Blood
I honestly don’t get this album or Mastodon. I am trying to listen to it and understand why everyone loves it, but have the urge to hit next after a couple seconds and move onto the next song when I get so easily bored with this music. I guess you can’t be sober and enjoy Mastodon?
Same here I find nothing impressive about this band
Yes, thank you, I totally agree. I’ve tried time and again to like their music, but I just don’t, and I can’t see why everyone rates them so highly. I’ve listened to Leviathan, Blood Mountain and Crack the Skye, several times, but I just don’t like their sound or style of song writing. Oh well, you can’t please ‘em all…
Sure why not.
Dear Metalsucks….
I hate Ziltoid!
Thank you.
Dear “Douche Bags That Make Your Own Lists”…..
No one cares what you think!
Thank You.
Damn… sorry about that. I guess I’ll go back an delete my previous post. Oh, wait, I just remembered something…. I don’t care that nobody cares what I think.
Haha, nice username.
Quite Ironic that you are going around calling people douche bags because people want to actually recommend music. Some of the best ways to find new and interesting bands is through recommendations. I know that’s the main reason I go to sites like these is because I might hear about a band i wouldn’t otherwise.
If you would actually check out a couple of bands on the posted user lists you might find some new stuff. I know I found a couple of bands from Ziltoid’s list alone, and another band or two from a couple of other user’s lists.
Shitty list, GREAT album. Not that I really care, though…
I want:
Burzum : I’m in Jail
to be on this list at number 0
He’s out of prison now. Unless, of course, you’re referring to his two “ambient” albums.
Hes not in jail anymore I think. Just saying.
Clayman is the only album that should be on this list.
You could count Hatebreed for only the fact that they spawned a zillion other metalcore bands.
Without counting my definitive personal top shit, bands you can’t argue the relevance of:
Nevermore, Vintersorg, Hypocrisy, Enslaved, Amorphis, Soilwork, Amon Amarth, Arsis, Iced Earth, Agalloch, Children of Bodom and Finntroll/Ensiferum [if for only the fact that they spawned a zillion folk metal bands]
Finally some props towards Agalloch. Agalloch has always been one of my favorite bands, perhaps not the most metal band around but always a good listen.
YES! Agalloch is very good. Check out “Shining” too, they are of similar elk.
Which shining do you mean? The jazzmetal band or the one that cuts himself up with a wiskey bottle everytime he’s on stage?
agalloch – ashes against the grane, best album of the 21 century.
Sinatra is my number 1.
I would second that.
Yep – it’s Frank’s world, we just live in it.
#1 should have been Cher.
That way Ziltoid would have writhed in agony as if he were dipped in acid.
I think I would have preferred Cher.
I would have preferred Cher to basically this entire list. No “writhing in agony” from me.
“The goggles, they do nothing”
good album indeed but Crack The Skye is their best work to date.
Here is a bunch that I dont think have been mentioned that are deserving.
Hate Eternal – I, Monarch
Hate Eternal – Fury & Flames
Arsis – A Celebration of Guilt
Black Dahlia Murder – Unhallowed
Goatwhore – A Haunting Curse
Darkest Hour – Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation
Chimaira – Chimaira
Amon Amarth – Fate of Norns
Decapitated – Winds of Creation
Cannibal Corpse – Kill
Rotten Sound – Murderworks
Eden Maine – To You The First Star
mastadon is so gosh darn boring.
no fortress by PTH?!?!? that album is THE FUCKING SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and detones are not metal. tool is not metal.
oh yea, i can’t believe job for a cowboy wasn’t #1, guess the honeymoon is over between you guys?
Just as I was celebrating #1 being ICP I learn that crappy Mastodon actually won. This just ruined my night.
As unbiased as I am, I like your username for some reason.
lol metalsucks ruined your night
Would have liked to seen Black Dahlia Murder “Unhallowed” oh well…… How bout the top 21 albums of the 21st century according to each of the Metalsucks guys???
The list is red…long live the list !
I dont get why all of you so called “metal” critics are so blind to the fact that the band that started it all just released their newest album yesterday. also for those of you obviously blind to metal. TOOL ISNT METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! but they do kick fucking asss!
oh yea and mastadon wouldnt be who they are if it wasnt for touring with SLAYER!!!!!
I’d like to amend your comment. Killswitch Engage (who somehow landed on this list twice), wouldn’t be where they are if they hadn’t toured with Slayer. I saw KsE sandwiched between Mastodon and Slayer on the Jagermeister tour … Mastodon was excellent, KsE was uninspired and uninspiring and Slayer, of course, was great.
I don’t think Mastodon should have been on the list three times (”Blood Mountain” doesn’t compare to their other works, IMHO), but they are a very strong band. “Leviathan” and “Crack The Skye” prove they’re a band that deserves most of the attention they receive.
do any of you people even know the roots of metal? try listening to some lyrics that actually are audible and fucking dominate in such songs as: Exile, Consfearacy, Point, SS-3, Temptation, Supremist and Payback to name a few!
I can hear all of the lyrics. They may be incomprehensible at first, but they are audible. Learn the meanings of words before you use them.
SOLID LIST I GUESS. SOME GOOD PICKS AND SOME BAD PICKS(DEFTONES) IN MY OPINION.
THE WORST PART OF THE LIST WAS ZILTOID.
ZILTOID IS NOT METAL.
Neither is a broken CAPS LOCK key.
CAPS LOCK MAKE YOU VERY COOL.
you’re not metal
You’re not metal either
See, I can play this game as well.
Don’t talk shit about Ziltoid.
Niether of you arent not is metal.
We don’t need to talk shit about Zitload;
he does it to himself every time he opens his mouth.
I am not metal!
This band becomes friggin boring day after day.
My comment from #2 still stands:
If it wasn’t for Opeth, In Flames and Gojira, this list could very well be “The American Top 21 American metal albums of the American 21st Century”. Don’t get me wrong, I like Killswitch, Mastodon and Tool as much as the next guy, but there have been top-notch releases from other countries in the last 10 years, from Strapping Young Lad (Canadian eh), Meshuggah, Amon Amarth to Ayreon and Porcupine Tree.
3 bands have 2 albums in the top 10. A little variety would be nice.
Three LOG albums??? I wonder how many sexual favors Chris has offered to the other voters on the panel…
Note: This album came out in 2004 not 2003.
Great album , i do prefer blood mountain and probaly crack the skye but thank fuck its not insane clown posse.
I would like to know where the fuck a decapitated album would come on this list? Especially seeing as they’re the best death metal ive listened to in the last 9 years and it pisses on nearly every album on the list
I won’t argue that Decapitated are/were good, but Top 21 good?
Good record, but this list is so awful. OMgosh. Popmetal haven.
Allright, allright, funny….You fooled us twice, now show us the REAL number #1
is suicide silence 1a,this is sad
Another Mastodon huh…
Listen girls, there is nothing special about Mastodon.
Saw them at Unholy Alliance and after the first song, I realized it was a great time to get out of the pit for a piss and some beer…
Gave them another chance at Mayhem Fest #1 and again realized it was a good opportunity to get a beer!
That’s when I realized that Mastodon is a fantastic beer break band!
Come On!!
Where is Traced On Air of Cynic, The Formation Of Damnation of Testament, Enslaved’s Isa, Crack The Skye of Mastodon, Between The Buried And Me’s Colors, High On Fire’s Death Is This Communion, Exodus’s The Atrocity Exhibition Exhibit A, Baroness’s Red Album, Torche’s Meanderthal, and what about The Sword!!
I know that this list was a democracy, but come on!! Lamb Of God three times??? You’re Editors!! Put there your last word!!!
Why the fuck isn’t this Cynic’s “Traced In Air”? The best album of the 21st century is disregarded again.
So what was the point of all of this? Obviously this list has no real impact on any of our lives because most of realize that 90% of it was complete bullshit. Was this basically a way for the site to make money by offering a laughable discount on the included albums?
Yep, I actually do think that this was all for the 12% discount. Pretty hilarious if you ask me.
Why wouldn’t you want 12% off a mastodon, lamb of god and killswitch discography???
Because they should be paying me to listen to that crap.
+1
These people don’t know what good music is like you do Ziltoid.
i disagree
‘Leviathan’ is the only album of the decade to which I have listened to whilst doing nothing else whatsoever. Nothing but taking in the wonder that this fucking incredible album. The first time I listened to it, ‘Leviathan’ was simply jaw-dropping. It still is.
In my opinion, deserves to be #1. I can’t think of an album I’ve enjoyed more this whole decade. And there aren’t many more that I’ve enjoyed ever.
not a bad record… but honestly its not that great. def not deservign of number 1. opinions dont mean jack shit if theyre wrong… and placing this album as #1 is about as incorrect and assinine as you can possibly be
This list is just “bleh”.
FAIL WHALE!
:(
goddamn it. 3 mastodon, 3 log, and 2 killswitch.
well, psychostick did vote in this.
Whatever you think of the rest of the albums – Leviathan is genuinely and objectively fucking awesome. But I too fail to see why LOG deserve 3 and KSE 2 entries. Or even this many Mastodon albums. Or half of the other crap come to think of it. But then, it’s been quite a fun thing to follow, this list. and I dont have as big a problem with it as other commentators.
Was this a list or just you guys sucking Mastodon’s chode to completion? The list is filled with them.
I guess they deserve to be on your list, anyway, they epitomize the shit-metal trend that has consumed all that is hardcore, if there is a “best” of it, they might as well be it.
Awesome. I’m a big Mastodon fan.. though, from everything I’ve seen, they’re not really a good live band… I’d take Lamb of God or Opeth over Mastodon live… but they’re all great bands! Can’t say I agree completely with the list but it’s pretty good overall.. except the KSE albums.. but that’s just me… haha..
at least you fuckers had the balls to post a number one album.
i totally thought you’d bail-out on the 2nd best metal album of the 21st century,
then call in god forbid or iwrestledabearonce to save your sorry asses.
god-speed metal-sucks, god-speed.
Keep the lists coming, i intend to fold them into the MetalSucks results and see what changes and then post back here! =)
Ideally, i’d get 57 user lists to go with 57 original panelists…..i have over 30 lists just by scrollign thru previous comment threads, so if you put one up earlier that you’d like to edit, please re-post. =)
No love for Elvenefris… :(
That riff is off a different Mastodon song you bastards. It’s not even the same album; you’re thinking of “March Of The Fire Ants” on Remission.
Well deserved number 1. While Crack the Skye is a good album, Leviathan is just pure musical genius.
The riff off “Blood and Thunder” is: dena dena dena dena, de na na, de na na, nananal, or something to that nature.
WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUCK…really? i dont see how this can be number 1…or even on the list honestly..personally i cant think of a number 1 but im sure its not this..i mean i like Mastodon, but Number 1 Metal Album of 21st Century? i dont see it.
No it was something like dena dena dena dena DENA na, de na na anal anal anal.
Good choice Leviathan. Still Crack the Skye is way better IMO.
Where was Protest the Hero Fortress? Didnt they give that five horns?