Blog author: Alex Stojanovic Hello folks! Here we are again with another edition of Ultimate Lists put together by multiple members of the team. We had a lot of fun putting together the last one, where we focused on thrash albums from the 2010s, and because we love our thrash, we thought we'd revisit that realm again and focus on thrash albums from the 2000s for Ultimate List #2. All albums were released from 2000-2009. |
Much like the 2010s, the 2000s also produced an abundance of incredible albums, and the 2000s was also the time when thrash was having a major comeback after its darkest hour in the 90s, with many of the legends returning to their thrash roots, and many new bands making their entrances on to the scene. Since thrash has expanded into so many subcategories, we've got a really interesting selection of albums that stick to the fundamentals of thrash, and also albums that contain a more broader range of elements and influences.
Just like we also did with the last list, all positions on the list were based on number of votes and placements on our individual lists (which you can see below). There were five of us participating, and the way the voting went down between us was that all albums had to receive at least two votes between the five of us in the main portions of our individual lists, including one vote in an individual honourable mention portion. Albums make it into the honourable mentions section if they received two or more votes in our individual honourable mentions sections. If an album was only picked once, and if the person that picked it has a really strong opinion about why it should be included in the list, that album is welcomed into the list without hesitation, even if it's by a band that someone on the team isn't exactly a fan of. Alright, let's get into the festivites.
Just like we also did with the last list, all positions on the list were based on number of votes and placements on our individual lists (which you can see below). There were five of us participating, and the way the voting went down between us was that all albums had to receive at least two votes between the five of us in the main portions of our individual lists, including one vote in an individual honourable mention portion. Albums make it into the honourable mentions section if they received two or more votes in our individual honourable mentions sections. If an album was only picked once, and if the person that picked it has a really strong opinion about why it should be included in the list, that album is welcomed into the list without hesitation, even if it's by a band that someone on the team isn't exactly a fan of. Alright, let's get into the festivites.
LIST COMPILED BY:
Alex Stojanovic / Derek Solomos / Alex Irwin / Thomas Oake / David Catanus
Alex Stojanovic / Derek Solomos / Alex Irwin / Thomas Oake / David Catanus
10. MACHINE HEAD - The Blackening (2007)
Coming off a pretty successful comeback with Through The Ashes Of Empires in 2003 and 2004, Machine Head went into the studio in 2006, and gave birth to what is without a doubt the most universally acclaimed album of their career with The Blackening. I know a lot of people won't exactly look at this album as a pure thrash album, but when you have songs like "Aesthetics Of Hate", "Clenching The Fists Of Dissent", "Beautiful Mourning", and "Wolves", that's enough to call it a thrash album in our eyes. To this day, The Blackening has become an album really hard to top, although Unto The Locust is under it by a notch, and songs like "Aesthetics Of Hate" and "Halo" have become setlist staples. As far as its placement in the list, the album received two votes in the main portions. We got stuck with choosing an album for the 10th spot, and the two main votes was all it needed for it to earn its spot in the main list here.
Coming off a pretty successful comeback with Through The Ashes Of Empires in 2003 and 2004, Machine Head went into the studio in 2006, and gave birth to what is without a doubt the most universally acclaimed album of their career with The Blackening. I know a lot of people won't exactly look at this album as a pure thrash album, but when you have songs like "Aesthetics Of Hate", "Clenching The Fists Of Dissent", "Beautiful Mourning", and "Wolves", that's enough to call it a thrash album in our eyes. To this day, The Blackening has become an album really hard to top, although Unto The Locust is under it by a notch, and songs like "Aesthetics Of Hate" and "Halo" have become setlist staples. As far as its placement in the list, the album received two votes in the main portions. We got stuck with choosing an album for the 10th spot, and the two main votes was all it needed for it to earn its spot in the main list here.
09. MEGADETH - United Abominations (2007)
For this list, when it comes to Megadeth, it was a extremely close battle between United Abominations and Endgame. Whenever we have a tie between two albums that all five of us can easily agree on either way, we all have a tie-breaking chat, and the one that gets the most votes wins, that was the case here with United Abominations edging out Endgame by a hair. However, Endgame had to be included in the honourable mentions, which you can see down below. We all know that Dave Mustaine has always been very politically outspoken, and when it comes to United Abominations, it's definitely the most political Megadeth album, but also one of the band's best, especially with songs like "Sleepwalker", "Washington Is Next", "Gears Of War", "Blessed Are The Dead", "Play For Blood" and "You're Dead". The production is super sharp with Andy Sneap handling the controls, and we certainly wish they would put songs from this album back into the live set again.
For this list, when it comes to Megadeth, it was a extremely close battle between United Abominations and Endgame. Whenever we have a tie between two albums that all five of us can easily agree on either way, we all have a tie-breaking chat, and the one that gets the most votes wins, that was the case here with United Abominations edging out Endgame by a hair. However, Endgame had to be included in the honourable mentions, which you can see down below. We all know that Dave Mustaine has always been very politically outspoken, and when it comes to United Abominations, it's definitely the most political Megadeth album, but also one of the band's best, especially with songs like "Sleepwalker", "Washington Is Next", "Gears Of War", "Blessed Are The Dead", "Play For Blood" and "You're Dead". The production is super sharp with Andy Sneap handling the controls, and we certainly wish they would put songs from this album back into the live set again.
08. EXODUS - Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
When you talk about comeback albums in the metal scene, you can't not mention Exodus' Tempo Of The Damned, released in 2004. After releasing Force Of Habit, arguably the most polarizing release amongst both the band and fans, going on two extended hiatuses, and experiencing the loss of Paul Baloff, people though Exodus was done for good. However, after deciding to march forward, they brought back Steve "Zetro" Souza, and they came back all guns blazing with Tempo Of The Damned, and it was at the time when thrash was experiencing a resurgence in the 2000s. It was the right album at the right time, and it features some of the band's setlist staples like "War Is My Shepherd" and "Blacklist". At the same time, you have other fantastic songs like "Scar Spangled Banner", "Forward March", "Impaler", "Sealed With A Fist" and "Culling The Herd". This would end up being the last album with Zetro until Blood In, Blood Out in 2014, and then it went on to the Rob Dukes era, which still produced some of the heaviest records of the band's career. Simply put, Tempo Of The Damned is a no-brainer when you're talking about both thrash albums of the 2000s, as well as comeback albums.
When you talk about comeback albums in the metal scene, you can't not mention Exodus' Tempo Of The Damned, released in 2004. After releasing Force Of Habit, arguably the most polarizing release amongst both the band and fans, going on two extended hiatuses, and experiencing the loss of Paul Baloff, people though Exodus was done for good. However, after deciding to march forward, they brought back Steve "Zetro" Souza, and they came back all guns blazing with Tempo Of The Damned, and it was at the time when thrash was experiencing a resurgence in the 2000s. It was the right album at the right time, and it features some of the band's setlist staples like "War Is My Shepherd" and "Blacklist". At the same time, you have other fantastic songs like "Scar Spangled Banner", "Forward March", "Impaler", "Sealed With A Fist" and "Culling The Herd". This would end up being the last album with Zetro until Blood In, Blood Out in 2014, and then it went on to the Rob Dukes era, which still produced some of the heaviest records of the band's career. Simply put, Tempo Of The Damned is a no-brainer when you're talking about both thrash albums of the 2000s, as well as comeback albums.
07. SLAYER - World Painted Blood (2009)
When it comes to the three Slayer albums that were released in the 2000s, we all agreed on the fact that World Painted Blood deserved the spot in the top for a couple of reasons. For one, it was the last album with the full original lineup, and the last album Jeff Hanneman ever appeared on before his untimely passing in 2013, and as a result, it was the last great Slayer album, as Repentless was pretty dull. From the release of this album to their retirement, "Hate Worldwide" may have been the only song that became a permanent setlist staple, but you can't forget about tracks like the title track, "Unit 731", "Psychopathy Red", "Human Strain", "Beauty Through Order" and "Playing With Dolls". It's sad that Jeff's gone, but it's safe to say that his recording history closed out with a banger of an album. R.I.P. Jeff.
When it comes to the three Slayer albums that were released in the 2000s, we all agreed on the fact that World Painted Blood deserved the spot in the top for a couple of reasons. For one, it was the last album with the full original lineup, and the last album Jeff Hanneman ever appeared on before his untimely passing in 2013, and as a result, it was the last great Slayer album, as Repentless was pretty dull. From the release of this album to their retirement, "Hate Worldwide" may have been the only song that became a permanent setlist staple, but you can't forget about tracks like the title track, "Unit 731", "Psychopathy Red", "Human Strain", "Beauty Through Order" and "Playing With Dolls". It's sad that Jeff's gone, but it's safe to say that his recording history closed out with a banger of an album. R.I.P. Jeff.
06. WARBRINGER - War Without End (2008)
When it comes to thrash bands, we tend to talk about the legends the most, simply because they paved the way. However, whenever you're talking about metal as a whole, you have to honour the legacy of the legends, but also give kudos to the newer blood that's emerging. That being said, Warbringer are obviously not new now because they have been around for about 15 years, but they were one of the leaders of the New Wave Of Thrash that started emerging in the 2000s. They released two great albums in that decade: War Without End (2008) and Waking Into Nightmares (2009). It was a close call between the two, but the edge was given to their debut album War Without End. For one, even though it was released at a time when recording technology was so advanced, the production on the album made it sound like it came out in the '80s, which was thrash's ultimate decade. The album also produced some of the band's fan favourites like "Total War", "At The Crack Of Doom" and "Combat Shock".
When it comes to thrash bands, we tend to talk about the legends the most, simply because they paved the way. However, whenever you're talking about metal as a whole, you have to honour the legacy of the legends, but also give kudos to the newer blood that's emerging. That being said, Warbringer are obviously not new now because they have been around for about 15 years, but they were one of the leaders of the New Wave Of Thrash that started emerging in the 2000s. They released two great albums in that decade: War Without End (2008) and Waking Into Nightmares (2009). It was a close call between the two, but the edge was given to their debut album War Without End. For one, even though it was released at a time when recording technology was so advanced, the production on the album made it sound like it came out in the '80s, which was thrash's ultimate decade. The album also produced some of the band's fan favourites like "Total War", "At The Crack Of Doom" and "Combat Shock".
05. EVILE - Enter The Grave (2007)
Staying on the subject of the New Wave Of Thrash, there were many great bands that came out of that scene that are still going strong today, and one of the other leaders of the movement was none other than Evile. From 2007 to 2013, they put out four really strong albums, but it's no doubt that their debut: Enter The Grave is the clear favourite amongst fans. There's not a lot of younger bands that can say that they recorded an album at Sweet Silence Studios in Denmark with Flemming Rasmussen, the producer and the studio that gave birth to Ride The Lightning, And Justice For All and Master Of Puppets. When Enter The Grave was unleashed in 2007, the thrash community was raving over the album, and it got the band its first bunch of tours with many of the greats, such as Megadeth, 3 Inches Of Blood and Exodus, and the band still tends to play more songs off this album live. "Thrasher" has become a new thrash anthem, and is featured on Rock Band, so for a younger thrash band, that's saying a lot. There's no doubt that Enter The Grave is a modern thrash classic. "BOW DOWN TO THE THRASHER!"
Staying on the subject of the New Wave Of Thrash, there were many great bands that came out of that scene that are still going strong today, and one of the other leaders of the movement was none other than Evile. From 2007 to 2013, they put out four really strong albums, but it's no doubt that their debut: Enter The Grave is the clear favourite amongst fans. There's not a lot of younger bands that can say that they recorded an album at Sweet Silence Studios in Denmark with Flemming Rasmussen, the producer and the studio that gave birth to Ride The Lightning, And Justice For All and Master Of Puppets. When Enter The Grave was unleashed in 2007, the thrash community was raving over the album, and it got the band its first bunch of tours with many of the greats, such as Megadeth, 3 Inches Of Blood and Exodus, and the band still tends to play more songs off this album live. "Thrasher" has become a new thrash anthem, and is featured on Rock Band, so for a younger thrash band, that's saying a lot. There's no doubt that Enter The Grave is a modern thrash classic. "BOW DOWN TO THE THRASHER!"
04. DESTRUCTION - The Antichrist (2001)
Many of the albums featured on this list came out in the second half of the 2000s, and now, we come to an album that came out in the first half. With Destruction, we have five albums to choose from. However, The Antichrist was a popular vote amongst the five of us, and is also hailed by fans as another classic in the band's discography, along with Infernal Overkill and Eternal Devastation. "Thrash 'Til Death" and "Nailed To The Cross" are setlist staples, but you also can't forget about "Bullets From Hell", "Dictators Of Cruelty", "Creations Of The Underworld" and "The Heretic" just to name a few. As I mentioned above, The Antichrist came out in the first half of the decade, and it's the only album from that part of the decade to be featured on this list. Even though All Hell Breaks Loose (2000) saw the return of Schmier, The Antichrist can be considered the "true" return of Destruction, as it was received a lot better, and it was released right as the thrash flames were picking up again.
Many of the albums featured on this list came out in the second half of the 2000s, and now, we come to an album that came out in the first half. With Destruction, we have five albums to choose from. However, The Antichrist was a popular vote amongst the five of us, and is also hailed by fans as another classic in the band's discography, along with Infernal Overkill and Eternal Devastation. "Thrash 'Til Death" and "Nailed To The Cross" are setlist staples, but you also can't forget about "Bullets From Hell", "Dictators Of Cruelty", "Creations Of The Underworld" and "The Heretic" just to name a few. As I mentioned above, The Antichrist came out in the first half of the decade, and it's the only album from that part of the decade to be featured on this list. Even though All Hell Breaks Loose (2000) saw the return of Schmier, The Antichrist can be considered the "true" return of Destruction, as it was received a lot better, and it was released right as the thrash flames were picking up again.
03. KREATOR - Enemy Of God (2005)
You simply can't have a conversation about thrash and not mention Kreator. The 2000s saw the band release 3 really strong albums, but the majority vote was given to Enemy Of God. It definitely has the best production of their 2000s albums, thanks to the one and only Andy Sneap, the songwriting is stellar, and just the overall playing is top notch. The title track has become one of the band's signature songs and setlist staples, but you also have other gems such as "Impossible Brutality", "Murder Fantasies", "Voices Of The Dead" and "When Death Takes Its Dominion" just to name a few. Violent Revolution may have started Kreator's return to thrash, but Enemy Of God certainly took it to the next level, and just so we don't leave anyone or anything out, we also give a special shout-out to Hordes Of Chaos.
You simply can't have a conversation about thrash and not mention Kreator. The 2000s saw the band release 3 really strong albums, but the majority vote was given to Enemy Of God. It definitely has the best production of their 2000s albums, thanks to the one and only Andy Sneap, the songwriting is stellar, and just the overall playing is top notch. The title track has become one of the band's signature songs and setlist staples, but you also have other gems such as "Impossible Brutality", "Murder Fantasies", "Voices Of The Dead" and "When Death Takes Its Dominion" just to name a few. Violent Revolution may have started Kreator's return to thrash, but Enemy Of God certainly took it to the next level, and just so we don't leave anyone or anything out, we also give a special shout-out to Hordes Of Chaos.
02. METALLICA - Death Magnetic (2008)
Here we are, at the runner up, and unarguably the biggest thrash album of the 2000s. It goes without saying that there was no doubt that Metallica's Death Magnetic was going to be featured on here. It was the album that saw them returning to their thrash roots after 20 years since And Justice For All, and a huge leap in improvement and rejuvenation for the band after the much loved and respected St. Anger (I'm kidding, relax), and as a result, old-school fans ate it up. Just like most of Metallica's albums, Death Magnetic will always be the subject of the production complaints due to the heavy distortion levels, which made the album fall victim to the loudness war. Production flaws aside, you have tracks like "That Was Just Your Life", "The End Of The Line", "Broken, Beat & Scarred", "The Day That Never Comes", "All Nightmare Long", "The Unforgiven III" and "My Apocalypse", all of which feature some of their best writing in years, and many of these songs have already become classics.
Here we are, at the runner up, and unarguably the biggest thrash album of the 2000s. It goes without saying that there was no doubt that Metallica's Death Magnetic was going to be featured on here. It was the album that saw them returning to their thrash roots after 20 years since And Justice For All, and a huge leap in improvement and rejuvenation for the band after the much loved and respected St. Anger (I'm kidding, relax), and as a result, old-school fans ate it up. Just like most of Metallica's albums, Death Magnetic will always be the subject of the production complaints due to the heavy distortion levels, which made the album fall victim to the loudness war. Production flaws aside, you have tracks like "That Was Just Your Life", "The End Of The Line", "Broken, Beat & Scarred", "The Day That Never Comes", "All Nightmare Long", "The Unforgiven III" and "My Apocalypse", all of which feature some of their best writing in years, and many of these songs have already become classics.
01. TESTAMENT - The Formation Of Damnation (2008)
When we were compiling this list, I didn't think there was any doubt that Testament's triumphant and classic comeback album The Formation Of Damnation was going to be #1, or at least #2. The 9-year gap between The Gathering and this album was filled with many ups and downs, with the two biggest moments being Chuck Billy's cancer diagnosis and recovery, and the reunion of the band's original lineup in 2005, which was a huge moment not just for thrash, but for metal as a whole. The reunion sent the level of interest in a new Testament album shooting through the roof, and in 2008, after so many delays, The Formation Of Damnation was unleashed to an ecstatic universal reception, and it has been hailed as one of the best comeback albums ever made. "More Than Meets The Eye" has become a signature Testament song, along with "Over The Wall", "Into The Pit", "Trial By Fire", "Disciples Of The Watch" and "Practice What You Preach". There's so much to love about this album, from the crisp and immense production, the crushing vocals, the monstrous guitar tone, the majestic solos, the gritty bass lines, the explosive drumming, and overall impressive songwriting. All of these elements combined, along with the fact that there's not a bad song to be found, are enough to make The Formation Of Damnation the top thrash album of the 2000s in our book. Plus, between the five of us, each of us had this album featured in our individual lists, and it received four out of five votes at #1 on our individual lists, so that pretty much says it all, right there. What an amazing album!
When we were compiling this list, I didn't think there was any doubt that Testament's triumphant and classic comeback album The Formation Of Damnation was going to be #1, or at least #2. The 9-year gap between The Gathering and this album was filled with many ups and downs, with the two biggest moments being Chuck Billy's cancer diagnosis and recovery, and the reunion of the band's original lineup in 2005, which was a huge moment not just for thrash, but for metal as a whole. The reunion sent the level of interest in a new Testament album shooting through the roof, and in 2008, after so many delays, The Formation Of Damnation was unleashed to an ecstatic universal reception, and it has been hailed as one of the best comeback albums ever made. "More Than Meets The Eye" has become a signature Testament song, along with "Over The Wall", "Into The Pit", "Trial By Fire", "Disciples Of The Watch" and "Practice What You Preach". There's so much to love about this album, from the crisp and immense production, the crushing vocals, the monstrous guitar tone, the majestic solos, the gritty bass lines, the explosive drumming, and overall impressive songwriting. All of these elements combined, along with the fact that there's not a bad song to be found, are enough to make The Formation Of Damnation the top thrash album of the 2000s in our book. Plus, between the five of us, each of us had this album featured in our individual lists, and it received four out of five votes at #1 on our individual lists, so that pretty much says it all, right there. What an amazing album!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
SAVAGE MESSIAH Insurrection Rising (2009) | LAZARUS A.D. The Onslaught (2009) | TRIVIUM Shogun (2008) |
EVILE Infected Nations (2009) | DEATH ANGEL Killing Season (2008) | EXODUS The Atrocity Exhbition (2007) |
MEGADETH Endgame (2009) | SODOM M-16 (2001) | VIOLATOR Chemical Assault (2006) |
WARBRINGER Waking Into Nightmares (2009) | KREATOR Violent Revolution (2001) | OVERKILL Immortalis (2007) |
INDIVIDUAL LISTS
ALEX STOJANOVIC 01. Testament - Formation Of Damnation (2008) 02. Trivium - Shogun (2008) 03. Megadeth - Endgame (2009) 04. Evile - Infected Nations (2009) 05. Metallica - Death Magnetic (2008) 06. Savage Messiah - Insurrection Rising (2009) 07. Onslaught - Killing Peace (2007) 08. Kreator - Enemy Of God (2005) 09. Exodus - Shovel Headed Kill Machine (2005) 10. Slayer - World Painted Blood (2009) | TOM OAKE 01. Testament - Formation Of Damnation (2008) 02. Metallica - Death Magnetic (2008) 03. Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition (2007) 04. Testament - First Strike Still Deadly (2001) 05. Kreator - Violent Revolution (2001) 06. Sodom - Sodom (2006) 07. Death Angel - Killing Season (2008) 08. Destruction - The Antichrist (2001) 09. Pestilence - Resurrection Machine (2009) 10. Slayer - God Hates Us All (2001) |
DEREK SOLOMOS 01. Testament - Formation Of Damnation (2008) 02. Evile - Enter The Grave (2007) 03. Kreator - Enemy Of God (2005) 04. Exodus - The Atrocity Exhibition (2007) 05. Sodom - M-16 (2001) 06. Megadeth - United Abominations (2007) 07. Warbringer - War Without End (2008) 08. Machine Head - The Blackening (2007) 09. Destruction - The Antichrist (2001) 10. Municipal Waste - The Art Of Dying (2007) | ALEX IRWIN 01. Metallica - Death Magnetic (2008) 02. Machine Head - The Blackening (2007) 03. Slayer - World Painted Blood (2009) 04. Testament - Formation Of Damnation (200) 05. Exodus - Tempo Of The Damned (2004) 06. Kreator - Enemy Of God (2005) 07. Destruction - The Antichrist (200) 08. Megadeth - The System Has Failed (2004) 09. Warbringer - War Without End (2008) 10. Evile - Enter The Grave (2007) |
DAVID CATANUS
01. Testament - The Formation Of Damnation (2008)
02. Warbringer - Waking Into Nightmares (2009)
03. Lazarus A.D. - The Onslaught (2009)
04. Violator - Chemical Assault (2006)
05. Evile - Enter The Grave (2007)
06. Vektor - Black Future (2009)
07. Megadeth - Endgame (2009)
08. Artillery - When Death Comes (2009)
09. Kreator - Violent Revolution (2001)
10. Exodus - Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
01. Testament - The Formation Of Damnation (2008)
02. Warbringer - Waking Into Nightmares (2009)
03. Lazarus A.D. - The Onslaught (2009)
04. Violator - Chemical Assault (2006)
05. Evile - Enter The Grave (2007)
06. Vektor - Black Future (2009)
07. Megadeth - Endgame (2009)
08. Artillery - When Death Comes (2009)
09. Kreator - Violent Revolution (2001)
10. Exodus - Tempo Of The Damned (2004)
That concludes our Top 10 Thrash Albums Of The 2000s list. What did you think of our picks? Were there any albums that we missed? Let us know in the comments by sharing your own lists. There are no wrongs or rights here! Also, leave your suggestions as to which categories we should for the next collaborative list.
Thank you everyone for reading! Next up, our Best Of 2021 lists!
Thank you everyone for reading! Next up, our Best Of 2021 lists!