Top 10 Best Metal Bands of the 2000s

Yes, it's time to ruffle the feathers of hair bands and butt rockers!

We're moving through genres ranging from Nu Metal to Screamo and Death Metal.

The Top Ten

Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold is an American alternative metal band formed in 1999 in California. Their longest lineup consisted of M. Shadows (vocals), Synyster Gates (lead guitar), Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitar), Johnny Christ (bass guitar), and The Rev (drums).... read more

They have the best minds in music. Every album is different, the songs are amazing, the solos are wicked, and M. Shadows is an awesome singer. It is incredible how they write music instrumentally and lyrically.
So far, I never stop listening to their 2005 album City of Evil. It has awesome riffs and mind-blowing solos. Keep hanging on top, Avenged Sevenfold!

I'd say Avenged Sevenfold is Pantera's successor, as Avenged Sevenfold is an amazing band, just like Pantera. They are the ones keeping heavy metal alive, just like Pantera did.
It's so sad that Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan, such a talented drummer, singer, and songwriter, passed away. R.I.P. forever, Jimmy. It will be really hard to move on without him, just like Matt said. Anyway, they are ready to carry the light left behind by The Rev. Best band ever.
Slipknot

Slipknot is an American metal band that formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1996. They're recognized as a key force in the New Wave of American Alternative Metal from the late 1990s through the 2000s. The band is also known for their black and red jumpsuits and horror-inspired masks.... read more

Best live performers on this list (of the last decade, of course. Otherwise, Metallica would be way up there too). Great singer who can go from absolutely brutal vocals to very melodic singing with ease. The first two albums were AWESOME. Since then, they have dropped their form a little bit (much like other bands on this list).
System of a Down takes the number 2 spot easily for me. Then I'd have to say Linkin Park - much to the disgust of some metalheads who get a bit too picky about the definition of metal. I believe Linkin Park's first two albums are metal. After that, maybe not. But those first two albums and the explosion in popularity that followed are enough for me to grant them 3rd place.
Disturbed

Disturbed is an American alternative metal, nu-metal, and hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band consists of vocalist David Draiman, bassist John Moyer, guitarist Dan Donegan, and drummer Mike Wengren.
They are known for hit songs such as "Down with the Sickness," "Stricken," and a powerful... read more

Disturbed is just amazing, as they have explored multiple different types of rock, such as nu-metal, heavy metal, hard rock, rap metal, and ballads. They definitely have one of the best vocalists of any rock band, along with awesome guitarists and drummers.
They have had few wrongs in a career full of rights. If you don't agree, look up Down With The Sickness, Stricken, Stupify, The Animal, Asylum, The Sound of Silence, Voices, and The Light. All of these songs showcase Disturbed's musical diversity and greatness in vivid detail.

Truthfully, I believe Disturbed should be 2nd, Slipknot 1st, A7X 3rd, and Korn 4th. There's no denying that A7X took the 2000s by storm and deserves a top-three spot, but Slipknot won more awards. Neither Disturbed nor A7X had as many nominations or a song win Best Metal Performance.
Between Disturbed and A7X, both have powerful lyrics. No one can play guitar like Moyer, and The Rev had incredible drumming. However, I'd still say Disturbed is better in my opinion.
Lamb of God

Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the band originally featured Randy Blythe (vocals), Mark Morton (guitar), Willie Adler (guitar), John Campbell (bass), and Chris Adler (drums). Chris Adler departed the band in 2019 and was replaced by Art Cruz. The... read more

Should be number one, hands down! Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed don't hold a candle to Lamb of God. No other metal band of this generation grasps the spirit and feel of metal like LOG, and not only are they enjoyable to listen to, but they're also extremely talented.
Randy's vocals are unique among all others, Chris Adler's drums don't miss a beat, and Mark and Willie's guitar work is a force to be reckoned with. I don't even like Avenged Sevenfold, but I've learned to play songs by them and LOG as well, and points for difficulty and just being straight-up badass and fun to play go to them. But that's just my non-expert opinion.

Why is Metallica even on the list? They're more of an '80s and early '90s band. Laugh out loud, what the hell?
Sure, Lamb of God formed in '99 as Burn the Priest, but they released some amazing stuff in the 2000s and 2010s. A band like this is pure metal genius.
System of a Down

System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal band from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They're known for their politically charged lyrics, often addressing topics such as genocide and war, in songs like Holy Mountains, Prison... read more

Dude, I am a dumb teenager, and I can tell you that you can like both System of a Down and Avenged Sevenfold. You can also like metal and things like Elton John and Radiohead. You can like Elton John and Radiohead and alt rockers like Nirvana, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, and the Smashing Pumpkins.
I like classic rock legends like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Rush. I also like The Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C., Rage Against the Machine, and Eminem. I have a wide taste in music, and I hate when people draw such harsh lines even within sub-genres. Give everything a chance. Maybe you'll surprise yourself and like it.

The combined lyrical talents of Daron and Serj make the songs beautifully written and melodic. They plunge into chaos with Daron's fast guitar and John's maniacal drumming. Shavo's rhythmic bass keeps everything groovy through the madness and melody.
Listen to Question!, ATWA, Holy Mountains, Spiders, or Aerials to see what I mean.
Tool

Tool is an American alternative and progressive metal band formed in 1990.
The lineup includes Maynard James Keenan (vocals), Danny Carey (drums), Adam Jones (guitar), and Justin Chancellor (bass), who joined in 1995. The band is recognized for incorporating electronic influences and for their... read more

Tool's music is much more intricate than most other metal bands, yet it has enough anger to match the aggression of others. The combination of these two aspects, plus the talent in each member, makes Tool the greatest of metal bands.

Tool is completely unique. No one else, including top-notch bands, has a sound quite like theirs.
Brilliant composition, both lyrically and musically, is developed through the numbers by musicians who are at the top of their game.

Actual metal. Actual deep messaging. They respect metal.
Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

It upsets me to see the GODS being counted among the mere mortals. I don't think it's fair. Bands like Metallica belong to a very different league of musicians after having produced cult classics for years, and it would be disrespectful to place them among the bands which have hardly been around for 2-5 years!

Death Magnetic is a classic album. However, it isn't as good as their original albums, like The Black Album and Master of Puppets. That doesn't make it a bad album. Some good songs are: That Was Just Your Life, The Unforgiven III, and Broken, Beat & Scarred.
That album is enough to classify them as the best metal band today.
Mastodon

Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. The band was formed in early 2000 and includes Troy Sanders on bass, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher on guitars, and Brann Dailor on drums. They are known for their complex song structures and blending of multiple metal subgenres.

I'm sorry, but most of the bands ranked higher than Mastodon are completely two-dimensional and have little to no variety or originality.
Lamb of God has essentially written the same few songs repeatedly throughout their career, and Avenged Sevenfold has pretty much turned into a Metallica tribute band by now. System of a Down is pretty good and very experimental, despite the nu-metal elements.
Slipknot, Disturbed, and Bullet for My Valentine are just angsty butt-metal for teenagers. Killswitch Engage is fine, but also kind of rips off Swedish melodeath a lot. Children of Bodom are pretty good, if cheesy, but are fairly similar to other melodeath bands. Metallica hasn't released anything groundbreaking in the 21st century. So, essentially, only System of a Down really has any place here.
Mastodon is arguably one of the most influential, progressive (and HEAVY) metal bands on this list, with at least 5 classic albums. So why is A7X leading again?
Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1999 after the breakup of Overcast and Aftershock. They are considered one of the pioneering bands of the metalcore genre.

As long as Jesse is in the band, then they're alright. But Howard... oh boy, don't get me started on him and the way he and the band RUINED Holy Diver.

This Fire. Meaning the "Fire" of Killswitch Engage will live forever. This is the absolution of all fans of this band.

Killswitch Engage writes songs with meaning and generally with a positive message. That puts them a step above.
Bullet for My Valentine

Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh metalcore band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band consists of Matthew Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar, backing vocals), Michael Thomas (drums), and Jamie Mathias (bass guitar). Former members include Nick Crandle and Jason James,... read more

Okay, in this list, I agree Avenged Sevenfold should be first. Slipknot is not my favorite, but I guess they are good. However, there are other bands that, in my opinion, are better.
System of a Down is amazing, but still, Bullet for My Valentine is better. Disturbed is just so original! And Bullet, of course, is the best! Listen to The Last Fight, Waking the Demon, Scream Aim Fire, Alone, Your Betrayal, and Tears Don't Fall, and you will see what I'm really talking about!

Bullet for My Valentine was the first metal band I listened to, and I immediately fell in love. There are a lot of other great bands that can rival it, such as Slipknot, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch, and As I Lay Dying, but Bullet for My Valentine is my absolute favorite!

The Newcomers

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Alter Bridge

Alter Bridge is an American hard rock and alternative metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips. The group was formed after the... read more

How anybody could not consider Alter Bridge in this list is a mystery to me, honestly.
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Vektor

Vektor is an American progressive thrash metal band from Tempe, Arizona. The band formed under the name Locrian around June 2003 but changed their name to Vektor in 2004. They are known for their science fiction-themed lyrics and complex song structures.

They've been around for seven years and are already one of the best thrash bands ever.

The Contenders

Dream Theater

Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1985 under the name "Majesty," later changing it to Dream Theater. The original lineup consisted of John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), and Mike Portnoy (drums).... read more

I think Dream Theater has a lot more quality than the majority of bands here. Their technique is incredibly complex, and it is way better than Avenged... I think the only other band that is as good as them in quality is Tool.
The other bands are just good. But to be the best, you need something else, and DT and Tool have it.

I think Dream Theater would be more of a contender for a 1990s list since they really hit it big in 1992 with Images and Words. Great band though, better than most of the hard rock crap posing as metal in the top ten.
Korn

Korn is an American nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, along with Ray Luzier, who replaced original drummer David Silveria in 2007. Korn... read more

If it wasn't for Korn, I wouldn't be the songwriter I am today. Nor would I be a die-hard metalhead. I don't even know if I'd be alive. Korn has just helped and inspired me so much over the years, and will always be one of my favorite bands.
There will always be a special place in my heart for Jonathan Davis.

Korn, in my opinion, is the best band ever. They're incredibly innovative and incredibly heavy.
Untouchables and Take a Look in the Mirror are some of the greatest heavy metal/nu-metal albums in history.

Take a Look in the Mirror is outstanding! Issues and the three before it are just as good! Been a huge fan for as long as I can remember. Much love.
Children of Bodom

Children of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen, and Daniel Freyberg. The band was known for its blend of melodic elements with extreme metal, and disbanded in 2019 following... read more

In my opinion, the 13th spot isn't right for them. Children of Bodom (COB) deserved a higher place. The list seems to be made based on popularity, not greatness. That's why COB is not even in the top 10. This band is far greater than most of the bands from the 2000s on this list.
I'm a Metallica fan, but I think Metallica shouldn't be on this list as they are more of an earlier band. And come on... they've been voted onto all the other lists too!
I love Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) too, but in terms of metal music, they fall far behind what Children of Bodom achieved in most aspects. Thank goodness I can't see Linkin Park on this list because they suck! Linkin Park's effort was a big-time fail.

Children of Bodom at 13? No.
Five Finger Death Punch is 12? Both of these bands should be in the top 10.
Korn hasn't done anything good since Follow the Leader.
Killswitch Engage is overrated, and Metallica has been bad in the 2000s.
Avenged Sevenfold is good but doesn't deserve being first.
Five Finger Death Punch

Five Finger Death Punch, often abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2005, the band's name is inspired by the classic martial arts film The Five Fingers of Death. They released their debut album, The Way of the Fist, in 2007.

Not only is FFDP, in my opinion, the band of this century, but they also simply can do no wrong. The Bleeding, Dying Breed, The Way of the Fist, The Pride, Got Your Six, The Wrong Side of Heaven, and Jekyll and Hyde are but a few of the head-banging, riff-raving, vocal-blaring anthems of many metalheads.
Five Finger Death Punch is only getting better.

Five Finger Death Punch's singer, Ivan Moody, has way more aggressive vocals than M. Shadows, and their guitar riffs are also more epic than any other metal band. Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook can also beat Synyster Gates's guitar solos.
They should be number one on the list, as well as the best New Wave of American Heavy Metal band.
Opeth

Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Åkerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which led to Åkerfeldt becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force.... read more

Opeth invented a genre. The only bands that sound anything like them were all inspired by them.
I find that their music can be a bit hard to get into, but once you do, it's a magical experience. Just don't expect to hear them playing on the radio.

If you like death metal, prog metal, or any kind of complex, multidimensional music, you seriously need to look these guys up. Their album Still Life single-handedly got me into death metal.

Blackwater Park, Deliverance, Damnation, Ghost Reveries, and Watershed equal an amazing decade for these guys.
By the way, this is one of the worst lists I have ever seen.
Nightwish

Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. It was formed in 1996 by Tuomas Holopainen, Emppu Vuorinen, and Tarja Turunen. The current lineup includes Holopainen, Vuorinen, Floor Jansen, Troy Donockley, and Kai Hahto, who is temporarily replacing drummer Jukka Nevalainen.

Definitely worthy of this list, Nightwish infuses orchestral sounds with hard-pounding riffs and awesome solos. Both eras of vocalists have their own great qualities too.

Nightwish produces some really beautiful music. The guitar riffs are gorgeous, and the overall sound is really inventive and spunky. I love everything they do. Definitely number one of EVERYTHING here.

So many really good bands were left off this list, like Nightwish, probably because they were not U.S. bands with labels spending cash to spin their tunes on U.S. radios.
As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. The band was founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, and its first full lineup, including drummer Jordan Mancino, came together in 2001. As of 2024, the band has released seven studio albums, including Shaped by Fire, along with... read more

One of the few metalcore bands with true skill and talent.

Death metal at its finest.
Arch Enemy

Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Halmstad, formed in 1996 as a supergroup. Its members have played in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist. The band became known for its blend of aggressive guitar riffs, melodic solos, and dynamic... read more

It took a few years for Arch Enemy to grow on me. Being a fan of Carcass and Michael Amott's guitar work, I followed him to Arch Enemy. The music was almost as aggressive but melodic at the same time, showcasing Michael Amott's handiwork.
I even went to see them live at a local brick-and-mortar venue in 2007 or 2008, got heavily drunk, and walked out unimpressed with the band. I'm not sure what it was or when, or if it was just me getting older, but they grew on me, and now I don't go a day without listening to some Arch Enemy. Next to Megadeth, they've become one of my favorite bands, oddly enough.

Why number 17? They should be in the top 5 at least.
Trivium

Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. The band's most consistent members are frontman Matt Heafy, lead guitarist Corey Beaulieu, and bassist Paulo Gregoletto, all of whom have appeared on every album since joining.... read more

Though every album they released was different from the others, making their discography somewhat of a roller coaster when it comes to quality, I cannot deny the fact that they did put out great albums like "Shogun," "The Crusade," "Ascendancy," and even the hugely underrated "Vengeance Falls."

Ascendancy was the best metal album of the decade, and one of the best since Painkiller. They did have some weaker albums, but their sound was still unbelievable.
Nothing has topped Ascendancy, except maybe A7X's Nightmare.
All That Remains

All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1998. They have released nine studio albums, including The Fall of Ideals and Victim of the New Disease. The band has sold over a million records worldwide and is known for blending metalcore with melodic elements... read more
Evanescence

Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s with their debut studio album Fallen (2003), which included the hit singles Bring Me to Life and My Immortal.... read more
Amon Amarth

Amon Amarth is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Tumba, formed in 1992. The band's name is taken from the Sindarin name for Mount Doom in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology. Amon Amarth is known for its Viking-themed lyrics and has released several acclaimed albums, including Twilight of the... read more

Actually one of the few widely popular bands since the late '90s that actually sound like pure metal. Every other band infused hardcore, rap, screamo, or something else into their music. Amon Amarth kept it rather simple but true: very heavy melodic death metal, and Vikings are a very interesting theme to base your band around.

Amon Amarth should be top 10 without a doubt. Never really had a bad album, and besides, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, Slipknot, and System of a Down are NOT metal bands. They also suck horribly.
Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge and alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1992. The original lineup consisted of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Initially named Groundswell, the band changed its name... read more

Three Days Grace is an amazing band and my biggest influence.
Metallica is number 1, then Avenged Sevenfold, after that Disturbed, then Slipknot, next Three Days Grace, Hollywood Undead after Stone Sour, then Saint Asonia.

How come Three Days Grace isn't in the top 10, or on this entire list as a matter of fact? They deserve the number 1 spot.
Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more

Below Metallica, HA! That's a joke, right? They've released two albums, haven't they? I don't even know.
Iron Maiden, on the other hand, has released Brave New World, Dance of Death, A Matter of Life and Death, and The Final Frontier (if you'll consider it). Also, they had a monster tour, recreating the atmosphere of the famous World Slavery Tour.
Ah, Iron Maiden, always thinking of the fans. That's why they are not only the best band of the decade but of all time.

What are they doing in 14th position? They should be at the top. After the release of Brave New World, they have never had a bad album. Iron Maiden is the best metal band ever.
Volbeat

Volbeat is a Danish heavy metal band formed in Copenhagen in 2001. They are known for blending elements of rock and roll, heavy metal, and rockabilly into their music. The band has released multiple albums and achieved international success with hits like Still Counting and A Warrior's Call.

I want to give a huge thank you to this band because I haven't found a group in a long time where I can put on one of their records, hit play, and be satisfied from beginning to end.
I used to have that with bands like Guns N' Roses, Metallica, and Pantera, and since you don't really hear much from these groups anymore, I have had to start looking into the "what's new" section of the current hard rock and heavy metal scene. I remember when I stumbled upon Volbeat, I knew about halfway through the second song that I had come across a remarkable find.
So thanks, Volbeat. You gave me something that was missing for a long time. Cheers, boys.
"We sing it out loud and we sing it out proud"!