1. Converge – Jane Doe(2001)
I’m sure this is at the top of tons of lists for this decade, but it’s with good reason. This is absolutely the quintessential metal/hardcore record of the decade. Seeing this on some other top lists, I thought to myself, “there has to be some record that was better” but after thinking about it for a while, it occurred to me that this is, in fact, the best record of the decade.
2. Deftones – White Pony(2003)
There are so many songs on this record that are just so memorable and well-written that it’s not possible to not put it on my top 10 of the decade. It was the first Deftones record that really showed them completely embrace their melodic leanings(there were glimpses of it Around The Fur, but not like this.) As far as it being this high on my list, how can it not? Every song on here is absolutely awesome.
3. Edge of Sanity – Crimson II(2003)
Admittedly, this was the record that got me into Edge of Sanity and started my love of all things Dan Swano. Meant to function as one big song, it was broken down into tracks that flow together, but it still perfectly gets the idea across. Everything about this record is just mind blowing. The production, the writing, the playing, everything. I’m not huge on the whole melodic Death Metal thing too much these days(or really, any Death Metal) but I can still listen to this record from top to bottom, it’s just that good.
4. The Hope Conspiracy – Death Knows Your Name(2006)
If it weren’t for Jane Doe, this would absolutely be the best hardcore record of the decade. I was excited knowing that Hope Con was releasing a new record in 2006, but I had no idea what I was in for. Hang Your Cross was a bit of a sample but still couldn’t have prepared me for how much this record would totally kick my ass. It might sound cliché, but this record is just intensity personified in music.
5. Cursed – II(2005)
I recall reading reviews of this record, and thinking “Yeah, okay.” The reviews all said how this was a dark, crunchy, dirty record that nothing could match. They were right. From the moment this record opens it’s grimey and dark. The guitar tone has that real vintage crunch to it, and the production is absolutely perfect for the style of music Cursed played.
6. Thrice – Vheissu(2005)
I’d like to preface this by saying that I absolutely(to this day) hated Thrice before Vheissu came out. In fact, I didn’t even give this record a chance until 2007 when fellow writer Sean May recommended it to me. I definitely kick myself for not listening to it sooner, but this record is flawless. It was certainly a pleasant surprise for someone who had zero expectations upon first listening to it.
7. Cave In – Jupiter(2000)
While this was a huge departure from Cave Ins previous efforts(personally, I prefer Until Your Heart Stops), this album is still one of their best records and definitely deserving of being in any top 10 of the decade. The atmosphere created on this record is practically unmatched, and all the while it’s incredibly catchy.
8. American Nightmare – Background Music(2001)
I will always have a soft spot for American Nightmare. They were the band that got me into hardcore when a friend told me to check them out shortly after this album was released. While there is definitely some sentimental value here, it’s not the reason this record made it onto my top 10. It is genuinely one of the better hardcore records ever made and along with others(A Life Less Plagued by Carry On, which narrowly missed my list, for example) really set the standard for the rest of hardcore in the 00’s(is that what we’re going to refer to it as?)
9. The Mars Volta – De-Loused In The Comatorium(2003)
I remember the first time I heard this record. I had never heard anything like it before, and instantly fell in love with it. By far one of the most innovative records I’d heard at that point and it still remains to be. It’s just unfortunate that every record they’ve put out following this has fallen extremely short.
10. Paramore – All We Know Is Falling(2005)
I honestly couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to this record, but it’s probably somewhere between 400-500 times. Every song is so catchy and infectious, and it’s such an easy record to listen to, top to bottom. It definitely has some sentimental value, as the two records they put out following have definitely showed a ton of maturity, but that doesn’t take anything away from how awesome this record is.

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