Germany Metal & Hard Rock Albums of the 2010s

Moonglow revisits Avantasia’s metal-opera scale with deeper shading, polished melodies and a stronger sense of story.

An orchestral album billed to Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra, released in November 2019: no electric guitars, and a sequel to a Markus Heitz novel.

M.E.T.A.L. is Freedom Call’s wholehearted celebration of melodic power metal and the joy of listening to it.

Kill or Get Killed unites Iron Savior’s science-fiction imagery, steel-edged riffing and heroic choruses into a single forward drive.

Rammstein's seventh album, from May 2019: their first in ten years, and certified diamond in Germany.

The first SINNER album with a permanent second voice, Giorgia Colleluori, alongside Mat Sinner. Ricky Warwick and Ronnie Romero guest on it, and Dennis Ward co-produced and mixed.

Monster Hero delivers Axxis’ long-running melodic hard-rock pleasure with direct energy.

The sixth album, their first German top ten at number 7, and the year they were named Best German Band at the Metal Hammer Awards. Avalon issued the Japanese edition as MICP-11427 with one bonus track.

The seventh album, produced by Jens Bogren and a German No. 1 — the turning point that produced “Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend.”

Apocalypse pursues the pleasures of traditional power metal with complete commitment around Ralf Scheepers’ fierce high voice and Mat Sinner’s heavy bass.

Steelfactory finds U.D.O. returning to direct, heavy metal with a strong sense of performing unity.

The Rise of Chaos delivers Accept’s steel-hard riffs and large choruses with present-day weight.

Retrolution presents Axxis’ positive melodic hard rock in an especially colorful production.

Reforged – Riding on Fire revisits familiar material through the voice, production weight and arrangement sense of its recording period.

Kreator's fourteenth album, from January 2017, and the first to enter the German chart at number one in thirty-two years.

PumpKings revisits familiar material through the voice, production weight and arrangement sense of its recording period.

Headstrong naturally joins Pink Cream 69’s polished melodic-hard-rock side with a more weighty guitar push.

Seasons of the Black places Rage’s power-metal speed and thrash sharpness inside a darker tonal world.

Produced by Mat Sinner with Dennis Ward, and carrying guest appearances from Gus G, Ricky Warwick and Pete Lincoln.

Ghostlights gathers guest vocalists, symphonic color, hard-rock accessibility and power-metal velocity into one broad narrative.

The second ColdWorld album, from July 2016, eight years after the first: one man's atmospheric black metal from Germany.

Pimp Your Past rebuilds key material from Fair Warning’s first three albums in the band’s 2016 sound.

Master of Light lets Freedom Call’s bright melody, speed and positive singalongs ring out with particular openness.

Titancraft delivers Iron Savior’s science-fiction world and thick-riffed German power metal with complete confidence.

The fifth album, number 14 in Germany and 59 in Switzerland. King Records put the Japanese edition out on its Seven Seas line as KICP-1787 a month ahead of the international release, with the bonus track "All Are Equal".

War Brigade puts Mystic Prophecy’s thick guitar riffs and forceful beat at the front of a combative power-metal record.

Rulebreaker assembles Primal Fear’s hard-edged riffs, piercing high vocals and heavy rhythm with great precision.

The Devil Strikes Again reunites Rage’s speed-metal sharpness, heavy riff pressure and technical development in one aggressive flow.

Blind Guardian's tenth album, from January 2015, made with three choirs and two orchestras.

My God-Given Right fills Helloween’s power metal with racing riffs, bright melody and a touch of playful humor.

The sixth album, home to “Army Of The Night” and “Armata Strigoi” — blessing and possession set against each other in the most direct terms yet.

Return to Forever brings Scorpions’ sharp guitar riffs, expansive vocals and memorable ballad sense together with the natural breathing of a veteran band.

Decadent drives U.D.O.’s traditional heavy metal through hard guitar riffs, steel-like vocals and direct rhythm.

Blind Rage sharpens Accept’s hard-chopped riffs, precise forward rhythm and shouted vocal attack.

Kingdom of the Night II returns Axxis to one of its defining worlds while writing a new chapter through present-day performances and production.

Space Police: Defenders of the Crown mixes Edguy’s oversized melodies, hard-rock swing and playful humor.

Beyond fills Freedom Call’s world with light-catching melodies, fast rhythms and choruses made for collective singing.

Empire of the Undead delivers Gamma Ray’s power metal with fast riffs, clear melodies and a cosmic sense of scale.

Rise of the Hero is power metal built from hard-edged riffs, mechanical momentum and large, heroic choruses.