Sweden Metal & Hard Rock Albums of the 2000s - Page 2

Unleash the Fury is driven by flowing shred, classical harmony and forceful riffing.

DRAGONLAND's third album, first released in Japan on King Records' Metal Frontier line on 27 October 2004, ahead of Century Media's 2005 European edition. A stand-alone record separate from the saga, it features EVERGREY's Tom S. Englund as co-producer and guest vocalist, and is the first album with Jesse Lindskog on drums.

The Book of Heavy Metal uses thick riffs, racing beat and proud choruses to state Dream Evil’s love of heavy metal without hesitation.

Second to None introduces Eclipse through hard guitar riffs, clear melody and a polished modern sound.

Start from the Dark moves Europe away from its brightest 1980s image toward low, heavy guitar riffs and shadowed vocals.

Soundtrack to Your Escape combines sharp guitar riffs, a mechanical rhythmic feel and shadowed melody in a more compact In Flames form.

New World Messiah gathers fast twin-guitar lines, steady rhythm and commanding vocals into a focused Nocturnal Rites statement.

The Haunted's fourth album, out on 18 October 2004. Peter Dolving returned to sing on it after two albums away.

Witchcraft's debut album, issued by Rise Above Records in 2004. It is the first record by a group that began as a one-song tribute band.

Anthems of Rebellion pairs cutting twin guitar, heavy rhythm and Angela Gossow’s fierce roar in a high-level balance of aggression and melody.

Stockholm Syndrome uses distorted guitar, rough vocals and punkish beat to make rock and roll with a dangerous scent.

Sign of Madness combines thick guitar riffs, steady beat and soaring vocals in melodic hard rock that keeps songcraft at the center.

This Is Hell packs short, cutting guitar riffs, racing rhythm and harsh roars into a dense attack.

Evilized puts thick riffs, forceful vocals and crowd-ready choruses at the front of a pure heavy-metal statement.

No Regrets uses rough guitar, bouncing beat and spit-out vocals to make punk-leaning rock and roll.

Last Autumn’s Dream layers smooth vocals, restrained guitar and shimmering keyboards into calm but powerful melodic rock.

Nasum's third album, issued by Relapse Records in 2003. The title is Swedish for "hell".

Opeth's seventh album, from April 2003, the half of one set of sessions that carries neither distortion nor death growls.

Figure Number Five connects fast guitar, tight rhythm, harsh vocals and clean melody with real force.

Cats and Dogs uses springing bass, crisp guitar and Jeff Scott Soto’s expressive voice to make tough but nimble hard rock.

The Haunted's third album, released on 17 February 2003 and their last for Earache.

Three combines heavy guitar riffs, dark melody and dramatic movement in Armageddon’s melodic-metal world.

Damage Done joins icy keyboard textures, sharp guitars and Mikael Stanne’s deep growls into one of Dark Tranquillity’s most focused statements.

Silent Night Fever condenses fast drums, razor-edged guitars and rough shouts into a relentless attack.

DRAGONLAND's second album, released in 2002, and the second chapter of The Dragonland Chronicles saga. It was recorded and mixed at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg and issued by the Greek label Black Lotus Records.

Dragonslayer is Dream Evil’s debut statement of classic heavy-metal pleasure in a clean, modern sound.

Reroute to Remain keeps In Flames’ melodic-death-metal core while introducing more modern rhythms, electronic texture and direct hooks.

Shadowland organizes Nocturnal Rites’ strong riffs, thick keyboards and soaring clean vocals into a highly polished record.

Opeth's sixth album, from November 2002. It was made in the same sessions as Damnation and is the heavy half of the pair.

Natural Born Chaos connects Soilwork’s sharp melodic-death-metal guitars with a tighter, more modern rhythmic feel.

The Crown's fifth album, from 2002. It is one of only two of their records sung by Tomas Lindberg of At the Gates.

The Hellacopters' fifth album, released in 2002. Its red, white and black cloud-and-lightning design became the band's trademark.

Attack!! brings Yngwie Malmsteen’s baroque-shaped phrases, high-speed guitar runs and dramatic harmony into sharp focus.

Wages of Sin by ARCH ENEMY: track list, Spotify player and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Making Enemies Is Good brings Backyard Babies’ street-rock roughness and punk speed into sharp riff-led songs.

DRAGONLAND's 2001 debut album and the opening chapter of the band's self-produced fantasy saga, The Dragonland Chronicles. Released by the Greek label Black Lotus Records and engineered by Andy LaRocque, it is symphonic power metal in the classic Swedish mould.

The Truth and a Little More is Eclipse’s debut, combining strong hooks with hard, crisp guitar work.

Thank You (For Letting Us Be Ourselves) collides punk speed with glam-rock flash in classic Hardcore Superstar fashion.

Opeth's fifth album, out on 12 March 2001. It is the first record Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree produced for them.

A Predator’s Portrait adds more modern rhythm and catchy chorus writing to Soilwork’s melodic-death-metal aggression.

Embrace the Mystery places Armageddon’s melodic-metal drama around Jeff Scott Soto’s powerful vocal.

Grand Design combines hard, firm riffs with melodic hooks in a direct hard-rock setting.

Haven adds a colder electronic shade to Dark Tranquillity’s melodic death-metal foundation.

Bad Sneakers and a Piña Colada introduces Hardcore Superstar with punky roughness, glam-rock color and a taste for immediate hooks.

Clayman balances In Flames’ melodic-death aggression with unusually strong accessibility.

Afterlife crystallizes Nocturnal Rites’ Nordic blend of speed, weight and big choruses.

The Chainheart Machine emphasizes Soilwork’s machine-tight precision and Nordic melody.

The Haunted's second album, released in October 2000, eleven tracks running 35:57.

The Hellacopters' fourth album, released in 2000 and the first studio record with their new guitarist Robert Dahlqvist.

War to End All Wars expands Yngwie Malmsteen’s neoclassical vocabulary into a deliberately grand metal spectacle.