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

DragonForce's second album, from 2004, and the first with bassist Adrian Lambert and drummer Dave Mackintosh.

Abyss brings together thick guitar riffs, shadowed keyboards and emotionally rich vocals in a focused Lionsheart setting.

Inferno was released on 22 June 2004. The following year the band won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance with their cover of Metallica's "Whiplash".

Saxon's sixteenth album, released on 20 September 2004. It is the only studio album with Jorg Michael on drums.

Released in Europe on 16 February 2004, this was UFO's first album with Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham, produced by Tommy Newton near Hanover.

Anathema's seventh album, released in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2003. It is the first record after the return of their original bassist Jamie Cavanagh.

Cradle of Filth's fifth studio album, from March 2003: their only record for a major label, drawn from Milton's Paradise Lost.

Bananas finds Deep Purple working from blues-rooted riffs, Hammond organ and expansive vocals with the conversational ease of a seasoned band.

DragonForce's debut album, from 2003. It is a re-recording of a demo of the same name, cut when the band were still called DragonHeart.

Dance of Death uses layered guitar harmony, driving bass and Bruce Dickinson’s theatrical voice to tell stories on a large scale.

Arachnophobiac places Michael Schenker’s fluid lead guitar inside a sturdy hard-rock frame.

The eighth Praying Mantis studio album, released by Pony Canyon on 19 March 2003 as PCCY-01636 — issued in Japan first, as this band's records had been through the 1990s. Ten songs.

The Darkness's debut album, released in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2003. It topped the UK chart and has sold over 1.4 million copies there alone.

The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed packs short, sharp guitar, restless rhythm and twisted melody into concise songs.

A live album recorded in Carlisle, England and released by Angel Air Records in 2003. Its sixteen tracks set songs from the then-current Noises From the Cathouse beside the 1980s repertoire.

A studio album issued by Communique Records. The band's own discography dates it to 2003 and this page follows that; MusicBrainz says 2004. The edition on streaming services is the 2016 Angel Air reissue, which adds three bonus tracks.

Cathedral's seventh album, released in October 2002 and their first after leaving Earache. Recorded with Kit Woolven, it is more melodic and varied.

X by DEF LEPPARD: track list, Spotify player and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Hammered was released on 9 April 2002. An official video was made for "Brave New World", and Victor issued the Japanese pressing on 22 May that year as VICP-61874.

Paradise Lost's ninth album, released on 21 October 2002: their first for GUN / Supersonic Records, produced by Rhys Fulber.

Unfinished Business, Shy's comeback record, restates the appeal of British melodic hard rock with big choruses and melancholy vocal melodies.

UFO's sixteenth album, released in September 2002 and produced by Mike Varney and Steve Fontano, was Michael Schenker's last with the band.

Aura refines the John Payne-era Asia sound through polished melodies and expansive keyboard textures.

Cathedral's sixth album, released in February 2001. Produced by Billy Anderson, it strips the band back to the dark, heavy doom of their early days.

Demolition uses Tim “Ripper” Owens’s wide vocal range as Judas Priest explore several shades of heaviness.

Be Aware of Scorpions puts Michael Schenker’s melodic guitar voice at the heart of every arrangement.

Down to Earth sets Ozzy’s unmistakable voice against Zakk Wylde’s thick, riff-led guitar work and a hard-edged early-2000s production.

Paradise Lost's eighth album, released by EMI Electrola on 26 February 2001 and produced by John Fryer; the band remixed and remastered it in 2018.

Saxon's fifteenth album, released in 2001. It includes a King Crimson cover and reached twenty-six in Germany.

Beyond Good and Evil wraps Billy Duffy’s sharp riffs and Ian Astbury’s commanding voice in a dense, hard modern sound.

A live album from the band's 1981 concert at Rock City in Nottingham, issued by Spitfire Records in 2001. It documents the Spellbound-era line-up, with John Sykes on guitar, and was reissued in 2018 as Hellbound Spellbound Live 1981. It is on no streaming service, so this page leads with the sleeve.

A live album from the band's 1999 performance at Wacken Open Air, issued by Spitfire Records in 2001. The band's own discography lists it as Live At Wacken, Germany '99.

The studio album that broke the long silence after the 1980s split, released by Z Records in 2001. It is the first record of the band Robb Weir restarted.

Cradle of Filth's fourth album, issued by Music for Nations on 30 October 2000 and drawn from Clive Barker's novel Cabal.

Electric Wizard's third album, issued by Rise Above Records on 25 September 2000. It was recorded in three days.

Brave New World marks Iron Maiden’s renewed momentum with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith back in the lineup.

Nuclear Cowboy places John Sykes’s cutting guitar tone at the center of a heavy, confrontational solo set.

Released on 15 May 2000, We Are Motörhead includes a cover of the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen"; official videos were made for it and for the title track.

The seventh Praying Mantis studio album. Pony Canyon released the Japanese edition first, on 21 June 2000, with nine songs; the international edition followed on 21 November with "Naked" added, for ten.

UFO's fifteenth album, released in July 2000 with Michael Schenker back and Aynsley Dunbar on drums, came with the live disc Live USA.