2005 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

The Battle centers the record on the contrasting vocal personalities of Russell Allen and Jorn Lande.

Decrowning combines cutting thrash riffs, complex rhythm and low harsh vocals into an aggressive metal record.

Schizo Deluxe centers Jeff Waters’s cutting guitar around fast rhythm and uneasy melody.

Apocalyptica joins the low resonance of cellos to heavy riffs and live-band momentum.

Doomsday Machine builds its attack from heavy chugging, fluent twin leads and Angela Gossow’s fierce growl.

City of Evil combines intricate twin-guitar lines, restless rhythm and expansive vocals.

Above and Beyond layers bright keys, polished guitar and open vocals into Scandinavian melodic rock.

Deuce by BEAUTIFUL CREATURES: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Mafia anchors its sound in heavily distorted guitar, low groove and Zakk Wylde’s rough vocal character.

Have a Nice Day centers thick guitar, accessible melody and Jon Bon Jovi’s direct vocal delivery.

15 is built on simple, strong riffs, springing beat and Josh Todd’s rough-edged vocal delivery.

Are You Dead Yet? puts sharp guitar, flashy keys and Alexi Laiho’s rough vocal delivery at the front.

Rest in Sleaze puts thick guitar, springing beat and provocative vocals at the front of a sleaze-rock debut.

Beyond the Sea combines shimmering keyboards, neoclassical guitar and storybook melody into a fantasy-minded record.

Character layers low, clipped guitars, mechanical rhythm and cold keyboard atmosphere into a tightly controlled record.

Rapture of the Deep lets Steve Morse’s guitar, Don Airey’s keys and Ian Gillan’s voice interact with natural ease.

Ten Thousand Fists gathers hard chugging guitar, striking beat and David Draiman’s singular vocal character.

Octavarium balances complex rhythm, fluent keyboard and virtuosic guitar with accessible vocal melody.

Consign to Oblivion crosses Simone Simons’s clear voice with growls, choir, heavy riffing and orchestral scale.

Shovel Headed Kill Machine charges forward on rapid chugging, sharp guitar and a snarling vocal attack.

Forged by Fire by FIREWIND: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

The Circle of Life layers lively twin guitar, bright keys and massed chorus hooks into celebratory power metal.

Advance to the Fall stacks fast twin guitar, bright keyboard work and soaring high vocals into a vivid power-metal record.

Majestic runs on fast guitar, bright melody and Kai Hansen’s forceful vocal drive.

From Mars to Sirius builds enormous weight from low surging guitar, precise drumming and rough vocal force.

Lipservice centers thick riffs and clean rhythm around Steve Lee’s rich vocal presence.

Another Hostile Takeover runs on loose, hot guitar, springing rhythm and Michael Monroe’s unmistakable vocal character.

Hardcore Superstar builds its sound from hard guitar, low groove and Jocke Berg’s rough vocal attack.

Overload uses polished guitar, emotive melody and detailed harmony to build highly crafted melodic rock.

Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy uses fast twin guitar, dramatic keys and Andi Deris’s voice to frame an expansive double-album statement.

Generations uses clear guitar, full keys and open, comfortable vocals to shape mature arena rock.

Angel of Retribution puts thick riffs, sharp twin leads and Rob Halford’s high-voltage voice directly at the front.

The Black Halo layers dark riffs and symphonic arrangement around Roy Khan’s expressive voice.

See You on the Other Side combines low surging guitar, programmed-feeling rhythm and Jonathan Davis’s uneasy vocal character.

Freeman by LABYRINTH: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Lady Macbeth builds a dramatic setting from rich keyboards, fluent guitar and Lana Lane’s clear, expressive voice.

II layers clear vocals, polished guitar and rich harmony into smooth Scandinavian melodic rock.

Aeronautics builds its dramatic melodic metal around heavy guitars, organ-like keys and Jorn Lande’s commanding voice.

All the Right Reasons uses heavy riffs, dry rhythm and Chad Kroeger’s grainy voice as a hard-rock foundation.

Grand Illusion sets tightly chugging guitar and steady rhythm beneath soaring vocals.

Under Cover is best heard not simply as a covers-related entry, but as a record that shows how OZZY OSBOURNE translates outside material into its own

Space Ship One puts Paul Gilbert’s fluent guitar at the front while keeping the songs open and approachable.

Seven Seals puts tightly chugging guitar, driving drums and Ralf Scheepers’s high vocal power at the front.

Paper Blood layers dense keyboard arrangement, hard guitar and forceful vocals into a dramatic progressive-metal setting.

The Funeral Album builds deep shade from sunken riffs, heavy groove and Ville Laihiala’s low vocal presence.

Reason builds a dramatic sound around Andre Matos’s soaring voice, thick keys and classically colored guitar.

Us and Them combines hard riffs, steady rhythm and Brent Smith’s emotionally forceful voice.

Sunset and Vine layers clear vocals, polished guitar and full harmonies into mature melodic rock.

Stabbing the Drama combines low chugging riffs, electronic texture and Björn “Speed” Strid’s varied vocals.

Of Love and Lunacy balances hard riffs and breakdowns with switching screams, clean vocals and subtle keyboard shade.

Stratovarius uses hard guitar, restrained keys and Timo Kotipelto’s voice to create a darker power-metal profile.

Miasma fires forward with rapid riffs, cutting guitar harmony and relentless harsh vocals.

All the Way to the Sun centers Tony Harnell’s soaring voice and Ronni Le Tekrø’s fluent guitar.

IV uses dark guitar, low-set rhythm and melancholy vocals to build gothic-metal shade.

Ascendancy drives forward on cutting riffs, hard rhythm and vocals that move between screams and clean lines.

Mission No. X puts thick guitar, solid beat and Udo Dirkschneider’s rough, singular voice directly up front.

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