2005 Metal & Hard Rock Albums

Cathedral's eighth album and first for Nuclear Blast, from September 2005: female vocals, violins and the 27-minute closing epic "The Garden".

The Darkness's second album, released in November 2005 and produced by Queen's Roy Thomas Baker, with pan pipes, bagpipes and an orchestra layered in.

Overkill's thirteenth album, released in March 2005 after a Japanese edition in February: the last with Tim Mallare, their drummer since 1993.

System of a Down's fifth album, out on 22 November 2005: the second half of the two-part work begun with Mezmerize, and their second number-one album that year.

System of a Down's fourth album, out on 17 May 2005: the first half of a two-part work completed by Hypnotize, and a number-one debut on the Billboard 200.

Paradise Lost's tenth album and the one that bears the band's own name, released on 17 March 2005: the first with Jeff Singer on drums.

DragonForce's third album, out first in Japan in December 2005: the record whose "Through the Fire and Flames" reached the world through Guitar Hero III.

Queens of the Stone Age's fourth album, from March 2005, made after Nick Oliveri's departure and with Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo newly in the band.

Fear Factory's sixth studio album, from August 2005 and the last with Raymond Herrera and Christian Olde Wolbers.

Kreator's eleventh studio album, from January 2005, produced by Andy Sneap and the record that settled their return.

Nevermore's sixth album, from July 2005. Recorded in England with Andy Sneap producing, it is the record most often named as the band's best.

HIM's fifth album, from September 2005: their first worldwide release on Sire Records, and the record that made them the first Finnish band to earn a gold disc in the United States.

The Hellacopters' sixth album, released on 6 June 2005 and a number three in Sweden.

Rammstein's fifth album, from 2005. It includes six songs written for the previous album and left off it.

The seventh album, the first part of what Vai calls a rock fable told across three records. Out 22 February 2005.

Opeth's eighth album, from August 2005. It was their first for Roadrunner and the first with keyboard player Per Wiberg as a permanent member.

High on Fire's third album, issued by Relapse Records in 2005. Steve Albini produced it, and it is the only one with Joe Preston on bass.

Between the Buried and Me's third album, out on 6 September 2005. It is the first record by the band's longest-lasting line-up.

Darkest Hour's fourth album, out on 28 June 2005. It was their first to enter the Billboard 200, debuting at number 138.

Dir En Grey's fifth album, out on 9 March 2005. It was the first of their records given an official release in Europe, North America and South Korea.

The debut album, released by Visible Noise on 3 October 2005 and widely credited with defining British metalcore. "Tears Don't Fall" is still the band's signature song. The Japanese edition followed on 26 October with two live recordings added, for fifteen tracks.

The ninth L.A. Guns studio album, released by Shrapnel Records on 16 August 2005. Fourteen songs by the Phil Lewis and Steve Riley line-up, written around the memory of the Sunset Strip.

A live album released by Angel Air Records on 6 June 2005 as SJPCD206. The band's own discography lists it under a different title, Live In Dokkum, Holland '05. Three bonus studio recordings close the disc.

A studio album released in 2005, fifteen years after the one before it.

Church organ, an operatic voice and straight-driving riffs: the debut on which Powerwolf's style is already assembled.

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 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, album artwork 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 a covers album of classic 1960s and 1970s rock songs, OZZY OSBOURNE's own roots, sung in his distinctive voice.

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.