New beginnings and endings: These albums are turning 20 this year

The year 2005 was a dynamic one in music, featuring debut albums, farewell records, and everything in between. Earlier, we published lists celebrating albums turning 50, 40, and 30 years old. Now, let’s take a look at the notable albums released in 2005.

1. Children Of Bodom – “Are You Dead Yet”

If Children Of Bodom’s previous album “Hate Crew Deathroll” shook the metal world, the band’s fifth album “Are You Dead Yet” took things to an even higher level. This record features some of Bodom’s best tracks, such as the title track, “Trashed, Lost & Strungout“, and “In Your Face“, which inspired this writer to dive into metal as a young teen. “Are You Dead Yet” also marked the debut of Roope Latvala, known from Stone, as the band’s guitarist, replacing Alexander Kuoppala.

2. Arch Enemy – “Doomsday Machine”

Shortly before the release of “Doomsday Machine”, founding member and guitarist Christopher Amott, brother of Michael Amott, left Arch Enemy. However, the talented guitarist returned in 2007 to work on the album “Rise of the Tyrant”. The band’s sixth album, “Doomsday Machine”, features several Arch Enemy classics, including “Nemesis” and “My Apocalypse“.

3. Kreator – “Enemy of God”

Kreator had already brought some Finnish expertise into their lineup for the previous album “Violent Revolution”, when guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö, also known for his work with Waltari, joined the band. On that album, Kreator took a step back towards classic thrash metal. However, their 11th studio album, “Enemy of God”, fully embraced this long-awaited sound and hasn’t let go of it to this day. “Enemy of God” delivered not only its iconic title track but also other outstanding Kreator creations like “Impossible Brutality“, “Voices of the Dead“, and “Suicide Terrorist“.

4. Pain – “Dancing With The Dead”

The fourth album by industrial metal powerhouse Pain, led by Peter Tägtgren, delivered a massive soundscape filled with machine-driven rhythms, heavy metal riffs, and irresistibly catchy choruses. It’s no wonder that “Dancing With The Dead” is considered one of Pain’s most successful albums—if not the most successful. Tracks like “Same Old Song“, “Nothing“, and “Bye/Die” have solidified its place as a standout in the band’s discography.

5. System Of A Down – “Hypnotize”

In 2005, System Of A Down released a double album, with the first part, “Mezmerize”, coming out in May. Six months later, the second part, “Hypnotize”, was unveiled. This fifth album by SOAD features some of the band’s most iconic tracks, such as “Lonely Day” and the title track, “Hypnotize“. After the release of “Hypnotize”, fans had to wait a long 15 years for new music from the band.

6. Disturbed – “Ten Thousand Fists”

Disturbed experienced a lineup change prior to their third album, with original bassist Steve Kmak being replaced by John Moyer in 2003. Released with this new formation, “Ten Thousand Fists” features some of the band’s most well-known tracks, including “Stricken“, “Ten Thousand Fists“, and a cover of Genesis‘ “Land of Confusion“. This powerful third album is dedicated to the late guitar virtuoso Dimebag Darrell, who passed away in 2004.

7. Dream Theater – “Octavarium”

Dream Theater‘s eighth album aimed to deliver an accessible, straightforward, and “classic” Dream Theater experience. Opinions vary on how well they achieved this goal, especially considering the album’s epic closing track, “Octavarium“, which boasts a staggering runtime of 24 minutes. This album also holds historical significance as the last to be recorded at the legendary The Hit Factory in New York City.

8. Sabaton – “Primo Victoria”

This year’s list of anniversary albums includes Sabaton’s debut album, “Primo Victoria”, which marked the beginning of their journey into the depths of military history. While crafting the lyrics for the title track, vocalist Joakim Brodén and bassist Pär Sundström realized that the music’s massive sound required equally powerful lyrics. After watching the movie Saving Private Ryan, they decided “Primo Victoria” would focus on the Normandy landings. Naturally, the rest of the album delves into historical battles, establishing the war-centric theme that remains Sabaton’s hallmark to this day.

9. Sentenced – “The Funeral Album”

Also celebrating a milestone this year is Sentenced’s eighth studio album, “The Funeral Album”, which turned out to be the band’s swan song. This poignant farewell record delivers memorable moments with tracks like “Ever-Frost“, “May Today Become the Day“, and “Vengeance Is Mine“. The closing track, “End of the Road“, fittingly brought Sentenced’s journey to a literal end, serving as the final song played during their last-ever live performance.

10. Swallow The Sun – “Ghosts Of Loss”

Swallow The Sun‘s second album, “Ghosts Of Loss”, continued in the footsteps of their debut album, delivering dark and atmospheric melodic doom/death metal. Spanning over an hour, “Ghosts Of Loss” opens with the monumental, nearly 12-minute track “The Giant“, and none of the other songs on the album clock in at under five minutes. The track “Ghost of Laura Palmer” is named after the character from Twin Peaks.

11. HIM – “Dark Light”

HIM‘s fifth album, “Dark Light”, is the first release through the American label Sire Records, although in Finland, the album was released by the band’s own label, Heartagram. Naturally, “Dark Light” became the most successful HIM album in the United States at that time, until their 2007 release “Venus Doom” surpassed it. This album features tracks like “Wings of a Butterfly” and “Killing Loneliness“, both of which also received music videos.

12. Strapping Young Lad – “Alien”

Strapping Young Lad‘s fourth album, “Alien”, brought the music world hits like “Love?” and “Shitstorm“. A cover of Tom Jones‘ “What’s New Pussycat?” was originally planned as the last track of the album, but it was never recorded because it didn’t fit with the rest of the album’s content. It’s a shame, as it would have been interesting to hear what kind of version Strapping Young Lad would have crafted from that song.

13. Korpiklaani – “Voice of Wilderness”

Korpiklaani‘s second album, “Voice of Wilderness”, offered another 11 tracks of energetic folk metal. One of the highlights of this album is “Beer Beer“, which in 2019 was reimagined into 14 different versions in various languages and styles for the special edition of their “Kulkija” album. The Finnish version was performed by Vesku Jokinen, the lead singer of Klamydia.

14. Trivium – “Ascendancy”

With their second full-length album, “Ascendancy”, Trivium went all in and showcased what the band had to offer the metal world. This album can definitely be considered Trivium‘s breakthrough record. From it, you’ll find tracks like “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr“, “Dying in Your Arms“, and “A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation“.

15. Bullet For My Valentine – “The Poison”

Bullet For My Valentine’s debut album, “The Poison”, marked their entry into the metalcore scene with a powerful impact. The album blends melodic elements with aggressive metalcore riffs, and tracks like “Tears Don’t Fall“, “All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)“, and “Hand of Blood” quickly became anthems for fans of the genre.