50 Most Underrated Albums of the 2000's (So Far): #22

22.Atmosphere-Seven's Travels (2003)

Hip-hop group Atmosphere finally released the masterpiece they had hinted at in their years of grinding in the underground scene with 2002's God Loves Ugly. Some acts take a steep decline after releasing a landmark album, but for Atmosphere the release of God Loves Ugly marked the beginning of a streak of excellent releases for the group. Seven's Travels, the immediate follow-up to God Loves Ugly, marks the last of Atmosphere's not entirely serious records and remains a highly enjoyable and refreshingly original listen over a decade after its release.The bizarre interludes scattered throughout prevent it from reaching the heights of God Loves Ugly, but the actual songs are some of the strongest Atmosphere has ever released. "Trying to Find a Balance" is the perfect Atmosphere song with its anthematic hook, powerful lyrics and memorable production while the grimy banger "Cats Van Bags" is an uncharacteristically aggressive track from the typically laid-back duo. While Seven's Travels is mostly a light listen, there are some profound tracks ("Reflections", "Bird Sings Why the Caged I Know", "Suicidegirls") that pack a serious emotional punch. Seven's Travels is the perfect antithesis for the varied behemoth of a record that was God Loves Ugly and the somber material of the records that followed it.

Standout Tracks
1.Trying to Find a Balance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X51sL4SzVG4
2.Cats Van Bags http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeTa8BSiih0
3.Reflections http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llDczT9BzAg

50 Most Underrated Albums of the 2000's (So Far): #27

27.Slipknot-All Hope is Gone (2008)

As someone who grew up listening to nu-metal, I'll always have a soft spot for Slipknot. While they've never been one of my absolute favorite bands, they've made some great tracks and a couple of excellent records over the years. Nine years after dropping their classic, angst-ridden self-titled debut, Slipknot finally buckled down and released another noteworthy album in All Hope is Gone. Slipknot will always be known as the over-the-top angry band, but on All Hope is Gone, their trademark rage was transferred from the more simplistic "fuck the world" anthems of their early years to more dense topics such as politics and dealing with the loss of friends and loved ones. The change in lyrical topics was refreshing for the band and ended up making a huge difference for the quality of the record. It just wouldn't feel natural if they were still making songs like "Surfacing" and "People=Shit" in their mid-to-late 30's so kudos to them for changing things for the better at this stage of their career. That growth in the lyrical department carried over to the actual music as well. All Hope is Gone is simultaneously the heaviest and most experimental record Slipknot has ever released with songs that range from full-on ragers ("Wherein Lies Continue", "This Cold Black", "Gemartia (The Killing Name)" to country-tinged ballads ("Snuff"). Above all,  All Hope Gone will go down as the last Slipknot record to feature the late Paul Grey and Joey Jordison. Grey and Jordison's contributions will be sorely missed on the new Slipknot record- which could end up being released by the end of 2014. All Hope is Gone is a page-turning album for Slipknot that shows substantial growth as musicians without giving up any of the raw energy and anger that put them on the map.

Standout Tracks

1.This Cold Black http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBGnxWSbMc0

2.Wherein Lies Continue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeHfQRVYMeI

3.Dead Memories http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE78EE1TDuU 

50 Most Underrated Albums of the 2000's (So Far): #32

32.Cannibal Corpse-Kill (2006)

Death metal pioneers Cannibal Corpse had already been on the scene for 16 years when they released the most savage attack of their career in 2006's Kill. Kill didn't really differ too much from their traditional horror-infused death metal sound, but they got more out of their established formula than ever before. Producer Erik Rutan gave Cannibal Corpse a cleaner edge that made them sound crisper without sacrificing any of the power of their distinctly raw and evil sound. In addition to Rutan's production work, the songwriting on Kill had a level of energy that hadn't been present since their 1994 record The Bleeding. It was honestly incredible to hear a veteran band pour so much life and passion into their 10th (!) studio album; especially given the fact that Cannibal Corpse had been on a huge cold streak since founding vocalist Chris Barnes left the band in 1995. Ironically, Barnes' replacement George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher had nothing to do with the woes Cannibal Corpse faced on the five albums leading up to Kill. The band simply seemed bored with what they we're doing for quite almost a decade until Kill magically changed that-finally giving Fisher the chance to overtake Barnes as the face of Cannibal Corpse. The Bleeding, Tomb of the Mutilated and Butchered at Birth are all iconic death metal releases that are considered to be Cannibal Corpse's best work, but Kill is the record I will always remember them by.

Standout Tracks
1.Make Them Suffer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9nZoPHLgxk
2.Murder Worship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tCkW4LUjI
3.Brain Removal Device http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI9oAsVq3YQ   

50 Most Underrated Albums of the 2000's: #36

36.Arch Enemy-Khaos Legions (2011)

Sweedish melodic death metal act Arch Enemy is an act that has a discography full of under-appreciated records. However, none gets glossed over more than their 2011 record Khaos Legions. Khaos Legions is the most melodic and wild musical attack the band has released over their nearly 20-year career. The Amott Brothers paid closer attention to writing riffs on Khaos Legions than just simply soloing their asses off the entire time like their earlier records. The use of acoustic guitars and subtle interludes into most of the tracks have a calm before the strom type of effect, making the explosions of musical chaos that much more satisfying. Khaos Legions will also go down as the swansong for vocalist Angela Gossow, who left the band earlier this year. Gossow's imposing and electric presence is surely going to be missed, but at least she went out on top with one of the strongest vocal performances of her career. Khaos Legions is the type of flashy yet beautifully layered melodic death metal that is incredibly satisfying to listen to. Hopefully the loss of Gossow and founding guitarist Christopher Amott won't have a serious effect on the next chapter of Arch Enemy.

Standout Tracks

1.City of the Dead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDZhx9kBo0Q

2.Cult of Chaos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS25j6lNWsA

3.Cruelty Without Beauty http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF3td-_vcGU 

Top 50 Most Underrated Albums of the '2000s: #40

40. Lazarus A.D.-The Onslaught (Self-Released: 2007; Re-Released by Metal Blade Records 2009)

Wisconsin-based thrash revival band Lazarus A.D. just failed to really win anyone over. The incorporation of modern metalcore breakdowns into their music turned off a lot of old-school thrash fans; who subsequently turned to more "true" acts like Havok and Warbringer to get their new thrash fix. This failure to click with most thrash fans has managed to bury just how exceptional of a record The Onslaught is. The Onslaught embodies its title to the fullest: The entire record is an absolute onslaught on the senses. The music is very fast, the vocals are raspy and punk-inspired and the energy levels are off-the-charts. Ironically, the breakdowns that got them so many detractors drive home the excellence of this record. The groove sensibilities they incorporated into their music gave them an edge over many of their peers. Every breakdown is timed to perfection and really emphasizes the power and chaotic nature of their music. When it comes to straight thrash records of the modern era, none is more criminally overlook than The Onslaught by Lazarus A.D.

Standout Tracks

1.Revolution (The Onslaught Part I) http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyEL7ysSAh4

2.Absolute Power http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeZ96BX1gUY

3.Lust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXpEEoVLhGo