2001

1. Within Temptation - Mother Earth

2. Anathema - A Fine Day to Exit

3. Virgin Black - Sombre Romantic

4. Stromkern - Armageddon

5. Fantômas - The Director's Cut

6. :wumpscut: - Wreath Of Barbs

7. Malice Mizer - Bara No Seidou

8. Flesh Field - Belief Control

9. Tristania - World Of Glass

10. Rammstein - Mutter

A great year for fans of emotional, atmospheric metal, as Within Temptation, Anathema and Virgin Black top the list with gorgeous vocals and beautiful melodies. 2001 also has some quirky picks, with Fantômas' The Director's Cut, a collection of songs from motion pictures reworked in a chaotic metal style. Japan also makes its only appearance on a darktronica Top 10 with Malice Mizer's excellent Bara No Seidou.

2001 favorites from other musical genres: Aesop Rock's hip-hop classic Labor Days, Mike Patton side project Tomahawk's self-titled release, and metal albums Lateralus by Tool, Bitter Suites To Succubi by Cradle Of Filth, and Emperor's Prometheus - The Discipline Of Fire & Demise.