10 Metal Bands Whose Third Album Is Their Best

Here are 10 metal bands whose third album is their best!

Back in June 2024, we looked at 10 metal bands whose second album is their best (thereby proving that the feared “sophomore slump” isn’t as common as you might think). While there were plenty of options to choose from, it’s probably even more common for groups to produce their magnum opus when it’s their third turn at bat.

In fact, when you think of the greatest metal albums of all time, you undoubtedly think of at least a handful of third full-length collections. After all, that’s often when bands truly find their creative footing and – consequently – garner widespread acclaim.

READ MORE: The Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2024 (So Far)

Therefore, some of the picks below will be no-brainers (to the point that if we didn’t include them, there might be rioting in the streets!) That doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve the nod, though, as they truly embody the peak of what their creators have produced. In other cases, some of these records aren’t as popular or definitively unrivaled; nevertheless, you’ll likely agree that they’ve earned their spot.

So, keep scrolling to see which third albums we think still dominant these discographies, and let us know if you feel the same way!