Scar Symmetry

The third album from the Swedish melodic death quintet represents the pinnacle of mainstream metal. While the choruses and backing vocals echo the multitracked sins of '90s hair bands and the verses are sung in utter calm despondence, Slayer-riffic guitar breaks blow the whole thing out of the water. Harmonized power metal lead runs (think Maiden) and Cookie Monster vocals round things out, contributing to the kitchen-sink quality, for better or worse. We say better, because "Quantumleaper" and "The Missing Coordinates" may be weird as hell, but they sure are fun turned up good and loud.