The greatest metal acts that formed in the 2000s

When alternative power-pop rockers Creed disbanded in 2003, guitarist Mark Tremonti and drummer Scott Phillips teamed with the band's former bassist Brian Marshall and uber-talented frontman/guitarist Myles Kennedy to form Alter Bridge. Beginning with its 2004 debut One Day Remains, and armed with popular tracks "Metalingus" and "Broken Wings," Alter Bridge has released seven studio albums, and there's belief among fans there could be more.While the band has been lauded in the United States, it continues to have a solid following in Europe. Its fifth studio release The Last Hero (2016) was Alter Bridge's first album to reach the top five on the UK Albums Chart.

As noted, we have no problem including supergroups on this list. Like the aforementioned Alter Bridge, Audioslave featured three members of a prominent band. In this case, the outfit featured Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello (lead guitar), Tim Commerford (bass/backing vocals), and Brad Wilk (drums), and the legendary Chris Cornell (Soundgarden). The group made three studio albums from 2002-06, with its Grammedy Award-nominated self-titled debut producing hits "Cochise," "Like a Stone" and "Show Me How to Live."

Staying with the supergroup theme, Black Country Communion formed in 2009, bringing together hard rockers in singer/bassist Glenn Hughes (Black Sabbath, Deep Purple), lauded blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, veteran drummer Jason Bonham (son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham), and versatile keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Alice Cooper, Dream Theater). Since 2010, the group has released five studio albums, most recently V (2024), while surviving a breakup and subsequent reunion.

Death metal with some soul and catchy melodies. Formed back in 2001, The Black Dahlia Murder has undergone several lineup changes through the years, with guitarist/singer Brian Eschbach remaining the lone original member in tow after overcoming the 2022 death of frontman Trevor Strnad. However, the group is still going strong after releasing its 10th studio album, Servitude, in September 2024. It's been quite the impressive shelf life for a genre that isn't to the liking of even the most-dedicated metal heads. Ritual, from 2011, remains the group's high point.

In his post-Van Halen years, Sammy Hagar also found some success with supergroup Chickenfoot, which featured former VH bassist Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar hero Joe Satriani, as well as veteran drummer Kenny Aronoff. This supergroup project released its first studio album, a self-titled LP in 2009, then two years later, despite the title, the band's second release Chickenfoot III, came out. Though the music sold the product, it received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Recording Packaging. 

For nearly a quarter century, The Darkness has been churning out some of the most popular hard-rock tunes in the United Kingdom. And, while that success hasn't not consistently translated to the same amount of praise in the United States, The Darkness' unique blend of glam rock and metal remains among the most creative vibes in the business. The band, which includes drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of legendary Queen drummer Roger Taylor, is slated to release its eighth studio album in 2025. 

Connecticut's Fires in the Distance made a name for itself with its superbly crafted, 2020 melodic death-metal debut Echoes From Deep November. Then, it stepped up the game through Air Not Meant For Us. The album, made up of just six songs, was lauded for its cohesion. The record passionately and intensely cover such themes as mortality and mental health, while reinforcing its signature melodic tone (check out the instrumental "Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves").

Regardless the trials and tribulations of lead vocalist Ivan Moody, Five Finger Death Punch has been one of the most popular metal acts since forming in 2005. To date, the band has released nine studio albums, which included such heavy favorites as "Coming Down," "Lift Me Up," "Wrong Side of Heaven" and "Jekyll and Hyde." Though Five Finger has been a major headliner for years, it toured with Metallica on the band's M72 No Repeat Weekend Tour.

These Swedish hard rock/metal masters and Grammy winners consistently generated acclaim, while also growing their popularity through their mysterious collective persona. The mystery includes nameless band members, though frontman Tobias Forge has essentially been the true driving force of the project, formed in 2006. He has played the roles of Papa Emeritus and Cardinal Copia, dressed in religious, yet gothic cardinal and papal costumes during their highly theatrical and virtuosic stage shows. Campy perhaps, but all part of the Ghost experience. 

Folk metal from Mongolia. Is that even a thing? Give a listen to The Hu (pronounced like The Who), who have spent a good chunk of 2024 opening for Iron Maiden on The Future Past Tour, and deliver a solid cover of "The Trooper." Incorporating such unique instruments as the morin khuur (which is played with a bow), The Hu, which can also be described as uniquely progressive, has released two studio albums: The Gereg (2019) and Rumble of Thunder (2022).

It seems macabre-metal outfit Ice Nine Kills have been around since 2000. Maybe because it's taken even the most hardcore metal fans to appreciate the group, which is known for its horror-themed lyrics and creatively visual, and tastefully shocking stage shows. INK released its first record in 2006 with Last Chance to Make Amends and most recently, The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood (2021). Despite various lineup changes and inconsistent success in the U.S., Ice Nine Kills remains a popular metal act on the international front.

Following quite nicely in the footsteps of his famous father, Wolfgang Van Halen has truly displayed his musical talent through Mammoth WVH, which began as a solo project but progressed into something bigger. While Mammoth features a full backing band behind Wolfgang in a live setting, Eddie's son played lead, rhythm and bass guitar, plus keyboards, piano and drums on the self-titled debut from 2021 — and to rather impressive reviews. In 2023, Mammoth II was released, and again, was lauded by professional critics and fans, alike. 

Progressive, conceptual, bombastic and definitely original, The Mars Volta was formed in 2001 following the break-up of Texas' At the Drive-In by bandmates Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López. At its best playing live, the band earned a Grammy Award for the 2007 cut "Wax Simulacra." The group broke up during in September 2012, but, thankfully, reunited and has since put out its seventh and eighth studio albums: The Mars Volta (2022) and Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazón (2023).

New Jersey's My Chemical Romance falls into a number of rock genres — emo, alternative punk, pop punk and certainly hard rock. Formed in 2001, the band has released just four studio albums. It also broke up, then later reunited in 2019, but still released no new music. That's okay, because 2004's Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge has been lauded for its complex composition and in-depth lyrics, while 2006's Welcome to the Black Parade, complete with the bombastically stellar title cut and edgy "Teenagers," is one of the greatest concept albums ever created. 

Led by singer/guitarist Taylor Momsen (whose voice does resemble that of Sheryl Crow), The Pretty Reckless continue to fly under the radar despite continuing to receive solid critical respect for delivering gritty, hard rock that offers a healthy nod to grunge with a post-punk vibe, too. The band, which recently opened for the Rolling Stones, has released four studio albums, beginning with 2010's Light Me Up. For those still unfamiliar with The Pretty Reckless, check out "Death by Rock and Roll," which could be defined as its signature tune.

Born in Southern California in 2009, Rival Sons continues to deliver pure, unabashed hard rock that offers no excuses or gimmicks. Paced by highly underrated lead singer Jay Buchanan, Rival Sons has released eight studio records. However, it hasn't generated consistent success in the U.S., but remains quite popular throughout Europe — specifically in the Scandinavian countries. Rival Sons has also received two Grammy Award nominations: Best Rock Album (Feral Roots) and Best Rock Performance ("Too Bad").

Questioning just how "metal" Shinedown is understandable. However, the band does have a rightful place on the alternative metal scene. Its third studio album, 2008's The Sound of Madness, elevated the Floridians’ status as one of the top hard-rock acts of the century. Perhaps Shinedown's hardcore fans think this record is a bit too mainstream — after all, "If You Only Knew" is a ballad. Shinedown has put out four more albums since, and done a solid job of balancing the heavy and melodic — which might be why its overall collection is an easy, pleasing listen.

What do you get when you bring together the bass player from perhaps the greatest hard-rock band of all time (Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones), the drummer from arguably the most popular grunge band ever (Nirvana's Dave Grohl) and a singer/guitarist (Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme) with whom everybody seems eager to share the stage? That would be Them Crooked Vultures. Yes, the band, formed in 2009, has put out just one studio record to date. However, its self-titled 2009 album highlights each musician's talent perhaps better than any supergroup had done before or since. The single "New Fang" won a Grammy in 2011. 

It's tough to find a hard-rock supergroup with more star power than Velvet Revolver. Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses, late Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland, and veteran guitarist Dave Kushner came together to make some of the best music of 2000s. From 2002 to 2008, these giants made two albums, with its 2004 debut Contraband producing the hits "Fall to Pieces" and Grammy-winner "Slither." The combination of Slash's iconic guitar sound and Weiland's unforgettable voice remains a special combo.

Formed in 2004, Australia's Wolfmother has released six studio albums, most recently 2021's Rock Out. Singer/guitarist  Andrew Stockdale has been the only consistently true member of a band that blends of hard, blues and acid rock. The group's 2005 self-titled debut and 2009 follow-up Cosmic Egg still remain the highlights of its catalog. "Vagabond," the closing number from Wolfmother's 2005 self-titled debut album gained prominence through inclusion on the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack.