Great job with these lists, seriously.

Cryptopsy- None So Vile
– Another kick in the pants from my Gothencore days, Cryptopsy really beat the shit out of me on this one with a level of technicality and creativity previously unknown to these ears.

Dark Tranquillity- Damage Done
– Although I think DT has been on cruise control for the last two albums, with diminishing returns, Damage Done remains a staple of my rotation. Brutal, it is not. Instead, taste, is the deadliest weapon in this albums arsenal. The level of songwriting and emotion here is at least on par with their early milestones, and easily superior to anything they have produced since then.

Dismember- Death Metal
Here’s one I expect to catch some flak for (cuz everyone’s gonna read this. duh). While most fans like to hate on Dismember’s more melodic, Maiden-inspired side, I’ve always found it much more to my liking. Death Metal stands as a sweet blend of accessible harmony and Sunlight Studios grit.

Gorod- Leading Vision
– It’s a fucking travesty that this little gem got lost in the shuffle of tech-death releases in 2006. I picked it up on a whim soon after it came out and I’ve been hopelessly addicted to their jazzy, slithering and addictive song craft. Extra points for a drummer who knows how to lay off the blast beats and lay down some of the catchiest patterns this side of the Mississippi.

Nightrage- Sweet Vengeance
– Another gem lost in the bottomless melodeath bargain bin that was the early part of the decade. Though Nightrage has never been able to achieve the same level of energy and brilliance (maybe due in part to the loss of 4/5 of its all star line-up over the years), I still turn to this album when I need some melodic death metal with balls and bite.

My Top 10 (in alphabetical order):
Amon Amarth- Versus the World
– Noticeably slower and more restrained than prior efforts, this album more than compensated with thunderous melodic depth and maturity.

Arsis- A Celebration of Guilt
– No, I do not beleive this was the savior of death metal, but it hit me at a time when I was really into cookie-cutter Gothenburg bands and really opened my mind up to somewhat more…atonal, genres.

Bloodbath- Resurrection Through Carnage
– Yeah I know it’s not “legitimate” vintage death metal, but fucking hell its good. A bunch of dudes from different genres pay tribute to sounds of old with updated production (the guitar tone alone is worth a listen) and memorable songwriting.

The Chasm- The Spell of Retribution
– Victims of their own cerebral songwriting, these boys continue to go unnoticed. ‘Retribution’ takes some time to get into (It took me about a year, really) but I never gave up and when it clicked, I was in death metal bliss.

The Crown- Crowned in Terror
– This was one of the first truly extreme metal albums I owned, but unlike most “stepping stone” records, this one continues to pummel my ears to this day. The ultimate combination of melody and merciless speed, its a tragedy that The Crown were unable to keep it up for another album.

Here’s my top ten (there is a little crossover between our lists, so kudos to you :) haha)!

Amorphis – Tales…
Carcass – Heartwork…
Nile – Amongst…
Cryptopsy – Whisper Supremacy…
Entombed – Left Hand Path
Morbid Angel – Covenant
Sepultura – Arise
At The Gates – Slaughter (I allowed it into my list)
Napalm Death – Fear, Emptiness…
In Flames – Jester Race (maybe not strictly “death metal” per se, but I’m not concerned with scene points)

Mine would probably be,
Carcass – Necroticism
Entombed – Clandestine
Dismember – Like an Everflowing Stream
Atrocity – Hallucinations
Atheist – Unquestionable Presence
Hate Plow – The Only Law is Survival
Napalm Death – Harmony Corruption, (this ain’t grind here)
Macabre – Sinister Slaughter
Monstrosity – In Dark Purity
Sepultura – Chaos AD