Published: 22 Jul 2026 / Last Update: 22 Jul 2026
Here are our top 120 post-metal albums of all time. A few quick things to lay out first:
• As always, genre lines are blurry, so expect a wide range of sonic and structural blueprints here. That said, to keep the list focused, we’ve left out records whose core DNA sits closer to screamo, post-black metal/blackgaze, or doomgaze, even if they carry some post-metal touches. If you’re looking for those adjacent sounds, check out our separate doomgaze and post-black metal lists. The focus here is post-metal, heavy post-rock, atmospheric sludge, and expansive progressive metal blends.
• To keep the exploration going beyond this list, you can also follow our regularly updated Spotify playlists: Post-Metal Essentials, Post-Metal: Best-kept Secrets, and Instrumental Post-Metal.
Cheers.
[1-20]
(in no particular order)
ISIS – Oceanic (2002)
| From: Los Angeles, California, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Crushing, Cathartic Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: False Light, From Sinking, The Beginning And The End, Weight |
Neurosis – An Undying Love For A Burning World (2026)
| From: Oakland, California, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Crushing, Apocalyptic Genres: Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Post-Metal, Post-Industrial Key Tracks: Mirror Deep, First Red Rays, Blind |
Russian Circles – Memorial (2013)
| From: Chicago, Illinois, United States Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Propulsive, Crushing Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock Key Tracks: Deficit, Burial, 1777 |
Russian Circles – Station (2008)
| From: Chicago, Illinois, United States Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Propulsive, Crushing Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock Key Tracks: Young Blood, Harper Lewis, Verses |
Cult Of Luna – A Dawn To Fear (2019)
| From: Umeå, Sweden Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Brooding, Elemental Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: The Silent Man, Nightwalkers, Inland Rain, Lights On The Hill |
ISIS – Panopticon (2007)
| From: Los Angeles, California, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Expansive, Hypnotic Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Heavy Post-Rock Key Tracks: So Did We, Altered Course, Grinning Mouths |
Neurosis – Times Of Grace (1999)
| From: Oakland, California, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Apocalyptic, Raw Genres: Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: The Doorway, The Last You’ll Know, Under The Surface, End Of The Harvest |
SubRosa – For This We Fought The Battle Of Ages (2016)
| From: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Somber, Apocalyptic Genres: Doom Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Despair Is A Siren, Black Majesty, Wound Of The Warden |
Rosetta – A Determinism Of Morality (2010)
| From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Cathartic, Crushing Genres: Post-Metal, Post-Hardcore, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Je N’en Connais Pas la Fin, Release, Revolve |
The Otolith – Folium Limina (2022)
| From: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Mood/Sound: Orchestral, Eclectic, Ethereal Genres: Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Stoner Metal Key Tracks: Sing No Coda, Andromeda’s Wing, Bone Dust |
Battle Of Mice – A Day Of Nights (2006)
| From: Brooklyn, New York, United States Mood/Sound: Uncanny, Dark, Abrasive Genres: Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Bones In The Water, Sleep And Dream, At The Base Of the Giant’s Throat |
Cave Sermon – Fragile Wings (2025)
| From: Melbourne, Australia Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Dynamic, Triumphant Genres: Progressive Metal, Post-Metal, Death Metal Key Tracks: Three-Headed Moth, Hopeless Magic, Moloch |
Tempel – The Moon Lit Our Path (2015)
| From: Phoenix, Arizona, United States Mood/Sound: Punchy, Dynamic, Eclectic Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal Key Tracks: Carvings In The Door. Dawn Breaks Over The Ruins, The Moon Lit Our Path |
DVNE – Voidkind (2024)
| From: Edinburgh, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Crushing, Dynamic, Psychedelic Genres: Progressive Metal, Post-Metal, Stoner Metal Key Tracks: Abode of the Perfect Soul, Summa Blasphemia, Sarmatæ |
BRUTUS – Unison Life (2024)
| From: Leuven, Belgium Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Melodic, Cathartic Genres: Post-Hardcore, Heavy Post-Rock, Post-Metal Key Tracks: What Have We Done, Brave, Dust, Chainlife |
Pelican – Australasia (2003)
| From: Chicago, Illinois, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Hypnotic, Propulsive Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Heavy Post-Rock Key Tracks: Drought, Australasia |
IZAH – Sistere (2015)
| From: Tilburg, Netherlands Mood/Sound: Eclectic (Atmospheric, Somber + Punchy, Pummeling) Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Progressive Metal Key Tracks: Sistere, Duality |
Cranial – Dark Towers / Bright Lights (2017)
| From: Würzburg, Germany Mood/Sound: Pummelling, Oppressive, Dark Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Dark, Bright |
Long Distance Calling – Avoid The Light (2010)
| From: Münster, Germany Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Propulsive, Melodic Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock, Progressive Rock Key Tracks: Black Paper Planes, I Know You Stanley Milgram!, Apparitions |
Junius – Sotera (2026)
| From: Boston, Massachusetts, United States Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Ritualistic, Hypnotic Genres: Alternative Metal, Post-Metal, Post-Punk, Gothic Metal Key Tracks: Scythian, Disciple, Summon Her, Darkwater |
[21-50]
(in no particular order)
The Ocean – Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic (2018)
| From: Berlin, Germany Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Propulsive, Atmospheric Genres: Progressive Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Cambrian II: Eternal Recurrence, Devonian: Nascent, Permian: The Great Dying |
Obscure Sphinx – Void Mother (2013)
| From: Warsaw, Poland Mood/Sound: Abrasive, Atmospheric, Ominous Genres: Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Lunar Caustic, Waiting For The Bodies Down The River Floating, Nasciturus |
Russian Circles – Gnosis (2022)
| From: Chicago, Illinois, United States Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Propulsive, Crushing Genres: (Instrumental)Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock Key Tracks: Tupilak, Conduit, Gnosis |
Neurosis – Through Silver In Blood (1996)
| From: Oakland, California, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Apocalyptic, Dark Genres: Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Eye, Aeon, Locust Star |
Amenra – Mass IIII (2008)
| From: Kortrijk, Belgium Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Bleak, Dark Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Razoreater, Silver Needle, Golden Nail |
Múr – Múr (2024)
| From: Reykjavík, Iceland Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Dynamic, Crushing Genres: Progressive Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Heimsslit, Vitrun, Holskefla |
Agalloch – Ashes Against The Grain (2006)
| From: Portland, Oregon, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Nocturnal, Somber Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal Key Tracks: Our Fortress Is Burning… II – Bloodbirds, Falling Snow, Fire Above, Ice Below |
Cult Of Luna – The Long Road North (2022)
| From: Umeå, Sweden Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Glacial, Nocturnal Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Cold Burn, Blood Upon Stone, The Silver Arc |
BIG|BRAVE – A Gaze Among Them (2019)
| From: Montréal, Quebec, Canada Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Hypnotic, Suspenseful Genres: Drone Metal, Post-Metal, Doomgaze Key Tracks: Muted Shifting Of Space, Holding Pattern |
So Hideous – None But A Pure Heart Can Sing (2021)
| From: New York, New York, United States Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Cathartic, Crushing Genres: Avant-Garde Metal, Post-Metal, Post-Hardcore Key Tracks: Souvenir (Echo), The Emerald Pearl, Intermezzo (3) |
ISIS – Celestial (2000)
| From: Los Angeles, California, United States Mood/Sound: Raw, Abrasive, Ominous Genres: Sludge Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Celestial (The Tower), Gentle Time, Swarm Reigns (Down) |
Dirge – Lost Empyrean (2018)
| From: Paris, France Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Crushing Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Wingless Multitudes, Hosea 8:7, Lost Empyrean |
Kayo Dot – Choirs Of The Eye (2003)
| From: Brooklyn, New York, United States Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Ethereal, Somber Genres: Avant-Garde Metal, Post-Metal, Progressive Rock, Folk Key Tracks: The Manifold Curiosity, Wayfarer |
Rosetta – The Galilean Satellites (2006)
| From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Cathartic, Crushing Genres: Post-Metal, Post-Hardcore, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Departe, Au Pays Natal |
Year Of No Light – Ausserwelt (2010)
| From: Bordeaux, France Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Bleak, Ominous Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Abbesse, Perséphone (Enna) |
SUMAC – What One Becomes (2016)
| From: Vashon, Washington, United States Mood/Sound: Dark, Abrasive, Punchy Genres: Sludge Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Will To Reach, Image Of Control (II), Clutch Of Oblivion (II) |
Cave Sermon – Divine Laughter (2024)
| From: Melbourne, Australia Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Dynamic, Punchy Genres: Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: The Paint Of An Invader, Divine Laughter, Beyond Recognition |
Audrey Fall – Mitau (2014)
| From: Jelgava, Latvia Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Dynamic Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock Key Tracks: Wolmar, Petrina, Priboi |
Bolt Gun – The Tower (2023)
| From: Fremantle, Australia Mood/Sound: Eclectic, Ominous, Dark Genres: Avant-Garde Metal, Post-Metal, Black Metal, Drone Metal Key Tracks: The Tower, The Sacred Deer |
Year Of No Light – Tocsin (2013)
| From: Bordeaux, France Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Crushing, Ominous Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Heavy Post-Rock, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Stella Rectrix, Tocsin, Géhenne |
Amia Venera Landscape – The Long Procession (2010)
| From: Vittorio Veneto, Italy Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Crushing, Atmospheric Genres: Post-Hardcore, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Marasm, A New Aurora, My Hands Will Burn First |
Codespeaker – Scavenger (2024)
| From: Edinburgh, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Crushing, Oppressive Genres: Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Hecatomb, Usud, Rescission |
*Shels – Plains Of The Purple Buffalo (2011)
| From: London, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Triumphant Genres: Heavy Post-Rock, Post-Metal Key Tracks: Plains Of The Purple Buffalo – Part 2, Crown Of Eagle Feathers, Leaving The Plains |
SubRosa – More Constant Than The Gods (2013)
| From: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Hypnotic, Apocalyptic Genres: Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Post-Metal Key Tracks: The Usher, Cosey Mo |
Bossk – Audio Noir (2016)
| From: Ashford, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Melodic, Atmospheric, Shimmering Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Kobe, The Reverie II |
DVNE – Etemen Ænka (2021)
| From: Edinburgh, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Dynamic, Punchy Genres: Progressive Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Sì-XIV, Mleccha, Towers |
Tempel – On The Steps Of The Temple (2014)
| From: Phoenix, Arizona, United States Mood/Sound: Punchy, Dynamic, Atmospheric Genres: (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal Key Tracks: Rising From The Abyss, Mountain, On The Steps Of The Temple |
Rosetta – Wake/Lift (2007)
| From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Cathartic, Crushing Genres: Post-Metal, Post-Hardcore, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Wake, Lift (Part 1), Monument |
Pijn – From Low Beams Of Hope (2024)
| From: Manchester, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Epic, Eclectic Genres: Heavy Post-Rock, (Instrumental) Post-Metal, Progressive Metal Key Tracks: Carved Expanse, On The Far Side Of Morning |
Light Bearer – Lapsus (2011)
| From: London, United Kingdom Mood/Sound: Atmospheric, Somber, Suspenseful Genres: Post-Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal Key Tracks: Primum Movens, Prelapsus, Lapsus |
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