Top 16 Rock Albums in Billboard’s 21st Century Chart

What are the Top Rock Albums of the 21st Century That Made a Lasting Impact? Billboard has unveiled their highly anticipated list of the Top 200 Albums of the Decade, and remarkably, one rock album has managed to secure a coveted position in the Top 10.

In a recent ranking, Nickelback emerged as the highest-charting rock band of the 21st century, and they also claim the title for the biggest rock album of the decade thus far, with their 2005 release, All the Right Reasons, taking the No. 9 spot overall. This album produced an impressive seven singles, including the chart-topping hits “Photograph” and “Animals” on the Mainstream Rock charts. Standout tracks like “Rockstar,” “Side of a Bullet,” “Far Away,” “Savin’ Me,” and “If Anyone Cared” further solidified its popularity. The album has achieved Diamond Certification by the RIAA in the U.S., marking over 10 million copies sold.

Additionally, six other significant albums made their way into the Top 50 rankings. Linkin Park’s groundbreaking album, Hybrid Theory, debuted at No. 21. Released in 2000, this iconic debut yielded four major hit singles: “One Step Closer,” “Crawling,” “Papercut,” and “In the End.” The album’s remarkable success led to it being certified Diamond, with over 12 million copies sold in the U.S.

Following closely behind at No. 23 is Daughtry’s self-titled debut album from 2006, which featured an impressive collection of seven singles. Notable tracks include “It’s Not Over” and the collaboration with Slash titled “What I Want,” both of which reached the Top 10 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Additionally, the single “Home” joined “It’s Not Over” as a Top 5 hit on the Hot 100 chart. The album has surpassed six times Platinum sales in the U.S., reflecting its widespread appeal and commercial success.

The fourth album to make the Top 50 list is Evanescence’s influential 2003 release, Fallen. This powerful album features unforgettable singles such as “Bring Me to Life,” “Going Under,” “My Immortal,” and “Everybody’s Fool.” Fallen achieved Diamond certification from the RIAA after selling over 10 million copies in the U.S., placing it at No. 33 for the 21st Century.

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Another remarkable debut that left a mark was Avril Lavigne’s Let Go, released in 2002. This album secured the No. 47 spot for the 21st Century and featured a series of hit singles, including “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi,” “I’m With You,” “Losing Grip,” “Mobile,” and “Nobody’s Fool.” Its popularity is reflected in its certification of seven times Platinum in the U.S., underscoring its lasting influence on the pop-punk genre.

Creed also made their mark with Human Clay, landing at No. 48. This late 1999 release carried its momentum into the 2000s, thanks to hit songs like “Higher,” “What If,” “With Arms Wide Open,” and “Are You Ready?” The album achieved Diamond status, surpassing 11 million copies sold in the U.S., highlighting its significant impact on rock music during its time.

Finally, Kid Rock’s Rock N Roll Jesus secured the No. 49 position for the 21st Century so far. Released in 2007, the album’s standout single “All Summer Long” resonated with audiences, alongside tracks like “So Hott,” “Amen,” “Roll On,” and the title track. It has been certified triple Platinum, showcasing its commercial success and popularity in the rock genre.

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Several bands previously mentioned reappear in the rankings. Nickelback’s albums Silver Side Up and Dark Horse are positioned at No. 97 and No. 104, respectively. Creed’s Weathered makes its mark at No. 103, while Linkin Park’s albums Minutes to Midnight and Meteora land at No. 134 and No. 172, respectively.

Green Day’s critically acclaimed album American Idiot narrowly missed the Top 50, settling at No. 55. Meanwhile, Staind’s Break the Cycle made an appearance at No. 111, and Limp Bizkit’s Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water found its place at No. 128. Additionally, the compilation album Greatest Hits by Guns N’ Roses snagged the No. 190 position, highlighting the band’s enduring influence.

For a complete look at the Billboard Chart detailing the Top 200 Biggest Albums of the 21st Century, you can view it here.