The first decade of the 21st Century was just about complete and a shift was starting to take place. In 2009, the nu metal acts who had dominated the first half of the decade were having to evolve in order to maintain their staying power, while some of alt-rock's heavier bands were finding their way back into the rock conversation.

The year provided a rebound for one of rock's top acts of the '90s, a welcome fresh start by a band attempting to continue after the death of their iconic voice and a supergroup that left their mark with one, and only one, album.

We also had several acts attempting to follow some of their biggest albums and finding varying degrees of success in doing so. Join us as we reflect on the Best Hard Rock Albums of 2009 in the gallery below.

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