Alternative culture was at its peak in the mid-’00s, with emerging waves in the pop punk and post-hardcore movements making their way to mainstream culture, while indie rock and post-punk revival led the way in the rock charts.
Not only that, but on the heavier side of things there was also plenty to love for metalheads, from rising metalcore acts to complex prog legends releasing some of their best work.
Something remarkable about this era is how diverse the most popular guitar-driven albums were, earning considerable commercial success while often not fitting into any particular trend.
Therefore, to celebrate this exciting era in music, this UG writer decided to make you all feel old, as we list the best moments in rock and metal that are turning 20 in 2025.
#5. Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree
Few things were more popular than emo and pop punk in the mid-’00s, and one of the main responsible acts for the pop culture relevance of these movements was Fall Out Boy.
For the band’s sophomore album, “From Under the Cork Tree”, one of the decade’s best songwriting partnerships was forged between frontman Patrick Stump and bassist Pete Wentz.
The result was an outrageously fun record that shaped the decade’s alternative scene and catapulted Fall Our Boy into superstardom, anchored in the power of its clever lyrics, emotional hooks, and the impact of hits like “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” and “Dance, Dance”.