Top 20 Albums Of All Time
This is my first day on this website and the first list I am making, so I rfigured I'd start out listing rrrmy top 20 albums of all time before delving rinto more specific topics in my lists. A lot of rthese rralbums are very rmodern which may strike some as odd, and this is not because I do rnot rrlisten rto music of all eras, but it simply worked out that way. |
| 1 |  | Dream Theater
Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory
This, to me, is the greatest album of all time. It is mind-blowingly technical
without coming across as obnoxious, the lyrics tell a beautiful story through its
fantastic use of pros, it's unbelievably eclectic, and it makes me feel more than
anything I have ever heard before. I first heard this record in High School, and
while I was initially amazed, I was unable to comprehend what a great
masterpiece this album truly is until my college years. I can connect with this
album on an uncountable amount of levels. |
| 2 |  | Tool
Lateralus
This album is like a puzzle...and a maze. I constantly become lost in its
complexity, ambiguity, and beauty. Its famous use of the Fibonacci sequence is
only a tiny hidden piece to a much larger puzzle that I don't think I will ever
fully solve. Truly mind-bending stuff! |
| 3 |  | Meshuggah
Catch Thirtythree
Wow. Talk about underrated! With such interesting and unique use of
manipulation of time and an unbeatably eerie, yet intellectual atmosphere
(much like a combination of Ridely Scott's Alien and Kubrick's 2001: A Space
Odyssey) and some of the most thought provoking lyrics I have ever
heard/read, I am truly shocked this is not considered an instant classic among
metal/prog/music fans everywhere! Sure, it requires patience as it is designed
as one song, and it is somewhat slower than some other Meshuggah releases,
yet I still believe it is a travesty how widely overlooked this album truly is. |
| 4 |  | Dream Theater
Images and Words
Dream Theater is not just technical masturbation, as most usually assume due
to their newer releases. The most emotionally effective release by a band
topped only by themselves with Scenes From A Memory |
| 5 |  | Opeth
My Arms, Your Hearse
Opeth is a very atmospheric prog-metal band...but their atmosphere has never
been more powerful, emotional, and haunting than on this album. This tells the
story of a ghost who returns to his wife only to find...well, listen for yourselves.
Truly a literary masterpiece transformed into the art of music. THE album to
listen to on a rainy day. This album expresses melancholy at it's most beautiful. |
| 6 |  | Pink Floyd
The Dark Side of the Moon
I don't even feel like I need to explain this one. This has become a generic
album for nearly everyone's list for a reason. |
| 7 |  | King Crimson
In The Court Of The Crimson King
Slightly less known than classic prog masters Pink Floyd, King Crimson
unfortunately never topped their debut. Some of the most cryptic lyrics I have
ever had the pleasure of reading. This album sounds like a combination of
Heaven and Hell. |
| 8 |  | Dream Theater
Awake
More Dream Theater love. I feel that if I explain why I like this one I'll just
come off as a fanboy, which I more than likely already have. I feel somewhat
uncomfortable putting three albums by the same band in my top 10, but I am
simply being honest and I feel that if I had not put all three of these albums in
their correct places I would be lying, thus proving this list pointless. |
| 9 |  | Meshuggah
ObZen
If Pantera met Catch 33 it would sound like this. If Pantera was much better. |
| 10 |  | Agalloch
The Mantle
Probably THE album which made me find spirituality through Nature. As corny
as this sounds, this album made me understand what Emerson/Thoreau and
many poets meant when they discussed Nature as the most
beautiful/important/Godly entity in this world. Plus, on a musical level it's top
notch, combining plenty of unorthodox styles into one. |
| 11 |  | Cynic
Focus
Jazz robot prog metal? What the hell? Don't ask questions. Listen to this
album, you'll understand. |
| 12 |  | Radiohead
Kid A
Probably the most unique record I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. I'm
having difficulty defining this record, and it's originality (and haunting
apocalyptic feel) is why I feel this is a classic. This may sound like a cop-out, but
some things are beyond explanation and reason. |
| 13 |  | Opeth
Still Life
Everything I said about My Arms Your Hearse I feel about this album...but
slightly less. |
| 14 |  | Cryptopsy
None So Vile
Edgar Allan Poe and Satan decided to join together to make the most poetic and
grotesque music in Death Metal. There's a reason this is considered a classic by
nearly all death metal heads, folks. Lord Worm's vocals could not be more
horrifying, nor could his lyrics. Everyone else, (most notably Flo on drums) are
far are so good at their instruments it's disgusting. Every song sounds like you
are about to get skinned and then eaten alive...and that's a good thing! |
| 15 |  | Pearl Jam
Ten
What a random thing to have in my top 20! I'm usually not too much into
straight up rock, or grunge rock, but this is an exception. The emotion and
nostalgia I get from this album is unexplainable. |
| 16 |  | Megadeth
Rust In Peace
Metallica hasn't topped this. I don't care what anyone says. The fact that every
single member on this album is flawless at their instruments and I will never be
able to say the same about Metallica (damn you, Lars!) puts this ahead for me.
All of Dave's riffs on this album are incredible. If there's a mediocre
guitar/bass/drum section on this album then I must have missed it during all of
the billion times I have heard it. |
| 17 |  | Strapping Young Lad
Alien
Devin Townsend. The end. |
| 18 |  | Nas
Illmatic
Woah! That was out of left field! I don't care. This is one of the most honest
records of all time, and it totally opened my mind to an entire new world...nay,
universe of music. For that, it will always hold a special place in my heart. Plus,
I have to give this guy credit for being simultaneously catchy AND scary! |
| 19 |  | Morbid Angel
Blessed Are The Sick
I was debating between this, Legion by Deicide, and Whisper Supremacy by
Cryptopsy for this spot. It was tough, but I think I definitely prefer this one due
to it's atmospheric elements combined with speed and death metal. Very
unique combination! So ballsy, that it has now become a classic record and I
have yet to find a rip off of it! Much like Kid A and Dark Side of the Moon, very
popular but so undeniably unique that it is impossible to replicate. |
| 20 |  | Nine Inch Nails
The Fragile
Yup. This rules. |
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