Average Rating: 3.53 Rating Variance: 0.66 Objectivity Score: 76% (Well Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicAnathema JudgementThis album embodies pure and bitter pain. After the death of their mother, the Cavanagh brothers must have experienced one hell of an emotional ride, because this album was released in its aftermath, and it is nothing but breathtakingly haunting. Anathema's sorrow does not manifest itself in the form of brute force anymore, but the incredibly powerful riffs and melodies combine with keyboard atmospheres to create dark, moody soundscapes that gather over the album like black clouds. Almost every song screams in bitterness, and the lyrics deal with a seemingly endless depression. It may one of the bleakest albums ever released, but despite its gloom and doom, it is also superbly beautiful, and essential listening for anyone with only the slightest hint of interest in the dark side. A completely stupendously amazing release.Apocalyptica ApocalypticaBlind Guardian Imaginations from the Other SideDream Theater Images and WordsIced Earth Burnt OfferingsKamelot The Black HaloNightwish OceanbornNine Inch Nails The Downward SpiralOpeth Still LifeBlackwater Park may be the most critically acclaimed, but this album is certainly a close second, if not the best album in Opeth's oeuvre. A majestic concept album based around love, heresy, occultism, rejection, and religion, its tragic tale unfolds as the music shows an emotional depth almost unbefitting of any metal band. Opeth aren't just a technically accomplished band (though this is one of their most complex outings, and the band don't play so many songs off this live), but they are also lyrically, aesthetically, and compositionally leaps and bounds ahead of the metal scene. It's rare to come across an album that combines its pompous intents with its musical style so well that it becomes a ride for life. And it's not just heavy: some of the most exquisite parts are acoustic jazzy interludes that serve not only as a breather from the more extreme metal onslaught, but make the album a big exercise in dynamics as well. This album is highly recommended for any open-minded music fan, as it shows one of cheesiest genres at its very best. It shatters any notion of music you may have had. And for that, it may just even beat out Blackwater Park as their most historical record.Opeth Blackwater ParkThis is probably one of the best Opeth albums, though when every album they've released is such high quality, that doesn't say much. It pretty much runs smoothly throughout and it's got a more modern edge than the previous albums. The Drapery Falls features a colossal riff and the vocal interplay on Bleak absolutely rules. It doesn't really have many uneven moments, just ones that are less orgasmic than the absolute highlights. This is a great album any prog metal fan should have, and it's a perfect introduction to Opeth's remarkable oeuvre.Pain Of Salvation BePink Floyd Wish You Were HereThe most riddling album I have ever experienced, its emotional and sentimental value almost eclipses the benchmark set by its musical genius. This isn't an album, this is 45 minutes of pure genius, describing insanity, society, and humanity with the most meticulous of lyrics. Musically, it is one big waterfall, with each song segueing so easily into the next, it might as well have been recorded as one track. However, the highlight is Welcome to the Machine, not only notable for Gilmour's ascending backing vocals, but also for its excruciatingly sardonic lyrics. Is it the best album of all time? Hard to say, but it's as close as any album will ever come, and that is saying something.Pink Floyd The WallOne of the big musical triumphs of Pink Floyd (the other two being Wish you were Here and Dark Side of the Moon), this is a classic album for the ages. Its incredibly bleak lyrical concept makes the music harrowing instead of flat. Gilmour's best solo (and probably one of the best guitar solos ever) appears here on the song Comfortably Numb, but it's a work that stands as a whole. It may seem rather dull at first because almost none of the initial tracks feel right as standalone songs, but once you piece the whole thing together and look at it in helicopter view, you will see that this is possibly, probably, one of the best albums ever. It's such a shame that Pink Floyd have Wish You Were Here in their back catalog, because otherwise this would be their best easily. However, this album is their glorious last stand with the classic line-up, and is highly recommended to anyone.Pink Floyd Pulse [DVD]Porcupine Tree In AbsentiaPorcupine Tree Stupid DreamPorcupine Tree Fear of a Blank PlanetPure perfection released as an album. From the musically intricate soundscapes to the frighteningly depressing lyrical imagery, everything works, fits, and flows as if the album were a 51-minute dream of music. The band ranges from moody trippy sections that recall Portishead's glory, to metal riffs that bring Opeth and Meshuggah to mind, to the technically complex work made famous by 70s progsters a la Rush, and even some pop sentiments on songs like Sentimental. It's a packaged overview of everything that is good about music: emotional value, technical accomplishment, lyrical relevancy, and interesting compositions. A pure tour de force that SW and co. may never be able to top again. Highly recommended buy.Queen Greatest Hits OneQueensryche Operation: MindcrimeRadiohead The BendsRadiohead OK ComputerThis album is a classic of the 90s, for the simple reason that every song on here is amazing. The album revels in a sense of claustrophobia and angst, and even the interlude of Fitter Happier is a testament to the alienation present on the record. It personifies this, no doubt inspiring many that felt the same to pick up a guitar and write tunes. Radiohead would go gaga after this, experimenting with electronica, jazz, and other madness, but this stands as their most "tuneful" album, and where they got the mix between oddball synth influences, plain old guitar rock and bleak thematicism completely right. This isn't heralded as the best album of the 90s for nothing.Slayer Reign in BloodThis album eats babies, slays the christians, and is so brutal in every possible way it's more brutal than most death metal. Tom Araya's vicious snarls are almost tuneless, and his shrieks are blood-curdling; as iffy as this all sounds, it's one of the most enduring and extreme pieces of metal. Who can forget the godly riffs of Raining Blood, or Angel of Death's fanatic opening shriek, or the race-to-the-finish tempo of Jesus Saves? It's all good, and with Dave Lombardo's vital drum performance to boot, this is simply one of the most essential metal records you can find. No metalhead should be without this one, and probably no non-metalhead either. Classic.4.5 superbA Perfect Circle Thirteenth StepAgalloch Pale FolkloreAlice in Chains DirtAs sinister as the title sounds, this is an album that really is all about feeling low, down to earth and like dirt. Staley's drug escapades are the focus here, and it turns these songs into brutal monsters: like demons swarming him. Cantrell's off kilter, dark riffs, and the monotone vocal drawls just give everything a completely bleak feel; like the album art, drowning in a desert. I think the world will be hard pressed to find a better depiction of the aftermath of drug use than this record; I don't think the world needs to find one, because this is just the perfect soundtrack.Anathema A Natural DisasterAnathema A Fine Day To ExitAnathema HindsightThis is even more the culmination of Anathema's sound, perhaps even softer than they went on the previous records... mostly because this is an unplugged acoustic record, and the songs sound like they were always meant to sound. The production is intimate, the "mournful cello" does a great job of conveying atmosphere, and it really sounds like 10 new tracks even though 9 of them appear on previous discs. It's a remarkable achievement that a compilation album might actually be the best record in the band's catalog, and in many cases it would be miserable; but this record just transforms a batch of already amazing songs and gives them a completely fresh and new face. Highly recommended for any fan.Anathema We're Here Because We're HereAnthrax Among The LivingArcturus The Sham MirrorsBad Religion All AgesBad Religion Against the GrainBlack Sabbath ParanoidSabbath were never as satanistic as the opinion of their era would want the general populace to believe. But their inventive use of Diabolus in Musica (also known as the tritone) created this muddy, evil sound every other metal band has wanted to replicate, and many have ripped the band off in the process. However, Sabbath did it first, and best, as the songwriting is ace and Ozzy doesn't sound nearly as annoying as he would on other Sabbath/solo records. And for that, this will stand as the album that changed the face of heavy metal into what it became.Blackfield Blackfield IIBlind Guardian Nightfall in Middle-EarthBlind Guardian Somewhere Far BeyondBlind Guardian A Twist in the MythBloodbath Unblessing the PurityBrand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeCamel The Snow GooseCandlemass Epicus Doomicus MetallicusClint Mansell & Kronos Quartet Requiem for a DreamCynic FocusCynic Traced in AirDark Tranquillity CharacterRA RA RA CHUG CHUG CHUG wtf is this solos and keyboards? blasphemy! not tr00 deth metuhl!! it's better than anything else in the scene though so check it outDark Tranquillity HavenDark Tranquillity FictionDark Tranquillity Where Death is Most Alive (DVD)Death HumanDeep Purple Made In JapanDissection Storm of the Light's BaneDream Theater Six Degrees of Inner TurbulenceDream Theater Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a MemoryDream Theater Live at BudokanDream Theater AwakeDream Theater Scoredredg El CieloEmperor In the Nightside EclipseEmperor Anthems to the Welkin at DuskFaith No More Angel DustFall Out Boy Take This To Your GraveFrank Turner England Keep My BonesGamma Ray Land of the FreeGod Is An Astronaut All Is Violent, All Is BrightGodspeed You! Black Emperor Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas...Godspeed You! Black Emperor Slow Riot For New Zero KanadaThis would be a 5 if it was 20 minutes longer. It's still amazing, but it needs more music.Howard Shore The Return of the KingIced Earth Horror ShowIced Earth Something Wicked This Way ComesIced Earth Alive In AthensIron Maiden The Number of the BeastJudas Priest PainkillerKatatonia Viva EmptinessKatatonia The Great Cold DistanceKatatonia Tonight's DecisionKatatonia Last Fair Deal Gone DownKatatonia Night Is the New DayKing Crimson In the Court of the Crimson KingMassive Attack MezzanineMegadeth Rust in PeaceMeshuggah IMetallica Live Shit: Binge And PurgeMoonsorrow KivenkantajaMorbid Angel Altars of MadnessMostly Autumn Heart Full of SkyMostly Autumn The Last Bright LightMostly Autumn For All We SharedMuse AbsolutionMy Dying Bride Turn Loose the SwansNeutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the Seasometimes i wander through the streets of amsterdam and i see the people walking around. then i take out my guitar and i play some chords and i try to sing. people throw me a dime because they like it.Nevermore The Politics of EcstasyNevermore This Godless EndeavorNightwish WishmasterOpeth MorningriseOpeth DamnationOpeth Ghost ReveriesPain Dancing with the DeadPain Of Salvation Remedy LanePain Of Salvation ScarsickAngry Daniel Gildenlow gives a fuck you to America and commercialism. In the meanwhile, The Bee Gees, 50 Cent, Al Pacino, bros, hoes, homies, strippers, God, commercials, and kids with flowers in their hands all appear, each doing their part. It's a bleak version of the future. The prog year of 2007 would turn bleaker after the release of this record, with Porcupine Tree releasing their seminal mindfuck of "Fear of a Blank Planet", but lovers of doom and gloom anti-commercialism lyrics flavoured with experimentalism and musicianship beyond the limits of the Earth need to pick this up and have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And the best thing of all is: the band don't want you to pay for it.Paradise Lost Draconian TimesPink Floyd The Dark Side of the MoonPink Floyd The Piper at the Gates of DawnPink Floyd Is There Anybody Out There?Pixies Surfer RosaPorcupine Tree AnesthetizePortishead DummyQueen A Night at the OperaRammstein MutterRammstein RosenrotSimon and Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled WaterSlayer South of HeavenSnow Patrol Eyes OpenSonata Arctica EclipticaSonata Arctica Reckoning NightSteven Wilson InsurgentesSymphony X The Divine Wings of TragedySymphony X Paradise LostSystem of a Down ToxicityThe Ocean PrecambrianTiamat WildhoneyTori Amos Little EarthquakesHave you heard that one piano song with a woman singing lately? Well, if you have, it all harks back to this little gem in the end. Tori Amos did it not the first (Kate Bush says hi), but she did it the best. Winter is the best song ever spawned in female singer-songwriter land and Silent All These Years's chorus is an absolute winner. And who else could make an a cappella song about rape work without sounding whiny? Only Tori. If you want a good, emotional ride through a young woman's brain, get this. If you want a record chock full of good, catchy tunes, get this. Hell, if you don't know what you want to get at the store and you don't own this record, get this. It is one of those albums that will keep the lovers drooling and even the haters admire the quality and talent she possesses. Amazing.U2 The Joshua TreeUlver BergtattVangelis 1492: Conquest of ParadiseThis is one of the most epic scores ever composed. It's powerful, haunting and moving, and it fits the theme of the accompanying movie quite well. Conquest of Paradise is a tune for the ages.4.0 excellent30 Seconds to Mars A Beautiful LieA Perfect Circle Mer de NomsAesop Rock Labor DaysAfter Forever DecipherAgalloch Ashes Against The GrainAge of Silence AccelerationAlice in Chains Black Gives Way to BlueWell fuck me sideways with a ten ton dildo. This is actually amazing, and I'd expected way less from a band out of the loop for years, affected by the death of their drugged frontman. I don't know how the fuck they ended up doing this because this is actually a comeback album that is almost as good as anything else they've done. Yes, that includes Dirt. Kudos to this band. Relevant still in 2009, as they were in 1992. Yowzer. I wanna grow old..Amon Amarth With Oden On Our SideCry of the Black Birds might just be the most epic melodeath song ever recorded. The rest of the album is not as good as that song, but it's pretty damn epic nonetheless. Most of this album is pure gold, and when it's not gold, it's silver anyways. This is one of the stronger Amon Amarth albums, and a shoe-in for any fan, and a recommended buy for fans of the genre.Amon Amarth Once Sent from the Golden HallAmon Amarth Twilight Of The Thunder GodThis album has balls. Probably more balls than you will ever have. This album will make you drop them to the ground and bang your head with the Vikings on stage. Aggressive, melodic and catchy, it's safe to say that these Swedes have perfected their death metal style, and it's also safe to say they have never sounded better than this. Fans of the band should run to pick this up.Amorphis Silent WatersAnathema Alternative 4Antimatter Leaving EdenApocalyptica ReflectionsMore bands should play like these guys. Cello metal? That's exactly what this is, and there are few that can match these guys in pure musical skill. But the songwriting is top-notch too, and these guys aren't wankers. The compositions are terrific, being melodic yet heavy, and the occasional appearance of Dave Lombardo on some tracks just makes the whole thing a tad more exquisite. This is some really fine music, the sound of a band really starting to get into the groove, and they went on to perfect it on their next record.Arch Enemy Anthems of RebellionBlackfield BlackfieldBlind Guardian LiveBlind Guardian A Night at the OperaBlind Guardian Follow the BlindBlind Guardian Battalions of FearBloodbath The Fathomless MasteryBrand New Deja EntenduBurst Lazarus BirdBurzum FilosofemCarcass HeartworkCeltic Frost To Mega TherionChildren of Bodom Follow the ReaperCoheed and Cambria In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3Coheed and Cambria From Fear Through the Eyes of MadnessConverge Jane DoeDamageplan New Found PowerDamnation A.D. Kingdom of Lost SoulsDanzig DanzigDark Tranquillity Damage DoneDark Tranquillity The GalleryDarkane InsanityDarkane Rusted AngelDarkthrone The Cult Is AliveDead Can Dance The Serpent's EggDeath Cab for Cutie TransatlanticismDevin Townsend Ziltoid the OmniscientDimmu Borgir Enthrone Darkness TriumphantDraconian Turning Season WithinDragonForce Valley Of The DamnedDream Theater Train of ThoughtDream Theater Live Scenes From New YorkDream Theater Black Clouds & Silver LiningsDream Theater have an obsession with being m34tl now, as the first song features blastbeats and semi-growls from Mike Portnoy. Fortunately for them, they don't completely suck at it (some of the instrumental passages are long, but most of them work in context). Overall this is a pretty good return to form, as the instrumental part of this album is sick, amazing, and over-the-top wicked. James also sounds better than ever. The only downside, apart from some of the overlong solos, are that the lyrics are getting banal and annoying. Also massive props for the cool Trial of Tears section in the Count of Tuscany.Ensiferum EnsiferumEnslaved VertebraeEnya The Memory of TreesExplosions in the Sky The Earth is Not a Cold Dead PlaceFaith No More The Real ThingFaith No More Album of the YearFaith No More We Care A LotFates Warning Awaken The GuardianFredrik Thordendal's Special Defects Sol Niger WithinFuneral for a Friend Tales Don't Tell ThemselvesThe rawness of their earlier recordings has been replaced with a more polished sheen. Gone are the screams and growls and in come exclusively clean vocals. Purists may not like the more mellowed out sound on this record, as they went from posthardcore to sounding more like regular alternative rock a la lostprophets, but the tunes are better and meatier. Apparently these guys have found their songwriting groove, because songs like lead single "Into Oblivion (Reunion)" are exactly what I want to hear from this band at this point. If they keep it up, I can't wait to see where their next one will lead us.Gamma Ray No World OrderGodspeed You! Black Emperor F#A# (Infinity)Godspeed You! Black Emperor Yanqui U.X.OHans Zimmer InceptionHe Is We My ForeverHelloween Keeper of the Seven Keys Part IIHypocrisy VirusIced Earth Night of the StormriderIn Flames The Jester RaceIn Flames ColonyIn Flames ClaymanInstant Suppression Domain.NationIron Maiden Dance Of DeathIron Maiden Somewhere in TimeIron Maiden Piece of MindIron Maiden Brave New WorldIron Maiden Live at DoningtonIsis OceanicJeff Buckley GraceJoy Division Unknown PleasuresJoy Division The Best of Joy DivisionJudas Priest Screaming for VengeanceKamelot EpicaKamelot KarmaKamelot One Cold Winter's NightKing Diamond AbigailKreator Enemy of GodLacrimosa ElodiaLamb of God SacramentLed Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IVMachinae Supremacy Redeemer (Underground Edition)Machinae Supremacy Deus Ex MachinaeMachine Head Burn My EyesMastodon Blood MountainMastodon Crack the SkyeMaximo Park Our Earthly PleasuresMelechesh The EpigenesisMeshuggah Destroy Erase ImproveMeshuggah NothingMeshuggah Catch ThirtythreeMeshuggah obZenMetallica Master of PuppetsMetallica ...And Justice for AllModest Mouse We Were Dead Before the Ship Even SankMogwai Happy Songs for Happy PeopleMogwai Young TeamMoonsorrow V: HavitettyMoonspell Night EternalMuse Black Holes and RevelationsMy Dying Bride For Lies I SireIt sounds like Swans/Angel era MDB. Finally. Because they were getting dull. This was pretty much the best thing they could put out at this point in time. Recommended.Neurosis Through Silver in BloodNevermore Dreaming Neon BlackNevermore Dead Heart In A Dead WorldNevermore The Obsidian ConspiracyNightwish OnceNightwish Angels Fall FirstNightwish Over The Hills And Far AwayNightwish From Wishes To EternityNile Annihilation of the WickedNine Inch Nails With TeethNine Inch Nails BrokenOf Monsters and Men My Head is an AnimalOpeth HeritagePain Of Salvation The Perfect Element, Part 1Paradise Lost Symbol Of LifeParadise Lost Faith Divides Us - Death Unites UsPink Floyd AnimalsPink Floyd MeddlePink Floyd Atom Heart MotherPink Floyd UmmagummaPorcupine Tree SignifyPorcupine Tree DeadwingPorcupine Tree Lightbulb SunPorcupine Tree The Sky Moves SidewaysThis album tries very hard to be Wish You Were Here. The band has even bookended the title track just like PF did with Shine on You Crazy Diamond. The songs are all pretty much in a similar format, with The Moon Touches Your Shoulder being something of a Welcome to the Machine and Wish You Were Here hybrid. There are also many Gilmour-influenced spacy guitar solos. Luckily, the darker atmospheres and the ambient/techno influences save this album from being Pink Floyd, part II. Porcupine Tree would later use this prog-rock blueprint to mix it with other styles, effectively broadening their musical range. This just shows their prog-side at its best.Porcupine Tree Nil RecurringProtest the Hero FortressQueen Sheer Heart AttackR.E.M. Automatic For the PeopleRadiohead Kid ARammstein SehnsuchtRammstein HerzeleidRammstein Reise, ReiseRammstein Liebe Ist Für Alle DaRed Hot Chili Peppers CalifornicationRegina Spektor Soviet KitschRise Against EndgameRiverside Second Life SyndromeRush Moving PicturesThis is quite a solid effort from one of the innovators of the progressive movement. Has all the flaws the genre is famous for, but nevertheless is concise enough to hold up very well as an album. Trails off a little towards the end, but the first four tracks are all hammers, and The Camera Eye is no slouch either. If you like prog, you'll like this album.Sabaton The Art of WarSarah McLachlan Fumbling Towards EcstasySarah McLachlan may be Canada's most overplayed singer-songwriter. It's good she doesn't make those kind of airwaves in Europe, because let's face it: there's only so long you can rely on singles. But she's got some really good tunes on this one, just like female singer-songwriter's ought to, and nobody can argue with choice cuts such as Possession or Fear. And in light of those songs, in hindsight maybe it's not such a bad thing she gets all the airplay she does.Sentenced The Cold White LightSeptic Flesh The Great MassSepultura AriseSigur Ros ( )This album is lush. Very lush. It's like watching the snow fall on a mountain cold breezy winter day. It's like watching that same snow melt as the rivers run wild in spring. It's like watching the sun dry up rivers in the summer. It's like the leaves falling on the banks in the autumn. And when the snow comes back to fall, the circle is perfect; but this album never completes the circle. It's stuck in that winter vibe, but it's so lush, it never leaves its little comfort spot in front of the hearth. But that's right when you want to play it, and you do.Sigur Ros Takk...Simon and Garfunkel Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.Slayer Seasons in the AbyssSonata Arctica SilenceSonata Arctica UniaSuicidal Tendencies Still Cyco After All These YearsThis is a remake of the 1983 self-titled album apparently, but with updated members and sound (Mike Muir, the band's frontman and leader, is the only remaining member from the old lineup.) It sure won't serve as good enough for people who have the original, but since it ran out of print, the band re-recorded it, and the sound is tight and thrashy. If you don't have the original or the reissue, or if you just think "I Saw Your Mommy" is the most obnoxious (and best) song ever, this is for you.Summoning Oath BoundSwallow The Sun HopeSymphony X V: The New Mythology SuiteSystem of a Down System of a DownSystem of a Down Steal This Album!Taking Back Sunday Tell All Your FriendsTestament The GatheringThe Birthday Massacre Pins and NeedlesThe Cranberries No Need to ArgueThe Devin Townsend Project AddictedThe Devin Townsend Project DeconstructionThe Dismemberment Plan Emergency & IThe Mars Volta Frances the MuteThe Ocean AeolianThe Project Hate MCMXCIX The Lustrate ProcessThe Receiving End of Sirens Between the Heart and the SynapseThe Smiths The Queen Is DeadThis Will Destroy You Young MountainThursday War All the TimeTool LateralusTori Amos Under The PinkTristania AshesUnexpect In a Flesh AquariumUnexpect Fables of the Sleepless EmpireWarrel Dane Praises to the War MachineWithin Temptation EnterWolves in the Throne Room Diadem of 12 StarsYes Close to the Edge3.5 great3 Doors Down The Better LifeAfter Forever After ForeverAgalloch The MantleAlanis Morissette The CollectionAmon Amarth Fate of NornsAmon Amarth Versus the WorldAmon Amarth Surtur RisingAmy Macdonald This Is The LifeAnberlin Never Take Friendship PersonalApocalyptica Plays Metallica by Four CellosApocalyptica Inquisition SymphonyApocalyptica CultApocalyptica Worlds CollideApocalyptica 7th SymphonyArch Enemy Wages of SinArch Enemy Rise of the TyrantArch Enemy Khaos LegionsArcturus La Masquerade InfernaleAtheist Unquestionable PresenceAyreon The Universal Migrator, Pts 1-2Ayreon 01011001¡T.O.O.H.! Rad a TrestBehemoth EvangelionThis sounds like a Behemoth album. In case you didn't know what that sounds like, it has blasts, there are growls, it's heavy and fast, and they sing about Satan. Also they spell "of" as "ov" and they don't like Christians. And in case you also didn't know, this album sounding like a Behemoth album is a good thing, because this is pretty much ace as far as songwriting goes.Black Sabbath Master of RealityBlackfield Welcome To My DNABlind Guardian Tokyo Talesblink-182 Enema of the StateBon Iver For Emma, Forever AgoBruce Springsteen NebraskaBruce Springsteen The RiverChevelle Vena SeraChildren of Bodom HatebreederChildren of Bodom play an interesting blend of power, black and death metal that would be refined and honed further on later releases, most notably Follow The Reaper. As it is, this is a step up the ladder, but the band was not quite there yet even though the guitar/keyboard flurries are already extremely plentiful here. The main detractor are Laiho's vocals, which are too grating and shrieky and would be better refined on later efforts. Nevertheless it's a quality metal album worth your time.Circus Maximus IsolateCobalt GinCoheed and Cambria No World for TomorrowCradle to Grave Texas MedicineCrystal Castles Crystal CastlesDark Moor TarotThe first half of this disc is superb symphonic power metal deluxe. The second part doesn't stand up to the first half, which is sad, but it's still good in parts. Recommended for fans of the style.Darkthrone A Blaze in the Northern SkyDead Kennedys Give Me Convenience or Give Me DeathDeath The Sound of PerseveranceDemians Building An EmpireDream Theater A Change of SeasonsDream Theater Falling into InfinityDream Theater Systematic ChaosEluveitie SlaniaEluveitie HelvetiosEnsiferum IronEnslaved IsaEnslaved Axioma Ethica OdiniEternal Tears of Sorrow Before the Bleeding SunExplosions in the Sky All of a Sudden, I Miss EveryoneFalconer Among Beggars And ThievesFirewind AllegianceFrank Turner Poetry of the DeedFuneral for a Friend Casually Dressed & Deep in ConversationFuneral for a Friend Memory and HumanityGlasgow Grin Saints of the Greatest SinGojira The Way of All FleshGrave Into the GraveGreen Carnation The Quiet OffspringHans Zimmer Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (Soundtrack)Hypocrisy A Taste Of Extreme DivinityIced Earth The Dark SagaIn Flames WhoracleIn Flames The Tokyo ShowdownIn Flames Sounds of a Playground FadingIron Maiden PowerslaveIron Maiden Iron MaidenIron Maiden Seventh Son of a Seventh SonJoni Mitchell Turbulent IndigoKamelot Ghost OperaKatatonia Brave Murder DayLacuna Coil ComaliesLamb of God Ashes of the WakeLiquid Tension Experiment Liquid Tension ExperimentMachine Head The BlackeningMastodon LeviathanMegadeth Countdown to ExtinctionMegadeth Rude AwakeningMeshuggah ChaosphereMetallica Ride the LightningMetallica S&MMirrorthrone Carriers of DustMisguided Aggression HatchalaMostly Autumn The Spirit of Autumn PastMostly Autumn PassengersMuse ShowbizMuse Origin of SymmetryMy Dying Bride The Dreadful HoursNas IllmaticNatalie Merchant TigerlilyNeurosis Given to the RisingNightwish Century ChildNightwish Dark Passion PlayNine Inch Nails The FragileNirvana In UteroNirvana NevermindOpeth DeliveranceOpeth My Arms, Your HearseOpeth WatershedOrphaned Land The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOROzzy Osbourne Blizzard Of OzzP.O.D. SatellitePain Nothing Remains the SamePain Psalms of ExtinctionPain Cynic ParadisePain Of Salvation One Hour by the Concrete LakePain Of Salvation EntropiaPantera Cowboys from HellPantera Vulgar Display Of PowerParamore Riot!this album basically revolves around the premise of: here are a pair of tits for you to oogle at (o) (o)Pelican The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon...Porcupine Tree The IncidentThis sounds like Porcupine Tree - the modern metal edition. Bits and pieces (Circle of Manias) could have been taken from Meshuggah records, there are lots of juddering metal grooves, as if NIN were playing and suddenly they are asked to do a duet with Opeth. The album's centrepiece, Time Flies, however, is a disappointing exercise in self-indulgence, and the quieter, mellow moments seem to work the best (particularly Kneel and Disconnect is a fantastic track). The band-collaborated second disc is more conventional PT material, like Lightbulb sun material with an updated guitar tone. Make no mistake: audio-wise it's complete ear candy, the performances are flawless and it's all done like a love of labour. But something's missing here that's on other albums. It seems to lack the uber-tracks that most other PT albums have; "Kneel and Disconnect" is just too short to claim the crown, and heavy thunkers like Octane Twisted seem to meander a tad too often for them to become truly memorable. As far as prog rock/metal goes, Porcupine Tree are undoubtedly on top of their game, but the absence of any truly instantly hitting material, which was always present on previous albums in one way or another, is a disappointment, given SW's ability to pen instantly memorable moments on every album. And that's why this Porcupine Tree record, although great in its own right, can't be rightfully included with the top picks of their extensive discography, metal era or not.Primordial To The Nameless DeadPrimordial Redemption At The Puritan's HandPure Reason Revolution Amor Vincit OmniaRadiohead AmnesiacRadiohead Hail to the ThiefRadiohead In RainbowsRed Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex MagikRelient K mmhmmRush 2112THE TEMPLES OF SYYYYRIINX no geddy shut the fuck up you're not a banshee. this album is full of sexcellent technical wank though. it's just that geddy lee sings about two octaves too high all the time. oh well. at least he rules on bass.Rush Snakes & ArrowsSarah McLachlan SurfacingScar Symmetry Symmetric In DesignScar Symmetry Holographic UniverseScar Symmetry The Unseen EmpireSimon and Garfunkel BookendsSimon and Garfunkel Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and ThymeSimon and Garfunkel Sounds of SilenceSonata Arctica Winterheart's GuildSteven Wilson Grace for DrowningI like the sound but what I don't like is that many of the parts just seem to go on forever. Just why is this a double album again?Stone Sour Come What(ever) MaySuicidal Tendencies Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Deja VuSum 41 Does This Look InfectedSymphony X The OdysseySystem of a Down MezmerizeSystem of a Down HypnotizeThe Cure DisintegrationThe Mars Volta De-Loused in the ComatoriumThe Third and the Mortal Tears Laid In EarthThee Silver Mount Zion He Has Left Us Alone...Therion TheliThrice The Alchemy Index Vols. I & IITiamat A Deeper Kind of SlumberTiamat AmanethesTool 10,000 DaysTristania IlluminationTrivium ShogunTurisas The Varangian WayVoid Of Silence Human AntithesisVomitory Opus Mortis VIIIWintersun WintersunWithin Temptation Mother Earth3.0 good3 Doors Down Away From The Sun3 Mile Scream A Prelude to Our Demise30 Seconds to Mars This Is WarAgalloch Marrow Of The SpiritAlanis Morissette Under Rug SweptAmorphis EclipseAmorphis SkyforgerAmorphis The Beginning of TimesAnathema EternityArch Enemy Doomsday MachineArch Enemy Burning BridgesArcturus Sideshow SymphoniesAt the Gates Slaughter of the SoulAvantasia The ScarecrowBathory Nordland IBathory Nordland IIBehemoth The ApostasyBlind Guardian Tales from the Twilight WorldBlind Guardian At the Edge of Timeblink-182 Take Off Your Pants and JacketBrand New DaisyBruce Springsteen Born In The USABuilt To Spill Perfect From Now OnCartel ChromaCartel The Ransom EPChildren of Bodom Hate Crew DeathrollD.R.I. Dirty Rotten LPDark Moor The Hall of the Olden DreamsDark Tranquillity ProjectorDark Tranquillity The Mind's IDevin Townsend Ocean Machine: BiomechDido No AngelDog Fashion Disco Beating a Dead Horse to Death...AgainDream Theater When Dream and Day UniteDream Theater OctavariumDream Theater Greatest Hit (... and 21 Other...)Dream Theater A Dramatic Turn of EventsEpica The Divine ConspiracyEpica Design Your UniverseEvergrey Recreation DayThis is sort of like the little brother to Symphony X. It has furious guitar leads and monstrous chug riffs, but they aren't as good as Symphony X's. Tom Englund's vocals have a similar range to Allen's, but Russ just sings better. And they like to up the tempo to similar levels, but Evergrey's tempos just aren't as interesting. In the end, they are a competent band with some standout tunes "Blinded", but this is still a band that should always be playing second fiddle to some of the real prog stalwarts.Evergrey Tornsemi-prog, semi-interesting, semi-catchy, semi-good vocals, semi-well written songs, semi-boring, semi-everything kindaFall Out Boy From Under The Cork TreeFoo Fighters Echoes, Silence, Patience & GraceFuneral for a Friend HoursGod Is An Astronaut Far from RefugeGod Is An Astronaut God Is an AstronautGojira From Mars To SiriusHum You'd Prefer An AstronautIced Earth The Glorious BurdenBarlow, where art thou? Owens is a good singer, but he's just not in Barlow's league, and his presence is what is really missed here: he keeps the songs and Jon's songwriting in check. Most of the songs on here are pretty predictable power metal fare, and though Declaration Day, Attila and the Gettysburg trilogy keep up a part of the quality level, most of this is subpar compared to other Iced Earth works. If you want to get into the band, go for a Barlow-era album first (Burnt Offerings/Horror Show), and then get this.Iced Earth The Crucible Of ManIn Flames Reroute to RemainIn Flames Lunar StrainIn Flames Come ClarityIn Flames A Sense of PurposeIron Maiden KillersIron Maiden Fear of the DarkIron Maiden A Matter of Life and DeathIsis Wavering RadiantNeurosis-lite. This is metal for people who are too old too deal with that snotty melodic post-rocky moody stuff, or just not sad enough; but too much of a weaksauce to flesh the deep riffs and go for some real crunchy sounds. Instead, it falls somewhere in between, and therefore sounds decent and appealing enough; but if you take into account this band once got it right on Oceanic, that is a very disappointing state for an album to be in.Kamelot The Fourth LegacyKamelot Poetry for the PoisonedKatatonia Discouraged OnesKaty Perry One of the BoysKreator Hordes Of ChaosLacuna Coil KarmacodeLamb of God WrathMarduk Panzer Division MardukMegadeth YouthanasiaMegadeth Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?Mercenary Architect of LiesMetallica Kill 'Em AllMetallica MetallicaMostly Autumn Storms Over Still waterMostly Autumn Glass ShadowsIt's pretty much the same MA we're used to, except slower and dreamier. This also means, that despite some great guitar work from Josh, and Heather's better-than-ever vocal histrionics, they've also become more boring. The main influences here are Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and friends; unlike the last album, which marked a return to more progressive waters, even adding that dish of folk back, now they're plodding along in more classic rock territory; and I don't know if I like that as much as I like the oldschool MA with the folk and prog touches. This band needs to keep its Floydy roots. I still like the album, but I can't help wishing for something altogether more... interesting. Oh, and Tearing at the Faerytale is just the most emotional song the band ever wrote. Check that out.Muse The ResistanceMy Dying Bride Songs Of Darkness, Words Of LightNecrophagist EpitaphNevermore Enemies Of RealityNightwish ImaginaerumNile In Their Darkened ShrinesNile Those Whom the Gods DetestNine Inch Nails Year ZeroNine Inch Nails The SlipObscura OmniviumOceansize FramesOpeth OrchidPagan's Mind God's Equationthis is kinda good, especially the david bowie cover but my god that singer is one screeching fucktard. he's worse than James LaBrie and he overdoes it so much. He can sing but he needs to tone it down. the musicians are all competent. they also probably wank to queensryche, dream theater and iron maiden and all those sorts of bands. which is cool, but it's been done before. gets a 3 on the merit of good musicianship and some ok songwriting.Pain RebirthParadise Lost Shades Of GodParadise Lost In RequiemParadise Lost One SecondPelican City of EchoesPink Floyd The Division BellPink Floyd The Final CutPink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of ReasonPortishead ThirdSamael Solar SoulSarah McLachlan AfterglowScar Symmetry Pitch Black ProgressScar Symmetry Dark Matter DimensionsSigur Ros Ágætis ByrjunSlayer Christ IllusionSlipknot Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Snow Patrol Final StrawSoilwork Figure Number FiveStatic-X Shadow ZoneStratovarius VisionsSymphony X Twilight in OlympusThe Dear Hunter Act II: The Meaning of, & All Things Regarding Ms. LeadingThe Haunted UnseenThe Mars Volta The Bedlam in GoliathIt's The Mars Volta playing The Mars Volta Songs the way The Mars Volta typically play songs. This means they are technically complex, too long, and there is a lot of random wank and bullshit. This album has less ambient filler than previous records, which makes it a bit more energetic, but it's still a chore to sit through the whole thing. If they would just learn the ins and outs of songwriting...Thee Silver Mount Zion 13 Blues for Thirteen MoonsTiamat Skeleton SkeletronTiamat PreyTo-Mera DelusionsTool AenimaTool UndertowTori Amos American Doll PosseU2 All That You Can't Leave BehindVangelis Blade Runner SoundtrackYndi Halda Enjoy Eternal Bliss2.5 averageAC/DC Back In BlackAnathema The Silent EnigmaBlack Label Society The Song Remains Not The SameBruce Springsteen Darkness On The Edge Of TownChildren of Bodom Are You Dead Yet?Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the HeadDimmu Borgir In Sorte DiaboliDio Holy DiverDragonForce Inhuman RampageEdguy Tinnitus SanctusFall Out Boy Infinity On Highit's got some kinda neat tracks but this is the pop version of a band who i liked better when they stuck to their punk roots on the first two albums. thnks fr th mmrs is a golden song though, and there is some scattered interesting stuff on the rest of the record. but all in all the killer to filler ratio is a bit lower than what I have come to expect of these guys.God Dethroned Under the Sign of the Iron CrossHate Eternal Phoenix Amongst The AshesIn Flames Soundtrack to Your EscapeIn Flames SubterraneanIron Maiden No Prayer for the DyingKatatonia Dance of December SoulsLeaves' Eyes MeredeadMegadeth United AbominationsMetallica ReLoadMetallica LoadMudvayne Lost and FoundOdium (CAN) At the BottomPantera Far Beyond DrivenPantera The Great Southern TrendkillR.E.M. Out Of TimeRed Hot Chili Peppers Stadium ArcadiumRhapsody of Fire Legendary TalesMetal for Mighty Warriors in Enchanted Lands trying to save the Fair Maidens with their Fantasy Swords / Other Magical Items and Superb Wizardry Skill. This is the kind of power metal album that you want to hear only once. Unless you are a D&D fanatic, I don't see how anything but the LOOK I AM MALMSTEEN neoclassical fretwank could possibly do anything but irritate the listener. This is so over-the-top hilarious power metal posturing it's overbearing and annoying. Probably the worst thing of all is that these guys take it so seriously. Well, the next time I slay a dragon in the forests, I guess I have a soundtrack.Samael AboveSamael Lux MundiSerj Tankian Elect the DeadSigur Ros med sud i eyrum vio spilum endalaustSnow Patrol A Hundred Million SunsSonata Arctica The Days of GraysSybreed The Pulse of Awakeningit's like Fear Factory meets Samael, only with terrible clean vocalsSynastry Blind Eyes BleedTaking Back Sunday Where You Want To BeTool Opiate2.0 poor3 Doors Down Seventeen DaysAutopsy Macabre EternalBattlelore DoomboundBetween the Buried and Me Colorstoo long, too boring, too complex, too pretentious, the vocals are fucking awful, all in all: too muchBreaking Benjamin PhobiaChildren of Bodom Something WildColdplay ParachutesColdplay X & YDerelict Unspoken WordsDragonForce Ultra BeatdownPower metal: now with +50 dragonslaying, + 50 guitar masturbation, -50 songwriting, and +1010101010101101001100 homosexuality. Enjoy DRAGON FORCEEnsiferum From AfarTries really hard to be epic, but sounds like power metal with harsh vocals. For the uninitiated, that means speedy metal with epic (read: lame) keyboards, dumb screaming and folksy acoustic guitars. They lost it after Iron, when Jari left, and this album doesn't do anything to change the fact that Jari took the songwriting skill with him. And when you take the seasoning from a stew, you get something drab and boring. That is this record.Epica Consign To OblivionEpica The Phantom AgonyEvanescence FallenEvanescence The Open DoorHammerFall No Sacrifice, No VictoryHelloween Keeper of the Seven Keys Part IIced Earth Framing ArmageddonInto Eternity The Scattering of AshesJudas Priest British SteelKreator Pleasure to KillLinkin Park Hybrid TheoryLoren Battle Words Begin WarsI had a review which got lost and cannot be arsed to re-post it, but let me just say that this generic cookie-cutter metalcore by scene kids that jumped on the bandwagon three years later is not of interest to anyone, and can safely be skipped.Metallica Death MagneticAfter the infinite suckfest of the 90s and early 2000s, Metallica needed to progress. Well, they have progressed notably: they have gone from extreme suckdom to being mediocre and boring. Now that's a great step forward for you! This album is far too long, far too monotonous, and far too grating musically for sustained interest. Hetfield's vocal work is at an all-time low as his monotonous drawl pervades every song. It's time to hang up your studio boots and keep touring off past efforts because even when you try to go back to thrash like Master of Puppets stuff, you end up plodding like the black album. Whatever they tried on here, it's not working, and the lyrical content makes it look like a real joke. I haven't waited five years for them to put out this piece of snoredom.Panic! At the Disco A Fever You Can't Sweat OutRhapsody of Fire Triumph or AgonySlayer World Painted BloodStratovarius DestinyTherion Gothic KabbalahTherion Sitra AhraU2 How to Dismantle an Atomic BombWithin Temptation The Silent Force1.5 very poorAvenged Sevenfold NightmareAvril Lavigne Let GoBullet For My Valentine The PoisonChildren of Bodom BlooddrunkColdplay Live 2003Deicide To Hell With GodDido Life For RentGood Charlotte The Young And The HopelessHammerFall RenegadeThis album suffers a lot from being a power metal album. This means it's burdened with men singing like women, lyrics about dungeons, dragons, and the almighty conquest of evil (and brave metal warriors), and derivative riffs stolen from Maiden and Priest. Well, bad news, because if you hate that style, this is probably your worst nightmare. The vocalist does sound like a woman. The lyrics are cringeworthy. And, every song sounds like it came from an Iron Maiden B-side collection. It's any sane music fan's worst nightmare. Stay far, far away from this. If you want good power metal, pick up Kamelot or Sonata Arctica instead.Into Eternity The Incurable TragedyJay-Z and Linkin Park Collision CourseLinkin Park MeteoraThis album did not stand the test of time for me. Whereas Hybrid Theory had a formula that deservedly made it a commercial success (regardless of whether you liked it or not), this is just Hybrid Theory 2 with too little Chester, a lot of repetition, quite angsty lyrics, ridiculously simple verse/chorus affairs, and more of that. This is the best band to come out of the nu-metal scene, and this album has let me down very much. Don't get this, it's cool once but it has absolutely zero replay value and is just boring generic nu-metal.Metallica St. AngerMorbid Angel Illud Divinum InsanusMower Make it a DoubleSum 41 All Killer No FillerWithin Temptation The Heart of Everything1.0 awful(hed) p.e. New World OrphansThis is like sticking your dick in a cheese grater. Over and over. The sound that that makes is better than this record.blink-182 blink-182Britney Spears ...Baby One More TimeThe Rasmus Dead LettersTheatres Des Vampires Moonlight WaltzTrivium The CrusadeWhitesnake ForevermoreWithin Temptation The Unforgiving
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