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User
Reviews 6
Approval 93%
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Album Ratings 640
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Last Active 01-05-23 12:08 am
Joined 04-20-18
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| 31 Concept Albums for May - Week One
Throughout May, I am revisiting 31 select hard rock or metal concept albums. These are the concept albums that have moved me the most over the last 25 years (give or take). Or conversely, they are concept albums that I have long desired to expend further study upon. Some of these albums will be quite familiar to most of you – others maybe less so. Below, I aim to provide a high level summary of “my take” or interpretation on their content. Specifically on the key messages I feel are being expressed and received (by myself) through these works of art. Little to no comment will be made on the music itself - there are plenty of reviews for that. | | 1 |  | Suns of the Tundra
Bones of Brave Ships [Vinyl]
Day One: See prior List | | 2 |  | Pain of Salvation
Be
Day Two: See review (actually reviewed this just before May, but including it anyways) | | 3 |  | Porcupine Tree
Nil Recurring
Day Three: See review | | 4 |  | Stone Sour
House of Gold and Bones - Part 1
Day Four: To be honest, the music/lyrics on the album very loosely (or little at all) follow the narrative in the CD. But the narrative of the CD is an interesting read, as follows. The Author, an absolute zero (not the devil but I won't be your hero), awakes in a grass field, surrounded by multi-colored skies. His clothes are at first foreign, but he subsequently becomes accustomed.. Chased into a building, he meets Allen – an alien presence and doppelganger. Allen informs him that he must journey to the House of Gold and Bones to find the answers he seeks. Upon leaving Allen, he ventures down a staired valley cliff into the base, only to meet once again with those chasing him. He turns to find Black John and the Numbers, a ragtag crew. | | 5 | | Stone Sour
House of Gold and Bones - Part 1
Continued. Black John, his nemesis, ultimately receives a punch in the face following incessant questioning “RU486”? Upon escape, the author runs down the valley towards the forest and Red City. Just before reaching the forest, he encounters Allen again (who refuses to go into the forest and vanishes) and meets Peckinpah. Peckinpah journeys with him through the forest towards Red City and the Conflaguration, a celebration of choice. Peck and he are overtaken in the woods by the Numbers, with Peck escaping and the author being captured. With barely enough time to drink Paris Grass, a concoction provided by Peck to forget what occurs to the author from now until arrival at the Red City. | | 6 |  | Queensryche
American Soldier
Day Five: An album most shy away from. However, this album has always greatly affected me, since my first listen. The album tells the story of a soldier who initially enlists into the military, unafraid. He becomes a machine-like, uncompromising soldier with a hundred mile stare and emotionless when dropping weapons from military aircraft on insurgent holdouts. He ventures into the desert to save one man down and is shot in the process, resulting in him becoming a “shoot first” killer and approaching death. Upon making it out, he struggles with feelings of loss (of fellow soldiers), depression, and worthlessness. And ultimately succumbs to PTSD (man down) and develops a cold emotionless exterior. He provides a heartfelt letter to his family, only to deploy again and be killed in battle, departing to the other side and achieving inner peace. | | 7 |  | Tomahawk
Anonymous
Day Six: Not too much to say here, but this album includes traditional Native American compositions by uncredited composers. Apparently made by the band in an effort to shed light on songs of old, which had little semblance to today's music. | | 8 |  | Muse
Drones
Day Seven: Another album most don't appreciate. But I do...I was oppressed in a prior employment and this album gave me strength. This album follows the path made by a soldier who first loses his/her way. In “Dead Inside”, his soul is dead (long ago), he has nothing left, and he has been taught to “Kill with no remorse”. Further, his mind becomes overtaken by a psychopathic drill sergeant, becoming a human super drone/Psycho killer who will kill on command. In “Mercy”, he realizes that he is losing his soul, requestng to be rescued from the powers that be. He further realizes that he is a pawn and expendable, and that his hart has become a cold and impassive machine. At this point, in “The Handler”, he begins to dissociate and escape from the grip of the powers that be. Ultimately defecting, revolting (although oppression persists in his mind), and becoming free. Once free, however, his family is killed by Drones. | | 9 |  | P.O.D.
The Awakening
Day Eight: I like this album, but afterwards was wishing there was more content/concept here. The album tells the story of man who is living a non-spiritual life. For example, committing adultery with a married (or taken) woman (“Criminal Conversations”). He has a vivid dream of the world “going to pot”, awakens and remembers, and is tormented by an evil N.W.O. And voices trying to kill him. He also gets pulled over for reckless driving (live fast, die young) and spends time in jail. Upon realizing the error of his ways, he undergoes an internal revolution, confronts his abusive father and forgives him, leaves behind his broken feelings, and becomes spiritually awakened. | | 10 |  | In This Moment
The Dream
Day Nine: See review | |
JDubb
05.09.20 | Feel free to chime in with your thoughts. But note, that I am not making this list for you, Sputnikers. More for me to record my voyage through these concept albums during these “Strange Days” of Covid 19. Bon Voyage. | JohnnyoftheWell
05.09.20 | nice. is 7 a concept album beyond its ongoing adaptation of source material? | JDubb
05.09.20 | I feel that 7 is. If there were just 1 or 2 tracks that incorporated native american compositions (of the past), than it would be more of a theme. But the entire album focuses on these songs. It is an immersive trip into these compositions. So, IMO, it is a concept weaved throughout the entire album. | aidanbouw2005
05.15.20 | For me everything beyond Empire up until the self titled album, by Queensryche sucks |
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