Top 5 progressive metal albums

[Duncan Glenday]

Even though I hate threads that are "lists of lists, this one might be interesting...

1. Avantasia - The Metal Opera, Vol. 1
2. Time Requiem - s/t
3. Dream Theater - When Dream & Day Unite
4. In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading
5. Voivod - Nothingface

Interesting list. Incidentally, not that it matters much, but I would definitely categorize Avantasia as power metal rather than progressive metal.

...
Stolen Babies - Naught
...

This, I would call really progressive metal - though I suspect that opinion won't get much traction in this thread.

Black Sabbath "Sabotage"
Judas Priest "Sin After Sin"
Black SAbbath "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
Judas Priest "Nostradamus"
Captain Beyond debut

I have difficulty with any of these being "progressive metal". And (to my ears) 'Priest should be ashamed of Nostradamus - I really disliked it

Unexpect - In A Flesh Aquarium
Stolen Babies - There Will Be Squabbles Ahead
Tool - Laterus
Behold The ... Arctopus - Horrorscension
Diablo Swing Orchestra - Singalong Songs For The Damned & Delirious
...

Good list, Ian - I would consider most of those to be "MIO" (i.e. the metal version of "RIO" )

[NogbadTheBad]

Good list, Ian - I would consider most of those to be "MIO" (i.e. the metal version of "RIO" )

Yeah my tastes tend to the more Avant end of Progressive Metal, MIO would be great if if didn't sound like an echolyn album

[PeterG]

but I would definitely categorize Avantasia as power metal rather than progressive metal.

Me too But I thought I'd slip it in there anyway

[PeterG]

I have difficulty with any of these being "progressive metal". And (to my ears) 'Priest should be ashamed of Nostradamus - I really disliked it

I agree again, and pointed that out to the poster. Let alone progressive metal it's debatable whether Captain Beyond could even be called hard rock.

[PeterG]

Symphony X to me has always sounded like an incredibly cheesy Power Metal band.

Ah ha, so it's not just me then

[Duncan Glenday]

Yeah my tastes tend to the more Avant end of Progressive Metal, MIO would be great if if didn't sound like an echolyn album

[proggosaurus]

I can never come up with a top 5 or 10 on any kind of list but here's 5 I really like

Psychotic Waltz - A Social Grace
Circus Maximus - Isolate
Seventh Wonder - The Great Escape
Anubis Gate - Andromeda Unchained
Vanden Plas - Chronicles Of The Immortals..Netherworld

[Gerardo]

Dream Theater- Metropolis Part 2:Scenes From a Memory
Pain of Salvation- Remedy Lane
Evergrey- The Inner Circle
Symphony X- The Divine Wings of Tragedy
Dead Soul Tribe- A Murder of Crows

[Duncan Glenday]

Speaking of good metal that is progressive (i.e. not necessarily "prog-metal")...

...See the latest featured CD.

[simon moon]

Symphony X to me has always sounded like an incredibly cheesy Power Metal band.

Yep.

I used to be a fan, but I now feel the same exact way. 'The Odyssey' is still pretty damn good though.



Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane
Spiral Architect- A Sceptic's Universe
Wolverine - The Window Purpose (almost tie with 'Communication Lost')
Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Grey

[viukkis]

What I like about Symphony X is that they sound a bit like early Dream Theater with an actual rock/metal vocalist instead of a musical theatre guy pretending to be one.

[Rufus]

What I like about Symphony X is that they sound a bit like early Dream Theater with an actual rock/metal vocalist instead of a musical theatre guy pretending to be one.

^^^^Prefer Labrie by a country mile as opposed to a Dio wannabe as there's hundred's who sound the same. I just find Symthony x too predictable & never expect any twists & turns that would make them interesting to me!

[davis]

I think I'd like Symphony X more w/o Russell Allen. actually I gave them up because of that, but I'm going to give them another try.

my 5th entry could be Dream Theater's 'Systematic Chaos' or 'Black Clouds and Silver Linings' (but I haven't heard s/t or 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' all the way through)... any Diablo Swing Orchestra CD... Fates Warning's "Disconnected"...

this is quite a list of prog-metal acts, and it's only page 1: http://www.metal-archives.com/lists/prog

[davis]

^^^^Prefer Labrie by a country mile as opposed to a Dio wannabe as there's hundred's who sound the same. I just find Symthony x too predictable & never expect any twists & turns that would make them interesting to me!

Have you tried Fantomas, Melvins or Flat Earth Society? not prog metal but unpredictable.

[Rufus]

Have you tried Fantomas, Melvins or Flat Earth Society? not prog metal but unpredictable.

No but maybe I should!

[Just Eric]

In no particular order (all are masterpieces, IMO):
Dream Theater - Images and Words
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray
Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane
Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime
Symphony X - V

As close to a perfect list you'll ever find for true Prog metal, the DT kind.

Here's my list of Progressive Metal releases -

INPO

Disillusion - Back To Times of Splendor
Sigh - Imaginary Sonicscape
Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Pt. 1
uneXpect - In A Flesh Aquarium
Le Grand Guignol - The Great Maddening

[Garden Dreamer]

I think I'd like Symphony X more w/o Russell Allen. actually I gave them up because of that, but I'm going to give them another try.

What is it you don't like about Russell Allen? Because his style has changed on the last three albums as compared to earlier stuff. He does a lot of shouting on the verses now, much more aggressive style.

[davis]

What is it you don't like about Russell Allen? Because his style has changed on the last three albums as compared to earlier stuff. He does a lot of shouting on the verses now, much more aggressive style.

to me he sounds generic, like they plucked this guy off the street, auditioned him for 5 minutes and gave him the job. I'm listening to Iconoclast on YT and I don't hear that quality on there; he sounds more professional. I think I listened to Paradise Lost just once or twice (I'd pre-ordered it) and left them behind at that point. checking out DWoT now. apparently I've changed enough that Allen's voice doesn't bother me now. that's a pleasant surprise. I hadn't listened to them for several years...

[davis]

For whatever reasons, the vocalists for Alabama Thunderpussy & Yob do not bother me. They used to, but i liked the music so much I listened to it in spite of the vocals.

[Garden Dreamer]

For whatever reasons, the vocalists for Alabama Thunderpussy & Yob do not bother me. They used to, but i liked the music so much I listened to it in spite of the vocals.

The only Alabama Thunderpussy album that clicked with me was their last one with the different vocalist, "Open Fire." It gets slammed for being "power metal" (with the Molly Hatchet-like album cover) instead of stoner but I love it.

[mozo-pg]

No Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny

[davis]

No Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny

I've tried JP and... nothing. no reaction at all, just uninteresting.

[Wounded Land]

I'll play:

Ayreon The Human Equation
Dream Theater Images and Words
Opeth Blackwater Park
Pain of Salvation The Perfect Element
Queensryche Operation: Mindcrime

This is based off personal preference, not necessarily any other criterion like influence, etc.

[Digital_Man]

[I have difficulty with any of these being "progressive metal". And (to my ears) 'Priest should be ashamed of Nostradamus - I really disliked it]

And yet you rated it an 11 on gnosis. If 11's are albums that you really dislike then I'd hate to know which ones you gave a ten or less to.

[The Fantastic Progo Rican]

In no particular order

Symphony X-V
Fates Warning-Parallels
Dream Theater-Images And Word
Queensryche-Operation Mindcrime
Shadow Gallery-Tyranny

Honorable Mentions:
Iron Maiden-Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Tool-Lateralus
Pain Of Salvation-Remedy Lane
Psychotic Waltz-Into The Everflow
Ayreon-The Dream Sequencer/The Universal Migrator