Crestfallen Studios

Since there is a couple of us on the board here who are pretty heavy into the metal, prog rock scene, here is a list by a no body of the top prog/metal LPs of 2004. Check it out here

Prog-Rock Metal had a great year, especially the first half in which three truly monumental works were released.

http://www.epinions.com/content_4192837764

And I have a thing or two to say about the choices.

Therion - Sirius B: This album is really kind of annoying. Just power riffs with an opera behind it. It's been done a couple times now so I don't think it's anything new. 4/10

Evergrey - The Inner Circle: Probably their worst release in 3. Not saying it's bad, they just took a step down here. Actually it was a worthy addition. I don't like the death metal appproach by them though. 6/10

Ayreon - The Human Equation: Totally grandiose here. Hailed as another rock metal opera. . The track listing says enough about what you're going to get. Has some fine moments, but gets formulatic pretty fast. 5.5/10

Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden - Former Judas Priest singer Ripper Owens is on here. He sounds like any 80s singer, really no identity. If you like screeching, this one is for you, put really this album has nothing special at all like packaged on the given site. I don't like it much. 4/10

Tesla - Into The Now - Yeah, that 80s band is back. On this album, they seem to take into a Nirvana kind of thing. In an attempt to sound modern, they succeed. Progressive though? No, not really, nothing exceptional. There are a couple catchy tunes such as "What A Shame" and "Words Can't Explain." Some of the lyrics just scream "80s hair" hehe. 5/10

Dreamscape - End Of Silence - These guys try to be Dream Theater part II, and succeed. Epic tracks over 13 minutes, uninspired time signature changes, ridiculous melody changes and dumb lyrics. Like Dream Theater, it leaves you saying at the end, "Whoopdee - doo, what are you trying to prove here?" 2/10

Sirenia - An Elixir for Existence - This album had tons of potential. The music is very melodic and beautiful. But you know what isn't? Death metal singing. Forget about this one. 3/10

Heavenly - Dust To Dust - Another very grandiose yet tasteful album. Every song is a chapter. So the track titles are like Chapter 1: Song name, and until chapter 2 and such. I was actually very pleased with this album. If you can get by the annoying vocalist, they are very melodic and use vocal harmonies very well. This is the first album in the list I am completly satisfied. It's has some very touching ballads and intense rockers that are still catchy. A definate plus! 7.5/10

Samael - Reign of Light - For the love of god, do not touch this album. Enough said. 1/10

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Now I'm wondering what the heck this guy was thinking when he chose this list. Really I would only recommend one, maybe two of those albums to anyone who liked prog or even good metal.

What do I recommend to everyone here that's actually good in the year 2004 for progressive?

Sonata Arctica - Reckoning Night: THE album of 2004, I can not stress how good these guys are. If you are looking for some new bands to get into, I guarentee these guys are the best option for great music. Tony Kakko is a great songwriter, blending all types together. Is it pure metal? No, just brilliant music. 10/10

Threshold - Subsurface: This guy obviously forgot UK's power outfit after another masterpiece. Although they take the overall intensity down and fluff it up, it's still powerful and emotional. A definate buy. 8.5/10

Anathema - A Natural Disaster: No super rocking tracks here, just atmospheric beauty. The Cavanaugh brothers are brilliant here. Tasteful use of the vocoder on one track. This can hardly be put into a metal list, because it's so classy. 8/10

That's enough for me.

Yeah, great reviews "daumco". Reckoning Night "didn't make the cut"? Yeah punk!? Take that back or I'll... show you... my... uh... cut!

Iced Earth wasn't that bad, I haven't heard their newest album. I'm a big fan of Blind Guardian, so that's how I know of them. I'm going to have to check out Sonata Arctica though, it sounds awesome.

Dude, the iced earth album kicks ass. I listen to the 2nd disc every time I can. The only reason I'm not listening right now is cause I got their album "alive in athens" for christmas. John Schaffer kicks ass, and no matter what, I shall always remember him for "Night Of The Stormrider" Just asking, but has anyone besides me even heard any of these albums?

Hehe yup

I meant besides you, Tak

My opinion on Aryeon - The Human Equation has changed. 8/10

GET IT!!!! For I have great credentials. So what I say, you should do. No bullshit, get it!

I know Jeramyu will get it from *coughdatabasecough* and Tele too. Now hop on the bandwagon.

Jera, wasn't your old avatar icon part of one of Sonata's CD covers?

Yup. I think it was Silence, even though I don't particularily care for the album.

uhhhh.....damn, i'm such a classical geek -.- I recognize maybe one of the names outta that entire listing >_< Sonata sounds interesting though. I'm not really the type to listen to straight metal, but I'll have to give them a try sometime.

Uno, dos, tres, catorce!



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I'm at a place called vertigo (dónde está)
It's everything I wish I didn't know
Except you give me something
I can FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLL
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Greatest song ever!

Thank you! Death Metal is great so I am downloading already....

Death metal sucks. Power/Prog Metal is the shiznat.

Porters recommendations for the week:

Anathema: Judgement
Dream Theater: Images and Words
Human Fortress: Lord Of Earth and Heavens Heir
Ayreon: Into The Electric Castle
Kamelot: The Black Halo (brand new release)