Porters New Metal Topic....you will LISTEN!

[Porter]

Best Prog Records Of ALL-TIME!
This is my list of the greatest progressive albums of all time, it means it is correct.

#1 - Sonata Arctica - Reckoning Night
Released only in 2004, this album owns all others with a taste of PAIN! Thunderous vocal harmonies, Tony Kakko's perfect delivery, original guitar and keyboard work, mighty anthems and a 9 minute epic perfection. This album is amazing. Don't even argue the greatness of this album.
#2 - Edguy - Theater Of Salvation
Like our #1 choice, this album is very similar. Thick walls of harmony, hot guitar work, a bold mix of thrashers and then some great ballads. Oh yeah, and the kick, the BEST 14 minute epic of all time with the title track Theater Of Salvation. Don't like it? Eat shit, you know NOTHING.
#3 - Dream Theater - Images and Words
Dream Theaters first and ONLY consistant album in their mostly shitty discography is one of GREATNESS. Probably due to the fact that Kevin Moore is in the band for only 2 albums. Every player is obviously a virt on their instrument, and the melodies are better than ever. Great guitar and keyboard work, and some of the most memorable lyrics of any album ever. Written mostly by Kevin Moore. It's not long until Mike Portney starts his streak of shit writing. Just stick to drums you alcoholic nutjob.
#4 - Queensryche - Empire
Yes, I know it's less progressive than Operation: Mindcrime, but this one still blows it out of the water. The songs are much more melodic, the album is a better balance of metal and ballads. Geoff Tate delivers his legendary performance and the song Anybody Listening is worth the price alone. Good thing all the other tracks rock anyway. We're building EMPIRE!!!!
#5 - Dreamscape - End Of Silence
So what? The album is fairly new. But let's remember all the complex guitar work, the weaving keyboard patterns, the progressiveness of it all is enough to blow Dream Theater around. I'd like to compare this release to Dream Theater - Train Of Thought, except without the shitty songs. This album is one of the hardest prog sounding, yet melodic release ever.
#6 - Nightwish - Century Child Yeah so? The singer is a woman, but she kicks ass. Formerly an opera singer, I'd just love to thank god she left behind the opera on the previous albums for a more direct rock singing approach on this album. Oh yeah, the results are killer. This album rocks with metal and melodicy. This band is like the Britney Spears of Europe, except without the shitty American music. Yay! Don't like the album? You are full of shit.
#7 - Anathema- Judgement
Are you depressed? If so, just pop this masterpiece in and wallow in your own misery. The Cavanaugh brothers are masters of sorrow, and on this album it's never sounded so beautiful. Great melodies, melodramatic lyrics and killer guitar. Buy this album now.
#8 Royal Hunt - Paradox
Every song is killer. The vocal harmoies are the tightest I've ever heard, and the songs just keep you on your toes the whole time. They also pull off a 9 minute song that keeps you glued the whole time. Dream Theater has done that probably twice of all their shitty epics. This band rocks. Buy it.
#9 - Threshold - Hypothetical
This band is becoming more and more popular with every release, but we shall not forget this ground-breaking masterpiece. From the spacey Light and Space, to the first time ever seen, two perfect 10 and 11 minute masterpieces. It rocks, it's LOUD, and it's a wet dream waiting to happen. Oh yeah, Narcissus. 'Nuff said.
#10 - Stratovarius - Visions
Stratovarius' discography is filled with inconsistancy, but Timo Tolkki always manages to pull 2 or 3 gem songs per album. Lucky for this one, Timo managed to hit every nail on the head. This is speed metal pleasure. Highlights include:.................EVERY SONG! Horray! Timo Kotipelto sings within his range too! OH MY GOD. This album rocks.

Honorable Mentions
Human Fortress - Lord Of Earth and Heaven's Heir
This album is filled with great songs. The unbearable stupid lyrics are unforgivable though.
Ayreon - Universal Migrator
Rock opera. Very good songs. Kind of slugs on at the end, but still incredible. Doesn't make the cut though.
Kamelot - Karma
Kamelot has a slew of great albums. This one shines. Peticularly because of the song, The Light I Shine On You.
Angra - Fireworks
Angra rocks. Their singer is kind of like Geoff Tate, but still, this record is filled with pleasure.


This is my list. If you don't agree with me, I'll deal you the pain. Look around the internet, you will see the list everywhere. It is THE LIST. If you are a fan of bands like Shadows Fall or Lamb Of God, just go and cut your wrists I'm afraid. No, Green Day doesn't get to be on the list either.

Coming soon: Best releases of first half of 2005!

[Teenr0cker]

You listed those last 3 bands....I sit not 10 feet away from a pile of those band shirts...all of which are my fucked up brothers....


I'm surprised you didn't put Sonata Arctica's "Silence" Album on the list. But I agree with Reckoning Night...and I'm sure the other ones are good...If I cared to read them...that is

[EmperorJeramyu]

No Hammerfall?

[Telephalsion]

Their older albums might go into the top 20 imo.

Good listing porter.

[HolsteinCow]

Here's my list:

Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz
50 cent
Eminem
Fat Joe
Josh Tobin

I can't think of anymore but whoever disses my mad playa list yo in for a world of hurt

[Iteroth]

Gah...

Too much prog...

Systems.... overloading



Edit: W/E, too much metal...
Systems... overloading

[Squiggy]

does 'Simple Plan' count?

[Burning_Flame]

no they aint prog you dumb dumb

[EmperorJeramyu]

...except they are. Whoops!

[Porter]

Shit, did I put progressive?

I meant METAL!!!!

[EmperorJeramyu]

Progressive? What? Metal? What?

[Teenr0cker]

Yay! I learn things! Thank you Unkie Jerjer!


Yeah, so my buddy got me stratovarius. It's alright considering I've been cramming Finnish Power Metal into ever orface known to man recently. Damn those Finns can bust a solo. I might care to finish the album and listen to all of it some time this week.

[Glenn47]

"Its origins can be traced back to progressive rock acts of the 1960s and '70s...."

It sounds so official, like a law had been passed forbidding prog rock, and so they took it to court or something.

Anywho, metal does kick much ass, but I tend to fly outta the loop if I listen too much. I'll take in some metal, switch to (neo) classical like Joe Satriani, warm up with some Red Hot Chili Peppers, upgrade to Steve Vai, stay there for months, wave to Rusty Cooley and Yngwei Malmstein, then finally re-open Sonata Arctica.

By the way, I highly recommend Steve Vai for any of you who love metal. You'd be able to relate. Rusty Cooley too, but it's hard to get a hold of his songs.

[Inderos]

I'm not sure if I agree with Wikipedia having listed the Mars Volta as progressive metal.

[Porter]

Mars Volta can definatly be stuck right in there with the rest of em. They are just as pretentious and bombastic, not to mention hard, as the rest.