My Top 10 Favourite Albums (w/ Mini Reviews)

CONOR FYNES' TOP 10 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME (At the moment, prone to constant change.)

(Note: I welcome all and any arguements.)

10. Sagas - Equilibrium (Folk/Black Metal - 2008)
There is only one word to describe this album: Epic. From start to finish, it is 80 minutes of incredibly heroic blackened folk metal. Before buying this album (at the HMV at Guildford, of all places!) I had not heard any of the music, but I had kept hearing word of it being a potential 'Album of the Year.' Upon the first time listening, I thought it was a decent, certainly above-average record. But the reason that it's on my Top 10 is that, it's been growing on me ever since. This album has incredible lasting appeal for me. There is a great use of folk instruments, and the album flows together perfectly. The closing track is of particular note. The 16-minute long epic 'Mana' is truly a masterpiece. There are so many fantastic musical ideas in the song, I still get chills listening to it. Concerning lyrics of this album, I'd love to comment on them, but they're in german. =P


9. The Dream Sequencer - Ayreon (Atmospheric Space-Prog - 2001)
This has been a favourite of mine for quite a while. It's a very haunting record. Composed by the extraordinary Arjen Lucassen, the album is a departure from his more metal-oriented music, and diverts more towards an atmospheric space rock feel. There are alot of synthesizers used on this album, and ambient effects, which helps to convey the feeling of futurism and isolation. The album is a concept album about the final surviving human settlement on Mars, and the music reflects the storyline perfectly. Some of the songs really have a way of 'transporting' you to wherever Lucassen wants you to go. This definately isn't an album that should be on a 'party playlist' by any means. It's an album that should be experienced solely, preferrably with headphones. =) Great music to chill to.


8. Fear Of A Blank Planet - Porcupine Tree (Progressive/Alternative Rock - 2007)
From the first listen onwards, I really loved this album. This was the first album I bought by Porcupine Tree, which have since became one of my favourite bands of all time. The singer/songwriter Steven Wilson is an incredible musical genius, and the songwriting on this album is fantastic. This album deals with the struggles of modern youth. One thing of particular note is the production on this album. All instruments can be heard clearly, and effects are used very wisely. It's an album that I (and alot of people, I would imagine) can really relate to, the lyrics deal with issues that alot of youth deal with on a constant basis - Rejection, Yearning of Acceptance, Drugs, Parental Neglect... The end result is an incredibly moving album.


7. Remedy Lane - Pain Of Salvation (Progressive Rock/Metal - 2003)
This album is DEPRESSING. It's no big secret that PoS is my favourite band, and this album is one of their best. Unlike most 'Prog Metal' bands, Pain of Salvation doesn't use their musical technicality just to 'show off.' In fact, much of their music is very moderated in terms of intense complexity. Theres alot of emotion to be found on this album, and Daniel Gildenlow's voice is absolutely beautiful. Alot of the album focuses on the emotions, I found. It's primarily a very sad, introspective album, but there are moments of happiness and devotion to give it some variety. =) Songs like 'UNDERTOW' and 'SECOND LOVE' really encompass the forceful impact of the music. Absolutely beautiful.


6. The Human Equation - Ayreon (Progressive Metal - 2004)
So, I know CODY hates this album, but what can I say, it's great. There are alot of musical styles on this album besides metal, such as Classical, Jazz, Blues, and even Psychedelic. =) This album is a rock opera, and has some of my favourite singers on it, including James LaBrie (Dream Theater) and Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth). The storyline is very in-depth and thoughtful, and the album has just enough variety. It's 2 hours long! On this album, the composer (Arjen Lucassen) also plays most of the instruments and sings. The album as a whole just works together so well, and although some of the singers could have been better allocated, it well deserves my #6 position.


5. A Night At The Opera - Blind Guardian (Power/Symphonic Metal - 2002)
Even if all the other tracks on this album were total sh*t, the grandeur and splendour of the 14 minute EPIC 'AND THEN THERE WAS SILENCE' would make this an album worth getting. Before even touching the other songs, I have to say that this may be my FAVOURITE SONG OF ALL TIME. It's like a minature condensed opera. It is incredibly musically dense work, and there is so much stuff going on at a time, it requires a few listens to fully appreciate it. It's incredible, not just as 'power metal' but as music in general, theres an orchestra playing with the bloody band! However, the reason this album scores #5 is because all the other songs are damn amazing as well. Although there are many (idiots) who think NIGHTFALL IN MIDDLE EARTH is Blind Guardian's best, this album is superior to anything they've released, and may be the best Power Metal record ever released. Tracks like 'BATTLEFIELD' and 'THE MAIDEN AND THE MINISTREL KNIGHT' combine the band's trademark grandeur with the beauty of the music and concept. As a final note, this album should NOT be confused with Queen's Night At The Opera! They're both great, but totally different!!!


4. Watershed - Opeth (Technical Death Metal/Progressive Rock - 2008)
After 2006's Ghost Reveries, this band had a very hard job of writting a comparable follow-up. I think in this latest album 'Watershed' accomplishes just that and more. Opeth is certainly one of my favourite bands, although at first listening to them, I was a bit reluctant about the whole 'death metal' thing. However, the fact that they are considered a Technical Death Metal band should not scare away people. This band has ALOT (repeat: ALOT) of different sides to them. They even released a semi-acoustic album called Damnation, which was close to coming onto my top 10. The first track is soft and mellow, showcasing the incredible vocals of Mikael Akerfeldt (2nd fav singer, after Daniel Gildenlow of Pain of Salvation.) Then right after, it explodes into one of the heaviest tracks I've heard in a very long time, the brutal 'HEIR APPARENT.' Opeth is a band known for their consistently high quality music, and this album really shows how versatile they can be, and how they shouldn't be considered a purely Death Metal band. Less then half the tracks have Death vocals! I feel bad theres only one Opeth album on my top 10, because theres so much amazing material this band has to offer. Check them out.

3. Terria - Devin Townsend (Post Rock/Metal - 2001)
Devin Townsend is a very 'special', unique fellow. I mean that in the best way possible, of course. =P In my opinion, Devin Townsend is one of the most original musicians in metal today. Although I have to honestly say that his main project STRAPPING YOUNG LAD is a bit too 'brutal' and 'hardcore' for me (although I can appreciate some of it), his solo work is amazing. This album really sounds unlike anything else you'll hear. The production, music, and lyrics are really in a unique place of their own. There's alot of Progressive music out there that takes itself wayy too seriously; Devin Townsend is the complete opposite of that. I mean, theres actually a song on here (EARTH DAY) about recycling and eating vegetables! It's really weird, and takes a while to get into. But it's very rewarding to listen to.

2. Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater (Progressive Metal - 1999)
SUPRISE! How unpredictable that this album is here! This is probably the first album I think of when I think 'Top 10 Albums.' I bought this album in Grade 8, and I've listened to it probably 250 times all the way through since then. Dream Theater is arguably the most significant Progressive Metal band out there, and this album is arguably their best. Like most of the albums here, this album is based on a concept (concerning hypnosis, reincarnation, and general mayhem.) I'm listening to the album right now (more specifically, FATAL TRAGEDY) and I do not cease to be astounded by the talent of these guys. Also, for alot of Dream Theater's material, I honestly have to admit the lyrics are a bit stupid. This album is a super-exception though. The lyrics do a great job of explaining the complex storyline, and have alot of feeling in them. This album was my #1 up until about 6 months ago, when I finally came across the new #1, which is...

1. BE - Pain of Salvation (Varied - 2001)
Just... wow. Where to begin. You may be wondering why I listed the genre as 'Varied.' That's because... it's honestly the most versatile album I've ever listened to by a band. There are so many musical styles found here... Theres a Folk Song, a Classically-Influenced Piano piece, and even a song that wouldn't sound out of place in a Broadway musical! This truly is Pain of Salvation at their best. Along with the band and their usual instruments, there is a full orchestra that plays along with the band. And it's not just some 'Score' orchestra, they are truly at the forefront alongside the band. Along with the great music, there is a concept (this seems to be a running theme with these bloody albums) and bloody PERFECT lyrics that suit the mood perfectly.

It's really an album you need to experience yourself. It's definately not the sort of album that you can fully appreciate at first, but the music really (really) grows on you. It's just such a rich piece of music. I've listened to it back-to-back about 150 times now in the past three months, and it's getting better every time.


HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Metal Opera Pt I - Avantasia
Ziltoid The Omniscient - Devin Townsend
Welcome The Night - The Ataris
Images And Words - Dream Theater
Deadwing - Porcupine Tree
The Mantle - Agalloch