Dr. DTVT's 50 Underappriciated bands v. Better than the Loch Ness Monster

[senecadawg2]

One of the best top 50 lists I've ever seen on here. So many new bands to check out!

[wolfking]

9/25.

[jingle.boy]

Recap:

48. Turisas - heard
47. Eumeria - have
40. Circle II Circle - heard
33. The ANABASIS - have
31. Pagan's Mind - have
28. Pendragon - have
27. Epica / Mayan - heard

I feel shame, but I know I'll be coming back for the second (top) half.

Are you requesting a temp ban, or will you have the discipline to stay away?

[Dr. DTVT]

I'll still be here, its just that I don't want to be committed to anything until I pass.  I need to spend my time at home writing cover letters, reworking research proposals, compiling lists of places I still want to apply and where I already applied, and probably most importantly preparing for my defense; not writing long posts.  I probably won't post as much the next two weeks.  Due to the nature of this top 50, a halftime also seems appropriate to let people catch up on things.

[lonestar]

All right, time to get a bit of my street cred back.  I knew about Toy Matinee, and owned and played the disc vigorously when it came out, back in the early '90s.  Loved that album.

[jingle.boy]

Now that the defense is over (and successful!), can we all look forward to you starting this up again?



Pleaz?!

[senecadawg2]

Now that the defense is over (and successful!), can we all look forward to you starting this up again?



Pleaz?!

Yeah I've really been looking forward to getting it going again... Doctor 

[Dr. DTVT]

I will be spending the next two weeks preparing for and going on an on-site interview, making final edits on my dissertation, and coordinating travel plans for my family for graduation.  I still got a lot on my plate still for the near future.

But I really appreciate you wanting me to continue.

[obscure]

damn... thought for a second that it was on again....
anyways I'll wait....

[jingle.boy]

Now that Zander is fini... let's kickoff the 2nd half!

[Dr. DTVT]

25. Alcest - Écailles de Lune & Les Voyages de l'Âme



Genre: They're listed as post-metal shoegaze, but I don't know if that is a great description
For fans of:  If you like Agalloch's The Mantle, and the new Anathema album, you'll probably really enjoy Alcest.
What makes this special:  I can't think of another band that sounds like them, yet they have a sound that should be pretty accessible to most people here.

Alcest is a the brainchild of a French guy named Nalge.  There is a third album I have yet to track down yet, but I'm sure it's probably at least almost as good as these two.  While Alcest is labeled as post-metal and shoegaze, I don't think either of those labels really does the band justice.  People who generally don't like post-metal might enjoy this as I don't get a strong "post-metal" feel from the band, and I guess I just never liked the term "shoegaze" because it doesn't describe the sound and seems almost insulting.  If you're not familiar with shoegaze, think lots of distortion on droning guitars while blending vocal harmonies in a wall of sound.  Anyway, any description probably won't do it justice.  The best way to discover is just dive in.  I made my first Alcest purchase blind, I just knew two or three people were talking about it in anticipation of what is now their newest album.  Both albums are great, but I would say Écailles de Lune is a little heavier and has some screaming, so if you like bands like BTBAM you might want to start there, if not start with the current album.  Alcest is a great listen both as an active listen or just something to have in the background.  It's also a horizon expander since if you like Alcest, you may want to explore more into the post-metal or shoegaze genres, and there are some other lesser known bands/projects involving Nalge or people he works with.

Tracks to try:  Ecailles de lune - Part 1, Percées de Lumière, Sur L'Océan Couleur De Fer, Les Voyages De L'Âme, Nous Sommes L'Emeraude, Beings Of Light

[wolfking]

Great to see this getting kicked off again.  Heard the name Alcest, but never checked them out.

[ariich]

Amazing band, their last couple of albums are beautiful.

[Silver Tears]

Amazing band, their last couple of albums are beautiful.

Indeed!

[Elite]

Amazing band, their last couple of albums are beautiful.

Écailles is amazing, haven't heard the newest yet.

[senecadawg2]

It's back! Nice to see Alcest on here.

[Ravenheart]

Alcest are awesome. I approve.

[Dr. DTVT]

24. Enslaved - Ruun, Vertebrae, & Axioma Ethica Odini



Genre: Melodic progressive black metal
For fans of:  Metalheads who want to start to explore some of the more extreme subgenres of metal without giving up the melodic and musical aspects of metal.
What makes this special:  This is a great gateway band for learning to appreciate black metal.  Very progressive and melodic.

Some of you are going to see "black metal" or "Enslaved" and mentally check out of this one.  WELL DON'T!!  I discovered this band through a guy who owns a record store in the town where I got my undergraduate degree.  Since he was a metal head, I had him look at my iPod.  He asked me if I heard Enslaved, and since I had not, he gave me a used copy of Vertebrae for free.  He told me it was "progressive black metal", but I spent the next week listening to the stuff I actually bought.  Eventually I got around to trying this album I was given for free...and I really enjoyed it.  It completely shattered my expectations of what black metal was.  It could be melodic.  It could be progressive.  It could be catchy.  It could be creative.  It could be awesome.  Needless to say, I go out of my way to stop at his record store to spend some money when I'm in Pennsylvania now.

Story over...the music.  I've had some surprising success with this band in some roulettes, so it seems that Enslaved is a band capable of breaking other people's barriers as well.  It's got all a lot of the elements I like in music: killer riffs, melodic, fast and heavy, some nice drum fills, some creative progressive passages, doesn't abuse distortion, and it's not all death/screamo vocals, and the ones that are used are appropriate.  If you are going to just say, "some harsh vocals, screw it" that's your loss.  If, however you are willing to stick your toe in the deep end you can get to enjoy the diving board.  The albums Isa and Monumension are also similar if you like these, and their earlier stuff is less progressive. 

Tracks to try:  Entroper, Path to Vanir, Heir to the Cosmic Seed, Clouds*, Ground, Reflection, Ethica Odini, Waruun, Singular, Lightening

[adace]

Enslaved are an awesome band. Love all three of those albums. Excellent pick 

[jingle.boy]

Some of you are going to see "black metal" or "Enslaved" and mentally check out of this one.  WELL DON'T!! 

Good thing you led with that, because I was exactly about to do that.  When your list is complete (or sooner if told to ), I'll give this a shot.

[The King in Crimson]

Alcest is pretty awesome.  I love Escailles but I haven't quite gotten into their latest.

Never could get into Enslaved though.  They should be right up my alley, but something just doesn't click with me.  Oh well, maybe I'll give one of the recc'ed tracks a listen or two and see what happens.

[Dr. DTVT]

23. Avantasia - The Scarecrow, The Wicked Symphony, & Angel of Babylon



Genre: Prog metal opera
For fans of: Ayreon
What makes this special: Except for The Human Equation, these are better than Ayreon albums.  Also, generally heavier than the Ayreon albums.

Everyone always talks about how great AAJ and Ayreon are.  And those people would be right to point out that AAJ was doing these multi-singer albums before Tobias.  But first doesn't equal best, and frankly the last three Avantasia albums are more enjoyable than most of AAJ's work.  I expect a lot of you are going to bitch and moan about that statement, but search your heart, you know it to be true.

Maybe I like Avantasia more because its heavier.  Having Jorn Lande, Michael Kiske, and Russell Allen doesn't hurt.  Tobias > AAJ in the vocals department as well (even Nick can't deny this).  Awesome one or two song guests (Alice Cooper, Ripper Owens, and Roy Khan to name a few vocalists) as well as musicians don't hurt either.  I suspect this Avantasia is somewhat known, but I just wanted to rattle some cages with my opinion on this one.  But seriously, the last three albums are pretty damn awesome, and the first two aren't to shabby either.

Tracks to try: Twisted Mind, The Scarecrow, Lost in Space, The Wicked Symphony, Scales of Justice, Runaway Train, Angel of Babylon, Death is Just A Feeling, Down in the Dark

[ariich]

Eh, Avantasia is quite fun, but it's a bit too over the top for me.

[Nekov]

Eh, Avantasia is fun, but it's a bit too gay for me.

FTFM

[wolfking]

Those three albums are killer, but The Metal Opera Pt 1 is by far the best Avantasia album, it's perfect power metal.

[Elite]

The Scarecrow is fucking awesome, but I have yet to check the others. Very nice inclusion!

[jingle.boy]

For the most part, I agree with you.  Still like Electric Castle better than Avantasia.  And there is no denying that Tobias can out-sing Arjen 7 days a week, and twice on Sunday.  Just watched The Flying Opera for the first time this week.  Damn fine concert.  Haven't come across a bad Avantasia track at all.

*any of these three* > *either Metal Opera*

[wolfking]

I must be the only person that prefers the first album over anything else they've done.

[Dr. DTVT]

I must be the only person that prefers the first album over anything else they've done.

Yeah, but we still love ya wolfking.

[wolfking]

Thanks bro.

[splent]

Is there a post that has what's been posted so far? 

[Dr. DTVT]

Recap:

50. Pinnacle
49. Zero Hour
48. Turisas
47. Eumeria
46. It Bites
45. Kaddisfly
44. Eternity X
43. Vonassi
42. Worlds
41. The Tangent
40. Circle II Circle
39. Intronaut
38. Grayceon
37. Haggard
36. Ice Age
35. Mystery
34. Wuthering Heights
33. The ANABASIS
32. Scar Symmetry
31. Pagan's Mind
30. Cloudscape
29. Ben Folds Five / Ben Folds
28. Pendragon
27. Epica / Mayan
26. Kevin Gilbert / Toy Matinee
25. Alcest
24. Enslaved
23. Avantasia

[Big Hath]

that Eumeria album is so awesome.

I hear a lot of Symphony X in their sound.

[ariich]

I must be the only person that prefers the first album over anything else they've done.

Again they're fun, but those two in particular are possibly the cheesiest things I've ever heard.

Eh, Avantasia is fun, but it's a bit too gay for me.

FTFM

[obscure]

I would avoid Arjen - Avantasia comparison but with you on the idea that those three albums rock big time...