wolfking's official top 50 album thread v. Over and out

[jjrock88]

Havent heard of Vanishing Point; they sound cool.  I only know the radio songs from Live but I know they wouldnt be my cup of tea.

[wolfking]

Have not heard of Vanishing Point. Although I not to long ago got into another Australian Prog/Metal band Voyager and I have a friend who plays for Alarum a more intense prog metal band from down under. I'll have to check into Vanishing Point.

Voyager are amazing.

Hey wolf, which album was the song you sent me in my roulette in? I'll deffs be checking these guys out

Shit man, I can't even remember sending you a song from these guys.  What was the name of the song?  It would have been Embrace the Silence or Tangled in Dream.

[Jirpo]

As I Reflect. I'll check out both albums anyway

[wolfking]

As I Reflect. I'll check out both albums anyway

That's right, that's from this album, Embrace the Silence.  Check it out.

[obscure]

Loving this thread to pieces. period.

[TAC]

Vanishing Point is on my List Of Bands To Check Out since Dr DTVT listed them on his list. I haven't gotten very far though.

[wolfking]

44. James Labrie - Elements of Persuasion (2005)



Another one of the very best albums of 2005 along with Vanishing Point.  After experimenting with Mullmuzzler, James went all out and shocked everyone with Elements of Persuasion.  I honestly can’t exactly pinpoint why I love this album so much, I think it’s just the sheer balls out metal of the album.  It was great hearing James in this more straightforward record.  Hearing the intro to Crucified for the first time blew my mind and I knew I was going to love this album.  I just remember playing this album over and over again, I got addicted to it.  Every song IMO is killer and the consistency of the record is great too.  One of the bonuses was the discovery of Marco Sfogli, one of the best lead guitarists in the world over the last few years.  Check his solo album too.  Another thing worth noting is that the three ballads are absolutely fantastic and some of the best James has done IMO.  Great lineup and all together just an album I absolutely adore.

Best tracks: Crucify, Alone, Lost, Pretender, Smashed, Drained

Crucify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7FXeNerHg8
Alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRP_MgMCIao



43. Tony Macalpine - Edge of Insanity (1986)



Here is one underrated guitarist.  I discovered Macapine after already playing the guitar for years.  I was well into Satch, Vai and Malmsteen, but wanted to break out and find something more.  Macalpines no excuse brand and style of shred simply stunned me.  Edge of Insanity was my first record from him, and it is still easily top 5 shred albums of all time.  Tony’s note selections, phrasings, melodies are all simply top class, and I wish he had the success of other shredders.  There are tracks which are prue noe-classical and songs which drip more with melody.  For guitar players, it’s simply all here.

Best tracks: Wheel of Fortune, The Taker, Empire In the Sky, Agrionia, Edge of Insanity, No Place in Time

Edge of Insanity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJAAEYrkMG8
Agrionia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKnaFsggB8o

[wolfking]

Loving this thread to pieces. period.

Thanks heaps for stopping by Nem, appreciate your words.

[obscure]

Loving this thread to pieces. period.

Thanks heaps for stopping by Nem, appreciate your words.

[Scorpion]

Great to see some love for McAlpine, he's a really great artist! I haven't heard that album though, I need to check it out.

And Elements of Persuasion is really, really cool as well. Crucify = 

[Kwyjibo]

Elements of Persuasion is pure awesome metal.
Mike Portnoy always gave the impression that he is the metal guy in Dream Theater and then along comes LaBrie with EoP and Static Impulse and shows everyone who is boss 

Tony MacAlpine is not only an immensely skilled guitar player, he also plays some decent keyboards. In fact the first time that I've heard of him was Mind's Eye by Vinnie Moore (another shred guy) where MacAlpine was listed as keyboard player and he had some cool keyboard shredding going on.

[Dr. DTVT]

I've never been more than lukewarm on EoP.  It has a few catchy songs but that's it.  As for Tony MacAlpine, I much prefer his next album, Maximum Security.  Best shred album ever, and top 5 instrumental album.

[contest_sanity]

"Crucify" always reminds me of Metallica's "Battery" -- similar structure with the acoustic intro and then the intense shredding.  I like a few other songs on the album, too, but "Crucified" is really the highlight IMO.

[wkiml]

Love the MacAlpine..have all his solo work and CAB as well

Was just listening to this album this past weekend

[jjrock88]

Love EoP

[Lowdz]

I love those first two Macalpine albums, but prefer Maximum Security as it's a bit more polished. Agree about the melody. I prefer Vinnie Moore personally, and shred guitar was my thing in the 80s- I kept Shrapnel going I think.

I've got the EoP too but never really played it much. going back to it.

By the way, I'm loving Gamma Ray. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Scorpion]

By the way, I'm loving Gamma Ray. Thanks for the recommendation.

What did you listen to already?

[Lowdz]

Land Of The Free and No World Order. Ordered both. This site is costing me a fortune.

[Scorpion]

Well, I'm not out to bankrupt you or anything, but Power Plant and LotF II are very, very good as well.

[Lowdz]

Well, I'm not out to bankrupt you or anything, but Power Plant and LotF II are very, very good as well.

They will probably have to wait 

[SeRoX]

EoP is better than some DT's album as a whole and has many songs better than many DT songs. Crucify intro reminds me ACOS intro.

[TAC]

Well, I'm not out to bankrupt you or anything, but Power Plant and LotF II are very, very good as well.

They will probably have to wait 

I actually prefer Somewhere Out In Space.

[Scorpion]

Well, the highs are great, but there are some songs that I find very bland, whereas the other four albums mentioned (PP, NWO, LotF and LotF II) are very consistent.

[BanksD]

Majestic is my favorite though....(lololololodd opinion)



but anyway. Elements of Persuasion is a great addition to this list here, even though it may not get many spins from me these daysI still get a kick out of it every now and again.

[Ħ]

Ew, Elements Of Persuasion. Sorry, King.

[Zook]

Ew, Elements Of Persuasion. Sorry, King.

CRUCIFYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

[jingle.boy]

Love EoP

I'm with you there.  Like your new avatar too!

[wolfking]

Land Of The Free and No World Order. Ordered both. This site is costing me a fortune.

Good stuff mate, glad you are liking them.

Thanks again for the comments, great to see some love for Macalpine. Maximum Security was one of the later albums I got from him, it's just as good, but EOI just beats it IMO.

[wolfking]

42. In Flames - Reroute to Remain (2002)



Here’s a pick that might annoy a few people.  IMO, this is In Flames best work.  They had the perfect balance of the new style of what they were going for with splashes of the older style.  I really like Anders vocal style here, fits perfectly well.  I love the overall atmosphere of the album and its one that I just remember blasting in the car stereo constantly.  Lots of consistency here but nothing too samey IMO, every song has its melody and own point that it gets across.  Love the more ballad style songs too.  Here In Flames were just doing what they wanted, they weren’t trying too hard to be something they are not, like some of the latest albums, and it paid off.  It was a natural progression which is why it remains my fav album from them.

Trigger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWqSqSTFa4
System - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WBwsiYvfyw

Best tracks: Reroute to Remain, System, Trigger, Cloud Connected, Transparent, Dawn of A New Day, Egomaniac, Minus



41. Savatage - Poets and Madmen (2001)



Savatage’s final studio album.  Even though it was never intended to be, the natural progression of TSO made this album the last hurrah.  I still can’t believe this came out 11 years ago.  A fitting end to Savatage as Jon Oliva handles all the vocals, the first time since Streets.  This album even though being a Savatage fan was difficult to get into.  It’s raw, harsh, eerie and sometimes a little awkward.  This album grew on me so much I can’t imagine how many times I would have listened to it over these 11 years.  Jon’s vocals are gritty as ever and puts the mood and atmosphere of the album into overdrive.  The songs are killer with some strange melodies at times but always fitting.   With a solid lineup of Johnny, Chris, Jeff and Al on some lead guitars this is a well performed record.  There was a certain magic here that if the band ever did another album, I doubt they would match the beauty of this.

Best tracks: Stay With Me A While, There in the Silence, Commissar, Morphine Child, Surrender

There in the Silence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OgT7es_iXU
Commissar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfemABbfSpA

[Scorpion]

Savatage rock, but I don't like In Flames that much.

Just listening to There in the Silence. 

[Elite]

42. In Flames - Reroute to Remain (2002)
IMO, this is In Flames best work. 

Well, I respectfully disagree on that, but nice pick
Also, Savatage is cool, maybe we'll Streets or Gutter Ballet later?

I always wondered what would have happened if Criss were still alive, he was a great guitarist, one of my own inspirations.

[Scorpion]

Just be careful to not accidentally the whole thing.

[Elite]

What?

[Kwyjibo]

42. In Flames - Reroute to Remain (2002)

IMO, this is In Flames best work.

You're not alone on that

and Savatage             

[Scorpion]

Just a stupid meme.