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

[Lowdz]

Abigail was my first KD album- I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan - the vocals are an acquired taste and I have to be int he mood, but the music is great.

Painkiller is a 50/50 album for me. I found it too heavy at the time and half the songs didn't do it for me. The ones that do are great though. And Tipton playing arpeggios? That was new. He wasn't going to be outdone by the young guns. And the addition of the awesome Scott Travis was a masterstroke. He does look bored playing the old stuff one hand tied behind his back though.

[Mladen]

Painkiller is a killer. 

Abigal is the only full album by King Diamond I've heard, and I haven't heard it in quite a while...

[TAC]

Painkiller is great. Was listening to it last night, in fact. Saw them 3 times on that tour!

Abigailis certainly respectabe, though I prefer latter day KD because of the more focused vocals.

[jingle.boy]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

[Elite]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Basically the same here.

[Lowdz]

It was so much easier when I was getting into music. There just weren't that many bands, and certainly not that many great bands.

[jingle.boy]

Tell me about it.  And I didn't have all these Top 50 lists to point me in even more directions!  All people knew really was whatever the local radio station and DJ's were pimping on air.  Never knew about any other great bands out of Europe (other than some from the UK) or South America or anything like that.

[wolfking]

Painkiller is the definition of heavy metal in the dictionary. When KK left the band they should've hired you, Kade!

  Thanks Jason, very kind words.

Fuck yes Abigail and Painkiller! Both are on my list. 

Painkiller!

Painkiller!

Painkiller is amazing

Amazing update! Great cover too!

 

[wolfking]

Abigail was my first KD album- I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan - the vocals are an acquired taste and I have to be int he mood, but the music is great.

Painkiller is a 50/50 album for me. I found it too heavy at the time and half the songs didn't do it for me. The ones that do are great though. And Tipton playing arpeggios? That was new. He wasn't going to be outdone by the young guns. And the addition of the awesome Scott Travis was a masterstroke. He does look bored playing the old stuff one hand tied behind his back though.

Yeah, even if people dislike King's vocals, there is no denying the music is absolutely amazing.  Glenn stepped things up on that album, definitely one of greatest guitarists in the world IMO.

Painkiller is great. Was listening to it last night, in fact. Saw them 3 times on that tour!

Abigailis certainly respectabe, though I prefer latter day KD because of the more focused vocals.

I understand what you mean regarding the vocals, really when it comes to King, I'm a fan of everything he does.

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

You have a lot of work to do.

[wolfking]

Since I won't be updating until tomorrow, here is the story so far;

50.   Bush – Sixteen Stone
49.   Soilwork – Chainheart Machine
48.   Ozzy Osbourne – Ultimate Sin
47.   Korn – Korn
46.   Live – Secret Samhadi
45.   Vanishing Point – Embrace the Silence
44.   James Labrie – Elements of Persuasion
43.   Tony Macalpine – Edge of Insanity
42.   In Flames – Reroute to Remain
41.   Savatage – Poets and Madmen
40.   Pain of Salvation – Scarsick
39.   Jason Becker – Perpetual Burn
38.   Kotipelto – Coldness
37.   The Offspring – Ixnay on the Hombre
36.   Gamma Ray – Powerplant
35.   Last Tribe – Uncrowned
34.   Iron Maiden – Brave New World
33.   Death – Sound of Perserverance
32.   Allen/Lande – Revenge
31.   Black Sabbath – Headless Cross
30.   Joe Satriani – Crystal Planet
29.   Iron Maiden – Somewhere in Time
28.   Ark – Burn the Sun
27.   Savatage – Gutter Ballet
26.   Helloween – Rabbit Don’t Come Easy
25.   Gamma Ray – No World Order
24.   Bruce Dickinson – Accident of Birth
23.   Dream Theater – Images and Words
22.   Yngwie Malmsteen – Alchemy
21.   Fates Warning – Parallels
20.   Savatage – Streets
19.   Last Tribe – Witch Dance
18.   King Diamond – Abigail
17.   Judas Priest – Painkiller

[jjrock88]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Chad, you should spend one weekend locked in a room away from the kids and wife; then listen to nothing but Judas Priest, Fates Warning and Savatage.

[jingle.boy]

Well, I got a few of Savatage out of the way.

[Mosh]

I was convinced there were two vocalists in the band. 

Glad I wasn't the only one!

[wolfking]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Chad, you should spend one weekend locked in a room away from the kids and wife; then listen to nothing but Judas Priest, Fates Warning and Savatage.

This is a spectacular idea.

Well, I got a few of Savatage out of the way.

Listen to them again. 

I was convinced there were two vocalists in the band. 

Glad I wasn't the only one!

Ditto, I felt stupid once I found out the lineup.  I kept saying, well who was the guest vocalist then? 

[wolfking]

16. WASP - The Crimson Idol (1992)



WASP are a very misunderstood band that have always been unfairly written off.  To most, they are cheesy hair/glam shock rock, but many are completely unaware of what Blackie has done post late 80's.  Like Painkiller, my guitar teacher taped me a copy of this album when I was just starting to play and get into metal.  I didn't take to it straight away, and was confused why he would give me this record.  As time went by, I listened to this to a point where I absolutely fell in love with it, and I still love it to this day.  This is simply one of the greatest concept albums of all time, and very overlooked.  This story looks at Jonothan, a boy who was never valued by his father leaving home, and making it as the biggest rock star in the world, taken over by drugs.  The story goes through Jonothan's emotions and turmoil and attempted reconciliation with his parents and ends up to the point where suicide was his only way out.  The moral and execution of this story is incredible.  Blackie's revisited themes and lyrics makes this record feel like a whole and a true rock opera.  Great vocals, excellent guitar solos from Bob Kulick and insane drumming.  The ballads here are amazing and the harder songs are heavy yet catchy and powerful as hell.  A perfect concept album.  Check it out, you won't regret it.

Best tracks - The Invisible Boy, Arena of Pleasure. Chainsaw Charlie, The Idol, The Great Misconceptions of Me

Chainsaw Chalie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ1-tSsq9xk
The Idol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-OJdAkKVI


15. Edge of Sanity - Crimson (1996)



Coming in at number 15 is the genius of Dan Swano and Edge of Sanity.  I only discovered this album/song about 3 years ago, but I'm glad I did.  This is my favourite piece of death metal ever, IMO, it's perfect.  For those of you unaware with this, Crimson is simply one song clocking in at 40 minutes.  The concept is baffling and very few artists have done such a thing successfully, Dan Swano however nailed it, and did it again with Crimson II some years later.  The original is still by far the best which twists and turns through a science fiction type storyline of epic proportions in a world where people cannot reproduce bar the king and queen of the land.  The child grows up but endless wars over her happen through the years, where people believe she is the key to reproduce.  She eventually inhibits evil powers and takes over the earth and slays the people.  A clan of rebels eventually take her out and keep her in a tank filled with crimson fluid forever.  Epic!  The music is incredible with many recurring themes, great melodies, amazing atmosphere and lots of variety in the music as the story twists and turns.  It just captivates me and takes me away everytime I listen to it, it still gives me chills. Mikael Arkefeldt lends his vocals in a few places and also some lead guitars.  This whole songs requires your attention for 40 minutes, but when the ending draws near, you realise this is simply a piece of art.  Something unique, amazing and incredible.  Death metal fans should own this, perfect.

Best tracks - Crimson

Crimson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St6lJaiHYIc

[jingle.boy]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Chad, you should spend one weekend locked in a room away from the kids and wife; then listen to nothing but Judas Priest, Fates Warning and Savatage.

This is a spectacular idea.

Sure it is.  If my goal is misery!

[wolfking]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Chad, you should spend one weekend locked in a room away from the kids and wife; then listen to nothing but Judas Priest, Fates Warning and Savatage.

This is a spectacular idea.

Sure it is.  If my goal is misery!

Nothing miserable about these 3 bands at all. 

[Scorpion]

Hmmm... Wasp is cool, but I was never a fan of Swanφ's work.

I was expecting King Crimson tbh, though.

[Zydar]

Or the album by Demons And Wizards, 'Touched By The Crimson King'

[Big Hath]

just bought Crimson a few weeks ago.  It is truly a great album.

[Lowdz]

Crimson Idol is a great album. Features in my top 50 too, did the write up a few nights ago. I was a fan from the Animal single (which I had on pic disc but swapped it at school for the Ratt Dancing Undercover album).

[jingle.boy]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Chad, you should spend one weekend locked in a room away from the kids and wife; then listen to nothing but Judas Priest, Fates Warning and Savatage.

This is a spectacular idea.

Sure it is.  If my goal is misery!

Nothing miserable about these 3 bands at all. 

I meant for the backlash from my wife!

[TAC]

Crimson Idol is a great album. Features in my top 50 too, did the write up a few nights ago. I was a fan from the Animal single (which I had on pic disc but swapped it at school for the Ratt Dancing Undercover album).

I still have the Animal picture disc! Saw blade shaped.

[Ravenheart]

Crimson is a fantastic composition. One of Swano's peak moments.

[Lowdz]

Crimson Idol is a great album. Features in my top 50 too, did the write up a few nights ago. I was a fan from the Animal single (which I had on pic disc but swapped it at school for the Ratt Dancing Undercover album).

I still have the Animal picture disc! Saw blade shaped.

That's the one. Years later I got a rerelease pic disc with a doberman "enjoying" a young lady's leg on it. 

[wolfking]

Hmmm... Wasp is cool, but I was never a fan of Swanφ's work.

I was expecting King Crimson tbh, though.

I knew it would throw a few people off. 

Or the album by Demons And Wizards, 'Touched By The Crimson King'

Really good album.

Crimson Idol is a great album. Features in my top 50 too, did the write up a few nights ago. I was a fan from the Animal single (which I had on pic disc but swapped it at school for the Ratt Dancing Undercover album).

  You have been a fan since the year I was born. 

[wolfking]

Sue me, but I never got into Priest. Two more to add to my list.

Chad, you should spend one weekend locked in a room away from the kids and wife; then listen to nothing but Judas Priest, Fates Warning and Savatage.

This is a spectacular idea.

Sure it is.  If my goal is misery!

Nothing miserable about these 3 bands at all. 

I meant for the backlash from my wife!

Oh, of course. 

[wolfking]

Crimson Idol is a great album. Features in my top 50 too, did the write up a few nights ago. I was a fan from the Animal single (which I had on pic disc but swapped it at school for the Ratt Dancing Undercover album).

I still have the Animal picture disc! Saw blade shaped.

Incredible.

just bought Crimson a few weeks ago.  It is truly a great album.

 

Crimson is a fantastic composition. One of Swano's peak moments.

Definitely.

[jjrock88]

Crimson Idol is pure epic.  I would still say that I enjoy the debut more- that album is one of the best metal albums ever.

And Chad, I'm sure if you sit down with your wife and have a discussion about how this weekend will only improve your love of metal/rock, I'm sure she will understand

[TAC]

And Chad, I'm sure if you sit down with your wife and have a discussion about how this weekend will only improve your love of metal/rock, I'm sure she will understand

JJ, you're obviously not married!

[jingle.boy]

Crimson Idol is pure epic.  I would still say that I enjoy the debut more- that album is one of the best metal albums ever.

And Chad, I'm sure if you sit down with your wife and have a discussion about how this weekend will only improve your love of metal/rock, I'm sure she will understand

After being away on business from Sunday to Friday, and our kids' birthday being on Sunday, here's how that conversation would end up.

"And that, Doctor, is how his testicles ended up adjacent to his spleen."

[jjrock88]

Yeah I'm not married so please don't listen to me lol.

[wolfking]

Crimson Idol is pure epic.  I would still say that I enjoy the debut more- that album is one of the best metal albums ever.

And Chad, I'm sure if you sit down with your wife and have a discussion about how this weekend will only improve your love of metal/rock, I'm sure she will understand

The debut is indeed one of their best albums.  Every song is killer, great album.  I must say though, I never really cared for The Last Command.

[wolfking]

Sorry guys, had a shitty day at work, and I'm stuffed now so I won't be updating tonight, will definitely resume tomorrow.

[?]

I've heard many positive comments about Edge of Sanity, maybe I should give Crimson a try some day.