#23. Solution .45 – For Aeons Past (2010) 
This album is another one that will always have a special place in my heart, as it was also one of the first metal albums I ever heard, and at first I thought it was too much for me
I loved vocalist Christian Alvestam’s clean vocals on this album (after listening to his work with ANOTHER band previously, but more on that later), but the growls almost felt like too much for me. Something about them felt too abrasive, so I stuck to only listening to the ballad track “Lehtean Tears” and the lead single “Gravitational Lensing” for a while, since LT had no growls, and GL had a vibe similar to that one other band I keep hinting at.
But then one day on my way home from school I discover the epic length closing track Clandestinty Now, and since at this time (being the height of my prog obsession, when I thought anything over 10 minutes was an instant classic), I hadn’t made it to this track when I first listened to the album, but as I’m listening to this…I suddenly become captivated by this song. “It’s like a cross between Dream Theater and –that other band- THIS IS AWESOME”
Suddenly I started to enjoy the harsh vocals, feeling that they added a level of emotional impact that I hadn’t noticed before, that coupled with Christian’s heavenly clean vocals, allowed me to warm up to this album and appreciate metal with growls more.
Definitely one worth checking out for fans of melodeath like In Flames and Soilwork, and prog-death like Opeth.
Recommended Tracks:
Clandestinty Now, Though Knight-Kingdomed gates, Gravitational Lensing, Lethean Thears #22. Masterplan – Masterplan (2003) 
This album is another one of those Power Metal albums that really emphasizes the “power” aspect of the music.
Much like I mentioned in my Nocturnal Rites write up, when I discovered this album during some bad times, it really helped me get my spirits up when I was down.
Right from my first listen songs like Sail On, Spirit Never Dies, Soulburn, and Whel Love Comes Close really stuck me, and made me feel this sense of self-empowerment that I hadn’t felt before when listening to music. Especially with Jorn Lande’s vocals, man was I stunned when I heard his voice. Sure I had heard voices like his before, but none of them struck me in the same way his did.
The music is also a very unique style of power metal, that almost borders on hard rock at times, but not too much.
Anyway, great album, if you like power stuff you’ll love it blah blah blah etc.
Recommended Tracks: all the ones I mentioned plus Into The Light and Heroes
#21. Omnium Gatherum – New World Shadows (2011) 
I’m sitting here about to pass out from having some dental work done today...so I’ll just leave you with a brief thing
If you like melodeath, but really wanna hear something that’s blissful and atmospheric, you should totally listen to this album, because even thought the vocals are a bit rough, the music is super melodic and clean. Definitely one for those who are into Scar Symmetry, and Mygrain.
Recommended tracks: it’s a nine track album and picking wouldn’t do any of these amazingly beautiful tracks justice
Topic: BanksD's Top 50 Albums V. It's over (Read 24991 times)
