Scorpion's Top 50 Albums v. Honourable Mentions, I AM THE LAAAAAAAAAAST!

[Elite]

Called it 

And I'm surprised at the lack of Pain of Salvation in your list.

[WebRaider]

Just wanted to drop in and say cool list. Lots of stuff i'm not really familiar with but a good bit that was on my list as well. Your addition of Buckethead's "Colma" finally persuaded me to give it a listen and while it didn't blow me away it was a very nice chill album that will fit well when that's what I'm looking for.

[Dr. DTVT]

Like wolfking, I only have the first Soul Secret album as well; and like j.b, the religiousness of Affector doesn't bother me even though I'm not religious.

[wolfking]

I'm not religious either, but I liked the songs and the music, but the blatant lyrics were just too much for me.

[jingle.boy]

Like wolfking, I only have the first Soul Secret album as well; and like j.b, the religiousness of Affector doesn't bother me even though I'm not religious.

Oh doc, get Closer to Daylight.  It's chubby-inducing.

[Dr. DTVT]

Like wolfking, I only have the first Soul Secret album as well; and like j.b, the religiousness of Affector doesn't bother me even though I'm not religious.

Oh doc, get Closer to Daylight.  It's chubby-inducing.

$3.98 for a new copy on amazon.com.  That's worth it.

It's a good thing I'm single the way I drop money on music.

[Scorpion]

Some more honourable mentions.

Beyond the Bridge – The Old Man and the Spirit (2011)



This is a great album, and considering that this is the band’s debut album, I was even more awed by this album. It features everything that makes good prog metal and nothing of those things that make it bad. The lyrics are very good, the musicianship is stellar, yet no-where does it become self-indulgent, the melodies are gorgeous and the interplay between male and female vocals is nothing short of amazing. This album is a grower as well, and it will probably make my list in a year’s or so time, but as it is, I’ve simply not known it for a long time enough, and of this time, it took a long time for this album to truly click with me, instead of just thinking that this was a good album. Anyone who doesn’t know this album should check it out right now.

Recommended tracks: The Call, The Apparition, World of Wonders, Doorway to Salvation, All a Man Can Do

Riverside – Second Life Syndrome (2005)



This album is another grower, and I frankly wasn’t too impressed with this album the first time I heard it. I appreciated the musicianship, but the music did very little to me. But over time and repeated listens, I have slowly begun to appreciate how amazing this album is, with everything coming together. This album is still climbing in my ranking and it might make my Top 50 in the near future, or at least come very close to it. Great song writing, great playing and overall a very nice and atmospheric sound all wrapped up in a CD of very good prog metal that is easy to be underestimated.

Recommended tracks: Volte-face, Second Life Syndrome, Artificial Smile, Reality Dream III, Dance With the Shadows

Devin Townsend – Terria (2001)



I’m not really that much a Devin Townsend fan as many of the people here, so it simply didn’t feel right to include two albums of his on my list, and Ocean Machine is slightly better than this album. But since my appreciation for the musical genius that is Devin Townsend continues to grow, this album is very likely to make future lists of mine. I have not yet listened to all of his albums, but this album is one of the best that he has ever released. Every song is a very interesting composition, even Olives, which many don’t seem to like all that much. It also contains some of his best tracks ever, though I find Earth Day to be a tad overrated, to be honest.

Recommended tracks: Deep Peace, Canada, The Fluke, Nobody’s Here, Tiny Tears

There's one more batch of HMs to come, but after that, I swear I'm done, don't worry.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

Beyond the Bridge 

[Elite]

All three of those are amazing, especially Terria.

[jingle.boy]

All three of those are amazing, especially Terria Old Man and the Spirit.

Fix'd for me.  Can't say I'm much of a DT or Riverside fan.

[MoraWintersoul]

I have yet to get into Dev's stuff, but I love the first two albums way too much for words.

[wolfking]

SLS is absolutely incredible.

[Scorpion]

I have yet to get into Dev's stuff, but I love the first two albums way too much for words.

Start with Ocean Machine or Ghost. Those are the albums that clicked for me first, after a very long period of not really liking Devy.

[kirksnosehair]

I've tried several times to get into Devin Townsend's music, but I just don't get it.


That debut album from Beyond The Bridge is amazing.    It's very sad that their guitarist/keyboard player  Simon Oberender died unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago.   

[Scorpion]

Yeah, I read about his death in the BtB thread. Very sad, though I am at the same time excited that they have decided to continue after his death. I hope their second album can match their debut.

Anyway, here's the last two honourable mentions. I want to thank everyone who followed again at this point, I really had fun with this list and I hope you did too.

The Human Abstract – Digital Veil (2011)



This is another album that I’ve not known for very long, and while it has grown on my quite a bit, I doubt that it will quite make my Top 50, but it rests very comfortable just outside of it at the moment. Digital Veil, which is sadly the last album of this band, features some of the best blend of progressive metal and harsh vocals (yes, better than Opeth) that I know. The musicianship on this album is great, with the guitars standing out a fair bit. The song writing is pretty eclectic and over the place, which takes some getting used to, but when you fully grasp it, it never really feels as though there are any parts that are weird just for the sake of it. The only problem I have with this album is that it is far too short (36 minutes), but then again, I’d rather have it this way than a longer album with the rest of the space filled with stuff that sucks.

Recommended tracks: Elegiac, Faust, Antebellum, Patterns

die ärzte – Die Bestie in Menschengestalt (1993)



This album mainly missed the Top 50 due to my self-imposed two album restriction. There is a lot going on here, and it features some of the most experimental stuff that die ärzte have done – something which I have always admired, even more because this is the reunion album of the band. I mean, which band would have the balls to end their reunion album, which would probably make or break the bands future, with a track that using the full brass section of the orchestra and is reminiscent of Bavarian traditional songs? However, not this entire album is playing around – there are some very serious lyrics on this album, and sometimes even serious lyrics delivered in a humorous way, something that the band would perfect on later albums and there is plenty of the known sound of the band to be found on this record as well, musically. Really, die ärzte couldn’t have released a better debut album to their second era, and alone for that I will always treasure this album.

Also, yes, before you ask, I censored the cover of the album myself, it isn't meant to be that way. I quite enjoy being on DTF, thank you very much.

Recommended tracks: Schrei nach Liebe, Mach die Augen zu, Für uns, Kopfüber in die Hölle, Omaboy, Lieber Tee

[WindMaster]

Big Human Abstract fan right here. Digital Veil is a great album.

[Elite]

All three of those are amazing, especially Terria Old Man and the Spirit.

Fix'd for me.  Can't say I'm much of a DT or Riverside fan.

Oh, but Old Man and the Spirit is fucking awesome as well, don't take that wrong

[jingle.boy]

I didn't.

[obscure]

Hey Sco... you seem to have done a great job.. I took a peek only as for now but will read it through later on..
it's just SOAD sitting on top made me a lil surprised...

kudos to you getting us all (?) on Lulu post! 

Also nice to see some love for Soul Secret and The Human Abstract ... I see there are others who like them but I just didn't bump into anyone mentioning SS here before...


good job!
Thanks!

[Scorpion]

Yeah, I knew that SoaD would be very controversial as a top spot, but they're my favourite band, actually, and no other band shaped my listening habits like SoaD did.

Also, Soul Secret and The Human Abstract are awesome. 'Nuff said.

[obscure]

SOAD have a distinctive style... especially the vocals..  hit or miss...

I've figured you love 'em 

[PROGdrummer]

I absolutely love the Affector album. It's really killer. So many keyboard solos