Best back to back albums

[nick_z]

I suspect something like this has been done more than once over the years, but I thought what the heck, it's a rainy Sunday morning...saw this same question recently on Classic Rock magazine FB page or something:

What are some of your favorite back-to-back albums in pop/rock/metal or whatever else?

I'll start with the house band:
Dream Theater - "Images and Words" and "Awake"

Then a few "classics":

Rush - "Permanent Waves" and "Moving Pictures"
Metallica - "Ride the Lightning" and "Master of Puppets"
Iron Maiden - "The Number of the Beast" and "Piece of Mind"

...and a few more:
Queensryche - "Rage for Order" and "Operation: Mindcrime"
Paradise Lost - "Icon" and "Draconian Times"
Fates Warning - "Parallels" and "Inside Out"
Marillion - "Clutching at Straws" and "Seasons End" (a case could be made for "Misplaced Childhood" and "Clutching...")
Ozzy Osbourne - "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman"
dredg - "El Cielo" and "Catch Without Arms"
Amorphis - "Tales from the Thousand Lakes" and "Elegy"

[Jamesman42]

DT - SDOIT // TOT // 8VM (trio but still)
Neal Morse - One // ? (really from Testimony through Sola Scriptura)
Thrice - The Alchemy Index // Beggars
dredg - Catch Without Arms // The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Cloudkicker - Beacons // Let Yourself Be Huge
The Warning - Queen of the Murder Scene // ERROR
System of a Down - Toxicity // Steal This Album!
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication // By the Way
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory // Meteora
Rush - Permanent Waves // Moving Pictures
Devin Townsend Project - Ghost // Epicloud
Frost* - Milliontown // Experiments in Mass Appeal

[nick_z]

DT - SDOIT // TOT // 8VM (trio but still)
Neal Morse - One // ? (really from Testimony through Sola Scriptura)
Thrice - The Alchemy Index // Beggars
dredg - Catch Without Arms // The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Cloudkicker - Beacons // Let Yourself Be Huge
The Warning - Queen of the Murder Scene // ERROR
System of a Down - Toxicity // Steal This Album!
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication // By the Way
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory // Meteora
Rush - Permanent Waves // Moving Pictures
Devin Townsend Project - Ghost // Epicloud
Frost* - Milliontown // Experiments in Mass Appeal

Good stuff...for SOAD, I would go more for S/T // Toxicity myself. Thrice have some good ones too...probably Artist//Vheissu for me. Good call on Linkin Park too...those two records were very much "of their time" when they came out, but they hold up incredibly well after all these years.

[ReaperKK]

DT - SDOIT // TOT // 8VM (trio but still)
Neal Morse - One // ? (really from Testimony through Sola Scriptura)
Thrice - The Alchemy Index // Beggars
dredg - Catch Without Arms // The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
Cloudkicker - Beacons // Let Yourself Be Huge
The Warning - Queen of the Murder Scene // ERROR
System of a Down - Toxicity // Steal This Album!
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication // By the Way
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory // Meteora
Rush - Permanent Waves // Moving Pictures
Devin Townsend Project - Ghost // Epicloud
Frost* - Milliontown // Experiments in Mass Appeal

To me the dredg back to back albums would be El Cielo and Catch Without Arms. Completly agree on Cloudkicker and RHCP.

[The Letter M]

I'll definitely echo Rush with PEW/MP, but also AFTK/HEMI as well. That whole group of four albums are pretty great IMO.

As for DT, I'd probably pick SFAM/SDOIT over IAW/Awake, but both are great. And I'd probably also throw in DOT/AVFTTOTW.

As for other bands, I'll offer up:
Big Big Train - English Electric Part One, English Electric Part Two
Spock's Beard - V, Snow
Transatlantic - Bridge Across Forever, The Whirlwind
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia, Deadwing
Liquid Tension Experiment - LTE, LTE 2 (is this cheating?  )
Kansas - Leftoverture, Point Of Know Return
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here
Queen - Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack
Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail, Wind And Wuthering
Yes - Fragile, Close To The Edge

I'm sure there's dozens more I could put but these were just some off the top of my head.

-Marc.

[nick_z]

To me the dredg back to back albums would be El Cielo and Catch Without Arms. Completly agree on Cloudkicker and RHCP.

Yep, I'm with you on that one (see above  )

[jammindude]

Most of mine have already been mentioned.

But I would add Savatage DWD/TWOM to the list. I know that this is where things started to go TSO, but I think both of these albums are better than any and all the actual TSO albums.

[nick_z]

I'll definitely echo Rush with PEW/MP, but also AFTK/HEMI as well. That whole group of four albums are pretty great IMO.

As for DT, I'd probably pick SFAM/SDOIT over IAW/Awake, but both are great. And I'd probably also throw in DOT/AVFTTOTW.

As for other bands, I'll offer up:
Big Big Train - English Electric Part One, English Electric Part Two
Spock's Beard - V, Snow
Transatlantic - Bridge Across Forever, The Whirlwind
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia, Deadwing
Liquid Tension Experiment - LTE, LTE 2 (is this cheating?  )
Kansas - Leftoverture, Point Of Know Return
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here
Queen - Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack
Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail, Wind And Wuthering
Yes - Fragile, Close To The Edge

I'm sure there's dozens more I could put but these were just some off the top of my head.

-Marc.

Good calls on Kansas and Porcupine Tree.

Pink Floyd and Yes too, obviously. Those are classics that I'd expect to see here (not a gigantic fan of either band, so I didn't mention them first...)

Most of mine have already been mentioned.

But I would add Savatage DWD/TWOM to the list. I know that this is where things started to go TSO, but I think both of these albums are better than any and all the actual TSO albums.

I'd go for Streets/Edge of Thorns, or Gutter Ballet/Streets, but those two you mention are good ones.

I'd have expected a Haken mention from you  I could go for a "The Mountain"//"Affinity" combo

[jammindude]

Wow. I totally missed that Haken hadn’t been mentioned.

I’d even go so far as to nominate BOTH Aquarius/Visions and The Mountain/Affinity. Their opening four albums are the best I can think of in progressive rock history. PoS might be a close second.

In fact, looking back again, I’m a bit surprised The Perfect Element/Remedy Lane hasn’t been brought up yet, so I will throw that in as well.

[twosuitsluke]

I’m sure I’ll think of loads, but what comes to mind first is either In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 -> Good Apollo 1, or Good Apollo 1 -> Good Apollo 2. Either way, Coheed are the greatest band on the planet!

[Buddyhunter1]

Here's two pairs:

Train Of Thought / Octavarium
Addicted / Deconstruction

[twosuitsluke]

Here's two pairs:

Train Of Thought / Octavarium
Addicted / Deconstruction

I’m kinda inclined to agree about Devy, but I can’t agree on Dream Theater. I’d say Octavarium/Systematic Chaos is a better choice.

[jammindude]

Here's two pairs:

Train Of Thought / Octavarium
Addicted / Deconstruction

I’m kinda inclined to agree about Devy, but I can’t agree on Dream Theater. I’d say Octavarium/Systematic Chaos is a better choice.

Wow. That’s a hot take. I think that exact album sequence (8V-SC) got my vote in another thread for biggest drop in quality between successive albums.

If I had to take any 2 album run of DTs, it would be IAW-Awake.

[Jamesman42]

To me the dredg back to back albums would be El Cielo and Catch Without Arms. Completly agree on Cloudkicker and RHCP.

I really should give El Cielo a proper listen when my roulette is over. I will say though, TPTPTD is a very important album from a time in my life where I was at a low point. El Cielo would have to really be a 10/10 album to make me switch that.

[nick_z]

Wow. I totally missed that Haken hadn’t been mentioned.

I’d even go so far as to nominate BOTH Aquarius/Visions and The Mountain/Affinity. Their opening four albums are the best I can think of in progressive rock history. PoS might be a close second.

In fact, looking back again, I’m a bit surprised The Perfect Element/Remedy Lane hasn’t been brought up yet, so I will throw that in as well.

Absolutely yes to TPE/RL...that's something I was going to mention later on.

I’m kinda inclined to agree about Devy, but I can’t agree on Dream Theater. I’d say Octavarium/Systematic Chaos is a better choice.

Wow. That’s a hot take. I think that exact album sequence (8V-SC) got my vote in another thread for biggest drop in quality between successive albums.

If I had to take any 2 album run of DTs, it would be IAW-Awake.

Hot take indeed, Luke  I do actually enjoy SC - it is a fun album - but it does sit pretty low in my DT ranking.

I really should give El Cielo a proper listen when my roulette is over. I will say though, TPTPTD is a very important album from a time in my life where I was at a low point. El Cielo would have to really be a 10/10 album to make me switch that.

I love The Pariah too, but El Cielo is indeed fantastic - it blew me away when it came out. I am not sure I am into dredg as much as I used to (it doesn't help that they haven't done anything in ages), but that's a great streak of albums.

[PixelDream]

Opeth - Still Life / Blackwater Park

[King Postwhore]

With 2 different singers on each album.

AC/DC

Back in Black
For Those About to Rock

[jammindude]

With 2 different singers on each album.

AC/DC

Back in Black
For Those About to Rock

If we’re talking AC/DC, Let There Be Rock/Powerage would be my sublime 1-2 punch. 

[twosuitsluke]

Train of Thought is just one of my lowest ranked DT albums, it does nothing for me. It’s not that I necessarily LOVE SC either, it was just an example of two back to backs (that included Octavarium) that I prefer. My actual favourite back to back DT are probably I&W -> Awake followed closely by Scenes -> 6 Degrees. If SC didn’t exist then it’d be Octavarium -> Bc&SL (as I love that album).

[HOF]

Marillion - Brave and Afraid of Sunlight. Don’t think it gets better than those two back to back.

[Max Kuehnau]

Ok.

DT: Dramatic Turn/DT12 (and hopefully View/DT16)
Muse: The Resistance/The 2nd Law
Yes: Fragile/CTTE and Drama/90125
Genesis: Nursery Cryme up until The Lamb and ATTWT/Duke
Gentle Giant: TP/TG / Free Hand
Hiromi: Place To Be/Voice

these are all I can think of right now

[King Postwhore]

While I like your 2 picks fir Muse.  Mine 2 would be

Absolution & Black Holes and Revelations.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

some of my favorite back to back classics

warren zevon - warren zevon & excitable boy
father john misty - fear fun & i love you, honeybear
steely dan - aja & gaucho
caroline polachek - pang & desire, i want to turn into you
swans - the seer & to be kind
david bowie - low & heroes
king gizzard and the lizard wizard - ice, death, planets, lungs, mushrooms, and lava & laminated denim

[twosuitsluke]

king gizzard and the lizard wizard - ice, death, planets, lungs, mushrooms, and lava & laminated denim

This, but also…

Paper Mache Dream Balloon -> Nonagon Infinity
Omnium Gatherum -> Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava
Laminated Denim -> Changes
Changes -> PetroDragonic Apocalypse

[MirrorMask]

On top of those already mentioned:

Rage - Black in Mind and End of All Days

One day I'll have to make a topic to convert you all to one of the best german metal bands 

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

king gizzard and the lizard wizard - ice, death, planets, lungs, mushrooms, and lava & laminated denim

This, but also…

Paper Mache Dream Balloon -> Nonagon Infinity
Omnium Gatherum -> Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava
Laminated Denim -> Changes
Changes -> PetroDragonic Apocalypse

 

[Nachtmerrie]

Draconian - Sovran & Under a Godless Veil
Dream Theater - SFAM & 6DOIT
Cult of Luna - Mariner & A Dawn To Fear
Haken - Virus & Fauna
U2 - War & The Unforgettable Fire
Redemption - The Origins of Ruin & Snowfall on Judgement Day
Evergrey - The Storm Within & The Atlantic

[King Postwhore]

U2 had a great 3 album run there.

[ReaperKK]

To me the dredg back to back albums would be El Cielo and Catch Without Arms. Completly agree on Cloudkicker and RHCP.

I really should give El Cielo a proper listen when my roulette is over. I will say though, TPTPTD is a very important album from a time in my life where I was at a low point. El Cielo would have to really be a 10/10 album to make me switch that.

Check it out when you can, I'd love to hear your take. Funny enough TPTPTD was also during a really low time in my life and back then I probably would've gone CWA -> Pariah but that opinion has changed over time.

[nick_z]

On top of those already mentioned:

Rage - Black in Mind and End of All Days

One day I'll have to make a topic to convert you all to one of the best german metal bands 

You wouldn't need to convert me  I LOVE Rage. Indeed one of the best of that scene. Maybe you should run a discography thread 

If I were to pick another great back-to-back from them (my favorite), I'd go with The Missing Link//Black in Mind. TML is my favorite Rage album.

While I like your 2 picks fir Muse.  Mine 2 would be

Absolution & Black Holes and Revelations.

My Muse back-to-back would be Origins of Symmetry // Absolution

I'm going to add another big favorite of mine that I haven't seen mentioned:

Nevermore - "Dreaming Neon Black" and "Dead Heart in a Dead World"

[nick_z]

With 2 different singers on each album.

AC/DC

Back in Black
For Those About to Rock

If we’re talking AC/DC, Let There Be Rock/Powerage would be my sublime 1-2 punch. 

Mine would be Powerage/Highway to Hell. My two favorites AC/DC albums.

Marillion - Brave and Afraid of Sunlight. Don’t think it gets better than those two back to back.

This is certainly a good one. Afraid of Sunlight is just a bit below the albums in the run preceding it for me, so I gave precedence to others.

Opeth - Still Life / Blackwater Park

Yep, another tasty one

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Draconian - Sovran & Under a Godless Veil

This is definitely one of my top candidates, though A Rose For the Apocalypse is essentially tied with it in the other direction. 

I'm going to add another big favorite of mine that I haven't seen mentioned:

Nevermore - "Dreaming Neon Black" and "Dead Heart in a Dead World"

I'd have picked DHIADW with Enemies of Reality or that one with This Godless Endeavor, but there are no bad choices there. 

Also:

All Ends - s/t and A Road To Depression (their only two)
Autumn - My New Time and Altitude
Chelsea Wolfe - either combination of Pain Is Beauty, Abyss and Hiss Spun
Kingfisher Sky - Hallway of Dreams and Skin of the Earth
Mercenary - 11 Dreams and The Hours That Remain
Nightingale - either combination of Alive Again, Invisible and Nightfall Overture
Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Progress and Holographic Universe

[jammindude]

Marillion was mentioned, but mine would be Misplaced Childhood/Clutching at Straws

[soupytwist]

Revolver - Sgt Peppers.
Highway 61 - Blonde on Blonde.
Sticky Fingers - Exile on Main Street.
Out of Time - Automatic for the People.

[nick_z]

I'm going to add another big favorite of mine that I haven't seen mentioned:

Nevermore - "Dreaming Neon Black" and "Dead Heart in a Dead World"

I'd have picked some sequence of DHIADW with Enemies of Reality or that one with This Godless Endeavor, but there are no bad choices there. 

This was an easy one for me, as I absolutely love Dreaming Neon Black (on certain days it's my favorite Nevermore) and, while I think it's still pretty great, I consider Enemies a bit lower in this run (even with the remix). But, yes, as you said it's a pretty impressive run of albums.

Also:

All Ends - s/t and A Road To Depression (their only two)
Autumn - My New Time and Altitude
Chelsea Wolfe - either combination of Pain Is Beauty, Abyss and Hiss Spun
Kingfisher Sky - Hallway of Dreams and Skin of the Earth
Mercenary - 11 Dreams and The Hours That Remain
Nightingale - either combination of Alive Again, Invisible and Nightfall Overture
Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Progress and Holographic Universe

Plenty of good stuff. Still have to give All Ends a proper shot (I don't think their debut is available on streaming platforms)