I'm looking for progressive rock/metal concept albums with fantasy and sci-fi themes. I find myself getting tired of the angry political/anti-religious themes that seem to come out of a lot of albums (especially metal) these days, so I want some albums that I can just enjoy for their excellent music and story. Sorry if that offends anyone.

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Originally Posted by HeavyMetalKing

I'm looking for progressive rock/metal concept albums with fantasy and sci-fi themes. I find myself getting tired of the angry political/anti-religious themes that seem to come out of a lot of albums (especially metal) these days, so I want some albums that I can just enjoy for their excellent music and story. Sorry if that offends anyone.

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Antiquus - Eleutheria

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Originally Posted by HeavyMetalKing

I'm looking for progressive rock/metal concept albums with fantasy and sci-fi themes. I find myself getting tired of the angry political/anti-religious themes that seem to come out of a lot of albums (especially metal) these days, so I want some albums that I can just enjoy for their excellent music and story. Sorry if that offends anyone.

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Vektor - Black Future
Vektor - Outer Isolation
Children - Hard Times Hangin at the Edge of the World


Only ones I really know right now aside from maybe some Voivod (who I couldn't get into because of the singer), but I basically asked this same question before (in the form of progressive thrash) so I don't know if you know them or not.

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Originally Posted by HeavyMetalKing

I'm looking for progressive rock/metal concept albums with fantasy and sci-fi themes. I find myself getting tired of the angry political/anti-religious themes that seem to come out of a lot of albums (especially metal) these days, so I want some albums that I can just enjoy for their excellent music and story. Sorry if that offends anyone.

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Check out some of Ayreon's works, those fit what you want if you ask me.

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Originally Posted by HeavyMetalKing

I'm looking for progressive rock/metal concept albums with fantasy and sci-fi themes. I find myself getting tired of the angry political/anti-religious themes that seem to come out of a lot of albums (especially metal) these days, so I want some albums that I can just enjoy for their excellent music and story. Sorry if that offends anyone.

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In addition to the aforementioned Ayreon (as well as Star One), I'd point out Avantasia and Blind Guardian in terms of the progressive/power metal space, and possibly Jon Anderson's solo album "Olias of Sunhillow" in terms of a symphonic progressive rock album with some fantasy and sci-fi elements to it.

Ok so don't ask me why but I've been playing Offspring lately like it's going out of style. So I'm looking for something similar. Harder, softer, doesn't really matter.

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Originally Posted by SuperTigerMario

Ok so don't ask me why but I've been playing Offspring lately like it's going out of style. So I'm looking for something similar. Harder, softer, doesn't really matter.

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Bad Religion

and to a sorta but not really extent pop-punk like;

Toys That Kill
The Vandals
The Vindictives
Screeching Weasel
The Mr. T Experience
The Lillingtons
etc

need some black metal recs, I haven't heard anything outside of darkthrone and a couple of bands that have played here so pretty much looking for basics.

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Originally Posted by schmeankman

need some black metal recs, I haven't heard anything outside of darkthrone and a couple of bands that have played here so pretty much looking for basics.

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A lot of these aren't really the "basics"... but I'm not that into the "classic" black metal bands like Darkthrone and Mayhem, so I can't really recommend stuff like that.


Blut Aus Nord
Wolves in the Throne Room
Ash Borer
Agalloch
Falls of Rauros
Leviathan
Judas Iscariot
Deathspell Omega (particularly the three most recent albums)
Negura Bunget
Enslaved
Ulver
Alcest
Xasthur
Nachtmystium
Absu
Skeletonwitch
Bathory



Absu and Skeletonwitch are Blackened Thrash, and the later you get into Nachtmystium's discography, the further you get from black metal, so if you're looking for more black metallish stuff from them, definitely the album Instinct: Decay and also check out Black Meddle Pt. 1 if you want a heavier psychedelic influence than what is on Instinct: Decay.

Also, Ulver's early stuff (basically the first three albums I believe) are black metal, the other stuff is dark ambient from what I understand (would like someone to clear this up for me though).

Lastly, when I recommend Bathory, I recommend the viking metal albums (Hammerheart and the like), not necessarily the black metal albums (I've not listened to those, so don't think I'm saying avoid them).

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Originally Posted by schmeankman

need some black metal recs, I haven't heard anything outside of darkthrone and a couple of bands that have played here so pretty much looking for basics.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6dff_7hMAU

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Originally Posted by schmeankman

need some black metal recs, I haven't heard anything outside of darkthrone and a couple of bands that have played here so pretty much looking for basics.

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Mayhem is another good starting band if you're just starting to get into Black Metal, their album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas in particular.

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Originally Posted by schmeankman

need some black metal recs, I haven't heard anything outside of darkthrone and a couple of bands that have played here so pretty much looking for basics.

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Besides the bands already covered, I'd reccommend...

Emperor
Hades/Hades Almighty
Thorns
Zyklon B
Isengard
Burzum
Immortal
Satyricon (Particularly their first 3 albums)
Arcturus
Carpathian Forest
Marduk
Drudkh
Ihsahn
Old Man's Child
Rotting Christ
Samael
Sacramentum
Thou Shalt Suffer
Trollech
Watain
Windir

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Originally Posted by ULS_980

Also, Ulver's early stuff (basically the first three albums I believe) are black metal, the other stuff is dark ambient from what I understand (would like someone to clear this up for me though).

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I'd classify Ulver's post-Black Metal stuff as Electronic music.

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Lastly, when I recommend Bathory, I recommend the viking metal albums (Hammerheart and the like), not necessarily the black metal albums (I've not listened to those, so don't think I'm saying avoid them).

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All of Bathory's work (aside from Octagon) is brilliant stuff. As far as recommending Bathory's Black metal output, I'd say start with "Under the Sign Of The Black Mark"

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I'd classify Ulver's post-Black Metal stuff as Electronic music.

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Honestly it depends on the specific album, Ulver knows how to explore styles, certainly.

Looking for some reggae-ish stuff like Sublime. Go.

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Originally Posted by GandWuser

Looking for some reggae-ish stuff like Sublime. Go.

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Catch 22's Keasbey Nights is some of the finest ska punk I've came across.

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Originally Posted by GandWuser

Looking for some reggae-ish stuff like Sublime. Go.

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Operation Ivy is essential listening.

Need something cute, fun, light-hearted, etc. Kind of hard to put into words, so basically I need a good album that's the musical equivalent of staring at this for a while:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0RCr5LIVH...+bunny+006.jpg

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Originally Posted by TheCoolGuy

Need something cute, fun, light-hearted, etc. Kind of hard to put into words, so basically I need a good album that's the musical equivalent of staring at this for a while:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0RCr5LIVH...+bunny+006.jpg

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Hm. Try Cult's album Cults and Little Dragon's album Machine Dreams.

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Originally Posted by TheCoolGuy

Need something cute, fun, light-hearted, etc. Kind of hard to put into words, so basically I need a good album that's the musical equivalent of staring at this for a while:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0RCr5LIVH...+bunny+006.jpg

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Perfume will do that.

I would also propose Youth Lagoon's Year of Hibernation and Woods' At Rear House.

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Originally Posted by TheCoolGuy

Need something cute, fun, light-hearted, etc. Kind of hard to put into words, so basically I need a good album that's the musical equivalent of staring at this for a while:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0RCr5LIVH...+bunny+006.jpg

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Twee!

The Besties - "Singer", "Home Free"
Tiger Trap - "Tiger Trap"
Girls At Our Best! - "Pleasure"
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "2", "Looking Into It"
Belle & Sebastian - "Tigermilk"

Alrighty, been sitting around not really knowing what I want to listen to, but I think I got something.
Looking for bands/albums which have a sound that would remind one of huge cathedrals and whatnot, kinda in a Castlevania-y way I guess.
Not video game-y sounding, and definitely metal (although I dunno about gothic metal, but if it's unavoidable, recommend stuff from that genre).

Got anything?

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Originally Posted by ULS_980

Alrighty, been sitting around not really knowing what I want to listen to, but I think I got something.
Looking for bands/albums which have a sound that would remind one of huge cathedrals and whatnot, kinda in a Castlevania-y way I guess.
Not video game-y sounding, and definitely metal (although I dunno about gothic metal, but if it's unavoidable, recommend stuff from that genre).

Got anything?

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this sounds like a funeral procession, which could kinda sound like something in a cathedral http://fathermurphy.bandcamp.com/

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Originally Posted by ULS_980

Alrighty, been sitting around not really knowing what I want to listen to, but I think I got something.
Looking for bands/albums which have a sound that would remind one of huge cathedrals and whatnot, kinda in a Castlevania-y way I guess.
Not video game-y sounding, and definitely metal (although I dunno about gothic metal, but if it's unavoidable, recommend stuff from that genre).

Got anything?

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Gothic metal it is.

The Gathering - "Mandylion"
Poisonblack - "Escapexstasy" (specifically this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d2I_...layer_embedded)

Also, it'd rec The 69 Eyes' "Angels" and "Devils" and The Damned's "The Black Album," though their sounds are as much influenced by punk as it is by metal (and in the case of The Damned, a healthy dose of psychedelic rock, too).

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Originally Posted by ULS_980

Alrighty, been sitting around not really knowing what I want to listen to, but I think I got something.
Looking for bands/albums which have a sound that would remind one of huge cathedrals and whatnot, kinda in a Castlevania-y way I guess.
Not video game-y sounding, and definitely metal (although I dunno about gothic metal, but if it's unavoidable, recommend stuff from that genre).

Got anything?

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Funeral Doom Metal

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Originally Posted by ULS_980

Alrighty, been sitting around not really knowing what I want to listen to, but I think I got something.
Looking for bands/albums which have a sound that would remind one of huge cathedrals and whatnot, kinda in a Castlevania-y way I guess.
Not video game-y sounding, and definitely metal (although I dunno about gothic metal, but if it's unavoidable, recommend stuff from that genre).

Got anything?

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See if either of these 2 bands spark some interest:

The Dogma:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxQARLli8ME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3kvCDNLziY


Lordian Guard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2Krr7ema_c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZAzMDTRMGk

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Originally Posted by darkwinterbeast8

Funeral Doom Metal

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Quick look over those songs, yeah, that's more what I'm looking for.
I'll definitely check those three bands out later when I got the time.

I'm oddly in the mood for melodic power metal that happens to be melodramatic as hell (ie: Sonata Arctica, Axenstar, Power Quest)

Stratovarius' Polaris would fit the bill among recent stuff.

What kind of bands can be recommended for someone trying to break a 13-year-old from a constant circle of Linkin Park, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, etc. without being too incredibly obscure or different (by incredibly, I mean don't give me fusion-jazz-funk-metal or something unappealing)?

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Originally Posted by GandWuser

What kind of bands can be recommended for someone trying to break a 13-year-old from a constant circle of Linkin Park, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, etc. without being too incredibly obscure or different (by incredibly, I mean don't give me fusion-jazz-funk-metal or something unappealing)?

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TOOL, Maximum The Hormone, Stuck Mojo, Gravity Kills, Deadsy, The 69 Eyes, Spineshank, Epica, Into Eternity, and Fishbone.

Maximum the Hormone might be a little weird for him but if he likes SOAD (and I'm assuming he does) they should be right up his alley.

Back when I was regularly listening to Slipknot and Korn, I kind of shifted towards industrial rock, notably Zeromancer, Dope Stars Inc., even KMFDM. I would also wait for Mega-Tallica's input.

Maximum The Hormone are a second recommendation provided it's their latest album.

I'm looking for some good prog, any era really. Something along the lines of ELP, or possibly Dream Theater.

Some jazz fusion would be great too, along the lines of Keith Tippett and *****es Brew style stuff.

Japandroids and No Age.

In reference to an earlier post, not for Prog.

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Originally Posted by RosaFloydGuy

I'm looking for some good prog, any era really. Something along the lines of ELP, or possibly Dream Theater.

Some jazz fusion would be great too, along the lines of Keith Tippett and *****es Brew style stuff.

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There's not a whole lot along the lines of ELP, although the last three albums of Phideaux (Doomsday Afternoon, Number Seven, Snowtorch) are probably as close as you'll find. In terms of comparison to Dream Theater, I'd point out Angra, Vanden Plas, Circus Maximus, and Magic Pie.

For jazz fusion, if you haven't gotten into Mahavishnu Orchestra - do so. Beyond that, in terms of recent jazz fusion, the Levin/Torn/White album is good, as is Frogg Cafe's album The Bateless Edge, Helmet of Gnats' High Street, and Camembert's Schnorgl Attahk.

Of some additional recommendations, I'll point out:
Caravan - For Girls That Grow Plump In The Night
Cardiacs - A Little Man And A House And The Whole World Window
Dun - Eros
Fruupp - Future Legends
Gazpacho - Missa Atropos
Glass Hammer - Chronometree
Il Balletto di Bronzo - Ys
IQ - Subterranea
Kevin Ayers - Joy Of A Toy
Lagger Blues Machine - Lagger Blues Machine
Moon Safari - [blomljud]
Museo Rosenbach - Zarathustra
Popol Vuh - Hosianna Mantra
The Tangent - Down And Out In Paris And London
Weidorje - Weidorje

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Originally Posted by killer_roach

There's not a whole lot along the lines of ELP, although the last three albums of Phideaux (Doomsday Afternoon, Number Seven, Snowtorch) are probably as close as you'll find. In terms of comparison to Dream Theater, I'd point out Angra, Vanden Plas, Circus Maximus, and Magic Pie.

For jazz fusion, if you haven't gotten into Mahavishnu Orchestra - do so. Beyond that, in terms of recent jazz fusion, the Levin/Torn/White album is good, as is Frogg Cafe's album The Bateless Edge, Helmet of Gnats' High Street, and Camembert's Schnorgl Attahk.

Of some additional recommendations, I'll point out:
Caravan - For Girls That Grow Plump In The Night
Cardiacs - A Little Man And A House And The Whole World Window
Dun - Eros
Fruupp - Future Legends
Gazpacho - Missa Atropos
Glass Hammer - Chronometree
Il Balletto di Bronzo - Ys
IQ - Subterranea
Kevin Ayers - Joy Of A Toy
Lagger Blues Machine - Lagger Blues Machine
Moon Safari - [blomljud]
Museo Rosenbach - Zarathustra
Popol Vuh - Hosianna Mantra
The Tangent - Down And Out In Paris And London
Weidorje - Weidorje

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Thanks! I have listened to Mahavishnu, but not extensively. I have listened to Phideaux's newest album, and I enjoyed it. Moon Safari is good, I was planning on picking up that album. Gazpacho and Glass Hammer I have heard of, but never listened to. I'll take a look at them, as well as the rest of this list. Thanks again.

That last list should have enough variety in it to give you some other stuff to look at in the future as well, which is kinda why I curated it in the manner I did.

you want something similar to ELP it'd be Alphataurus or Triumvirat but i'm sure you've explored those routes already

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Originally Posted by RosaFloydGuy

Thanks! I have listened to Mahavishnu, but not extensively.

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Be sure to give Return to Forever a listen as well as Weather Report and Billy Cobham's solo work. Al Di Meola is also essential for fusion even though his stuff may not exactly be what you want.

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Originally Posted by a21schizoidman

you want something similar to ELP it'd be Alphataurus or Triumvirat but i'm sure you've explored those routes already

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I've looked through some Triumvirat. Not Alphataurus though.


and I'll take a look at Weather Report as well as Billy Cobham. Thanks again.