I have quite a sizable CD collection, and I also love to share my music with people, because I think I listen to some incredible stuff and I hope I can introduce people to something that they in turn will find wonderful and want to hear more of. So, out of everything I have, I've boiled it down to a small collection of albums and bands I hold up in the highest regard.
Ayreon - The Human Equation
Arjen Lucassen's Ayreon project brought the rock opera back at a time when such things were considered unpopular and unmarketable (by the lame mainstream, at least). SF/fantasy stories with lots of great musicians and vocalists participating on each album, they are true musical experiences. This was my first, and in my opinion still the best, telling the story of a man in a coma following a mysterious accident as he relives his life and must deal with his own emotions personified.
Black Bonzo - Sound of the Apocalypse
An amazing band from Sweden that plays in a style evoking retro 70s prog rock, but with a modern sensibility and sense of energy. I could listen to this album from start to finish every time, every song is a gem.
Blind Guardian - A Night at the Opera
One of the best power metal bands from Europe, and their classic album. Every song is intense and incredible, you feel like you're being transported on an epic journey.
Dream Theater - Images & Words
Generally considered the godfathers of the progressive metal genre, this was Dream Theater's second album, but the one that catapulted them to prominence. They already had impressive chops as young musicians, but things finally came together when vocalist James LaBrie joined, bringing with him the voice the band had been searching long and hard for. Chock full of classic tunes, many fans (including myself) still consider this their best effort, and its a perfect place to start for people new to DT.
Kamelot - Epica / The Black Halo
An American band that plays in a more European power/prog/symphonic style that befits their name. These two albums remain their pinnacle, a 2-CD concept masterpiece interpreting the classic story of Faust. Some of their best ever playing and writing.
Nightwish - Once
The peak for this Finnish metal band, bringing their first phase to a close, ramping up the symphonics with a full orchestra backing the band, a perfect complement to the operatic vocals of Tarja Turunen.
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia / Deadwing
After Dream Theater, the next most important band reviving the progressive genre from the 90s into the new century. Originally a one-man project by the brilliant Steven Wilson, over time he was joined by other musicians until Porcupine Tree transformed into a real band. To me, these two albums mark the band's best efforts. The encapsulate everything good about PT: atmospheric music that encompasses rock, metal, and even the more spacey, Pink Floyd-esque style of their first few albums.
Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime / Empire
Another of the early pro metal pioneers, coming from the 80s hair metal scene to forge their own path. Mindcrime is a classic of it's time, a hard rocking concept album telling the story of a young junkie's involvement in with a politically radical organization. Empire flips the channel, delivering a more straight-ahead rock album full of classic tracks.
Rush - 2112 / Moving Pictures
Rush are my favorite band, and I consider them the greatest rock band ever (And will fight anyone prepared to say otherwise). With four decades worth of incredible albums to choose from, it's not easy. But these two albums are generally considered their masterpieces. 2112 came out at a time when the band were under pressure from their label to go more commercial, but the band was unwilling to compromise their integrity and instead channeled their anger into an album that scored big for them, proving they could reach people even with a song like the 20-minute title track. Moving Pictures was the album that brought them wider success and proved their could write shorter songs but still stay true to themselves.
The Tea Party - Transmission
An intense blend of hard rock, Eastern influence, and electronic instrumentation and sampling. In my opinion, the best effort from this sadly defunct Canadian trio.
Threshold - Clone
Threshold are the best prog metal band out of the UK. Their early years were plagued with lineup changes, but they stuck it out and still managed to make amazing albums. Clone, their fourth effort, saw the arrival of long-time vocalist Mac McDermott. This was also the closest Threshold would ever come to a full concept album, with a loose story involving genetic manipulation and mankind's future on Mars following the destruction of Earth.
Within Temptation - The Heart of Everything
A lot of fans differ on which WT album is their favorite, but this one is mine. I think it's their overall best effort with some killer songs and a great flow from start to finish.
