Metal Storm logo
Favorite Albums As Of 20


Well, I can't afford every album I want so I'm going off of my August 2013 count of about 700 albums. First time I've ever done this so it may be quite scattered.

This is personal and not like a Rust in Peace, then Black Sabbath, then Painkiller type of list. Time to destroy.

Created by: gopherhawk2@gmail.co | 10.08.2013



1. Stratovarius - Visions
1997 The album that got me away from radio rock and I never looked back. Inspirational lyrics that are not outdated, and spectacular musical craftsmanship from my favorite band. The beast is gone forever.....
2. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
2005 My easy number two. Often overshadowed by Blackwater Park, Opeth takes its trademark sound into D-minor tuning for much of the record making it much darker and, well, ghostly. You are the laughing stock of the absent-minded.....
3. Yes - Close to the Edge
1972 Flawless. The best prog record from the 70's hands down. It has the complex for the musically advanced but is accessible for those looking for something to easily remember. I get up.....
4. Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows
2011 This one blew me out of the water. I bought it on a whim due to the good reviews and it now sits at number 4 on my all time list. If "New Dynamic" were on this album it might be even higher on the list. A refreshing melodeath listen that should be on everyone's shelves. Come and see, as the shadows dance.....
5. Ayreon - 01011001
2008 The first Ayreon album I purchased. This one took me to another world as I was able to let my imagination help stimulate the music and vice versa. Wake me up before I die.....
6. Opeth - Damnation
2003 My first Opeth album because I wasn't accustomed to the death sound yet. For a non-doom release I can't imagine a more perfect embodiment of "loss," "sorrow," or "tragedy." Struggling to maintain what's left.....
7. Agalloch - The Mantle
2002 If you go for a walk in the forest, this album is destined to be your companion. Wow, the woodsiness of this record and the ever-present pool of reverb takes me on a misty quest through the forest. Lost in the desolation of life, the path that we walk.....
8. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
1988 Arguably the only power metal album from Iron Maiden, and perhaps that's why I love it so much, being my favorite genre. Not only are the lyrics meaningful, but the songs are hella fun to karaoke to. All the evil seem to live forever.....
9. Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness
2002 Build up the bass on this album and you have arguably the heaviest record ever. For as trite a genre as black metal it rules that Immortal created something so trend-breakingly modern in its field. One By One blows your face off. A grey mist swirls across the meadows.....
10. Great Big Sea - XX
2012 Not metal but catchy as hell, and I think metalheads could probably get into Great Big Sea. Irish folk from Newfoundland that is executed well and with little effort. Easily my favorite non-metal band. I wanna be consequence free.....
11. Stratovarius - Nemesis
2013 My second favorite album from my favorite band. Who would have thought Stratovarius could be so good without the former cornerstone of the group. Wow, plenty of anthems to sing along to while driving on a (Dio) rainbow. There's something in the air.....
12. Dark Tranquillity - Fiction
2007 My first album by Dark Tranquillity. The song I first heard from this album is actually my 8th favorite. Talk about rising from the bottom! I love the icy feeling you get from this record as well as the post-apocalyptic darkness. The thing that scares me most.....
13. Dragonland - Starfall
2004 Guilt trip for the win. Most people prefer Astronomy but my allegiance falls more towards Starfall. Catchy but in drop C so heavy as ever. You have to listen to this while sailing across the galaxy or the sea on your dragon named Phil. I never thought that I would see the truth behind the lie.....
14. Sonata Arctica - Reckoning Night
2004 Introducing me to Sonata Arctica was reckoning night which to most people is like a middle tier album for the band. For me it combines a more pioneered approach to power metal but is still rooted in what the band brought forth in Ecliptica and Slience. Mother always said my son.....
15. Into Eternity - The Scattering Of Ashes
2006 I was hesitant at first to pick up this one, but after spinning it for the first time I knew it would be an all time favorite. It quickly became part of my soundtrack to Super Mario 64. Stu Block is outrageously talented. This placid dark is all-consuming.....
16. Firewind - Allegiance
2006 An early power metal purchase for my collection. I got this one in high school which is when new albums tend to stick with you. Gus G is always a blast to listen to even if hi riffs are predictable much of the time nowadays. Till the end of time, we will stand.....
17. Stratovarius - Episode
1996 Often ranked in the higher echelon of power metal albums, this one sits a bit lower for me mainly because after you get through the hit songs towards the beginning, the supporting songs are not as thematically involved as I would have liked. It does contain my favorite Strat song in Father Time, however. Where have all the years gone?....
18. Dream Theater - Images And Words
1992 Should this one be higher up on my list? Probably. My first Dream Theater album and one where I learned to play many of the songs on guitar and piano. A classic for many including myself. She whispers words to clear my mind.....
19. Sabaton - The Art Of War
2008 Pure power. Sabaton is probably the most forceful power metal band out there and one of the few that truly exhibits pure power. I wanna go into a battle every time I give this one a spin and experience a fiery baptism. Come hell, come highwater never stop.....
20. Symphony X - Paradise Lost
2007 The best of Symphony X due to its accessibility and playability. In addition tracks like Serpents Kiss and Seven give me something to blast in my car heading home from work. A big hell yeah whenever this album comes on shuffle. Looking down from ethereal skies.....
21. Kvelertak - Kvelertak
2010 I never thought punk of any kind was any good. Then I found out hardcore punk actually has some substance when fused with black metal. These gentlemen have mastered the art of the riff and bring down the house. FOSSEGRIM!....
22. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II
1988 People will scold me for having this one so low. I love Helloween but the old school sound drops this one a bit for me. Still some of the best power metal ever written with the funny creatures and wanting out. Lots of unforgettables on this one. They become great rock musicians.....
23. Blind Guardian - Tales From The Twilight World
1990 Old school Blind Guardian is commonly poo-pooed but they really stared to break through with this album. My first Blind Guardian, my favorite track by the band to this day is Lost in the Twilight Hall. Look behind the mirror.....
24. Yes - Fragile
1973 Talk about a one-two punch of the century. Close to the edge in 72 and the nearly flawless Fragile the following year. Those guys were hard at work writing legendary tunes with absurd technical skill and craftsmanship. In and around the lake, mountains come out of the sky and they stand there.....
25. In Flames - Reroute To Remain
2002 My first Gothenburg album. How the hell did this get on the list given In Flames back catalogue? I got it on a whim and at random. I scored. It's catchy and cheesy to anyone who experienced the old stuff first but to me it's pretty legendary. From green to red the days pass by.
26. Stratovarius - Elements Part I
2003 Seen as the beginning of the down slope of the band, this was my second Stratovarius and I got it back when "epic" sounding stuff was still way cool. It remained so to me to this day. Bitchin' melodies and fantasy-oriented lyrics are always pleasing. Touching sky on my way.....
27. Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird
2012 I saw this album get good reviews and after checking it out I quickly found out why. A completely dejecting album with nothing positive to say and made me happier than ever. Love the modernized sound the band has evolved with. Close your eyes, make a wish.....
28. Nocturnal Rites - Grand Illusion
2005 One of the first power metal albums I ever got, so most of the songs are well-engrained into my brain. It's catchy without being cheesy nor unparalleled. Many folks felt this way about The 8th Sin. Nothing can stop us from falling.....
29. Thyrfing - Valdr Galga
1999 One of my first experiences with viking metal. I did not expect there to be so much keyboard and I found it very captivating when combined with the lo-fi everything. Cool artwork and strong musical diversity landed this one on my list. Distrust rules in Asgard's heart.....
30. Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream
1999 One of the more intelligent yet still bleak albums out there, it was no surprise to me that I liked Porcupine Tree after hearing Opeth. The song A Smart Kid really struck a chord with me and is fun to listen to during snowfall while staring at the sky. And I will wait for you.....
31. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve & Other Stories
1996 Another bit of an outlier on this list. Combining something everyone else but me celebrates and metal and you bridge one HUGE social gap. I've seen TSO 6 times and they never disappoint. This album has the greatest concentration of solid songs. Hear the bells ring in the night.....
32. Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
2005 This album annoys my dad because of its bleakness. It also broke up my first relationship because I quoted it so much XD But Nevermore really nailed everything on this album. It's a one-way ride and there's nothing you can do.....
33. Katatonia - Viva Emptiness
2003 Along the same dark corridor as Nevermore sits Katatonia in the furthest corner of the room. Ghost of the Sun is one of the more energetic beginning tracks for the group and Criminals is my favorite Katatonia song after Deliberation. Be still for a moment.....
34. DragonForce - Inhuman Rampage
2006 Really aenimafist? Yeah I can't disregard my other Super Mario 64 soundtrack element. I hate TtFatF but my favorite song of all time is The Flame of Youth. So free your heart, leave your life far behind.....
35. Septicflesh - Communion
2008 Talk about a scary band. It's hard to be original anymore but Septicflesh managed to on Communion. Sunlight Moonlight is probably the best combo of melodic and brutal I have ever heard. COMMUNION!.....
36. Enslaved - Vertebrae
2008 One of the overlooked Enslaved albums. I got this one shortly before I saw Enslaved on the Watershed/Vertebrae tour in 2009. I actually like the watered-down sound on Vertebrae and To the Coast is a great show-stopper. Longing for the heart of the changer.....
37. Týr - Eric The Red
2003 Honorable mention for The Edge being one of my top 20 songs ever. Viking metal done with all clean vox and seven-string guitars is certainly a unique approach. One hell of a solid band live. By the Light of the Northern Star could go in this spot too. Sentenced to the death by the thing.....
38. Serenity - Fallen Sanctuary
2008 I had known of this album for a long time before breaking down and buying it. I was hitting myself later. Velatum makes me wanna fly, and Heartblood Symphony is one of my urban anthems. Give me a reason for ending my treason.....
39. Lake Of Tears - Forever Autumn
1999 I, like many people, heart the title track before anything else on this album. So Fell Autumn Rain is a perfect song for a Midwesterner during the rainy days in the fall. The Homecoming. So the season of the fall begins.....
40. Stratovarius - Twilight Time
1992 A much forgotten album but it has the unforgettable aire of the early Euro-rock albums pioneered by bands like Europe.
41. Epiclore - Into Demise And Victory
2005 I found this one on last.fm when I searched Medieval Metal. It has a pretty unique sound for a power metal album. Also only four tracks but one of them is almost a half-hour long! Maybe they know our eyes are mirrors of the truth.....
42. Finntroll - Ur Jordens Djup
2007 This one is on here solely because of Slagbröder, my third favorite song of all time. In addition many of the other songs, while not the greatest Finntroll fare, are still quite solid like Korpens Saga and Sång. Jag slog dem ner vag för vag.....
43. Demon Hunter - The Triptych
2005 Christian metalcore but catchier than almost anything. The cover of Prong's Snap Your Finger, Snap Your Neck is to die for. Not overly Christian so more tolerable. Keeping sight of the vow we made.....
44. Metallica - Kill 'Em All
1983 Better than Lightning or Puppets? 'Fraid so. They've come to take your life.....
45. Pillar - Where Do We Go From Here?
2004 Christian Rap Metal? Yessir. One of my first heavy albums. You can't bring me down.....



Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by gopherhawk2@gmail.co ]




Hits total: 1455 | This month: 3