The Ultimate Symphonic Metal Albums

The Ultimate Symphonic Metal Albums

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A list by
CyberSymphony
Created
March 06, 2010
Entries
66
Endorsements
11
A collection of metal albums that heavily use the likes of classical instrumentation, orchestral, opera or/and symphonic keyboard synths. Suggestions/Recommendations are welcome.
66.
1.
Adagio - Underworld
2003 - France
66.
2.
66.
3.
After Forever - Decipher
2001 - The Netherlands
66.
4.
Almôra - Kalihora's Song
2003 - Turkey
66.
5.
Ancient Bards - The Alliance Of The Kings
2010 - Italy
66.
6.
66.
7.
Angtoria - God Has A Plan For Us All
2006 - UK/Sweden
66.
8.
Apocalyptica - Reflections
2003 - Finland
66.
9.
66.
10.
Bal-Sagoth - Battle Magic
1998 - UK
66.
11.
66.
12.
Carach Angren - Lammendam
2008 - The Netherlands
66.
13.
Crimfall - As The Path Unfolds...
2009 - Finland
66.
14.
66.
15.
Dark Lunacy - Devoid
2000 - Italy
66.
16.
Dark Moor - Autumnal
2009 - Spain
66.
17.
Delain - Lucidity
2006 - The Netherlands
66.
18.
Devil Doll - Eliogabalus
1990 - Slovenia
66.
19.
Diabulus In Musica - Argia
2014 - Spain
66.
20.
66.
21.
Dol Ammad - Ocean Dynamics
2006 - Greece
66.
22.
Dragonland - Astronomy
2006 - Sweden
66.
23.
Dreams Of Sanity - The Game
2000 - Austria
66.
24.
Edenbridge - MyEarthDream
2008 - Austria
66.
25.
Epica - The Phantom Agony
2003 - The Netherlands
66.
26.
Epica - The Divine Conspiracy
2007 - The Netherlands
66.
27.
Estatic Fear - A Sombre Dance
1999 - Austria
66.
28.
66.
29.
66.
30.
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony
2011 - Italy
66.
31.
66.
32.
Haggard - Awaking The Centuries
2000 - Germany
66.
33.
Haggard - Eppur Si Muove
2004 - Germany
66.
34.
66.
35.
66.
36.
Imperia - Queen Of Light
2007 - Norway
66.
37.
Kamelot - Epica
2003 - USA
66.
38.
Leaves' Eyes - Vinland Saga
2005 - Germany/Norway
66.
39.
66.
40.
66.
41.
Lingua Mortis Orchestra - LMO
2013 - Germany
66.
42.
Mechina - Xenon
2014 - USA
66.
43.
Nightwish - Oceanborn
1998 - Finland
66.
44.
Nightwish - Once
2004 - Finland
66.
45.
66.
46.
66.
47.
Rhapsody Of Fire - Dawn Of Victory
2000 - Italy
66.
48.
Saturnian - Dimensions
2012 - UK
66.
49.
Septicflesh - Communion
2008 - Greece
66.
50.
Septicflesh - The Great Mass
2011 - Greece
66.
51.
Shade Empire - Omega Arcane
2013: - Finland
66.
52.
66.
53.
Stravaganzza - Sentimientos
2005 - Spain
66.
54.
Stream Of Passion - Embrace The Storm
2005 - The Netherlands
66.
55.
Therion - Theli
1996 - Sweden
66.
56.
Therion - Vovin
1998 - Sweden
66.
57.
66.
58.
66.
59.
66.
60.
66.
61.
66.
62.
Winds - Reflections Of The I
2002 - Norway
66.
63.
66.
64.
Within Temptation - Mother Earth
2001 - The Netherlands
66.
65.
Xandria - Neverworld's End
2012 - Germany
66.
66.
Xerath - III
2014 - UK
Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
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Comments: 6 Visited by 135 users

Posts: 3104


Permalink
08.04.2013 - 22:18

Posts: 3104


Great list, but I have a few suggestions for you (if you're interested, don't feel obliged to check them all out):
- Dimmu Borgir - Spiritual Black Dimensions (my favourite DB album, though you already have a DB album in this list)
- Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse/Anthems to the Welkin' at Dusk (these really need to be on this list in my opinion, classic albums of symphonic black metal)
- Galadriel - The Mirror of Ages (great symphonic doom band with female vocals)
- Graveworm - As Angels Reach The Beauty (symphonic black metal)
- Old Man's Child - In Defiance of Existence (best OMC album for me, symphonic black metal)

These are all albums I give at least a 9/10, so I really like them. That being said, I ignored all the symphonic gothic albums (and I know a lot of great ones, haha) since most of those are already in your other list.
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Posts: 673


Permalink
09.04.2013 - 16:09

Posts: 673


Written by Erik M. on 08.04.2013 at 22:18

Great list, but I have a few suggestions for you (if you're interested, don't feel obliged to check them all out):
- Dimmu Borgir - Spiritual Black Dimensions (my favourite DB album, though you already have a DB album in this list)
- Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse/Anthems to the Welkin' at Dusk (these really need to be on this list in my opinion, classic albums of symphonic black metal)
- Galadriel - The Mirror of Ages (great symphonic doom band with female vocals)
- Graveworm - As Angels Reach The Beauty (symphonic black metal)
- Old Man's Child - In Defiance of Existence (best OMC album for me, symphonic black metal)

These are all albums I give at least a 9/10, so I really like them. That being said, I ignored all the symphonic gothic albums (and I know a lot of great ones, haha) since most of those are already in your other list.

I prefer Puritanical... from DB than the one you suggested, but thanks anyway.
I did have Emperor on this list before I deleted them. I didn't feel they were 'symphonic' enough, but more black metal. I will think about them.
I didn't like much of Galadriel's music that much to be honest. I have listened to most of their albums, but I found them a bit 'meh' IMO.
Graveworm are interesting and I do like the album you suggested. Listen to their 'Scourge of Malice' too. Might possibly add them.
OId Man's Child, I agree and will add soon... thanks
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Posts: 3104


Permalink
09.04.2013 - 22:40

Posts: 3104


Written by CyberSymphony on 09.04.2013 at 16:09

I prefer Puritanical... from DB than the one you suggested, but thanks anyway.
I did have Emperor on this list before I deleted them. I didn't feel they were 'symphonic' enough, but more black metal. I will think about them.
I didn't like much of Galadriel's music that much to be honest. I have listened to most of their albums, but I found them a bit 'meh' IMO.
Graveworm are interesting and I do like the album you suggested. Listen to their 'Scourge of Malice' too. Might possibly add them.
OId Man's Child, I agree and will add soon... thanks

About DB, fair enough, it's personal preference I guess. I think the first two albums of Emperor do belong here though as they're definitely symphonic black metal. I have only heard two albums of Galadriel so far, but I'll check out every album eventually because I do like their music a lot. About Graveworm, I only know their first two albums and I liked the 2nd one better, hence why I suggested that one. I'll definitely check out their other stuff too. I personally feel Old Man's Child is pretty underrated. After Defiance Of Existence, I think Revelation 666 - The Curse Of Damnation is his (Galder's) best, although it's rated quite low on MS. Incredibly catchy album, but you could think about adding that one too (or The Pagan Prosperity, another very good one). Funny to see your favourite song on that album is the same as mine (Black Seeds on Virgin Soil), that intro is sick.
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Rhiannon
Account deleted
Permalink
10.04.2013 - 10:15
Rhiannon
Account deleted
Nice list, I've known most of it, and I agree these are great albums, and you gave me some to check out.
I'm surprised you didn't put Estatic Fear - A Somber Dance here, since it's your all time-favourite album
I also have some suggestions:
Whyzdom's two albums, From The Brink Of Infinity and Blind?, these are great imo

also Waltari - Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony In Deep C
it's a really underrated and unknown album here, from 1996, when Epica and most of the symphonic bands didn't even exist, yet it's better than a lot of them imo. Great blend of classical music and death metal, with harsh vocals and a female opera singer, who is alto, and not soprano for a change. My favourite song is "A Sign", it's a masterpiece imo.
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Posts: 673


Permalink
10.04.2013 - 15:36

Posts: 673


Written by [user id=36134] on 10.04.2013 at 10:15

Nice list, I've known most of it, and I agree these are great albums, and you gave me some to check out.
I'm surprised you didn't put Estatic Fear - A Somber Dance here, since it's your all time-favourite album
I also have some suggestions:
Whyzdom's two albums, From The Brink Of Infinity and Blind?, these are great imo

also Waltari - Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony In Deep C
it's a really underrated and unknown album here, from 1996, when Epica and most of the symphonic bands didn't even exist, yet it's better than a lot of them imo. Great blend of classical music and death metal, with harsh vocals and a female opera singer, who is alto, and not soprano for a change. My favourite song is "A Sign", it's a masterpiece imo.

Estatic Fear are in my gothic metal list, they could easily fit here too, but I'm sticking them in the gothic category.
Whyzdom aren't good enough for my list IMO and I've never got interested in band at all. The female vocalists didn't impress me on any of the albums, but musically it was ok though, and thanks for suggesting them too.
I have listened to Waltari's Yeah! Yeah!.... and it definitely does fit here. Adding soon. Thanks
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Rhiannon
Account deleted
Permalink
10.04.2013 - 17:30
Rhiannon
Account deleted
Quote:
Estatic Fear are in my gothic metal list, they could easily fit here too, but I'm sticking them in the gothic category.
Whyzdom aren't good enough for my list IMO and I've never got interested in band at all. The female vocalists didn't impress me on any of the albums, but musically it was ok though, and thanks for suggesting them too.
I have listened to Waltari's Yeah! Yeah!.... and it definitely does fit here. Adding soon. Thanks

Whyzdom just changed singers recently, so maybe the new one will be more to your taste. And glad you liked Waltari.

On a side note, in the two Septicflesh albums, the highlights and the album titles are mixed up. Just saying
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