Nightwish, Dimmu Borgir, Septicflesh and their respective clones are not welcome here. The title is a bit misleading since none of these albums are 'symphonic metal' per se, but they're metal with symphonic/orchestra elements added in a way that's unconventional, or at least as far as I know. Suggestions welcome.

I'm fairly sure people are going to argue a lot about bands who shouldn't be on the list.

Created by:

Wukk | 27.08.2014

	1.	Apocalyptica - Plays Metallica By Four Cellos Whether this can be considered symphonic or not purely based on the use of cellos is definitely questionable, but I was grasping at straws.
	2.	Aquilus - Griseus The first time within atmospheric black metal that I've heard atmosphere created in this way, with lengthy pseudo-classical passages rather than tremolos, blastbeats and keyboards. I think it works.
	3.	Blind Guardian - At The Edge Of Time I'm including this one because I like the parts where the band drop out completely and let the orchestra do the work. I don't often hear that when a melodic metal band says HEY LET'S PUT AN ORCHESTRA IN THIS ALBUM.
	4.	Blood Thirsty - Sanguine River Absolution Symphonic brutal death metal. If that isn't befitting of a place in this list, I don't know what is.
	5.	Igorrr - Hallelujah Hey, maybe it's a bit rich calling this symphonic, but it's got classical parts, it's got metal parts and it's sure as hell done differently.
	6.	Turisas - Stand Up And Fight Feels like the soundtrack to a stage show. The orchestra here often has its own isolated segments and lead roles to add to the bombast, rather than just being behind the metal instruments. The ending of End of an Empire is a particular highlight.
	7.	Waltari - Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony In Deep C There's a clear dichotomy between the symphony and the death metal in this one, but both of them sound genuine and not forced in any way.