I've always been a fan of progressive metal going back to the days of Opeth. It wasn't until I discovered Scale The Summit early last year on Spotify that I came upon a big metal genre of instrumental progressive / djent bands. They're all amazing acts and I don't mind that there isn't a singer. It gives me the opportunity to hone in on the sounds. It also inspired me to take up the guitar for the second real time. First at 17 then a second time at 35. I'm older now, yet have a deeper appreciation for music and the guitar in general.

1.Scale The Summit - The Migration

2.Sithu Aye - Cassini

3.Wide Eyes - Terraforming

4.Intervals - The Space Between

5.Modern Day Babylon - Travelers

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Sort of stumbled upon Anubis Gate. Not too often do you see the bassist as lead singer/frontman of the band. It's hard to place the specific sound of the band since they're a blend of power and progressive metal. They're a great band that I would highly recommend checking out.

1.Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate

2.Anubis Gate - Andromeda Unchained

3.Anubis Gate - Horizons

4.Anubis Gate - The Detached

5.Anubis Gate - A Perfect Forever

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Here's a quick list of what I'm looking forward to in 2018. Refreshed periodically.

1.Omnium Gatherum - The Burning Cold

2.Dragonland - TBD

3.Shadowspell - TBD

4.Be'lakor - TBD

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One of the things I like most about Dragonland is their Death Metal roots. They wanted to expand outside the scope of Death Metal and mixed their formula with power, symphonic, and progressive sounds. Combine all those styles and you get Dragonland's epic sound.

1.Dragonland - Astronomy

2.Dragonland - Starfall

3.Dragonland - Under The Grey Banner

4.Dragonland - Holy War

5.Dragonland - The Battle Of The Ivory Plains

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Kalmah's pure "Swamp Metal". They blend metals styles to their own. Carefully crafted melodies with tough riffs make them stand out.

1.Kalmah - The Black Waltz

2.Kalmah - Swampsong

3.Kalmah - They Will Return

4.Kalmah - Swamplord

5.Kalmah - For The Revolution

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Been a fan of Galneryus since "One For All - All For One" Thought I'd make my favorite full length albums in order of best to worst.

1.Galneryus - Beyond The End Of Despair...

2.Galneryus - Advance To The Fall

3.Galneryus - Resurrection

4.Galneryus - Phoenix Rising

5.Galneryus - The Flag Of Punishment

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Long time fan of Stratovarius. I've comprised my best to worst albums in my own opinion. I excluded EPs and live albums to focus on full lengths.

1.Stratovarius - Visions

2.Stratovarius - Infinite

3.Stratovarius - Nemesis

4.Stratovarius - Fourth Dimension

5.Stratovarius - Elysium

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I've been listening to metal for over a decade now. Here's my all time "favorites" list. Updated with comments March 24th, 2016. I started with death metal acts of In Flames and Dark Tranquility. I went to power metal for a long time, yet have circled back with getting re-introduced to Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, and Be'lakor.

1.In Flames - The Jester Race

2.Omnium Gatherum - Beyond

3.Be'lakor - Of Breath And Bone

4.Wintersun - Wintersun

5.Angra - Temple Of Shadows

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