Best produced discs?

[MysticX9]

Sorry about the clumsy thread title, couldn't think of any other way to word it -

I was listening to the remastered version of OPERATION: MINDCRIME and it made me curious - what discs (or albums) in your collection have the best production? I'm still thinking about it but production is an interesting facet of music, really as important as the material itself. I'm thinking more along the lines of the actual sound so maybe technically I should be asking about the mastering. Thoughts?

 

[J-Man]

NIGHTWISH "Dark Passion Play"
DELAIN "April Rain"
CRIMFALL "As the Path Unfolds"
SHADRANE "Temporal"
MINDFLOW "Destructive Device"

 

[MysticX9]

NIGHTWISH "Dark Passion Play"
DELAIN "April Rain"
CRIMFALL "As the Path Unfolds"
SHADRANE "Temporal"
MINDFLOW "Destructive Device"

Man, I need to hear those - thanks for the suggestions!!!

 

[Spiderpact]

This is one of those things that is totally subjective, but i'll happily play along.....

Disarmonia Mundi - Fragments of Degeneration
Blood Red Throne - Altered Genesis
Zimmer's Hole - While You Were Shouting at the Devil....
Dragonland - Astronomy
Edguy - The Savage Poetry 2000
Old Man's Child - In Defiance of Existence
Equilibrium - Sagas
Opeth - Deliverance
Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction
Profundi - The Omega Rising

There are others, but the list is already getting heavy. I would also agree with the remastered Mindcrime album, it is fantastic!

 

[MysticX9]

This is one of those things that is totally subjective, but i'll happily play along.....

Disarmonia Mundi - Fragments of Degeneration
Blood Red Throne - Altered Genesis
Zimmer's Hole - While You Were Shouting at the Devil....
Dragonland - Astronomy
Edguy - The Savage Poetry 2000
Old Man's Child - In Defiance of Existence
Equilibrium - Sagas
Opeth - Deliverance
Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction
Profundi - The Omega Rising

There are others, but the list is already getting heavy. I would also agree with the remastered Mindcrime album, it is fantastic!

Yep, you are 100% correct, it is a matter of personal taste but I wanted to get some feedback on what everyone thought was noteworthy. Back when we just had albums to listen to I noticed I quite enjoyed some things that were reviewed as having a terrible production (we used to call it a "dust on the needle" sound) so I thought it would be interesting to hear some of the things recommended as stellar with regards to the overall sound. From your list I am only familiar with the Megadeth. Thanks for the suggestions!!!

 

[hoodaman]

not even close to being metal, more AOR than anything but Toto's "The Seventh One" for me

 

[Diamond45]

NIGHTWISH "Dark Passion Play"
DELAIN "April Rain"
MINDFLOW "Destructive Device"

I can attest to those three since I've listened to them.

I'd also add Royal Hunt's "Collision Course" to that list as well.

 

[Harvester]

Conception- Flow.

That's the disc I use to test out new speakers.

 

[PatrickHoyt]

the latest Empyrios release has amazing production, probably one of the best I've heard.

 

[MysticX9]

Conception- Flow.

That's the disc I use to test out new speakers.

Killer disc, as for speakers that deserves another thread! I could use a new set about now...

 

[arnavut]

The Cult - Electric

 

[urinalcakemix]

Spin Doctors - Pocket Full of Kryptonite
Candlebox - Candlebox
John Butler Trio - Grand National
Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
Pantera - CFH, VDoP, FBD
Guns 'N Roses - Appetite for Destruction

 

[edgeofthorns]

Man, this is a tough one for me for some reason! Production can make or break a disc for me too. Oddly enough, my two picks go to female led bands.

1. Within Temptation - The Silent Force
2. Nightwish - Once

Both of those disc are simply over the top for me.

~Brian~

 

[SavaVIDude]

For some reason, the production on Edguy's Vain Glory Opera, Theater of Salvation and Mandrake struck me as VERY deep and full.

I also like Savatage's Handful of Rain - especially 'Chance'. This was 96 track digital with about 24 of those vox. I talked to Zak Stevens about recording that, and he said they didn't cut and paste - he recorded every track!! It took two weeks to record and bring that song together!! That is the song I test speakers with. It's got everything - highs, lows, orchestra, phat guitars and bells!!

I also like Rhapsody's sound.

Chris

 

[ALowerDeep]

Nevermore- Dead Heart
Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime
Threshold - Subsurface
Opeth - Ghost Reveries and Watershed
Testament - Formation of Damnation
Def Lepard - Hysteria (not an album I like for the songs, but still amazing production)

 

[lady_space]

Def Lepard - Hysteria (not an album I like for the songs, but still amazing production)

It's certainly distinctive production. I've never paid much mind to production, but I have been more so recently--mainly because urban points things out to me, but also because I have an expensive pair of speakers (ahem... monitors) that really just play what's there, as opposed to the system in my car which makes everything sound great. It's VERY noticeable when playing 2 things back-to-back that are produced... differently, shall we say?

So while I can't say I have any "favorite" production on albums, I could certainly point out several with production that is surprisingly crappy.

Shaye

 

[imaskinbeater]

Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime

? I thought that disc's production was lacking something, especially the horrible drum sound!

Cloudscape - "Global Drama"
Road II Ruin
Spiral Architect

There are a ton more I just can't think at the moment.

Most modern Jazz albums have the best production

 

[Berek2000]

for me it is the Terry Brown era of both Fates Warning and Rush.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

ANY ALBUM PRODUCED and/or MIXED by Andy Sneap.

 

[Taliwakker]

not even close to being metal, more AOR than anything but Toto's "The Seventh One" for me

Amazing what a million dollar budget will get you.....