Well, it's been a few years since we did this the last time, so why not. Here are my top-3 songs of each album (all bonus-tracks included) up to Fiction. It's too early to say anything definite about We Are the Void, so I'll forget that for a while. And to make this a bit more than just a boring list, I'll add some comments.
Skydancer / A Moonclad Reflection / Trail of Life Decayed:
1. Shadow Duet
2. A Bolt of Blazing Gold
3. Crimson Winds
These three have truly stood the test of time as my favorite early DT songs. Through Ebony Archways would probably be number 4. I'm not too fond of the pre-Skydancer stuff, but Void of Tranquillity is a good song.
The Gallery / Of Chaos and Eternal Night:
1. Punish My Heaven
2. The Gallery
3. ...Of Melancholy Burning
Only the first spot was obvious, for the other two I could have chosen Lethe, Edenspring, or pretty much any other song from The Gallery except Midway Through Infinity. I've always felt the title-track doesn't get nearly enough credit as a DT classic. OCaEN EP is not that far behind, but overall the songs aren't quite as great; With the Flaming Shades of Fall is my favorite of them.
The Mind's I / Enter Suicidal Angels:
1. Hedon
2. Insanity's Crescendo
3. Still Moving Sinews
Again, the first two are rather obvious choices, but I think the third one is a criminally underrated DT-tune. Tidal Tantrum and Shadowlit Facade from ESA are just outside the top-3. Zodijackyl Light is great live, but on the album it just doesn't work for me at all.
Projector:
1. Nether Novas
2. Sun Fired Blanks
3. UnDo Control
The top spot belongs to one of the greatest DT songs ever, and the other two are old live favorites. The next three would probably go for To a Bitter Halt, FreeCard and No One, although I'm not sure about the order. And yes, I've never cared much about ThereIn.
Haven:
1. The Wonders at Your Feet
2. Haven
3. Not Built to Last
Several decent songs on this album, but only a few true greats - I think this is my least favorite DT album nowadays. Misery in Me is the best of the bonus tracks.
Damage Done:
1. Hours Passed in Exile
2. White Noise / Black Silence
3. Static
Had to leave several of my favorites just outside the top-3, including at least Single Part of Two and the title-track. Static should've been on the album, as well as The Poison Well.
Character / Lost to Apathy EP:
1. My Negation
2. Senses Tied
3. One Thought
The latter half of Character has both the best (the three listed) and the worst (Am I 1? & Dry Run) songs of the album. The first half has several good songs and The New Build, Through Smudged Lenses or Mind Matters could have replaced numbers 2 and 3, but number 1 is probably the best epic album-closer in the band's history (even if I'm counting Iridium).
Fiction:
1. Inside the Particle Storm
2. The Mundane and the Magic
3. The Lesser Faith
Numbers 2 and 3 could have switched spots and Icipher is a solid number 4. All the remaining songs are very good also, although I'm getting a bit bored by Misery's Crown. Inside the Particle Storm is even more amazing live than on the album.
And finally, the top-5 all time:
1. Inside the Particle Storm
2. Punish My Heaven
3. Hedon
4. Nether Novas
5. My Negation
It will take a while before I'll have We Are the Void figured out, but Arkhangelsk might already take the fifth spot from My Negation.
-Villain