OK.. Now that the year is winding down it is time to start our list of the top 10 prog albums of the year. This is my stab at this- though it is somewhat influenced by the bands I saw at ProgPower.
Evergrey - Recreation Day- The Masterpiece! Tom did not disappoint us on this album and really seemed to have fused the hard Evergrey sound of old with a more harmonized/produced sound that resulted in their first hit locally- Im Sorry. This with the harder tracks like Blinded and my favorite- Trilogy of the Damned- Thanks for playing this at the show! Biffin rocks!
Kamelot- Epica- Khans vocals keep shining on this album- Though not as good as Karma, the combo of Edge of Paradise/Wander are to me my songs of the year.
Theocracy s/t- What a great surprise! Great to hear some more upbeat/Christian-based lyrics with incredible playing! I hope to hear him at the pre-party next year!
Secret Sphere- Scent of Human Desire- I know a lot of people have knocked this album, but Ramon's vocals keep getting better. More than Simple Emotions is definitely one of the more poppy/melodic tracks from a prog band to pop up lately. Who can forget their flag-waving performance and crowd antics at PPIV! :hotjump:
Helloween- Rabbit Don't Come Easy-This was a true return-to-form from a band that continues to surprise me- This to me is as good as any Andi Deris album w/ Helloween- The best part is that we get to see them in the US this year!
Stratovarius- Elements Part 1- I have not listened to Part 2 yet, but if it is anything like Part 1, then it will be on my 2004 list- What a sad ending to a great band we never got to see live in the US. Kotipelto at PP 5!
Adagio - Underworld- It is so nice to hear a band that really fuses classical music well with rock- They do this just as good as Sy X if not better.
Sun Caged- s/t- I loved Lemur Voice when they were around- and this was a great addition.
Opeth- Damnation- This blew me away- I am not a fan of death metal vocals, and this album piqued my interest in this band that I can now listen to them- The Pink Floyd/ 70's prog feel to it shows that this band really can tackle any kind of music!
Dream Theater - Train of Thought- Even if DT had released an album marginally better than St. Anger they would still be on my list- The fury of Awake is back, though I miss the more melodic direction in Misunderstood/Through Her Eyes etc., in 6D,SFAM.
Evergrey - Recreation Day- The Masterpiece! Tom did not disappoint us on this album and really seemed to have fused the hard Evergrey sound of old with a more harmonized/produced sound that resulted in their first hit locally- Im Sorry. This with the harder tracks like Blinded and my favorite- Trilogy of the Damned- Thanks for playing this at the show! Biffin rocks!
Kamelot- Epica- Khans vocals keep shining on this album- Though not as good as Karma, the combo of Edge of Paradise/Wander are to me my songs of the year.
Theocracy s/t- What a great surprise! Great to hear some more upbeat/Christian-based lyrics with incredible playing! I hope to hear him at the pre-party next year!
Secret Sphere- Scent of Human Desire- I know a lot of people have knocked this album, but Ramon's vocals keep getting better. More than Simple Emotions is definitely one of the more poppy/melodic tracks from a prog band to pop up lately. Who can forget their flag-waving performance and crowd antics at PPIV! :hotjump:
Helloween- Rabbit Don't Come Easy-This was a true return-to-form from a band that continues to surprise me- This to me is as good as any Andi Deris album w/ Helloween- The best part is that we get to see them in the US this year!
Stratovarius- Elements Part 1- I have not listened to Part 2 yet, but if it is anything like Part 1, then it will be on my 2004 list- What a sad ending to a great band we never got to see live in the US. Kotipelto at PP 5!
Adagio - Underworld- It is so nice to hear a band that really fuses classical music well with rock- They do this just as good as Sy X if not better.
Sun Caged- s/t- I loved Lemur Voice when they were around- and this was a great addition.
Opeth- Damnation- This blew me away- I am not a fan of death metal vocals, and this album piqued my interest in this band that I can now listen to them- The Pink Floyd/ 70's prog feel to it shows that this band really can tackle any kind of music!
Dream Theater - Train of Thought- Even if DT had released an album marginally better than St. Anger they would still be on my list- The fury of Awake is back, though I miss the more melodic direction in Misunderstood/Through Her Eyes etc., in 6D,SFAM.