Updated January 6th, 2025

100. Nordic Giants – A Séance of Dark Delusions (2015)

The debut album from this English duo features a brilliant cinematic feel among rock music. Predominantly instrumental, A Séance of Dark Delusions is epic in its scope and filled with moody, delicious imagery throughout – both awe-inspiring and reflective. The band’s videos are also something to enjoy.

99. Satan – Cruel Magic (2018)

The third release after their triumphant return in 2013, Cruel Magic happens to be my favourite from the trio of releases. With fast-paced action, incredible guitar licks, and song structure, I feel the NWOBHM guys in Satan truly got their groove on with Cruel Magic.

98. Gridlink – Longhena (2014)

As I’ve written many times before, Longhena can be simply labelled as “beautiful grindcore.” However, the album is a lot more than just that. Thrilling riffs and stunning lyrics guide this brilliantly haunting album. While grindcore doesn’t usually feature it, Longhena is rife with so much melody – it’s the antithesis of grindcore – yet it works.

97. Planet X – Quantum (2007)

Founded by keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati, and the band’s last release, Quantum makes my list because holy hell: these musicians are insane. With the strong first track, Alien Hip Hop, Quantum simply gets more and more complicated as the album progresses. The instrumentals could easily put bands like Spastic Ink and Liquid Tension Experiment to shame. But Quantum offers mood over style.

96. Oztric Tentacles – Technicians of the Sacred (2015)

Even after their first album was released in 1989, Ozric Tentacles are still impressive. With their fourteenth album (and second double-length since 1990), Technicians of the Sacred is an audibly technical wonder. With varying themes and a bit of unpredictability, there’s easily something for everyone on this album which makes it great to go back to again and again.

95. Gorillaz – Gorillaz (2001)

From Blur fame, Damon Albarn co-created the Gorillaz to help create a strange hybrid of hip-hop, electronic, punk, and rock music. The end result is a smooth-yet-strange-sounding, eclectic mix of songs which all flow together. From Re-Hash, to the hit single Clint Eastwood, to the Day of the Dead-inspired M1 A1, the self-titled debut of the Gorillaz is a feat on its own.

94. Transatlantic – The Whirlwind (2009)

The progressive rock super group featuring Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater), Neal Morse (ex-Spock’s Beard), Pete Trewavas (Marillion), and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) released The Whirlwind and literally blew me away. The 77-minute song featuring twelve movements is not only a triumphant song, but a well-executed lesson in songwriting and musical scope. Never veering away from its origins, The Whirlwind tells a story and keeps within the themes without becoming too preachy or too technical.

93. Overkill – Necroshine (1999)

Let’s remember this is my list of favourites now, shall we? While Necroshine isn’t everyone’s favourite Overkill album, it stands out for me because it’s something so different. Like Kreator’s Renewal album, Necroshine took elements the band had and twisted it into something strange. With electronic elements and real groove, Necroshine works for me. I regularly think of the “screams” in the title track. While not their best album, it’s certainly a lot of fun.

92. Mgła – Age of Excuse (2019)

This album is all about the drummer, Darkside. Holy smokes. In all seriousness, Age of Excuse is a powerhouse of black metal. With tense guitar riffs enriched with darkness and mixed with impressive cymbal work, Age of Excuse stands out for me for its ingenuity by taking something which could be boring and making it into something much bigger than itself. Age of Excuse II is a perfect example on that.

91. Voivod – War and Pain (1984)

There’s something awesome to the production of War and Pain that just constantly brings me back to it. From all of the over-the-top album production of the modern era, War and Pain has a certain kind of charm among its filth. It’s a messy album, but it is something I return to time and time again – more than all other Voivod releases.

90. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)

The debut album of this incredibly influential band: From the first frightening doom riff in the title track, to the harmonica work in The Wizard, or the groove in Behind the Wall of Sleep or N.I.B. and so on. It’s an album that’s a favourite for its influence on, well, mostly everything I listen to!

89. Stone Temple Pilots – Purple (1994)

At the heart of me learning the bass is Robert DeLeo’s incredible groove within STP’s second album, Purple. While still under the grunge moniker, Purple ascends its peers with moving music pieces and a musical scope that goes unmatched. While grunge may have been mocked for its style, Purple has always felt to me what Yes would sound like had written grunge.

88. Nile – In Their Darkened Shrines (2002)

As one of the first technical death metal albums I’ve had grace my ears, In Their Darkened Shrines is a beast. With wild tempo changes, lightning fast guitar riffs, melodic guitar solos, blazingly intense drumming, Nile, to the uninitiated, seem like they’re a mess. However, In Their Darkened Shrines was an eye-opening album for me as I learned death metal had structure. And of course, there’s Unas Slayer of the Gods. . .

87. Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper (2017)

I love this funeral doom album for its simplicity: drums, bass, vocals, and a Hammond organ make up this hour and twenty minute feat of a song. Naturally bleak, the song ebbs and flows with many themes of darkness and despair. The subtleties in the song are very introspective. While it’s not something I play often, it’s an album that stands out for all the right reasons.

86. iamthemorning – Lighthouse (2016)

One part chamber music with another part progressive rock, Lighthouse is a powerhouse of elegance. Gorgeous themes, vocals, and rhythm are strong within the album. I’ve felt the band is a mix between Porcupine Tree and Magenta, but truly iamthemorning, and more specifically, Lighthouse, stands on its own as one triumphantly beautiful album that I love to revisit and appreciate.

85. Dixie Dregs – Free Fall (1977)

Free Fall is the second album from the jazz-fusion band, Dixie Dregs. I’ve always appreciated the complexities of the band, but I love Free Fall the most. The album features some of the greatest musical moments I’ve encountered. From the wails from Steve Morse, to the grooving bass line in Cruise Control, to Allen Sloan’s perfectly placed violin, Free Fall always puts a smile on my face.

84. Pig Destroyer – Terrifyer (2004)

My first delve into Pig Destroyer was the release of Terrifyer. With 21 tracks in 32 mintues, the intensity of this album is, well . . . intense! Merging multiple genres under the blanket of the grindcore genre, Terrifyer does what it says and assaults the senses. Overwhelming and filled with both horror and rage, the blistering panic the album creates is one of the many reasons why I appreciate it – it’s an album that fills me with emotion – whether positive or negative.

83. Ulver – Bergtatt – Et eeventyr i 5 capitler (1995)

Ulver’s been a lot of genres over the years, but Bergtatt is where they started. As a black metal album, it still stands out as something unique. It’s emotionally driven and rich with atmosphere. It’s both melancholic and sublime despite having an underlying aggressive feel. While the band has strayed from this particular style, their feelings haven’t – as you’ll see later down my list when we revisit Ulver again.

82. Portal – Vexovoid (2013)

I’ve called this album the “Soundtrack to Hell” since the first time I listened to it. Portal’s droning chaos is sinister and hellish. The drums sometimes feel as if they’re lagging, giving an uneasy sluggish feel. The guitars and bass are crunched, distorted, and painfully hard to understand. Vocally, it sounds as if you’re getting sucked into the depths of Hell. It’s a great album.

81. Metallica – Kill ‘Em All (1983)

I hate being “that guy” but I honestly feel Metallica’s debut, Kill ‘Em All, is their best album. But we’re also talking about my favourite albums! There’s something very honest and true to this album. Whether it’s the original production that makes it so awesome, or Dave Mustaine’s guitar solos on the album. Kill ‘Em All features most of my favourite Metallica songs and it is unrelenting with its power.

80. Overkill – The Electric Age (2012)

Overkill’s comeback with Ironbound in 2010 blew everyone away with an awesome return-to-form. However, I feel their follow-up, The Electric Age, is better. Overkill’s traditional thrash metal with D. D. Verni’s signature bass tone ripping through in modern production just puts me in a great mood. The songs are catchy, the riffs are fast, and the songs are just well put together. While I love Overkill new and old, The Electric Age is, in my opinion, their best album.

79. Spock’s Beard – The Light (1995)

What a great debut album. Featuring four tracks with three of them over twelve minutes, The Light is a prog rocker’s delight. Introducing musical heavy hitters Neal Morse and Nick D’Virgilio, along with Neal’s brother Alan and bassist Dave Meros, The Light is a sonically bright album. While the lengths of songs may be daunting, each one features variation to excite the listener and keep them drawn in. I love the feeling of this album and find it great to regularly revisit.

78. Cynic – Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014)

Although starting off in the progressive death metal realm, Cynic’s Kindly Bent to Free Us shifted away entirely and is an honest and modern-feeling progressive metal album. Featuring the usual Paul Masvidal, and the now-late Sean Reinert and late Sean Malone, Kindly Bent to Free Us will forever be close to the vest for me. The band and their brilliant musicianship will be forever honoured with this album.

77. Amon Amarth – With Oden on Our Side (2006)

What may be argued as the last great Amon Amarth album (although some of you Versus the World folk may disagree), this Viking death metal album features some great melodies and catchy riffs which threw the band into the limelight – and arguably forced the band to make their music a bit too polished afterwards. The catchy riffs never faltered as songs like Runes to my Memory and Under the Northern Star drive the album front to back with excellence.

76. Anneke van Giersbergen – Everything is Changing (2012)

There’s something about how this album feels that has always stuck with me. I’m not sure what happened in production or whether Daniel Cardoso’s (Anathema) co-writing has anything to do with it, but Everything is Changing stands out as a great alternative rock album. Anneke’s lyrics, much like the music, is true and humble. Feeling stronger than her previous albums, and sounding different that later ones (including this year’s The Darkest Skies are the Brightest) there’s some sort of emotional resonance that sticks with me on this album. I haven’t been quite able to figure it out, which I suppose is another reason why I enjoy the album so much.

75. Wood of Ypres – Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light (2012)

The final album from the late David Gold: his Juno Award winning album, Grey Skies & Electric Light hits all the marks for an incredibly moody and sorrow-filled album. Spot on as always, Gold’s lyrics force deep self-reflections and thought-provoking concept makes this album feel like catching up with an old friend.

74. Fates Warning – A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)

Twenty years ago, this album would’ve been in my Top 20, maybe even my Top 10. APSoG holds a special place in my heart due to the fact it has been through a lot of my life – both good and bad. APSoG is a definitive album in my musical development. But what makes this album so great is how it is essentially what it says it is: a pleasant shade of gray. It’s moody, depressive, but uplifting in many moments. The album FEELS gray, which is simply a feat onto itself.

73. Tomb Mold – Planetary Clairvoyance (2019)

Another newcomer – which absolutely stunned me first seeing them open for Pig Destroyer a few years ago – Tomb Mold’s Planetary Clairvoyance is an awesome sounding death metal album, harkening back to the genre’s first emergence in the early 90s. Planetary Clairvoyance does what so few albums do – take simple riffs and make them feel so much bigger. With great catches and grooves, this album will probably grow further down the list for years to come.

72. Black Sabbath – Heaven and Hell (1980)

One of the first songs I learned to play by ear on my bass guitar was the title track. I spent a good chunk of my teenage years playing it over and over, learning Geezer Butler’s bass lines and feeling the monumental vocals of Ronnie James Dio. As I grew to love the album, I became more impressed with the shift in song style from Ozzy-era Sabbath songs. It was a familiar but different Black Sabbath – one I truly appreciate.

71. Morbid Angel – Covenant (1993)

This album though. Angel of Disease, Pain Divine, God of Emptiness – hugely influential songs for me. Listening to past or future Morbid Angel albums – nothing really compares to the intensity and impact Covenant had. There was something magical with the album which blends memorable songs with the crushing impact of Pete Sandoval’s drums.

70. Moonsorrow – Suden uni (2001)

Kuin ikuinen, 1065: Aika, and Pakanajukla were songs on repeat in my household. Aside from the band Waylander, I had never really heard folk/Celtic metal – let alone something mixed with black metal. I learned of Moonsorrow with their debut, Suden uni, and have been forever impressed upon by the epic nature of the band’s scope. Everything they have done is outstanding since (and I really debated replacing Suden uni with Kivenkantaja), but Suden uni will be one of those albums I’ll always remember where I was went I first heard it.

69. Gentle Giant – Free Hand (1975)

Of all Gentle Giant albums, Free Hand stands out the most to be not only for its accessibility, but because it’s just so damn fun. Every song, while feeling pop in nature, is very progressive. I’ve felt it is easy listening for the uninitiated prog fans and still progressive enough for die-hards to enjoy. The album comes with a Genesis and Jethro Tull feel (just listen to Time to Kill), yet the album stands out as unique.

68. Judas Priest – Stained Class (1978)

One of the band’s greatest releases, Stained Class comes with some incredibly classic tunes: the speedy Exciter, the moody White Heat, Red Hot, the bellowing Saints in Hell, and more! I find myself revisiting this album regularly just to hear the mighty Halford wail, “Stand by for Exciter!” Stained Class is a powerhouse record that I feel is underappreciated within the Priest catalogue.

67. Stone Temple Pilots – Shangri-La Dee Da (2001)

Of all the STP albums, why is Shangri-La Dee Da is my favourite? While it features one of my least favourite STP songs (Days of the Week), from the fourth track to the end, each song is so beautifully and honestly written, I can help but appreciate the songs within the scope of popular music. From Black Again to Bi-Polar Bear, the songs ooze with emotion and don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. To make the album even better, most of the songs are absolutely calming and beautiful.

66. Amorphis – Tales from the Thousand Lakes (1994)

While I still feel this album needs a re-master, Tales from the Thousand Lakes is just a beast to take on. It’s still one of the more unique death metal albums in existence with its strange approach to instrumentation and songwriting. While the band may not be what they used to be, Tales has a long-lasting legacy of being one of most important death metal albums to come out of the 1990s.

65. Black Sabbath – Master of Reality (1971)

The final Black Sabbath album to make my list, Master of Reality is a jaw-dropper. Including the well-known hit single Sweet Leaf, each song is absolutely stunning. The chugging of Children of the Grave, the bluesy Lord of This World – the album has it all. And the final track, Into the Void, still resonates to me as one of the greatest guitar riffs ever to have been written.

64. Blind Guardian – Somewhere Far Beyond (1992)

Melodic, fast, daring – Somewhere Far Beyond – Blind Guardian’s fourth album is a beast from front to back. Equally thrilling as it is powerful, songs like Time What is Time and the title track are riddled with epic moments to rock your head to, whereas Journey Through the Dark is what I feel peak Blind Guardian is. With The Bard’s Song tying the heaviness together – it really makes for one of their best albums.

63. Evergrey – The Inner Circle (2004)

This dark and dreary album is progressive power metal done right. While previous albums like Recreation Day and In Search of Truth carried similar themes, The Inner Circle created a feeling of claustrophobia and despair. In my opinion, it wouldn’t be until Glorious Collision where the band would be able to capture that particular feeling again. Like previous albums Suden uni and Covenant, this album was in the right place at the right time for me and was monumental when I first came across it.

62. Emperor – In the Nightside Eclipse (1994)

Influential to both the black metal genre and me, In the Nightside Eclipse is a sonic landscape. With its low production value and incorporation of keyboards, black metal would never be the same after its release. For me, it was going back and hearing what this album meant for the music I was listening to now. I appreciate this album for everything it has done, but also for some of the incredible sounds that come from it. The riffs and screams in Cosmic Keys to My Creations and Times will always stand out as a favourite of mine.

61. My Dying Bride – Feel the Misery (2015)

Had this album not been released, 2004’s Songs of Darkness, Words of Light would’ve probably made this list. Feel the Misery is an incredible douse of sadness and doom with strong storytelling and great execution. It’s become a comfort album I find myself returning to every-so-often.

60. Blink 182 – Take off Your Pants and Jacket (2001)

I’m sure this is an unusual album for everyone to see, but TOYPaJ is a masterpiece from both the production side of things and a songwriting aspect (especially if considering it from the band’s perspective). Every song has some major punch with it and features incredibly well-written progressions. TOYPaJ proves that there’s more to music than just power chords – there’s feeling – and the production behind that feeling. As a metal head listening to this album, it comes across as a very basic album (Travis Barker aside). As a music lover, the TOYPaJ offers so much more to the listener.

59. Ayreon – The Human Equation (2004)

Taking a bunch of my favourite singers and throwing them into one album, Arjen Lucassen’s psychological concept album was a break from his science-fiction world (kind of) and instead explored human emotions, trauma, love, and so on. The stand-out for me was how neat, if not a bit campy, the concept album was – yet it worked beautifully. Every so often, instead of a movie, I’ll put The Human Equation on instead – as it features everything someone would want in a film.

58. Shadow Gallery – Tyranny (1998)

What I always felt as a modern take on Queensrÿche’s Operation: Mindcrime, Tyranny showcased the technical prowess of this relatively unknown progressive metal band. This album, like The Human Equation, was a regular mainstay at my home – both my brother and I spinning them regularly. I loved the intricacies of the story and the science-fiction element of Big Brother. It was a fun story that just happened to have some incredible musicianship backing it.

57. Kamelot – The Black Halo (2005)

While this is the third concept album in a row in my list, I didn’t actually care for The Black Halo’s story. But the songs! Holy smokes – are they great. For Kamelot, The Black Halo arrived to critical acclaim. With strong songs like When the Lights are Down, March of Mephisto, and the melodic Moonlight, who needs a story when one can headbang along to these amazing tracks?

56. Celtic Frost – To Mega Therion (1985)

Celtic Frost’s debut LP broke boundaries upon its release. Like Emperor’s Nightside album, I revisited this album later in life to appreciate what it did and ended up loving it. Each track is explosive and filled with power. By the time you get to the haunting final track in Necromantical Screams, you’re a changed person.

55. YOB – Our Raw Heart (2018)

My album of the year in 2018, YOB’s Our Raw Heart certainly affected me in profound ways. The album’s “uplifting doom” so-to-speak was emotionally charged and quite frankly, very sad. Mike Scheidt’s mournful vocals on the album truly encapsulate what the music is trying to do – Beauty in Falling Leaves is a testament to that.

54. Ulver – The Assassination of Julius Caesar (2017)

Dripping with reverb and emoting Depeche Mode, Ulver’s Assassination of Julius Caesar is an auditory delight. Unlike their previous entry on my list, Ulver’s recent albums turn more electronic-sounding, making for eerie, gorgeous soundscapes dripping with mood. I turn to this album quite often.

53. Death – Leprosy (1988)

Like I said, this list is my favourite albums – not the best. While Death has some better albums out there, Leprosy is hands-down my favourite. Watching the evolution of the death metal genre through this album is what really stands out for me. With songs like Choke on It, and my favourite, Pull the Plug, the oozing growth of the death metal genre is on display for all to see. As an aside, I truly appreciate the sound of the snare drum on this album.

52. Dream Theater – Images and Words (1992)

One of my first forays into heavy metal, Dream Theater’s Images and Words literally changed my life. I would listen to this album on a regular basis – going to sleep with in on all throughout high school. I learned many of the songs on bass guitar and even had my own band covering Learning to Live. This album may not be their best, but it’s highly influential to me for many ways. Not to mention the guitar work is out of this world. If you want to hear one of the greatest guitar solos of all-time, listen to John Petrucci’s (and his tone) in Under a Glass Moon.

51. Porcupine Tree – In Absentia (2002)

Again with the drummers: With Gavin Harrison’s arrival, Porcupine Tree evolved (again) to something bigger. With In Absentia, the band’s groove changed. More straight-forward tracks like Blackest Eyes, Trains, and The Sound of Muzak may feel safe, but come with incredible nuance. In addition to songs like .3 and Gravity Eyelids, an awesome depth is brought to the album. It’s powerful, progressive, and most of all, wonderfully executed.

50. Devin Townsend – Empath (2019)

Listed as my favourite album in 2019, Devin Townsend’s Empath is an adventure. Featuring a swath of different musical genres, instruments, and musicians, Empath is a breathtaking wonder to behold. With so much to absorb, each listen presents something new and wonderful. Songs like Why?, Sprite, and the epic Singularity, each are unique, yet come with the flair in songwriting Devin Townsend’s known best for.

49. Kreator – Endless Pain (1985)

Endless Pain is one of my favourite thrash metal albums. Although filled with muddy production, songs like Storm of the Beast and Cry War would lose their charm if polished. Fast and unrelenting, this album was one of the first thrash albums I heard that really knocked me out. Tormentor, Flag of Hate, Total Death: each song unique on their own and a whole lot of fun to listen to.

48. Riverside – Fear, Love and the Time Machine (2015)

Brilliantly sublime, Riverside’s Fear, Love and the Time Machine is a favourite for how it makes me feel. There’s a certain level of serenity that comes with the album which I find hard to find in others. It’s a progressive rock album at heart that comes bundled with ripe emotion and yet this unmistakably subtle calmness.

47. Symphony X – Paradise Lost (2007)

In Paradise Lost you find some of the greatest guitar riffs in the band’s career. With incredible speed and high on its epic scope, Paradise Lost is a ripping good time. From the onset, the blazing guitar work of Michael Romeo along with the raspy vocals of Russell Allen draw you right into the world they’ve created. The rest of the band showcase later on, but by the next song, Domination, Michael Lepond’s bass work will melt your ears and you’ll be hooked.

46. King Diamond – Them (1988)

If I could make a movie out of any album, it would be King Diamond’s Them. A gorgeously written and performed horror story, Them is everything I want from 80s horror movies in my music. While the King himself is an acquired taste, the musicianship is top-notch. Andy LaRocque’s guitar work is out of this world, not to mention the memorable drum fill from Mikkey Dee in Welcome Home, Them is a masterpiece. “From the first cup of tea to the last drop of blood.” I love it.

45. Gorguts – Pleiades’ Dust EP (2016)

Gorguts’ 33-minute long song took me by surprise when I first heard it. It sounded like Gorguts, but with leader Luc LeMay getting the rest of the band’s input – Pleiades’ Dust came with a whole different feel. The lyrically historical song has momentous movements and incredible techniques which are unparalleled in other death metal bands. While Gorguts have changed a bit since their initial debut, Pleiades’ Dust is easily one of the best things they’ve ever done.

44. Motörhead – Overkill (1979)

From the title track to the final song, Overkill is one of the best heavy metal albums from the 70s. Filled with speed and aggression, each song tells a story from the amusingly charismatic Lemmy Kilmister. “Fast” Eddie Clarke and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor of course were the sound of Motörhead – with their raw, unrelenting force. Each song on this album is an A+ for me.

43. Aborted – Retrogore (2016)

There’s something about Retrogore which I absolutely love. On the musical side of things, it’s fast and invasive death metal. Lyrically, it’s a whole lot of fun. The tongue-in-cheek style of Aborted’s love story to classic horror films is something I didn’t know I wanted, nor something I didn’t realize I’d return to again and again.

42. Peter Gabriel – So (1986)

Finalizing this list, I found it weird to see the two albums Peter Gabriel’s So was sandwiched between. I digress. So is a truly a masterpiece in songwriting and musicianship. While appearing as a pop album, So oozes progressive rock through-and-through. I enjoyed every song on the album, but grew an even greater appreciation (especially with This is the Picture) when seeing it performed in its entirety a few years ago.

41. Marillion – Fuck Everyone and Run (F.E.A.R.) (2016)

Their best album since Marbles – and arguably of their career – Marillion’s eighteenth studio album shows that the British band still has the best years ahead of them. F.E.A.R. is moody, depressive, open and honest – portraying the feelings of what the band felt in their country in present time. It’s non-apologetic and features beautiful arrangements. It’s so strongly written, I feel as if F.E.A.R. could be looked upon years later for historical context.

40. Opeth – My Arms, Your Hearse (1998)

I borrowed this CD from a friend in high school, not fully aware what I was getting into. Like Gorguts, I was just really getting to know death metal. I was already familiar with progressive metal, but hadn’t considered what the implications were of the two genres coming together. My Arms, Your Hearse showed me some marvellous endeavours with its back-and-forth changes from intense brutality to the calm and serene. Demon of the Fall, yo.

39. Cannibal Corpse – Torture (2012)

Torture came about in my life when I needed it most. With headphones on, I absorbed this album hard when it was released. Whether it was the crisp production, the insane riffs, or the cacophonous bellowing of Corpsegrinder, I really needed the album in those moments. Since then, I’ve regularly returned to the album with great interest. I also truly appreciate songs like Scourge of Iron which aren’t as fast as traditional death metal, yet come with a brilliant guitar tone and lead.

38. Amorphis – Skyforger (2009)

Becoming more and more melodic, Skyforger was a treat for me. While I have appreciated Amorphis’ music from past to present, Skyforger was yet another one of those albums that were right for me at the right time. With songs like Sampo, From Earth I Rose, and one of my favourite bonus tracks, Godlike Machine, Skyforger is a great mix of heavy and light songs which I absolutely appreciate.

37. Esoteric – A Pyrrhic Existence (2019)

Admittedly, I’ve only been a few years on the Esoteric bandwagon, but A Pyrrhic Existence is simply gorgeous. The funeral doom band created ebbs and flows of emotions – a slow build and a slow burn. It’s dark, bleak, and exhausting, with the music becoming more philosophical than engaging. This two-disc album is chock full of density and suffering, making it a powerful album in its own right.

36. Arcturus – The Sham Mirrors (2002)

Trying to nail down Arcturus is nearly impossible. They’re whatever they want to be – and The Sham Mirrors is an unapologetic testament to that. Compressed to all hell, it’s avant-garde, black metal, progressive, and at times, lo-fi. The album cohesively swings in various directions, constantly engaging the listener with something wild and new. I find myself regularly absorbed to the strange tones it offers – tones which I can only find on this album.

35. Damon Albarn & Michael Nyman – Ravenous (1999)

Featuring Blur (and Gorillaz) leader Damon Albarn, my all-time favourite soundtrack – I swear I could write a full-blown essay about each song. After watching the movie, I had to grab this album. From the bizarre time signature banjo-twang in Boyd’s Journey to its orchestral reprise in the End Titles, Ravenous has some of the best music I have ever heard in my entire life. No doubt.

34. Strapping Young Lad – City (1997)

While they’d later coin a song called Shitshow, SYL’s City first came across as that. The aggressive, overwhelming nature of the band’s extremity is eye-opening and an absolute shock to the uninitiated. Powerful is an understatement when explaining City. With the Atomic Clock himself, Gene Hoglan on drums, Devin Townsend’s first real foray into aggression made a statement to the heavy metal world which still resonates to this day.

33. Judas Priest – Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

What a classic. For their second album, Judas Priest cemented themselves into heavy metal. With bluesy guitar riffs and Rob Halford’s now-famous wail, Sad Wings is a joy to jump into time and time again. With so many great tracks, everything stands out. I’ll give it to Island of Domination for that wonderful, raspy growl by Halford though.

32. The Tangent – A Place in the Queue (2006)

Bright and cheery – The Tangent’s A Place in the Queue has always had a soft spot in my heart. Not overly embellishing the progressive rock label, APitQ still manages to feature quite a bit without ever going “too prog.” Tastefully written and enjoyably produced, APitQ takes me on a wonderous progressive journey and brings a smile to my face each time.

31. Agalloch – Marrow of the Spirit (2010)

I’ll just say it now: this is the only Agalloch album on my list, folks. I appreciate The Mantle, Pale Folklore, and Of Stone, Wind, and Pillor, but Marrow of the Spirit has to be my favourite Agalloch album. If I went for “best album” list, yeah, maybe the three I listed would be ahead. Alas, Marrow of the Spirit is a favourite of mine due to its heavier shift into black and doom metal. More aggressive than previous releases, the more “natural” sound of the album, as well as the higher production, makes this album really stand out for me. That, and Black Lake Niðstång, of course.

30. Ozric Tentacles – Jurassic Shift (1993)

For their fourth album, Ozric Tentacles gave me what the album title actually was: a Jurassic Shift. Strange, almost-prehistoric feelings are captured on the album. There’s a lot of emotion with the instrumentation and the thought process behind the music is surely acknowledged. Songs like Pteranodon actually feel like the word, while Feng Shui is a brilliantly moody journey I love to go on. This album would be a trip on mind-altering substances.

29. Pain of Salvation – The Perfect Element Pt. 1 (2000)

In their third concept album, Pain of Salvation’s TPE is a progressive metal journey exploring emotional landscapes and struggles of one’s self. While a lot of progressive concept albums seemed to focus on a particular story – and usually science-fiction – TPE is brought back to Earth and delved into the two individuals and their emotions. With musical crescendos and emotional weight, TPE came at a time for me when I was still developing my understanding for music. This album helped me get where I am today.

28. Gorguts – Obscura (1998)

Obscura was one of my first forays into death metal. It’s muddy, dissonant guitars – the howling from LeMay – admittedly, this was a tough album to absorb at first. Nowadays, I spin it regularly. Technical achievements aside, every song feels like a movement: an orchestral piece that just happens to be using death metal as the backdrop. Obscura is just a very engaging album.

27. Anathema – A Fine Day to Exit (2001)

I could easily have every Anathema album in this list, but I had to keep myself from going overboard. A Fine Day to Exit resonates with me for many reasons – but primarily for its lyrical content. It strikes so close to home for me, every album spin is as if I’m having a friend over for a visit. With many songwriting credits going to drummer John Douglas, the stand-out song on the album has to go to Daniel Cavanagh with a personal favourite of mine, Temporary Peace.

26. Savatage – Hall of the Mountain King (1987)

Easily one of the most underrated heavy metal bands in existence, before Trans-Siberian Orchestra, there was Savatage. Hall of the Mountain King was, and still is, a master lesson in guitar technique and operatic song writing. With each song having their own unique feel to them, the album is still cohesive and ultimately one of the most powerful heavy metal albums on Earth. Each song is a blast to listen and sing along to, and quite frankly, this album always puts me in a great mood. Madness reigns, my friends.

25. Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast (1982)

If there’s one quintessential heavy metal album on everyone’s list as “most important,” I’m sure Number of the Beast is in everyone’s top 10, if not 20. With so much literal power and strength behind this release, I literally can feel myself fill with adrenaline on each spin. For singer Bruce Dickinson’s debut – he comes out smashing. With major singles, Run to the Hills and The Number of the Beast, this album is always a good time.

24. The Gathering – Nighttime Birds (1997)

Dark. Moody. Gothic. All used to describe Nighttime Birds, but also to describe the massive presence of lead singer, Anneke van Giersbergen. From the haunting vocal harmonies in the title track, to the incredibly passionate The Earth is My Witness – The Gathering absolutely blow me away with this album. While I debated having both Mandylion and How to Measure a Planet? on this list, I felt Nighttime Birds was the strongest album for me on an emotional level. It needed to be singled out.

23. Frank Zappa – Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)

I honestly had always said this was my favourite Zappa album. Then I placed it on here versus the other album on my list, and quite frankly(!), I surprised myself. Roxy, however, is one of the most insane live albums I have ever heard. Recorded over four nights, the musicianship of The Mothers and Frank is astonishing. I listen to this regularly just to feel the music – to enjoy what was written – and to have a great time. You should do yourself a favour and grab a Blu-ray copy of the concert.

22. Wormrot – Hiss (2022)

In a league of its own – Wormrot’s Hiss is not only one of the best grindcore albums I’ve ever heard, but one of the best albums that’s ever been graced to my ears. I still regularly spin this album. It’s agressive and digestible myriad of genres brings auditory joy to my ears while still making me feel something. And if one is looking to feel, this album is chock-full of feelings – good, bad, happy, sad, and mad. It wouldn’t surprise me to see this album move up my list over time.

21. Triptykon – Melana Chasmata (2014)

Like Celtic Frost, I appreciate Triptykon because of the raw ambition and emotion Tom G. Warrior brings to the band. Each song is a journey into both the extreme and despair; crushing and squeezing the feelings from your chest. From the brutality of the Tree of Suffocating Souls to the slow burning, haunting track Aurorae, Melana Chasmata is an extreme trip to go on.

20. Judas Priest – Painkiller (1990)

An overwhelmingly positive experience, Judas Priest’s twelfth album is easily one of the most aggressive ones the band had ever released. Still to this day, I spin this album and wonder how the band pulled Painkiller off after a series of lackluster albums. From front to back, Painkiller is ferocious with its screaming guitars and battering double kicks. Halford’s simply on another level on this album.

19. Camel – Mirage (1974)

I hate how criminally underrated Camel are. With such a strong discography, especially with their 70s output, it boggles my mind. Both Camel and Yes were dramatically important to me in my early music years. Songs like Freefall and The Doors-inspired Lady Fantasy are awesome in their own right. But the meat and potatoes of this album are sandwiched in-between. Supertwister, The White Rider, and Earthrise are all entrancing tracks and a prog fan’s delight.

18. Green Carnation – The Acoustic Verses (2006)

If there’s one album I’ve listened to the most, it’s Green Carnation’s The Acoustic Verses. The dark, progressive-acoustic tendencies are still something I haven’t heard on any other album. I listen to this album to feel “at home.” It’s simply a beautifully haunting album I that I love.

17. Steven Wilson – Hand. Cannot. Erase. (2015)

This touching, emotionally driven concept album blends both pop music and progressive rock together into a remarkably thought-provoking and honest piece of art. With guest vocalist Ninet Tayeb, Wilson evokes a wide assortment of feelings from the world he created. I appreciate the album for Wilson’s drive to not only to create it but for the new ground he broke with its release.

16. Iron Maiden – Powerslave (1984)

With some of the most memorable singles in the band’s catalogue (and arguably one of their worst songs from their 80s output – looking at you, Back in the Village), Powerslave is a monumental triumph. Featuring one of the band’s longest songs, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the album has everything in the heavy metal genre one would want: flashy solos, incredible riffs, imaginative lyrics, powerful choruses – the list goes on and on. Powerslave is just so much fun and Iron Maiden makes sure you feel it.

15. Frank Zappa – Waka/Jawaka (1972)

After getting pushed off the stage at a show in Germany, Zappa was confined to a wheelchair and couldn’t tour with a band. Instead, he went into writing orchestral arrangements, and holy smokes, I guess I love it more than Roxy & Elsewhere. With Waka/Jawaka, Zappa blends jazz fusion, progressive rock, and big band into some of the most elaborately strange, yet imaginative music of the man’s 70s output. Bookended with two awesome instrumentals, Waka/Jawaka is my go-to Zappa album because, well, I don’t know why! I just love it.

14. Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)

As one of the more modern concept albums on my list, Fear of a Blank Planet touches upon subjects which are still talked about today: society’s influence, drug use, mind-control, pharmaceuticals, depression, ADHD, and more. With the awesome musicians behind him, Steven Wilson knocks it out of the park with one of the most distinguished prog rock albums of the new millennium.

13. Celtic Frost – Monotheist (2006)

A widely celebrated return, Celtic Frost’s Monotheist was the band’s first album with Tom G. Warrior and Martin Eric Ain together since 1987’s Into the Pandemonium. The end result is not only one of the greatest returns in music, but one of the greatest extreme metal albums I’ve ever heard. There’s so much offered in this album, I could write about every track in great detail. Just listen to A Dying God Coming into Human Flesh and Domain of Decay.

12. Sólstafir – Svartir Sandar (2011)

I cannot explain how Sólstafir’s fourth album, Svartir Sandar got to be so impactful in my life, but it did, and I don’t even understand the lyrics! Featuring an intriguing mix of metal and rock music, the Icelandic band managed to impress me with their double-disc release. Perhaps it’s the sounds the band creates with e-bows, or the fact that each song somehow feels like I’m outside in an open field in Iceland – Svartir Sandar is just a raw show of talent with an arguably minimalistic approach.

11. Megadeth – Rust in Peace (1990)

Hands-down one of the most important thrash metal albums in existence, Rust in Peace was on repeat for a good three to four years of my life. Featuring some of the greatest guitar work imaginable, Megadeth absolutely took the world by storm with this unrelenting thrash-fest. Both Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman are mind-blowing on this album – especially in tracks Hangar 18, and a personal favourite, Tornado of Souls. Each spin of this album is like hearing it for the first time for me.

10. Savatage – Gutter Ballet (1989)

I didn’t know heavy metal could be so dramatic until Gutter Ballet graced my ears. With the raspy vocals of Jon Oliva and his brother, the untouchable Criss Oliva on guitar, Gutter Ballet is truly a masterpiece. The title track alone is worth the price of admission, but the album offers so much more. Catchy tunes like She’s in Love and Mentally Yours are standouts for Jon, but tracks like Of Rage and War and Silk and Steel show the awesome guitar work of Criss, a man still greatly missed in the world of music.

9/8. Anathema – Weather Systems (2012)

I’ve always said Weather Systems is a beautifully sad album. It’s uplifting, poetic, and sincere. It tugs at your heart-strings while giving you a giant hug. The wonderful emotional journey Anathema takes you on with Weather Systems is unparalleled to any other band out there. Sonically stunning, the band performs out of this world. An outstanding triumph, it’s one of the most comforting albums I have ever come across and I’m glad to have it in my life.

8/9. Triptykon – Eparistera Daimones (2010)

In contrast, there’s Eparistera Daimones, a beautifully angry album. It’s bleak, dark, and aggressive. It tugs at your heart-strings while keeping you at a distance. The brutally honest journey Triptykon takes you on with Eparistera Daimones is unparalleled to any other band out there. Unapologetically doused in pain, the band suffocates you with their lyrics. Purposefully damaged, it’s one of the most candid albums I have ever come across and I’m glad to have it in my life.

7. Kyuss – Blues for the Red Sun (1992)

If you were to listen to any music I recorded from high school (which regrettably does exist), all of my bass guitar lines will sound like something out of a Kyuss album. To state how influential this album was to my music playing could never be emphasized enough. This metal/stoner rock blend is mixed with straight-forward tunes and some strangeness. Apothecaries Weight and Writhe stand out as exceptional songs, while other tracks like Caterpillar March and Freedom Run strike the stoner rock mantel. It’s an incredibly solid album which I would gladly take with me on any deserted island.

6. Yes – Close to the Edge (1972)

After the commercial success of Fragile with Roundabout, Yes released one of the most daunting albums in their career: Close to the Edge. With only three songs, this near-39-minute album solidified the band as progressive rock legends. All three songs have different meanings in my life and all three are some of the most uplifting songs I have ever heard. While the title track is most notable for its variations in music, it’s And You and I and Siberian Khatru which take the cake as personal favourites of mine.

5. King Crimson – Red (1974)

After Yes’ Close to the Edge, drummer Bill Bruford left the band to join King Crimson. On Red, King Crimson changed my life. Robert Fripp, John Wetton, and Bill Bruford completely altered my perspective of musical understanding with this album. The final track, Starless, is guaranteed to have me in goose bumps and shedding tears at its climax. Quick story: when I was in a recording studio back in 2007, I told the producer Red was one of my favourite albums. He told me he remembered it coming out when he was young. He said he was smoking weed and listening to the album – and he felt like he wanted to kill himself and he hadn’t listened to it since that day. His loss.

4. Carcass – Heartwork (1993)

I didn’t realize heavy metal, let alone death metal, could be this melodic. Heartwork is an album I know from front to back and will blast in my car on a regular basis. It’s groovy, powerful, and drenched in brilliance. It’s arguably one of the best metal albums of all-time. For me, however, it impacted how I approach music – detuned guitars were suddenly possible; death metal could be polished and sound ferociously beautiful. The title track is a testament to that. However, other songs like the snare variations in No Love Lost, or the crunching guitars in the intro of Death Certificate showcase some of the more intricate ideas the album has to offer. Next to The Acoustic Verses, I think I’ve listened to Heartwork the most.

3. Yes – Fragile (1971)

There’s a kind of magic captured on Fragile which makes it one of my favourite albums of all-time. The focus on strong songwriting and storytelling is nearly unmatched with Yes’ classic line up. The hit single Roundabout aside, proggy songs like South Side of the Sky, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart of the Sunrise showcase some of the best Yes has to offer in their whole catalogue. Yet Fragile also showcases the band members themselves – with five dedicated songs to each one of the musicians in the band. Mood for a Day continues to teach young guitarists fundamentals, while the vocally harmonious We Have Heaven has a reprise in the band’s 1999 album, The Ladder.

The thing about Fragile is that it flows in waves, being bright and cheery, down to moody, then back up again – all the while featuring awesome transitions between songs. South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise are two of Yes’ best tracks with incredible atmosphere created by their newly acquired keyboardist Rick Wakeman.

I’ve defaulted to Fragile more than once for a solid pick-me-up. Any time this album performs, I’m suddenly a different person – excited as if I’m hearing this album again for the first time. There’s nothing else quite like Yes, and there’s certainly nothing else similar to Fragile.

2. Green Carnation – Light of Day, Day of Darkness (2001)

At just over one hour long, LoDDoD can be considered as a religious experience. I’ve been fortunate to see it performed in its entirety – and it is stunningly awesome. A mix of both doom and progressive metal, LoDDoD has been with me since the beginning of me delving into heavy metal music. There have been many bus trips in my youth where I would listen to this album on repeat; my go-to catharsis.

Although daunting to listen to, there’s much variation in the song. Powerful arrangements featuring stringed instruments, saxophone, and different vocalists, LoDDoD goes through so many powerful emotions to draw the listener in.

The album’s momentous effect on my life rarely gets talked about as I completely understand most people won’t give their time to absorb the intensity the album brings – it requires your complete attention and then asks for your thoughts when it’s done. This is an album that you either get, or you don’t. I’m happy it is a part of my life.

1. Devin Townsend – Terria (2001)

Simply put, Terria is my mind on paper. While I may not share the same personal experiences and hardships as Devin Townsend, I relate to every single one of the songs on the album – front to back. There’s a lot Terria offers, and I could easily write multiple essays on each song, but words could never truly express the connection I have with it.

Terria’s the album I’ve laughed along with the most, thought about the most, and cried along with the most. It’s the album which inspires me to write and perform. With Townsend’s signature “wall of sound” ever so present on the album, I regularly find myself hearing new things on an album I’ve listened to for nearly twenty years.

While the music is not nearly as polished compared to Townsend’s later work, he wore his heart on his sleeve with it. With the semi-goofiness of Earth Day, to the tongue-in-cheek Canada, or the deeply honest Nobody’s Here and Tiny Tears, Terria is both Devin’s and my emotions translated into musical form.

To the uninitiated, the album starts off as very jarring to take on. However, by Deep Peace, the album levels out. By the end, the album comes around full-circle and the jarring feeling is gone. It’s gone because it is understood by the end of the story. In that story, Townsend takes the listener’s hand and carries them along his mental journey. I offered this album my hand years ago and haven’t let go.