Rock epic recommendations

[Avatar of Justice]

I'm looking for long epic works of rock (probably progressive) that tell a story. So far I'm aware of

Rush - 2112
Rush - Hemispheres
Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
The Protomen

Anyone know of some good ones?

[Kitsuta]

Is Avantasia considered rock? It's more along the lines of metal...

Also look into Blind Guardian's "Nightfall in Middle Earth". You should be able to guess what it's about from the title.

EDIT: If I recall, Blind Guardian is quite similar to Symphony X. And Avantasia is pretty similar to BG. So you should like both.

[Majin GeoDooD]

I know little about Queensryche, but they have their Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II. The first is supposed to be better from what I've read.

Wikipedia says:

Operation: Mindcrime is Queensrÿche's third full-length album, which was released on May 3, 1988. It is a concept album about a man becoming disillusioned with American society, and joining in a conspiratorial plot to assassinate its corrupt leaders, with spoken dialogue between songs that advances the story and ties the songs together.

[Blake]

This may not fit, but truly epic:

Nightwish- Ghost Love Score

Nightwish- Creek Mary's Blood

[Black Starre]

Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory (Part 1 can be found as a 10 minute track on their album "Images & Words")

Spock's Beard - Snow

Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (this is a headache to figure out, but has to be mentioned when you talk about concept albums)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, while primarily doing Christmas stuff, always does concept albums with storylines. They have 3 Christmas albums:
Christmas Eve & Other Stories
The Christmas Attic
The Lost Christmas Eve
Also 1 non-Christmas disc, called "Beethoven's Last Night." A bit melodramatic at times, but good stuff nonetheless. Probably more to come, but this was off the top of my head.

Ayreon - The Human Equation - Prog album about a guy that gets into a car wreck. Different singers portray different characters while he's in a coma and the story comes out. Good music all around- features the singers from Dream Theater, Opeth, Saviour Machine (obscure band specializing in epic stuff), among others.

Alice Cooper - The Last Temptation I don't know that I'd call it epic, but it is rock and does have a storyline.

Oh, and also (done after this one...):
Opeth - Ghost Reveries Apparently a concept album, though I haven't looked into the story of it yet. Only got it recently.

Coheed & Cambria - Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV, Vol I Also a recent purchase. Hope this doesn't get me branded as OMGEMOFGT. I do enjoy the album so far, though. Oddly enough, a lot of their lead guitar lines remind me of the Minibosses- I think it's something in the production. They draw comparisons to Rush particularly for the guys voice. Don't know what the hell the story is about, but there certainly seems to be one.

[Bahamut]

Blind Guardian's "Nightfall in Middle Earth". You should be able to guess what it's about from the title.

Nightwish- Ghost Love Score

Nightwish- Creek Mary's Blood

Also,

Iron Maiden - The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (on the 'Powerslave' album - it may be fairly tough to get into on first listen, so I'd advise following along with the lyrics)
Iron Maiden - The Clansman
Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys (on the 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II' album, same deal with the Iron Maiden song)
Ayreon - The Universal Migrator (album - just amazing)
Ayreon - The Human Equation (album - a metal opera!)
Angra - Temple of Shadows (album - this is a must-have album)
Manowar - Achilles, Agony and Ecstasy In Eight Parts (from the 'Triumph of Steel' album)

[Black Starre]

Ayreon - The Universal Migrator (album - just amazing)

Is that the one that starts with some business about resurrecting backwards in time or something? "No one has ever ___ this far before..."?

I only own Human Equation, and while I liked what I heard on Migrator musically the lyrics were tough to get by sometimes. Then again, Human Equation has that "Motion personified alpha" line so I guess one just makes peace with it, eh?

EDIT: Want to emphasize in my previous post- the Dream Theater album is my own "must own" of that list- I think they're all worth the price of admission, but that is arguably the best album of their career, and I feel describing it as a masterpiece isn't an overstatement. There's a live DVD of the entire album available that is also worthwhile- if for nothing else than to see that they really can pull it off live (though Live at Budokan is a much better DVD production).

[Blake]

I like this thread.

[yangfeili]

Galneryus - The Flag of Punishment

They ought to contribute to a Castlevania soundtrack some time.

[Black Starre]

I like this thread.

Me too, but I'm beginning to think that my wallet doesn't.

[The Xyco]

Pretty much anything by Blind Guardian.

I'd also like to add that their new album is amazing.

[Bahamut]

Is that the one that starts with some business about resurrecting backwards in time or something? "No one has ever ___ this far before..."?

I only own Human Equation, and while I liked what I heard on Migrator musically the lyrics were tough to get by sometimes. Then again, Human Equation has that "Motion personified alpha" line so I guess one just makes peace with it, eh?

EDIT: Want to emphasize in my previous post- the Dream Theater album is my own "must own" of that list- I think they're all worth the price of admission, but that is arguably the best album of their career, and I feel describing it as a masterpiece isn't an overstatement. There's a live DVD of the entire album available that is also worthwhile- if for nothing else than to see that they really can pull it off live (though Live at Budokan is a much better DVD production).

I own all of the Ayreon albums - I'm a big Ayreon fan, and have friends who're even crazier about them than me. The split seems to be between those two albums though - personally I'm one that leans towards the Universal Migrator, since it captures more of that epic sound that I love.

As for Dream Theater, I feel there're other better Dream Theater albums, especially Images & Words. Also, their new live DVD/CD "Score XX" is a great supplement. This thread is more about epic though.

[RamRod]

Television - Marquee Moon
Van Halen - Van Halen
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

I kinda took from three different books there, but the Lamb Dies Down On Broadway by Genesis mentioned above is always a great selection and quite possibly the best one so far in this thread.

[OA]

Symphony X - The Odyssey
Opeth - Blackwater Park
Any Rhapsody albums if you can stand the cheese

[Cecilff2]

The Rick Wakeman "Journey to the Center of the Earth" album has about a 40 minute long story. Two songs in the entire thing. Parts of it are rock some are more orchestrated.

[PriZm]

Symphony X - The Odyssey, as already mentioned
Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons
Dream Theater - Octavarium
Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Dream Theater - finally Free (part of Metropolis part II)
Dream Theater - Learning to Live
Evanescence - Your Star
Christina Aguilera - The Right Man
Andromeda - II=I
Andromeda - Extension of the Wish
Shadow Gallery - First Light
Shadow Gallery - Cliffhanger
Liquid Tension Experiment - When the Water Breaks
Genesis - Selling England by the Pound
Pink Floyd - Shine on your Crazy Diamond
Steve Vai - Melissa's Garden
Porcupine Tree - Arriving Somewhere but not Here

and... well, as far as concept album are concerned Symphony X The Mythology Suite really did it for me.

[parasoul]

As far as albums go:

Dream Theater - Scenes from a Memory
Ayreon - The Human Equation (my favorite album ever)
Ayreon - Into the Electric Castle
Ayreon - Universal Migrator
Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime (only part 1, part 2 is worthless)
Blind Guardian - Nightfall in Middle Earth
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve and Other Stories
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Beethoven's Last Night

Not yet mentioned:

Shadow Gallery - Tyranny/Room V...put together, it's a fantastic 2.5 hour prog metal story.
Aina - Metal Opera (it's, like, a metal opera)
Emperor - Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise (if you like black metal)

Lots of good songs mentioned already, but also:

Iced Earth - Gettysburg: The Devil to Pay, Hold at All Costs, & High Water Mark (classic/power metal, 3 parts, 30 minutes total, you will probably learn more about Gettysburg in this song than you did in history class)
Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines (death metal, 4 parts)

It's funny how about 7 of my favorite 10 albums are concept albums.

[andyjayne]

Other than the ones already recommended I'd go for Adagio - Underworld. Probably my favourite progressive metal album right now. For some modern neo-progressive rock I recommend Frost - Milliontown.

[FiremanJoe]

I like this thread.
Me too, but I'm beginning to think that my internet connection doesn't.

Good thread. The Ayreon and other power metal albums are seconded. Also try out some Opeth; not everyone's into growling, but if you're ok with that, there are some epic songs in their catalogue.
(Being a vgm site, how about some of the Dwelling of Duels entries? there are some damn epic Metroid guitar mixes there =D)

[hamburglar]

Man, everyone's beaten me at mentioning Dream Theater, but I'll just mention it again to emphasize how much they kick ass. Another good song is Glory of the Empire by the band Circus Maximus.

[Sunflare]

More epic metal:

Helloween - The Dark Ride
Axel Rudy Pell - every single album
Edguy - The Piper Never dies (on the Hellfire club album)
Edguy - The Pharaoh (on the Mandrake album)
Bruce Dickinson - Tears of a dragon
Deep Purple - Child in time (can't go wrong with this one)
Iron Maiden - Pashendale
Gamma Ray - Rebellion in Dreamland
Hammerfall - Glory to the brave
Therion - To mega therion
Therion - Ginnungagap

[Hemophiliac]

Prophet of the Last Eclipse (album) by Luca Turrilli

[Kitsuta]

This thread rocks.

*gets shot*

More seriously though, I'm gonna need to check out some of these guys. I can't have only three(okay, four if you count Nightwish but so far I only like two of their songs) power/melodic/speed/whatever the fuck they call themselves metal bands!

[ifirit]

If anyone hasn't checked out Avenged Sevenfold (http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/)'s last album City of Evil, I highly recommend it. Although, there is no definitive storyline to follow, the entire album as a whole unfolds like an epic. Subsequently, I learned about it by reading Akira Yamaoka's blog.

[Black Starre]

You want to hear something awesome?

Look up Babylon Mystery Orchestra.


By way or warning, it's probably my least favorite in my nearly 1000 discs, just to emphasize how much I do not like it. I own it through only the blackest, most foul deed of trickery and deceit, but regardless, I am glad I do, in a terrible way.

To be fair, it's really just the guys voice that makes it stand out. When I hear him, all I can think of is that "goth" sketch from SNL with the kid in his garage getting beat up by his jock brother. Seriously.

If anyone hasn't checked out Avenged Sevenfold (http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/)'s last album City of Evil, I highly recommend it. Although, there is no definitive storyline to follow, the entire album as a whole unfolds like an epic. Subsequently, I learned about it by reading Akira Yamaoka's blog.

Yeah, I like these guys. They aren't the best songwriters ever- that is, while they play very well and write good parts, sometimes I feel like the songs aren't the most distinctive and can tend to run together (but that's not really a problem when you're looking for something "epic" is it?). But, it's fun and very nice to hear good technical work in popular rock again.

Couple others to point out:
Echolyn - Mei The whole disc is one song, doesn't get much more epic than that. It's quite a listen, and while these guys seem to be little known, I really like what I've heard.

Neal Morse - Testimony a note on this one, it's the primary songwriter/singer from Spock's Beard, who has gone solo since converting to Christianity and this album is about his conversion. If that subject matter would get to you, you won't enjoy the album- but, it really is a good album on its own merits. The same kind of prog/pop Spock's Beard put out, essentially. Also, Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater handled the drum duties so can't go wrong there.

[Dagda Mor]

If power metal counts, then Kamelot's last two albums have been telling a faustian-esque story.

[Bahamut]

Gamma Ray - Rebellion in Dreamland

Oh man, I forgot this song. Gamma Ray is excellent for their epic sounds.

If anyone hasn't checked out Avenged Sevenfold (http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/)'s last album City of Evil, I highly recommend it. Although, there is no definitive storyline to follow, the entire album as a whole unfolds like an epic. Subsequently, I learned about it by reading Akira Yamaoka's blog.

Can't say I like the album, but there's one song on it that has this hackneyed epic sound to it, 'Trashed And Scattered'. For some reason I like it, even if it's not the best song ever.

[Black Starre]

Can't say I like the album, but there's one song on it that has this hackneyed epic sound to it, 'Trashed And Scattered'. For some reason I like it, even if it's not the best song ever.

I really liked what they did for Sidewinder- the long acoustic, almost classical outro. I think that might be my favorite part of the album.

[Bahamut]

I also forgot:

Blind Guardian - And Then There Was Silence

Power metal in general is a great place to look if you want epic modern music. parasoul's suggestions are also good listens, although I was rather unimpressed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra album 'Beethoven's Last night'. Also, don't overlook the Manowar song because it's Manowar - it's a great ~30 minute song.

[Sunflare]

I also forgot:

Blind Guardian - And Then There Was Silence


I don't like the album version of this song , but when I saw them live it was something else...
I think you fond a live version on the "Imaginations through the looking glass" DVD, but I'm not sure.

Also , Thy Majestie : For Orleans or Siege of Paris

[XeLa89]

The song "Blade" by Frameshift is the most epic song I have ever heard. Also worth noting is "Light of Day, Day of Darkness" by Green Carnation. That song is more than an hour long.

[EdgeCrusher]

I feel that in a whole, the complete Failure - Fantastic Planet album is pretty epic. Only song that doesn't fit in for me is Leo.