This list is meant to be an extensive, but by no means exhaustive, collection of the greatest (modern) metal albums and eps. Running the gamut from avant-garde to trve norweigan black metal. *As someone who is young in age, my tastes tend to revolve around the period of the 80s to the present.* Although certain metal albums from before will certainly be featured, the period of the 60s-70s will be under-represented. I refer you to this excellent list to gain a better appreciation for some of the best metal from that period: https://rateyourmusic.com/list/freis/martin_popoffs_the_top_500_heavy_metal_albums_of_all_time/

1.Aara - En Ergô Einai

2.Aarni - Bathos

3.Aaskereia - Dort, Wo Das Alte Böse Ruht

4.Aastraal - Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum

5.AATHMA - Avesta

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My personal favorite studio albums of 2011

1.Ghost Brigade - Until Fear No Longer Defines Us

2.Haken - Visions

3.Moonsorrow - Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa

4.Machine Head - Unto The Locust

5.Mastodon - The Hunter

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So here we are again . After many years of dedication and love to this music that we call progressive metal, here are some of the best albums that ever existed and made the earth a better place . Give to these albums the attention and the respect they deserve and you will be fully awarded. I think i will try and limit this list to 3 cd's maximum per band to make this thing more challenging .

1.Dan Swanö - Moontower

2.Cynic - Traced In Air

3.Cynic - Focus

4.Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini

5.Enslaved - Ruun

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Sort of stumbled upon Anubis Gate. Not too often do you see the bassist as lead singer/frontman of the band. It's hard to place the specific sound of the band since they're a blend of power and progressive metal. They're a great band that I would highly recommend checking out.

1.Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate

2.Anubis Gate - Andromeda Unchained

3.Anubis Gate - Horizons

4.Anubis Gate - The Detached

5.Anubis Gate - A Perfect Forever

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My favorite progressive metal albums (derived/mixed genres included). Lot of stuff still missing here since I have a terrible memory I think everything here is at least 8,5/10.

Please, feel free to drop suggestions. I'd love to make it more or less complete one day.

I will eventually rate these albums too...

1.Dream Theater - Awake

2.Dream Theater - Images And Words

3.Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

4.Dream Theater - Train Of Thought

5.Redemption - Snowfall On Judgment Day

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Without following any specific order. Some albums are more power/symphonic/thrash than prog but for some reasons i thought they deserved a place in this list.

1.Pain Of Salvation - Remedy Lane

2.Guilt Machine - On This Perfect Day

3.Circus Maximus - The 1st Chapter

4.Opeth - Blackwater Park

5.Sun Caged - The Lotus Effect

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1.Insomnium - One For Sorrow

2.Omnium Gatherum - New World Shadows

3.Symphony X - Iconoclast

4.Concerto Moon - Savior Never Cry

5.Brymir - Breathe Fire To The Sun

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This is retrospective ranking of the albums I listened to in 2011. The list is a work-in-progress and the order is likely to change.

10 - Godly Album. Will likely listen to at least once a week for a decade.
9 - Fantastic Album. Will be a classic I remember even in senility.
8 - Great Album. Will recommend to friends.

1.Obscura - Omnivium

2.SubRosa - No Help For The Mighty Ones

3.Paul Wardingham - Assimilate Regenerate

4.Blotted Science - The Animation Of Entomology

5.Protest The Hero - Scurrilous

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1.Rhapsody Of Fire - From Chaos To Eternity

2.Symphony X - Iconoclast

3.Nightwish - Imaginaerum

4.Stratovarius - Elysium

5.Versailles - Holy Grail

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Some are no brainer top albums, some are personal favorites.

1.Metallica - Kill 'Em All

2.Metal Church - Metal Church

3.Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden

4.Iron Maiden - Killers

5.Witchery - Restless & Dead

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1.Obscura - Omnivium

2.Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy

3.Born Of Osiris - The Discovery

4.Magic Pie - The Suffering Joy

5.Moonsorrow - Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa

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1.Riot - Immortal Soul

2.Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy

3.Leprous - Bilateral

4.Symphony X - Iconoclast

5.Nightwish - Imaginaerum

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probably still not finished...

1.Chthonic - Takasago Army

2.Symphony X - Iconoclast

3.Orpheus Omega - Bleed The Way

4.Iced Earth - Dystopia

5.Russian Circles - Empros

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Purely subjective list based on personal preferences for the year, unrelated to mass opinion of an album or a band's abilities (e.g. Trivium, Oranssi Pazuzu) - many albums lined up to listen to so will increase in size. Also, not entirely in order, middle order mainly just an approximation.

1.Sylosis - Edge Of The Earth

2.Protest The Hero - Scurrilous

3.Infestus - E x I s t

4.Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times

5.Ouroboros - Glorification Of A Myth

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Even in 2012 (update: 2013), 2011 still isn't too hot a year for me. Still, new stuff keeps on coming, and 2012 itself is looking pretty good, so I'll forgive it. New in the new year is the lack of ratings. It's bothersome, especially since I've decided to sacrifice a few newborns and (retrospectively and retroactively) rate on RYM.

1.Hell - Human Remains

2.SubRosa - No Help For The Mighty Ones

3.Anubis Gate - Anubis Gate

4.Hammers Of Misfortune - 17th Street

5.Mastodon - The Hunter

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