1) 
Dream
Theater has become the definitive 90's progressive metal band. Dream Theater
was actually the first band of this genre that I became aware of. Their style
has undergone a somewhat substantial change over the years. I suppose if I had
to describe their sound I would say that it's kind of like Pink
Floyd meets Journey meets Metallica
meets Kansas.
Dream Theater Current Lineup
drum
guitar
vocal
keyboard
bass
Dream Theater Discography
When Dream and Day Unite (1989) |
 Images and Words (1992) |
Live
at the Marquee (1993) |
 Awake
(1994 ) |
A
Change Of Seasons (EP) (1995) |
 Falling
Into Infinity (1997)
|
Once In A LIVE time (1998) |
Metropolis
Pt 2: Scenes From a Memory (1999) |
Live Scenes from New York
(2001) |
 Six
Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002) |
If I had to choose a single band to be my favorite , I definitely would say that my favorite band would be Savatage. Their style has evolved greatly over the years (all for the better). What started off as a pretty typical Black Sabbath / Judas Priest sort of metal band has transformed (under the direction of producer Paul O'Neill) to a more mature, symphonic, powerful, melodic, almost Broadway musical style band with tremendous talent and production. Some of what they do with vocal melodies and multi-part harmonies remind me of some of the Queen stuff I have heard, but the rest of their sound remains, for the most part, completely indefinable.
Savatage Current Lineup
Savatage Discography
Sirens (1983) |
The Dungeons Are Calling (1984) |
Power Of The Night (1985) |
 Fight For The Rock (1986) |
Hall Of The Mountain King (1987) |
 Gutter Ballet (1989)
|
Streets (1991) |
 Edge Of Thorns (1993) |
Handful Of Rain (1994) |
 Japan Live '94 (1998) |
Dead Winter Dead (1995) |
 Final Bell (1995)
|
From The Gutter To The Stage (1996) |
 The Wake Of Magellan (1997/1998) |
Believe (1998) |
 Poets And Madmen (2001) |
Asia is definitely one of the best '80s rock groups. The first lineup was John Wetton (King Crimson), Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), Steve Howe (Yes), and Geoff Downes (Buggles). Their first album brought them to the top of the charts. their second album also was successful. However, its follow-up, Astra, was a flop. The group disbanded in 1985, only to reunite in 1990 without John Wetton; John Payne took his place. After churning out a couple of new songs for a greatest-hits collection, the band hit the road, including two sold-out dates in front of 20,000 fans in Moscow, of all places. Thereafter, they toured sporadically and released the albums Aqua (in 1992), Aria (in 1994), Arena (in 1996) and Aura (2001).
Asia Current Lineup
Asia Discography
Asia (1982) |
 Alpha (1983) |
Astra (1985) |
 Now & Then
(1990) |
Live in Moscow (1991) |
 Aqua (1992)
|
Aria (1994) |
 Arena (1996) |
Aura
(2001) |
I firstly came to know Boston through its third album ("Third Stage"). "Third Stage" has good singles like "Amanda", "We're ready" and others. That album was very impressive for me at that time. This album made me like Boston. Boston is the rock group behind one of the fastest-selling debut albums in history, The debut LP shot immediately to the top of the charts, and remained the best-selling pop debut effort in history before it was supplanted by Whitney Houston's first album in 1986. Tom Scholz is the leader of Boston. He writes and composes all of Boston's songs. In addition, Tom Scholz also found success as an inventor and businessman. In 1981, he formed Scholz Research & Design, Inc., a company founded to create high-tech music equipment. After first developing the Power Soak, a volume-control device, SR&D introduced the Rockman, an inexpensive, small guitar amplifier with headphones.
Boston Current Lineup
Boston Discography
Boston (1976) |
 Don't look back (1978) |
Third Stage (1986) |
 Walk On
(1994) |
Greatest Hits (1996) |
Ten is cool melrodic-rock group. Ten turned into one of the biggest successes England has seen in recent years. However, Ten is not famous rock group in the U.S. The leader of Ten is the multi-talented Gary Hughes. He is great singer and songwriter. Even if Ten had good guitarist, Vinny Burns, he left from Ten last year. Ten's all albums have many great songs. Especially, its lastest album - "Far Beyond the World" - is the best album of Ten. I recommend "Scarlet and the Grey" and "Far Beyond the World" of "Far Beyond the World" album. There is no doubt that Ten are one of the most versatile bands in the scene now, and will continue on their great success and hopefully be the band to catapult AOR back into the spotlight.
TEN Current Lineup
TEN Discography
Ten (1996) |
 The Name of The Rose (1996) |
The Robe (1997) |
 Never Say Goodbye
(1998) |
Spellbound(1999) |
 Babylon
(2000) |
Far Beyond The World (2002) |
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Tracklist:
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About D.C. Cooper
Fans of the melodic metal genre and powerful rock music are
going to be delighted over this spectacular collaboration of members from Royal
Hunt, Pink Cream 69, Conception and Vanden Plas. DC Cooper not only has an
exceptional voice, but is also a great lyricist and songwriter.
In November 1994 DC decided to join the Danish band Royal Hunt and six weeks later he was on
tour with them in Japan. With Japan being Royal Hunt's biggest market, it was a
test for him to perform in front of the very dedicated Japanese audience.
Needless to say that he won them over straight away. To date, DC has recorded
two albums with Royal Hunt (Moving Target and Paradox) and the next album is
scheduled for release in the spring of 1999.
|
Tracklist:
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ACT II
|
"Tyranny" is an excellent concept
album that echoes the progressive metal classic "Operation: Mindcrime"
by Queensryche. The theme of the disc is one man's struggle over the course of a
year to make sense of his place in life. The central character has to deal with
corporate greed, war, lies, his father's death, and finding true love.
Shadow Gallery's music is firmly in the progressive vein of Dream Theater, Rush,
and Queensryche.
Vocalist Mike Baker is balanced by backing vocals from the band and outside
contributors. James LaBrie (of Dream Theater), Laura Jager, and D.C. Cooper provide unique voices to different characters in the
story. The dual guitar attack of Brendt Allman and Gary Wehrkamp gives the music
heavy and dramatic flair. Bassist Carl Cadden-James provides most of the lyrics
and vocal melodies. Keyboard player Chris Inges weaves the keys' textures in and
out of the music. Drummer Joe Nevolo provides a solid backbeat throughout the
disc. Carl Cadden-James and Gary Wehrkamp take the lead in producing
"Tyranny", but the rest of the band gets collective credit for their
efforts.
Back To Top
3) Savatage: "Dead Winter Dead"
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Tracklist:
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The concept of this album expresses the
hardships of war in Bosnia and Serbia and describes the affects and reactions to
these hardships from many different roles. It describes the emotional trauma
involved with the loss of loved ones. I.e. parents losing children, children
losing parents, and lovers losing each other.
The fighting is conducted in the town square and the story is told from the
unbiased eyes of a gargoyle observing from the shadows. The gargoyle is a
witness to the bloodshed, cruelty and torment that is taking place. Every night
after the fighting subsides, an old homeless man comes out to the center of the
town square and serenades both sides of the war with his incredible violin
playing of pieces by Mozart, Bach and Beethoven.
Towards the end, the minstral is killed. Both sides realize that one of the few
beautiful things left in their lives is gone. They begin to question their
justification of the bloodshed.
4) Spock's Beard: "The Kindness of Strangers"
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Tracklist:
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Spock's Beard is the best progressive rock band making music today. This band makes prog sound fresh and fun with their modern production style and pop influence. "The Kindness of Strangers" is spock's beard's third album. "The Good Don't Last" is the best of their songs. It begins with an instrumental beginning that includes keys and cellos and Dave Meros' huge rickenbacker bass. Then it turns into the most incredibly well-played pop song ever, with themes repeated from the instrumental introduction. Neal Morse has a great voice and the harmonies are amazing. The ending of this song, called "The Radiant Is" is very very beautiful. "Flow" is the longest song of this album, but it is never boring song. This song is full of great melodies and playing. However, this group is not famous and popular in the U.S.
5) Extreme: "III Sides to Every Story"
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Tracklist:
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The best Extreme album is full of tasty riffs, a great story line, and some emotional ballads. The guitar work of Nuno Bettencourt is showcased here, and one can see why he should be considered one of the best guitarist to come out of the 80s. The album is divided into three sections, the first being more funk influenced, the second being more straight up rock, and the third being the symphonic ballads. There are plenty of progressive elements here, that make this album more than just a typical 80s style rock album.
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