Artists (A)

Aardvark

– Aardvark (1970) 3.50 stars

The Aaron Clift Experiment

– Lonely Hills (2012) NOT RATED
– Outer Light, Inner Darkness (2015) 4.00 stars

Abacus

– Abacus (1971) NOT RATED
– Everything You Need (1972) NOT RATED
– Midway (1974) NOT RATED
– European Stories (2016) 4.00 stars

Abandoned Stars

– Fragments (2015) NOT RATED

Abel Ganz

– Gratuitous Flash (1984) 4.00 stars
– Gullible’s Travels (1985) 3.50 stars
– The Dangers of Strangers (1988) 3.50 stars
– The Deafening Silence (1994) 3.00 stars
– Back From The Zone (2002) NOT RATED
– Shooting Albatross (2008) 4.00 stars
– Abel Ganz (2014) 4.00 stars

Abigails Ghost

– Cerulean Blue (2006) NOT RATED
– Seeping (2007) NOT RATED
– Selling Insincerity (2007) NOT RATED
– D_letion (2009) NOT RATED
– Unmastered (2014) NOT RATED
– Black Plastic Sun (2015) 3.50 stars

Abodean Skye

– Transmission (2011) NOT RATED
– Echoes of an Astral Empire (2013) NOT RATED

Abraxas (Ger)

– Tomorrow’s World (1998) NOT RATED

Abraxas (Pol)

– Centurie (1998) NOT RATED

Abraxas Pool

– Abraxas Pool (1997) 4.00 stars

Abstract Truth

– Silver Trees (1970) NOT RATED

Abydos

– The Little Boy’s Heavy Mental Shadow Opera… (2004) 4.00 stars

Acacia Avenue

– Acacia Avenue (2010) 3.50 stars
– Cold (2014) 3.50 stars

Accept

– Accept (1979) 2.50 stars
– I’m a Rebel (1980) 2.50 stars
– Breaker (1981) 3.00 stars
– Restless & Wild (1982) 5.00 stars
– Balls to the Wall (1983) 4.50 stars
– Metal Heart (1985) 4.00 stars
– Russian Roulette (1986) 4.00 stars
– Eat the Heat (1989) 3.00 stars
– Staying a Life (1990) 4.00 stars
– Objection Overruled (1993) 4.00 stars
– Death Row (1994) 4.00 stars
– Predator (1996) 3.00 stars
– Blood of the Nations (2010) 4.00 stars
– Stalingrad (2012) 4.00 stars
– Blind Rage (2014) 4.00 stars
– The Rise Of Chaos (2017) NOT RATED

Accolade

– Accolade (1970) NOT RATED

Accomplice (California)

– Accomplice (1981) 3.50 stars

Accomplice (Corona)

– Accomplice (1997) 3.50 stars

Accordo dei Contrari

– Kinesis (2007) NOT RATED
– AdC (2014) 4.00 stars
– Violato Intatto (2017) NOT RATED

Although releases by this Italian band are typically labeled Jazz-Fusion, I also categorize them as Progressive Rock within my collection. Thanks to the violin, this mainly instrumental act plays music that reminds me of a heavier version of Jean-Luc Ponty or Mahavishnu Orchestra, with perhaps a touch of Zappa, Liquid Tension Experiment, and D.F.A. (Duty Free Area) added. The classical and Canterbury-Prog influences pop up from time to time, making for a nice blend of styles.

AC/DC

– Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976) 3.00 stars
– Let There Be Rock (1977) 4.00 stars
– Powerage (1978) 4.00 stars
– Highway to Hell (1979) 3.50 stars
– Back in Black (1980) 4.00 stars
– The Razors Edge (1990) 3.00 stars
– Ballbreaker (1995) 3.00 stars

Ace Frehley

– Ace Frehley (1978) 3.50 stars

Ache

– Green Man (1971) 4.00 stars

Aching Beauty

– L’Ultima Ora (2004) 4.00 stars

Acidente

– Technolorgy (2002) 3.50 stars

Acid Rain

– The Descending Line (2009) 4.00 stars
– Shallow Paradise (2011) 4.00 stars

A.C.T

– Today’s Report (1999) 4.50 stars
– Imaginary Friends (2001) 4.50 stars
– Last Epic (2003) 4.50 stars
– Silence (2006) 4.50 stars
– Circus Pandemonium (2014) 4.50 stars

Acqua Fragile

– Acqua Fragile (1973) NOT RATED
– Mass-Media Stars (1974) NOT RATED
– Live In Emilia, Spring 75 (1994) NOT RATED

Active Heed

– Visions From Realities (2013) NOT RATED
– Higher Dimensions (2014) 4.00 stars

Acute Mind

– Acute Mind (2010) 4.00 stars

AD

– Time Line (1984) 4.00 stars
– Art of the State (1985) 4.00 stars
– Reconstructions (1986) 4.00 stars

Adagio

– Sanctus Ignís (2001) 4.50 stars
– Underworld (2003) 4.50 stars
– A Band in Upperworld (2004) 4.00 stars
– Dominate (2005) 4.50 stars
– Archangels in Black (2009) 4.50 stars
– Life (2017) 4.50 stars

Adamantra

– Revival (2009) 4.00 stars
– Act II: Silent Narratives (2014) 4.50 stars

The Adekaem

– The Adekaem (2015) 3.50 stars
– Sound Coloring (2017) 4.00 stars

Adiastasia

– Life War (2006) 2.00 stars

Ad Infinitum

– Ad Infinitum (1998) 4.50 stars

Ad Maiora

– Ad Maiora! (2014) 4.00 stars
– Repetita Iuvant (2016) 4.00 stars

Adramelch

– Broken History (2005) 4.00 stars

Adrenaline Mob

– Adrenaline Mob (2011) NOT RATED
– Omertá (2012) 4.00 stars
– Covertá (2013) NOT RATED
– Men of Honor (2014) 3.50 stars

Advent

– Advent (1997) 4.00 stars
– Cantus Firmus (2006) 4.00 stars
– Silent Sentinel (2015) 4.00 stars

Advent Horizon

– Stagehound (2015) NOT RATED

Adventure

– Beacon of Light (2009) 3.50 stars
– Caught In The Web (2014) NOT RATED

AElementi

– Una Questione Di Principio (2017) NOT RATED

Aeon Zen

– A Mind’s Portrait (2009) 4.00 stars
– The Face of the Unknown (2010) 4.50 stars
– Enigma (2013) 4.00 stars
– Ephemera (2014) 4.00 stars

Aerosmith

– Aerosmith (1973) 4.50 stars
– Get Your Wings (1974) 4.50 stars
– Toys in the Attic (1975) 5.00 stars
– Rocks (1976) 4.50 stars
– Draw the Line (1977) 3.50 stars
– Live! Bootleg (1978) 3.50 stars
– Night in the Ruts (1979) 4.00 stars
– Rock in a Hard Place (1982) 4.00 stars
– Done With Mirrors (1985) 4.00 stars
– Permanent Vacation (1987) 3.00 stars
– Pump (1989) 3.00 stars
– Get a Grip (1993) 3.00 stars
– Big Ones (1994) 3.50 stars
– Nine Lives (1997) 3.00 stars

Aethellis

– Aethellis (2003) 3.00 stars
– Northumbria (2011) 3.00 stars

Buyer beware—the vocals are borderline irritating and over-produced on many tracks.

Aether

– Visions (1999) 3.00 stars
– Inner Voyages Between Our Shadows (2002) 3.50 stars

Affector

– Harmagedon (2012) NOT RATED

Affinity

– Affinity (1970) 4.00 stars
– If You Live (1970) NOT RATED
– 1971 – 1972 (1972) NOT RATED

After…

– Endless Lunatic (2005) NOT RATED
– Hideout (2008) NOT RATED
– No Attachments (2011) NOT RATED
– Edges Of The World (2012) NOT RATED

After Crying

– Overground Music (1990) 2.50 stars

After Forever

– Prison of Desire (2000) 3.50 stars
– Decipher (2001) 4.00 stars
– Exordium (2003) 3.50 stars
– Invisible Circles (2004) 3.50 stars
– Remagine (2005) 4.50 stars
– Mea culpa (2006) 4.00 stars
– After Forever (2007) 5.00 stars

A band I discovered way too late…indeed, After Forever was on the verge of a break-up just as I discovered the group. I purchased the final self-titled album (which blew me away!), fell in love with the extraordinary singer Floor Jansen, and the band promptly called it quits. Although I eventually decided that none of the earlier albums tops the final, stellar, and release (at least in my eyes—or to my ears), each deserves a listen. Floor Jensen KILLS on each and every album! She has me as a life-long fan. It’s no surprise that Nightwish eventually hired her.

After Hours

– Against the Grain (2011) 3.50 stars

After the Fall

– The Living Drum (2001) NOT RATED
– Knowledge (2005) 4.00 stars

Ageness

– Showing Paces (1992) 4.00 stars
– Imageness (1998) 4.00 stars
– Songs From the Liar’s Lair (2009) 4.50 stars

Agent Cooper

– Beginner’s Mind (2005) NOT RATED

Agents of Mercy

– The Fading Ghosts of Twilight (2009) 4.00 stars
– Dramarama (2010) 4.00 stars
– The Black Forest (2011) 4.00 stars

Age of Artemis

– Overcoming Limits (2011) 4.50 stars
– The Waking Hour (2014) 4.00 stars

Age of Nemesis

– Eden? (2002) 4.50 stars
– Psychogeist (2006) 4.50 stars
– Terra Incognita (2007) 4.50 stars

Age of Rebellion

– Ikarus Dream (1997) 2.50 stars

Agnes Strange

– Strange Flavour (1975) 3.50 stars

Agnosia

– Trace Decay (2009) 4.00 stars

Agusa

– Hogtid (2014) NOT RATED
– Tva (2015) NOT RATED
– Katarsis (2016) NOT RATED

Ahkmed

– Distance (2009) NOT RATED

Aina

– Days of Rising Doom: The Metal Opera (2003) 4.00 stars

Air Force

– Legend (2010) 3.00 stars

Airbag

– Come On In (2004) NOT RATED
– Sounds That I Hear (2005) NOT RATED
– Safetree (2007) NOT RATED
– Identity (2009) NOT RATED
– All Rights Removed (2011) NOT RATED
– The Greatest Show on Earth (2013) 3.50 stars
– Disconnected (2016) 3.50 stars

Airborn

– Against the World (2002) 2.00 stars
– Legend of Madog (2009) 2.00 stars

Airlord

– Clockwork Revenge (1977) 4.00 stars

Airrace

– Shaft of Light (1984) 4.50 stars
– Back to the Start (2011) 4.00 stars

Air Raid

– Air Raid (1981) 3.00 stars

Air Supply

– The One That You Love (1981) 2.50 stars

Aisles

– The Yearning (2005) 3.50 stars
– In Sudden Walks (2009) 3.50 stars
– 4:45 AM (2013) 4.00 stars
– Hawaii (2016) 4.00 stars

Ajalon

– Light At The End Of The Tunnel (1996) NOT RATED
– On The Threshold Of Eternity (2004) NOT RATED
– This Good Place (2009) NOT RATED

Akashic

– Timeless Realm (2000) 4.00 stars
– A Brand New Day (2005) 4.00 stars

Akin

– The Way Things End (2011) 3.50 stars

Akira Kajiyama & Joe Lynn Turner

– Fire Without Flame (2005) 4.00 stars

Akphaezya

– Anthology II: Links From The Dead Trinity (2008) NOT RATED
– Anthology IV: The Tragedy Of Nerak (2012) NOT RATED

Akribi

– Black Morning Sun (2011) 4.50 stars

Lately I’m loving this band, a Dream Theater type of act with a terrific female vocalist. Akribi kicks ass!

Al Di Meola Project

– Kiss My Axe (1991) 3.50 stars

Al Stewart

– Year of the Cat (1976) 3.00 stars

Alacrán

– Alacrán (1971) NOT RATED

Alan Davey

– Eclectic Devils (2009) NOT RATED

The Alan Parsons Project

– Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976) 4.00 stars

Alan Reed

– First in a Field of One (2012) 4.00 stars
– Honey on the Razor’s Edge (2017) NOT RATED

Alannah Myles

– Alannah Myles (1989) 4.00 stars
– Rockinghorse (1992) 4.50 stars
– A-lan-nah (1995) 4.00 stars
– Arival (1997) 4.00 stars
– Black Velvet (2007) 2.00 stars

I love this woman!  Her early albums are top-notch regarding vocal performance and production, although some of her material might be considered below-par or inconsistent, since it appears she never quite determined whether to go with AOR or Hard Rock or Easy Listening or even Country as her main focus—her albums are typically a combination of all of them. Nevertheless, she possesses a combination of pure melodic vocal prowess along with some raspier kick-butt-rocker belting and, therefore, deserves praise. Not at all thrilled, however, with the attempts to turn her into a Pop diva with overly electronic-based music in the new century.

Alarion

– Waves of Destruction (2016) NOT RATED

Alberto Rigoni

– Something Different (2008) 3.50 stars
– Rebirth (2011) 4.00 stars
– Three Wise Monkeys (2012) 4.00 stars
– Overloaded (2014) 4.00 stars

Albion

– Wabiac Cienie (2005) NOT RATED
– Broken Hopes (2007) NOT RATED
– The Indefinite State Of Matter (2012) NOT RATED
– Unsongs (2015) NOT RATED

Aldo Nova

– Blood on the Bricks (1991) 3.00 stars

Alaska (UK)

– The Pack (1985) 2.50 stars

Alaska (USA)

– Alaska (1998) 3.00 stars

Alcatrazz

– No Parole From Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983) 3.50 stars
– Disturbing the Peace (1985) 4.50 stars
– Dangerous Games (1986) 2.50 stars

Alco Frisbass

– Alco Frisbass (2015) NOT RATED
– Le Bateleur (2018) NOT RATED

Aldo Nova

– Aldo Nova (1982) 3.00 stars
– Subject: Aldo Nova (1983) 3.00 stars
– Blood on the Bricks (1991) 3.00 stars

Aleph

– Seven Steps of Stone (2009) 1.50 stars

Progressive Death Metal that simply does not appeal to me. Sorry, but the growling vocals are truly obnoxious!

Alex Beyrodt’s Voodoo Circle

– Broken Heart Syndrome (2011) 4.00 stars
– More Than One Way Home (2013) 4.00 stars

Alek Darson

– Panopticon (2013) 3.50 stars

Alex Harvey

– The Joker Is Wild (1972) 3.50 stars
– The Soldier on the Wall (1983) 3.00 stars
– The Mafia Stole My Guitar (1979) 3.50 stars

Alias

– Alias (1990) 3.50 stars

Alias Eye

– A Different Point of You (2003) 4.50 stars
– In Focus (2007) NOT RATED
– In-Between (2012) 4.00 stars

Alice

– Alice (1970) NOT RATED

Alice Cooper

– Pretties for You (1969) 2.50 stars
– Easy Action (1970) 3.50 stars
– Love It to Death (1971) 4.50 stars
– Killer (1971) 5.00 stars
– School’s Out (1972) 4.00 stars
– Billion Dollar Babies (1973) 4.00 stars
– Muscle of Love (1973) 4.00 stars
– Welcome to My Nightmare (1975) 4.00 stars
– From the Inside (1978) 3.00 stars
– Special Forces (1981) 2.50 stars
– Trash (1989) 1.00 stars
– Hey Stoopid (1991) 1.00 stars
– The Eyes of Alice Cooper (2003) 3.50 stars
– Dirty Diamonds (2005) 3.00 stars

Alice in Chains

– Facelift (1990) 3.50 stars
– Dirt (1992) 3.50 stars
– Jar of Flies (1994) 3.50 stars
– Alice in Chains (1995) 3.50 stars

Alien

– Alien (1988) 3.50 stars
– Eternity (2014) 4.00 stars

Alkana

– Welcome To My Paradise (1978) NOT RATED

Alkemyst

– Meeting in the Mist (2003) 4.00 stars
– Through Painful Lanes (2008) 4.00 stars

All Traps On Earth

– A Drop Of Light (2018) NOT RATED

Allan Holdsworth

– Wardenclyffe Tower (1992) 3.50 stars

Alliance

– Bond of Union (1996) 3.00 stars
– Alliance (1997) 3.50 stars
– Missing Piece (1999) 3.50 stars
– The Road To Heaven (2008) NOT RATED

The Allman Brothers Band

– The Allman Brothers Band (1969) 5.00 stars
– Idlewild South (1970) 4.50 stars
– At Fillmore East (1971) 4.50 stars
– Eat a Peach (1972) 4.50 stars
– Brothers and Sisters (1973) 4.00 stars
– Win, Lose or Draw (1975) 3.50 stars
– Enlightened Rogues (1979) 3.50 stars
– Dreams (1989) 4.00 stars
– Seven Turns (1990) 3.50 stars
– Shades of Two Worlds (1991) 4.00 stars
– Where It All Begins (1994) 4.00 stars
– Hittin’ the Note (2003) 4.00 stars

Allomerus

– In View In The Shade (2013) NOT RATED
– All Me Us (2013) NOT RATED
– I Have A Secret (2018) NOT RATED

Allos

– Spiritual Battle (2012) 3.50 stars

All Too Human

– Entropy (2002) 4.50 stars
– Juggernaut (2012) 3.50 stars

Almah

– Almah (2006) 3.50 stars
– Fragile Equality (2008) 3.50 stars
– Motion (2011) 3.50 stars

The Almighty

– Blood, Fire & Love (1989) 3.00 stars

Alogia

– Secret Spheres of Art (2005) 4.00 stars
– Elegia Balcanica (2017) NOT RATED

Alphataurus

– Alphataurus (1973) 4.00 stars
– Dietro L’uragano (1992) NOT RATED
– AttosecondO (2012) 4.50 stars

Alquin

– Marks (1972) NOT RATED
– The Mountain Queen (1973) NOT RATED
– One More Night (2003) NOT RATED

Alrune Rod

– Alrune Rock (1972) NOT RATED

Also Eden

– About Time (2006) 4.50 stars
– It’s Kind of You to Ask (2008) 4.50 stars
– Differences as Light (2010) 4.00 stars
– Think of the Children! (2011) 4.00 stars
– [Redacted] (2013) 4.00 stars

Altaria

– Invitation (2003) 2.00 stars

AltaVia

– Kreosote (2016) NOT RATED

Alter Bridge

– Blackbird (2007) 3.50 stars

Altura

– Mercy (1996) 4.50 stars

To me, this band had everything…great vocals, great musicians, an ear for melody, complicated arrangements, and top-notch production. A shame Altura didn’t last more than a single album.

Alusa Fallax

– Intorno alla mia cattiva educazione (1974) 3.00 stars

Amaran’s Plight

– Voice In The Light (2007) NOT RATED

Amarok

– Quentadharken (2004) NOT RATED
– Sol de Medianoche (2007) NOT RATED
– Hayat Yolunda (2015) 3.50 stars

Amaseffer

– Exodus: Slaves for Life (2008) 4.00 stars

Amazon

– Nature’s Last Ride (2010) 3.00 stars

Ambeon

– Fate of a Dreamer (2001) 3.50 stars

Ambergris

– Ambergris (1970) 3.50 stars

Amberian Dawn

– River of Tuoni (2008) 3.50 stars
– The Clouds of Northland Thunder (2009) 3.50 stars

Although the singer has been accused of using her falsetto voice a bit too often (a matter of opinion, I suppose), she does possess a distinct power, and a pitch-perfect approach. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this band.

Ambiazok

– Ambiazok (2018) NOT RATED

Ambrosia

– Ambrosia (1975) 4.00 stars
– Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled (1976) 4.00 stars
– Life Beyond L.A. (1978) 3.50 stars
– One Eighty (1980) 3.50 stars
– Road Island (1982) 4.50 stars

Ambrosia is a band that altered styles during its career. The first two albums are considered Progressive Rock, whereas the next two albums are more AOR-oriented (with some Soft Rock included). The band’s final album, Road Island, is a fairly perfect blend of both Prog-Rock and AOR styles.

Ame Son

– Catalyse (1970) NOT RATED

America

– America (1971) 4.00 stars
– Homecoming (1972) 4.00 stars
– Hat Trick (1973) 4.00 stars
– Holiday (1974) 4.00 stars
– Hearts (1975) 3.50 stars
– Hideaway (1976) 3.50 stars
– Harbor (1977) 3.00 stars
– America in Concert: King Biscuit Flower Hour (1995) 4.00 stars

American Tears

– Branded Bad (1974) 3.50 stars
– Powerhouse (1977) 3.50 stars

Amoeba Split

– Second Split (2016) NOT RATED

Amon Düül II

– Phallus Dei (1969) 3.50 stars
– Yeti (1970) 3.50 stars
– Tanz der Lemminge (1971) 3.00 stars
– Carnival in Babylon (1972) 3.00 stars
– Wolf City (1972) 3.50 stars

Amon Ra

– We Never Said Good Bye (2015) NOT RATED

Ampledeed

– BYOB (2016) 4.00 stars

Amulet

– Amulet (1980) NOT RATED

Anacondia

– L’orizzonte degli eventi (2015) 3.50 stars

Anakdota

– Overloading (2016) NOT RATED

Analogy

– Analogy (1972) NOT RATED

Anamor

– Za Witrazem (2018) NOT RATED

Anasazi

– Origin(s) (2008) 4.50 stars
– Playing Ordinary People (2011) 4.00 stars
– 1000 Yard Stare (2014) 3.50 stars
– Ask The Dust (2018) NOT RATED

France’s Anasazi has released a handful of albums since 2006, with the band’s second release, Origin(s), being my favorite. The song arrangements are typically complicated, with shifting, driving rhythms and diverse, often-energetic instrumentation—frantic keyboard solos and bombastic guitar riffing—that is never boring, but rather bizarre and laden with unexpected twists and turns.

Anaxes

– Antithesis (2010) 4.50 stars

Ancient Bards

– The Alliance of the Kings (2010) 4.50 stars
– Soulless Child (2011) 4.00 stars
– A New Dawn Ending (2014) 4.00 stars

A female-led version of a band such as Rhapsody On Fire mixed with Dream Theater. Some exciting material along with thrilling female vocals. The singer has serious pipes!

Ancient Veil

– The Ancient Veil (1995) NOT RATED
– I Am Changing (2017) NOT RATED

Ancient Vision

– Focus Or Blinders (1995) 3.50 stars
– Lost at Sea (2008) 3.50 stars

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

– Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989) 4.00 stars

Basically, with Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe, this is another Yes album under a different band name.

Anderson / Stolt

– Invention of Knowledge (2016) NOT RATED

Anderson / Stolt

– The Living Tree (2010) NOT RATED

Andre Matos

– Time to Be Free (2007) 3.50 stars
– Mentalize (2009) 3.50 stars

The former lead vocalist from Angra, Shaaman, Virgo, etc. released several albums under his own name. And although each album brings to mind shades of his former bands, he also has a tendency (and why not?…hell, he’s showcasing his enormous vocal talents, after all) to have his singing/melodies dominate the releases, thereby placing the albums more into AOR territory (similar to Virgo more than Angra, for example) with only the occasional Prog-Metal excursions rather than being fully immersed into deep and detailed Prog-Metal territory. Nevertheless, fans of his aforementioned bands will likely enjoy his solo offerings.

Andromeda

– Final Extension (2001) 4.50 stars
– II=I (2003) 4.50 stars
– Chimera (2006) 4.50 stars
– The Immunity Zone (2008) 4.50 stars
– Manifest Tyranny (2011) 4.00 stars

Andromeda (DE)

– Andromeda (1970) NOT RATED

Andwella

– World’s End (1970) NOT RATED

Andy Jackson

– 73 Days at Sea (2016) 3.00 stars

Andy Sears

– Souvenir (2011) NOT RATED

Andy Tillison

– Fog (2007) NOT RATED
– Murk (2011) NOT RATED

Anekdoten

– Vemod (1993) 3.00 stars
– Nucleus (1995) NOT RATED
– From Within (1999) NOT RATED
– Gravity (2003) NOT RATED
– A Time Of Day (2007) NOT RATED
– Until All The Ghosts Are Gone (2015) 2.50 stars

Ange

– Caricatures (1972) 3.50 stars
– Le cimetière des arlequins (1973) 3.00 stars
– Au-delà du délire (1974) 3.00 stars
– Emile Jacotey (1975) NOT RATED
– Par Les Fils De Mandrin (1976) NOT RATED

Although I find the music generally pleasant and creative Progressive Rock, the vocals really bring things down, making it impossible for me to rate these albums higher. Fans of a more forgiving nature when it comes to erratic and often out-of-tune vocals, however, may be able to enjoy these releases more than I do since, as mentioned, the music offered here is quite good.

Angel

– Angel (1975) 4.50 stars
– Helluva Band (1976) 4.00 stars
– On Earth as It Is in Heaven (1977) 4.00 stars
– White Hot (1977) 3.50 stars
– Sinful (1979) 3.00 stars
– Live Without a Net (1980) 4.00 stars
– An Anthology (1992) 3.50 stars
– In The Beginning (1999) NOT RATED

When it comes to the legendary Angel, the band slowly altered its style through the years. The first two studio albums are the only ones that contain a fair amount of Progressive Rock material, whereas the band’s other releases are fairly straightforward collections of Hard Rock/AOR and heavily Pomp Rock material, with only a touch of Prog elements on a few songs, lessening with each subsequent album. And when it comes to the band’s “reunion” album (In The Beginning) in 1999, even the Pomp Rock style is gone, with only the barest hint of keyboards being included.

Angels Grace

– New Era Rising (2003) 3.50 stars

Angel Witch

– Angel Witch (1980) 4.00 stars
– Screamin’ n’ Bleedin’ (1985) 3.50 stars
– Frontal Assault (1986) 3.50 stars
– As Above, So Below (2012) 4.00 stars

Änglagård

– Hybris (1992) 4.00 stars
– Epilog (1994) 3.00 stars
– Viljans öga (2012) 3.00 stars
– Prog pa Svenska – Live in Japan (2014) NOT RATED

Angra

– Angels Cry (1993) 4.00 stars
– Holy Land (1996) 4.50 stars
– Fireworks (1998) 4.00 stars
– Rebirth (2001) 4.00 stars
– Rebirth World Tour: Live in São Paulo (2003) 4.00 stars
– Temple of Shadows (2004) 4.00 stars
– Aurora Consurgens (2006) 3.50 stars
– Aqua (2010) 3.50 stars
– Secret Garden (2014) 3.50 stars

Angtoria

– God Has a Plan for Us All (2006) 4.00 stars

Hating the album cover, but loving the powerful singer. Another band with a similar style to Nightwish, After Forever, and ReVamp, yet with enough uniqueness (and a talented vocalist) to make them “check-worthy.”

Anguish

– Lost Days of Infancy (1996) 3.00 stars
– Symmetry (2002) 4.50 stars

Animal Bag

– Animal Bag (1992) 4.00 stars

Anima Mundi

– Septentrión (2002) 3.50 stars
– Jagannath Orbit (2008) 4.00 stars
– The Way (2010) 4.00 stars
– The Lamplighter (2013) 4.50 stars
– I Me Myself (2016) 4.50 stars

Animator

– Gallery (1990) 3.50 stars

Annalist

– Memories (1995) 2.50 stars

Annexus Quam

– Osmose (1970) NOT RATED
– Beziehungen (1972) NOT RATED

Annot Rhül

– Leviathan (2014) 4.00 stars

Ansoticca

– Rise (2010) 4.00 stars

Antares (DE)

– Out Of Sight (1998) NOT RATED

Antares (IT)

– Sea Of Tranquility (1979) NOT RATED

Anterga

– Life Itself (2011) 3.00 stars

Anthony Phillips

– The Geese And The Ghost (1977) NOT RATED
– Wise After The Event (1978) NOT RATED
– Private Parts And Pieces (1978) NOT RATED

Anthrax

– Sound of White Noise (1993) 4.00 stars
– Stomp 442 (1995) 3.50 stars

Anthriel

– The Pathway (2010) 5.00 stars
– Transcendence (2017) NOT RATED

Anthropia

– The Ereyn Chronicles Part I: The Journey of Beginnings (2006) 4.00 stars
– The Chain Reaction (2009) 4.00 stars

Anti-Depressive Delivery

– Feel. Melt. Release. Escape. (2004) NOT RATED
– Chain Of Foods (2007) NOT RATED
– The Best of Anti-Depressive Delivery (2010) 4.50 stars

Anton Roolaart

– The Plight of Lady Oona (2014) 4.00 stars

Antonio Giorgio

– Golden Metal: The Quest For The Inner Glory (2017) NOT RATED

Antonius Rex

– Hystero Demonopathy (2012) 3.50 stars

Anubis

– 230503 (2009) 3.50 stars
– A Tower of Silence (2011) 4.00 stars
– Hitchhiking to Byzantium (2014) 4.00 stars
– Behind Our Eyes (2015) NOT RATED
– The Second Hand (2017) NOT RATED

Anubis Gate

– Purification (2004) 4.00 stars
– A Perfect Forever (2005) 4.50 stars
– Andromeda Unchained (2007) 4.50 stars
– The Detached (2009) 4.50 stars
– Anubis Gate (2011) 4.50 stars
– Horizons (2014) 4.50 stars
– Covered in Black (2017) NOT RATED

This enjoyable group from Denmark has two phases thus far…the first phase being a tad heavier when the band had Torben Askholm as its vocalist on Purification and A Perfect Forever, with the second phase starting when Jacob Hansen replaced Askholm in 2006 and the subsequent albums took on a more progressive style, although equally as heavy but more diverse. Either phase of the band is terrific, and fans of the Prog-Rock/Prog-Metal genres should definitely investigate the band’s back catalogue. In my opinion, this band should be much more popular within the musical universe, since it always delivers the goods!

Anubis Spire

– Between The Two Eternities (2016) NOT RATED
– Divining Rod (2017) NOT RATED

Anvil

– Hard ‘n’ Heavy (1981) 2.50 stars

Anyone’s Daughter

– Adonis (1979) 4.00 stars
– Anyone’s Daughter (1980) 4.00 stars
– In Blau (1982) 4.00 stars
– Neue Sterne (1983) 3.50 stars

Aperco

– The Battle (2016) NOT RATED

Aphélandra

– Aphélandra (1976) 3.50 stars

Aphelion

– Within the Woods (1999) 3.50 stars

Apocalypse (BR)

– Magic Spells (2006) NOT RATED
– 2012 Light Years From Home (2011) 3.50 stars

Apocalypse (DE)

– Apocalypse (1970) NOT RATED

Apogee

– The Border Of Awareness (1995) NOT RATED
– Sisyphos (1998) NOT RATED
– The Garden Of Delights (2003) NOT RATED
– On the Aftertaste (2006) 3.50 stars
– Mystery Remains (2009) NOT RATED
– Waiting for the Challenge (2012) 4.00 stars
– The Art of Mind (2015) 4.00 stars
– Conspiracy Of Fools (2018) NOT RATED

Apollo

– Apollo (1970) NOT RATED

Apoteosi

– Apoteosi (1975) 4.00 stars

Appearance of Nothing

– Wasted Time (2008) 4.00 stars
– All Gods Are Gone (2011) 3.50 stars
– A New Beginning (2014) 4.00 stars

Apple Pie

– Crossroad (2007) NOT RATED
– The Gates of Never (2013) 4.00 stars

April Wine

– On Record (1972) 3.50 stars
– The Nature of the Beast (1981) 4.00 stars
– Power Play (1982) 3.50 stars
– Animal Grace (1984) 3.50 stars
– Walking Through Fire (1985) 3.50 stars

Apryl

– Alorconfusa (2002) 3.50 stars

Aqua Talk

– Whatever Tickles Your Mind (2016) NOT RATED

Aquaplanage

– Aquaplanage (2008) NOT RATED

Aquaria

– Luxaeterna (2005) 4.00 stars
– Shambala (2007) 4.50 stars

Similar to its fellow countrymen Angra, Brazil’s Aquaria occasionally added extra percussion instruments to its majestically symphonic sound, giving some passages a “country of origin” flavor, which made the band’s music even more special. Sadly, Aquaria released only two albums, but both collections are highly dramatic pieces of art, both bombastic and melodious, featuring rich and complex soundscapes throughout, and with grand orchestrations that would have made Nightwish proud. Indeed, to me Aquaria seemed a fine cross between Angra and Nightwish, and included a powerful gem of a vocalist, thus making for a spectacular style that often left me reeling.

Aquelarre

– Aquelarre (1972) NOT RATED
– Brumas (1974) NOT RATED

Aquila

– Aquila (1970) NOT RATED

Arabesque

– Tales Of Power (2002) NOT RATED

Arabs in Aspic

– Progeria (2003) NOT RATED
– Far Out In Aradabia (2004) NOT RATED
– Strange Frame Of Mind (2010) NOT RATED
– Pictures in a Dream (2013) 4.00 stars
– Victim of Your Father’s Agony (2015) 4.00 stars
– Syndenes Magi (2017) NOT RATED

Arachnes

– A New Day (2011) 3.50 stars

Arachnoïd

– Arachnoïd (1979) 4.00 stars

Aragon

– Don’t Bring the Rain (1990) 4.00 stars
– The Meeting (1992) NOT RATED

Arbete Och Fritid

– Arbete Och Fritid (1973) NOT RATED

ARC

– At This (1971) NOT RATED

Arc Angel / Cannata

– Tamorok (2002) 3.50 stars

Arca Progjet

– Arca Progjet (2018) NOT RATED

Arcade

– Arcade (1993) 3.50 stars
– A/2 (1994) 3.50 stars

Arcadium

– Breathe Awhile (1969) 4.00 stars

Arcane

– Ashes (2007) NOT RATED
– Chronicles of the Waking Dream (2009) 4.00 stars
– Known – Learned (2015) NOT RATED

Arcansiel

– Normality of Perversion (1994) 4.00 stars

Arch and Matheos

– Sympathetic Resonance (2011) NOT RATED

Archangelica

– Where Are You Now? (2009) NOT RATED
– Like A Drug (2013) NOT RATED
– Tomorrow Starts Today (2016) NOT RATED

Architecture of the Absurd

– Beluga (2013) 4.50 stars

Arco Iris

– Los Elementales (1977) NOT RATED

Ardo Dombec

– Ardo Dombec (1971) NOT RATED

Area

– Arbeit macht frei (1973) 4.00 stars
– Caution Radiation Area (1974) 3.50 stars
– Crac! (1975) NOT RATED
– Maledetti (1976) NOT RATED
– Gli Dei Se Ne Vanno, Gli Arrabbiati Restano! (1978) NOT RATED

Arena

– Songs From the Lions Cage (1995) 4.00 stars
– Pride (1996) 4.00 stars
– The Cry (1997) NOT RATED
– Welcome To The Stage (1997) NOT RATED
– The Visitor (1998) 4.00 stars
– Immortal? (2000) 4.00 stars
– Breakfast In Biarritz (2001) NOT RATED
– Caught In The Act (2003) NOT RATED
– Contagion (2003) 4.00 stars
– Contagious (2003) NOT RATED
– Contagium (2003) NOT RATED
– Radiance (2003) NOT RATED
– Live & Life (2004) 4.00 stars
– Pepper’s Ghost (2005) 4.00 stars
– The Seventh Degree of Separation (2011) 4.00 stars
– The Unquiet Sky (2015) 4.00 stars
– XX (2016) NOT RATED

See my “Arena – An Overview” for more information.

Argent

– Argent (1970) 3.50 stars
– Ring of Hands (1971) 4.00 stars
– All Together Now (1972) 3.50 stars
– In Deep (1973) 4.00 stars
– Nexus (1974) 4.00 stars
– Circus (1975) 4.00 stars
– Counterpoints (1975) 4.00 stars

Although a few of Argent’s first four studio releases included several tracks with a Progressive Rock feel to them (the extended version of the classic hit “Hold Your Head Up,” for example), those albums were mostly Pop Rock/Hard Rock overall. On Argent’s final three albums, however, the Prog-Rock elements are much more prominent.

Argos

– Argos (2009) 4.00 stars
– Circles (2010) 4.00 stars
– Cruel Symmetry (2012) 4.00 stars
– A Seasonal Affair (2015) 4.00 stars
– Unidentified Dying Objects (2018)

Ariel

– A Strange Fantastic Dream (1973) 4.00 stars
– Rock & Roll Scars (1975) 4.00 stars

Aries

– Aries (2005) 3.50 stars

Arion

– Arion (2001) 3.50 stars

Arjen Anthony Lucassen

– Lost in the New Real (2012) 4.00 stars

Ark

– Ark (2000) 4.00 stars
– Burn the Sun (2001) 4.50 stars

Excellent semi Prog-Metal band with vocalist extraordinaire Jorn Lande at the helm. ‘Nuff said!

Ark (UK)

– Wild Untamed Imaginings (2010) NOT RATED

Arlekin

– Disguise Serenades (2014) 3.50 stars

Armageddon

– Armageddon (1975) 4.50 stars

Armaggedon

– Armaggedon (1970) NOT RATED

Armed Cloud

– Obsidian Desert (2015) NOT RATED
– Master Devices & Slave Machines (2017) NOT RATED

Armonite

– The Sun Is New Each Day (2015) 4.00 stars
– And The Stars Above (2018) NOT RATED

Armored Saint

– March of the Saint (1984) 4.50 stars
– Delirious Nomad (1985) 4.50 stars
– Raising Fear (1987) 4.50 stars
– Saints Will Conquer (1988) 3.5 stars
– Symbol of Salvation (1991) 4.00 stars
– Revelation (2000) 4.00 stars
– Nod to the Old School (2001) 4.00 stars
– La Raza (2010) 4.00 stars
– Win Hands Down (2015) 4.00 stars

Ars Nova

– Fear & Anxiety (1992) NOT RATED
– Transi (1994) NOT RATED
– The Goddess Of Darkness (1996) NOT RATED
– The Book Of The Dead (1998) NOT RATED
– Android Domina (2001) NOT RATED
– Biogenesis Project (2003) NOT RATED
– Seventh Hell (2009) 4.00 stars

Imagine a band with the Progressive-Metal prowess of Dream Theater, the Jazz-Fusion inspiration of Return To Forever, and the complicated and bizarre doodling of a heavy Gentle Giant type of band all thrown together into the same mix, along with off-the-wall female vocals. That’s what you’ll get with Ars Nova, a unique all-female band with some (albeit sparse) vocals to add texture and melody to the package. I love this band, due to its “bizarreness,” and appreciate the offerings I’ve heard thus far. The female singer is sooooo unique and the overall package is truly an experience.

The Ars Supernova

– Lumina (2009) 3.50 stars

Art Griffin’s Sound Chaser

– Sound Chaser (2016) NOT RATED

Art In America

– Cloudborn (2018) NOT RATED

Artcane

– Odyssee (1977) NOT RATED

Artemia

– Something Special (2011) NOT RATED
– We Still Exist (2013) NOT RATED

Artension

– Into the Eye of the Storm (1996) 4.50 stars
– Phoenix Rising (1997) 4.50 stars
– Forces of Nature (1999) 4.50 stars
– Machine (2000) 4.50 stars
– Sacred Pathways (2002) 4.00 stars
– New Discovery (2003) 4.00 stars
– Future World (2004) NOT RATED

This band never failed to deliver high-quality Prog-Metal material, and seemed to me a cross between Prog-Rock bands such as Royal Hunt and Balance Of Power with acts such as Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen, especially with a vocalist such as John West, who has a similar singing style to that of Glenn Hughes (and he eventually joined up with Royal Hunt for a series of albums). Melodic yet heavy, and with always a nod toward Prog-Metal and Neoclassical-Metal, the band released a handful of commendable albums and, unfortunately, has been sorely forgotten/ignored.

Artful Dodger

– Artful Dodger (1975) 3.50 stars
– Honor Among Thieves (1976) 3.50 stars

Art Of Illusion

– Cold War Of Solipsism (2018) NOT RATED

Art of Simplicity

– Asymmetric (2005) NOT RATED
– Caught in This Iless Storm (2007) 3.50 stars
– When Fables Have A Bitter Taste (2016) NOT RATED

Arti & Mestieri

– Tilt (Immagini Per Un Orecchio) (1974) NOT RATED
– Giro Di Valzer Per Domani (1975) NOT RATED

Arvé

– At the First Sight (2001) 2.50 stars
– Be on a Razor’s Edge (2008) NOT RATED

Arven

– Music of Light (2011) 3.50 stars
– Black Is the Colour (2013) NOT RATED

Arwen

– Memories of a Dream (2002) 3.50 stars
– Illusions (2004) NOT RATED

Arzachel

– Arzachel (1969) 2.50 stars

As Follows

– The Eye of Fire and Fear (2014) NOT RATED

Asa de Luz

– The Link (1998) 3.50 stars

Asaian

– Drama (1997) 3.50 stars

ASaP

– Silver and Gold (1989) 3.00 stars

Ascension Theory

– Regeneration (2002) 4.50 stars
– Answers (2005) 4.00 stars

Asgaerd

– In The Realm Of Asgaerd (1972) NOT RATED

Asgard

– Imago Mundi (1993) 4.00 stars
– Drachenblut (2000) 4.00 stars

Ashbury

– Endless Skies (1983) NOT RATED

Ashby

– Fragmental (2015) 4.00 stars

Ashen Waves

– Premonitions (2015) 1.50 stars

Ashent

– Flaws of Elation (2006) 4.50 stars
– Deconstructive (2009) 4.50 stars
– Inheritance (2012) 3.50 stars

Ashkan

– In From The Cold (1969) NOT RATED

Ash Ra Tempel

– Ash Ra Tempel (1971) 2.00 stars

Ashton

– Modern Pilgrims (1988) 3.50 stars

Asia

– Asia (1982) 4.00 stars
– Alpha (1983) 3.00 stars
– Astra (1985) 3.50 stars
– Then & Now (1990) 3.50 stars
– Aqua (1992) 4.00 stars
– Aria (1994) 4.00 stars
– Arena (1996) 4.00 stars
– Archiva 1 (1998) 3.50 stars
– Archiva 2 (1998) 4.00 stars
– Aura (2001) 4.00 stars
– Silent Nation (2004) 4.00 stars
– Phoenix (2008) 3.50 stars
– Omega (2010) 3.50 stars
– XXX (2012) 3.50 stars

To me, like the bands Magnum and Saga, Asia isn’t exactly what I would call Progressive Rock, not in the true sense, but there are enough Prog elements sprinkled throughout most of the band’s AOR-ish albums to potentially appeal to Prog-Rock fans.

Asia Minor

– Crossing The Line (1979) NOT RATED
– Between Flesh And Divine (1980) NOT RATED

Aslan

– Weight of the World (2007) 2.00 stars

Asoka

– Asoka (1971) NOT RATED
– 36 Years Later (2007) NOT RATED
– Asoka Spelar Allan (2009) NOT RATED

Aspera

– Ripples (2010) 4.50 stars

Asphalt Ballet

– Asphalt Ballet (1991) 3.00 stars
– Pigs (1993) 3.00 stars

Aspire

– In Defiance of Fortune (2009) 1.00 stars

Astarte Syriaca

– Darkened Light (2008) 4.00 stars
– Sex De Humana Natura (2009) 3.50 stars

Asterix

– Asterix (1970) 3.00 stars

Astra

– About Me: Through Life and Beyond (2006) 4.50 stars
– From Within (2009) 4.50 stars
– Broken Balance (2014) 4.50 stars

Astra (USA)

– The Weirding (2009) 4.00 stars
– The Black Chord (2012) 4.00 stars

Astrakhan

– Retrospective (2013) 4.00 stars
– Adrenaline Kiss (2016)

Astral Doors

– Of the Son and the Father (2003) 4.00 stars
– Evil Is Forever (2005) 4.00 stars
– Astralism (2006) 4.00 stars
– New Revelation (2007) 4.00 stars
– Requiem of Time (2010) 4.00 stars
– Jerusalem (2011) 4.00 stars
– Notes From the Shadows (2014) 4.00 stars

Astral Son

– Mind’s Eye (2016) NOT RATED

Astralia

– Connected (2000) 3.50 stars

Astronaut Down

– Moths To The Flame (2010) NOT RATED

Asylum Pyre

– Natural Instinct? (2009) 3.50 stars

At War With Self

– Circadian Rhythm Disorder (2015) NOT RATED

Atavismo

– Valdeinfierno (2018) NOT RATED

Athelstone

– The Quiet Before The Storm (2011) NOT RATED

Athena

– Inside, the Moon (1995) 3.00 stars
– A New Religion? (1998) 4.00 stars
– Twilight of Days (2001) 3.50 stars

Atila

– The Beginning Of The End (1975) NOT RATED
– Intención (1976) NOT RATED
– Reviure (1978) NOT RATED

Atlantic Bridge

– Atlantic Bridge (1970) NOT RATED

Atlantide

– Francesco Ti Ricordi (1976) NOT RATED

Atlantis

– Atlantis (1997) NOT RATED
– Pray For Rain (2003) NOT RATED

Atlantropa Project

– Atlantropa Project (2017) NOT RATED

Atlantyca

– To Nowhere and Beyond (2012) 4.00 stars

Atlas

– Bla Vardag (1979) NOT RATED

Atlas Volt

– Momento Mori (2015) NOT RATED

AtmOsfear

– Inside the Atmosphere (2003) 4.50 stars
– Zenith (2009) 4.50 stars

Atoll

– L’Ocean (1989) NOT RATED
– Illian J’entends Gronder La Terre (2003) NOT RATED

Atomic Clock

– Atomic Clock (2009) 3.50 stars

Atomic Rooster

– Atomic Roooster (1970) 3.50 stars
– Death Walks Behind You (1970) 4.00 stars
– In Hearing of Atomic Rooster (1971) 4.00 stars
– Made in England (1972) 3.50 stars
– Nice & Greasy (1973) 3.50 stars
– Atomic Rooster (1980) NOT RATED
– Headline News (1983) NOT RATED
– Rarities (2000) NOT RATED
– Masters From The Vaults (2003) NOT RATED
– Lose Your Mind (2007) NOT RATED
– Homework (2008) NOT RATED

Aton’s

– Dr. Faust (1992) 3.50 stars
– Klein & Wagner (1994) 3.50 stars

Atria

– Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1992) 3.50 stars

At Vance

– No Escape (1999) 4.00 stars
– Heart of Steel (2000) 4.00 stars
– Dragonchaser (2001) 4.00 stars
– Only Human (2002) 4.00 stars
– The Evil in You (2003) 4.00 stars
– Chained (2005) 4.00 stars
– VII (2007) 3.50 stars
– Ride the Sky (2009) 4.00 stars
– Facing Your Enemy (2012) 3.50 stars

Audience

– Friend’s Friend’s Friend (1970) NOT RATED
– The House On The Hill (1971) NOT RATED
– Lunch (1972) NOT RATED

Audio’m

– Audio’m (2016) NOT RATED

AudioPlastik

– In The Head Of A Maniac (2015) NOT RATED

Aunt Mary

– Loaded (1972) NOT RATED
– Janus (1973) NOT RATED
– New Dawn (2016) NOT RATED

Aura

– Deliverance (2011) 4.50 stars

Aura (SW)

– Observations (2016) NOT RATED

Aurora Lunare

– Aurora Lunare (2013) NOT RATED
– Translunaggio…Nove Tributi al Rock Progressivo (2018) NOT RATED

The Aurora Observatory

– Failure Of Reality (2015) NOT RATED

The Aurora Project

– Unspoken Words (2005) NOT RATED
– Shadow Border (2009) 4.00 stars
– Selling The Aggression (2013) NOT RATED
– World Of Grey (2016) NOT RATED

Auspex

– Resolutio (2007) 4.50 stars

A band that commendably plays highly complicated, and often bizarre, songs and arrangements. Overall, despite the outrageously good instrumentation taking a front seat to the proceedings, I like the singer quite a bit—she holds her own amidst the quirkiness—so this band showed great promise.

Autograph

– Sign In Please (1984) 3.50 stars
– That’s the Stuff (1985) 4.00 stars
– Loud and Clear (1987) 4.00 stars

Autumn

– When Lust Evokes the Curse (2002) 3.50 stars

Autumn Chorus

– The Village To The Vale (2011) NOT RATED

Autumn Electric

– Flowers For Ambrosia (2014) NOT RATED

Avantasia

– The Metal Opera (2001) 4.00 stars
– The Scarecrow (2008) 4.00 stars
– Angel of Babylon (2010) 4.00 stars
– The Wicked Symphony (2010) 4.00 stars
– The Mystery Of Time (2013) NOT RATED
– Ghostlights (2016) NOT RATED

Avenue [USA]

– Escape from Silence (1986) 3.00 stars

Avi Rosenfeld

– Very Heepy Very Purple VI (2017) NOT RATED

Avian

– From the Depths of Time (2005) 4.00 stars
– Ashes and Madness (2008) 4.00 stars

Aviary

– Aviary (1979) 4.50 stars
– Ambition (2003) 4.50 stars
– Heartless (2015) NOT RATED

Aviator

– Aviator (1979) NOT RATED

Aviva Omnibus

– Nutcracker in Fury (2008) 3.50 stars

Awaiting Dawn

– Leave No Trace (2017) NOT RATED

Awake

– Illumination (2007) 3.50 stars
– Forever More (2011) 3.50 stars

Axe

– Axe (1979) 4.00 stars
– Living on the Edge (1980) 3.50 stars

Axel Rudi Pell

– Wild Obsession (1989) 3.50 stars
– Nasty Reputation (1991) 3.50 stars
– Eternal Prisoner (1992) 4.00 stars
– Between the Walls (1994) 4.00 stars
– Black Moon Pyramid (1996) 4.00 stars
– Magic (1997) 4.00 stars
– Oceans of Time (1998) 4.50 stars
– The Masquerade Ball (2000) 4.50 stars
– Shadow Zone (2002) 4.50 stars
– Kings and Queens (2004) 4.00 stars
– Mystica (2006) 4.00 stars
– Diamonds Unlocked (2007) 3.50 stars
– Tales of the Crown (2008) 4.00 stars
– The Crest (2010) 4.00 stars
– Circle of the Oath (2012) 4.00 stars
– Into the Storm (2014) 3.50 stars
– Game of Sins (2016) 3.50 stars

Axenstar

– Far From Heaven (2003) 3.50 stars
– The Inquisition (2005) 3.00 stars
– The Final Requiem (2006) 3.00 stars
– Aftermath (2011) 3.00 stars

Axiom

– A Moment of Insanity (2004) 4.00 stars

Axiom (USA)

– A Means To An End (2008) NOT RATED

Axis

– It’s a Circus World (1978) 3.00 stars

Axon-Neuron

– Metamorphosis (2016) NOT RATED

Axxis

– Kingdom of the Night (1989) 3.50 stars
– II (1990) 3.50 stars
– The Big Thrill (1993) 3.50 stars
– Matters of Survival (1995) 3.00 stars
– Voodoo Vibes (1997) 3.00 stars
– Back to the Kingdom (2000) 3.50 stars
– Eyes of Darkness (2001) 3.50 stars
– Time Machine (2004) 3.50 stars
– Paradise in Flames (2006) 4.00 stars
– Doom of Destiny (2007) 4.00 stars
– Utopia (2009) 4.00 stars

Ayreon

– Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator (2000) 4.50 stars
– The Human Equation (2004) 4.00 stars
– 01011001 (2008) 4.00 stars

Aztec Jade

– Modern Prophet (1995) 4.00 stars
– Frame of Mind (1997) 4.00 stars

This band popped up in the mid-’90s a year or two after Dream Theater burst onto the scene. For some reason, and probably because of its timing, Aztec Jade reminded me of Dream Theater, but to only a limited extent. Sure, it incorporated some of the same styles as DT into its overall sound, but what impressed me about the band was that it refused to clone DT and, instead, developed a style all its own. Of course, the band featured grand keyboards, lush arrangements, slamming production, and even some “twiddly guitar solos” (on occasion), but also possessed more of a melodic/straightforward rock style (thanks to a wide-ranged, crisp-toned singer more in line with an AOR band) and shorter song structures that set it apart from DT (in other words, much more accessible to the average listener…the band delivered the substance with only a handful of experimental bits, instead of including overly extended Prog-Rock forays into every track). I have to say that if Styx had merged with a band such as Dream Theater, Aztec Jade is probably the closest one could get to this marriage.

I felt it a shame Aztec Jade didn’t last longer, and were (and still are) almost unheard of within the community, although I was happy to accept the group Ascension Theory (basically a continuation of Aztec Jade), which released several subsequent albums after the original band broke up. Regardless, Aztec Jade is missed.