Epica are one of the very best symphonic metal bands ever - they've got it all: chiors, violins, guitars, singing, chanting, growling - everything! This album is absolutely magnificent. Doesn't get any better than this. LOVE it.

Flawless! I love Lacrimosa! This is my personal favorite of their albums, but you cannot go wrong with anything of theirs. Tilo Wolff HAS to be the greatest modern-day composer. Absolutely awesome.

Another masterpeice by Theatre of Tragedy. It's a close toss-up over which I like best between this album and 'Aegis'. VDTF features Raymound's wonderful death-growls, and some of the greatest songs ever. It's truly a gem.

Magnificent. Despite losing growler and composer, Morten Veland, 'World of Glass' is one of Tristania's best (though, admittedly, all their albums are best). Growling for them in this album, is Ronny Thorsen - the frontman of Trail of Tears, and he does an incredible job; combined with the angelic voice of Vebeke Stere, the heavy-metal, the chiors, this is chill-down-your-spine stuff. 5 stars

A stunning, haunting masterpeice by Tristania. True gothic metal.

Despite losing Tarja as front-woman, Nightwish's 'Dark Passion Play' is their most diverse album to date. Marco has an absolutely amazing voice, and Toumas Holopainen's composition is, as always, breath-taking. Anette might take some getting-used to, but hopefully will not disappoint. The music here is diverse, powerful and touchingly personal. A must-have.

After Forever! This music is diverse and wonderful; they've got a really original sound. Recommended to any fan of symphonic metal.

After departing Tristania, Morten Veland went on to form Sirenia - and this is thier debut. It sounds a little like early Tristania - that is to say, diverse, gothic/symphonic metal brilliance. LOVE it.

Theatre of Tragedy's debut. And I've never heard a debut album this great.

A power-metal masterpeice by Kamelot.

Lacrimosa again! I could never recommend them highly enough. They have a more exclusively 'symphonic' sound in this album.

Nightwish have done it again...

...and again! They are one of the best symphonic metal bands out there; anyone would agree. THIS was their debut, and the title track 'Angels Fall First' will always remain one of my fave Nightwish tracks of all time.

Ah, beloved Virgin Black. This album is considered by many to be their best; it's powerful, tragic, hauntingly beautiful gothic/doom metal. Recommended for anyone who enjoys fine music.

Absolutely breath-taking. 'Requiem' is the most beautiful piece of music ever to grace the airwaves.

Everything by Draconian is fantastic; this band can do no wrong.

Virgin Black's doom-metal album. Love it, love it, love it (^.^)

The latest album by Draconian; I'd give it a thousand stars, but the computer only goes up to five :p

First full-length album by Eluveitie. I also recommend their debut EP 'Ven'.

Brilliant symphonic-metal album fronted by ex-Trail of Tears vocalist Helena Michealson.