Listmania!
My very favorites, the best in my opinion
By an Amazon.com customer
A Natural DisasterA Natural Disaster by Anathema
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $3.40
Yeah, I know. It is one of their least metal albums, but it is so gorgeous that it doesn't even matter. It truly is. Besides, it kinda revisits their metal roots. Listen to Pulled Under at 2000 Meters Per Second, and you'll know. And Closer is hella trippy and cool.
AegisAegis by Theatre of Tragedy
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $6.98
Once again, buy the import version. The 2 bonus tracks are just as good as the whole album. I honestly wonder why they didn't just leave the tracks in there to begin with. Virago is awesome, and Samantha has growls, something rare in post Velvet Darkness ToT.
An Elixir for ExistenceAn Elixir for Existence by Sirenia
Buy used from: $11.00
It is a good album. Not as good as At Sixes and Sevens, but I dont think Sirenia could ever top that album. I dont think they will ever top this album either.
Arcane Rain FellArcane Rain Fell by Draconian
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $6.28
The best Draconian album ever. Heck, it is probably one of the best albums ever, period. It is a pretty haunting album in the fact that you can hear the pain in the songs. Daylight Misery is one of the most amazing songs ever recorded(in my opinion). It is beautifully depressing.
At Sixes and SevensAt Sixes and Sevens by Sirenia
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $5.00
Sirenia's best ever. This albums tops anything they did following. Also one of the best albums ever.
Beyond My Grey WakeBeyond My Grey Wake by How Like a Winter
Buy used from: $6.49
An awesome doom album. A Flower that Sears in silence is such a great song.
Beyond the VeilBeyond the Veil by Tristania
Buy used from: $6.99
One of Tristania's best. It will captivate your mind.
The Black Opera: Symphoniae Mysteriorum in Lauden TenebrarumThe Black Opera: Symphoniae Mysteriorum in Lauden Tenebrarum by Opera IX
Buy new: $29.99 / Used from: $7.20
A great female fronted black metal album that contains doom elements. Its very very good.
Dark Clouds in a Perfect SkyDark Clouds in a Perfect Sky by Elis
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $8.95
A good album. Heavy yet soft at the same time. Its pleasant. And the cover is pretty.
DecipherDecipher by After Forever
Buy used from: $24.98
This album will kick your butt. Truly an amazing work. So perfect it isnt funny.
The Dreadful HoursThe Dreadful Hours by My Dying Bride
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.75
The best MDB album. Its so somber and beautiful that you will be in tears. The title track alone is so heartwrenching.
EnterEnter by Within Temptation
Buy used from: $34.99
This is their most metal, darkest, most beautiful album ever. Their other releases pale in comparison. This album will lower the room temperature 20 degrees, it puts out a feeling that cold. Pearls of Light and Candles both make you feel like you are in a frozen blue world.
Far Away from ConformityFar Away from Conformity by Cadaveria
Buy used from: $58.42
I would have put The Shadows' Madame, but there is no artwork. Both albums have killer guitarwork, and Cadaveria's awesome vocals. The girl can sing and then growl her little heart out. One amazing vocalist.
Fate of a DreamerFate of a Dreamer by Ambeon
Buy used from: $66.96
Its so sad that Astrid and Arjen decided not to continue this project. From start to finish you will be wondering how something can be so pleasant.
God's Silence, Devil's TemptationGod's Silence, Devil's Temptation by Elis
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $6.88
Even though it is their most electronic, this is still my favorite. The songs are so cool. Some of the riffs (see where you belong) seriously rock.
How to Measure a Planet?How to Measure a Planet? by The Gathering
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.74
A truly great album. This double disc set does not disappoint once you've taken it for what it is. Dont expect another Mandylion or Nighttime Birds, for you will be let down. This is their departure from metal, but it doesnt matter because it is soooooo melancholic. Listen to Travel and Red is a Slow Colour. Yeah, thats the stuff.
Lacuna CoilLacuna Coil by Lacuna Coil
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.93
Some of their prettiest material is on this album. This is My Dream is one of their most awesome songs ever. The guitars and vocals kill. "They'll never find another way to be" this good again. Well maybe in Unleashed Dreams.
Lake of SorrowLake of Sorrow by The Sins of Thy Beloved
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $6.79
Despite the cheesy lyrics, this album is wonderful. Its so great. My Love owns you.
LovelornLovelorn by Leaves' Eyes
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.99
Awwww. This is so pretty. I love how this album almost makes you feel the mist off of the ocean.
MandylionMandylion by The Gathering
Buy used from: $6.94
This is my favorite album, so yeah, I believe this is the best album ever. It is soooooo beautiful. Just listen to the epic Sand and Mercury to know what I'm talking about.
Mother EarthMother Earth by Within Temptation
Buy used from: $8.80
Not as good as Enter, but still good in its own right. The pure energy on Caged, is enough.
The New Athens EthosThe New Athens Ethos by Aesma Daeva
Buy used from: $19.99
Yeah, Aesma Daeva's best. Hands down. Although there is alot of calm instrumentals, the heavier tracks rock hardcore style(no its not a hardcore album).
NightswanNightswan by The 3rd and the Mortal
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $4.60
I would have put Tears Laid in Earth, but amazon doesnt carry it. I also would have put Sorrow, but no artwork. So, this is the next best thing. It's not a metal as their previous 2 but it still is good. You just cant go wrong with them. Except maybe Memoirs, its totally different.
Perpetual DesolationPerpetual Desolation by Sins of Thy Beloved
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $5.78
I think this album has some really awesome songs. Namely Pandemonium.
The Phantom AgonyThe Phantom Agony by Epica
Buy new: $31.99 / Used from: $13.73
This album slays their second, which is still a good album. This one is alot heavier, with Simone using her opera vocals more frequently. It also continues the Embrace that Smothers storyline from After Forevers Prison of Desire.
Prison of DesirePrison of Desire by After Forever
Buy used from: $15.80
One of the best albums ever. It's my third favorite. My favorite from them. Every song is superb, and it is quite heavy too, Inimical Chimera being a prime example. Ephemeral, Leaden Legacy, Silence from Afar, Beyond Me, heck the whole album will haunt you.
Pristine in BondagePristine in Bondage by Amaran
An awesome album. You must buy the import version because As We Fly is their best song(in my opinion). It is just out of this world.
RazorblissRazorbliss by Flowing Tears
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $5.98
I would have put Jade, but its not on amazon. Jade is their best. I also would have put Serpentine, but there is no album art. But Razorbliss is awesome. You just cant go wrong with Flowing Tears.
SouvenirsSouvenirs by The Gathering
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $5.98
The second best Gathering album ever. This album is a complete departure from metal, but is oh so sweet. This album is dark as can be and yet so bright. An absolute must.
Sunless DaysSunless Days by Beseech
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $4.94
I would have put Souls Highway, but yet again, no artwork. This album although, is just as great and worthy of a listen. Its really catchy and good.
Theatre of TragedyTheatre of Tragedy by Theatre of Tragedy
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $6.66
This debut really is good. I do believe it defined a genre. This is one of the origins of gothic metal.
Turn Loose the SwansTurn Loose the Swans by My Dying Bride
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $7.10
My favorite of MDB alongside The Dreadful Hours. It is awesome. One of the best doom albums ever.
TwilightTwilight by Erben Der Schopfung
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $3.87
Its a really good album, even though it is really electronic. Elis and Ade are my favorites from this album.
Unleashed MemoriesUnleashed Memories by Lacuna Coil
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $6.87
Lacuna Coil's best album. Only this tops their debut ep. Why did they have to change? Comalies is good though.
Velvet Darkness They FearVelvet Darkness They Fear by Theatre of Tragedy
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $3.10
This is my second favorite album ever. It owns you. It is pure beauty. ToT's at their peak.
Where Lovers MournWhere Lovers Mourn by Draconian
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.46
Another fine release from Draconian. Really good doom.
Where Twilight DwellsWhere Twilight Dwells by Midnattsol
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $8.97
Liv's sister holds her own on this album. But dont be expecting the same voice. Or the same band for that matter. Midnattsol is quite different from ToT or Leaves' Eyes.
Widow's WeedsWidow's Weeds by Tristania
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.94
One of their best. A groundbreaker for sure.
Winter EnclosureWinter Enclosure by Octavia Sperati
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $3.23
I absolutely love this album. The whole thing rocks. Its probably one of the best debut albums released. Plus, its another all girl band. How could you not love that.
World of GlassWorld of Glass by Tristania
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.98
Even without Morten, they are good. I think it is also one of their best. I hope that my list was good. By the way, Nemesea's Mana, and Autumn's Summer's End are 2 other albums not on amazon but should be on this list.