Time for some "different" recommendations in this thread
I'm sure these are worth a try...
any feedback is greatly appreciated
Virgin Black - Elegant and Dying samples in the signature, one of my favourite albums, there isnt anything that gives the same feeling or atmosphere as this album, it is dark, haunting keyboard melodies and orchestral passages gothic (beauty in darkness) in nature matched with the impressive operatic vocals of Rowan London, and some great metal to back it up. I have recommended this music to many people on the forum and have gotten a positive response almost each time.
Armik - Gypsy Flame Flamenco Guitar music, out of a purely random thought, I decided to do a search for flamenco guitar on the Head-Fi forums, after a few threads I came across a post by
terrymx who I remember reading about in the Head-Fi Christmas Music Exchange as having "good taste in music", at the time I thought to myself "hah, okay let's have a look at what he listens to" and after a scroll through his Head-Fi profile it was evident that the guy was right, he does have a nice and unique taste in music and in this post he spoke of this CD and how the guitar playing formed words of its own, so I decided to check some samples; I was quite surprised at the skill of this guitar player to not only speak through his guitarwork, but manage to keep a smile on my face for the full length of the CD.
The Gathering - Mandylion This is a CD of mine that never ceases to lose its touch no matter how much I listen to it, the vocals of Anneke van Giersbergen are absolutely spot on, there is not one off note. This is probably
THE Metal with Female vocals CD to have, I love the guitar sound and the mood and atmosphere it gives. There is also a slight blend of keyboard projected tribal music.
The Gathering - How to Measure a Planet? The Gathering decides, "hey Radiohead - OK Computer was awesome, we're sick of metal, let's create some seriously top-notch atmospheric rock music!"
Alice in Chains - Unplugged Wonderful acoustic guitar CD, coming back after not playing together for 2 years, no practice - and put on the best MTV Unplugged performance that will ever be; Layne's most honest vocal performance.
Maudlin of the Well - Bath
Maudlin of the Well - Leaving Your Body Map These are a twin-album, can get them cheap for $8 each free shipping, and if you are an open-minded person, and up for one of the most challenging listens of your musical entity - then this is for you. I really cannot describe this, although you will hear a rollercoaster ride of Atmospheric Rock/Jazz-Fusion/Death Metal/Astral Music with cool acoustic guitar interludes that feature things such as samples of people jumping up and down in water. This is an what is possible when one does not restrict themself at all with music.
Diana Krall - Live in Paris
Patricia Barber - Live: A Fortnight in France My two favourite live jazz recordings, with a bias towards female vocals and guitar
Both are quite different, although I do not know which I prefer.
Opeth - Damnation Opeth goes mellow, and creates a full-on Prog Rock style album with beautiful and extremely mellow and moody music, but still the dark opeth lyrics.
Dark Sanctuary - L'être las - l'envers du miroir
Elend - The Umbersun Like classical music, but are willing to step out of the boundaries of "Traditional Symphonies" of the romantic/victorian age and step into "something else" Dark Sanctuary will sap you of your strength with an intensifyingly beautiful yet miserable orchestra of their own, while Elend will hit you harder and faster than anything you've ever heard before, probably the most aggressive and darkest classical music there is.
Angels of Venice - Angels of Venice My Favourite New Age music CD, wonderful display of harp, cello, flute and percussion.
Madder Mortem - Desiderata Progressive Metal, Female Vocals, although completely different to any Progressive Metal album you have heard before.
Epica - We Will Take You With Us (Live in Studio) Good performance by Epica, probably have one of the best female vocalists in metal out there, also the acoustic tracks at the end are killer.
