[GlendaleViper]

In the sense that Dio was a true Metal legend, yes. Along with Halford and Dickinson, he was one of the great voices in early heavy music.
 
In the sense that he was the voice of no less than three bands recommended in this thread (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell), yes, very important to your exploration.

 

[Deep Funk]

Thanks...

 

[Prog Rock Man]

For all the King Crimson fans out there I would recommend the Swedish band Anekdoten. The metal/prog scene in Sweden, Norway and Finland has grown and grown and produced many brilliant bands.
 
I see the latest genre to push on the the metal/prog scene is the post rock/math rock music of the likes of Tortoise, Grails. Unwed Sailor, Ulver, Maserati, Vessells, Mogwai, Battles, El Ten Eleven and The Album Leaf to mention a few. That scene is particularly strong in the US.

 

[MaZa]

Classic heavy metal
 
Iron Maiden - Powerslave
Judas Priest - Ram It Down
Judas Priest - Painkiller
Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell
 
 
 
Thrash metal
 
Metallica - Master Of Puppets
Kreator - Coma Of Souls
Invection - Demented Perception
Sepultura - Arise
 
 
Power Metal
 
Blind Guardian - Imaginations From The Other Side
Dark Moor - The Hall Of The Olden Dreams
Stratovarius- Episode
 
 
"Viking" Metal
 
Bathory - Nordland I
Bathory - Nordland II
 
 
 
Black Metal (more accessible ones, two quite different styles)
 
Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness (songs Tyrants and Beyond The North Waves are good starting points)
Immortal - At The Heart Of Winter
Burzum - Hvis Lyset Tar Oss
Burzum - Belus

 

[Prog Rock Man]

Progressive Rock and metal crossovers and sub genres as on the ProgArchives.com site;
 
 

1. Canterbury Scene - Caravan, Gong, Robert Wyatt
2.  
3. Crossover Prog - Mike Oldfield, Peter Gabriel
4.  
5. Eclectic Prog - King Crimson, Gentle Giant
6.  
7. Experimental/Post Metal - Devin Townsend, OSI
8.  
9. Heavy Prog - Rush, Porcupine Tree, Anekdoten
10.  
11. Indo-Prog/Raga Rock - Codona, Magic Carpet
12.  
13. Jazz Rock/Fusion - Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock
14.  
15. Krautrock - Popol Vuh, Can
16.  
17. Neo-Prog - Marillion, IQ
18.  
19. Post Rock/Math Rock - Tortoise, Sigur Ros
20.  
21. Prog Folk - Jethro Tull, Strawbs
22.  
23. Progressive Electronic - Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream
24.  
25. Progressive Metal - Dream Theater, Ayreon
26.  
27. Psychedelic/Space Rock - Pink Floyd, Eloy
28.  
29. RIO/Avant-Prog - Frank Zappa, Mr Bungle
30.  
31. Rock Progressivo Italiano - Premiata Forneria Marconi, Le Orme
33. Symphonic Prog - Yes, Genesis, ELP
34.  
35. Tech/Extreme Prog Metal - Opeth, Atheist, Mastadon
36.  
37. Zeuhl - Magma  

 

[Skylab]

I always forget to mention Marillion.  Great band.  "Misplaced Childhood" and "Script for a Jester's Tear" are both terrific records.  I saw them live in the mid-1980's - they were terrific.

 

[Jubei]

Electric Miles Davis is also a good recommendation ... I would start off with the Jack Johnson soundtrack rather than Bitches Brew though, as I think it is more accessible.

 

[Deep Funk]

I listened to 'Bitches Brew' once, 'The Complete Sessions' and it was one of those listens that gave me the chills. It is a lot of music to take on and you have to take your time, but ever since a lot of music just does not 'wow' me anymore. It had the same impact Run DMC's 'Rock Box' still has on me, or James Brown's 'Funky Drummer' (long version). King Crimson's album 'Red' hit me too.
 
Jack Johnson, that mellow sounding singer/songwriter with laid back music? 
 

 

[Deep Funk]

'Animals' by Pink Floyd: sounds surprisingly accessible, close listening required, awesomeness begins at 9 minutes and 38 seconds during the track 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)', the intro to 'Sheep' is brilliant in its deceptiveness, I love the 'dark sound' of the album. I can write more but it is no use. I really really like this album, its sound, its lyrics, just awesome.

 

[Skylab]

Yup - great record, Animals.  I'm more of a Gilmour guy than a Waters guy, and as such I like "Dogs" best on that record, but the whole thing is outstanding.

 

[plonter]

animals is probably my favourite pink floyd album.  I like it so much because it has some rock action and great melodies to it.  skylab,i also like gilmour better

 

[plonter]

just listening to "permanent waves" album by rush...GENIUS! 
it's not that i think that this is their best album (all the first 7 albums are absolutely genius,amazing...if there was a better word i would choose it!),but it has a sentimental value for me since its the album that got me into rush,i remember my big brother listen to them all the time at home,at that time i was a small child and listened ONLY to classical music,anyway...i remember hearing "permanent waves" in the background and it takes me back 

I truly think that this is THE rush album to start with...it's very melodic,catchy...not too progressive.
 
I think i will make me a rush listening session this morning those remastered editions sound fantastic 

 

[Jubei]

This Jack Johnson ...
 

 
Bitches Brew is alright, but I think for most coming rock or metal would find Miles Davis' Tribute to Jack Johnson alot more accessible. It has heavy riffing and is metal in its way. I also like Miles' Live At The Fillmore set, which I find more exciting than the studio cuts on Bitches Brew.
 
Quote:

I listened to 'Bitches Brew' once, 'The Complete Sessions' and it was one of those listens that gave me the chills. It is a lot of music to take on and you have to take your time, but ever since a lot of music just does not 'wow' me anymore. It had the same impact Run DMC's 'Rock Box' still has on me, or James Brown's 'Funky Drummer' (long version). King Crimson's album 'Red' hit me too.
 
Jack Johnson, that mellow sounding singer/songwriter with laid back music? 
 

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

just listening to "permanent waves" album by rush...GENIUS! 
it's not that i think that this is their best album (all the first 7 albums are absolutely genius,amazing...if there was a better word i would choose it!),but it has a sentimental value for me since its the album that got me into rush,i remember my big brother listen to them all the time at home,at that time i was a small child and listened ONLY to classical music,anyway...i remember hearing "permanent waves" in the background and it takes me back 

I truly think that this is THE rush album to start with...it's very melodic,catchy...not too progressive.
 
I think i will make me a rush listening session this morning those remastered editions sound fantastic 

The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab re-issue of Permanent Waves is fantastic - both the gold CD, and especially the vinyl

 

[sfoxy]

@Prog Rock Man: I don't know much about Progarchives, but I seriously doubt Devin Townsend and OSI are Post Metal. both are great bands though