Album Pick: Brave New World

If you're a metal fan then this should not be an unfamiliar band to you. Though I wouldn't consider myself a huge Iron Maiden fan, their music is a strong influence for some of my favourite bands including Dream Theater and Coheed & Cambria. This particular album was released shortly after lead singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith rejoined the band after 5 years. Because the albums that were released after Dickinson left were Iron Maiden's least successful, the reunion was a big deal for fans. Brave New World shows the band is still strong. The thing I find most impressing about the band is their ability to keep writing amazing guitar riffs even after releasing over 10 studio albums. The standout tracks here are "The Ghost of Navigator," "Brave New World," and "Dream of Mirrors." Give them a listen. Even if you're not a metal fan. You might be surprised.

Album Pick: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3

This is the second album I've recommended by Coheed and Cambria. It's their second studio album and arguably their best work to date. It sounds pretty different from GAIBS4 (album 3) since this one was recorded on an indie label, so it sounds less produced than their more recent albums. If you can look past that and listen to what they wrote, you'll be impressed. This band really takes advantage of having 2 guitarists, which makes for some awesome riffs that I've even begun to learn on guitar. Of course, the centerpiece of the album is Claudio Sanchez and his vocal work. He's got a very unique voice. It might take some getting used to but it sets this band apart from others. If you're a fan of Rush or Iron Maiden, then this music should be easily accessible since they are big influences in this album. My favourite tracks are "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3," "The Crowing," and "The Light and the Glass." Check it out!

The band got most of their following from their lives performances. Here's why:

Album Pick: Images and Words

I'm a huge Dream Theater fan, so I had to bring up this album eventually. Images and Words is the second studio album released by Dream Theater, and many would argue that it's their best work. This was their first and only album to go Gold, and it has their only big hit that received radio play and featured by MTV, "Pull Me Under." That being said, every track on this album is a masterpiece. If you've heard other Dream Theater songs and thought they were too heavy on the metal side, you should give this album a try. While there are still metal influences, this album is much more progressive than their later albums. Some influences include Queensryche and Rush, so if you're a fan of either of those bands, this album is a must. It is also their first album to feature lead singer James LaBrie. They auditioned over 200 people before giving him the gig, and he's been with the band ever since. I personally recommend listening to "Take the Time," "Metropolis Pt.1 - the Miracle and the Sleeper," and "Learning to Live." You may find it hard to digest at first, but if you listen enough times, you'll begin to get an appreciation for the amount of creativity and time put into the writing of this music, which is something you don't find very often in popular mainstream music.