Been on an Avenged Sevenfold kick lately, with a strong emphasis on songs like The Stage and Wicked End and most of their respective albums. I think it’s technically progressive or symphonic metal, but it’s got a pretty unique sound even within that category. Idk if ‘theatric’ makes sense, but I’m struggling to put to words what’s setting their music apart in my head.
Anywho, I’m looking for more music that has a similar vibe, but running into the familiar problem of streaming services being trash when it comes to categorizing metal. Any recommendations?
Try some Dream Theater.
I’ve never been all that big on A7, but Nightwish leaned hard into theatrical/movie score territory for a few albums. Some notables:
Dark Chest of Wonders
The Poet and the Pendulum
Elan
Ghost Love Score
One more: Last Ride of the DayNever dug anything A7X but as you describe this “theatrical” metal (or at least what I can understand) I only can think of Ayreon.
Ayreon is so damn theatrical that they made and filmed an opera called “The Theater Equation” and it’s pretty damn glorious. Check out Dream Theater’s “The Astonishing” if you want to hear a more dramatic story as well. If you want something more symphonic with mostly traditional orchestral instruments, Blind Guardian’s “Twilight Orchestra - Legacy of the Badlands” will scratch that itch. Shadow Gallery, Symphony X, and Threshold are also honorable mentions.
Another great thing about Ayreon are his guests singers and musicians from the whole industry
Igorrr is the first that comes to mind. Bullet for My Valentine is the same era so you probably already know them, but they’re who came to mind next.
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ah, fair point about BfMV lol. and hell yeah, glad you’re liking Igorrr.
Blind Guardian comes to mind when i think theatrical
“And then there was silence” alone is 🤯 especially if you know the Iliad it just goes so incredibly hard.
Ice Nine Kills?
Theatrical as in Movie Theater though
Notre Dame and Therion ?
My first thought was of GWAR, but it’s not really the musical style. It’s the fact they are a metal band and put on a lot of theatrics in their shows (costumes, skits, etc). I’m not even that big of a metal fan, but I’ve always wanted to go see GWAR after seeing some clips of their live performances.
But yeah, the style you seem to be looking for is, as I’ve always known it, called progressive metal.
‘Theatrical’ makes me think of Avantasia, though I’ve never thought of them having much to do with A7X until now. My favorite album of theirs is The Scarecrow.









