You Must Guard this secret with your life, the hour has come(Or my Five Favorite Concept Albums)

Trying to figure out which albums would be included in this list was difficult. Many of my favorite concept albums are ones I've previously discussed here. Going through my research, there are very typical one's that come to mind and are mentioned frequently, but I wanted to make the list a little more me, so what we're getting is five very excellent, very different albums that discuss everything from a band within a band, taking care of someone very near the end, and how a woman becomes a nightmare. I hope you enjoy.


PIG DESTROYER, TERRIFYER
CONCEPT: Basically, it's sheer fucking terrifying( yeah I said it) and it doesn't settle, even as the end hits us. A pair of young lovers, once inseparable, drift apart, only to reconvene at the lake they loved together. During their rendezvous, the boy(Stacy) shows up saying he was bitten. Shortly after, he attacks his companion Natasha and all hell breaks loose. Eventually Natasha becomes the Terrifyer of the title, and bashes the skull of Stacy into puddles of blood and mass.

HOW'S THE ALBUM SOUND: Extremely brutal, and although quite short in length, it's an emotional album full of violent moments and unhinged chaos. One of the most underrated metal albums of the last 20 years, and noise metal at it's best.


FANTOMAS, THE DIRECTOR'S CUT
CONCEPT: Classic modern film score music interpreted in a way that only Mike Patton and company are capable of. Some of the choices are very powerful(“The Godfather,” “Der Golem”) and really work in the context of the album. Also, the only Fantomas album that feature individual, independent songs instead of one long song, or one song broken up into 40 different parts.

HOWS THE ALBUM SOUND: Well if you liked their other records, you're likely to dig this one also. The music is wild and unorthodox, but it's also very well thought out, and perfectly executed.


THE BEATLES, SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
CONCEPT: The biggest band in the world, sick of feeling unfree to explore new musical directions, decide to create an entirely new band and create an album of new, challenging sounds to push their creativity as far as possible.

HOW'S THE ALBUM SOUND: Well it sounds like the Beatles, but it's also the first big step they took as a band since their formation. Definetely a new sound, but also amazing and highly successful. I might add, the first rock record to win the Album of the Year Grammy.


MASTODON, LEVIATHAN
CONCEPT: The Battle between Moby Dick and Captain Ahab on the epic high seas.

HOW'S THE ALBUM SOUND: Like Mastodon making an album about a big fucking fish. The record soars, pummels, and leaves nothing out. It's fantastic, and the first sign that this band was just going to get better and better.


THE ANTLERS, HOSPICE
CONCEPT: A woman dying of bone cancer, get's close to a Hospice worker taking care of her. They end up falling in love, but the story is difficult at best.

HOW'S THE RECORD SOUND: Fucking depressing, as you might expect. Having watched someone I love fade away, it served as a weary friend when in need, but it's emotionally draining on a level that most albums simply don't reach. The music is dire for sure, but the lyrics are very coherent, in line and easy to understand, which ultimately make the album more emotional.