ARCTURUS / La Masquerade Infernale (1997)

Listening to La Masquerade Infernale conjures images of a theatrical, costumed ball taking place during a lunar eclipse, populated with people in grotesque animal masks who indulge in all kinds of icky vices at the drop of a hat. It's an almost vaudevillian exploration of what 'metal' can be. In plainer terms, the words 'avant-garde' and 'Norway' will tell you some of what you need to know.
The dissonance and daring semi-operatic vocal style will alienate many hardcore fans, but those that connect to the madness will likely still love it even after they see through the veil and become more familiar with its inner workings.

Songs of Note: Master of Disguise; La Masquerade Infernale

4 painted horrors out of 5

ANNIHILATOR / Alice in Hell (1989)

Amid the usual odes to death and wickedness that make up many thrash albums, Annihilator's début included songs about the crippling nature of childhood fears, self-destructive adult obsessions, clinical insanity and a song inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. It's fast, technical thrash with breaks and riffs that should please fans of the genre. There are a couple of filler tracks that stop it achieving a perfect score but even they entertain after a few quality beers. And how could you not love a band with a gruff vocalist named Randy Rampage?

Songs of Note: Crystal Ann; Alison Hell

4 salads out of 5

THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT / Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976) (1987)

I usually detest prog rock, but I make an exception for the work of Alan Parsons; his compositions rarely descend into the self-indulgent wankery the genre is notorious for. His début album features retellings of some of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous tales. They fail to capture the sense of haunted majesty and madness that Poe penned, so I find it best to forget the inspiration and instead drift away with the mesmerising and picturesque music. The 1987 remaster added some Orson Welles spoken word, which is always an acceptable thing to do.

Songs of Note: A Dream Within A Dream; The Raven

4 shadows of shadows out of 5