I know similar threads have been started before - like top 5 neoclassical songs. But I find it easier to think of things in terms of albums - as a complete work, if you know what I mean.

So my top 5 albums are:

1. Minds Eye - Vinnie Moore - Probabley the first Neoclassical metal album I bought. I can still remember the moment when I played it for the first time. The intro to 'In Control' just blew my socks off! Before this I'd been listening to Hendrix, Clapton and Chuck Berry, and a bit of Randy Rhoads. I just thought 'Jesus, I wanna play guitar like that!'

2. Dragon's Kiss - Marty Friedman - I didn't really like this at first because it sounded so different from the other stuff I was listening to. It was just Weird. But after a while it was like the music was creating worlds within my head. It just painted a sonic picture for me. Ultra heavy in places, 'Anvils' is a high point.

3. Apocrypha - The Eyes of Time - I realise that this is a highly derivative album in many ways. Tony Fredianelli sounds almost exactly like Marty Friedman, the vocals are almost like Rob Halford's twin brother, but I still think there is some really memorable stuff and great playing on that album.

4. Tony Macalpine - Edge of Insanity. Awesome tunes and guitar playing. It sounds a lot more raw than Maximum Security (which I also love).

5. Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn - Just some jaw dropping playing and compositions. I heard Becker's playing first on a Shrapnel compilation called 'Guitar Masters'. Altitudes has been a favourite of mine ever since, but the whole album contains lots of unbelievable playing.

Right, I'm off to get another glass of wine now. :D

For me in joint first place are Yngwie's Trilogy and Mind's Eye by Vinnie Moore. I can't seperate them sorry. I'll listen to those two albums until the day I die. My two fave albums of all time.

In third place is Street Lethal by Racer X. An unbelievable shred album featuring 19 year old Paul Gilbert.

Fourth is Jason Becker's Perpetual Burn which is flawless IMO. The arpeggio section in Altitudes sums up the whole genre for me.

And last but no means least is Vinnie Moore's Time Odyssey. Mind's eye just shades it for me over this effort but I love this album and the heavily J.S Bach influenced compositions.

P.s Can we not have 10 choices :rolleyes:

Hard to say how about 3 of my favorites....

Rising Force

Time Odyssey

Images and Words

1. Trilogy, Minds Eye, Street Lethal (in an eternal tie for 1st Place)

2. Extreme Volume 2. - Mr. Big LIVE Album

3. Edge of Insanity- Tony MacAlpine

4. Perpetual Burn- Jason Becker

5. Loudspeaker- Marty Friedman (with guests)

NICE!!!

well what about Yngwie Rising force the album that basically started it all

1 - Vinnie, Mind's Eye
2 - Vinnie, Time Odyssey
3 - Yngwie, Trilogy
4 - Tony, Maximum Security
5 - Jason, Perpetual Burn

1. Tony MacAlpine-Maximum Security (Edge of Insanity rocks as well)
2. Vinnie Moore-Time Odyssey (Mind's Eye rocks as well)
3. Yngwie Malmsteen-Rising Force
4. Koyaanisqatsy-From The Yearning To Burst The Perpetual Circle
5. Symphony X-Divine Wings of Tragedy

Also many great albums that have some neo-classical in it.
1. Scorpions-Taken By Force
2. Ozzy Osbourne-Blizzard of Ozz (Diary of a Madman rocks as well)
3. Racer X-Second Heat
4. Rainbow-Rising
5. Deep Purple-Machine Head

Some good choices there neo. I've been trying to get hold of some material by Koyaanisqatsy. Seen only a couple of things by them on youtube sadly. They sound excellent.