Concept Albums That Should Be Films

Concept albums. I like them. A lot.

Sure there have been a few stinkers over the years. Quite a few of them actually. But when they get them right, Valhalla indeed.

Which got me thinking: concept albums (either those with a story or an overarching theme), would make some pretty awesome films.

The key word here is "would". The Wall comes to mind. And then you start singing "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" in your head. Then you blank out (at least I do).

So what gives?

Which got me thinking: which concept albums would make good films?


Cue a quick look-see at all my music and I had another list in my hands. Two conclusions emerged from this particular exercise:

1. I have a lot of concept albums.
2. Why hasn't somebody turned these into films already?

Without more rambling, here are 15 (I know, I couldn't stop) concept albums that should be films, in alphabetical order by artist (click on the album title for a piece of the story):

Murder Ballads" by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Concept: Murders. Lots of them, mostly set against a pastoral, medieval and folsky background. Imagine Alejandro Jodorowsky directing this.










"The Amory Wars" by Coheed & Cambria
Concept: Your run-of-the-mill good vs. evil in a parallel universe, spread over 4 films and a prequel.









"The Chemical Wedding" by Bruce Dickinson

Concept: William Blake and his opium-induced phantasies. Otherworldy stuff.











"Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory" by Dream Theater

Concept: A man finds out that in a previous life he was playing the part of the woman in a love triangle. Noir, with dark undertones.










"Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" by Iron Maiden

Concept: A boy is born. He is the seventh son. His father was also the seventh son. The boy is magic. Think David Lynch.










"Aqualung" by Jethro Tull

Concept: Pedo tramp takes refuge in the church and is forgiven for his deeds. Lars Von Trier all the way.











"Misplaced Childhood" by Marillion

Concept: Your average coming of age story with various supernatural phenomena. It all ends well, though.










"Blood Mountain" by Mastodon

Concept: Man goes up the mountain and faces situations that can only end bad, including an episode with birchmen (whatever the hell they are).










"Operation: Mindcrime" by Queensrÿche

Concept: Junkie is bored with life and joins an underground revolutionary group. Love is around the corner. I'm going to reluctantly suggest Zack Snyder.










"2112" by Rush

Concept: Priests are happy with computers filling their hallowed halls. Boy finds guitar, discovers music and is subsequently persecuted. A film that the teabaggery will endorse. T-bags ...










"Poets & Madmen" by Savatage

Concept: A group of kids break in to an abandoned mansion. They find a photo of a hot chick. In a dark corner is a man. He tells them about the girl. Goonies meets The Killing Fields.










"Warp Riders" by The Sword

Concept: Planet Acheron is trapped in a "tidal lock" - one side is in perpetual darkness, the other is burned by the nearby sun. In the middle is a cast-out archer.










"Lateralus" by Tool

Concept: I have no idea.











"Ziltoid the Omniscient" by Devin Townsend

Concept: The ruler of the Omniverse, Ziltoid, will destroy the Earth, unless we serve him the ultimate cup of coffee.










"The Crimson Idol" by W.A.S.P.

Concept: Young man gets famous. Living la vida rock'n'rolla. But he has no friends. Awww...











OK, admittedly not all of these would make good films, but they can't be worse than the latest Pirates ... can they?