Spock's Beard - "Snow" the album was recorded live amazingly, before Neal Morse came out as a full blown Saved, and is basically a metaphor of the Christ story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-ZsLTcSGc Neal is just an incredible songwriter. Great hooks within long form pieces.
The Enid - "Invictus" This is symphonic rock performed by one would never guess, a handful of musicians, even live, they sound like an orchestra and chorus. Here's a track from the follow up - and related album "Dust" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCJQTo9K5KM Tell me the lead singer doesn't have Freddy Mercury chops.
And most recently, Gleb Kolyadin in his debut album "I Am The Morning" from last year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u7ferl0TIE This guy blow Keith Emerson away, and I say that as the biggest Emo disciple on the planet who warms up with "Eruption" before practicing piano every night.
Epilogue offering by Mostly Autumn - "Unquiet Tears" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYXkZDe63t8 The lyrics are an unfolding vampire nightmare. Chilling.
I’ve recently discovered “Gentle Giant”, I knew of them, but never really listened to them a lot.
My theory is that years from now, some of those bands that were obscure when they were around, will become more famous than bands that were more popular at the time.
Like Van Gogh, how many paintings did he sell when he was alive?