I have been trying to find more symphonic concept albums lately and hitting some slight blocks.

List the best that you know! I prefer the ones with a more melodic side to them, but I'm a very musically open person.

Personally, the best concept album, and album, that I have ever purchased was the absolutely brilliant Luxaeterna by Aquaria

Also, I know of the obvious ones like the Rhapsody series, but still list away!

Therion's Secret of the Runes is pretty cool. It has to do with the realms of Norse mythology.

The Last 4 Haggard are awesome!!!!

Limbonic Art's two first albums have symphonic elements but so does the rest of their discography but in lesser amounts.

Leaves' Eyes - Vinland Saga

You could try Tobias Sammet's Avantasia [Metal Opera Part 1 & 2] or anything by Luca Turilli such as Prophet Of The Last Eclipse.

AngL by Ihsahn is a must for symphonic progressive. You won't be sorry on that one. Satisfaction guaranteed.

The Adversary by Ihsahn isn't bad either... Also check out Symphony X's last albums - The oddesy, paradise lost and Divine Wings of Tragedy

Axamenta's latest (and maybe final) album, Ever-Arch-I-Tech-Ture is pretty damn brilliant, music- and conceptwise. It's not necessarily symphonic sensu stricto, though.

Bal-Sagoth. Any album. Except their first (not really symphonic) and their most recent (less symphonic than previous releases.)

If you're not opposed to music about Vikings, Turisas "The Varangian Way" is a great concept album with some nice symphonic elements to it.

Ihsahn isn't metal.

Listen to most of Bal-Sagoth's discography, as stated earlier.

Vesania - God The Lux

Excuse me? Ihsahn is very much metal though he has taken quite a few progressive rock elements and fused it with his brand of playing.

Devil Doll - The Girl Who Was... Death

End of thread.

More like generic orchestrations layered over lame chugging chords; not really worth anything. It's like Korpiklaani except not entertaining.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Dimmu Borgir!

Anorexia Nervosa's "New Obscurantum Order" is pretty cool symphonic black metal.

Gods of War by manowar
Great storyline

The Varangian Way is a great album. the guitar and bass parts are a little lacking, yes, but the accordian and violin parts alone make up for that, not to mention the orchestral/symphonic samples, which are a tad repetitive at points but still good.
And Korpiklaani sounds nothign like Turisas, at least not on the album i ahve.

You might try Becoming the Archetype's new one, 'Dichotomy' if you're not opposed to Christian-themed lyrics.

Check out Timeless Miracle and Logar's Diary.

Also, Bal-Sagoth are a must-have if you haven't heard of them before.

I add to the Bal-Sagoth reccommendations, and also, Turisas' Varangian Way is a big step from Battle Metal. They sound a lot more mature as a conceptual band, though the silly hits are there.