Here’s something the famous 16th century French seer Nostradamus couldn’t have predicted: A quintet of albums dedicated to his life and work. And regardless of whether or not you believe his predictions to be accurate, his book “Les Propheties” continues to find loyal readers the world over, providing plenty of pop culture inspiration. Need proof? Check the details of the five tribute albums featured below, all of which are dedicated to paying tribute to the bushy-bearded predictor.

Who: Judas Priest
What: “Nostradamus” (2008), a two CD/three LP concept album based on his life and prophecies.
Prediction: The concert goers who sat through the entirety of the album on the band’s 2008 tour were probably pissed they didn’t get to hear “Hell Bent for Leather.”
Boston Globe says: “Some of the music is brilliant, some is numbingly indulgent. I’m not sure what it all adds up to, but if you still believe in the thought of an art-metal concept album, then give it a try.”
Judas Priest – “Nostradamus”

Who: Helloween
What: “The Time of the Oath” (2006), a concept album based on Nostradamus’ prophecies from 1994 to 2000.
Prediction: If you didn’t like these German metal nerds before, this record probably won’t convert you.
All Music says: “The Time of the Oath adds nearly nothing new to the group’s well-established sound (quasi-thrash riffing, harmony guitars, piercing chorused vocals), yet — for the first time in years — they manage to steer clear of the pop-metal pitfalls, corny lyrics, and forced comedy that had sunk them in the first place.”
Helloween – “The Time of the Oath”

Who: Kayak
What: “Nostradamus: The Fate of Man” (2005), a double LP rock opera from a band that previous released an album about Merlin.
Prediction: ’70s Dutch prog-rockers are perfectly suited to capture the mysterious majesty of Nostradamus.
Prog Archives says: “The quality of the songwriting is top notch, the melodies are awesome! It makes you forget this album lasts over 100 minutes.”

Who: Stratovarious
What: “Visions” (1997), a concept record
Prediction: Finnish prog metallers break big in Japan in the early ’90s but fail to make a dent in America with this, their stateside debut.
All Music says: “It’s as ambitious as neoclassical metal gets, and although there are some fine moments on the record, too much of the material sinks under its own weight, particularly the ten-minute title track.”

Who: Nikolo Kotzev
What: “Nikolo Kotzev’s Nostradamus” (2001), a 2-CD, 3-act rock opera that has not yet been performed live.
Prediction: The album’s guest performers could make for a future VH1 reality show based on C-list rockers: Glenn Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner, Alannah Myles
All Music says: “This rock opera is quite possibly the most successful attempt at the genre to have ever come around. The awesome results are probably greatly related to the fact that the CD’s creator (Kotzev) is not only a rock composer, but also an accomplished classical composer. The result is a CD that combines prog metal work, progressive rock, and plenty of classical/operatic leanings to achieve a very potent mix.”

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