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Anyone into Power Metal: I have a band recommendation for you!
- Thread starter Ecrofirt
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Uno Ill Nino
Banned
So is Symphony X considered "Power Metal" then? Cuz I fuckin LOVE that band. I always just called em "epic metal" tho. I spose I'll go check out Firewind on Amazon out of curiousity.
Edit*
K, I'm sure some people could really dig that, but its not my thing for some reason. I think its the singer and the lyrics.
Edit*
K, I'm sure some people could really dig that, but its not my thing for some reason. I think its the singer and the lyrics.
Ned Flanders
Banned
LOL @ "Power Metal". It just sounds so funny. Like if someone were to ask you what kind of music you were into, and you responded, "Umm, mostly 'power metal'," you'd probably get laughed out of society. Its one of those phrases that only works in empirical discussion (like 'trad rock' etc) but comes off as goofy in a regular conversation.
No offense to all involved in this thread, of course.
No offense to all involved in this thread, of course.
Uno Ill Nino
Banned
"Shut your stupid face, Flanders!!!"
Edit*
Ah yeah. "Progressive Metal". Shit. One of my favorite bands and for whatever reason I couldn't even remember the fucking name of the genre at the moment. I guess I'm pretty tired.
Edit*
Ah yeah. "Progressive Metal". Shit. One of my favorite bands and for whatever reason I couldn't even remember the fucking name of the genre at the moment. I guess I'm pretty tired.
Error Macro
Member
Actually, Symphony X is Progressive Power Metal.
Thanks for the Firewind recommendation. The singers voice might take a little getting used to, in light of all the other Power Metal bands with their smoother sounding vocalists. Unfortunately, even a die hard Power Metaller such as myself has to recognize the fact that these bands are a dime a dozen in Europe, and once you've heard one, you've pretty much heard them all.
By the way, Rhapsody's new album just came out. Of course, it is excellent.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_1/002-3092040-1850469?v=glance&s=music
Thanks for the Firewind recommendation. The singers voice might take a little getting used to, in light of all the other Power Metal bands with their smoother sounding vocalists. Unfortunately, even a die hard Power Metaller such as myself has to recognize the fact that these bands are a dime a dozen in Europe, and once you've heard one, you've pretty much heard them all.
By the way, Rhapsody's new album just came out. Of course, it is excellent.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_1/002-3092040-1850469?v=glance&s=music
Error Macro said:
yep, pretty much. thats what saddens me, as the bands could really use better lyrics than the usual dragons, warriors and wizards stuff.
anyway progressive metal - bands like dream theater.
power metal - the only distinctions i could hear are, the bands are mostly fantasy themed, have very fast drumming and melodious vocals and guitars, its not very gutteral or death-like if you will. in fact power metal isnt really very "hardcore" imo, except for the drumming. which is fine by me by the way.
some recommendations from my collection,
After Forever (if you like nightwish, you'll love them)
Iced Earth
Dreamtale
Falconer (my favorite)
Insania (the good songs are really really good, check out "illusions")
Kamelot (really good)
NIghtwish
Rhapsody
Sonata Arctica
also recommend Moi Dix Mois first album, they are more gothic though. Their second album's mixed in a weird way, which was a turn-off for me, but the first album is awesome metal.
Ecrofirt said:
http://www.musicplasma.com/
Matches up bands to others that sounds similar. Really cool site to check out.
Error Macro
Member
Ecrofirt said:
Yes, they be Power Metal
Here are some bands worth checking out, and what I feel are their best albums:
Falconer - The Sceptre Of Deception; Chapters From A Vale Forlorn
Sonata Arctica - Silence
Dreamtale - Ocean's Heart (perhaps my favorite PM album of all time)
Insania - Fantasy
Helloween - Rabbit Don't Come Easy (one of the best; Helloween are basically the originators of Power Metal) , The Dark Ride, Better Than Raw, Master Of The Rings, Keeper Of The Seven Keys Pt. 1 and [/i]Pt. 2[/i]
Gamma Ray - Land Of The Free (remastered), Somewhere Out In Space (if you like Helloween, you will probably like Gamma Ray)
Rhapsody - Legendary Tales, Rain Of A Thousand Flames
Symphony X - The Odyssey
Okay, these are songs you must download from the above artists. I consider them their definitive songs:
Falconer: "The Coronation", "Decadence Of Dignity"
Dreamtale: "Two Hundred Men", "Tears"
Insania: "Life After Life", "Face The King"
Helloween: "Just A Little Sign", "Mr. Torture"
Gamma Ray: "Man On A Mission", "Beyond The Black Hole"
Rhapsody: "Rain Of A Thousand Flames", "Dawn Of Victory"
Symphony X: "Inferno (Unleash The Fire)", "Masquerade" (re-recorded version from Japanese release of The Odyssey
Hope that can get you started
Error Macro
Member
nitewulf said:oh come on, you left out "the clarion call" and "heresy in disguise" for falconer.
i really like most their songs though.
Hey, I tried to limit it to two songs per band.
I could probably list many, many, more "must hear" songs for all of those bands.[EDIT] Yeah, make sure you listen to "The Clarion Call" by Falconer as well. It's such a standout track. If you like those songs, and the albums they came from, then listen to the self-titled album. Falconer is just so consistantly awesome. Even the replacement singer sounds very much like the first one.
Error Macro
Member
Ecrofirt said:
P-p-p-p-p-power.
When in doubt, check this website: http://www.metal-observer.com It's usually pretty accurate.
Everdredbanned
Banned
Error Macro said:
I'd actually recommend Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives, the Internet's finest metal resource, for such tasks, as Metal Observer is just a webzine, and thus will only have information about certain bands. Encyclopaedia Metallum, on the other hand, is a repository for metal knowledge with a listing of the vast majority of metal bands in existence.
Dragonforce is a great band with a lot of talent. However, Sonic Firestorm fell short, IMO. Its too goddamn repetitive. Everything is just fast and nothing else. The song, My Spirit Will Go On, is great all around. The guitar solo is technically very impressive but the damn solo just doesn't "fit" in the song. Its just a blazing fast solo thrown into the entire mix. They can do better and I really hope they do.
Blind Guardian is great but I prefer Rhapsody.
Anyway, Rhapsody is my favourite power metal band and Dawn of Victory absolutely owns all. Gonna grab my copy of their latest album later this week. Can't wait. Sonata Artica's latest offering, Reckoning Night, should be out soon too, I guess.
Current album of the year:
FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC album! It took me about 4 or 5 thorough sessions with the album to fully appreciate the goodness of it. At first, I didn't like the vocalist but it grew on me and now I'm so into the album. If you're into power metal, you owe it to yourself to check this out. (EDIT: BTW, I forgot to mention. This album I'm talking about is Heavenly's Dust To Dust)
And if you need some decent metal reviews, this site is not too bad:
http://www.metalreviews.com/
EDIT: Regarding Falconer, I have their first two albums. The self-titled one and Chapters. I really like their vocalist but I heard he left. To me, the vocalist was truly the main attraction of the band because just had the right voice for their style, IMO. How's the third album? Also, A Quest For The Crown is my favourite tune with Upon A Grave of Guilt and Mindtraveller tie-ing in second place....
Blind Guardian is great but I prefer Rhapsody.
Anyway, Rhapsody is my favourite power metal band and Dawn of Victory absolutely owns all. Gonna grab my copy of their latest album later this week. Can't wait. Sonata Artica's latest offering, Reckoning Night, should be out soon too, I guess.
Current album of the year:
FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC album! It took me about 4 or 5 thorough sessions with the album to fully appreciate the goodness of it. At first, I didn't like the vocalist but it grew on me and now I'm so into the album. If you're into power metal, you owe it to yourself to check this out. (EDIT: BTW, I forgot to mention. This album I'm talking about is Heavenly's Dust To Dust)
And if you need some decent metal reviews, this site is not too bad:
http://www.metalreviews.com/
EDIT: Regarding Falconer, I have their first two albums. The self-titled one and Chapters. I really like their vocalist but I heard he left. To me, the vocalist was truly the main attraction of the band because just had the right voice for their style, IMO. How's the third album? Also, A Quest For The Crown is my favourite tune with Upon A Grave of Guilt and Mindtraveller tie-ing in second place....
Idle Will Kill
Banned
Have you goes heard of Texture? My friend is really into metal (I'm mainly into punk), and he showed me Texture. They have a pretty sweet 18 minute song on one of their albums.
I was going through the thread again and I can't believe so many of you left out Edguy!!
Edguy is probably one of the best and most popular power metal band out there today, and rightly so. Hellfire Club is freaking awesome.
And yeah, I do agree that power metal bands are a dime a dozen and there are simply too many of them out there that sound the same. Based on my experience, these bands have truly distinguished themselves from the crowd with their sound and deserve more attention:
Rhapsody - Probably the most unique power metal band out there. Mix of epic choir vocals, awesome guitar and keyboard solos and quite possibly the most operatic vocalist in power metal today.
Edguy - Quite possibly one of the "purest" power metal band. Not much epic choir or keyboard or instrumental stuff. Just straight-up strong vocals (Tobias Sammet, of course) and great composition.
Heavenly - Amazing band with a lot of potential. Dust to Dust was truly unique and I can't wait for their next album. Powerful vocals, awesome solos. Occasional use of epic choir.
Kamelot - Really outdone themselves with Epica which is a wonderful wonderful album. IMO, with Khan, they have the best vocalist in the current power metal scene.
Sonata Arctica - Very unique sound with emphasis on the keyboards. Only downside is that the vocals take some getting used to. At times, the vocals truly take on a cringe-worthy tone though this has been cut down significantly in Winterheart's Guild (their 3rd album). Can't wait to see what they sound like in their 4th album, Reckoning Night. Should be out these few weeks.
Another band worth mentioning is Avantasia which was a project band created by Edguy's visionary Tobias Sammet. More instrumental and epic than Edguy's offerings. The Seven Angels on their second album, The Metal Opera Part II, still tops my list of greatest epic songs of all time. Unfortunately, Tobias Sammet apparently said that there will not be a third Avantasia album.
Edguy is probably one of the best and most popular power metal band out there today, and rightly so. Hellfire Club is freaking awesome.
And yeah, I do agree that power metal bands are a dime a dozen and there are simply too many of them out there that sound the same. Based on my experience, these bands have truly distinguished themselves from the crowd with their sound and deserve more attention:
Rhapsody - Probably the most unique power metal band out there. Mix of epic choir vocals, awesome guitar and keyboard solos and quite possibly the most operatic vocalist in power metal today.
Edguy - Quite possibly one of the "purest" power metal band. Not much epic choir or keyboard or instrumental stuff. Just straight-up strong vocals (Tobias Sammet, of course) and great composition.
Heavenly - Amazing band with a lot of potential. Dust to Dust was truly unique and I can't wait for their next album. Powerful vocals, awesome solos. Occasional use of epic choir.
Kamelot - Really outdone themselves with Epica which is a wonderful wonderful album. IMO, with Khan, they have the best vocalist in the current power metal scene.
Sonata Arctica - Very unique sound with emphasis on the keyboards. Only downside is that the vocals take some getting used to. At times, the vocals truly take on a cringe-worthy tone though this has been cut down significantly in Winterheart's Guild (their 3rd album). Can't wait to see what they sound like in their 4th album, Reckoning Night. Should be out these few weeks.
Another band worth mentioning is Avantasia which was a project band created by Edguy's visionary Tobias Sammet. More instrumental and epic than Edguy's offerings. The Seven Angels on their second album, The Metal Opera Part II, still tops my list of greatest epic songs of all time. Unfortunately, Tobias Sammet apparently said that there will not be a third Avantasia album.
ElyrionX said:
yeah the songs do get repetative, but i fing this to be a shortcoming of the genre itself. even listening to a rhapsody or iced earth album, things tend to get repetative after a while. i think "fury of the storm" is a great song as well. but i think i actually do like them mostly due to their speed, pretty much the fastest power metal i've heard so far.
ElyrionX said:
yes, i love his low frequency growl as well, very different from most other power metal bands. the first two are their best album IMO, but the third continues with their style, and the new vocalist is actually better, he has better range and melody, though i dont like the album as a whole as much as their previous two efforts.
I couldn't agree with this statement more. Khan's voice is just fucking fantastic.
Wow, I never knew there were so many prog/power metal fans on the board. Kick ass.
For something a little different check out Pain of Salvation. I've only got one album, The Perfect Element part I, so far. It is very progressive stuff. The first time through I was very meh about it, but the more I listened the better it got. The music is so layered and so diverse. Really fantastic stuff, but POS is one of those bands you really have to work at to appreciate.
Oh and for any Edguy fans, you HAVE to check out Avantasia. It's Tobias' side project. The Metal Opera part I and Part II. Both fantastic albums.
Edit...ah someone beat me to Avantasia already.
Listen to ElyrionX...he knows of what he speaks. Heh, thanks DarkAngyl!
These days, I'm exposing myself to more progressive metal. Got Dream Theater's Train of Thought recently; it ownz and I'm going to pick up Images and Words. I also wish to purchase Transatlantic's A Bridge Across Forever. Anyone heard of Transatlantic? Its a project band consisting of members from some progressive metal bands like Flower Kings and Dream Theater.
And for those interested in getting exposed to more bands, check out Progged Radio. Its an online radio station that plays a good mix of progressive and power metal:
http://www.proggedradio.com/nuke/index.php
Good stuff.....
These days, I'm exposing myself to more progressive metal. Got Dream Theater's Train of Thought recently; it ownz and I'm going to pick up Images and Words. I also wish to purchase Transatlantic's A Bridge Across Forever. Anyone heard of Transatlantic? Its a project band consisting of members from some progressive metal bands like Flower Kings and Dream Theater.
And for those interested in getting exposed to more bands, check out Progged Radio. Its an online radio station that plays a good mix of progressive and power metal:
http://www.proggedradio.com/nuke/index.php
Good stuff.....
Dream Theater is my favorite band ever. Images and Words is fantastic. If you've never heard it before, you are in for a treat. Not as heavy as ToT, but still a wonderful album. My two favorite DT songs are on there too. Metropolis part I and Learning to Live. Hell the whole second half of that cd is just incredible. If you like them and Transatlantic, check out Liquid Tension Experiment. Another side project with Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy, and John Petrucci. Great stuff.
I wish progged radio wasn't blocked here at work. My IS department seems to think streaming audio is evil. Hardradio is another source for all around metal. Some prog, some power, even dipping back into hair metal at times.
Images and Words is fantastic. If you've never heard it before, you are in for a treat. Not as heavy as ToT, but still a wonderful album. My two favorite DT songs are on there too. Metropolis part I and Learning to Live. Hell the whole second half of that cd is just incredible. If you like them and Transatlantic, check out Liquid Tension Experiment. Another side project with Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy, and John Petrucci. Great stuff.I wish progged radio wasn't blocked here at work. My IS department seems to think streaming audio is evil.
Hardradio is another source for all around metal. Some prog, some power, even dipping back into hair metal at times.WHOAguitarninja
Member
ElyrionX said:
It's a litle different than the first, some of the songs are just sorta so so but the ones that are more than so so are far better than anything on the first album. Namely Liquid Dreams, When the Water breaks(one of the greatest rock instrumentals ever...if you don't agree you simply haven't heard the song), both of those are worth the price of admission alone.
While we're on the subject of prog though, I've been a die hard dream theater fanatic for years. I just discovered Pain of Salvation about a month ago, and simply put i have a new favorite band.
Simply the most emotional, thought provoking, and beatiful progressive rock I've ever heard. Not as technical as DT or Symph X(though still quite accomplished...especially some of their rhythmic arrangements), but the sheer weight and power in every note is miles beyond any other band in the genre, and perhaps all of music.
I've seen critics hailing them as miracles and saviors of progressive rock, and I thought it was all hyperbole since I wasn't under the opinion that prog really needed saving. Well, I still don't hold the opinion that it needs saving, but if it did, Pain of Salvation would fit the bill as the genre's true savior and greatest act.
I simply can't get over how incredible this band is (i should even say this man...nearly all the music is written by Daniel Gildenlow, the singer/guitarist). Go to their website and listen to some of the samples ( www.painofsalvation.com ), which are all entire songs.
EVERY album is also a relatively deep concept album, lending the lyrics(which are very high quality) considerable reason for study and analysis.
Anybody that doesn't atleast give them a shot could be missing out on some of the most amazing music they've ever heard.
It's art for beauty's sake, if nothing else.
ElyrionX said:
Yes. And make sure to purchase "BE" next week.
Another Prog band I just got into recently... The Flower Kings. Daniel Gildenlow(vocalist and guitarist for PoS) is a member of this group. They're not the typical Prog stuff like Dream Theater or Pain of Salvation. It's more along the lines of Spock's Beard, very jazzy.
I only have TFK's new album so I can't really give a lot of recommendations, plus I have to give this album a few more listens before I can say "I would definitely recommend this song to someone!"
However, I've heard enough Spock's Beard ( I think) to give some recommendations(only 2 albums, "V" and "Snow")
From Snow - Just get the whole damn album. It's a concept album. It's about the (ex) lead singer's(Neal Morse) path to being a born again christian. It's pretty cool, IMO.
From V - At the end of the day, The Great Nothing.
Both these tunes are 15+, ATEOTD is 16 minutes, TGN is 27 minutes.
Some good Pain of Salvation recommendations:
JUST GET THEIR WHOLE DAMN ALBUMS!. If you download singular songs they won't click with you. You need to get the whole picture to get a better understanding of the lyrical concepts. However, don't get "One Hour By Concrete Lake", I don't have it, but from a few people I talk to who are huge PoS fans say it sucks bad.
When The Water Breaks.. nuff said.
morbidaza said:
[quote="Rope Ends" by Pain of Salvation]
They're still asleep don't hear her cry
And she's still obsessed with rope ends
This time she picks a stronger tie
With Winnie the Pooh and friends[/quote]
I can let that slide
CajoleJuice
Member
This thread is awesome. I've been looking for new music to get into. I love Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment. (Yes When the Water Breaks is fucking amazing) I think I'm gonna download some Symphony X considering my friend who is a mega-huge DT fan likes them too. Then I'll continue with the rest of the stuff in this thread...until my hard drive is full, which will be very soon. Sorry I can't really contribute any recommendations.
Ok, this may sound a bit cheesey but are there any progressive or power metal bands that has songs based on the concept of modern-day romance or love in their songs? So far, all that I've heard usually only involves the idea of falling out of love; or in power metal, its usually about love in a fantasy or medieval setting.
Also, are there any great progressive or power metal band with a female vocalist who has "smooth" and "soothing" vocals? Nightwish is a bit too hardcore and gothic for me. Within Temptation ain't too good. Lana Lane comes close but not close enough. Basically, is there a female version of Kamelot's Khan in the progressive or power metal scene?
Also, are there any great progressive or power metal band with a female vocalist who has "smooth" and "soothing" vocals? Nightwish is a bit too hardcore and gothic for me. Within Temptation ain't too good. Lana Lane comes close but not close enough. Basically, is there a female version of Kamelot's Khan in the progressive or power metal scene?
I highly reccomend Symphony X. They aren't as proggy as DT or POS...more Neo-Classical/Power Metal with some proggy overtones.. They are fantastic though. Russel Allan is the man.
Some songs to check out...Of Sins and Shadows, Smoke and Mirrors, Church of the Machine, Fallen (part of V:the New Mythologies-it's a concept album), Sea of Lies, Lady of the Snow, The Accolade (both parts I and II)...I could go on and on, but it's best to get your feet wet first.
They are fantastic though. Russel Allan is the man. Some songs to check out...Of Sins and Shadows, Smoke and Mirrors, Church of the Machine, Fallen (part of V:the New Mythologies-it's a concept album), Sea of Lies, Lady of the Snow, The Accolade (both parts I and II)...I could go on and on, but it's best to get your feet wet first.
ElyrionX said:
Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane.
and (I've never listened to them) but HIM are considered "Romantic Metal" or some weird shit like that.
PuertoRicanJuice said:
Get: The Odyssey, The Divine Wings of Tragedy, The Accolade, Accolade II, Rediscovery(Part II) - The New Mythology, Evolution(The Grand Design)*
* = Song that got me hooked on them.
Actually Pain of Salvation's The Perfect Element is about a modern couple falling in love. OF course they aren't "normal" people, but people on the fringes of society. It's a fairly dark love story.
The second disc of Dream Theater's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is also a love story of sorts about two disturbed individuals. It's a 46 minutes song with different movements.
The second disc of Dream Theater's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is also a love story of sorts about two disturbed individuals. It's a 46 minutes song with different movements.
ElyrionX said:
Lunatica are pretty cool. Soundclip here: http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Lunatica02.mp3
More clips and info at http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/lunatica-fablesanddreams.html
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