Metal Thread VII: The Mosh Pit Don't Start 'Til We Walk In

[Faulty]

Listen to Kamelot's The Black Halo.

[Makensha]

Listen to Kamelot's The Black Halo.

I thought they were Symphonic Metal.

Although I wonder what you mean by "get." Power Metal is a very shallow genre. Fast, highly melodic guitars, epic choruses, a drummer trying to kill his drum, occasionally noticeable bassists, and soaring vocals. With some variance, of course. But I can give a few suggestions anyway.

Seven by Symphony X
Voice in the Dark by Blind Guardian

From Chaos to Eternity by Rhapsody of Fire
Laying the Demon To Rest by Theocracy


That's all Melodic Power Metal. I don't really listen to US Power Metal. A good starter guide to both genres is here, at the Map of Metal.

[Faulty]

Symphonic metal is a lie.

[WhamBamSam]

I'll second Blind Guardian, Symphony X, and Kamelot. My personal favorite BG album is Somewhere Far Beyond as opposed to At The Edge of Time, though it depends what exactly you're looking for in your Power Metal. Kamelot are from the lighter, symphonic side of the genre that I usually don't really like, but they have more bite and more style then the glut of similar bands who try to hide their mediocrity behind orchestral bombast.

I'll also toss out a few more recommendations:

Masterplan: Originally formed as a split-off group from Helloween. Their first two albums are the best ones.

Pharaoh: A USPM band whose songs seem to be getting taken off youtube, as I can't find links for "Red Honor" or "Dark New Life" but ah well. I only own Be Gone myself, but from what I've listened to and what I've heard from other sources, it and their most recent release Bury the Light, are their best albums.

Seven Kingdoms: Another USPM band. Essentially, they're a slightly less heavy Iced Earth with a female singer. I personally consider their self-titled album to be their best effort thus far. The follow up from last year was good, but turned more toward the flowery "epic" side of Power Metal which I'm less fond of.

Demons & Wizards: A super-group consisting of Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth, and Hansi Kursch, the singer from Blind Guardian. Of their two albums, I personally prefer Touched By the Crimson King.

Allen/Lande: Another super-group, this one coming from guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has been in a number of things, but which more importantly features vocals from both Russel Allen of Symphony X and Jorn Lande of Masterplan (among other things). Their first album was tons of fun, though the latter two tried a more somber, proggier direction which didn't quite work in my opinion.

Avantasia: While I'm on the subject, here's the concept of a Power Metal super-group taken to its logical conclusion. Tobias Sammet of Edguy calls in every other Power Metal singer that he can find to sing on various tracks. The only album I have from them is The Wicked Symphony, which has the distinction of featuring one of the best songs that Tim Owens has done since basically ever*.

3 Inches of Blood: Sweet delicious, somewhat thrashy cheese. Advance and Vanquish seems to be widely regarded as their best album.

Holy Grail: I would actually consider them more of a NWOBHM/Thrash revival band than a Power Metal band, but they sometimes get lumped in with the genre and are awesome, so I'll include them. Their first album is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite metal releases in the past 5-10 years. Their sophomore record comes out next week. I expect it to be good, but not quite on the level of its predecessor.

*Okay "Ten Thousand Strong" is a pretty good song, but am I the only one to be annoyed by what a perennial disappointment Ripper is? He's so damn talented and yet almost everything he's in is crap.

[Marillion]

Dream Evil is an absolute must for power metaaaaaaaallllllllll!

[grimbold]

why has no one mentioned HAMMERFALL yet?

i love this band SO MUCH

[Hawkfrost000]

Also Sabaton

They really only have one song, about one thing. But damn its a good song.

DM

[Marillion]

And Powerwolf if you don't mind the cheesey satanic themes ratcheted up to 11

[godspit]

I like Manowar for my power metal.

[grimbold]

And Powerwolf if you don't mind the cheesey satanic themes ratcheted up to 11

is it just me or is Ghost essentially Powerwolf only toned back a bit?

[Marillion]

is it just me or is Ghost essentially Powerwolf only toned back a bit?

It's just y...

Huh. I guess they are.

[Killer Angel]

Power Metal, uh?
Well, thare are so many already mentioned... I guess it's time for some national pride from me. Domine. (well, another link.)

[grimbold]

It's just y...

Huh. I guess they are.

it WOULD explain the newfound popularity of powerwolf

[Faulty]

http://againsthumanity.bandcamp.com/

Cool depressive BM. His first release, available for download pay-as-you-can.

[grimbold]

very cool
i approve

[godspit]

I like it. It didn't change my world view, but it was good nevertheless.

For those who like DSBM, Happy Days most recent album Cause of death: life is really good. It's up there among my favorites now.

[grimbold]

well um
just got back from holland where i met acool hardcore guy

i finally voted in the golden gods awards

WHY MUST THEY HAVE SO MANY POSERS?

[Faulty]

Because Revolver blows.

[grimbold]

Because Revolver blows.

i stopped reading them at 14 :P

[DJ Yung Crunk]

Guys, who are your favorite Symphonic Blackened Post Atmospheric Sludge Metal band?

[godspit]

Guys, who are your favorite Symphonic Blackened Post Atmospheric Sludge Metal band?

Closest thing I have to that is Dark Buddha Rising or Tides.

[Nomrom]

Anyone here listen to Myrath? They're a progressive/power metal band from Tunisia with some cool middle eastern influences. I heard about them for the first time a few days ago.

Guys, who are your favorite Symphonic Blackened Post Atmospheric Sludge Metal band?

Dragonforce is all of those things, right?

[Makensha]

Dragonforce is all of those things, right?

Only if you want it to be.

[DJ Yung Crunk]

Guys, who are your favorite Symphonic Blackened Post Atmospheric Sludge Metal band?

The ****? This is why you don't message board while drunk.

[HandofCrom]

The ****? This is why you don't message board while drunk.

I try to do all my gaming and coding drunk. It makes things interesting.

Back onto metal, I recently was introduced to Black Moor thanks to the show Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (funny show and a magnificent tribute to metal).

The Conquering

Death to the False Emperor! (good at any night of Black Crusade)

[grimbold]

does anyone here listen too pallbearer? i love them WAAAY too much!

[JoshL]

The ****? This is why you don't message board while drunk.

It's okay, we've all been there...or are there now...

On topic, drunk enough that listening to and singing along with Iron Maiden seems like a good idea right now (Seventh Son up next)

[grimbold]

listening and singing along to iron maiden is ALWAYS a good idea

or maybe i'm drunk too...

[WhamBamSam]

I may or may not have drunkenly growled along to Amon Amarth while walking home last night.

I'll sing along to Iron Maiden blind stinking sober.

[Marillion]

A while back I was linked to a song by Hungarian avant-garde Thy Catafalque, and I really liked it. So I bought their latest album, Rengeteg, and just got it in the mail today.

You guys. YOU GUYS. This is the best metal purchase I've ever made. I am only exaggerating a little. Go check them out. Hungarian is such a lovely language.