The Power/Melodic metal desk

- Seryn said...
- User
- 7 Nov 2006, 07:45
The Power/Melodic metal desk

Okay, after noticing a severe gap in the genre representation of the group, i've decided to fill it. Welcome to the desk for power and melodic metal: often cheesy, often beautiful and always rockin'.
By the way, if anyone new to power metal is willing to give this highly underappreciated genre a go, I've created a mixtape just for that purpose. Contact me if you're interested.
More to come soon. Recommend and Discuss away.

[quote][b][user]Seryn[/user][/b] said: Okay, after noticing a severe gap in the genre representation of the group, i've decided to fill it. Welcome to the desk for power and melodic metal: often cheesy, often beautiful and always rockin'. By the way, if anyone new to power metal is willing to give this highly underappreciated genre a go, I've created a mixtape just for that purpose. Contact me if you're interested. More to come soon. Recommend and Discuss away.[/quote]

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- Cylob said...
- User
- 7 Nov 2006, 10:03
As I know next to nothing about this genre, what's it all about?

Any seminal albums to point out?

Secret Snacker & Accomplished Pen Thief At:

[quote][b][user]Cylob[/user][/b] said: As I know next to nothing about this genre, what's it all about? Any seminal albums to point out?[/quote]

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- Seryn said...
- User
- 7 Nov 2006, 11:32
Well the way I see it power metal is generally defined by the following qualities:
- Generally clean vocals. Except for the odd occaison you won't be finding any of the growling of other metal genres.
- Highly melodic and/or symphonic music, often influenced greatly by classical music. The tunes also tend to be more upbeat and catchy then a lot of other metal genres. It's often synonymous with the name 'Happy metal'. At other times it maintains the heavy, bombastic feel of heavy metal but without the extremeness of genres such as Thrash or death metal.
- The themes often centre around Fantasy and Sci-Fi elements, often presented in concept albums, whether based on specific literature or more generic themes.

Of course this is all biased to my own music preference, plus i'm not great with musical terms so i'm sure others will have a different spiel on the genre (Anyone feel free to better my description), generally though, i find power metal to be the most easily accessible metal subgenre, often coming pretty close to simple hard rock.

Good places to start:
Sonata Arctica - The album 'Silence' is probably the best, though 'Ecliptica' may be easier, being on last.fm. Very beautiful music. Often criticised for being to anime-y though.
Edguy - Go for the 'Hellfire club' album, in particular the songs 'Lavatory Love Machine' and 'King of Fools' or 'Superheroes from the latest album 'Rocket Ride'.
Blind Guardian is another personal favourite of mine though are not quite as accesible on the first listen. Their Queen influences are pleasantly obvious at times though. Their latest album 'A Twist in the Myth", while not their best is probably their most accessible, go for the songs 'Another Stranger Me' and 'Turn the Page'.
Oh, and Freedom Call is another good start, you won't find a more happy/cheesy band around. I don't think you'll find any tracks here on last.fm though.

[quote][b][user]Seryn[/user][/b] said: Well the way I see it power metal is generally defined by the following qualities: - Generally clean vocals. Except for the odd occaison you won't be finding any of the growling of other metal genres. - Highly melodic and/or symphonic music, often influenced greatly by classical music. The tunes also tend to be more upbeat and catchy then a lot of other metal genres. It's often synonymous with the name 'Happy metal'. At other times it maintains the heavy, bombastic feel of heavy metal but without the extremeness of genres such as Thrash or death metal. - The themes often centre around Fantasy and Sci-Fi elements, often presented in concept albums, whether based on specific literature or more generic themes. Of course this is all biased to my own music preference, plus i'm not great with musical terms so i'm sure others will have a different spiel on the genre (Anyone feel free to better my description), generally though, i find power metal to be the most easily accessible metal subgenre, often coming pretty close to simple hard rock. Good places to start: [artist]Sonata Arctica[/artist] - The album 'Silence' is probably the best, though 'Ecliptica' may be easier, being on last.fm. Very beautiful music. Often criticised for being to anime-y though. [artist]Edguy[/artist] - Go for the 'Hellfire club' album, in particular the songs 'Lavatory Love Machine' and 'King of Fools' or 'Superheroes from the latest album 'Rocket Ride'. [artist]Blind Guardian[/artist] is another personal favourite of mine though are not quite as accesible on the first listen. Their Queen influences are pleasantly obvious at times though. Their latest album 'A Twist in the Myth", while not their best is probably their most accessible, go for the songs 'Another Stranger Me' and 'Turn the Page'. Oh, and [artist]Freedom call[/artist] is another good start, you won't find a more happy/cheesy band around. I don't think you'll find any tracks here on last.fm though.[/quote]

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- Jacaran said...
- User
- 7 Nov 2006, 13:57
You basically summed up the sound there are some more things to it but the most obvious is the vocals are very dramatic and the lyrics are often about dragons and fantasy crap.
My essentials:
Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1
Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2
Nightfall in Middle Earth
Kings of Metal
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Suffer Our Pleasures
Follow the Reaper
Glory To The Brave

[quote][b][user]Jacaran[/user][/b] said: You basically summed up the sound there are some more things to it but the most obvious is the vocals are very dramatic and the lyrics are often about dragons and fantasy crap. My essentials: [album artist=Helloween]Keeper of the Seven Keys part 1[/album] [album artist=Helloween]Keeper of the Seven Keys part 2[/album] [album artist=Blind Guardian]Nightfall in Middle Earth[/album] [album artist=Manowar]Kings of Metal[/album] [album artist=Iced Earth]Something Wicked This Way Comes[/album] [album artist=Tarot]Suffer Our Pleasures[/album] [album artist=Children of Bodom]Follow the Reaper[/album] [album artist=HammerFall]Glory to the Brave[/album][/quote]

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- LilTheater said...
- User
- 15 Nov 2006, 17:37
I'm gonna put in an initial small-time recommendation to start with.

Although some find CoB's genre-fusing styles hard to stomach, I find it strangely appealing. Taste Of My Scythe is perhaps their finest hour (at least from the Follow the Reaper album); an absolutely intense, epic tune with a great burst of vicious speed towards the end. Not to be enjoyed by everyone, but goddamn I love it!

[quote][b][user]LilTheater[/user][/b] said: I'm gonna put in an initial small-time recommendation to start with. Although some find CoB's genre-fusing styles hard to stomach, I find it strangely appealing. [track artist=Children of Bodom]Taste of My Scythe[/track] is perhaps their finest hour (at least from the [i]Follow the Reaper[/i] album); an absolutely intense, epic tune with a great burst of vicious speed towards the end. Not to be enjoyed by everyone, but goddamn I love it![/quote]

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- Jc1990 said...
- User
- 19 Nov 2006, 16:58
I'm gonna post my review of The Black Halo from the Progressive Metal desk because Kamelot are often classified as this.

Kamelot - The Black Halo

Song Picks:

The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)
Soul Society
Nothing Ever Dies

This in my opinion, is one of the best albums of 2005. Kamelot sets a very high standard for their genre - You could say its power metal, but thats as ignorant as calling Opeth Death Metal - Kamelot are way above such a pedestrian. They are very creative and very expressive for what they do, not cheesy; though their name is quite bad =P

Its a concept album that follows on from Epica, Kamelots 2003 album which follows Arials life, who has lost his love Helena after being tricked by Mephisto.

The Black Halo kicks off with a fan favourite, March Of Mephisto, a dark, yet powerful track which creates the perfect atmosphere to then rush into the speedy When The Lights Are Down. And thats just the beginning! These two starting songs drag you deep into the album, into some magnificant songs such as Abandoned, agressive yet melodic air-guitar tracks like Nothing Ever Dies.

The album has many powerful and standout tracks, but the ones I've picked there are probably my favourites, going from heavy ballads, to catchy, fast riffs here and there to an introspective yet powerful "Soul Society".

If you want to start off with Power-Prog Metal, I'd definatly start here or with Epica

Jc

[quote][b][user]Jc1990[/user][/b] said: I'm gonna post my review of The Black Halo from the Progressive Metal desk because Kamelot are often classified as this. Kamelot - The Black Halo [img]http://counterattack.dir.bg/smf_bg_com/covers_cd/KAMELOT-THE%20BLACK%20HALO%20LTD..gif[/img] Song Picks: The Haunting (Somewhere in Time) Soul Society Nothing Ever Dies This in my opinion, is one of the best albums of 2005. Kamelot sets a very high standard for their genre - You could say its power metal, but thats as ignorant as calling Opeth Death Metal - Kamelot are way above such a pedestrian. They are very creative and very expressive for what they do, not cheesy; though their name is quite bad =P Its a concept album that follows on from Epica, Kamelots 2003 album which follows Arials life, who has lost his love Helena after being tricked by Mephisto. The Black Halo kicks off with a fan favourite, [track artist=Kamelot]March Of Mephisto[/track], a dark, yet powerful track which creates the perfect atmosphere to then rush into the speedy [track artist=Kamelot]When The Lights Are Down[/track]. And thats just the beginning! These two starting songs drag you deep into the album, into some magnificant songs such as Abandoned, agressive yet melodic air-guitar tracks like [track artist=Kamelot]Nothing Ever Dies[/track]. The album has many powerful and standout tracks, but the ones I've picked there are probably my favourites, going from heavy ballads, to catchy, fast riffs here and there to an introspective yet powerful "Soul Society". If you want to start off with Power-Prog Metal, I'd definatly start here or with [album artist=Kamelot]Epica[/album] Jc [/quote]

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- karlsson_666 said...
- User
- 10 Jan 2007, 12:16
I would like to add some good records

Land Of The Free
One of the best Power Metal albums ever
Falconer
Swedish band, the singer also sings or have sung in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. A little folkmusic in this one to.
Return To Heaven Denied
Just a very good album

And now that im listening to Nocturnal Rites i must recommend them to

[quote][b][user]karlsson_666[/user][/b] said: I would like to add some good records [album artist=Gamma Ray]Land Of The Free[/album] One of the best Power Metal albums ever [album artist=Falconer]Falconer[/album] Swedish band, the singer also sings or have sung in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. A little folkmusic in this one to. [album artist=Labyrinth]Return To Heaven Denied[/album] Just a very good album And now that im listening to [artist]Nocturnal Rites[/artist] i must recommend them to[/quote]

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- Seryn said...
- User
- 11 Jan 2007, 05:29
Bah, I wish it would notify me properly when someone actually posted in this thread. Thanks for the recommomendations all and here are a couple of more obscure power metal bands that I highly recommend:
Arwen - Rather obscure band from Spain, in the vains of Angra or Stratovarius (or so i'm told). They also have two lead singers, one male, one female.
Suggested album: Illusions
Suggested songs: Touch the sky
Dance of Souls
Infinity

- Galloglass: While I find Galloglass to border on speed/thrash elements at times (generally a turn off for me) they manage to pull this off with a lot of class and untimately they ARE power metal. Blergh, I suck as describing music, just listen to them already :P
Suggested albums: Heavenseeker
Suggested songs: Dawn of a new Age
Kings who Die

[quote][b][user]Seryn[/user][/b] said: Bah, I wish it would notify me properly when someone actually posted in this thread. Thanks for the recommomendations all and here are a couple of more obscure power metal bands that I highly recommend: [artist]Arwen[/artist] - Rather obscure band from Spain, in the vains of Angra or Stratovarius (or so i'm told). They also have two lead singers, one male, one female. Suggested album: Illusions Suggested songs: Touch the sky Dance of Souls Infinity - [artist]Galloglass[/artist]: While I find Galloglass to border on speed/thrash elements at times (generally a turn off for me) they manage to pull this off with a lot of class and untimately they ARE power metal. Blergh, I suck as describing music, just listen to them already :P Suggested albums: Heavenseeker Suggested songs: Dawn of a new Age Kings who Die[/quote]

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- djizeus said...
- User
- 31 Mar 2007, 22:46
Need for new power songs

I really enjoy from time to time metal, especially power metal (well, it is hopefully the name of what I like, I'm not really sure...).

Now I am looking for fresh music, so I would appreciate some recommendations. You can have a good idea of what I like with my personal tag mother tearing rock (named after a french expression). There's not only metal there, but that's a good part of it.

I would prefer tracks to bands or album, since it is very rare that I like all (or even most of) the songs of a band, in the context of metal music. But bands are also accepted of course :) And if these songs are streamable, that's perfect !

Thanks for your advice !

[quote][b][user]djizeus[/user][/b] said: I really enjoy from time to time metal, especially power metal (well, it is hopefully the name of what I like, I'm not really sure...). Now I am looking for fresh music, so I would appreciate some recommendations. You can have a good idea of what I like with my personal tag [url=http://www.last.fm/user/djizeus/tags/mother+tearing+rock]mother tearing rock[/url] (named after a french expression). There's not only metal there, but that's a good part of it. I would prefer tracks to bands or album, since it is very rare that I like all (or even most of) the songs of a band, in the context of metal music. But bands are also accepted of course :) And if these songs are streamable, that's perfect ! Thanks for your advice ![/quote]

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- [Deleted user] said...
- User
- 24 Jun 2007, 03:25
So, since both the new Blind Guardian and Iced Earth singles are out, which one would you prefer? I like Iced Earth's new song a million times more, and I am hoping all the other tracks on the album will be as good.

[quote][b][user][/user][/b] said: So, since both the new Blind Guardian and Iced Earth singles are out, which one would you prefer? I like Iced Earth's new song a million times more, and I am hoping all the other tracks on the album will be as good.[/quote]

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- [Deleted user] said...
- User
- 5 Jul 2007, 13:11
What I've heard of power metal so far - which really is only Kamelot, Sonata Arctica and DragonForce, haha - has been great. I haven't listened to much metal for a long time, so this will be getting me back into that sort of music. I'll definately be giving some of these bands a listen. Thanks guys! xD

[quote][b][user][/user][/b] said: What I've heard of power metal so far - which really is only Kamelot, Sonata Arctica and DragonForce, haha - has been great. I haven't listened to much metal for a long time, so this will be getting me back into that sort of music. I'll definately be giving some of these bands a listen. Thanks guys! xD[/quote]

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- scottwallace01 said...
- User
- 6 Jul 2007, 17:47
Realizing that this conflicts with the above criteria of power metal, a lot of people categorize the metal subgenre melodic death metal as an offshoot of power metal, rather than death metal. Either way, here are some melodic death bands that tend toward the power metal side of the subgenre.

Children of Bodom
Kalmah
Norther
Scar Symmetry
Wintersun

The taproots of power metal are really found in Iron Maiden, among other artists, so they're always a good place to start. Also, Black Sabbath experimented with power metal on their album Tyr.

My Top Albums:

♪ GN'R ♪ AC/DC ♪ Sabbath ♪ Led Zep ♪ Maiden ♪ Slash ♪ Izzy ♪ Duff ♪ Crüe ♪
♪ ♪ ♪Classic Rock ♪ Hard Rock ♪ True Metal ♪ Melodic Death♪
♪Sleaze ♪ Hair ♪ I Buy CDs ♪

[quote][b][user]scottwallace01[/user][/b] said: Realizing that this conflicts with the above criteria of power metal, a lot of people categorize the metal subgenre [tag]melodic death metal[/tag] as an offshoot of power metal, rather than death metal. Either way, here are some melodic death bands that tend toward the power metal side of the subgenre. [artist]Children of Bodom[/artist] [artist]Kalmah[/artist] [artist]Norther[/artist] [artist]Scar Symmetry[/artist] [artist]Wintersun[/artist] The taproots of [tag]Power Metal[/tag] are really found in [artist]Iron Maiden[/artist], among other artists, so they're always a good place to start. Also, [artist]Black Sabbath[/artist] experimented with power metal on their album [album artist=Black Sabbath]Tyr[/album].[/quote]

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