Metal Reviews

OK, so I love the Hammerfall, Blind Guardian, Maiden, Priest, Devin, Dragonforce, Dream Evil, Edguy, Iced Earth, Strato, Kamelot, Therion, Dream Theater, Pagan's Mind, Rush, Children of Bodom, Brainstorm, Cage, Elvenking, Majesty, Helloween, Avantasia, and so on, that I've heard. Call me bigheaded, but I think I've got the basics covered.

Now, are there any Power/Prog-Power Metal bands out there who take an original path with the genre? I don't mean as in singing about pirates or having a female singer, and if anyone says 3IOB they'll get e-punched. Any that mix Death Metal growls in, or have a saxophonist, etc? Something original that's not a pure continuation of Maiden or Priest, you know what I mean.

Thanks in advance...

Looking at my fav. bands this is what I can recommend you:

Communic - Nevermore meets progressive. Don't agree much but it gives you an overall idea and it is the most commonly used comparison i've encountered on the web. Quite heavy and catchy, especially Waves Of Visual Decay which made me a fan.

Evergrey - A truly unique band in the dark prog/power genre. I've yet to hear a band that sounds like them. They put much effort in composition and atmosphere to make their songs stand out. Try Recreation Day and The Inner Circle.

Kiuas - Talented bunch playing a very diversed style of power metal with lots of influences so it sounds quite fresh to me. I'm still waiting for someone to pick this band and review their albums.

Secret Sphere - You wont hear anything new here but SS are the most talented band in the power metal genre in Italy imo. Listen their last album Heart & Anger and if it doesn't convinces you then don't bother with the rest. It has everything a good power metal band should - fast songs, great melodies, soaring vocals, catchy choruses and amazing solos.

Throne Of Chaos - Underrated band. Ignore their debut if you like, it's a Bodom worship and not a very good one. Second album Pervertigo is a power/thrash with harsh and clean vocals courtesy of Niklas Isfeld from Dream Evil. It is also my favourite from them. Third album is their most experimental - power/thrash/pop/jazz. The album doesn't flow very well but there are quality songs so check it out.

Timeless Miracle - Only one album so far but it is quite good. Great use of keyboards and a very talented singer. To me it sounds like Blind Guardian meets Rhapsody yet with a sound of their own. They have lots of twists and turns in their songs to make them interesting.

Communic are very good, they've been on my to-get list for a while, and I've been meaning to get some Evergrey for a while, thanks for the reminder...

Kiuas and Secret Sphere I remember checking out a while ago and not liking, I'll have to try them again. I'll check Throne Of Chaos and Timeless Miracle out, thanks!

I remember reading some stuff at metalcrypt abput some dark power metal bands, if your looking for something like that.

Dark at Dawn which currently has an album on their album of the week section.

Angel Dust maybe? Thrashy power metal.

Stygma IV

First of all, you have no Gamma Ray in that list. Not saying they're what you are looking for, but you have to listen to them if you haven't already.

Also, I'd recommend some of the guitar heros out there. Marty Friedman has some amazing stuff. There are usually no vocals, but he writes some damn awesome music. He had a band called Cacophony with Jason Becker. Pretty good, but I'd check out some of their solo stuff. Just type in one of their names on pandora and you'll get an ear full of amazing

You could also check out Vai, Satriani, Paul Gilbert (Racer-X), Joey Tafolla, and Bob Katsionis for more amazing talent.

I'll think of more, but this is what I've been into latley.


OH!! AND Angra! You HAVE TO LISTEN TO ANGRA! They incorparate a lot of Brazilian instruments in their music, plus they are one of my all time favorites. http://www.myspace.com/angraofficial
You can also check out Kiko Loureiro's (angra's guitarist) solo stuff. It sounds like progressive rock/metal mixed with jazz. More focused on jazz though. http://www.myspace.com/kikoloureiroband

NESS' list depends if you are into guitar wankery

I'll add John Petrucci's solo stuff to it.

Hhmm how about Beyond Twilight ? They are prog but I think they might also fit in your list.
http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/detail.php3?id=3349

Yeah, but these guys are just to damn amazing at their instruments to ignore. I forgot a lot of people don't like that sort of thing though . But yeah, Petrucci is amazing as is Liquid Tension (or Trio) Experiment (Dream Theater members side project).

YES! YES! YES! Amazing stuff.

Yes, I've got Majesty from GR, good stuff, forgot to mention them in my first list. Not quite so into the guitar heroes, but I've been meaning to check Marty Friedman out for a while after lovin' him in Megadeth.

Ooh yes, Angra, thanks for the reminder. They've been on my list for a while, must chase some down. Mind telling me where a good place to start is...?

All of them really. Uhhh... Matos sang on the first three, but if you can't dig his voice check out the stuff Edu sings on. I'd say Angel's Cry for the Matos era and Temple of Shadows for the Edu era. But I also really think you'll like Kiko Loureiro's solo stuff.

Well, not really sure if this is what you're looking for, but I'll add:

Tad Morose - A bit darker sounding than your typical PM

Mercenary - Not really PM, but has elements of it and includes different vocal styles

Jag Panzer - Maybe not original, but they kick ass anyway

The Lord Weird Slough Feg/Slough Feg/Hammers of Misfortune - Just listen, awesome combination of styles

I have Thane To The Throne of JP's, should listen again, I didn't give it that much of a chance... Will check others mentioned out, and Beyond Twilight...

Spellblast - You had Elvenking on your list, so I think you would like this band. The singer for Elvenking even sings on 3 of the songs. They only have one album so far called Horns of Silence and it was lightyears better then Elvenking's last album.

Eluveitie - Not really power/prog I suppose, its more similar to bands like Korpiklaani, Turisas, and Ensiferum. Folk metal with some harsh vocals. I've only heard their newest album but its amazing so far.

Subway To Sally - Again, not really power/prog, but Im reccing them anyways, folky german industrial music, at times sounding like Rammstein meets Elvenking. Best albums are Herzblut and Hochzeit.

And bands I dont feel like giving descriptions to:

Galahad
Saga (Somewhat similar to Rush at times)
Virgin Steele (Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part 1 and every album after it is good no matter what anyone says about Visions of Eden)

And some recs I agree with:

Timeless Miracle
Evergrey
Angra
Mercenary
The Lord Weird Slough Feg/Slough Feg/Hammers of Misfortune

I didn't see any Symphony X there...

= Dream Theater, no? I checked their latest out a while ago and it was ok, but I prefer the earlier stuff of theirs that I've heard.

No. I'd say they are better and have a lot more "umph." Check out The Odyssey and be blown away.

I also second Silent's Virgin Steele rec. Honeslty, one of the best bands ever. You actually grow more chest hair listening to them.

Not really, no. They're a lot faster and heavier, and more power metal-influenced. I'll never get the DT comparisons.

Mercenary are great so +1 on Adam's recommendation. They are one of my all time fav. bands actually. They've gone through some changes in their career - death metal (1st album); melodic death (2nd album); prog/power with some melodeath (3rd and best album); power metal (4th album; screams only no death vocals) and back to basic melodeath in their latest album coming out next month. Except their first album which I can't stand everything else is excelent imo.

Since Beyond Twilight was recommended I'll just toss in Circus Maximus, Spheric Universe Experience and Threshold as well. Their latest albums were some of last year's highlights together with Pagan's Mind. Give those a try as well. It shouldn't be a problem even if you don't like Dream Theater.

Thy Majestie
Manticora
DGM
Vanishing Point