Ive been a power metal fan for awhile (First bought Keeper pt 2 when I was in 7th or 8th grade, and Im in college now) but I kinda strayed from it, until recently when Ive been getting back into it. Im a fan of Helloween and Gamma Ray (with the latter competing for my fave band of all time) and I also own Hellfire Club which I think is pretty good, and Battalions of Fear which is okay but BG definitely have better songs and albums from what ive heard. Ive also heard some kamelot and it seems pretty good also. Im not too sure what i think of Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius. Stratovarius has some pretty decent songs, but two things about them prevent me from truly liking them:
1) The classical influence. I don't mind some but from what Ive heard with songs like Black Diamond and Stratosphere it basically sounds like Yngwie and thats too much classical for me. Timo seems to hardly do bends or anything that isnt a typical neoclassical guitar technique on any of his solos.
2) The lack of variety. I mean Ill admit a lot of Gamma Ray songs/albums sound similar, but Stratovarius's stuff sounds just way too similar. Always the double bass with the typical powerchord then 16th notes of the root (like Black Diamond again). Though Im talkin about the Visions era of the band.
In Sonata's case, i just feel like they have a lot of good songs but I cant find any great songs.
Should I give both bands another shot? (especially if Stratovarius is considered the best/ the founders of their neoclassical speedy power metal, Ill give them another go).
Also, what are some of your favorite (and also considered to be the best) power metal albums that I should check out?
I guess I should say though you probably guessed i mean European style power metal, not stuff like Iced Earth.
PS This has nothing to do with recommending any stuff, but I have the same birthday as Kai
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their last album sucked balls...only decent album was Sunrise In Riverland