The thing that irks me most about this site is the lack of comments on other reviews, I will lurk the review section and see scores of comments on Freedom Call, Sabaton, Kamelot, or Epica albums, but then see virtually none for say Tripykon or Hirax?!. Perhaps its just the fact that extreme metal variants are the polar opposites from their studio-polished cousins in modern Euro power, but really what is the appeal in sugary choruses, generic power chord riffs, and horrendous overproduction? Its kind of sad to see that while this site has always been frequented more to that crowd, that extreme metal reviews tend to go unnoticed. Granted, I haven't always commented on them, but really what is the appeal in that borderline pop music type stuff?

Granted, I haven't always commented on them, but really what is the appeal in that borderline pop music type stuff?

What is the appeal of coming to this site to just bitch about music you don't like?

But the same argument was made about the LA glam bands vs. their thrash counterparts in the 80s. Sugary choruses sell records and bring in the female audience. It's the tried and true Def Leppard formula.

Because Power Metal bands talk a lot about higher dimensions and other shit that only makes sense with an active pineal gland. People that listen to really low vibrational shit have another lives to go through before they could even start to get it. I'm amazed that Earth has such extremes. We've got people that are practically the undead interacting with people that are about a millimeter away from ascending past the physical reality entirely. It's all good. I like to dwell in the abyss and like to turn myself into pure light too. Biolelectrical energy manipulation for the win!

I think you have been bombarded by Gamma Ray(s), sir. That's not a Third Eye, it's just a tumor.

The thing that irks me most about this site is the lack of comments on other reviews, I will lurk the review section and see scores of comments on Freedom Call, Sabaton, Kamelot, or Epica albums, but then see virtually none for say Tripykon or Hirax?!. Perhaps its just the fact that extreme metal variants are the polar opposites from their studio-polished cousins in modern Euro power, but really what is the appeal in sugary choruses, generic power chord riffs, and horrendous overproduction? Its kind of sad to see that while this site has always been frequented more to that crowd, that extreme metal reviews tend to go unnoticed. Granted, I haven't always commented on them, but really what is the appeal in that borderline pop music type stuff?

To me, the music you described isn't the music I listen to, and I almost exclusively listen to power/prog metal. The choruses don't sound sugary to me, but rather a well-executed mix of highs and lows. Good PM bands, and there are many, don't just stick to generic power chords. Overproduction? I thoroughly enjoy hearing everything that I'm supposed to hear clearly and concisely. I have never considered ANY PM band to be borderline pop either. I mean, have you heard pop recently? If you did, you'd realize you're really reaching on that point.

Also, I youtubed Hirax to see what the polar-opposite sounds like. Guitars submerged in mud? Check. Leads that make no musical sense? Check. Trash cans as drums? Check. A "vocalist" who "sings?" Check! I didn't make it past the first verse, and I can see why the review hasn't garnered a lot of response. I avoided Triptykon to save my brain from the potential skull-shivering. I'm not trying to hate necessarily, but considering the tent you just threw the majority of the PM genre under, it's safe to say you opened that can of worms, no?

Some people just prefer a more stripped down, aggressive approach to their metal.

where are the people within the power metal community challenging the majority opinion?

imo power metal takes trad heavy metal, dumbs it downs (bigger choruses, more predictable songs), speeds it up, and adds a bunch of superfluous shit (ott singing, orchestras, goofy solos).