Metal Reviews

So I was wondering if you knew of any good power metal bands that are technical? I mean fast traditional power metal with greater focus on technicality, not nessecarily progressive/avant-garde and not nessecarily mixing all kinds of odd instruments in the mix.

Kind of like Winterfell you know, where the bass is more prominent and the overall sound is more technical.

Thanx beforehand.

If you're going for guitars, then Jani Liimatainen (sonata arctica) is very kickass. Into Eternity might be seen as power, and they're pretty technical...

The Lord Weird Slough Feg are pretty technical but they are not pure power metal more like a mix of folk-doom and power metal.

Sonata Arctica and Into Eternity is not really what i'm after, sorry, although i've admittedly never listened much to the latter.

Dago, you gave me another reason to check out Slough Feg. I've heard lots of good things about them.

They be awesome!

Circus Maximus, Pyramaze and Lanfear perhaps would fill the bill. Some people consider CM prog metal but I think they sort of meader between both prog and power.

Read my review of Core Device.

Is there such a genre? Do you mean prog/power metal?

Not exactly, since im most certainly NOT looking for bands like Pagan's Mind and Circus Maximus etc. I figured since there are technical death and thrash metal that aren't really prog at the same time there must be power metal that fit that description too. A lot of prog/power bands are technical but their sound is usually very prog oriented, borrowing elements from Dream Theater etc. and use loads of keyboards/piano. Basically they aren't as speedy and straightforward as power metal either. What i'm looking for is the basic speed/power metal formula with just a hint more of complex musicianship and technicality. Stuff like Winterfell.

Damn it, I don't know if what im saying makes any sense...does someone know what i'm talking about?

You talking about something like THIS?

I'm at work now so i can't listen but it seems like an interesting band.

Dragonforce?

Hmmm... You know something, that is pretty technical (FOR POWER METAL). I'd still call it prog though.

The first three Labyrinith albums are sublime peices of prog power metal. Especially Return to Heaven Denied.

Lost Horizon maybe ?

OK, pretty interesting, some technical vibes in there for sure and still maintains a heavy/power feel. I don't recognize any keyboard in there either.

A bit "unprofessional" though, they need to mature a bit - judging from that song. But maybe thats just me.

To the others, thanx for all suggestions! I will evaluate them, well some of them.

Now you're talking my language! Tons of bands!!

First of all the allmighty Helstar. Nosferatu is THE album when it comes to mixing technique and power. Slauter X-troyes, whose "Winterkill" album is technical and raw as they come. S.A. Slayer's "Go for the throat" and the Watchtower albums, both featuring guitar god Ron Jarzombeck and both bordering on the thrash side of power. Jag Panzer's "Casting the stones" is as technical as power metal comes. Also Cage's "Darker than Black" features a more technical priest-ish sound. Cloven Hoof in a Sultan's Ransom hit those frets hard, as do Artension on "Forces of Nature" (a bit on the prog side though). Then there's millions of power/neoclassical acts, anything from Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell or Kenziner will do.

When you're done checking those out let me know and I'll shower you with more!

Yeah i have Distant Thunder from Helstar and it's good, but i need to listen to it more.

Watchtower is more thrash from what i've heard but i've been meaning to buy an album and with your blessing i might just do that.

By Jag Panzer 've got Mechanized Warfare and it's damn good, exactly my bag so to say. I will check out Casting the Stones as i've promised myself i need more albums by them. This might be exactly what i'm looking for come to think of it, as i've heard from other sources aswell they've gotten more complicated lately.

Never heard a Cage album, but they look interesting. The other suggestions are interesting too, but I don't consider Axel Rudi Pell that technical-sounding. Malmsteen are but they're not really power metal in that sense.

A big thanx to you is in order

Wuthering Heights!!!!!!