Metal Reviews

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 [/list]

One day you will learn that every Sonata song is the best Sonata song. I.e. almost every song in their discography (apart from the questionable Unia) is amazing.

Until then, join the rest of us in searching for a better alternative!

Sorry, prefer Iced Earth-style PM myself.

Angra dude. I cannot stress this enough to everybody. They are seriously underrated. Get Temple of Shadows and Angels Cry.

Orden Ogan dude! Check out Vale, and their upcoming album Easton Hopes when it's out!

Tarot, Grave Digger, Rage, Lost Horizon, from the top of my head.

Nocturnal Rites - Tales of Mystery and Imagination, youre gonna love this shit.

Check out Heavenly; their albums Sign Of The Winner, Dust To Dust, and Virus should be right up your alley.

Kamelot.

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'll check them out and get back on what I think of them.

Ive only listened to Angra so far and Ive definitely got to buy some of their stuff. Carry On's a great song, it's like Keepers era Helloween with more complex guitar playing, which I like greatly

I have to second the Nocturnal Rites recommendation. It is probably the best power metal album listed so far...it's one of the greatest ever in my opinion. Top class song writing, excellent musicianship. The song writing is key, most of other bands listed don't have the same song writing ability that NR had on Tales of Mystery

There are a lot of songs that may suite you. Try to search some more in the Internet, there are many, I guess so. I will make some researching to after I finish working with my Tube Notcher.

SPAM?

I'd go with Sonata too... Their work is catchy and stabilized!
Newest album also in my opinion great.

Insania (Stockholm)

Nocturnal Rites, Lost Horizon,Grave Digger,Angra,Rage Sonata Arctica, HammerFall,Kamelot,Manigance.

I've got Easton Hope and I can tell you that it is just as good as Vale. Which means it kicks ass!!

As for the one who said Insania

their last album sucked balls...only decent album was Sunrise In Riverland

Yeah right, Fantasy is killer. Illusions is one of those songs that stays with you when you think of power metal. Great album all the way through too. Insania is another good rec.

I gotta go with Trooper on this one. They have some catchy songs here and there, but on a whole it's some of the most uninteresting power metal I've ever heard. Then again, I've heard only two albums from them, maybe they have better to offer.