What do you dudes think of the new Katana song? I think it's decent.

Shok Paris's Steel and Starlight is ruling my world right now. No idea why this never clicked before. Huge larger than life riffing and swagger and attitude - goddamn it's beautiful, a sort of microcosm of 80s metal in one weird, over the top album. The riffs hit like cannonfire and the singer has more balls than most could dream of. This is great.

It looks like Elvenking is releasing a live CD/DVD on December 4th! I guess that explains the random live video of "Pagan Revolution" that was released a few days ago. Elvenking is releasing an album in December, Avantasia/Rhapsody of Fire/Primal Fear in January, and Sabaton/Amaranthe sometime next year.

Edit: Amaranthe just released a digital-only album with B-sides and bonus tracks (mostly acoustic). I like acoustic songs, so I think it's pretty good.

That Magic Hammer is GOLD!

Damn, Crystal Viper is a very good band!!!

What do you guys think about this random band I stumbled across? I'm not one to drool over demos, but this band is promising.



Their vocalist has a similar style to Mathias Blad.

OK, I need a bit of help... I've been searching for some good Heavy/Power metal... My guidelines are as follows:
-Not too "flashy" sounding (i.e. no Dragonforce/Stratovarius/etc. knockoffs)
-Mid-tenor vocalist with a bit of rasp in his voice, but not descending into Boltenthal/Scheepers territory
-No fantasy-based lyrics

If you need auditory guidelines, check these out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryy_wnl-X5s (I am I - "This Is My Life")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNPb8Vn27W0 (Thunderstone - "Wasted Years" [Iron Maiden cover])

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GDxKddP39Q (Apocalyptica - "Life Burns")

Still a bit vague. What bands you are familiar with?
Here's a few.

Arthemis - Cry For Freedom (Fabio Dessi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHSuRigYdSE

Arthemis - Vortex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BiodeWYAV0

Borealis - From the Ashes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ80SNNuxqc

Borealis - My Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa84JoowXuY

Masterplan - Crimson Rider (Jorn Lande)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CE-eNUW8vI

Rage - Carved In Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDw8-qf_-uc

Saint Deamon - Ride Forever (Jan Thore)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkJSg8dlxaE

Spellblast - We Ride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NOMnAdU2QM

Van Canto - If I Die in Battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f8V1QSf7yg

Jorn Lande/Tronde Holter - Walking on Water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Gme_E8ZWk

Firewind - Mercenary Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0q-JTr3fCo


Also, Thunderstone rules. I just discovered them a few days ago.

So, judging from what I've heard so far, the Rage/Saint Deamon/Arthemis/Firewind instrumentation is a "go" factor; however, the vocalists are a bit too low-pitched for my liking. I'm looking for a sort of blend of ZP Theart, Tobias Sammet, Lauri Ylonen, and other singers of that nature.

Cellador - A Sign Far Beyond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy6HavhU1_k

Excalion - The Wingman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAtcSny6Lvk

Like those?

Thinking of those sorts of singers is tougher than I thought. Crystal Eyes' albums with Seren Andersen are great, he's got a real rockish sneer going on. Chained is a killer album.



Stygma IV is more epic and old school 80s, but their singer was great:



Anything urban breed has been in, too. I think you'd probably like Trail of Murder a lot.

"Shades of Art" hits the nail right on the head - exactly what I'm looking for! The Excalion one is almost perfect - I'll take it for now.

Here's some more examples of what I'm looking for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHpCXhhgRPs (Edguy - King of Fools)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYDYQnm_KHg (Edguy [again] - Angel Rebellion)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir_BVxBz5do (Orden Ogan - The Things We Believe In)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6L5Jo09l7U (Queensryche - Speak)

I think I get what you're going for now. The rasp thing threw me off.

Galneryus - Under Threat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIG9go3Fljs

Secret Sphere - Oblivion (re-recorded)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS95aIdDyZM

Almah - The Sign of Glory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqBeONdufBY

Aaaaaand now we're going in the opposite direction of what I was asking in terms of instrumentals. Also, these vocalists are a bit too clean for my desired taste now. It's OK, though. I have some material to work with. Thanks for the recs, everyone who suggested.

Oops, I completely forgot about the instrumental part. Isn't a ZP a pretty clean vocalist?

Can you guys give me the cheesiest fantasy/fairy metal you know of? I don't know exactly how to describe what I'm looking for but I heard the term "Fairy metal" recent and I want some.
I'm pretty new to power metal and only know Helloween and Blind Guardian so I don't really have any examples

Twilight Force - Enchanted Dragon of Wisdom (Christian Hedgren was on The Voice Sweden and auditioned for DragonForce)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yehh-j1B-v8

Power Quest - Find My Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sofhG9ZnlOU

Timeless Miracle - The Gates of Hell (it doesn't get much better than this)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3rGiguSZYw

Luca Turilli - Legends of Steel (full-LARP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSJ633aoyfc

Heavenly - Fullmoon (the cheesiest)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwcutxyxjI4

Gloryhammer - Angus McFife (also the cheesiest)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTW30Q4B3Go

Alestorm - Drink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f55CqLc6IR0

Stormwarrior - Sacred Blade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEo4N-cOshI

For your introduction to Euro-power metal, you simply need to sample some Dark Moor and Nightwish. And then you can dive head-first into Timeless Miracle and Power Quest and Sunrise.

EDIT: GODDAMMIT, YOU. MINE. MIIIIINE!!

Willy - In case you don't know, Timeless Miracle is considered to be the greatest power metal band ever. They're so good that they like to release albums every 10 years.

Zelkiiro -

You better get acquainted with Fairyland stat then!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTtOkPnzPUQ

...And Freedom Call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEt3ljDxEJg

"Fairy Metal" sounds to me like it would describe the less heavy, more keys-laden power metal.
In which case, Rhapsody (and Dark Moor, as already mentioned!) are also mandatory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qOx7X890ds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKovXpSkWOQ

And here's some variously less well-known ones!
Lorien - Silent Mermaid
Arwen - Dance of Souls
Dragonland - Through Elven Woods and Dwarven Mines
Holy Knights - Under the Light of the Moon
Aquaria - Into the Forest

Edit: ...Can't forget Galneryus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEHu5VvU89U

Oh yeah this is what I needed in my life, thanks yall
gonna go play runescape or some shit now

any recent advancements in the field of aggressive ripping spped metal that's super melodic? I'm thinking about modern equivalents to Helloween - Ride the Sky, or even Sabbat- A Cautionary Tale if it was more melodic with catchy guitar harmonies..

Do you know Orden Ogan? Not that aggressive, but still.

Dragonheart are a band you should know about then; not the most aggressive or ripping, but kind of like Nightfall in Middle Earth-esque tunes if they were made in the 80s (but post-2000 ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvY_ZGGAw_g Definitely not a sound I hear that often at least

i still think the best new speed metal band is evil invaders.

What do you guys make of Hallow's Eve? I've got the debut on LP and I just got the History of Terror compilation today. I think the debut is great. Speed-thrashing, occasionally punky, often Maiden-y stuff that even sounds like Helstar at times (especially the vocals). I'm surprised that it doesn't get talked about more.

The first album is one of my favourite thrash albums ever. The production is kinda weird (and changes throughout the record), but the songs are the best. Tracks like "Plunging To Megadeath", "There Are No Rules", and of course, the title track, are some of the best thrash ever made.

The second is weaker, but still very good. It's a bit more coherent from a songwriting and production perspective.

The third one I never really got into, but I've heard a lot of people like that one best.

Is the full length on par with the demo? The cover was a turn off but the demo is so great. Really pure and clear of vision.

Everyone listen to Possessor by Dracula. I am so smitten. That 82 stomp.

Whoa. Big scores today locally. I got an original copy of H-Bomb's Coup de Metal for 25$. It's in flawless condition. I won't be able to play until late tonight and I'm dying. Can't believe there aren't reviews! I also snagged Law of the Devils Land by Loudness at the same shop for 15. Also in perfect condition.

Someone tell me about these records! I need words to feed my brain until I get home tonight.

I've had Theme of Loudness on my brain the last couple of days! It's my favourite Loudness album.

And stop spelling it correctly! Its The Law of Devil's Land! Get your Engrish right you heathen!

Hahha so solly! I seriously can't wait to hear them both. I've never heard either band, period.

Why didn't you get the Axe Killer Records box set? IIRC it cost around $15 and came with Attaque too.

I don't even...am I supposed to answer that? I'm psyched on an original! Fuck a remastered boxset. May have no other option for Attaque but I'm in no hurry. I want a legit little French heavy metal record collection.

Yeah, that was a real question, I wasn't sure if you were aware it existed. I've never given a shit about originals. You're welcome to them.

Thanks dude! That's super sweet of you! I had seen it on their page but I genuinely couldn't tell if they're LPs or CDs. I also like to avoid remasters when possible. My copy of Heavy Metal Maniacs is unlistenable. I just think there's something really satisfying about finding a record from 1983 in perfect condition in Louisville. It's exciting to me. But I'm more excited to hear the music. I found a few reviews from 83 but they're all pretty lame.

its more of the same mostly.

That is very good news. There's not a single misstep on the demo.

Edit: GOD DAMN COUP DE METAL COOKS! Way more muscular than most of the French stuff I have. Obviously they loved some Motörhead. They sorta take that base and push it over the edge to speed metal land. Le Loup is an early favorite. The eponymous track is a really charging opener. I'm quite pleased.

The second track is really special I think. Or maybe just the fact that it's a tad slower and more melodic after the steamroller opener. They fit together like puzzle pieces.

Rush > Judas Priest

No argument there. Deep Purple is better too. And that isnt even to disparage Priest necessarily.