Personally though I guess I just don't care if the guitars are playing simpler rhythms or chugging chords, so long as the actual songwriting it is wrapped around is complex and entertaining.

Have you heard of Rebellion? It was formed by some ex-members of Gravedigger. I haven't listened to their new album yet, but Miklagard was an excellent album. Full of hooks and simple but effective riffing, tells an interesting story (vikings trying to make their way to the Miklagard). Arise is worth your time as well, but not as great as Miklagard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb9frGEEoro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5raXwnhUGs

I tend to think the vocalist is a better version of Boltendahl. Plus you have those fantastic guitar solos from Lulis (who is not in the band anymore sadly).

Edit - Beated, ah well, great minds think alike! I've been listening to Solar Fragment's In our Hands and that sounds a bit like early Iron Savior to me in places (especially the second track). Maybe that would do you dude?

Haven't heard the new Kamelot yet but it's not exactly high up on my list, as I didn't get any enjoyment out of GO or PftP. Epica is definitely my favorite, although TBH and Karma are both solid. Does the new one sound anything like the Karma/Epica/TBH era?

Anyone want to talk about Deep Switch? I just got the SKR 2disc re-issue of their lone album this weekend and I have to say it smashed my expectations. All you ever read about it is how fucking weird it is and I was still surprised by how damn weird it is. Still, the best songs (Pigfeeder!, The Poisoned Lake, The Dark Angel) have this almost accidentally sinister feel. I love the vocals and can definitely see where they were a huge influence on Simon from The Lamp of Thoth. Riffing is top notch as far as I can tell, and runs the gamut with all sorts of styles and flavors. A lot to take in and I can't wait to get more time with it.

edit: Speaking of their weirdness, the chorus to Time Machine reminds me so much of Gabriel-era Genesis.

As long as they're not on Jag Panzer time.

Anyone want to talk about Deep Switch? I just got the SKR 2disc re-issue of their lone album this weekend and I have to say it smashed my expectations. All you ever read about it is how fucking weird it is and I was still surprised by how damn weird it is. Still, the best songs (Pigfeeder!, The Poisoned Lake, The Dark Angel) have this almost accidentally sinister feel. I love the vocals and can definitely see where they were a huge influence on Simon from The Lamp of Thoth. Riffing is top notch as far as I can tell, and runs the gamut with all sorts of styles and flavors. A lot to take in and I can't wait to get more time with it.

I'm looking for some power metal with Halford/Ripper style highs and black/death screams and regular singing. I don't exactly know how to describe it or if such a thing exists but something along the lines of Painmuseum meets Iced Earth.

I'm looking for some power metal with Halford/Ripper style highs and black/death screams and regular singing. I don't exactly know how to describe it or if such a thing exists but something along the lines of Painmuseum meets Iced Earth.

I'm looking for some power metal with Halford/Ripper style highs and black/death screams and regular singing. I don't exactly know how to describe it or if such a thing exists but something along the lines of Painmuseum meets Iced Earth.

Slander's Careless Talk Costs Lives doesn't get enough recognition.

This is a kind of vague request but i'm looking for power/progressive/whatever metal with beautiful melodic vocals like Kamelot and Pagan's Mind. Even mixed with harsh melodeath type vocals would be good, just as long as there are some beautiful vocals there. It would be great if it wasn't super duper cheesy and more along the lines of majestic! thanks in advance

It's fairly decent heavy metal, but also pretty forgettable. Though from the 90s, stylistically they're basically NWOBHM with a lot of rock; it's a style that needs strong hooks, and they just can't come up with them consistently enough. The riffs are a strong point but the vocals and vocal melodies in general are definitely weak, which really brings the whole thing down considering how much emphasis is on the vocals in the songwriting. The riffs that accompany the vocals are generally very simple and in the background, but when they vocals drop out and let the guitars do their thang it gets a lot better. NWOBHM obviously isn't known for its highly skilled singers, but Slander's guy isn't so much unskilled as just really bland and uninteresting.

So yeah, they really don't deserve much more attention than they get, which is none.

Songs like "Lonely Nights," "No Road Back," "In Your World," and "Passion Crimes" have great vocal hooks, no idea what you're talking about! I've actually had "I can't stand these lonely nights / I just wish my life away" stuck in my head recently.