Yeah I agree, he wails like a fucking god on NWM - Bruce Dickinson-caliber vocals on that album easily. The first two songs are amazing, maybe their best ever. If the music was a bit heavier and more like Shadowland-styled I might rank it up there with that album as a modern PM classic. But I still really like it anyway.

Just listened to Civil Wars (the band created by the trio that left Sabaton, but im sure most here know that already) debut "The Killer Angels" and damn im really enjoying it.

"King of the Sun", "Saint Patricks Day" and "I will Rule the Universe" are killer tracks and there isnt really a weak song on it. Very impressed

Someone please recommend me something similar to Cloven Hoof's masterpiece A Sultan's Ransom.

Been spinning this baby for the past week and damn, I think I need more of the same.

Crescent Shield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWXwRpiN72Y

Anything out there in the realm of speed metal that's rather punkish in nature, and sounds like the band is trying to play faster than it actually can but ends up holding it together? Guitar solos are an added bonus, don't care what style of vocals at this point. A close comparison that comes to mind would be something similar to Holy Terror, but a bit more melodic, I guess. The only thing I've found that is similar is that band Ranger from Finland.

The sci-fi references and pseudo-NWOBHM style always remind me of Full Moon's debut.



Sounds like you're looking for English Dogs' Forward Into Battle and Where Legend Began. Power/thrash combined with punk.

I know of that first album, but haven't listened to it in forever, so I shall have to revisit it. I haven't heard that second album at all! Thanks!

I can think of two bands you may enjoy. Their similarity to HolyTerror is open to debate but either way, hope you enjoy.

S.D.I is German speed metal with obvious punk leanings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8fUwucLlOg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zG5OtQ_l7I

English Dogs was a punk band turned speed metal band in the early to mid 80's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_j4Lt2ZcAE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aETMaMyhnRA

Cheers

I would say RIOT - Thundersteel is in that ballpark.

Power / heavy fans NEED to hear Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall. This album rules.

http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Ma ... all/377469

I'll check that out, if only because some of those guest vocalists are really bloody badass, Ozzy. Anything that features Russell Allen is worth my attention.

Shok Paris is pretty damn good. Listening to Steel and Starlight and I can hear some Jag Panzer, some Vicious Rumors, some Queensryche in the more midpaced moments...pretty wild, unhinged vocals, too. I like it. Definitely should have paid attention when they were getting hailed in this thread years ago.

After Manilla Road and Slough Feg what would be the next bands to investigate? It's gotta have a real Epic feel, of Mythology or sci-fi, or Lost Worlds and a sense of wonder and adventure. And riffs, it's gotta have RIFFS and epic solos. Thanks! (especially would look forward to input from Empyreal, as his reviews really match my opinion)

If you're looking for epic heavy metal a la The 'Road, check out Longings Past, Ageless Wisdom, Wotan's Thunderstorm demo, Graven Rite, Borrowed Time, Eternal Champion, and Wrathblade (the vocalist sounds like a clone of Mike Scalzi, so that should be to your liking). That's the majority of the decent stuff I've found, and I've looked pretty hard.

Think I am going to really give Russia's Aria a go this weekend. Random youtube clicks and I Love what I am hearing so far from this band What are the boards thoughts on this band? Rarely hear mention of them.

Thanks! I appreciate the digging around. I liked elements of every band you suggested, with Borrowed Time the closest to the nailhead. Wow, so obscure, though. Single demos? NEEDZ MOAR!!

Steel Tormentor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeM-fLcBnWM

Antiquus and Hanker are my two favorite bands like that. They don't worship at the altar of Manilla Road or Slough Feg, but the aesthetic of pure cult, underground metal is there, and the weird riffing and song structures will make you think of MR and Slough Feg for sure.

Pls help identify band http://www.fayloobmennik.net/2981634

Looking for something similar to Symphony X around the time of "The Odyssey" and "Paradise Lost". Progressive power metal but with more of a focus on aggression and less focus on exuberant soloing.

Please nobody say ADAGIO!

Hey Dreamer, I think Myrath might be of your liking. Their sound isn't overtly aggressive, but they're strongly and clearly influenced by Symphony X; groovy, heavy riffing, symphonic arrangements here and there, and soaring, powerful vocals. Hope you like Arabic melodies too, because they have plenty of them!

Don't be a greedy pig! If you get the Arcane Metal Arts release with the two "Fog in the Valley" bonus tracks it's actually a pretty dense listen for as short as it is. And hugely rewarding. I still have to hear it on a weekly basis.

Have you listened to Ironsword at all? They're straight up Manilla Road worship (with a slice of Omen here and there) but they are surprisingly talented in their tributes. Overlords of Chaos is just a bit too long, or I'd play it a LOT more.

I ordered the Borrowed Time after listening on youtube. Will check out Ironsword today or tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your input!

So guys, just something I thought I'd throw up here.

Is there any magazines that are good for power/speed/traditional? I'm fine if they cover other stuff, but I'm just going to skip over any straight death metal or black metal that might be there. If it covers thrash, that would be a plus. I just haven't found any magazines that seem to actually cover metal besides metalcore, so I'm just looking for a little help.

Thanks, man! I finally got to listening to the whole album and the Symphony X influence is actually quite strong and I can appreciate the Arabian touch.

Getting a little bit more into the groove here, I'm looking for something a bit specific. Some power metal with a deeper guitar tone, and a little bit more grit. But I want the tone deeper than most USPM I've heard, or anything like that. Essentially, I'm looking for some melodic death metal toned guitars, clean vocals, and fantasy.

Just another thing, do you guys get much crap for being power metal fans? I haven't dealt with it much in person (in fact, more people I've met are of the power metal clan than others), but on the internet it seems almost frowned upon in many circles, because its not "br00tal" or something like that.

Her Whisper? Arch Nemesis? Bloodbound on Tabula Rasa?

People who hate or make fun of power metal usually have pretty crappy, only-black/death metal tastes I find.

I'd like the fastest speed metal you've ever heard. Hit me!

Yes! All good stuff, thank you Empyreal!

I don't know what happened, but I can't stand Herman Frank's Right in the Guts anymore. I used to like what I'd heard of it, but I sat down and listened to the entire thing and it was a chore. Rick Altzi, while a competent vocalist I guess, has the most GRATING AND ANNOYING TONE in power metal. Seriously, I can't stand the dude's voice. Not only that, but his vocal lines suck and fail to raise any level of excitement whatsoever.

You clearly haven't heard enough stuff with Chity Somapala on it.

I'd never heard of him, so I checked out the title track to Blood Alliance by Power Quest and all I have to say is...he sounds retarded. Like actually retarded.

I never understood the interest in those Herman Frank albums.

I can't actually remember what it sounds like...maybe I just didn't give it enough of a chance, but it seems like Rob Rock did the same thing but less generic.

The Herman Frank albums are basically balls to the wall, vicious heavy metal with lots of guitar pyrotechnics. They're nothing new, but they're great for what they are.

Loyal to None is in the top 5 best trad metal albums of the 2000s for sure. Just a furious burst of fun. The way they just keep every instrument going on full speed and intensity all the time is admirable. Amazing stuff.

Rob Rock, really good, yeah, but I don't really see a comparison between him and Herman Frank aside from a general one of riffy heavy metal...the mood's just different to me though. They have their own sounds.

You'll get a lot of varied responses. I'd personally recommend Scanner, Helstar and Rage but this came along for me like a breath of fresh;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbR28B1aM7s

Thanks, that was pretty goddamn awesome. I really like the guitarwork in that one.

Can someone tell me difference between blue collar USPM and white collar USPM and give examples of bands to each of these "subgenres"?

I think blue collar means they have less technique and inferior production and white collar means the guitar players practice with a metronome, the singers have taken lessons, and they spent more $ in the studio.