So, I've enjoyed listening to Dragonforce for a while, but I haven't really investigated other power metal bands. Now that I'm in college and I've found that I like having music playing in the background while I do homework and whatnot, I'm looking to expand on my available music. So, I thought I'd turn to my fellow Escapists for some recommendations on good, fantasy-themed power metal bands (preferably album suggestions, and a sample if you can provide it). Thanks!
I get my genres mixed up all the fucking time so I don't think this qualifies as Power Metal (not sure which sub-genre they are actually) but Epica and Nightwish are good fantasy inspired metal bands. Camelot is good too.
I'd recommend Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian and Helloween. Helloween (i think) is the band that kickstarted power metal as a genre, so you'd want to listen to them. But i think it's also argued that Iron Maiden is also an inspiration behind power metal, so you may want to listen to them more if you havn't already done so. You could also check out Masterplan and Hammerfall and Persuader...and perhaps also Red Circuit, Ride the Sky and Edenbridge which have power metal elements to them but stray into prog/synth territory.
That should be enough to keep you busy, but i warn you that these bands don't indulge in copious amounts of shredding like Dragonforce- which put me off them as band.
Edit: Why the hell did i forget to mention Rhapsody of Fire?
Bloody love this song, but having the vocals of Christoper Lee is the icing on the cake.
Well...Manowar? The last album (acutally, after checking it's the last album I have) Gods of War is probably what you're after, as it's more of epic metal-ish bent but most of their work is pretty much the same.
Check out more on YouTube, if you wish. It's the first band that comes to mind when I hear "power metal".
Also, there is Summoning, I guess. I only have one album of theirs "Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame"
I dunno, I don't listen to much fantasy themed metal. There is also Hammerfall and Iced Earth I think who are more into it.
For the more generally power metal, there is Ronnie James Dio, or rather his band Dio. Particularly the Last in Line and Holy Diver albums. Then there is also Sabaton, some of Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, and Omen, I think it was.
I'd recommend Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian and Helloween. Helloween (i think) is the band that kickstarted power metal as a genre, so you'd want to listen to them. But i think it's also argued that Iron Maiden is also an inspiration behind power metal, so you may want to listen to them more if you havn't already done so. You could also check out Masterplan and Hammerfall and Persuader...and perhaps also Red Circuit, Ride the Sky and Edenbridge which have power metal elements to them but stray into prog/synth territory.
That should be enough to keep you busy, but i warn you that these bands don't indulge in copious amounts of shredding like Dragonforce- which put me off them as band.
Edit: Why the hell did i forget to mention Rhapsody of Fire?
Bloody love this song, but having the vocals of Christoper Lee is the icing on the cake.
First off Blind Guardian. Somebody already mentioned them, but they didn't post any videos. Basically, they're one of the best power metal bands (scratch that, best bands of any genre) to ever exist. Listen to them now
And, perhaps their best song:
Iced Earth is an outstanding power/metal band. Another must listen.
Hammerfall is a very good, and very accessible, power metal band. I've even got friends that hate metal that like these guys.
Stratovarius is a great, fun to listen to melodic power metal band.
After Forever probably has the best female vocalist in power metal (yes, better than Nightwish).
Now, onto more obscure stuff.
Aquaria is a Brazilian symphonic power metal band that manages to have a very unique sound in a genre full of knock offs.
Wildpath is a very pleasant sounding band, especially their first album.
That's all I can think of right now. Hope there's something in there you like!
DoPo said:
Also, there is Summoning, I guess. I only have one album of theirs "Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame"
I have to say that, while Summoning is outstanding (especially this album), they really aren't power metal. At all. That said, I still highly recommend them, although they can be a little hard to get into. Here's another one of their songs, in case anybody cares.
First off Blind Guardian. Somebody already mentioned them, but they didn't post any videos. Basically, they're one of the best power metal bands (scratch that, best bands of any genre) to ever exist. Listen to them now
And, perhaps their best song:
Iced Earth is an outstanding power/metal band. Another must listen.
Hammerfall is a very good, and very accessible, power metal band. I've even got friends that hate metal that like these guys.
Stratovarius is a great, fun to listen to melodic power metal band.
After Forever probably has the best female vocalist in power metal (yes, better than Nightwish).
Now, onto more obscure stuff.
Aquaria is a Brazilian symphonic power metal band that manages to have a very unique sound in a genre full of knock offs.
Wildpath is a very pleasant sounding band, especially their first album.
That's all I can think of right now. Hope there's something in there you like!
DoPo said:
Also, there is Summoning, I guess. I only have one album of theirs "Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame"
I have to say that, while Summoning is outstanding (especially this album), they really aren't power metal. At all. That said, I still highly recommend them, although they can be a little hard to get into. Here's another one of their songs, in case anybody cares.
Well, if you like classic video game music in your power metal, there's always Powerglove. I don't really listen to much metal, but I really do love Powerglove a lot. They've got spirit. I'm sure you'll like 'em too.
I generally dislike power metal, just because it's too cheesy for my tastes, but my bandmate who is obsessed with it has turned me on to some cool stuff. Like Van Fucking Canto.
A-Capella metal. If that doesn't turn you on, then I can't help you. I also really like newer Symphony X, but that falls on the proggier side of things. It's still pretty power metal though, and they have entire albums themed on the Odyssey and Paradise Lost, so it's got fantasy elements.
EDIT: Also on the progressive side but very power metal-esque is Mutiny Within. Unfortunately they are no longer together, but their debut is VERY good for anyone wanting to hear some crazy guitar stuff with lots of melody.
Manowar is the be all/end all band so there really isn't any other band that I can recommend with as much force. However, Edguy (German band, songs in english)is a fantastic band. Their last few albums have been more heavy rock influenced but their first bunch of albums are solid power metal and ALL of their albums are great.
I generally dislike power metal, just because it's too cheesy for my tastes, but my bandmate who is obsessed with it has turned me on to some cool stuff. Like Van Fucking Canto.
A-Capella metal. If that doesn't turn you on, then I can't help you. I also really like newer Symphony X, but that falls on the proggier side of things. It's still pretty power metal though, and they have entire albums themed on the Odyssey and Paradise Lost, so it's got fantasy elements.
I'm going to need to look though some of that stuff. I already listen to a lot of the stuff that's on there, so I'm guessing I'll like some of that other stuff. Thanks!
Looks like a lot of the staples have been mentioned, so I'll add a few more.
Tyr - might be considered folk metal, but it doesn't matter cause they're awesome
Seven Kingdoms - Smaller band from Florida, they were opening for Blind Guardian when I noticed them.
Battelore - This one's a bit different, they tend to use 'beauty and the beast' vocals and it's not really my thing, though I love the woman's voice. They also sing exclusively about Middle-Earth, if memory serves
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