FIREWIND - WORLD ON FIRE (Oh hell yeah!!)

To AngraRules. You don't consider Firewind at the top YET?? It's not like they are on their debut or second album mate. If they are not in the major league now then they never ever will be. I believe that Gus G has already probably released as good an album as he possibly can whilst staying within the Firewind framework. The new album will just be more of the same with of course the intention to write more memorable and catchy tunes if at all possible. Firewind right now cannot improve in my book cause there's not really anywhere to improve to. They are a melodic power metal band with hard rock tendencies and shredding solos and this is what they deliver time and time again to almost universal praise amongst pm fans from what I've seen.

I think your judgement is being clouded by your non fan status and the fact that perhaps they are not an ancient power metal band with an origin somewhere in the late 80s or early 90s. Believe it or not you don't have to be ancient to be major league. After so many solid albums of amazing quality to say that Firewind is not major league is pretty crazy IMO. For example I don't like Blind Guardian but I cannot deny they are major league because of their legions of fans that follow their every move and release. Firewind from what I read on the net and witness at their shows are treated majorly well and not poo poo-ed at all. By the way, the pity line was a joke. It was tongue in cheek but I guess the lack of a smilie didn't help.
 
To AngraRules. You don't consider Firewind at the top YET?? It's not like they are on their debut or second album mate. If they are not in the major league now then they never ever will be. I believe that Gus G has already probably released as good an album as he possibly can whilst staying within the Firewind framework. The new album will just be more of the same with of course the intention to write more memorable and catchy tunes if at all possible. Firewind right now cannot improve in my book cause there's not really anywhere to improve to. They are a melodic power metal band with hard rock tendencies and shredding solos and this is what they deliver time and time again to almost universal praise amongst pm fans from what I've seen.

I think your judgement is being clouded by your non fan status and the fact that perhaps they are not an ancient power metal band with an origin somewhere in the late 80s or early 90s. Believe it or not you don't have to be ancient to be major league. After so many solid albums of amazing quality to say that Firewind is not major league is pretty crazy IMO. For example I don't like Blind Guardian but I cannot deny they are major league because of their legions of fans that follow their every move and release. Firewind from what I read on the net and witness at their shows are treated majorly well and not poo poo-ed at all. By the way, the pity line was a joke. It was tongue in cheek but I guess the lack of a smilie didn't help.

I think the reason why I had that in my mind is simply because I personally haven't seen Firewind being regarded in the same spot that Blind Guardian or Hammerfall have in the past. Maybe I simply missed it. I didn't realize this was going to be their 7th release, I could swear it was maybe the 5th but I was wrong (and I admit that). I simply meant that I didn't think they were that big a name. It had nothing to do with their music per se.The music (the three albums I know) is incredible. It's not that I am not a fan of Firewind. I am. I owe three of their albums and I think they're a killer band. As for the pity comment, it sounded like you were serious. No worries. ;)

It's so interesting this whole "major league" thing. I actually brought that up to Nils Eriksson (Nocturnal Rites) during our interview for ProgPower. To me, as much as they've been together for a long time and released 8 high-quality albums, it seems that they always lacked that last little step into the "majors." He actually agreed with me. I for some reason saw Firewind the same way. I have nothing against Firewind being considered "major league". I am actually happy they are since I like the band. Perhaps I simply misjudged how big the band actually is.

All I can say is that, since you guys are telling me they are in the majors, then, in my mind, I welcome them to the big guys with open arms. :)
 
I don't know about him, but I can surely tell you that I do. IMO they are right up there with all of them.

They are totally in the "major leagues" as far as I'm concerned. This will be their 7th release, and I think Gus and Company have easily solidified their presence with the best of them.

I am sure you do. I don't blame you, since their music is killer. I will repeat myself, I wasn't aware that they were that popular. It's that simple. :) Nor did I realize they already had 6 albums released.

Plus, I am sure that with Gus G. now being in Ozzy's band, their numbers are bound to increase.

So, now could you answer my question? :lol:
 
So which bands would you put in your top 5?

In my point of view, the top of the power metal genre will always feature the "classic" bands if you would. It has nothing to do with how relevant the band is or how good the music is. That being said, the true big names of power metal in my opinion would be based on how important they were for the genre, how long they've been around, what they brought up to the table, etc. It's a combination of many factors I guess...

So, I'd name the following being the true "big names" of the style:

Helloween
Stratovarius
Blind Guardian
Angra
Gamma Ray

And they were joined in the last decade or so by:

Iced Earth
Edguy
Hammerfall
Rhapsody of Fire
Kamelot
Sonata Arctica

In a lower, but close enough level, I would cite:

Primal Fear
Nocturnal Rites
Firewind
 
In my point of view, the top of the power metal genre will always feature the "classic" bands if you would. It has nothing to do with how relevant the band is or how good the music is. That being said, the true big names of power metal in my opinion would be based on how important they were for the genre, how long they've been around, what they brought up to the table, etc. It's a combination of many factors I guess...

So, I'd name the following being the true "big names" of the style:

Helloween
Stratovarius
Blind Guardian
Angra
Gamma Ray

And they were joined in the last decade or so by:

Iced Earth
Edguy
Hammerfall
Rhapsody of Fire
Kamelot
Sonata Arctica

In a lower, but close enough level, I would cite:

Primal Fear
Nocturnal Rites
Firewind

WHAT!!!??? No Dragonforce? :lol: ;)

I'm gonna sick the Hot Topic kiddies on your ass!
 
This will actually be their 6th studio album...they also have one live album :)

1) Nocturnal Symphony
2) Between Heaven and Hell
3) Burning Earth
4) Forged By Fire
5) Allegiance
6) The Premonition
7) Days Of Defiance

Yea they have they have the live album, and also a bunch of singles, b-sides, and cover songs on various compilations.
 
Haha, I forgot about Nocturnal Symphony...but that was basically a glorified demo, and it was never commercially released. Firewind doesn't even list it on their discography, so in lieu of that, I stand by my assertion that Days Of Defiance will be their 6th studio album :p
 
Haha, I forgot about Nocturnal Symphony...but that was basically a glorified demo, and it was never commercially released. Firewind doesn't even list it on their discography, so in lieu of that, I stand by my assertion that Days Of Defiance will be their 6th studio album :p

I don't think a demo should count when talking about the official discography. Otherwise, we could say Seventh Wonder had 5 releases, Illusion Suite had 3, etc.
 
Well... I recorded all the vocals for the new album and all I can say is that it is a killer! Of course I'm not entirely objective, but at least I'm honest! :-)
 
That sample clip was pretty meh. I dont like Apollo's voice (never have), and overall the clip had a very 'light' sound. If he had a deeper register.. then maybe we would be talking. Of course, I'm not the easiest person to please, so take it with a grain of salt.
 
Come set your World On Fire! Digital download is now for sale, and the song kicks all kinds of ass!

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/World-On-Fire-Single/dp/B003Z1322Y/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1282042472&sr=301-1[/ame]

51RMSVSm1tL._SS500_.jpg



[ame]http://www.amazon.com/World-On-Fire-Single/dp/B003Z1322Y/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1282042472&sr=301-1[/ame]
 
In my point of view, the top of the power metal genre will always feature the "classic" bands if you would. It has nothing to do with how relevant the band is or how good the music is. That being said, the true big names of power metal in my opinion would be based on how important they were for the genre, how long they've been around, what they brought up to the table, etc. It's a combination of many factors I guess...

So, I'd name the following being the true "big names" of the style:

Helloween
Stratovarius
Blind Guardian
Angra
Gamma Ray

And they were joined in the last decade or so by:

Iced Earth
Edguy
Hammerfall
Rhapsody of Fire
Kamelot
Sonata Arctica

In a lower, but close enough level, I would cite:

Primal Fear
Nocturnal Rites
Firewind

i hate to give Jon any credit but ICED EARTH would have to be in the main list in my opinion. they have been plugging away nearly as long as Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray have and were around BEFORE Angra plus they were playing power metal in the US when it wasn't popular to do so.

and i assume you mention Primal Fear and Nocturnal Rites in the lower division because they are just getting more popular or something? i mean Nocturnal Rites has released a ton of awesome albums starting in 95 and their debut still kicks ass!
 
i hate to give Jon any credit but ICED EARTH would have to be in the main list in my opinion. they have been plugging away nearly as long as Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray have and were around BEFORE Angra plus they were playing power metal in the US when it wasn't popular to do so.

and i assume you mention Primal Fear and Nocturnal Rites in the lower division because they are just getting more popular or something? i mean Nocturnal Rites has released a ton of awesome albums starting in 95 and their debut still kicks ass!

You know, I think perhaps you are right and Iced Earth should be placed with the top tier. I guess it just seemed to me that back in that time, they were only really known in the USA. I wasn't aware they had a fanbase outside the country.

As for Nocturnal Rites, it just seems to me that even though they've been releasing consistent albums from day one, they've always lacked the extra little push like I said before. For some reason, I don't think of Nocturnal Rites when I think of the absolute top metal bands, and many other people would agree. Do they deserve it based on the quality of the music and longevity of the band? Absolutely, however I still think they're one notch below.
 
You know, I think perhaps you are right and Iced Earth should be placed with the top tier. I guess it just seemed to me that back in that time, they were only really known in the USA. I wasn't aware they had a fanbase outside the country.

As for Nocturnal Rites, it just seems to me that even though they've been releasing consistent albums from day one, they've always lacked the extra little push like I said before. For some reason, I don't think of Nocturnal Rites when I think of the absolute top metal bands, and many other people would agree. Do they deserve it based on the quality of the music and longevity of the band? Absolutely, however I still think they're one notch below.

well personally for me NR are far superior to a band like Sonata Arctica in my book. i like SA, but i don't think they are that great overall. but again, just my opinion naturally.

also would "dark" power metal be a different list? because i notice Evergrey isn't in your second tier and should be.