what do you like to hear in power metal and prog?

I'm gonna throw some more of the Power Metal bands that I like into this thread - it's all European Power Metal (of course) because Americans don't have a clue what good Power Metal is :D ;)

Heavenly


Fairyland
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZICo043F8&fmt=18[/ame]

Elvenking


Freedom Call


Dragonforce


Gamma Ray


Epica


Helloween


Blind Guardian


Power Quest


Holy Knights
 
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"I like my power metal to be as gay as fuck"

-PigFarmInIran

This is what I want in power metal. Actual power and balls, not homosexuality.







 
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On a more serious note though, you replied to my post only 15 minutes after I listed all those songs and somehow determined that they were all "gay as fuck" (as you most eloquently put it) even though you couldn't possibly had time to listen to all of them, you just made your judgements based on band names and prejudices, which is what ignorant bigots do. I listened to the stuff you posted although I already knew what I was gonna hear: no choirs, no orchestra, no keyboards, just watered down wanna-be Thrash Metal. You'd probably be better off just listening to Thrash Metal instead of that junk and leave the appreciation of TRUE (Symphonic) Power Metal to the real afficiandos out there.
 
Guardian is far from "watered down". lol @ Helloween, Gamma Ray, Dragonforce, and Power Quest being "symphonic" metal. Flower metal doesn't bother me as much as it does a lot of people, but choirs, orchestra, etc are generally reserved for only the biggest names of power metal (i.e. A Night at the Opera) and are far from ubiquitous in the average modern power metal band. Keyboards are common, but they're just as rarely used in any symphonic manner.

And FWIW I think Virgin Steele is overrated as fuck and although I do like Ample Destruction, I don't understand its reputation as an early power metal pioneer. Aside from The Crucifix it's basically I see it as "just" heavy/speed metal (so is Metal Church's S/T which is fucking amazing, but it's more mentioned in the context of thrash for some reason).

AnimalNightspirit said:
That's interesting. You are the first to day anything like that. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Power Metal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHTKMJjZ-X8 Adramelch

Progressive Metal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq8ZEJLfgsI Voivod
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3qeI--9F6U Psychotic Waltz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RNvyCbVZh0 Hammers of Misfortune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISWplRkJHTI Mayfair

And just to clarify, when I say "common 70's progressive rock" I mean more the accessible/popular Genesis, Camel, etc type, which is probably even better represented in 80's neo-prog. I don't have anything inherently against keyboards, blatant 70's prog influence, or more accessible balladic moments in progressive metal (Hammers of Misfortune has all three in some of their albums) but I generally lean towards bands that are more progressive in the experimental sense and are consistently challenging, rather than ones which may be superior in terms of instrumental prowess and may write much longer songs but have clear delineations between the obligatory "heavy" parts, the catchy melodic chorus, the solo sections, etc. The Dream Theater song posted above (even though I think it's decent and from their best album since Awake) is a pretty clear example of the kind of prog metal.

But a lot of progressive metal I love also tends to flirt with or be derived from tech-thrash, so I also have a bias in terms of sheer aggression and succinctness.
 
PigFarmInIran said:
I'm gonna throw some more of the Power Metal bands that I like into this thread - it's all European Power Metal (of course) because Americans don't have a clue what good Power Metal is :D ;)

Heavenly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrLNqurZIB4

Fairyland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZICo043F8&fmt=18

Elvenking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgZMhdFlxbg

Freedom Call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcDOoMJQqt8

Dragonforce
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUkZcW-HKY

Gamma Ray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvk1BfH2_mc

Epica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb17Yc1a8lE

Helloween
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRqPpdUjS3Q

Blind Guardian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c98gIxCe1zo

Power Quest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpQKCHMNPk4

Holy Knights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRKMqmq4D5Y
Click to expand...

I really liked a lot of this stuff! You are very helpful - thank you. What country are you from?
Elvenking, Epica, Helloween Blind Guardian, Heavenly, and Dragonforce resonated with me the most. Those are bands I have heard of before, minus Elvenking, but the tracks you sent me I haven't heard of before. I really liked them! My favorite was Helloween. I see where you got your quote from!
 
Master_Yoda77 said:
"I like my power metal to be as gay as fuck"

-PigFarmInIran

This is what I want in power metal. Actual power and balls, not homosexuality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqhnv4i_3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUJQ5Kngw8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8WFl4Mo1yM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDWC58hQORE
Click to expand...

I am getting a feeling that a lot of this stuff is very 80's. I liked Virgin Steele, the best out of them all. How do you feel about Holy Grail? Very 80's influenced, with a modern twist?
 
Well to begin with, I like my Power Metal to be catchy. Give me a good tune and a chorus that sticks in the head.
It also helps if the singer can actually sing. A lot of second division PM bands are let down by vocalists that sound like they were recorded midway through taking a crap - and it's a real ring-tearer.
A heavy-duty rythmn section is always a bonus. I don't just mean playing fast. I mean driving the song along.
And lastly, let the keyboard player - if you have one - duke it out with the guitarists from time to time. I do appreciate a good duel.
 
I only like this kind of music when it has balls. I can't stand modern power metal with all the cheesy keyboards and I can't stand directionless, masturbatory progressive metal.
 
Big D said:
Well to begin with, I like my Power Metal to be catchy. Give me a good tune and a chorus that sticks in the head.
It also helps if the singer can actually sing. A lot of second division PM bands are let down by vocalists that sound like they were recorded midway through taking a crap - and it's a real ring-tearer.
A heavy-duty rythmn section is always a bonus. I don't just mean playing fast. I mean driving the song along.
And lastly, let the keyboard player - if you have one - duke it out with the guitarists from time to time. I do appreciate a good duel.
Click to expand...

Can you give some examples? Dueling keyboards - are you a Kalmah fan?
 
ferreira864 said:
When I'm really in the mood to listen to Power Metal/prog metal, I have a very specific desire to hear just that.

In other words, I'm more concerned that the bands come across powerful, energetic, and most of all, epic. But not so over-the-top that it becomes a complete parody of itself.So, exciting tension building verse with really big, resolving choruses with strong inspired melodies and guitarwork.

A problem some bands find in the quest to be "epic" or "progressive" is that they forget to establish the framework of just being plain awesome in pursuit of technicality or sheer speed. Not to say innovation is bad. It's great. But I think that it should still keep its identity.

TL;DR Power Metal should be just that. Powerful.

My favorite power metal album:

album-temple-of-shadows.jpg


Seriously. This album fucking destroys.
Click to expand...

Angra is everything I've ever wanted in power metal. They exemplify what I would prefer to hear. They have interesting chord progressions, melodies, and lyrical concepts. It's not the run of the mill shit about dragons, wizards, and epic heroes. I would also suggest listening to their album "Angels Cry" and "Fireworks" as well. Kiko and Raffa shred like no other together, and Andre's voice is very different from what power metal usually entails.
 
Power metal can get bland at times with the emphasis on orchestra and heavy arrangements a lot of bands tend to sound generic. It's best when the band has a unique sound (such as Angra and the brazilian influences in their music) or a unique/talented vocalist plus song writing ability that has more emphasis on music that will last (Kamelot) vs. a catchy chorus that is fun at first but loses value quick (Sonata Arctica, who I like but a few of their songs fit th description)





 
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Why hasn't anyone mentioned these bands yet:
Pathfinder,
Thy Majestie,
Sabaton,
Freedom Call,
Wuthering Heights,
Balflare,
Luca Turilli,
Stratovarius,
Keldian,
Ancient Bards,
Sunrise,
Celesty.
 
Here are some links:
Pathfinder

Thy Majestie

Sabaton

Freedom Call

Wuthering Heights

Balflare

Luca Turilli

Stratovarius

Keldian

Ancient Bards

Sunrise

Celesty
 
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