Hey guys, I originally wrote this as as response to the 70's/80's Metal thread but then decided not to seem to hijack so started this one.
Hey you old time metalheads. Yes all the old stuff can be great and a lot of fun. Maybe do yourself a favor and chckout some of the current bands. Many are from Europe and don't get much attention in the States and are sorely unknow. Today there is a tremendous range of metal. I can't claim to be an expert. I am 52 and american. In the last 6 years I have been having a wonderful time getting to know such bands as; Blind Guardian, Germany Edguy and Avantasia, Germany Rhapsody of Fire and Luca Turilli, Itlay Dream Theatre Porcupine Tree, England Gamma Ray, Germany Riverside, Poland Symphony X, US Ayreon and my favoite OPETH, from Sweden
FWIW... Hammerfall (Swedish power metal/epic metal) starts a North American tour in 2010. I plan to check them out when they reach Chicago in March. http://www.hammerfall.net/
Sabaton, swedish power metal, almost all their lyrics are war-related.
Kamelot, american power metal. The song linked has the singer from Epica guesting.
Nightwish, finnish goth metal. Alot of people hated it when they switched female singers, but I like the new one even if her style is vastly different. First song is with old, second is the 'goodbye' song with the new singer.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,499PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,499
Miami, FL USA
Originally Posted By: Deceptis
I can honestly say I haven't heard of one of those groups. I will check them out though.
I've heard of Dream Theater and that's it.
I have a question for you metal gurus. Is "Evanesence" considered metal or are they just rock?
Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 12/18/0903:33 PM.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,499PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,499
Miami, FL USA
Originally Posted By: Deceptis
In my opinion, they are Goth rock.
Ah, thanks. I didn't realize that was a separate genre! LOL
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
70's Metal 80's Metal Alternative Metal Atmospheric Hardcore Black Metal Christian Metal Death Metal Doom Metal Doomdeath Eclectic Metal Folk Metal Goth Rock/Metal Gothic Metal Grindcore Grunge Metal Hard Rock Industrial Instrumental Melodic Death Metal Metalcore Nu-Metal NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) Power Metal Progressive Metal Rap Metal (!) Sludge Metal Space Rock Stoner Rock Thrash Metal Traditional Metal Viking Metal
Porcupine Tree - a metal band? Haven't heard any of their recent stuff, so maybe they've changed.
Some of those genre names are hilarious: Melodic Death Metal? Pirate Metal? Atmospheric Hardcore? If your hardcore has any atmosphere/air, then it can't be hardcore.
Seeing how this thread tilts heavily towards European bands, I thought I'd chime in with some good heavy American stuff:
Isis Pelican Russian Circles Red Sparowes This Will Destroy You
I wouldn't call any of the above metal (some sources qualify most of them as stoner rock, some as post rock, yet others as progressive rock), yet they balance heavy sonic assaults with melody and quieter passages. Except for Isis, they're instrumental. With Isis, I like how Aaron Turner mixes throaty yells with melodic singing, but most heavy bands put me off with their vocals as there isn't much variety in them.
If you like a bit of variety in your music and actually appreciate breathers between sonic assaults, do yourselves a favor and give these a listen.
Cobalt - 2009 album from the Colorado blackened avant-war Metal duo, their most accomplished and ambitious release to date. The duo of Erik Wunder and Phil McSorley (who is currently deployed in Iraq) have delivered what will undoubtedly be seen as one of the most monumental and crushing albums of 2009. (amazon blurb)
Craft - Well done, stripped down, Norwegian Black Metal.
otterspotter, Porcupine Tree is not a metal band in the strictest sense. Porcupine Tree is a multi-faceted jewel. You may be familiar with some of the earlier music which was tinged with Floyd and or the ambient. After Steven Wilson produced the Blackwater Park album for Opeth he brought a heavier sound to P/T for the In Absentia release 4 or 5 years ago. P/T incorporates metal into the overall soundscape and some might say it's not metal at all while some long time fans say it's metal and don't care for it. Why we lable things and get hung up on it I don't know. If I were to indicate the current P/T sound tho I'ld say Progressive Metal as per the list posted earlier. Whatever it might be called Porcupine Tree is awesome IMO.
