I second that (obviously ), nice album. I hope they'll do a 2nd album soon.

Damn, how much does Paragon's latest sound like Grave Digger? Forgotten Prophecies that is. The vocals sound identical at times.

Speaking of Grave Digger, I should probably check more of their stuff out. I've heard Excalibur, Heart of Darkness, Rheingold and then the newer crappy ones.

Out of The Reaper/Tunes of War/Knights of the Cross/The Grave Digger, which are best?

"The Grave Digger" is probably my fave GD album (nice dark/horror theme on that one). "Tunes of War" and "Knights of the Cross" are pretty good too. "The Reaper" is just merely ok, but I never feel the urge to play that thing, same with "Heart of Darkness".

That's Paragon for you.

Also, go with what Perdition666 said. Grave Digger, Tunes of War, and Knights of Cross always stood out more than those other ones for me too.

I really need to give Rheingold more spins, everyone claims that one is so great, but its never fully clicked with me (mind you, I haven't played it that much either). "Heart of Darkness" is sorely neglected too - I think I may have neglected that one due to it lacking a concept (I was huge into concept albums when I got into Grave Digger years ago), so maybe I'll dust that one off and give it another go too. "The Reaper" and "Symphony of Death" are solid, but unspectacular. I own them on CD merely as collection fillers.

Perhaps "Rheingold" is just one that introduces a lot of people to Grave Digger. I'm pretty sure it was the first album from them that really stood out of for me. I think it's easy to say it's one of their fancier efforts (and the choruses might be overkill at times), I still really enjoy it though.

For me, it could just be neglect due to getting lost in the shuffle. I really should play albums 5-10 times before filing them. I do remember blips and blurbs from that album, but I haven't played it in a few years.

Didnt take the time to read through all 26 pages, prob already had this request somewhere...

Similar to Walls of Jericho by Helloween!

That album only of thiers! specifically, the guitars, speed, slight harshness and rawness, etc.

Warrant (Ger)
Angel Dust's first two.
Blind Guardian's first two.
Running Wild's first two.
Stranger - The Bell
Not Fragile
Calderone
Iron Angel

Was it someone here that recommended Glory Hunter (Ita)? This demo "Psychotime" is fucking incredible. failsafe would love it.

I know this is the heavy/speed/power thread help thread but, Does anyone know some good Southern/ sludge metal like Black label society, Alabama Thunderpussy? Mybe a little better then them.

Thanks

Paragon is damn good.

I've been wanting to get into Krokus for some time now, so from which albums should I start? Or I should get myself a Best Of compilation?

What are some bands similar to Slauter Xstroyes?

I'm listening to the stuff on Energy Vampires' myspace right now but it's not really what I'm looking for. I'm more concerned about the bass and guitar work.

I kind of like the stuff I'm hearing from Winter Kill but it's still not totally doing it for me....

I realize I can't just find another SX out there, but I'm looking for bands that have very complex riffs with all the instruments doing their parts. I remember Abominatrix looking for stuff sort of like this (I think) but I can't remember any of the recommended bands.

Edit: How's Squadron? Brent Sullivan was in it and they've got two full lengths, but no myspace. Any good?

Corrosion of Conformity are better than them

If it helps, I think you're looking for this thread. Already mentioned in there I'd recommend Secrecy's debut, although it has a bit of a softer Queensryche-esque sound to it.

Ah, this was the thread I was referring to. Thanks!

And I'll give Secrecy a listen.

Yeah that's a really hard question, I seriously can't think of very many bands comparable to Slauter Xstroyes. And I know what you mean about Energy Vampires, they were kind of weird (but enjoyable thanks to vocalist John Stewart).

It was brought up a lot in that thread HamburgerBoy linked to, but maybe Screamer's - Target Earth would be something to check out. I think I can throw out some of the recommendations I brought up there (glad my tastes have been consistent for awhile now), like Mephisto (Ger) and Apollo Ra, maybe ...

Also, definitely Mysto Dysto. They're faster, but another one of those bands you can't classify as any kind of genre really.

Yeah, Slauter Xstroyes is just crazy. Also you mentioned Winter Kill, but have you checked out their second album? Most might tell you they prefer Winter Kill, but I actually came to like Free The Beast first.

Yeah, I saw you mention those bands a couple times in there. I got Target Earth a little while back and half-listened to it once or twice but didn't like it too much; I'll give it another go.

Yeah that one had to grow on me too, I really like it now though. One of the better white collar USPM albums out there I'd say.

I'm liking Secrecy's stuff. It doesn't feel as dark and heavy as SX, but it's pretty good.

I have heard both Slauter albums, I was talking about the band Winter Kill which has the same guitarist and bassist as SX. I prefer Free the Beast a bit over their debut, honestly (Metal's No Sin and Blood in the Streets )

I just put on Taramis' Queen of Thieves to check if it was worth a mention as well, and I think it is. The bass is probably more loud than it is technical (inspired by Steve Harris? ) but it still does some fairly interesting things for traditional/power, and it's a bit tougher than Secrecy as well. Plenty of riffs and melodies too.

Has anyone heard Cyberya's one and only album, Mindcontrol? The idea of electronic power metal intrigues me.

It isn't that great. Review will be up tomorrow.

Okay. I shall wait then.

I like that album, a lot.

I'll say this, "Ministry of T.E.C.H." is one hell of a song. Catchy, inventive and heavy.

"Invisible" and "Born" are probably my faves from that album.

I'll have to listen through again and see if my opinion changes.

edit: Alright, alright, I admit I was wrong, this is pretty cool.

Dunno if it will (but who knows), that album is either love or hate. My only real complaint with it (oddly enough) is, its not as industrial/electronic as one would be led to believe. It is somewhat mechanical sounding though (probably due to the drum machine, which is one of the rare instances where a machine actually doesn't irritate me).

[edit] Ooops, maybe it is a grower after all hehe

Synthphonia Suprema's debut was a bit of a letdown (another electro-pm band). The first song was kinda neat (disjointed though), but nothing else on the album impressed me. Hopefully their 2nd album will be an improvement.

I just have to look at it as a partly industrial album, and I can't bash it for being repetitive while praising bands like Killing Joke or Ministry for being the same thing.

I tend to label them "cyber-metal" or "cyber power metal", partially due to sound, partially due to lyrics.

I'm rather disappointed they broke up (then reformed, and vanished off the face of the planet again).

I wouldn't mind hearing more stuff made like this, but I think it would only suit a small niche.

Whoops, haha. Yeah I've checked out some of those newer bands Brent was in, I wasn't too thrilled with most of them myself. I guess I was kind of expecting something along the lines of Cauldron Born, etc with some of them.

Sounds like I need to check out Taramis and Secrecy myself. This Cyberya sounds interesting as well...

I'm looking for some symphonic/epic power metal. The only albums from that genre which I've heard are Kamelot's Epica and Battlelore's Sword's Song. I liked both albums and want to know some good epic/symphonic power metal

Yes, I was .. didn't find much. .. I guess we have to accept the fact that SX is just one of a kind. There are some similar rhythmicc complexities in Psychotic Waltz and Fates Warning and maybe late 80s Helstar, but I'm sure you know all that stuff. Can anybody suggest anything? That Slauter Xstroyes bassist gives me a huge boner.

I like that one a lot and was introduced to it by you and Failsafe, I guess ... but I do think the production kind of sucks in that shiny, reverberatingly polished and characteristically late-80s manner. Would have been nicer if it was more live sounding .. thats' generally the way I like this kind of metal and occasionally great bands frustrate me with their decisions on recording techniques.

Guess I'll have to just settle (though I did find a couple of good bands in that thread).

He's a fucking monster. Reminds me a bit of Doug Keyser from Watchtower.

You should enjoy Thy Majestie's Hastings 1066.

Ha, I think the problem isn't so much that they go for a polished production, but that they don't quite have the budget to pull it off. It's rough where it shouldn't be, and sort of hollow-sounding. Still, it sounds decent enough, and to me the shiny reverb kinda adds a "cosmic" feel to the music, in that 80s sci-fi way. You have Queensryche and their huge EMI-budget to thank for that production approach with this style, by the way. Some bands can pull it off, most can't.

I just bought "Awaken the Guardian" by Fates Warning and holy balls I hope I can get used to the piercing vocals, because the riffs/solos are great.

Jesus christ.

You'd damn well better not only get used to those vocals, but grow to love them, otherwise I'll have to come to your house and clean out your obviously malfunctioning ears. With my dick. Speaking of which, I have an appointment at Nahsil's house to keep...I just have to wait until Xeogred is done raping him into liking Conklin.