That's one I definitely need to listen to more often.

First few tracks, definitely, but most of the second half just doesn't do much for me. Still, The Golden Bell alone I'd probably score in the high 90s. Fucking amazing track, epic as shit, and it's from 1979!

I also listened to Graven Image and Heathen's Rage earlier today. Graven Image is very good, sort of cross-breed between NWOBHM and USPM, somehow I ended up liking rehearsal tracks (w/o vox) better than the regular ones. Heathen's Rage is quite solid, but failing to hold my attention for a more than a dozen of minutes. Maybe because the sound quality of second demo (which provides the majority of tracks for "The Years Of Rage") is shite. EP (aka first demo) and third demo are enjoyable, though.

Just bought Jag Panzer's Thane to the Throne on the strength of King at a Price, listened to the track Warfare from Ample Destruction too, though I can't find that album for less than £40. Still great stuff King at a Price reminded me of Bruce Dickinson's later solo works, the singer clearly has a great voice.

"Casting The Stones" might be to your liking too, then.

Wow... Ruthless "Discipline Of Steel / Metal Without Mercy" is pretty much the epitome of US power metal. If one keeps denying the existence of the aforementioned genre even after listening to the aforementioned release, then (s)he's lost for metal.

Stormtrooper and Cities are pretty much just like Ruthless too.

I'd say that's all B-grade stuff, but definitely still fun.

Pretty much. Usually albums like that have a few really good songs and the rest are mediocre, which doesn't make for an overall quality album, but if you just listen to the good tracks it doesn't matter. "Ancient Warrior" is pretty fucking awesome.

Hi!
Can anyone recommend a power metal band with some death metal elements instrumentally? Not the vocals...

Based on a reccomendation given to me in this thread some time ago, I got "Burnt Offerings" by Iced Earth just recently. And....

Holy shit this is awesome!

Is there anything else that sounds like this?

The thing is that usually the B-grade stuff is WAAAAY more fun than the A-grade. Dunno - to me it has this underground vibe that really adds to the music. And Ruthless and just that - ruthless in their approach to heavy/power metal. I love that type of sound really.

And also - the guy that wrote a 20% review for the newest Motorhead album should be fuckin' shot cause that thing is full of catchy hooks, power and riffs.

Of course, it isn't always true, but Ruthless is just one of the cases where it works. Playing metal for the hell of it, I'd say. Fun, catchy and powerful, at times epic and awesome. What else do you need from your power metal?

Just finished listening to Commandment "Engraved In Stone". Solid album, although created a bit too late for its style and I certainly wouldn't rate it as high as 96. Love that lead guitar tone, quite soft, gentle/tender and kind of ethereal.

Hmm, slower songs can get quite annoying sometimes. But still... TAKE NO FUCKING PRISONERS!!!

EDIT: Dead Calm "No Way Out" sounds quite similar, although more melodic, and the vocalist's voice is significantly higher, kind of like Kai Hansen if he'd sung in a NWOBHM band. Plenty of solos and leads, some acoustic parts thrown in for good measure. Overall, the album is pretty decent and consistent, except for that one-and-a-half-minute interlude at the beginning of the fifth track which is really irritating.

I enjoy listening to Firewind alot.
Is there any similar bands?

Dream Evil
Mystic Prophecy
Messiah's Kiss
PARAGON
Iron Savior
Grave Digger
Leverage

There are more that I can't even think of right now.

I would not include Paragon in that list. They are more old school in their approach and harder than Firewind. Nevertheless - great band!

After reflection I don't think the new Pharaoh is as consistent as TLN. It has a few great songs but TLN has lots. I'd give TLN a 90+ and Be Gone an 80 something.

Paragon \m/

I've been meaning to pick that one up. Do you know of a place that sells it for less than $25?

Yeah, but still, most people who like Firewind would like Paragon too, I'd say. It's a fair gamble.

Maybe so, but I love Paragon and don't like Firewind.

Found the new Helstar leak!

Two songs in and it's sounding lopsided. On one hand some of the riffing is really cool with thrash tendencies and even a throwback to the old style as far as lead guitar is concerned, but then there's a lot of power chord chugging that goes nowhere and is extremely repetitive. James is great, of course. This might be a good album, time will tell.

Gah, the guitarists in Helstar now are also in a "Groovy Power/Thrash" band called Eternity Black, and that influence is really showing through.

Pretty much.

A shred guitarist like Andre Corbin (Nosferatu) probably would've been a nice influence here. It's the "chugging" that I'm not a huge fan of. I think only a few bands can pull that off really well (Heathen comes to mind), but that's just me - I usually prefer faster/speed riffs when it comes to thrash.

could one of you fine gentlemen pm a link to the new helstar?

Ahaha, aren't you the one who says all that stuff about how nobody should download?

i actually said dont download in that falconer thread because it's a shitty falconer album

This new Helstar is awesome. Yeah, it's way more modern, but the attitude, the heaviness, the dark, occult sort of imagery, and especially the vocal delivery make this one of my favorite releases this year.

Linkage? (if you're talking about sample tracks)

Their myspace.

I gotta check out the new Helstar stuff. I have the whole Helstar discography so the new one is mandatory - I hope they did not go the Nevermore route too much. From what I saw at KIT though the new songs were awesome - hard-edged and thrashing stuff.

Hmm, listening closer, this is good, but Nahsil is right, it is pretty uneven. Parts of the title track and "Caress of the Dead" especially seem dull or disjointed. But overall it's a fine album.

Holy fuck! The new Grand Magus album destroys almost all of heavy/power/speed stuff I heard this year. Especially the hard-rock tinged vocals of JB rule. And the music - total heavy metal/NWOBHM madness! Everybody into classic heavy metal should check this baby out - really cool!

whats the password for the helstar album? >_>

Find it yourself, it wouldn't be hard.

If it was Xeogred who PMed it to you, then the password is most likely www.thrashmageddon.com

just listening now to the new Helstar. I don't like how Rivera is produced vocally as he is on the vicious rumors album he did(i think thats the band). It just comes off as too clean and much better in the old vein, his voice is fucking flawless and doesn't need some effects added to it. Only negative on the first track is the little stop-and-go riffs and the drumming is weaker than early Helstar.

No, unfortunately.

Tad Morose, Morgana Lefay, Sanctuary, Nevermore and Cage-"darker than black".

I know failsafe isn't a fan of them, but am I really the only one who thinks Proud Existence's "The Trial" is damn awesome? I absolutely love the atmosphere and the vocalist is great, especially with his crazy screams on the later tracks.

Eh, it's alright I guess. Not a fan of the vocals at all though.

The vocals?! The vocals are probably the best thing out of the whole record. Granted if you dislike the hardrock tinge in your vocals you could dislike what JB does - he has definite rock groove and edge to his singing. But to me that is what makes him stand out - also he has a powerful voice and tons of range.

I won't deny his skill or anything but like you said, the "hardrock tinge" just isn't my style.

I didn't actually care for the new GM album, it was okay. Oar Strikes the Water or whatever was a great song, but some of it seemed a little contrived. I preferred Wolf's Return.