First post. Sup guys? Onto the details of the recommendation thread.

Let's start with Power Metal. Over the years, I've become more, and more critical of what I listen to. Most considered "top tier" power metal bands have become EXTREMELY mediocre in my opinion. Especially since I'm also into progressive metal, which makes me more, and more critical about what I'm listening to. This of course doesn't stop me from hating the band(s) all together. Most bands out there have a good album, or at least a good single. Now to list the bands I like/dislike/etc. :X

The bands I enjoy the most are:

Lost Horizon
Kamelot
Galneryus
Into Eternity
Sonata Arctica

Bands I like to a lesser extent:

Dragonforce (Valley of The Damned album, singles.)
Gamma Ray (Blast to The Past, random singles.)
Stratovarius (Dreamspace, Visions, singles.)
Wintersun
DGM
Edguy (Random singles)
Firewind (pre-allegiance)
Nightwish
Raintime
Symphony X (Over time, they lose their spark.)
Theocracy

Bands, such as Rhapsody of Fire, Heavenly, Angel Dust all lost their flare overtime. I still listen to Angel Dust's thrash works, however.

I'm a hard one to please when it comes to Power Metal. I don't look for anything specific, I just have a tough filter.

Onto Progressive Metal; I'm more new to the genre, honestly. I'm into bands, such as:

Queensryche
Dream Theater
Symphony X
Into Eternity
Opeth
Evergrey
Ayreon
Outworld

Next on the list, I'm looking for black metal bands, that aren't "trve, or low-fi." Examples would be bands, such as Abigail Williams, and ChthoniC.

The final agenda to cover would be multi-genre bands. More specifically, I'm looking for bands that have both harsh, and clean vocals. In example:

Into Eternity
Scar Symmetry
Opeth
Raintime
Mercenary


I've looked for bands similar to these, and have made recommendation threads on other forums, but nobody has been able to link me to bands that I can really enjoy. Specifically; I'm often linked to bands such as Wintersun, or Dark Tranquility, which have one or two one-of tracks that include mediocre clean vocals. I could probably find the old responces, but I'm kinda lazy. :X

I'm not expecting to be babied; I've found nearly every one of these bands, and easily a hundred more through my own efforts, but occasionally it's time to throw in the towel and ask for help.

Pain of Salvation and Psychotic Waltz are pretty good?

Ever checked out the more avant-garde side of prog metal? Personally, I think it's way better but it might not be for everyone. I'd still recommend listening to The Sham Mirrors by Arcturus, and Omnio by In the Woods...


Diabolical Masquerade (think you might really enjoy Death's Design) and Sigh, particularly their latest album Hangman's Hymn. Negura Bunget's latest album, Om, has some solid production. Their earlier stuff is more lo-fi/kvlt though. Maybe give Code a listen too, I just see them being sorta up your alley.


Disillusion definitely. Can't really think of anything more like that, but if you like female vocals I'd have some other suggestions.

I don't have much time, but I can give you a couple quality rec's in the power / prog department, stuff you don't have listed, but is extremely good and worth your time.

Anubis Gate: I only found these guys recently, and by accident, but I'm glad I did. The albums Andromeda Unchained and The Detached are right up your alley, blending power and prog metal together in a truly engaging way that doesn't dull out over repeated listens. Here's an example of their sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_zR3Xn5ga8

Epica: Specifically their newest full-length, The Divine Conspiracy. Chances are you've heard of them; I'd be a little surprised if you haven't, but anyway, on this album in particular they implement an orchestra in such a way that it would make Rhapdosy envious, needless to say. I wouldn't expect a lot of soaring power melodies though; definitely more of a progressive feel to the album, but again, it's quite good.

I do not know a lot of pure progressive metal, but you may want to check Seventh Wonder out ==> http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=127045

I do not like AW and Chthonic, but you should probably look into 206 and Thinkers, a Chinese band who plays symphonic black metal, like the two aforementioned bands. They have a good production, and they also have duet vocals, a male who growls and at times, a female who sings with a clean voice, but no gothic shit here, like too many females in metal bands.
Symphonic black metal done right, unlike Abigail Williams and Chthonic.

http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=112505


206 and thinkers meets the criteria, since there is both harsh and clean singing, and their music is also influenced by doom metal, so it is a multi-genre band.
Now, a very favorite of mine:Visceral Evisceration. They play death/doom metal with grindcore influences. Again, the male singer uses both harsh and clean vocals, and there is also a female vocalist, with an operatic style of singing. Enjoy ==> http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=7461

I wasn't able to get into Pain of Salvation, or Psychotic Waltz, however the avant-garde bands are intriguing me. I'm listening to the two recommended songs as I post this.

The BM recs were decent, but didn't really stand out like the two bands I listed did to me. I dislike Sigh, however. Japans BM scene is very mediocre IMO.

And finally; Why Disillusion? I listened to quite a few songs on YT, and Imeem, just as a preview, and their music just made me angry.

If you listened to stuff from their second album, that'd be why. The first one is much better and closer to what you're asking for which is why he mentioned them.

Lunarsea!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc3_8ocUw7M

I think you'll like.

Yeah, they're COMPLETELY different albums.

On a related note, there is likely to be a new album this year. I'm really interested to see what direction they take with this one.

For power metal, check out Angra, Dragonland, Forgotten Tales, Masterplan, and Vision Divine.

As for bands with both harsh and clean vocals, you listed some great ones. I suggest you also check out DivineFire, and maybe Naildown.

Would you recommend a song or two specifically?

Also; Lunarsea is pretty legit.

Snowgrave: Thanks for the recommendations, but I've already listened to, and rejected all of those bands in the past. Forgive my not mentioning of them, but there are so many PM bands out there, many I just didn't care enough about to mention. Those bands happened to fall under the "mediocre PM bands" category.

I will say that Vision Divine is the most enjoyable out of the ones mentioned, only because I used to be a huge Rhapsody of Fire fanboy before I wisened up and began to listen to pretty much better music.

I'm not discruditing them, and calling them bad, per-se, but overall, except for their demos, and random singles from their albums pre-Symphony of Enchanted Lands 2, their works as a whole are pretty meh.

Going to pimp Excalion, mid-period Insania and Mob Rules here for Power Metal. Check them out and be in awe. And Mystic Prophecy.

Excalion has great vocals, but the band as a whole was terribly unremarkable. Same can be said about the other two bands you recommended. Nothing awe-striking in the slightest.

Regardless, thanks for the input.

I disagree with you wholeheartedly on all of those. Early Mob Rules especially was very rich musically.

Okay, sorry.

Well if you want some great progressive extreme metal, like Opeth but ten times better, check out In Mourning. The Shrouded Divine is a masterpiece.

Link me to their older stuff, and I'll put your statement to the test.

I don't see how these bands are exactly "rich." with the exception of good vocalists, their music was EXTREMELY cookie cutter/generic/etc.

Well, I wouldn't call Excalion or Insania especially rich in musical finesse, but they write good songs and are great at what they do. No, they're not re-inventing the wheel, but that's pretty overrated anyway, and these guys do what they do with a lot of class.

The reason I called Mob Rules' early material rich was because of the way they balanced catchy hooks and snappy, flowing guitar work. They just have this incredibly unique sense of melody:

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

Even if you don't agree with me, well, I tried.

That song was extremely solid.

What period Opeth are you into? Their earlier material I find to be their best and I think their newer material is far worse than mediocre. Check out Agalloch and Ikuinen Kaamos. Both are usually listed as similar to Opeth but both have different things to offer. Ikuinen Kaamos is more of a black metal styled band while Agalloch has a lot more acoustic sections.

I like most of Opeth's work. I have no real preference.

At the moment I'm not really looking for acoustic-ey music. I'm really digging Ikuinen Kaamos.

Though this is directed at Rexx, I hope you don't mind if I chime in, as I have listened to this Disillusion album about a hundred times. The title track, "Back To Times Of Splendor", should give you a decent idea of what the album is all about. Even if you are only moderately interested after listening to it, I would urge you to just sit down and listen to the whole album, as it is a grower and really worth your time. It is worth a few serious listens just for the fantastic vocal melodies alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr5eGmM-49A

The vocals piss me off. Distorted vocals, shitty harsh vocals which remind me of low-tier NWOAHM vocalists, which only further pisses me off.

I can't get into a band like this. It teases me with great instrumentation, then yanks it all away from me with their mind-numbingly terrible vocals.

Akercocke plays extremely well done prog death, and is one of the only bands where I like clean vocals mixed with growls/screams. Check out Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone as well as Antichrist. Their earlier material has a more black metal feel to them.

Anaal Nathrakh also occasionally make use of clean vocals in their black/grind- not a lot though, but V.I.T.R.I.O.L.s clean singing is fucking exalted. Check out any album from Domine Non Es Dignus and onwards.

Yeah, Akercocke is tight. Words That Go... is definitely worth a listen to any fan of metal.

The album, or the song?

Both, but I was speaking of the album. Verdelet is probably the best song to check out first if you're going to Youtube though.

I'm going to go ahead, be a Jew , and recommend Orphaned Land, who are a very unique Israeli progressive/folk metal band. I'm not sure how to describe them - a combination of Pain of Salvation, Paradise Lost, and Middle-Eastern folk influences? - but they're amazing.

From your description, I'm not too impressed. Pain of Salvation, and Paradise Lost were very uninteresting.

Don't worry, Orphaned Land are even less interesting.

I gave the two a listen, however I couldn't enjoy them nearly as much as AW and Chthonic.

It is nice to have more bands similar to Draconian in my collection, however.

*Edit.*

Orphaned land is pretty good.

*Edit again*

I lied. Orphaned Land is fucking brilliant.

Well, as you like Queensryche you might wanna check out:

CRIMSON GLORY - s/t
CRIMSON GLORY - Transcendence
LETHAL - Programmed
HITTMAN - Hittman
SCREAMER - Target Earth
JACOBS DREAM - s/t

I second Akercocke and In Mourning. As for BM, try Keep of Kalessin. BM with stellar production, and almost a prog feel (almost). Check out Kolossus first, IMO.

^^ definitely check out Crimson Glory. their first two albums are fucking gems. especially if you like progressive/powery 80's heavy metal. possibly get 'Gutter Ballet' by Savatage too, that is, if you dont already have it.

in terms of your multi-genre bands serach i can name a few seeing as a few scream based bands have there clean vocal "moments" (by moments i do not mean brief parts of songs btw), for example:

maralyn manson
opeth ( i think you already mentioned these??)
cradle of filth (there later work/ clean female vocals)
deathstars (occasional clean cyber female vocals)
dimmu borgir (some occasional powerful atmospheric clean vocals)
machine head
stone sour (different side to corey taylor of slipknot)
stained (a majority of there songs)
thee oracle (clean female vocals)
satyricon
chimaira (on occasion)

This post made me rage so hard. Why would you suggest these bands?

Cradle's early work is the only work that's good.

Dimmu borgir has one good album.

Why would you mention terrible mainstream bands?

I appreciate that you tried to help out, but.. No. Just no.

However if this is a troll post, good job.

Those are.. rather unmetal. I wonder if he would like them, haha. (I wanted to post this 3 hours ago, so before the OP guy replied to it. Darn.)

Well I don't know if you would like them, but I like Black Lotus (especially the debut) and Potentiam (Years in the Shadows album) for their vocals being different at times. They are kind of blackier though, but I think they are both great.

Nocte Obducta's Sequenzen einer Wanderung reminds me of Opeth, a lot. I only know this album from them, so I cannot judge the others, but I'm sure this is similar, and so you should check it out.

For Black metal, check out Anorexia Nervosa, Dimmu Borgir (you probably already tried them) Old Man's Child, newer Rotting Christ stuff, and Reinakaos era Dissection.

For bands that have both clean/harsh vox stuff check out Strapping Young Lad. It helps the fact that he is bi-polar. Extremely technical stuff, and when it comes to vocals, this guy can do it ALL.

I couldn't get into Dissection.

SYL is pretty bad, from what material I've heard. Suggest a song or two. Maybe he has some material that's redeeming from the crap I've heard.

Crimson Glory, Lethal, and Jacobs Dream were golden. Does Geoff Tate sing for Jacobs Dream?

Savatage is good. I have some of their works. I have to dig around and find the cds. Edge of Thorns was great.

The new Heaven and Hell album. Anyways, welcome.


Heh, I'm sure that that happens to everybody.


Galneryus? Hm, they're not really similar, but after that you should be able to enjoy Timless Miracle.
Also, try Hibria. I'd say it would be better to start with their debut album, though the two albums are mostly working on the exact same formula (not that I have any problems with this). Also perhaps Sacred Rite and Scanner.
Also, you don't seem to have mentioned Blind Guardian in either of the lists, have you listened to them? (I prefer their early albums and 'Somewhere Far Beyond, but I suppose it depends mostly on what kind of music one wants).
Of course, this is fairly irrelevant to your chosen bands, but I suppose that it could be helpful, so, if you want an introduction to US power metal, I'd advise listening to Jag Panzer's 'Ample Destruction' and Liege Lord's 'Master Control'. You don't seem to have checked USPM out much yet, so I suppose that it's worth mentioning. If you have, then ignore this paragraph.


Try Beyond Twilight. Their albums have good reviews here already, so check those out. Though their latest one wasn't as good, IMO.
Also, of course, Fates Warning. Try listening to, say, 'The Apparition' from 'The Spectre Within' to try them out. While technically, there's some overlap with power metal (white collar USPM), I'd generally place them under progressive metal.
Virgin Steele would also fit on here. I mean, any comparison between them and Ayreon is rather loose, but they do generally make concept albums with significant variation among songs. Try 'The House of Atreus Part I' first, probably, and if you like that, the rest of their work is generally also great.


You've probably already heard of them, but Dissection. Melancolia could also fit here, though I haven't listened to them for a while. Also, Obtained Enslavement, Vinterland and Rudra.


Solefald have both harsh and clean vocals. Try 'Neonism'. Also Primordial, who you probably already know. Then there's Estatic Fear, who, though they have the whole female vocals + male harsh vocals thing going, manage to pull it off. Also, though I don't listen to them much at the moment, Kiuas did have both clean and harsh vocals in their music, and were pretty good.

No.

*click here*