Symphonic Power Metal

Yer Metal Is Olde: Nightwish – Oceanborn

By Kenstrosity on March 6, 2019 in 2019, Finnish Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, Power Metal, Spinefarm, Symphonic Metal, Yer Metal Is Olde, Neo-Classical Metal, 169 comments

“I was seven years old for most of 1999—the year Nightwish’s breakout record Oceanborn saw its worldwide release. It would be seven more years before I would finally encounter what constitutes one of the most exhilarating listening experiences of my life. Since Oceanborn dropped, scores of symphonic metal bands have made countless attempts to imitate it, yet each clone of this record since has failed spectacularly to match either its significance or its quality. Hence this little entry of mine into the annals of Yer Metal Is Olde.” Own the Night(wish).

Ancient Bards – Origine – The Black Crystal Sword Saga Part 2 Review

By Eldritch Elitist on January 23, 2019 in 2019, Italian Metal, Limb Music, Power Metal, Reviews, 47 comments

“When it comes to my favorite metal guilty pleasures of the past decade, Ancient Bards’ first two records have locked down a pretty sweet slot. Arriving at a time when even the first wave of Rhapsody imitators were beginning to lose relevance, the Bards fully embraced the irony of their “Ancient” moniker, injecting a well-worn formula with Power Quest-levels of sugar-coated melodies and the invigorating folk overtures of Equilibrium to formulate something that was fully cheesy, yet fully fresh.” Bards, beets, Battlestar Galactica.

Eternal Dream – Daementia Review

By Holdeneye on December 10, 2018 in 2018, Power Metal, Pride & Joy Music, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, 35 comments

“Nearly every time I prepare to go out for food and/or drink, I tell myself something along the lines of “I’m only going to have a couple” or “I’m not going to eat too much.” This inevitably leads to a moment later in the night where my wife mocks me for bemoaning the fact that I’ve tested the limits of gluttony and intemperance again. “Just accept the fact that you’re going to get hammered and eat too much and choose to enjoy it,” she says. She’s onto something here. While it’s generally best to aim for moderation in life, sometimes you just have to go into something expecting and embracing excess. This is a lesson that Spanish symphonic power metal band Eternal Dream demands that you take to heart.” Gluttony and lust!

Last Days of Eden – Chrysalis Review

By Steel Druhm on March 20, 2018 in 2018, Pride & Joy Music, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Symphonic Metal, 75 comments

“When the whole “symphonic metal with opera vocals” thing hit the world with Nightwish, I was intrigued and quite receptive to the concept. I enjoyed their first few albums, yet within a scant few years, the deluge of generic female-fronted clone acts had me running for more extreme climes and rarely have I looked back. That brings us to Last Days of Eden, Spain’s answer to Nightwish.” Symphony of the Night(wish).

Avantasia – Ghostlights Review

By Steel Druhm on January 19, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 68 comments

“If there was ever a “Yacht Metal” band, Tobias Sammet’s aspirational ego project Avantasia is it. Perpetually over-sized, ostentatious, crowded with celebrities and in danger of sinking under the weight of its own pretentious pomposity, the entire catalog is a monument to the man’s inherent lack of restraint.” But is that ship still seaworthy and can they see the Ghostlights from the distant shore?

Amberian Dawn – Innuendo Review

By Roquentin on November 1, 2015 in 2015, Finnish Metal, Napalm Records, Power Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Power Metal, 25 comments

“Amberian Dawn are a Finnish neoclassical power metal stalwart that has been around for almost a decade, always lurking somewhere on the outskirts of mainstream popularity, but never quite reaching the status of bands such as Nightwish or Epica.” Enough of this kvlt crap, let’s fire up the pop-porn!

Nocturna – Lucidity Review

By El Cuervo on February 12, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Unsigned Bands, 18 comments

“Given AMG and Steel Druhm’s well-documented love for power metal (Sonata Arctica, Riot, Edguy), it’s difficult to claim high profile names within the genre for review. The reviews I just linked were all within the last eight months, and 2015 alone has already seen well-received releases from Blind Guardian, Angra and Orden Ogan. Aside from demonstrating the corrupt poseurs masquerading as our leaders, this leaves us meager staff writers scraping the bottom of the power metal barrel…” Did El Cuervo just call the Metal Tribunal corrupt? That’s a paddlin’ offense.

Rhapsody of Fire – The Cold Embrace of Fear Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 13, 2010 in 2010, 3.5, Heavy Metal, Nuclear Blast, Power Metal, Reviews, Power Metal, 1 comment

Wow, 2010 is a strange year. But one of maybe the weirdest things is the fact that long on-ice Rhapsody of Fire are back and they are putting out a second record! Well, let’s be clear, this is an EP in 7 acts, but in addition to the very mighty The Frozen Tears of Angels, the mighty Rhapsody of Fire is releasing an EP in Europe on the 15th of October called The Cold Embrace of Fear. Clocking in at 35 minutes, this EP is probably closer to Rain of a Thousand Flames than anything else the band has done in their career. But can the mighty Rhapsody of Fire actually maintain the awesome consistency of their earlier release?