October's DARK METAL Musings...
“How could I be condemned
For the things that I’ve done
If my intentions were good;
I guess I’ll never know…
Some things under the sun
Can never be understood…”
From “Soul Society” by Kamelot from Black Halo, 2005.
As often as I am able, I drive to Keith’s house and watch football—always careful as to what words I scream at the TV when his young daughters are around. The ritual also involves Keith looking at whatever CD’s I have on me in his effort to find some stuff he does not own. The last two weeks the CD’s have included some metal and symphonic power metal at that.
“I am beginning to worry about you…” he uttered last week.
My friend John put me up to listening to power metal. He said it was “great” as he burned two Luca Turilli CD’s for me and some Kamelot and Hammer Fall.
John is right; it is great.
Power Metal, speed metal, some gothic metal, and symphonic metal have some similar attributes. Most of it is European.—from cold countries, as far as I can tell.
Many bands have a gothic feel to them.
If you are a fan of Middle Earth or Dungeons and Dragons type of imagery or Vikings (and not the lousy kind from Minnesota—dig dig dig) or vampire-like mixed with pseudo questionable religion and religious undertones about the “after life” and related philosophies in the lyrics—welcome aboard.
Often the guitars are fast and furious with a thundering bass and a crisp drum.
I found that some of the stuff has a “Meatloaf” grand quality to it (Yes, Seriously); although I think any power metal band would slap me silly for saying that.
Major bands who play this stuff include Rhapsody, Kamelot--my personal favorite—website here: http://www.kamelot.com, Hammer Fall who toured with DIO--website here: http://www.hammerfall.net, Savatage of which members are currently with the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Dragonforce: literally the fastest I have ever heard the guitar played--website here: http://www.dragonforce.com, Helloween who have been around for quite a while--website here: http://www.helloween.org and Primal Fear-- website here: http://primalfear.rocks.de/fear.html. They all owe more than a slight nod to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but the voices are more melodic and the subject of the lyrics are more fantasy-laced and gothic.
Since Halloween is around the corner—may I suggest some Kamelot Epica or Black Halo to ring in All Hallows Eve—the Helloween choice is so clichéd.
Band bios and information as well as the lyrics can be found on the Dark Elucidation page here: http://www.darkelucidation.com.
When I think of Power Metal I think of Wagner meets Judas Priest with the voice of Freddy Mercury leading the way. I am confident if I am wrong, John will chime in his comments.
Enjoy something new.
For the things that I’ve done
If my intentions were good;
I guess I’ll never know…
Some things under the sun
Can never be understood…”
From “Soul Society” by Kamelot from Black Halo, 2005.
As often as I am able, I drive to Keith’s house and watch football—always careful as to what words I scream at the TV when his young daughters are around. The ritual also involves Keith looking at whatever CD’s I have on me in his effort to find some stuff he does not own. The last two weeks the CD’s have included some metal and symphonic power metal at that.
“I am beginning to worry about you…” he uttered last week.
My friend John put me up to listening to power metal. He said it was “great” as he burned two Luca Turilli CD’s for me and some Kamelot and Hammer Fall.
John is right; it is great.
Power Metal, speed metal, some gothic metal, and symphonic metal have some similar attributes. Most of it is European.—from cold countries, as far as I can tell.
Many bands have a gothic feel to them.
If you are a fan of Middle Earth or Dungeons and Dragons type of imagery or Vikings (and not the lousy kind from Minnesota—dig dig dig) or vampire-like mixed with pseudo questionable religion and religious undertones about the “after life” and related philosophies in the lyrics—welcome aboard.
Often the guitars are fast and furious with a thundering bass and a crisp drum.
I found that some of the stuff has a “Meatloaf” grand quality to it (Yes, Seriously); although I think any power metal band would slap me silly for saying that.
Major bands who play this stuff include Rhapsody, Kamelot--my personal favorite—website here: http://www.kamelot.com, Hammer Fall who toured with DIO--website here: http://www.hammerfall.net, Savatage of which members are currently with the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Dragonforce: literally the fastest I have ever heard the guitar played--website here: http://www.dragonforce.com, Helloween who have been around for quite a while--website here: http://www.helloween.org and Primal Fear-- website here: http://primalfear.rocks.de/fear.html. They all owe more than a slight nod to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but the voices are more melodic and the subject of the lyrics are more fantasy-laced and gothic.
Since Halloween is around the corner—may I suggest some Kamelot Epica or Black Halo to ring in All Hallows Eve—the Helloween choice is so clichéd.
Band bios and information as well as the lyrics can be found on the Dark Elucidation page here: http://www.darkelucidation.com.
When I think of Power Metal I think of Wagner meets Judas Priest with the voice of Freddy Mercury leading the way. I am confident if I am wrong, John will chime in his comments.
Enjoy something new.
posted by Eric Sweetwood at 1:51 PM
2 Comments:
Eric - you have jumped off the deep end. I hope you enjoy the swim into the land of the teens, tatoos, and black clothed ones. I could never and will never understand this sound - but am happy someone is helping keep these bands employed.
Personally, I will stay with Charles Mingus, Sun Ra, Dexter Gordon, and other of the type.
Peter
Yes, I know...the trip is a lonely one; and the audience is not here in the USA, per se. However, I will say that the Trans Siberan Orchestra (relatively popular) is a form of this style of the muses for the masses.
And I will say the European Symphonic Metal really does not have an "American Audience" although I encourage you to check out the link for the UK and International stuff or the Kamelot site among others and listen to some of it. It is entertaining.
You know you're in trouble, I will politely note, when Keith and you (two people who know me better than most) begin to worry--perhaps I should reflect--but all is very well.
You can truly worry when wear the black nylon, grab a tattoo, take guitar lessons from a guy with a Finnish or Scandanavian name, call myself Erich Von Susholzt, and pierce some objects that I should not.
Anyone know where I can buy black eyeliner, black lipstick, and black nail polish???
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