Message #2

Ok, for those of you who want requests, you can leave a comment in the lastest post requesting a band/album you would like, and I'll do my best to find them. Don't make it too hard, though, like a Timeless Miracle demo, and try to keep it within the confines of Power, though if you ask for something else, I'm not very well going to bite your head off.

Or maybe I will. Chomp.

Goratory

Goratory is for all you Brutal Death Metal fans out there. Formed in Natick, Massachusetts, USA, these guys will punch you in the stomach and rip it out. With song names such as "Anally Injected Death Sperm (AIDS)", these guys pile on the sick with brutal riffs and a heavy pig-squeall grunt that leaves you shitting on the floor of your room. Good for fans of Aborted and Pigsty.

Sexual Intercorpse - (2001)
Orgasm-Induced Diarrhea - (2002)
Rice on Suede - (2004)

Alamaailman Vasarat

The Finnish group Alamaailman Vasarat is hard to categorize, though on their website, they categorize themselves (jokingly) as Kosher Kebab Jazz. They use a wide variety of instruments, ranging from the cello, pump organ and tuba to saxophones, trombones and clarinets. The percussion is also of note, using things such as door slams and breaking glass. These guys provide an entertaining form of instrumental music. For their third album, Allamailman Vasarat teamed up with famous Finnish rock singer Toumari Nurmio.

Vasaraasia - (2000)
Käärmelautakunta - (2004)
Kinaporin Kalifaatti with Toumaru Nurmio - (2005)
Maahan - (2007)

Avantasia

Avantasia is the side project of Edguy's Tobias Sammet. As such, the project is classified as Power Metal. The project has two albums out - The Metal Opera Parts I and II - and tells the story of Gabriel Laymann. The year is 1602, and the witch hunts are in full spring. When Gabriel meets up with his stepsister Anna, who awaits trial for witchcraft, he doubts his ways. Sneaking into a library, he finds a forbidden book. As he reads it, he is caught and imprisoned. While in jail, he meets with a man named Lugaid Vandroiy, a druid, who agrees to help Gabriel free Anna in exchange for his help in saving his homeworld, Avantasia.

The project employs many of Power Metal's greatest musicians, from vocal talents such as Tobias himself (Edguy), Michael Kiske (Helloween), Andre Matos (Angra) and David DeFeis (Virgin Steele) to such instrumental talents as guitarists Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray) and Jens Ludwig (Edguy), bassist Markus Grosskopf (Helloween), and drummer Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire).

A new album, The Scarecrow, is due out late Summer 2007.

The Metal Opera Part I - (2001)
The Metal Opera Part II - (2002)

Persuader

Persuader is a Power Metal group from Sweden formed in 1997. This group is pretty heavy for Power Metal, combining grinding riffs with great solos. They have a sound similiar to that of old school Blind Guardian and Nocturnal Rites, so if you're a fan of those bands, Persuader is for you. The group also claims thrash influences in its music. Jens Carlsson (vocals) and Emil Norberg (lead guitar) are also, as of 2005, a part of Savage Circus, the group formed by ex-Blind Guardian drummer Thomas Stauch.

The Hunter - (2000)
Evolution Purgatory - (2004)
When Eden Burns - (2006)

Witchcraft

Witchcraft was formed in 2000. These Swedish rockers play a Sabbath or Pentagram style of Traditional Doom Metal - good catchy riffs without the keyboard wankage, certain to interest fans of Spirit Caravan or The Sword. The band was originally formed to record a tribute to Pentagram, but was discovered by Rise Above Records and signed. They have played with such bands as Orange Goblin, and will be playing with The Sword and Clutch later this year. The group's third album is planned for release on Easter 2007.

Witchcraft - (2004)
Firewood - (2005)
The Alchemist - (2007)

Xystus

Xystus is a symphonic Power Metal group from the Netherlands. These guys are a part of the new wave of metal emerging from the Netherlands. Taking influences from many movie soundtracks, such as Minority Report, and bands such as Blind Guardian and Kamelot, this group combined well-balanced composition with good choruses and solos. Worth a check.

Recieving Tomorrow - (2004)

Dragonland

Dragonland is a symphonic power metal group from Sweden. The group is most notable for basing their two first albums upon the self-produced The Dragonland Chronices fantasy albums and for the original symphonic/electronic parts by Elias Holmlid. Dragonland also did a cover song for the song Rusty Nail by X-Japan. Nightrage's Marios Iliopoulos and Jimmie Strimell has provided some help in their newest album Astronomy.

Battle on the Ivory Plains - (2001)
Holy War - (2002)
Starfall - (2004)
Astronomy - (2006)

Message #1

Just giving a shoutout and a message. If, while downloading something from this blog, you come across a link to an album that comes up as a dead link, send me an email with the title [Forest of November Dead Link] specifying which album is the dead link to finchforever03@yahoo.com or leave me a comment and I will upload it again as soon as possible.

Týr

Týr is a Viking Metal band hailing from... the Faroe Islands? Where the hell is that? Regardless, these guys are some of the best Viking Metal I've ever heard, right up there with Ensiferum. Yes, they're playing in chainmail in the picture - that's how awesome they are. The band, in classic Opeth fashion, consists of two guitarists, one of which is their lead singer, one bass player, and one drummer. The band has released 3 albums so far, the best being Eric the Red, as well as two EPs.

How Far to Asgaard - (2002)
Eric the Red - (2003)
Ragnarok - (2006)

Karelia

So, back into the Power Metal groove again. This one's another from France. Karelia are different in that they combine strange compositions with a wide variety of vocals, from the normal high-tenor voice to an almost female-like high tone, and all the way to the other end of the spectrum to a beautiful baritone. The guitar and synth work is noteworthy as well. A good recommendation from France.

Usual Tragedy - (2003)
Raise - (2005)

Reverend Bizarre

It seems I've been in a Doom mood lately. Here's another modern Doom band from Finland, Reverend Bizarre. The group's three members - Albert Witchfinder (vocals/bass), Peter Vicar (guitar), and Earl of Void (guitar/drums) - create a beautiful blend of brutality and melancholy with awesome drone-style instrumentality, following in the footsteps of bands such as Black Sabbath and Pentagram. Although originally intended to release five albums, this trio will officially disband after releasing III: So Long Suckers.

Thanks to my friend Steel Lord for providing me with II: Crush the Insects.

In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend - (2002)
Harbinger of Metal (EP) - (2003)
Return to the Rectory (EP) - (2004)
II: Crush the Insects - (2005)
III: So Long Suckers - (2007)

Beyond Dawn

As a little bit of a break from the Power Metal, I bring you Beyond Dawn. Though now an Electronic Pop group, the band's earlier recordings were of that of a Doom Metal design, and as such, I see fit to put them here, though only their early albums will be posted. The band's early recordings consisted of legato, melancholy drones on the guitar, attaining a feeling of deep sorrow and depression. The group also utilized a trombone for their early album. A very good band.

Longing for Scarlet Days (EP) - (1994)
Pity Love - (1995)

Edguy

Edguy brings Power Metal to its knees. Formed in Germany, the band is headed by frontman and vocalist Tobias Sammet. Sammet's artistic and musical genious has made Edguy unique among the Power Metal world, stylistically combining both standard Power Metal elements with Heavy Metal to create a sound unlike any other. With fast dual guitar solos and Sammet's incredible vocal range, Edguy is a must-have for any Power Metal fan.

The Savage Poetry - (1995)
Kingdom of Madness - (1997)
Vain Glory Opera - (1998)
Theatre of Salvation - (2000)
Painting on the Wall (EP) - (2001)
Mandrake - (2001)
Burning Down the Opera (Live Album) - (2003)
King of Fools (EP) - (2004)
Lavatory Love Machine (Single) - (2004)
Hellfire Club - (2004)
Superheroes (EP) - (2005)
Rocket Ride - (2006)

Galneryus

This Japanese Power Metal band was formed in 2001 by Valkyr guitar virtuoso Syu and vocalist Yama-B. After releasing three albums, the band is still going strong, and have released a Live DVD as of last year (3 days before my birthday, actually.) The band plays a great style of power metal with great guitar solos, and, for those of you who hate keyboard wankery, you will enjoy the fact that there is none. The keyboard playing is purely atmospheric, with a small solo here and there, but the band is primarily guitar-driven. Good kick-ass power metal from the land of the rising sun.

The Flag of Punishment - (2003)
Advanced to the Fall - (2005)
Beyond the End of Despair - (2006)
Live for Rebirth (Live) - (2006)
One For All - All For One - (2007)