Freedom Call - Stairway to Fairyland

Freedom Call is a Symphonic Power Metal band from Germany. The group formed during an off-period for drummer Dan Zimmermann's main band, Gamma Ray. The group recorded their first album, Stairway to Fairyland, in 1999, and made their official debut in France as a support band for the touring Edguy and Angra. Overall, Freedom Call is Symphonic Power Metal at some of its best - the synth is an integral part, but the lack of a high soprano keeps them seperate from Visions of Atlantis or Nightwish and puts them in the ranks with some of Power Metal's greatest. This is their first album, Stairway to Fairyland.

Freedom Call - Stairway to Fairyland (1999)

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)

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)

Rhapsody (of Fire)

Rhapsody of Fire - previously known as Rhapsody - is one of the most popular power metal bands to date. Hailing from Italy, Luca Turilli's excellent composition shines in this bands' epic sound. From their first album to last, Rhapdosy's blazing guitar/keyboard solos and awesome synth use create an incredible sound.

Legendary Tales - (1997)
Symphony of Enchanted Lands - (1998)
Dawn of Victory - (2000)
Power of the Dragonflame - (2002)

Visions of Atlantis

Visions of Atlantis is a Power Metal band hailing from Styria, Austria. Formed in 2000, the group presents a sound much akin to that of Nightwish, utilizing both a male and female lead singer, while using keyboards to create atmosphere in the background. Visions of Atlantis is currently signed to Napalm Records. A new album, Trinity, is slated for March 2007.

Eternal Endless Infinity - (2002)
Cast Away - (2004)

Timeless Miracle

Timeless Miracle is a Power Metal band from Sweden founded in 2001. After releasing 3 Demos, the finally came out with their first full-length album, Into The Enchanted Chamber. They've got another release coming out in 2007.

The vocals are what really seems to get me for this group. While the vocalist, Mikael Holst, has a strange style that shouldn't go with metal... it somehow fits into the music so that his voice is the only voice I can imagine singing to Timeless Miracle's material. While the music itself is a bit flowery due to the heavy keyboard usage, this band still needs to be heard of and supported.

Into the Enchanted Chamber - (2005)