metal-album-of-the-week

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Wind Rose @ Lisää Löylyä 150624

All photos by me <3

Click for better quality! All photos can be found HERE!

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Top 100 Favourite Songs Of All Time: Day 30

Standing by the fire We burn ourselves again I take your hand and walk you through the rain I know that you can see the world in color Yet paint it your own way...

...I'll learn to change my mind I'll adapt if we would try But the sun has burned out I stumble in the dark reaching for the sun And a life that's just begun For you and for me...

I'm really tempted to say that this is Nils Molin's best song ever...

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Top 100 Favourite Songs Of All Time: Day 24

And for a minute I knew peace And it was beautiful and so... boring I know I'll exorcise you And twice each decade from now on And though I might sedate you You will never be gone (...)

I'm gonna stay up, I wanna stay afloat

Another new favourite from last year! The Obsession itself was my #1 album of 2024, and as you can see in this song, too, it's pretty interesting in terms of both lyrics and music.

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Melodic Metal Thursday #24

I'm really curious to see if someone will guess which power metal band performs this song 👀

In case nobody does, no worries, I'll reveal the answer tomorrow and you will want to check out their music? 😉

[metal-album-of-the-week]

starting a collection

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Top 100 Favourite Songs Of All Time: Day 23

One of my favourite duets :)

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Album of the Week: Ensiferum - Winter Storm

Release: 2024

Length: 42:12

Thoughts: I procrastinated this a little bit for no clear reason. The beginning already tells you very clearly that this is Ensiferum with a lovely instrumental intro that sets the mood, but the rest of the album feels unconventional.

In fact, it feels like a love letter to Wintersun. Long Cold Winter of Sorrow and Strife is pretty on the nose, and the harmonies are so similar it's hard to think of anything else. Which is interesting because Wintersun has a fairly unique sound and another accomplished band going for that effect produced a very fun song.

As usual with these bands, the folk elements are what makes or breaks it. Ensiferum build a soundscape that brings you right into the heart of a barren winter landscape before hammering you with blast beats as armies approach. Their signature sound is mixed with new approaches and various vocal styles including a fantastic guest singer in Madeleine Liljestam.

It's a very variable album - Winter Storm Vigilantes thematically belongs in power metal and the vocal style made me question momentarily if they resurrected early 2000s James Hetfield (Whisky in the Jar, anyone?). Galloping drums under triumphant hymns and wild growls over the image of a winter landscape. Yeah, that's Ensiferum.

Overall a fun album with some interesting twists, not quite as heavy as I'd expected but not to its detriment.

Favorite song(s): Long Cold Winter of Sorrow and Strife, The Howl

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Melodic Metal Thursday #24

I'm really curious to see if someone will guess which power metal band performs this song 👀

In case nobody does, no worries, I'll reveal the answer tomorrow and you will want to check out their music? 😉

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I recently rediscovered this song and it slaps just as much as it did in 2020. Tomi is already a fantastic singer - I'm not super big on growls actually but they're masterfully contrasted with his clean voice, which I think is very pleasant (and the Finnish accent is cute). And Anneke Van Giersbergen, though she's not doing much metal anymore, has a wonderfully unique voice and also seems like a sweetheart. I saw her as support for Epica (as Vuur) ages ago and she was lovely.

Really good song, love to listen, love to sing. The almost playful section before the voices come in and that's repeated in the bridge is just very fun.

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Melodic Metal Thursday #23

Buckle up, because I had three very good ideas for this series! This one I've deemed the easiest, but is it really, I've no idea XD

Hope you'll enjoy the songs!

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Album of the week: Brothers of Metal - Fimbulvinter

Release: 2024

Length: 57'24

Thoughts: I've followed BoM since probably 2020 when their debut single was included on a Metal Hammer CD. They take the mythology somewhat seriously (though with some humor) but not themselves and that's super fun.

They make really solid power metal but what really makes them stick out is the vocals - Ylva Eriksson is a FANTASTIC singer, with a lot of power and emotion, and she's expertly framed by her co-vocalists who both use different types of rough vocals that are used as the song demands. It gives the songs some bite when needed - although the 80s parody Heavy Metal Viking is badass enough with Ylva alone :D

It's coincidentally one of my favorites, from the cheesy sound to the hilarious lyrics. They knew what they wanted and did it. Blood Red Sky is very rhythmic and folky, almost like the call and response of a shanty. We also get the treat of some swedish, with the choral section of Flight of the Ravens - one of my favorite songs btw, the melody just has me in an iron grip.

This album also has some songs that are surprisingly heavy without losing their melodic nature. The intro to Heart of Stone for instance sounds very much Sabaton, and Berserkir is just brutal in the best sense. Mats and Joakim bring rough power where it is needed.

Lots of catchy songs on this one, which is exactly what I hope for in power metal with incredibly skilled vocalists who have improved even more over time. BoM are also master entertainers live and lovely people when meeting them after the show.

Favorite Songs: Flight of the Ravens, Blood Red Sky, Berserkir

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New Dynazty album dropping this year. With these guys it's always interesting because every album has sounded pretty different. The recent ones sound very bright even when they're talking about dark things, with some electronic influences possibly from Amaranthe?

Nils is definitely a fantastic singer regardless of what he does.

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the superwholock of folk metal

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Album of the Week: Fellowship - The Skies above Eternity

Release: 2024

Length: 40'57

Thoughts: I've already talked about their first album, which is one of my absolute favorites. In fact, I am on the bus listening to this album as I type this. If you need a pick-me-up this is the band for you. The second album is just as positive as the first, and Matthew's voice is wonderful once again. I love his warm tones and the emotion he brings into the songs, on the album and on stage.

Have you ever been so excited for something you psych yourself out of doing the thing? That was this album, because my expectations were so high I was scared to listen to it. Of course none of the songs have the iconic status as Glint, which I've sung 5272637 times by now but that's not how that works.

This album continues their musical style, with a upbeat and warm sound, the songs telling a story of overcoming adversity and gaining confidence. One of my favorite tools they use are the choral segments and bridges with limited instrumentation for Matthew's voice to really shine before the finale.

Victim is melodically fun but also heavily relatable (and great for OC playlists), which is mirrored by World End Slowly which is way more cheerful. King of Nothing feels a bit like a Battle Beast song in how energetic it is. Eternity starts out with a vaguely Asian-inspired melody, which is really fun. Hold up your Hearts again is a great intro song because it's closest to the first album, as if it's taking you by the hand and leading you from one album to the other.

I'm excited to read the novel for the album, because the songs will make a lot more sense then but even now it's just plain fun to listen to and the topics are somewhat universally applicable. The novel wasn't finished until release for various reasons but they're hoping for February/March - I'm excited to read it, because the first one was really fun to read, with charming characters and interesting world building.

Favorite Songs: Hold up your Hearts (Again), The Bitter Winds, World End Slowly

Bonus:

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Power Metal Favorites

As @starstruckbyacomet and I were talking rock and metal lately, I suggested starting with power metal to get a foot into the metal genre if you're genuinely interested. So, here's my favorites to start from!

Of course we're gonna begin with Blind Guardian. I love Hansi, what can I say. And I think this video gives a good glimpse into their different styles - so here is, once again, the legendary Wacken video.

Now to my first metal love, Helloween. They had their ups and downs and various singers over the years, and while they're very melodic now, they used to be quite raw in their beginning. As for their themes, well.... they changed and changed ... here's one of their "easier" songs, I'd say:

Now we're digging into history. War has always been a popular theme in power metal, and Sabaton (along with Civil War, a band formed from former members of Sabaton) are probably the masters of that theme. There's so many Sabaton songs I would love to recommend, but since I'm still trying to do a soft introduction, I will give you 1916. Because it has a great video, yes, but also because it's one of the absolute greatest cover versions of all time. I stand by that.

I think what we may conclude so far is that power metal not only has catchy tunes, it has awesome singers. And that's why we can't miss Kamelot in this list. If you like this, I strongly recommend stalking @lightineventide for more 😂

So far this all seems harmless, right? What's with the themes? Well. Do you like vampires and werewolves? Twisted clerical symbols? Powerwolf is your band. (And they are SO much fun!)

And since I couldn't stop talking about the Visions of Atlantis concert I went to, yeah, of course we can't dismiss pirate metal. I'm not even talking Alestorm and stuff.

Next is Avantasia, which is a project of Tobias Sammet gathering musicians for songs and concept albums. And frankly its the closest I could get to the "mystery" theme you said you liked ;)

Rhapsody of Fire is another of those fantasy themed bands, but they're the... well, dramatic kind. It's bordering on cheesy often, frankly, but their singer? Ah my god I love him.

Now, I feel that those were the most obvious (at least for people into power metal). There are so many more to check out, even the ones I don't like (Dragonforce, Grave Digger) or find rather mediocre (Hammerfall). Let me just say Gloryhammer (especially the newer songs with Sozos Michael), Stratovarius, Running Wild, Rage, Pentakill, Gamma Ray, Edguy, Sonata Arctica, Brothers of Metal, Pyramaze, Virgin Steele... and those are really only a few and the more known once, in my opinion.

Feel free to add lesser known bands to this post, folks!

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Alright I'm currently waiting for a concert to start so let me add some of my favorites :D

I'm aware Powerwolf was already mentioned but I cannot describe how much I love these guys. They've come insanely far, their music videos and stage productions are absolutely nuts to witness. And Attila is just an incredible singer, his voice is so versatile and powerful. He's an incredibly imposing presence in character and a sweetheart as a person.

Great power Metal band from Finland, founded after a split with the forerunner Battle Beast. What must have been very painful for the band members is a win for us fans because we get two Beasts that make banger songs. Once again Yannis (a trained opera singer like Attila, but with a very different vocal style) gives insane power to the songs. If you're down, go here.

Speaking of power:

Noora Louhimo is one of the ladies that show metal is for everyone. Incredibly talented singer, an absolute powerhouse of an artist with a voice that can tear steel from the sheer badassery. She's a blues singer originally and it really adds to her technique of adding grit to her clean voice.

I'm literally in the venue to see these guys as I'm typing this. This song is admittedly a bit heavier than their usual style but the theme comes across well I'd say. Ylva is a fantastic vocalist and her male companions complement her very well. I also like that they deal with the endless Viking topic without taking themselves too seriously and falling into involuntary silliness. Their silliness is very much intentional.

I did not add the song they are most well known for because I feel like they're being reduced to it a lot. DragonForce portray themselves as the kings of speed metal but regardless of what you think of that they're just a nerdy, fun band. Their melodies are insanely catchy. Voice-wise Marc is close to Yannis from Beast in Black, so if you like falsetto this is a good starter.

There's of course way more, like the previous person noted. I'll see Grailknights as support tonight so we'll see if I like them :D Other bands I don't know quite as well are Majestica

Power Metal Favorites

As @starstruckbyacomet and I were talking rock and metal lately, I suggested starting with power metal to get a foot into the metal genre if you're genuinely interested. So, here's my favorites to start from!

Of course we're gonna begin with Blind Guardian. I love Hansi, what can I say. And I think this video gives a good glimpse into their different styles - so here is, once again, the legendary Wacken video.

Now to my first metal love, Helloween. They had their ups and downs and various singers over the years, and while they're very melodic now, they used to be quite raw in their beginning. As for their themes, well.... they changed and changed ... here's one of their "easier" songs, I'd say:

Now we're digging into history. War has always been a popular theme in power metal, and Sabaton (along with Civil War, a band formed from former members of Sabaton) are probably the masters of that theme. There's so many Sabaton songs I would love to recommend, but since I'm still trying to do a soft introduction, I will give you 1916. Because it has a great video, yes, but also because it's one of the absolute greatest cover versions of all time. I stand by that.

I think what we may conclude so far is that power metal not only has catchy tunes, it has awesome singers. And that's why we can't miss Kamelot in this list. If you like this, I strongly recommend stalking @lightineventide for more 😂

So far this all seems harmless, right? What's with the themes? Well. Do you like vampires and werewolves? Twisted clerical symbols? Powerwolf is your band. (And they are SO much fun!)

And since I couldn't stop talking about the Visions of Atlantis concert I went to, yeah, of course we can't dismiss pirate metal. I'm not even talking Alestorm and stuff.

Next is Avantasia, which is a project of Tobias Sammet gathering musicians for songs and concept albums. And frankly its the closest I could get to the "mystery" theme you said you liked ;)

Rhapsody of Fire is another of those fantasy themed bands, but they're the... well, dramatic kind. It's bordering on cheesy often, frankly, but their singer? Ah my god I love him.

Now, I feel that those were the most obvious (at least for people into power metal). There are so many more to check out, even the ones I don't like (Dragonforce, Grave Digger) or find rather mediocre (Hammerfall). Let me just say Gloryhammer (especially the newer songs with Sozos Michael), Stratovarius, Running Wild, Rage, Pentakill, Gamma Ray, Edguy, Sonata Arctica, Brothers of Metal, Pyramaze, Virgin Steele... and those are really only a few and the more known once, in my opinion.

Feel free to add lesser known bands to this post, folks!

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I know it's a bonus track, but 'The Untold Story' at the end Hic Svnt Dracones feel like...

Like they sailed right through the Ragnarok, only to get isekai'd right into the fucking Albion, of all places.