Gamma Ray - No World Order

Artist: Gamma Ray
Album: No World Order
Genre: Power Metal
Origin: Germany
Year: 2001

If your heart isn't already beating faster 30 seconds into "Introduction" you might have stone heart disease, because this is one of the greatest intros to any album ever made. Gamma Ray then proceeds to belt out 9 tracks of the best German power metal, finishing off with a ballad that I don't hate (a challenging task indeed). I don't listen to power metal as much as I used to, but Gamma Ray remains one of my favorites. Cry for freeeedom!

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Battlelore - The Last Alliance

Artist: Battlelore
Album: The Last Alliance
Genre: Power Metal
Year: 2008
Origin: Finland

I guess this is Tolkien nerd theme month! Here's a fun power metal-ish album, with a good mix of clean female vocals and growled male vocals. It's not super deep content-wise, but it has some nice melodies. The biggest thing I think they should've changed about this album is to move the first track to the end, because it's so great that it kinda overpowers the following songs.

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Hammers of Misfortune - The Locust Years

Artist: Hammers of Misfortune
Album: The Locust Years
Genre: Progressive Power Metal
Year: 2006
Origin: USA

I can't believe I only recently started listening to Hammers of Misfortune. They're from San Francisco, and they include members of GWAR, Christ on Parade, and even Pansy Division! That's a strange combination, but it doesn't really hint at what the band sounds like, except that the music is also an interesting combination. It's power metal, or traditional heavy metal or some-such, but it's definitely progressive and there are folky parts and hints of something heavier. The melodies and the female vocals on this album are tremendous. It almost seems like the lyrics must be political somehow, from the song titles, but I haven't noticed anything overt.

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power metal mix

It's not an album this time, just a collection of a few great power metal songs I uploaded for someone. And sharing is caring, so here it is. Note: if you haven't heard these, you should, power metal fan or not.

songs:
Rhapsody - Holy Thunderforce
Black Abyss - Time
Blind Guardian - Into the Storm
Stratovarius - Black Diamond
Wizard - Witch of the Enchanted Forest

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Hammerfall - Crimson Thunder

Artist: Hammerfall
Album: Crimson Thunder
Genre: Power Metal
Year: 2002
Origin: Sweden

I've gotta admit, I appreciate a power metal band that isn't afraid to come across as a little gay. I'd say this album is somewhere between Gamma Ray and Manowar on the power metal spectrum, with the catchiness and solos of the former and the cheesy posturing of the latter. Hearts on Fire is a just plain uplifting song, and I think you'll find yourself singing it in the shower.

band site

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Pagan's Mind - Celestial Entrance

Artist: Pagan's Mind
Album: Celestial Entrance
Genre: Progressive Metal
Year: 2002
Origin: Norway

Pagan's Mind will sound familiar if you know progressive power metal like Symphony X. It will sound familiar, but it won't just be more of the same. The depth of the song-writing is unparalleled, even among progressive rock/metal bands. I get the feel that this is sort of a concept album (aren't all prog albums?), though I can't really be sure since I don't listen to this for the lyrics; it just progresses between songs on this long, full record. The band has some other solid releases as well, but I think Celestial Entrance is definitely the best. And I'm not sure if this should influence you or not, but on metal-archives it has 6 reviews with an average of 95% (half of them said 100%).

band site

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