The Guardians

Ben, please add these Tarja live albums:

Christmas Together: Live at Olomouc and Hradec Králové 2019

Rocking Heels: Live at Metal Church (not metal, but please add it to bridge the gap)

Rocking Heels: Live at Hellfest

Circus Life

December 2025

1. Sabaton - "Bismarck" from Bismarck (2019)

2. Aquaria - "And Let the Show Begin" from Luxaeterna (2005)

3. Iron Maiden - "Blood Brothers" from Brave New World (2000)

4. Black Sabbath - "Devil & Daughter" from Headless Cross (1989)

5. Battle Beast - "Twilight Cabaret" from Steelbound (2025)

6. Nickelback - "San Quentin" from San Quentin EP (2022)

7. Metallica - "Too Far Gone?" from 72 Seasons (2023)

8. Quiet Riot - "Bad Boy" from Condition Critical (1984)

9. X Japan - "Easy Fight Rambling" from Blue Blood (1989)

10. W.A.S.P. - "Come Back to Black" from The Neon God, Pt. 2: The Demise (2004)

11. Ozzy Osbourne - "Shot in the Dark" from The Ultimate Sin (1986)

12. Within Temptation - "Shot in the Dark" from The Unforgiving (2011)

13. Visions of Atlantis - "Lost" from Cast Away (2004) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

14. Xandria - "Universal" from Universal Tales (2024)

15. Reptilian - "Skeleton Scales" from Castle of Yesterday (2001)

16. Galneryus - "Let Us Shine" from Between Dread and Valor (2023) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Yngwie Malmsteen - "Eclipse" from Eclipse (1990)

18. Masterplan - "Kind Hearted Light" from Masterplan (2003) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

19. Thunderstone - "Virus" from Thunderstone (2002)

20. Serenity - "Forever" from Words Untold & Dreams Unlived (2007) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

21. Savatage - "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from Dead Winter Dead (1995)

22. Nightwish - "FantasMic" from Wishmaster (2000)

23. Iron Fire - "Riding Free" from Thunderstorm (2000) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Blazon Rite - "The Coming Tide of Yule" from Wild Rites and Ancient Songs (2023)

I'm glad to finally be fully interested in these bands that I've somehow missed out on when my power/symphonic metal taste was in an all-time high around a decade ago. I can especially say that about these German power metal pioneers:

Along with these solo projects by two of the most stunning female vocalists in Finnish symphonic metal, Heidi Parviainen (ex-Amberian Dawn) and Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish):

Avenged Sevenfold - "City of Evil" (2005)

I have to admit that I took my first few listens to an Avenged Sevenfold record this week & quickly discovered that a) I don't think I've ever heard a single song by them in my life & b) I can easily understand why as they are clearly none of my business. "City of Evil" apparently saw them moving away from the melodic metalcore sound of their earlier records with this third full-length seeing the Californians playing with a proggy heavy metal sound that's often infiltrated by a European power metal influence. "City of Evil" is also a dreadfully commercialized slab of metal with the awful backing vocals & cheesy power metal guitar melodies doing nothing for me whatsoever. The vocals of front man M. Shadows are a tall ask for me too as he seems to want to channel Mike Patton's whiny higher register delivery but can't pull it off sufficiently which leaves it sitting pretty uncomfortably over this material. Thankfully, the instrumentalists are seriously good musicians & the record is very well produced which enables songs like "Blinded in Chains", "Betrayed" & the clear album highlight "Bat Country" to dig their teeth in but the rest of the tracklisting does very little for me, particularly the horrendous ballad "Seize the Day" & the woeful chorus of "Strength of the World". I guess Avenged Sevenfold simply aren't for me, at least not in this format.

For fans of Trivium, Bullet for My Valentine & Alter Bridge.

2.5/5

Here are my sneak peek submissions for the January Guardians playlist:

Almah - "Living and Drifting" (3:59) from Motion (2011)

Galneryus - "There's No Escape" (5:19) from Vetelgyus (2014)

Iron Savior - "After the War" (6:18) from Dark Assault (2001)

Powerwolf - "Out in the Fields" (4:16) from Metallum Nostrum (2019)

Visions of Atlantis - "Pirates Will Return" (6:07) from Pirates (2022)

Total length: 25:59

It appears it's my turn to nominate a feature for The Guardians and this month I'm going to go with "La grande Hérésie" — the debut full-length from Zeicrydeus, which is a new project of Philippe Tougas (First Fragment, Chthe'ilist).

A worthy effort in the venerable Hellenic style, "La grande Hérésie" will likely appeal the most to members of The North & The Guardians, although members of The Pit, Horde & Fallen clans are not unlikely to find something to their taste in the displayed blend of influences as well. Also worth checking out for the excellent bass performance (including multiple solos!).

https://metal.academy/releases/59103

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAsNWHyQ-jI

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Sabaton - "Bismarck" from Bismarck (2019)

4/5. Let's begin with this song from one of heavy/power metal's biggest bands of the new millennium, Sabaton. As you can guess, this one is based on Bismarck, a World War battleship named after Otto von Bismarck.

Aquaria - "And Let the Show Begin" from Luxaeterna (2005)

4.5/5. The show is already beginning with another power metal band, this one being part of the Brazilian power metal scene along with Almah and Angra. An amazing uplifting anthem! See this is the kind of music I would've loved to bits 10 years before this comment I was into this happy melodic sound. Even that album cover is beautiful! The band has a lot of talent here, essential for power metal. And there's more of that genre to come later on in the playlist...

Iron Maiden - "Blood Brothers" from Brave New World (2000)

4/5. Now we're getting to some of the masters of heavy metal. A great funeral song for any metalhead, to say farewell to a brother of the metal brotherhood.

Black Sabbath - "Devil & Daughter" from Headless Cross (1989)

3.5/5. The Tony Martin era may not be the Black Sabbath era, but it's certainly underrated. His vocals are quite cool here. Still, no disrespect to the late legend Ozzy Osbourne, RIP. However, the music sounds a little too glam-ish, so it's understandable why this era doesn't get all the fame and glory.

Battle Beast - "Twilight Cabaret" from Steelbound (2025)

4/5. Also a bit pop-ish, though I don't ever regret listening. Seems like the 80s-fueled catchy melody they've had since Bringer of Pain is still going.

Nickelback - "San Quentin" from San Quentin EP (2022)

3.5/5. Well this is gonna p*ss some metalheads off, a Nickelback song appearing in a Metal Academy playlist. But hear me out, this is, to my ears, Nickelback's most metallic song, and their heaviest since "This Means War". It sounds a lot like an Avenged Sevenfold single, and Chad Kroeger's vocals have a bit of a Rob Zombie-esque grit.

Metallica - "Too Far Gone?" from 72 Seasons (2023)

3/5. And now we have a song from Metallica's new album. The music is quite decent, yet the lyrics don't work well for me.

Quiet Riot - "Bad Boy" from Condition Critical (1984)

3.5/5. RIP Kevin DuBrow. His great vocals could really get you pumping. He was one of Quiet Riot's most essential members. The intro riff and bass are pretty good too. Quiet Riot's first two albums (not including their Japan-only 70s albums) are the only two in their classic era metal enough for this site.

X Japan - "Easy Fight Rambling" from Blue Blood (1989)

4/5. One of my favorite songs from this band when I was still listening to them a few years. They're like the Japanese bridge between heavy/glam metal and power metal.

W.A.S.P. - "Come Back to Black" from The Neon God, Pt. 2: The Demise (2004)

3.5/5. I don't listen to much of W.A.S.P., but this is quite a good song. Whether or not the lyrics hit or miss, they are as catchy as the music.

Ozzy Osbourne - "Shot in the Dark" from The Ultimate Sin (1986)

4/5. Another great song by the Prince of Darkness. Once again, RIP Ozzy Osbourne...

Within Temptation - "Shot in the Dark" from The Unforgiving (2011)

4.5/5. Already heading into a different direction is this similarly titled Within Temptation song, including a new aspect that had barely done before by the band; guitar soloing.

Visions of Atlantis - "Lost" from Cast Away (2004)

5/5. RIP Nicole Bogner. G****mn it, the best vocalists just had to be the ones that are gone from this world. And her vocals are a beautiful gift. The song's original album Cast Away has some of my favorite tracks here, including this one. I also enjoy the vocals by Mario Plank which are closer to my own vocal range. In all honesty, I just wish I could have listened to this band 10 years before this comment when my symphonic/power metal interest was at an all-time high. But yeah, fantastic song!

Xandria - "Universal" from Universal Tales (2024)

5/5. Another symphonic metal song to love. Enough said!

Reptilian - "Skeleton Scales" from Castle of Yesterday (2001)

4.5/5. Also quite amazing and enjoyable, if you're up for neoclassical piano metal.

Galneryus - "Let Us Shine" from Between Dread and Valor (2023)

5/5. Yes, let Galneryus shine! F***ing majestic guitarwork by Syu.

Yngwie Malmsteen - "Eclipse" from Eclipse (1990)

4.5/5. As any metalhead would know, Yngwie Malmsteen is a master of neoclassical metal with his guitar-shredding compositions.

Masterplan - "Kind Hearted Light" from Masterplan (2003)

5/5. A true anthem of power metal, showing Grapow and Kusch taking notes on what made Helloween big.

Thunderstone - "Virus" from Thunderstone (2002)

4.5/5. Similarly to Masterplan and other bands like the Brazilian Almah, Thunderstone has power metal gems with strong vocals. Even when a band is underground, they can still sound excellent. Keep rocking, guys!

Serenity - "Forever" from Words Untold & Dreams Unlived (2007)

5/5. An absolutely underrated song with killer lyrics! I've slept on this band for too long, and I'm glad to get on board for more of their material.

Savatage - "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from Dead Winter Dead (1995)

4.5/5. Since this is the December Guardians playlist, I knew I couldn't miss out on including a couple Christmas metal songs. The first of which you would recognize as that Savatage instrumental popularized by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It has also been in a couple Christmas specials for The Office and Regular Show. And yeah, both bands' versions are the same recording.

Nightwish - "FantasMic" from Wishmaster (2000)

4.5/5. A fantastic epic paying tribute to the animated works of Disney. It really packs a powerful punch, especially in the final 3 minutes. Absolutely spectacular!

Iron Fire - "Riding Free" from Thunderstorm (2000)

5/5. Some of the great riffs I've heard in heavy/power metal!

Blazon Rite - "The Coming Tide of Yule" from Wild Rites and Ancient Songs (2023)

4.5/5. And finally, there's the epic wonder of this closing track of its original album and this playlist. It's probably the most Christmas-like melodic metal song since that Trans-Siberian Orchestra song. I'm glad this playlist can provide a couple songs worth listening to in the holiday season.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

It's dragons vs. goblins in DragonForce's brand-new kick-A collab with Nekrogoblikon and Beat Saber:

Also if any of the tracks above encourage you to check out more of those bands and come up with some ideas for the monthly Spotify playlists, here's a thread to add in your playlist suggestions: https://metal.academy/forum/9/thread/479

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Warmen - "Japanese Hospitality" from Japanese Hospitality (2009)

5/5. Welcome to another Guardians playlist! Hope you appreciate the hospitality. The Japanese Hospitality! Janne Wirman is one of the best metal keyboardists out there. He was the keyboardist for Children of Bodom until that band's split-up and the passing of Alexi Laiho (RIP), after which Warmen became Wirman's main band and switched from neoclassical power metal to melodeath. Anyway, the intro for this song might've been inspired from the intro of Guns n Roses' Chinese Democracy. Also, guest appearing in a few songs (not this one) is Timo Kotipelto, vocalist of the speedy Stratovarius. Would've been great if Masterplan's Jorn Lande could guest appear too though.

Visions of Atlantis - "Clocks" from Pirates (2022)

4.5/5. Anyone expecting a Coldplay cover is proven dead wrong right away. I love the vocals by Clementine Delauney, especially in the verses.

Black Sabbath - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

4/5. RIP Ozzy Osbourne. The tributes to him and his band continue. Metalheads shall praise Black Bloody Sabbath!

Ozzy Osbourne - "Dreamer" from Down to Earth (2001)

3.5/5. And here's one more tribute, this one being a soft dreamy ballad. Once again, RIP...

Budgie - "Guts" from Budgie (1971)

3/5. Budgie has been considered underappreciated in the old-school hard rock/metal community, especially when they had another fallen vocalist in Burke Shelley (RIP). The bass and guitar fuzz gives this track a stoner-ish that would put this band together with Black Sabbath as stoner rock/metal before Kyuss brought it further two decades later. It's cool, and but it doesn't give me the guts to explore more of their older sound.

Battle Beast - "Angel of Midnight" from Angel of Midnight (2025)

3.5/5. Imagine a Bonnie Tyler hit from the 80s turned metal. This is what that is right here! Noora Louhimo sings like a queen, a hair metal queen. I'm not sure if I'm up for a lot more of this retro-sounding style though.

Bang - "Lions, Christians" from Bang (1972)

4/5. Now here's another band from the Sabbath days of early heavy metal. However, Bang was quite short-lived and didn't make it big the way bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, and Budgie did. Sir Lord Baltimore also stopped after only one album or so. Still the leads here are f***ing heavy for the early 70s.

Manowar - "Blood Brothers" from Gods of War (2007)

4.5/5. This power ballad is worth dedicating to all your friends who have sacrificed a lot to protect the ones they love, and those who have lost their loved ones and wish to persevere after tragedy. Warriors shall fight for the brothers that are lost and left behind. Those lyrics greatly motivate you in that situation. It's like therapy without having to go to therapy! Apparently, there's also a similarly titled Iron Maiden song, but it's not the same one. Stay strong, my brothers!

3 Inches of Blood - "Silent Killer" from Here Waits Thy Doom (2009)

5/5. After that slow march, it's time to speed up and battle for heavy/power metal!

Scorpions - "In Trance" from In Trance (1975)

4.5/5. Thie title track for Scorpions' 3rd album first metal one is actually one of the best 70s hard rock ballads I've ever heard! Meine's vocals have so emotion, the chorus sounds powerful, and the song ends epically in the guitar leads. And don't forget a subtle reference to the Beatles.

Lorna Shore - "Glenwood" from I Feel the Everblack Festering Within Me (2025)

5/5. Absolutely epic and emotional, and with the lack of breakdowns, this is really extreme power-ish symphonic metal, enough to make a genuine Guardians track for a Lorna Shore song!

Arch Enemy - "Vivre Libre" from Blood Dynasty (2025)

4.5/5. Then we have this cover of a French power ballad originally by Blaspheme. There's no melodeath, not even in the vocals. Gluz sounds very much like an angel have descended from Heaven to go to a rock/metal concert. Perhaps the most Guardians-esque track Arch Enemy has done!

Stevie T - "Jojo" from Jojo (2020)

4/5. Ah, the song that couldn't be fixed, now fixed by the one and only Stevie T! And he didn't just fix it, he turned it into a full-on DragonForce-esque power metal song. Now I hope for his Moonlight Eternal song to one day be added to Spotify. At least that one has lyrics I can take more seriously than this.

SEGA Sound Team, Tomoya Ohtani, Kellin Quinn - "Undefeatable" from Sonic Frontiers Original Soundtrack (2022)

4.5/5. And here's another DragonForce-esque power metal song, sung by someone you probably weren't expecting in power metal, Sleeping with Sirens' Kellin Quinn! I checked out some songs from his main band but they weren't metal enough for me, unlike this track. Let's hope this one ends up in the next Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

Amorphis - "Dancing Shadow" from Borderland (2025)

4/5. Amorphis seems to be taking a more classic heavy metal turn while maintaining the usual doom-ish progressive metal, but I'm all for it!

Sabaton - "To Hell and Back" from Heroes (2014)

4.5/5. Another highlight worth mentioning! It starts with a flute melody before another epic heavy experience. It's more midpaced while staying strong in the chorus, lyrics, and even synthesized brass. The best part is the short yet sweet guitar solo. There's just so much power in these 3 and a half minutes! I just wish the band would make long epics, not just radio-sized songs. The closest we have to a Sabaton epic is "Rise of Evil" from Attero Dominatus.

Galneryus - "Destinations" from Resurrection (2010)

5/5. An absolute beautiful progressive power metal song, especially in the soloing duel between guitars and keyboards through the last couple minutes. The soloing in the middle of the track is also wonderful! Anime fans who have watched Hunter x Hunter would know Galneryus and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas from their songs being used as the show's opening themes. Truly a fun song!

Stratovarius - "Fright Night" from Fright Night (1989)

4.5/5. Probably would've been better for last month's playlist, especially since it sounds similar to Black Sabbath and Helloween, especially the latter's song "Halloween". Nonetheless, I enjoy the kick-A singing and guitar shredding of Timo Tolkki.

Primal Fear - "Nation in Fear" from Jaws of Death (1999)

5/5. Another masterful piece of heavy/power metal! Primal Fear is the band Ralf Scheepers formed after his unsuccessful audition for Judas Priest. A f***ing awesome song relatable to the bleakness of the world we live in. I can also hear some Angra vibes here.

Stream of Passion - "The Hunter" from Beautiful Warrior (2023)

4.5/5. A truly stunning song to mark the return of Stream of Passion. Marcela Bovio's singing is just divine!

Amberian Dawn - "Valkyries" from Rover of Tuoni (2008)

5/5. Anyone into Nightwish would surely enjoy this band! And I really need to enjoy them too, considering those serene vocals by Heidi Parviainen.

Savatage - "Sirens" from Sirens (1983)

4.5/5. Man, what other hidden 80s gems are there!?! This is the strong melodic beginning of these American heavy/power metal legends! Fits well for the sirens from the Witcher games, and the dark crushing guitarwork rules too. Those people who prefer to listen to Metallica and Iron Maiden are really missing out.

Fates Warning - "The Apparition" from Spectre Within (1985)

5/5. This one still remains as my favorite track of the album on the US power metal side, with the best vocals from John Arch.

Yngwie Malmsteen - "(Fight) the Good Fight" from Parabellum (2021)

4.5/5. Impressive singing and guitar shredding from the king of neoclassical metal! It's sad that Ozzy Osbourne is gone, this seems like a song he would sing in one of Yngwie's performances if he had the chance. Yngwie continues to prove himself a master shredder from the intro to the soloing throughout.

DragonForce - "Wildest Dreams" from Warp Speed Warriors (2024)

4/5. Let's end it all with a neat metalized cover of the Taylor Swift hit. It still can't beat the previous album's Celine Dion cover though. What happened to Extreme Power Metal on Spotify anyway!? H*ll if I know...

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

I've done my review, here's it's summary:

Re-recording albums can cause some mixed reactions from a band/artist's fanbase. Some enjoy the idea of earlier songs getting a more modern production, while others prefer just hearing new songs. Sadly, we live in a world where people can easily judge something before giving it a try. One other suspicious thing was the timing; at the same time as this release was announced, his former band Helloween embarked on the Pumpkins United tour that saw the return of Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske, but not Roland Grapow. Turns out it was a big coincidence, since Roland began working on the project a couple years before that tour. All I'm gonna say is, this album is a great way to revisit some Helloween classics, with Rick Altzi's vocals guiding you through alongside the other members. The songs are mostly from Pink Bubbles Go Ape, Chameleon, and Master of the Rings, plus a few other songs Roland has written in his remaining albums with the band. Those remaining songs from The Time of the Oath and The Dark Ride have the epic heaviness that would shape up some of Masterplan's more well-known material. The more rock-ish songs are given a heavier treatment. The quirky songs aren't the best but still fun. We should also be grateful for Masterplan's existence that would continue the darker heavier sound he wanted to make since The Dark Ride. PumpKings is for fans of Helloween and/or Masterplan, better if it suits what you really like....

4/5

Recommended tracks (one song per original album): "Mankind", "Still We Go", "The Time of the Oath", "Music", "The Dark Ride"

For fans of: Helloween, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius

The first ever Masterplan stinker, I can't stand the sh*tty keys and one of the worst heavy/power metal choruses ever:

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Sabaton - "Primo Victoria" from Primo Victoria (2005)

4.5/5. "Through the gates of hell, as we make our way to heaven, through the nazi lines... PRIMO VICTORIA!" A powerful lyrics to begin with, as the song details the Normandy landings that occured on June 6 1944. The first of many historical war-themed songs the band would make.

Galneryus - "My Hope is Gone" from Into the Purgatory (2019)

5/5. My hope for power metal was once gone, but now it's restored! Those J-pop idols may get all the fame, but songs from metal bands like this have greater strength and it's not something you can often witness in your lifetime.

Powerwolf - "Fire & Forgive" from The Sacrament of Sin (2018)

5/5. A fantastic song to love for Halloween month! Look out for another Powerwolf song, or at least a cover, later on in this playlist...

Black Sabbath - "Supernaut" from Vol. 4 (1972)

4.5/5. RIP Ozzy Osbourne... The tributes continue with another powerful track, this one from their classic early 70s era. Even when the guitar sounds fuzzy, it's quite metal! Their classic heavy metal era with Ozzy would end after Sabotage, following it up with two hard rock albums before Ozzy was dismissed. The length is at the right amount, an extended version would be sleep-inducing, not that it actually would ever be. And I would never take drugs unlike those guys. Drugs are bad, mkay?

Ozzy Osbourne - "Mama, I'm Coming Home" from No More Tears (1991)

4/5. Sadly, Ozzy really has come home to the heavens above a couple weeks after performing this song and many others one last time in that Black Sabbath reunion show. Farewell once again, Prince of Darkness...

Budgie - "Whisky River" from Squawk (1972)

3.5/5. Budgie is another band that has split up long ago and lost their frontman. RIP Burke Shelley... The riffing is quite good, and while it's more metallic than the majority of 70s rock music, it has more in common with Led Zeppelin than any of the metal bands we know now. Still kinda enjoyable though.

Judas Priest - "Metal Gods" from British Steel (1980)

3/5. An OK song, but Rob Halford's vocal power can't be denied.

Sir Lord Baltimore - "Kingdom Come" from Kingdom Come (1970)

2.5/5. I'm now just realizing that this may not be the best choice for a Guardians playlist. It really sounds closer to the hard rock of Deep Purple. Black Sabbath would better establish the heavy metal genre that year. Still I respect this band's attempt at trying.

Twisted Sister - "I Wanna Rock" from Stay Hungry (1984)

3/5. Let's face it, anyone as young as me is more familiar with this classic when played in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City or that "Goofy Goober Rock" parody in the 2004 Spongebob Squarepants Movie. It's a solid banger, but I think it would rule if there was an extended version with the lengthy epic solo from that Spongebob parody.

Edguy - "Rock Me Amadeus" from Space Police: Defenders of the Crown (2014)

3.5/5. I have an outside-world friend who likes both heavy/power metal and pop classics like that Falco song. This is my gift for my friend. The chorus really does justice to that of the original. The one big issue here is the sound having some poor balance, but that's just me. ROCK ME AMADEUS!!!

Bruce Dickinson - "Afterglow of Ragnarok" from The Mandrake Project (2024)

4/5. Bruce Dickinson is one of metal's great vocal heroes, there's no denying that. He's probably tied with Roy Khan (Conception, ex-Kamelot) as one of the best vocalists of heavy/power metal in my opinion. And this particular track has a bit of progressiveness not too far off from Dream Theater.

Metallica - "Nothing Else Matters" from Metallica (1991)

4.5/5. I think I'm starting to appreciate ballads a lot more now, even the earlier popular ones, and even when I'm only in my late 20s. If I enjoy something that no one expects me to enjoy, I still like it, and nothing else matters.

Iron Fire - "Legend of the Magic Sword" from Blade of Triumph (2007)

5/5. Further sealing my growing appreciation for ballads, this one I really love! It sounds similar to that Metallica ballad but better and more underrated, maybe even similar to one of Rhapsody of Fire's ballads. With that and the lyrics covering the legend of King Arthur, it's probably one of the most wonderful ballads I've heard.

Primal Fear - "The Hunter" from The Hunter (2025)

5/5. Absolutely superb guitars and vocals, perfect for an action fantasy movie!

Alestorm - "Sea Shanty 2" from Voyage of the Dead Marauder (2024)

4.5/5. You all know how much I enjoy playing the MMORPG RuneScape, so Alestorm covering a song from the game was a dream come true for me. What's next, a cover of the more epic RuneScape tracks by DragonForce or Gloryhammer? I sure hope so!

Visions of Atlantis - "Lemuria" from Cast Away (2004)

4.5/5. Visions of Atlantis would later hop aboard the pirate metal ship, though I also love their earlier era with Nicole Bogner. RIP

The Dark Element - "Not Your Monster" from Songs the Night Sings (2019)

5/5. I'm glad we still have the godly singing of Anette Olzon after she left Nightwish following their album Imaginaerum.

Xandria - "Scars" from The Wonders Still Awaiting (2023)

5/5. After a massive change of lineup, Xandria can still unleashed a symphonic metal explosion of colors!

Lord of the Lost - "Moonstruck" from Opvs Noir Vol. 1 (2025)

4.5/5. Breaking boundaries further, Chris Harms sings and screams alongside the Stimmgewalt choir, sounding similar to Moonspell's more symphonic works.

Edenbridge - "Alight a New Tomorrow" from The Bonding (2013)

4.5/5. Edenbridge is quite underrated compared to bands like Nightwish and Within Temptation. The guitars and vocals are some of the best I've heard in the genre.

Warmen - "Somebody's Watching Me" from Accept the Fact (2005)

5/5. Ooh, another spooky song for Halloween month! RIP Alexi Laiho...

Norifumi Shira, Concerto Moon - "Tears of the Prayers" from Gate of Triumph (2001)

4.5/5. Truly a melancholic neo-classical metal instrumental of epic beauty. We need more of those really!

Volbeat - "Healing Subconsciously" from The Strength / The Sound / The Songs (2005)

4.5/5. This one ends the original album with one of the most climatic closing tracks in standard heavy metal.

Warkings - "Armata Strigoi" from Morgana (2022)

5/5. The perfect song for a battle against vampires! Warkings made this cover of a Powerwolf song as a result of going on tour with that band and DragonForce. Needless to say, when they covered a DragonForce song, that was a total failure. But again, their Powerwolf cover is a powerful banger.

Masterplan - "Music" from PumpKings (2017)

5/5. Helloween's music is given quite an enchantment by Masterplan in their cover album, as proven by this magical highlight!

Avantasia - "Lost in Space" from The Scarecrow (2008)

4.5/5. OK, this one is more of a pop/hard rock track, but one of the best ways out for this playlist. I especially recommend the extended version featuring Michael Kiske.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Dust off those hand-painted lead figures, dig out the D20s and fill your personalised, engraved pewter tankard with foaming ale, because Blazon Rites are here with their Battleaxe of +4 Damage to deal righteous retribution to the evildoers and ne'er-do-wells that plague the lives of mere simple folk. Yes, Blazon Rites leave no uncertainty as to their love of fantasy with both their cover art and their, frankly, exceedingly cheesy lyrics. But, you know what, as a one-time table-top role player myself, back in my youth, I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through the wilds and taverns of fantasy stereotype.

Musically and, to a degree, aesthetically, they remind me somewhat of Solstice, or, to be more accurate, Rich Walker's short-lived side project, Isen Torr, whose Mighty & Superior EP may have been a touchstone for BR. Vocalist Johnny Halladay very much reminds me of Sami Hynninen, to the point where I had to check that they weren't yet another project of the Reverend Bizarre frontman himself (they aren't, they are from Philadelphia). Anyone thus familiar with old Witchfinder will also realise that, in a Maiden-esque, heavy metal set-up this means there are limitations in the vocal department. For me this isn't a problem, but anyone looking for power metal hystrionics (which you may well be justified in doing considering the album's optics) you are going to be severely disappointed. In truth, Blazon Rite aren't particularly sophisticated song writers, with the opener "Autumn Fear Brings Winter Doom" probably being the pick songwriting-wise and this is an area where they leave scope for improvement. That said, they do kick out decent, fist pumping heavy metal riffs and lead guitarist Pierson Roe delivers Adrian Smith-like leads with aplomb. What they do exude by the barrel-full, though, is enthusiasm and a seemingly genuine love of heavy metal and its fantasy trappings and that is not to be underestimated in a world where musical experimentalism and po-faced seriousness threaten to crush all sense of fun out of the genre. I think us internet metal nerds sometimes forget that metal can just be entertaining and fun without us feeling guilty about not pushing ourselves with every release we listen to, or not contemplating the depths of our psyche with every lyrical musing. So crack open a beer, kick back and feel a smile crawl across your face thanks to the simple metal fare that Blazon Rite have served up here.

3.5/5

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Blind Guardian - "Imaginations From the Other Side" from Imaginations From the Other Side (1995)

5/5. The opening title track of this absolute gem of a Blind Guardian album is one of the best album openers and power metal songs I've heard in my life. It picks up where things left off from the end of their previous album Somewhere Far Beyond, this time with more atmospheric structure. The vocal density would be further displayed in the next album Nightfall in Middle-Earth, as well as those harmonic guitar leads. EPIC!!!!

Galneryus - "Finally, It Comes!" from The Stars Will Light the Way (2024)

5/5. I think I just found my new favorite Japanese metal band in Galneryus. The music and lyrics are so strong and never disappoint. This song in particular takes many cues from their earlier songs has the same "stars and space" vibe as DragonForce. They've also taken on 7-string B-flat tuning similar to recent Trivium.

Trivium - "Until the World Goes Cold" from Silence in the Snow (2015)

3/5. Speaking of Trivium's new 7-string B-flat-tuned era, well... This one is kind of a plodding track, but still an acceptable hit in a Guardians playlist.

Black Sabbath - "Hole in the Sky" from Sabotage (1975)

3.5/5. Time for one of a couple tributes here to the late mighty Ozzy Osbourne, sadly already taken to Heaven. RIP

Battle Beast - "Here We Are" from Here We Are (2025)

4/5. Earlier this year, I wasn't thinking I would actually return to The Guardians, but HERE WE ARE!!! And I'll never regret it any time soon! All the band members have power and talent shining within them.

Metal Church - "Metal Church" from Metal Church (1984)

3.5/5. Should there be a metal mosque for Muslims like me? Anyway, this is a good mind-blowing classic, but I think it's more suited for people from my dad's generation.

Halford - "Resurrection" from Resurrection (2000)

4/5. Rob Halford is quite f***ing impressive in his vocal range, able to keep his highs going from the intro onwards.

Judas Priest - "The Serpent and the King" from Invincible Shield (2024)

4.5/5. And there's more of Halford's vocal power in his main band Judas Priest. He still sounds as mighty as he was in the 70s and 80s, and the other band members have strong fire within their respective instruments. So monstrous with nothing wasted!

Ozzy Osbourne - "Believer" from Diary of a Madmen (1981)

4/5. Another great tribute to the Prince of Darkness who brought metal to the light of day. RIP him and Randy Rhoads. Fantastic earth-shattering soloing from the latter at the 3-minute mark! These lyrics should help motivate you to believe in yourself.

Crimson Glory - "Masque of the Red Death" from Transcendence (1988)

4.5/5. Now this song continues to kick a**! RIP Midnight, another fallen legend of a vocalist. I should really listen to this band and album more, as I had a few years before this comment. His high vocals covering the last minute of the track shows that he and vocalists from other bands like Queensryche need more attention, not pop stars like Ed Sheeran whose vocal range is more limited yet still get all the fame. Classic music like this should never be forgotten!

Accept - "Shadow Soldiers" from Stalingrad (2012)

4/5. Wolf Hoffmann is a master of the guitar in German classic metal. His work should be appreciated as much as other guitar heroes in the rest of Europe, UK, and America.

Mercyful Fate - "Melissa" from Melissa (1983)

4.5/5. Beautiful melancholy and strong lyrical poetry! As I'm already 26, my music mind has expanded more in different areas, mostly metal of course. I don't mind a small bit from this band that would plant the seed for satanism in metal that would form the lyrical basis of black metal. I love the guitar leads in the intro that the soloing 4 minutes later. Why take something like that for granted!? The drumming is also good, and while I enjoy King Diamond's vocals, I wish it would have the same power Rob Halford has.

Manowar - "Battle Hymn" from Battle Hymns (1982)

4/5. I probably would've love this band a lot more when I was 16 and enjoy the sh*t out of fantasy-filled heavy/power metal, but back then I wasn't into music from the 80s or earlier. Just like the previous track, the best guitar soloing happens in over the 4-minute mark. I also love the epic vocals here!

Sabaton - "The Duelist" from The Duelist (2025)

4.5/5. Songs like this should also be appreciated for the music and lyrical concept. Simply cool!

Beyond the Black - "Break the Silence" from Break the Silence (2025)

5/5. I'm really breaking my symphonic metal silence with the first of not one but 3 gems from bands of that genre that I wish I discovered 10 years prior! This would be a grand recommendation for symphonic metal fans!

Xandria - "Fight Me" from India (2005)

5/5. I only just started hearing about Xandria a couple years ago when temporarily filling in for Xephyr in assembling the Guardians playlists. This is the first song from this band that I actually consider perfect! Lisa Middelhauve has some of the best female singing around.

Amberian Dawn - "River of Tuoni" from River of Tuoni (2008)

5/5. I've actually encountered this track 10 years before this comment but for some reason, that band didn't hop aboard my symphonic/power metal train at the time. Now I realize how epic this song is, as the lyrics take on the death of Lemminkäinen from the Kalevala. The intro riffing sounds cool, though the real beauty comes the voice of an angel, Heidi Parviainen, singing smoothly and serenely, just like Tarja Turunen. I should keep up this search for underrated symphonic/power metal bands. H*ll, I really want to move to Finland and the rest of Scandinavia for some awesome metal there. This band should really be as popular as Nightwish, Epica, and Within Temptation.

Within Temptation - "Iron" from The Unforgiving (2011)

4.5/5. And speaking of Within Temptation, this track is so heavy and epic, right from the intro riffing onwards. The song itself reminds me of DragonForce's "Cry Thunder" and it's better at that than those poor rip-offs like Warkings' cover of that song and Sabaton's "Union".

Kiuas - "Warrior Soul" from The Spirit of Ukko (2005)

5/5. A f***ing hammering power metal anthem. Enough said!

Golden Resurrection - "Identity in Christ" from Man with a Mission (2011)

4.5/5. That's right, Christian neoclassical power metal exists! Christian Liljegren has amazing widely ranged vocals as he sings about the eternal truth and finding his identity in his god. These kinds of lyrics help the band stand out amongst the power metal scene of bands like Rhapsody of Fire, Blind Guardian, Sabaton, and Powerwolf.

Yngwie Malmsteen - "World on Fire" from World on Fire (2016)

4.5/5. In a time when metal is about adding more guitar strings than just 6 per guitar, Yngwie Malmsteen still has his 6-string magic. Lots of incredible different changes in the guitar tone here. He can really go fast and furious!

Visions of Atlantis - "Seven Seas" from Trinity (2007)

5/5. And now we slow down for one of the best songs by Visions of Atlantis! Well, as much as I love the vocals by Melissa Ferlaak, their first female vocalist Nicole Bogner really helped the band out in their earlier years. RIP...

Dark Moor - "Dies Irae (Amadeus)" from The Gates of Oblivion (2002)

5/5. Then at last, we reach the epic climax of this playlist, paying tribute to Mozart's works. The most incredible guitar technicality by Enrik Garcia is one of the many things that make this Dark Moor's most fascinating epic. As incredible as this is, I feel like there could've been slight trimming to tone down some of the repetition. Still I wouldn't change a thing, and it's all worth it in the end. One tiny miniscule flaw won't weigh anything down.

Stratovarius - "Goodbye" from Fright Night (1989)

4.5/5. Now how about a beautiful yet melancholic acoustic outro to end it all? Goodbye until next time in the Guardians playlist....

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Good feedback, Sonny! And sorry about those first two tracks affecting your plan to switch clans.

In truth, I never would have anyway, Andi. There are just too many of my all-time favourites in The Pit for me to abandon it, even if really great new releases are exceedingly few and far between.

This oldie has seen better days. I picked it up for free as compensation for the headline act Ozzy Osbourne dropping off the bill for the Sydney festival in 2019. This was the flyer for the event:

Rage - "The Missing Link" (1993)

I've never been able to get into these German power/heavy metal stalwarts & their seventh full-length (arguably the most highly regarded of their 27 albums) is not gonna break that cycle. There is some more than decent material here but it's generally cancelled out by more subpar song-writing, even if the thrashy speed metal riffage is often really solid. I think 1995's "Black in Mind" is probably a touch better than "The Missing Link" but neither do much for me to be honest & I think I'm gonna have to keep Rage at the bottom of my "none of my business" bin for the foreseeable future.

For fans of Grave Digger, Running Wild & Avenger.

3/5

I agree with the sentiment that personal context is massively important to how we as individuals perceive a release, which is why I will always take Blizzard of Ozz over Diary of a Madman. Blizzard was massively important to me at the time as an indication that Ozzy was going to be OK after leaving Sabbath, whereas Diary was just another album amongst a plethora of stuff coming out during the NWOBHM that felt fresher and more exciting than what the old guard could muster.

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Nightwish - "The Poet and the Pendulum" from Dark Passion Play (2007)

4.5/5. Ah yeah, let's start this playlist with what I still think is one of the greatest symphonic metal album opening epics! 5 parts go on through an incredible 14 minutes. But why should I describe them all? It's too beautiful for words. Just listen and learn!

Deep Purple - "Speed King" from Deep Purple in Rock (1970)

4/5. This classic opener starts off this Deep Purple album in a bang with fast distorted shredding before fading into soft ambient organ. Then the hard rock/heavy metal rolls in, and you might not agree with me here, but this is practically proto-speed metal! Maybe close to speed rock? Still the organ shines in some sections. An upbeat way to begin this early example of a heavy metal album!

Black Sabbath - "Sweet Leaf" from Master of Reality (1971)

4.5/5. I love you, "Sweet Leaf"! The song, not the drug. I don't do drugs. This is a slow-ish early heavy metal song that can also come across as proto-stoner metal. I also love the soloing at the 3-minute mark that hints at the D-flat tuning Tony Iommi would in other songs from that album.

Ozzy Osbourne - "No More Tears" from No More Tears (1991)

4/5. Interestingly, this reminds me a lot of the second half of one of my YouTube pen-pal Danny Ultrawiz's songs, the progressive ballad "Thinking About You". I practically forgot about that Danny Ultrawiz song until I stumbled upon this Ozzy Osbourne. I wondering if that's part of what inspired it. Anyway, I enjoy the vocals, but the spoken words are hard to understand.

Rainbow - "Stargazer" from Rising (1976)

4.5/5. One of the greatest songs of 70s hard rock/heavy metal, hinting at both progressive and power metal tendencies. RIP DIO

Diamond Head - "Am I Evil?" from Lightning to the Nations (1980)

4/5. One more killer heavy metal epic. It was covered by Metallica and the entire Lightning to the Nations album was re-recorded for its 40th anniversary.

Fireforce - "The Battle of Ramadi" from The Battle of Ramadi (2025)

3.5/5. Some good kick-A thrashy power metal right here, sending the enemies into the lungs of Hell.

Iron Maiden - "Flight of Icarus" from Piece of Mind (1983)

3/5. Decent song, but better for my dad's generation, no offense. "Fly on your way like an eagle..."

Queensryche - "Take Hold of the Flame" from The Warning (1984)

3.5/5. Same with this one, although I enjoy Geoff Tate's golden singing and the soloing by Chris DeGarmo.

Airforce - "The Fury" from Acts of Madness (2025)

4/5. Wow, there are quite a few heavy/power metal bands whose name ends with "force"; Fireforce, Airforce, DragonForce... Anyway, it continues that classic heavy metal sound of Iron Maiden and early Queensryche, but better and more modernized.

Stratovarius - "Hunting High and Low" from Infinite (2000)

4.5/5. Still a power metal classic after all these years, like since I first heard it over 10 years before this comment. Lots of great melody here! And apparently its been associated a lot with Dragon Ball Z Budokai.

Visions of Atlantis - "Hellfire" from Pirates II: Armada (2024)

5/5. Wow... I thought I've distanced myself from exploring more female-fronted symphonic metal after the ones I've already heard of (apart from Mechina and other more extreme bands), but this is epic! Awesome power in the vocals and instrumentation, like Nightwish gone Alestorm.

Manticora - "Echoes of a Silent Scream" from To Kill to Live to Kill (2018)

4.5/5. Not gonna lie, this is one of the most intense power metal songs I've heard. Solid heavy/melodic gold! Thanks for this, Sonny.

Alestorm - "The Storm" from The Thunderfist Chronicles (2025)

4/5. Another pirate metal storm awaits for Alestorm. I really enjoy the guitar soloing that is like its own lyric-less vocal melody.

Gloryhammer - "He Has Returned" from He Has Returned (2024)

4.5/5. As for Christopher Bowes' other band Gloryhammer, Angus McFife has returned with a new voice in their new album Return to the Kingdom of Fife. This song never disappoints and details an exciting robot battle that would fit well in Ultrakill.

Warkings - "Kings of Ragnarok" from Kings of Ragnarok (2025)

5/5. Although I'm past my power metal prime, there are still bangers like this for me to love. An awesome anthem to touch the hearts of power metal fans!

Sabaton - "Hordes of Khan" from Hordes of Khan (2025)

4.5/5. Sabaton is back with a new single about the Hungarians battling against the Mongol Empire formed under the wrath of Khan. Genghis Khan. I don't care what some people say, there's lots of chaotic energy that hasn't left the band. It's a nice break from their two new albums centered around World War I. So simple yet killer!

Battle Beast - "Last Goodbye" from Last Goodbye (2025)

4/5. I'm thankful that bands like Battle Beast haven't said their last goodbye yet, when we have catchy bangers like this one.

Time Requiem - "Visions of New Dawn" from Time Requiem (2002)

4.5/5. Progressive neoclassical metal sounds quite cool. I like the keyboard work by Richard Andersson and the vocals by Apollo Papathanasio who would later join Firewind. Time Requiem didn't really last as long as Firewind though. I also like the Dream Theater vibes here.

Symphony X - "In the Dragon's Den" from Twilight of Olympus (1998)

5/5. Symphony X also kick a** with the progressive neoclassical metal sound. Sometimes, melody doesn't have to be as deathly as Dark Tranquillity and In Flames. You can get it from bands that are meant to sound like Symphony X, Stratovarius, and Nightwish. Short songs balance out against longer epics.

Volbeat - "Evelyn" from Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (2010)

4.5/5. You want what sounds like Alter Bridge gone Entombed?! The guest vocals by Barney Greenway of Napalm Death are a killer surprise! Then the heaviness is dialed back by the usual rock-ish chorus. We need more heavy hammering tracks like this, honestly.

Xerath - "Veil Part 2" from Xerath III (2014)

5/5. Holding on to the epic intensity once more, the closing track of its original album and this playlist makes one final move at combining film score-style orchestra with metal, and it pays off, adding beautiful harmony to this apocalyptic chaos.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here's my review summary:

When lead vocalist Marc Hudson joined the band, some changes were made compared to the ZP Theart era. The songs are shorter and more restrained in length (except for an 11-minute epic), but they've added more adventurous diversity. Warp Speed Warriors sees the band exploring different territories as they did in Extreme Power Metal while not drastically diverting from their usual sound. So expect the usual speed, anthemic power, slight humor, and a cover song more powerful than its original (though it still can't beat the previous album's Celine Dion cover). As always, the band has shown what power metal should really be; fast tempos and technical soloing added to the genre's usual dose of epic and uplifting melody. But they sometimes like to make things more interesting and fresh by slowing things down for an 80s rock-inspired ballad and a couple goofy fun mid-tempo tracks. The deluxe edition comes with alternate editions of several tracks, the first 3 of which have guests from bands like Trivium, Arch Enemy, and Amaranthe. Talk about a powerhouse of metal guests! And they all perform their roles well. Hail the warriors!

4.5/5

Recommended tracks: "Astro Warrior Anthem"*, "Burning Heart"*, "Doomsday Party"*, "The Killer Queen", "Pixel Prison"

*Including guest vocalist editions

For fans of: Amaranthe, Gloryhammer, Kamelot

Shining - Divided You'll Stand & United You'll Fall (2025)

Genres: Heavy Metal

Yes, I'm tagging this as heavy metal as opposed to black metal, because out of the five songs, only one is black and the other is about halfway there, being the end and the beginning.  Now I'm one for branching out, and there's only so much creativity a man can do writing mostly straightforward (albeit good) DSBM.  But this album didn't really do him any favors.  While branching out, he's still a bit too focused on the vibe of the genre rather than the compositions of the songs, so the most this album really achieves is a couple of decent tunes and a couple mediocre ones.  The strongest things that can be said about this album otherwise are that the production is good and the vocals aren't bad, but it kind of feels like Shining accidentally took a few cues from freakin' Psycho Synner, and compared this so-so work to the works of Psycho Synner to make it look good.

56/100

Black Sabbath, with Ozzy as frontman, birthed and popularised metal for so many of us old metalheads and Dio helped to resurrect the tottering giants from the terminal decline into which their drug-ravaged delusions had pitched them, delivering a couple of indisputable all-time metal classics in the process. So, come on people, revisionism can only go so far and to consider the Tony Martin era with anything like the same degree of respect as the Ozzy and Dio eras is disingenuous at best. But, that said, it is what it is and these albums still have the world's finest riff master plying his trade and no amount of awful 80s-style over-production can disguise that fact. On the odd occasion when I do listen to albums from this Sabbath era, I do my best to strip away the production in my mind, so I'm not hearing something akin to awful AOR shite like Journey or Foreigner, but getting down to the pure heart of the record and that is Iommi's impeccable ability to write riffs. To be fair, none of this is Tony Martin's fault and I have nothing against the guy per se and, in truth, he is a gifted singer who doesn't sound all that different to Dio as a quick listen to "The Law Maker" will attest - shut your eyes and it could be the diminutive one himself throwing horns left and right!

But, I will never believe that layered keyboards and harmonised backing vocals have any place on a Sabbath record and on a track like Jerusalem they are a bridge too far, especially when coupled with one of the weakest riffs Iommi has ever written, then it is a big ask for me to get too heavily behind it. The best tracks here are the ones that are recognisably continuations from previous band iterations, "The Sabbath Stones", "Anno Mundi" and "Valhalla" would all have sat comfortably on Heaven and Hell or Mob Rules, if not for the production equivalent of 1980's big hair and shoulder pads.

So, in summation, for me this is an album with a fistful of decent tracks, alongside a couple of duffers, dragged down by a production sound that, whilst beefing up the guitar tone, throws the drums way too much to the fore in a way that has become decidedly dated. Overuse of layered keyboards and harmonised backing vocals irritate me at the best of times, but on a Black Sabbath album this is totally indefensible to me. I can't hate this, because underneath it all the riffs reign supreme, but I will never love it either.

3/5

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Apocalyptica - "Worlds Collide" from Worlds Collide (2007)

5/5. A masterpiece track to begin this playlist! Cellos and metal collide and swirl amongst each other like fire and water. A band that started as a Metallica tribute band ended up becoming pioneers of cello metal. This song has also been used as a New Japan entrance theme.

Nightwish - "Wishmaster" from Wishmaster (2000)

5/5. Epic chorus, beastly guitars... This still reigns as one of my favorite Nightwish songs for over a decade. I can hear Dragonlance/Lord of the Rings lyrical influences.

Volbeat - "The Human Instrument" from Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil (2007)

5/5. My brother likes a few songs by Volbeat, and this one I really love, proving that Elvis metal works like a dream.

Serpent Rider - "Radiant" from The Ichor of Chimaera (2025)

4.5/5. This attempt at a female-fronted revival of classic heavy/power metal is pretty nice choice from Sonny.

Iron Maiden - "The Evil That Men Do" from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)

4/5. When Iron Maiden first entered the NWOBHM scene, it really changed it forever. The soloing and the lyrics can get you hooked, "Living on the razor's edge, balancing on a ledge, y'know, y'know..."

Black Sabbath - "Iron Man" from Paranoid (1970)

3.5/5. It's astonishing how old this song is now, like 55 years old. With that said, I can't really get as much appeal from that track as some of Black Sabbath's other hits.

Ozzy Osbourne - "Flying High Again" from Diary of a Madman (1981)

3/5. The early 1980s was a time when classic heavy metal was really branching out beyond Black Sabbath. However, it spawns a bit of the glam sh*t hinted in this track. Still the guitarwork by Randy Rhoads is something I enjoy. RIP

Megadeth - "Symphony of Destruction" from Countdown to Extinction (1992)

3.5/5. I haven't really listened to much of this band or Metallica to see where I stand in the debate between those two bands. Not even Slayer, apart from a couple albums! However, did Slayer ever explore classic heavy metal in the 90s? NOPE.

Metallica - "Moth Into Flame" from Hardwired...to Self-Destruct (2016)

4/5. Metallica battle against the sellout claims by blending their Black Album heavy metal sound with their earlier speed.

Queensryche - "Neue Regel" from Rage of Order (1986)

4.5/5. I'm 26 years old as of this comment. A few years ago, I enjoyed bands like Queensryche, but now, I want to focus on darker heavier modern metal genres. Nonetheless, the truth is, I still enjoy a few amazing songs from the band like this one. There also some slight hints of industrial all used in their mid-90s material. If I could have a time machine, I would travel back 40 years to enjoy music from the 80s while it was still fresh. Excellent vocals and lyrics!

Rainbow - "Gates of Babylon" from Long Live Rock N Roll (1978)

4/5. This one takes you on a journey through the Middle-East, both musically and lyrically, from the keyboard intro, to the mystical riffing, and the vocal power in the chorus. Although keyboardist Tony Carey was still around for a few other tracks in this album, David Stone stepped in with his own keyboard contributions in this track and a few others, here to provide an exotic atmosphere and get you hooked alongside Blackmore's riffs. I love this track!

Brainstorm - "Your Soul That Lingers in Me" from Plague of Rats (2025)

3.5/5. One of only two tracks I like from this Brainstorm album, Leaves' Eyes clean vocalist Elina Siirala's impressive vocals blow away most of the album's tough issues.

HammerFall - "The Dragon Lies Bleeding" from Glory to the Brave (1997)

4/5. Another great heavy/power metal track that I still enjoy to this day!

Battle Beast - "Out of Control" from Battle Beast (2013)

4.5/5. I also love this Battle Beast track and Sabaton's cover.

DragonForce - "Tomorrow's Kings" from Maximum Overload (2014)

5/5. Another one of my favorite track from my true power metal heroes, with awesome catchiness.

Mob Rules - "Future Loom" from Future Loom (2025)

4.5/5. An amazing song with power and glory in the music and complex lyrics!

Unleash the Archers - "Crypt" from Time Stands Still (2015)

5/5. It's so cool hearing power metal blended with metalcore-ish melodeath. All hail Unleash the Archers!

Masterplan - "Heroes" from Masterplan (2003)

5/5. The first time I heard Jorn Lande and Michael Kiske together was in one of Avantasia's tracks. This clearly shows the heroic side of power metal, and a heroic side that I love! Definitely has some Stratovarius vibes here. I should really check out more of this band and kick-A songs like this one.

Blind Guardian - "Ashes to Ashes" from Somewhere Far Beyond (Revisited) (2024)

4.5/5. Such an underrated song by Blind Guardian, still being one of my favorites from this band. While Helloween may take the throne as the creators of European power metal, Blind Guardian should get that fame as well. Although I enjoy this new version, I still prefer the original one, y'know, so I can feel the nostalgia of first encounter that track nearly a decade ago.

Mechina - "Bellum Interruptum" from Bellum Interruptum (2025)

5/5. My favorite track of the brand-new Mechina album, one of the best Mechina tracks I've heard in ages, a 10-minute epic that includes a spine-chillingly beautiful two-minute bridge in the middle.

Time Requiem - "Attar of Roses" from The Inner Circle of Reality (2004)

4.5/5. Excellent virtuoso in this one! There is also some progressiveness from Symphony X and Dream Theater. I also enjoy the vocals by Apollo Papathanasio (Firewind) and the keyboard magic of Richard Andersson.

Warmen - "Return of Salieri" from Accept the Fact (2005)

5/5. Mozart would've been proud of this powerful composition. So would Alexi Laiho. RIP

Orden Ogan - "The Long Darkness" from The Order of Fear (2024)

4.5/5. A nice headbanging closing epic in practically all its glory!

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

I appreciate the respect, Vinny, but I also understand that my view of this probably isn't going to be typical. It has special meaning for me, as does anyone's truly special records, because of a specific time and set of circumstances that give it an emotional resonance that nobody else would attach to it. So if that means your honest opinion is to give it a slating then I wouldn't be even remotely offended or upset.

I may be wrong and this may be the fading fancy of an aging metalhead who looks nostalgically upon the comradeship of bygone days, but I suspect that sort of emotional attachment has been almost eradicated by streaming and online interaction. The general quick turnover of music and the fragmentation of music as a social glue between groups of friends doesn't really allow for it. Attachment to particular records is probably more to do with whether the music especially resonates with the listener on a personal level rather than from  the human relationships it brings into focus.I

Playing a tape of something like Give 'Em Hell on a welsh hillside with a close group of mates, drinking, smoking and generally having a brilliant, stress-free time after a week of working shitty jobs, gave said music a resonance I have never really felt replicated in the internet era where the sheer quantity of music consumed is staggering. If this is still happening out there, with whatever music and in whatever way, then I for one am glad, but fear it is not the typical experience for most music fans anymore and that is much sadder.

Sorry I seem to have gone off on one a bit there...

Inspired by one of my current favorite YouTube channels Thralls of Metal, I decided to also get in the "band's greatest hits" trend of compiling tracks from different albums by a band as your own "greatest hits" kind of album. If you have any of your own "greatest hits" albums for your favorite bands, feel free to post them here.

Here are my rules for how I would do my own "greatest hits" albums, but you may have your own rules:

1. Two songs per each studio album; one popular track and one underrated track.

2. One song per other album (remix album, EP, etc.).

3. If a track is at least 10 minutes long or close to that, it counts as two songs.

4. Might add in one extra song for one of the albums.

5. If the length of the tracklisting exceeds 80 minutes (the CD length limit), it's split into two discs, maybe 3 discs if even longer.

6. Songs are in chronological order.

Let's start with two of my never forgotten power metal heroes whom I'll never let go of:

DragonForce - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3j2j83nXjsAlGq1N9X9FcF

Disc 1 (ZP Theart era)

1. Valley of the Damned

2. Revelations

3. Fury of the Storm

4. Above the Winter Moonlight

5. Through the Fire and Flames

6. The Flame of Youth

7. Heroes of Our Time

8. Inside the Winter Storm

Disc 2 (Marc Hudson era)

1. Cry Thunder

2. Heart of the Storm

3. The Game

4. City of Gold

5. Chemical Interference

6. Ashes of the Dawn

7. War!

8. Highway to Oblivion

9. In a Skyforged Dream

10. Astro Warrior Anthem

11. Pixel Prison

12. Power of the Saber Blade

Kamelot (Roy Khan era) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7cYVwrx7OMe78YLj9BjYSL

1. Providence

2. Parting Visions

3. The Fourth Legacy

4. Lunar Sanctum

5. Forever

6. Karma

7. Center of the Universe

8. III Ways to Epica

9. March of Mephisto

10. The Black Halo

11. Memento Mori

12. Ghost Opera

13. Love You to Death

14. Hunter's Season

15. Once Upon a Time

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Blind Guardian - "The Ninth Wave" from Beyond the Red Mirror (2015)

4.5/5. Blind Guardian was one of my favorite bands when I was still listening to symphonic/power metal. And this is one of their amazing powerful songs that I still enjoy.

Iron Maiden - "2 Minutes to Midnight" from Powerslave (1984)

4/5. I wasn't alive yet in the 80s, but if I was, I would probably enjoy bands like Iron Maiden a lot more. The riffing has a similar vibe to Venom. And speak of the devil...

Venom - "Black Metal" from Black Metal (1982)

4.5/5. It's kinda odd how the band that pioneered the phrase "black metal" isn't the genre you might know today. Venom and Hellhammer are closer to speed metal and would pave the way for Bathory to invent the actual black metal genre and for Slayer to add in dark antichristian lyrics. Quite some underrated talent, I would say! Again I would appreciate this more if I lived 30 years longer than my 26-year age. This was before Finland became known as metal's motherland. Deep Purple can never top that heaviness.

Metallica - "Enter Sandman" from Metallica (1991)

4/5. Whether or not you enjoy metal, and whether you're young or old, this is a classic work of art than anyone can enjoy or at least hear of.

Avenged Sevenfold - "Shepherd of Fire" from Hail to the King (2013)

4.5/5. And how about this track that sounds like a modern copy of "Enter Sandman"? I like this one slightly better, probably because my brother likes it as well, hearing this song from Call of Duty Origins. I can probably be able to sing this song with my karaoke vocals.

Volbeat - "Still Counting" from Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood (2008)

4/5. One of the best tracks from this Southern-fried Danish heavy metal band!

Ozzy Osbourne - "Mr. Crowley" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

4.5/5. Another bada** classic! While the synth/organ intro is quite notable, you gotta admire the talented guitarwork of Randy Rhoads. RIP

Black Sabbath - "N.I.B." from Black Sabbath (1970)

4/5. This one continues the lyrical narrative idea they first had in the title opener, this one being more of a fictional devilish love story. Now listen, just because the band mentions the Devil, Satan, or Hell, etc., doesn't mean they worship any of that. They're against that, portraying them like they are bad things. Lucifer is depicted as the dark seductive antagonist he's meant to be. The riffing has that bluesy hard rock vibe of Cream, which is a little mundane, especially when Ozzy sings over it, but is made up for by the rest of the song being heavy metal/proto-stoner metal, especially in the slower sections. A brilliant hint at the genre they would establish!

Judas Priest - "Screaming for Vengeance" from Screaming for Vengeance (1982)

4.5/5. Practically one of the true definitions of classic 80s heavy metal! The lyrics are so maniacal and vengeful. People think this should be for or against Trump, but I don't know which side to stand, since I'm not really political.

Quiet Riot - "Metal Health" from Metal Health (1983)

4/5. I guess you can say I'm in good Metal Health! Haha

Queensryche - "Nocturnal Light" from Digital Noise Alliance (2023)

3.5/5. Pretty good track, but their early material from the 80s are where they stand in quality.

Saxon - "Hell, Fire, and Damnation" from Hell, Fire, and Damnation (2024)

4/5. Saxon is still going divine in their nearly 50 years of existence. Wonderful lyrics here!

Battle Beast - "Russian Roulette" from Circus of Doom (2022)

4.5/5. If there's ever a video game that combines anime with James Bond-like secret agent stuff, this heavy/power metal track would fit right in the soundtrack.

DragonForce - "Heroes of Our Time" from Ultra Beatdown (2008)

5/5. This magnificent single keeps up the verse-chorus structure I find boring in most other bands, but for soloing, there are so many random changes and lead harmonies that you can't tell what's next. Brilliant! The end of the song is f***ing impossible not to sing along.

Warkings - "Armageddon" from Armageddon (2025)

4.5/5. For honor and power, we ride into armageddon!

Alestorm - "Shipwrecked" from Back Through Time (2011)

4/5. Avast, ye matey! Alestorm is still going strong with their pirate metal.

Warmen - "Invisible Power" from Accept the Fact (2005)

3.5/5. Nice vocals by Timo Kotipelto of Stratovarius. Cool soloing too! But the rest of the instrumentation could've been better.

Cacophony - "Concerto" from Speed Metal Symphony (1987)

4/5. A sweet balance of neoclassical melodies and heavy riffing. Some of the most beautiful soloing to cover most of the last minute song is performed by Jason Becker, and despite his crippling ALS, he still has his ability to compose music. It's especially good to hear with headphones on.

Andre Matos - "Endeavour" from Time to Be Free (2007)

4.5/5. RIP Andre Matos. His vocals shine in magical songs like this one. I've already been familiar with his vocals since first listening to Angra 10 years ago. His legacy shall be remembered! This is honestly one of the most beautiful songs I've heard from him since the time I've had with the music of Angra. It's so great hearing such epic elegance especially in the second half that can fit well for a final voyage into the unknown. But there's still one track left in this playlist...

Neurotech - "The Ophidian Symphony" from Symphonies (2016)

5/5. The longest Neurotech symphony of all, at nearly 19 minutes, with many different acts woven together for one of the best epics done by Neurotech or any other artist.

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here's my (new) review:

I first encountered Angel Witch over 45 years ago, supporting Motörhead on one of their '78 or '79 tours, if I remember rightly. In those early days they were a trio consisting of mainman Kevin Heybourne alongside bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Dave Hogg, playing what would become one of the most recognizable sounds of the NWOBHM. After providing the best track on the legendary Metal for Muthas comp, they released their 1980 eponymous debut, one of my absolute favourite albums from the NWOBHM era. Unfortunately the rest of the 80s weren't kind to AW, constant personnel upheavals and a couple of lacklustre albums resulted in the band disappearing from view. Fast forward to 2012 and The 'Witch were back, releasing a new album, their first new material in quarter of a century, "As Above, So Below" which was somewhat of a return to form and a shot in the arm for any long-standing fan of the band, such as yours truly, desperate to see them succeed.

So, 2019 came around and AW finally turned in their best and heaviest album since that seminal debut. It was more focussed than "As Above, So Below" and with a production job that would have absolutely killed forty years ago. This was hi-octane heavy metal and any band of young bucks flying the flag of the traditional heavy metal sound would have been proud to have put out an album as exhilharating as this, never mind a band now well into their fifth decade. Kicking of with an anthemic fist-pumper in "Don't Turn Your Back", you can just feel the years roll away, both from the band and from the listener with a track that would have felt well at home in the band's set of almost forty years ago. The tracks on Angel of Light are generally longer than their previous material, clocking in at between five and seven minutes which allows them more space to grow than their earlier material, whilst still delivering with catchy melodies and an inate understanding of how to make traditional heavy metal sound just as heavy as some of its more extreme offspring. Angel of Light harks back to those early days of the NWOBHM for sure, yet it has a modern sound and sensibility that makes it more than just a band trading on lost glories or trying to recapture their wasted youth, lending it a relevance and vitality than many of the band's peers are incapable of summoning these many years on. There is a greater fullness to the sound of this four-piece than the original trio that recorded the debut could muster with tracks like "The Night Is Calling" or "Condemned" drawing on a marked Sabbath influence soundwise. This is also aided by a deepening of Kev's voice as the years have passed and distinctive though it still is, it is only on the more strained sections where it sounds as thin and reedy as it used to. He also shows a greater propensity for soloing than he did in the earlier days and delivers some nicely controlled and mature-sounding leads.

Overall I have to acclaim "Angel of Light" as a real success and easily the best Angel Witch have laid down since the debut, striking right to the heart of what makes traditional heavy metal so great and awakening a love in me for that sound that I had believed to be long crushed by the intensity of extreme metal. This can easily stand alongside releases from the much-lauded new bucks of traditional metal such as Smoulder or Traveler and outshines most of them in my book. The band's debut will always hold a special place for me as it was a big release within my earliest metal experiences, but the additional power this latest iteration summon when coupled with KH's knack for writing hook-filled heavy metal melodies and the more expansive songwriting finally makes this an album worthy of the band that knocked out that classic of the NWOBHM oh so very long ago.

4.5/5

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Mechina - "Godspeed, Vanguards" from As Embers Turn to Dust (2017)

5/5. The namesake album for the band's saga and this playlist begins with this epic which really shows what the band is about, as sci-fi sounds lead into orchestration, djenty riffing, and blasts all over. The production is quite solid, though it can't top the perfection of the previous two albums. The composition is sealed together in great synergy.

Avenged Sevenfold - "Nightmare" from Nightmare (2010)

4.5/5. Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence, and Linkin Park are some of the most popular rock/metal bands in the new millennium. It's the kind of popularity you wish the original Teen Titans series would have and continue but instead is given to its dreaded spinoff Teen Titans Go. The heavier metal side of those bands is that long-gone yet underrated side. Still this is a modern classic popular amongst my family and friends.

Lethal - "Fire in Your Skin" from Programmed (1990)

4/5. Then we have classics from 80s/early 90s metal bands that were massively popular back then before the grunge/nu metal era. And somehow the more underrated songs like this one end up getting overshadowed.

Judas Priest - "Invincible Shield" from Invincible Shield (2024)

4.5/5. And a few of the very early metal bands are still going on since the 70s, probably the earliest one still active being Judas Priest. It's impressive how these guys who are over 70 keep up the strength they had in that classic heavy metal era.

Ozzy Osbourne - "Over the Mountain" from Diary of a Madman (1981)

4/5. OK, technically Black Sabbath would qualify the earliest metal band still active today, but their ultimate final concert in July comes after the band and Ozzy Osbourne himself retired from touring 7 to 8 years ago. Even young listeners in their 20s such as myself can jam out to classics by the Prince of Darkness. RIP guitarist Randy Rhoads

Dio - "The Last in Line" from The Last in Line (1984)

3.5/5. Around the time of that Ozzy Osbourne album above, Ronnie James Dio was with Black Sabbath, then he left and formed his own band Dio, as we all know. It starts off sounding a little too much like a Scorpions ballad in the one-minute intro, then we end up getting stronger classic metal. What a legend Dio was, RIP... And holy sh*t, what a blazing solo at the 3-minute mark. This song might just be suitable for radio, or at least it was in the 80s. We're the last in line!

Metallica - "Lux Æterna" from 72 Seasons (2023)

4/5. Now let's head to the new decade again and crank up the speed! No matter how much they've changed, there's still talent within this transcendence between styles.

Iron Maiden - "Hallowed Be Thy Name" from The Number of the Beast (1982)

3.5/5. Not totally the best, but I can understand how people can consider this another immortal classic.

White Zombie - "Children of the Grave" from Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath (1994)

4/5. Black Sabbath vs. White Zombie! Who performed this song better?! You decide! Great take on the original, though I'm not sure that Manson murders sample was called for or related to the original song.

Omen - "Teeth of the Hydra" from The Curse (1986)

4.5/5. Again we have heavy/power metal classics from the 80s that are hard to find in the modern era. Apparently, this one is inspired by Jason and the Argonauts. It's worth repeat listens and hearing the vocal glory of J.D. Kimball, RIP. This band is basically like Crimson Glory at that time with more battle-ready hymns. Quite superb and spell-binding! The soloing and bridge are also worth headbanging to. Peace, love, and 80s metal classics!

DragonForce - "A Draco Tale" from A Draco Tale (2024)

5/5. DragonForce has made another video game-based song, telling the tale of Draco from Brawl Stars. I love the chorus in this one. Let's go, Draco!

Kamelot - "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" from The Black Halo (2005)

5/5. Then we have the most likeable single in Kamelot's breakthrough album The Black Halo, a nice melodic contrast with the heavier tracks. The character Marguerite is sung by Simone Simons from Epica, that band who named themselves after the previous Kamelot album.

Blind Guardian - "The Quest for Tanelorn" from Somewhere Far Beyond (Revisited) (2024)

4.5/5. For any fan of fantasy books by writers like Michael Moorcock, you're bound to find something familiar in tracks like this one that refers to the fictional city of Tanelorn. Here we have a classic revisited! The music and lyrics are all quite pleasant. The storytelling grandeur would all lead to what they had in Nightfall in Middle-Earth.

Alestorm - "Keelhauled" from Black Sails at Midnight (2009)

4/5. Pirate metal is a genre that might be too cheesy for some, but it can still be quite fun. Still I've matured past being able to handle the cheesiness.

Rhapsody of Fire - "Diamond Claws" from Challenge the Wind (2024)

4/5. The Nephilim's Empire Saga is still going on, and Rhapsody of Fire are going strong. The soloing surrounding the 3-minute mark rules!

Estate - "Matter of Time" from Mirrorland (2018)

4.5/5. Then we go slightly more progressive alongside some beautiful vocals. The arrangement is quite excellent, having that Avantasia vibe without any of the guest vocalists. Give us more!

Firewind - "Fallen Angel" from Stand United (2024)

5/5. Epic speedy power metal similar to DragonForce! This highlight also appears in the NHL 25 soundtrack.

Stratosphere - "The Battle Within" from Fire Flight (2010)

4.5/5. A little less speed while having the neoclassical progressiveness of Royal Hunt, along with the amazing voice of Goran Edman. Works well for something neoclassical.

Warmen - "Salieri Strikes Back" from Beyond Abilities (2001)

4/5. Load up the neoclassical harpsichord and shredding, though maybe not too much next time.

Epica - "Canvas of Life" from The Quantum Enigma (2014)

4.5/5. Some symphonic metal ballads are still suitable for me when it's all about beauty in the music and depth in the lyrics. This is still one of my favorite Epica tracks, and it fits well for anyone's safe haven.

Starkill - "Detonate" from Gravity (2019)

5/5. Now this is the kind of symphonic metal I still find awesome, blending heaviness and melody at ease. Great chorus is this absolutely underrated song!

Queensryche - "Roads to Madness" from The Warning (1984)

4.5/5. And lastly, another sick 9-minute epic that's like Queensryche's own "Heaven and Hell"/"Hallowed Be Thy Name".

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Accept - "Metal Heart" from Metal Heart (1985)

4.5/5. 40 years ago, this is what metalheads call a banger, and I agree with them. I love how they added in some classical themes from Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.

Capilla Ardiente - "The Hands of Fate Around My Neck" from Where Gods Live and Men Die (2024)

4/5. A doomy heavy metal epic. Enough said!

Throne of Iron - "Past the Doors of Death" from Adventure One (2020)

3.5/5. Same with this one, though here it has a more galloping pace.

Savatage - "Strange Reality" from Streets - A Rock Opera (1991)

4/5. Another melodic heavy metal highlight to sing along to.

Sabaton - "Unbreakable" from The Art of War (2008)

4.5/5. This progressive highlight is one of the best songs I've heard by Sabaton, and I still think that today. It's the band's own Black Sabbath "Heaven and Hell"!

Heavenly - "Sign of the Winner" from Sign of the Winner (2001)

5/5. Absolute power metal greatness with superb guitarwork by Frédéric Leclercq who would later become the bassist for DragonForce.

Blind Guardian - "Nightfall" from Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)

4.5/5. I still know this track as a power metal classic, better than that d*mn "Bard's Song". This is how I knew the character Morgoth before the German death metal band.

Saxon - "Crusader" from Crusader (1984)

4/5. Anyone into NWOBHM, join the Saxon crusade!

Medieval Steel - "Medieval Steel" from Medieval Steel (1984, reissued on The Dungeon Tapes (2005))

4.5/5. I hope this doesn't sound sinful, but this track sounds like Twisted Sister gone Riot/Omen. That said, it really rocks out as a metal hymn. It's practically the band's own theme song! Not all heroes wear capes; some wield swords or play metal. Classic heavy metal can be quite interesting.

Lethal - "Arrival" from Programmed (1990) 

4/5. Classic tracks like this still exist. Keep it real!

Taramis - "Doesn't Seem" from Queen of Thieves (1988)

4.5/5. Cool 80s progressive power metal right there!

Conception - "Silent Crying" from Parallel Minds (1993)

5/5. A fantastic out-of-this world ballad, and I don't usually say that about ballads. I haven't heard Conception until, but I'm glad there's the beauty of Roy Khan's singing before he joined Kamelot. Such a wonderful piece! From what I heard, Conception is kinda like a more progressive take on Khan's early years with Kamelot. They've recently returned with a new EP and album. The ballad reminds me of the ones by early Nevermore and Crimson Glory. There's nothing cheesy in this plate!

Rampage - "Benevolent Approach" from Acid Storm demo (1986, reissued on Veil of Mourn (1988))

4.5/5. After that slow ballad, we go fast again with this pretty amazing heavy/speed metal demo track.

Brocas Helm - "Fly High" from Black Death (1988)

4/5. Another great hymn with slight hints of Iron Maiden.

Attacker - "Battle at Helm Deep" from Downfall (1985)

3.5/5. 80s US power metal, closer to classic heavy metal, before Stratovarius and Hammerfall stormed in from Europe.

Destiny's End - "Breathe Deep the Dark" from Breathe Deep the Dark (1998)

4/5. In the 90s, Iced Earth and Destiny's End were still cranking up their classic heavy/US power metal sound. You might also know James Rivera as the vocalist of Helstar.

Concerto Moon - "The Gold Digger" from Back Beyond Time (2023)

3.5/5. Pretty good, but a little goofy for a band keeping up the Japanese power/neoclassical metal scene started by Galneryus.

Vitalij Kuprij - "Piano Overture" from Forward & Beyond (2004)

4/5. RIP Vitalij Kuprij. Enjoy this cool cover of Moonlight Sonata with Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo.

Within Temptation - "Caged" from Mother Earth (2000)

4.5/5. Then we have the slow folk-ish highlight "Caged". Both the vocals by Sharon den Adel and the instrumentation are quite diverse. The peaceful calmness are at the right dose here, before it all ends up crashing down later in the original album.

Nightwish - "Ghost Love Score" from Once (2004)

4.5/5. The true epic of this playlist and its original album, and very much everything the album has already offered is blended together greatly. First we have a couple verses with more of the Eastern sitar, then it slows down to a ballad-like section, and after that, we have a lovely orchestral break that is well-executed. Immediately when the metal comes back on, you're hit by one of the most epic moments in symphonic metal, right before Tarja continues singing. And the rest is memorable too.

Mechina - "When Honor Meets Steel" from Venator (2022)

5/5. An aggressive way to head out than can pulverize those earlier melodic tracks, complete with blasts and more growls, most of them coming from guest vocalist Anna Hel. So brutally awesome!

Pretty good playlist I've made, huh? I recommend this to any heavy/power/symphonic/neoclassical metal fan and anyone who isn't into those genres but is up to getting into a great start for the genre. Thanks to anyone who have contributed with their own submissions, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it like I've had!

Here's my review summary:

The musical journey of Trail of Tears was filled with sorrow (Helena Iren Michaelsen era), darkness (A New Dimension of Might), violence (Kjetil Nordhus era), and accessible glory (Cathrine Paulsen's second era). It really is a shame that the band fell apart after Bloodstained Endurance and Oscillation. The talented voice of Cathrine can't be found anywhere besides this band and Lucid Fear. During the split, Ronny Thorsen was in a different band, Viper Solfa. And now these extreme gothic metallers are reborn! Two singles were released, leading up to the EP Winds of Disdain. Their greatness is still in full force, but a new female vocalist has stepped in, Ailyn. Here we have crushing guitars, bombastic symphonics, bass/drum assaults, and cool synth effects to reminds us who they are. I look forward to if the band ever makes a new album with this kind of sound plus more of the occasional acoustic section and audible bass. An absolute must for any symphonic gothic metal fan. Oscillation wasn't their final stand after all!

5/5

Recommended tracks: all of them, especially "Winds of Disdain", "No Colours Left"

For fans of: Epica, Sirenia, Starkill

My review:

Vendel answers the question nobody ever asked before, what if Judas Priest was a doom metal band? A simplification, but close enough to understand what these guys are about. Another simplification would be to call them another one of these epic heavy/doom metal bands that take epic metal and it with doom metal that seem to be a thing now.
If this sounds odd, it's because it is. I understand there's probably a virtue to this, but Priest generally works when they have energy to them, something that is unusual for a doom metal album. So this is sliding between two different styles and never quite working out right for them. They try, but fail through no fault except combining two styles that are exceedingly difficult to blend together.
Their attempts at the two styles are not created equal, however. While not setting the world on fire, the more traditional side of the album has a stronger idea of what does and does not make that genre work. In particular, they are quite skilled at galloping guitar sections. The doom sections tend to feel like they're just rehashes of other, better works, and as stated. Which unfortunately, combined with other issues tend to drag the album down.
One odd thing I noticed is that a lot of the guitar solos seem to be trying to invoke the guitar solos in the soundtracks to The Incredible Machine games. Even outside of me feeling it has similarities, it's a lot more showy than what the album is going for and seems out of place even discounting that.
While I don't dislike the album, I can't say there's really a reason to listen to it even if there is derth of great bands doing whatever it is these guys are trying to do. It's not objectionable, but unless the idea appeals, it's just not that interesting.

3/5

Alright, jumpin' on the Crazy Train.

1. Paranoid

2. Master of Reality

3. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

4. Black Sabbath

5. Heaven and Hell

6. Sabotage

7. Mob Rules

8. Vol. 4

9. Past Lives

10. Technical Ecstasy

11. Born Again

12. The Eternal Idol

13. Never Say Die

14. The Seventh Star

I'm gonna make a bold move here by swapping out the Black Sabbath track with what I consider to be the worst thing they ever dished out (with the possible exception of "Embryo" but that's not really a song now, is it?).

1. Black Sabbath "It's Alright"

2. Anthrax "Toast to the Extras"

3. Megadeth "Wanderlust"

4. Helloween "Heavy Metal Hamsters"

5. Scorpions "Still Loving You"

6. Judas Priest "Parental Guidance"

7. Slayer "Threshold"

8. Iron Maiden "Nodding Donkey Blues"

I liked Storm the Gates from 2018!

Venom INC kicked ass, sadly Jeff Mantas couldn't be there, but the gentleman they got to fill in was great, and Tony Dolan is an absolute treasure.

I'd suggest that the Motorhead track is looking a little less significant than the other seven inclusions now so I'm gonna opt to replace it with Budgie's "You're The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk" which I'd suggest is one of the Welsh bands only genuine metal songs, sporting a heavy metal meets stoner rock vibe.

1. Deep Purple - "Bloodsucker"

2. Uriah Heep "Look At Yourself"

3. Diamond Head "Am I Evil?"

4. Budgie - "You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk"

5. Blitzkrieg "Blitzkrieg"

6. Iron Maiden "Wrathchild"

7. Black Sabbath "Children of the Grave"

8. Venom "Countess Bathory"

So with the start of a new year it's once again time to have a look at the covers for all the releases for each clan. I personally like to rate a whole stack of covers all at once, rather than doing them one at a time throughout the year, as it allows me to get a better feel for where each cover sits in comparison to others. With that in mind, I've just rated every cover for releases in The Guardians for 2024.

Below are some of the releases that are currently competing for the prestigious 2024 The Guardians Cover of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on the 1st of February, so there's still time to get your ratings in.

The following link will take you to the Gallery, displaying the top Guardians releases that you have not rated yet: CLICK HERE