October 2024 "The Guardians" Playlist - Heavy/Power Metal Hellfire

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3w8wz5HBOoks78mYzldAMq?si=4fb67a3f926c447a

01. Iced Earth – “Burning Oasis” (from “Burnt Offerings”, 1995)

02. Nightwish – “An Ocean Of Strange Islands” (from “Yesterwynde”, 2024)

03. Attick Demons – “City of Golden Gates" (from “Atlantis”, 2012) [Suggested by Karl]

04. Iron Maiden – “Public Enema Number One” (from “No Prayer for the Dying”, 1990) [Suggested by Karl]

05. Avantasia – “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” (from “Moonglow”, 2019)

06. Heir Apparent – “Tear Down the Walls" (from "Graceful Inheritance", 2000) [Suggested by Karl]

07. KAT – “Czas Zemsty” (from “Ballady”, 1993) [Suggested by Karl]

08. Witchfinder General – “Requiem for Youth” (from “Friends of Hell”, 1983)

09. Aria – “Игра с огнем” (from “Игра с огнем”, 1989) [Suggested by Karl]

10. Unleash The Archers – “Blood Empress” (from “Phantoma”, 2024) [Submitted by shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

11. Rage – “The Icecold Hand of Destiny” (from “Black In Mind”, 1995) [Suggested by Daniel]

12. Orden Ogan – “Blind Man" (from “The Order of Fear”, 2024)

13. Haunt – “Saviors of Man" (from “Mind Freeze”, 2020)

14. Labyrinth – “Kathryn” (from “Sons of Thunder”, 2014)

15. Iron Fire – “Leviathan” (from “Voyage of the Damned", 2013)

16. Ultima Grace – “Cry for the Rain” (from “Ultima Grace”, 2022) 

17. Marius Danielsen – “March of the Living Dead” (from “War of the World", 2023) 

18. Nightfear – “Breakout” (from “Drums of War", 2015)

19. Eternal Ascent – “Being Human” (from “Reclamation”, 2022)

20. X Japan – “BLUE BLOOD" (from "Blue Blood”, 1989) 

21. GALNERYUS – “I BELIEVE” (from “THE STARS WILL LIGHT THE WAY”, 2024)

Seriously, how much do both Attick Demons & Aria sound like (read: clone) Iron Maiden?! It's particularly evident when there's a Maiden track included within close proximity too. I've always loved Maiden's "Public Enema Number One" too. I reckon it's a bit of an underrated gem in their back catalogue. That Aria song is really solid too & I've been really digging the Rage one lately. Can't say the same about the Heir Apparent track which I didn't enjoy much when I reviewed that album. The Witchfinder General track isn't really my bag either come to think of it.

I've always loved Maiden's "Public Enema Number One" too. I reckon it's a bit of an underrated gem in their back catalogue.

Absolutely, that's a nice showcase of Dave Murray's songwriting prowess, with the two songs of his being among the finest off that underrated record (along with "Tailgunner" and the title track). I wouldn't mind at all if they brought some of that stuff back for the live sets. A concert setting is bound to suit "Public..." especially well, with its massive chorus and that heart-melting guitar solo!

Maiden takes a hard dive for me on No Prayer For The Dying, but in a vacuum of a playlist it's a solid song for sure. I hadn't heard of Attick Demons before this and wow, Daniel's absolutely right. Probably one of the closest I've heard without being a self-advertised clone like Stray Gods. The Aria track definitely has some Maiden-isms too but it feels like they're doing a bit more of their own thing. 

Sadly the inclusion of "Blood Empress" has reminded me how much the newest Unleash The Archers has bounced off of me. Just not a fan of their new direction, it's a whole lot of nothing to me. 

Sadly the inclusion of "Blood Empress" has reminded me how much the newest Unleash The Archers has bounced off of me. Just not a fan of their new direction, it's a whole lot of nothing to me. 

I tend to agree although there are a couple of great tracks included.

Just listened through to the remainder of the list while cleaning up this morning. It's one seriously power metal-heavy list this month so if that's your bag then you're in for a treat. If not, then you may struggle a bit.