April 2026 "The Guardians" Playlist - Heavy/Power Metal Hellfire

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3w8wz5HBOoks78mYzldAMq

Tracklisting:

1. Iron Fire - "The Final Crusade" from Thunderstorm (2000) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Therion - "To Mega Therion" from Theli (1996) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Epica - "Facade of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Part 5)" from The Phantom Agony (2003)

4. Plasmatics - "Doom Song" from New Hope for the Wretched/Metal Priestess (1981) [Suggested by Sonny]

5. Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe" from Sabotage (1975)

6. Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

7. Judas Priest - "Panic Attack" from Invincible Shield (2024)

8. Hollow Ground - "Warlord" from Warlord (1980)

9. Accept - "Straight Up Jack" from Humanoid (2024)

10. Holocaust - "Death or Glory" from The Nightcomers (1981)

11. Erik Gronwall - "Bad Bones" from Bad Bones (2025)

12. Angel Witch - "Angel of Death" from Angel Witch (1980)

13. Killer - "Ready for Hell" from Ready for Hell (1980)

14. Iron Maiden - "Killers" from Killers (1981)

15. Metal Church - "Brainwash Game" from Brainwash Game (2026)

16. Altaria - "Crucifix" from The Fallen Empire (2006)

17. Fairyland - "Doryan the Enlighted" from Of Wars in Osyhria (2003)

18. Dragonfly - "Solo Depende de Ti" from Domine (2006)

19. Xandria - "Kill the Sun" from Kill the Sun (2003) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

20. Dreamstate - "Evolution" from Evolution (2012)

21. Fabienne Erni - "Ritual (feat. Lena Scissorhands)" from Ritual (2026)

22. Hizaki - "Desert Apple" from Rosario (2016)

23. Versailles - "Catharsis" from Jubilee (2010) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

24. Iron Savior - "Machine World" from Battering Ram (2004) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

25. Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger" from Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Iron Fire - "The Final Crusade" from Thunderstorm (2000)

4.5/5. Iron Fire's debut Thunderstorm is one of my newfound favorite power metal albums, and it exemplifies the amazing fantasy-filled melodic power metal developed by Gamma Ray and Helloween. They don't even have to go crazy on progressiveness and synths. The guitar riffs and leads are what deliver. Join the crusade!

Therion - "To Mega Therion" from Theli (1996)

5/5. Theli is one of the best symphonic metal albums ever, having brought that genre to life with awesome anthems like this one.

Epica - "Facade of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Part 5)" from The Phantom Agony (2003)

4.5/5. Epica can really pull off some kick-A symphonic metal epics. "We will take you with us..."

Plasmatics - "Doom Song" from New Hope for the Wretched/Metal Priestess (1981)

4/5. Well this is an interesting submission, an early blend of punk and heavy metal. The vocals by the late Wendy O. Williams sound so great. "The prince of darkness here! You've sealed your doom! Your time has come! YHVH, so it is done!!!" RIP

Black Sabbath - "Symptom of the Universe" from Sabotage (1975)

4.5/5. One of the heaviest songs to come from the 70s. You can say it's proto-thrash! Well, at least until the final two minutes when it switches to a softer jazz-like section. Apparently, they were inspired to some degree by the Hollies when making this. And I think it songs like this would give Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford's voice a rough metal edge from Sad Wings of Destiny onwards.

Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980)

4/5. "All aboard!!! Ha ha ha... AYY!" Such an iconic opening line sung by Ozzy Osbourne. RIP... The chorus line "Mental wounds not healing" (which would become the title of one of the Uniform/The Body collaboration albums) hits differently now. Anyway, this is a solid classic hit!

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

3.5/5. Nearly 6 decades (!) at this point, and Judas Priest are still going f***ing strong in touring and making good songs.

Hollow Ground - "Warlord" from Warlord (1980)

3/5. Some somewhat good NWOBHM despite the sh*tty quality (I don't blame them, it was 80s underground).

Accept - "Straight Up Jack" from Humanoid (2024)

3.5/5. Accept have no problem performing straight-up hard rock/metal, as they've been doing for the past 5 decades. Despite sounding closer to AC/DC, it's a good banger. I can practically hear this song in that band's Back in Black album. I'm glad many of us are still here after the pandemic to hear songs like this. The guitar soloing doesn't really sound greatly mixed though. That, along with the guitar melodies sound too rock-ish, are what makes this slightly disappointing.

Holocaust - "Death or Glory" from The Nightcomers (1981)

3/5. Good lyrics, decent music, but again the underground quality could've been better. I heard that Gamma Ray covered this song, I should check that out at some point.

Erik Gronwall - "Bad Bones" from Bad Bones (2025)

2.5/5. I thought this one sounded cool and heavy, but now I may have to reassess my thoughts. It sounds much closer to the revival of 80s hard rock than anything metal. Those bones have gone bad, all right.

Angel Witch - "Angel of Death" from Angel Witch (1980)

3/5. Lots of things stolen from thrash metal bands in this song. Metallica would take the chorus riff and add it to "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and Slayer would take the song title for an entirely different, more (in)famous song.

Killer - "Ready for Hell" from Ready for Hell (1980)

3.5/5. Ready for Hell? Me, probably not. But still a good one.

Iron Maiden - "Killers" from Killers (1981)

4/5. An underrated killer song from the more punk-ish earlier era with their initial vocalist Paul Di'Anno. RIP... "I can see what a life's meant to be". Also, impressive drumming by Clive Burr! RIP him too...

Metal Church - "Brainwash Game" from Brainwash Game (2026)

4.5/5. Metal Church are back, heavier than ever and having a new lineup including vocalist Brain Allen, bassist David Ellefson (from Megadeth), and drummer Ken Mary. Brian Allen fits right in while respecting the legacy of their two earlier fallen vocalists, David Wayne and Mike Howe (RIP).

Altaria - "Crucifix" from The Fallen Empire (2006)

5/5. An epic piece of heavy/power metal! This would actually fit well with one of those classic Disney medieval fantasy films.

Fairyland - "Doryan the Enlighted" from Of Wars in Osyhria (2003)

5/5. An epic piece of prog-ish symphonic power metal! Lots of pure melodic majesty in this one. Quite an anthem for warriors to fight dragons. And I enjoy the vocals by Elisa Martin who had just left Dark Moor at that time.

Dragonfly - "Solo Depende de Ti" from Domine (2006)

4.5/5. Dragonfly is a power metal band with Spanish lyrics. When translated, you can find a supportive motivational lyrical message. The music itself is quite excellent, so beautiful and heavy. Especially in the soloing at the 3-minute mark. Whatever happens, it only depends on you!

Xandria - "Kill the Sun" from Kill the Sun (2003)

5/5. The title opener of Xandria's debut marked the birth of one of the most wonderful bands in symphonic metal. I wish Lisa Middelhauve could've stayed with the band longer, or maybe reunite with them someday. Her angelic vocals really enhance this awesome song.

Dreamstate - "Evolution" from Evolution (2012)

4.5/5. Another underrated symphonic metal song, featuring Elize Ryd of Amaranthe. Such a shame this song is all we got from this band/project.

Fabienne Erni - "Ritual (feat. Lena Scissorhands)" from Ritual (2026)

4/5. A little more on the alternative side, but quite emotional, especially in the vocals by both Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie) and Lena Scissorhands (Infected Rain).

Hizaki - "Desert Apple" from Rosario (2016)

4.5/5. At the time of Versailles' temporary split, guitarist Hizaki worked on some solo material, including a nice rendition of this Versailles instrumental.

Versailles - "Catharsis" from Jubilee (2010)

5/5. And now we have one of Versailles' own songs, having their epic power metal sound as always!

Iron Savior - "Machine World" from Battering Ram (2004)

4.5/5. Iron Savior has also made some underrated songs, and this would be one of the tracks re-recorded for their Reforged albums.

Queensryche - "Eyes of a Stranger" from Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

5/5. And now we get to the closing track of its original album and this playlist. It still remains as my favorite song of this Queensryche album and possibly by the band! Everything's amazing, from the buildup to the climax. Yes, the climax, in which the melody keeps repeating until it is cut off, and nothing happens until Nicky says one last time, "I remember now." One of the best ending tracks, and certainly the best one in 80s heavy/progressive metal!

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!