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

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

Tracklisting:

1. Tyr - "Gates of Hel" from Hel (2019) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

2. Versailles - "Shadows Fang" from Lineage ～薔薇の末裔～(2017) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

3. Judas Priest - "Freewheel Burning" from Defenders of the Faith (1984)

4. Omen - "Death Rider" from Battle Cry (1984)

5. Grave Digger - "Bone Collector" from Bone Collector (2025)

6. LOUDNESS - "THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND" from THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND (1983)

7. Pagan Altar - "Pagan Altar" from Judgement of the Dead (1982/2005)

8. Saxon - "Judgement Day" from Saxon (1979)

9. Cirith Ungol - "Distant Shadows" from Dark Parade (2023)

10. Tank - "Filth Hounds of Hades" from Filth Hounds of Hades (1982)

11. Witchfynde - "Give 'Em Hell" from Give 'Em Hell (1980)

12. Mercyful Fate - "Gypsy" from Don't Break the Oath (1984) [Suggested by Sonny]

13. Running Wild - "Diabolic Force" from Gates of Purgatory (1984) [Suggested by Sonny]

14. Virgin Steele - "VIRGIN STEELE - Anniversary Remix" from Virgin Steele I (The Anniversary Remix) (1982/2024)

15. Anvil - "Winged Assassins" from Forged in Fire (1983)

16. Kiuas - "Black Rose Withered" from The New Dark Age (2008) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

17. Leaves' Eyes - "Hammer of the Gods" from Myths of Fate (2024) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

18. Dragonfly - "Entre El Odio Y La Pasión" from Domine (2006)

19. Avantasia - "Kill the Pain Away" from A Paranormal Evening With the Moonflower Society (2022)

20. Lord of the Lost - "My Funeral" from OPVS NOIR VOL. 3 (2026)

21. Nightwish - "Nemo" from Once (2004)

22. Within Temptation - "Memories" from The Silent Force (2004)

23. Iron Fire - "Ironhead" from Revenge (2006)

24. Xandria - "Northstar" from Northstar (2026)

25. Edenbridge - "Arcana" from Arcana (2001) [Suggested by Shadowdoom9 (Andi)]

Here are my thoughts on all the selected tracks:

Tyr - "Gates of Hel" from Hel (2019)

5/5. The 7-minute opener of this Tyr album would be quite a surprise for any longtime fan of the band, particularly in the first one or two minutes. The riffing sounds so crushing and deathly, complete with harsh vocals performed by Heri Joensen himself! Some might think, "What is this, Amon Amarth?!?" Anyway, that part is as fantastic as the rest of this song. I would love to hear more heavy growl-infused tracks like that from the band.

Versailles - "Shadows Fang" from Lineage ～薔薇の末裔～(2017)

4.5/5. And now for this amazing track that is practically "Catharsis" 2.0! It sounds so beautiful and I like the lyrics alternating between Japanese and a bit of English. Although I don't understand a lot of Japanese, the occasional dip into English has helped guide me through those lyrics.

Judas Priest - "Freewheel Burning" from Defenders of the Faith (1984)

4/5. When it comes to 80s classic heavy metal, Judas Priest hit hard and fast. And some of that speed is in the bridge sung by Rob Halford, practically rivalling today's rappers. Absolutely wild, in both the music and lyrics!

Omen - "Death Rider" from Battle Cry (1984)

4.5/5. In the 1980s, metal wasn't just about the music but also the aesthetic. An eye-catching album cover would lure metalhead teenagers in and discover this excellent music. Omen's late vocalist J.D. Kimball was apparently one of many metal vocalists taught by vocal coach Elizabeth Sabine, alongside the more famous (or infamous) Axl Rose and Dave Mustaine. This track may remind some of old-school Iron Maiden. Omen may not be as popular as those other mid-80s metal bands, but they sure helped shape the scene. I wasn't born yet in that generation, yet I can still dream and fantasize about it. J.D. Kimball's voice has that lower rasp that's underrated in this style of metal that typically has bands with high falsetto vocalists. Even though he's gone now, his work shall live on and stay immortal. Oh, and this not to be confused with Anthrax's song "Deathrider" from their debut the same year. RIP JD Kimball...

Grave Digger - "Bone Collector" from Bone Collector (2025)

5/5. I discovered this band a year before this comment but quickly brushed them off because I still wasn't ready to make my move to The Guardians. And now I'm like, "Why the f*** did I do that?!" Brush them off, I mean. The riffing and lyrics are so fantastic! I need to listen to more of this band for real, because that riffing I'll never get tired of. Like pure kick-A heavy metal, none of the overly extreme deathgrind from other bands. And really I don't care that the new album has AI cover artwork (though I understand those who care), just as long as the music is as real and authentic as it has been for all those decades. Vocalist Chris Boltendahl is still doing quite well too.

LOUDNESS - "THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND" from THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND (1983)

4.5/5. It's a shame that my vocal range isn't that great, nor can I understand Japanese. I would've sung along to those vocals that flow amongst the riffing melodies.

Pagan Altar - "Pagan Altar" from Judgement of the Dead (1982/2005)

4/5. The fact that doom metal is considered the first ever extreme metal genre, before thrash metal, death metal, and black metal may baffle some minds, but yeah, doom is one of the earliest metal genres besides classic heavy metal. Some of the earlier Black Sabbath material has planted the seed for bands to play a slower kind of heavy metal that would basically be a prototype to early melodic doom metal, one of those bands being Pagan Altar. You can headbang to even the slower doomy sections. I can grasp how inspiring this band has been. I mean, even bands that aren't doom metal but sometimes touch upon doomy territory like Samael may have some things borrowed from this band. So, for those who enjoy classic heavy metal and/or doom metal, worship the Pagan Altar!

Saxon - "Judgement Day" from Saxon (1979)

3.5/5. Some bands starting out in the 70s like Saxon had more hard rock-ish roots. I like it, though it can't beat the heavier stuff that I love.

Cirith Ungol - "Distant Shadows" from Dark Parade (2023)

3/5. There are some times though when the appeal is a little too distant for me when it comes to this heavy/doom metal blend.

Tank - "Filth Hounds of Hades" from Filth Hounds of Hades (1982)

2.5/5. I think some people from the younger generations would get into this band from seeing a poster for this album appear in Stranger Things. I can hear a bit of what Voivod would have later that decade, but other than that, the more hard rock-infused sound is too much. Still, RIP Algy Ward...

Witchfynde - "Give 'Em Hell" from Give 'Em Hell (1980)

3/5. Slightly better, though a little goofy in this track and its album's cover art. It would've been better if the vocals could've had more control in the rising shrieks.

Mercyful Fate - "Gypsy" from Don't Break the Oath (1984)

3.5/5. King Diamond has better control in his falsettos for sure, and the instrumentation can remind some of Raven.

Running Wild - "Diabolic Force" from Gates of Purgatory (1984)

4/5. Ah yeah, Running Wild's satanic heavy/speed metal era before becoming the leaders of pirate power metal.

Virgin Steele - "VIRGIN STEELE - Anniversary Remix" from Virgin Steele I (The Anniversary Remix) (1982/2024)

4.5/5. Virgin Steele has had a similar stylistic path to Running Wild, starting off as classic heavy metal and then rising into fame by exploring power metal. The band's own theme song is pretty much the anthem of their earlier sound.

Anvil - "Winged Assassins" from Forged in Fire (1983)

4/5. I have no idea why Anvil hasn't made as huge of a breakthrough as their more popular classic heavy metal peers. Like that midsection soloing is d*mn mind-blowing! Meanwhile, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Metal Church get all the credit. Anvil has given the genre more life the way those other bands have done it. But of course, I won't argue. It's all a matter of fate. I just wish they weren't too big on the Judas Priest-isms though.

Kiuas - "Black Rose Withered" from The New Dark Age (2008)

4.5/5. Kiuas has made some of the best heavy/power metal from Finland, with underrated hits like this one.

Leaves' Eyes - "Hammer of the Gods" from Myths of Fate (2024)

5/5. Awesome Viking-infused symphonic metal! This shows how well Leaves Eyes is doing with Elina Siirala instead of Liv Kristine.

Dragonfly - "Entre El Odio Y La Pasión" from Domine (2006)

4.5/5. Wonderful vocals by Pablo Solano, really enhancing the Spanish lyrics.

Avantasia - "Kill the Pain Away" from A Paranormal Evening With the Moonflower Society (2022)

4/5. Who wouldn't enjoy the impressive vocal melodies of Floor Jansen (Nightwish)? Great collab, great song!

Lord of the Lost - "My Funeral" from OPVS NOIR VOL. 3 (2026)

4.5/5. Symphonic majesty is blended with heavy dissonance. I love it!

Nightwish - "Nemo" from Once (2004)

4/5. When I was really in the symphonic/power metal zone over a decade ago, this was one of my favorite Nightwish songs. While I don't enjoy it as greatly as I did back then, it's still a suitable soundtrack for wandering the snowy mountains of winter.

Within Temptation - "Memories" from The Silent Force (2004)

4.5/5. Another symphonic metal classic, this one suitable for wandering the autumn forests of past memories.

Iron Fire - "Ironhead" from Revenge (2006)

5/5. One of my favorite Iron Fire songs. I don't know how I didn't stumble upon this majestic band when I was around 15 or 17 and highly focused on power metal, but hey, better late than never! I especially love the vocals by Martin Steene. The song is both heavy and melodic, just how I f***ing like it.

Xandria - "Northstar" from Northstar (2026)

4.5/5. The brand-new Xandria album Eclipse will come out next week as of this comment. This pre-release single has probably gotten me the most pumped for the new album. And a solid track to lead you to the epic finale of this playlist...

Edenbridge - "Arcana" from Arcana (2001)

5/5. As awesome as all the previous highlights are, they're nothing compared to the title track of this Edenbridge album. And I sh*t you not, it's one of the most melodic epics I've heard in my over a decade of listening to metal. Wonderful guitar flow and more of the vocal power of Sabine Edelsbacher. Her singing can range from operatic to full-on siren. And we can't forget the guitarwork by Lanvall and Andreas Eibler often going from melodic to complex. Nothing else I can say about that glorious epic can do it justice.

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!