(Post a new comment)

	rosehiptea 2009-07-19 06:30 am UTC (link)
	A friend of mine is really into a Danish band called Volbeat, though they're possibly more metal-influenced than purely metal. I enjoyed the songs of theirs I heard. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	demonoflight 2009-07-19 07:38 am UTC (link)
	Volbeat? Like the Pokemon? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	rosehiptea 2009-07-19 07:54 am UTC (link)
	Exactly! I was very amused at that when I ran into Volbeat playing Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. (And helped rescue one's beloved Illumise, awww...) (Apparently they're named after an old album by one of the members though.) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	nibor 2009-07-19 11:09 pm UTC (link)
	They're really good and a lot of fun live. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	octavia 2009-07-20 11:35 am UTC (link)
	Seconded. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	deliciouschaos 2009-07-19 07:39 am UTC (link)
	You could try Orphaned Land or Turmion Katilot, though the latter is closer to industrial than metal, if that makes a difference. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	waitwut 2009-07-20 02:34 am UTC (link)
	Seconding Orphaned Land. Also really enjoying Eluveitie, though their newest album is acoustic. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	scifantasy 2009-07-19 07:44 am UTC (link)
	I've only heard one song by them (a heavy metal "Wild Rover"), but on the strength of that one, I can recommend the Norwegian band Týr. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	komorebi 2009-07-20 11:19 pm UTC (link)
	I second the rec, since Tyr has done heavy metal based on Farroese folk ballads. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	solle 2009-07-19 09:43 am UTC (link)
	Textures is a pretty good Dutch metal band. Saw them live a few times. http://www.myspace.com/textures (Reply to this)

bemysty
2009-07-19 09:50 am UTC (link)

*puts her fingers together* Let me just throw a few suggestions in.

If you'd like to stay in Germany, the early stuff of Blind Guardian or Helloween is probably a good place to start.

If you'd like to be more experimental and switch from power metal to something else, Germany has a large scene of so-called medieval metal, which mixes medieval/folkish influences with metal characteristics. I personally like Schandmaul, Corvus Corax and Letzte Instanz, but Subway to Sally and In Extremo are also good bets.

If you liked Rammstein - which belongs to the so-called "Neue Deutsche Haerte" which isn't strictly metal but mixes metal with rock - Oomph!, Megaherz, Joachim Witt, Tanzwut, L'Ame Immortelle and Unheilig are good bands you might like.

Leaving Germany, the Scandinavian countries have a huge and varied metal scene. The internationally most well-known tend to be bands from Finland - Lordi, Nightwish, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Apocalyptica and Children of Bodom are bands I personally enjoy. You might or might not have heard of Lordi, as they crashed the Eurovision Song Contest (i.e. European bare flesh contest) a couple of years ago. Most of them have a... very distinctive sense of humour. Compare this, for example XD

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	silrana 2009-07-19 01:31 pm UTC (link)
	I love Apocalyptica. How many bands pretty much create their own genre? Because I don't know of very many other cello metal bands. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	bienegold 2009-07-19 06:34 pm UTC (link)
	I don't like metal, and even I like Apocalyptica. They're awesome. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	stella_polaris 2009-07-19 09:36 pm UTC (link)
	Ditto. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	dark_puck 2009-07-19 03:51 pm UTC (link)
	I second the recs for Blind Guardian, Lordi, Nightwish, and Sonata Arctica. <3 (Reply to this)(Parent)

	ldymusyc 2009-07-19 08:23 pm UTC (link)
	Oooh, I'll second Corvus Corax and In Extremo. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	solle 2009-07-19 09:25 pm UTC (link)
	I'll second OOMPH!. Great solid rock metal. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	marsdragon 2009-07-20 06:00 am UTC (link)
	I really like later Blind Guardian, with the more complex singing and operatic feel. Is there anything more like that? There's Battlelore, but I'm not sure about any other bands. You seem to be a knowledgeable person, do you know anything more in that vein? (Reply to this)(Parent)

flyingpumpkin
2009-07-19 12:45 pm UTC (link)

Since the early Helloween stuff has already been recc'ed - the later albums might be up your alley too - different singer, slightly heavier sound. Same goes for the current Gamma Ray line-up, if you like the style (pictured in icon: the singer's...assets.). Still in good ol' Germany, Edguy are extremely good while being also totally hysterical. The whole German Power metal scene is crazy, very lively, and made of awesome people. Heavier but no less good are Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, and if you're into more "classical" stuff, Scorpions are German too.

On the more folk side of metal, along with In Extremo my recs are bands like Mago de Oz (Spanish), Korpiklaani (Finnish), Eluveitie (Swiss, and they sing half in English and half in Gaul), Fintroll (also Finnish), and Alestorm (who are Scottish, but they do play Pirate Metal and as such are awesome).

Coming from the Netherlands, I cannot rec enough anything Arjen Lucassen has worked in - especially Ayreon (it's kind of a superband with performers from all over the world). The Human Equation is the best prog metal album since Dream Theater's Metropolis II.

The thing about Scandinavia is that you can't throw a rock without hitting a metal band. Along with the ones already recc'ed I also throw in Sabaton (Swedish, sing about historical wars), and the black metal bands - Burzum, Gorgoroth, Immortal, Dimmu Borgir - and death bands such as Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy (best female growl singer ever), In Flames, Dark Tranquillity.

On the South American side of things (Brazil mostly) there are bands like Spultura if you like it heavier and Angra if you like it more melodic. Andrè Matos' (Angra's old singer) solo stuff is also pretty damn good.

Well, look at me go...

(Reply to this)(Thread)

aurussteelsword
2009-07-19 07:05 pm UTC (link)

I second Korpiklaani and Fintroll. Finnish folk metal is flat-out amazing, and Fintroll especially is a very artistic, complex combination of folk tradition and metal instrumentation. As a friend (who doesn't typically like metal, but loves Scandinavian folk) put it, it's like "a boatful of Vikings with electric guitars."

I also must second Amon Amarth (they use my favorite vocal style when it comes to death metal, that really deep, full roaring) and Dark Tranquility (heavy as all get-out, and technically brilliant).

As for the rest of those listed here... I'm gonna go and check them out.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

bolboreta
2009-07-19 10:30 pm UTC (link)

I don't know much about metal, but a friend tried to get me into Power Metal so some of the German bands sound familiar. I really like Edguy (it's her favorite), although I'm not sure why are they supposed to be hysterical.

I was going to recommend Mägo de Oz, which according to the aforementioned friend is "the only metal band in Spain that has risen above the label of 'national rock'" *laughs* I actually listened to them before I met this girl and quite enjoy their "Finisterra" album.

Oh, and just so it's easier to find, you misspelled "Sepultura" (I've heard of them, but I think I prefer melodic/folk, stuff like Arch Enemy scares the crap out of me)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

flyingpumpkin
2009-07-20 01:59 am UTC (link)

The thing about Edguy is that, well...they're silly. They're huge silly dorks. Most of that scene is famous for not taking themselves very seriously (as opposed to the newer side, for example), and Edguy is pretty much the perfect example of it. This is their frontman. And this is the video for Lavatory Love Machine which...well, it's about exactly what you may think. Add to that that Tobi is a chatterbox and a force of nature, and that they're all incredibly down-to-earth guys and a riot at gigs and to hang out with...in a genre where it's really easy to be assholes and take yourself so very seriously, they stick out because you see how fun they have doing what they do, and can't help laughing along.

Argh, thanks for catching the mispelling! I'm more of a melodic/folk girl myself too, but sometimes something heavy and brutal and about dismemberment just does the trick, y'know? ;)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

bolboreta
2009-07-20 03:12 am UTC (link)

Oh god, I just watched Vain Glory Opera live, and I just couldn't help laughing either. My friend only talked about the soap opera part (this guy was in this group, and then he went there, and then...) but she forgot to tell me about this! The songs I she gave me don't let it show it either (I didn't have to look for System of a Down videos to know they love having fun *laughs*)

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	cat_mcdougall 2009-07-19 01:53 pm UTC (link)
	I have one recommendation: Rhapsody of Fire They're Italian, and sing... Hmm. Wiki says "power metal", but they're more Celtic/Folk Metal in my mind, because the songs tell a story and an album often tells an overarching tale. I like them though, and Last.FM will let you preview the music to see if you like it. (Reply to this)

	lady7jane 2009-07-19 06:17 pm UTC (link)
	Fields Of The Nephilim is a good one. They're from some part of the UK, I think. A sample song. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	kuromitsu 2009-07-19 11:13 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, Sumerland... so nostalgic... Elizium was one of my favorite albums. Is FOTN metal, though? O_o They're more like gothic rock... (I certainly listened to them in my goth period. :D) (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	kuromitsu 2009-07-19 11:32 pm UTC (link)
	Oh man, this made me want to dig up all my Sisters, FOTN, etc CDs. sigh There goes my night... (A few weeks ago it was classic rock and punk, now it's goth... what's this, Nostalgia Summer?) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	lady7jane 2009-07-20 01:45 am UTC (link)
	Sure it is. Maybe on the lighter side. It's magnesium. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	serpentis 2009-07-19 09:04 pm UTC (link)
	Alestorm = Scottish Pirate Metal. Other people have recced what I would, but everyone needs more Scottish Pirate Metal in their lives. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	serpentis 2009-07-19 09:05 pm UTC (link)
	And yes, someone else recced them, but they are such fun that they deserve to be recced twice. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	stella_polaris 2009-07-19 09:33 pm UTC (link)
	I asked some of my metalhead friends, and here are some Finnish metal bands: Mygrain, Naildown, Nightwish, Sonata Arctica (which I quite like myself, even though I'm not much into metal), Stam1na, Finntroll, Cildren of Bodom, Eternal tears of Sorrow, Kill the Romance, Pitbull Terrorist, Tracedawn. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	stella_polaris 2009-07-19 09:39 pm UTC (link)
	Also, if you're interested in bands who sing in Finnish, try Teräsbetoni or Kotiteollisuus. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	kuromitsu 2009-07-19 10:51 pm UTC (link)
	I'm not very familiar with the local metal scene (or any metal scene at all, metal is not really my thing), but Blind Myself is a pretty good band. They're Hungarian but the lyrics are mostly in English. You can download some of their albums from their website. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	kuromitsu 2009-07-19 11:05 pm UTC (link)
	(Btw if you decide to try them, I recommend the album 'Ancient Scream Therapy.') (Reply to this)(Parent)

nibor
2009-07-20 12:47 am UTC (link)

I'm into a lot of female vocaled stuff.
So from The Netherlands there's Within Temptation, After Forever, and Epica. All three also have growly male vocals, Within Temptation only used it on their early, lesser known work. The Gathering is also from The Netherlands however their later work isn't really metal, but it's still really good.
Then there's as already recommend Nightwish from Finland. They recently got a new singer so their most recent album is a bit different from their earlier works.
From England there's To-Mera, who are proggier than the other bands; one of the songs off their first album has a little jazzy piano solo.
Lacuna Coil, from Italy, have both a male and female singer, but only recently have they been given equal spotlight.
From the U.S., there's Stolen Babies, the best metal band with an accordion.
From Canada, there's Unexpect, who are just plain weird, but if you can get past the sudden changes in style in the middle of a song they're really good.
Diablo Swing Orchestra from Sweden are have amazing operatic vocals and the band name gives a good clue to the sound.

Then on the non-female vocal front, I have to recommend Sweden's Opeth who truly make prog and death metal work wonderfully together. And I will second the recommendations of Sonata Arctica and Blind Guardian if you like power metal.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	waitwut 2009-07-20 02:36 am UTC (link)
	Have you heard the newest Delain? I'm really digging it (speaking of female fronted bands). (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nibor 2009-07-20 03:55 am UTC (link)
	I haven't heard the newest yet, but I loved the first one, so I'll pick up the new one when I get a chance. (Reply to this)(Parent)

waitwut
2009-07-20 02:48 am UTC (link)

I know I'm commenting all over the place, but there's also Kamelot for Progressive/Power Metal angle. They technically hail from Florida, though the lead singer isn't American.

Mercenary is... Danish, I believe? But they do have a lot of the screaming metal vocals. Raintime is very similar (from Italy). I've seen both live and Raintime is better but Mercenary has a bigger catalog.

Tarot features the bassist/male singer from Nightwish, in a straight ahead metal album. Crows Fly Black was my favorite album the year it was released (and is actually my favorite still. har.).

Angra hails from Brazil. They changed singers a few albums ago. The older stuff has more of a soprano/falsetto from their singer and the newer stuff is in a more normal range. I love Holy Land (old) and Rebirth (new).

Almah is the new Angra singer's solo stuff.

Amaseffer has the former singer from Therion and the band of Orphaned Land for a really great combination (OL is from Isreal and uses a lot of musical influences of their area).

Brainstorm is more German power metal, though their more recent stuff is far superior to the older. Demons & Wizards is similar (with the singer from Blind Guardian).

Eluveitie, that I mentioned earlier, are Swiss and take most of their music/influences from traditional folk songs. The newest album (acoustic) is entirely in Gaulish.

Evergrey is also Prog/Power metal. They're from Sweden. My favorite of their's is Recreation Day, though there's a split. The Inner Circle is a concept album so I wouldn't necessarily start there. Nor with their newest, Torn, either.

Iron Savior is in the vein of Gamma Ray and Helloween (I saw all three in a weekend last year, and IS paled compared to the other two, but they're fun because they sing about robots and modern war, instead of swords).

Masterplan with either singer is also awesome. jorn lande, the original singer, has been on a lot of stuff, though his solo albums are distinctly AOR. he sounds a LOT like David Coverdale. A LOT.

Pain of Salvation - I love 'em, but they're not strictly metal, and they do fall into the love 'em or OMG HATE THEM camp. So. Singer has anti-American ideas (in terms of the whole fingerprinting on the US and being highly outspoken in his dislike of the former president).

Symphony X is American power metal, but I thought I'd mention them anyway. Same as Savatage, but SX still exists.

Therion is European, of some sort, with a definite lean towards *operatic* power metal. but they do put on a fabulous show!

Ha. Have a start. My husband and I met at a Dream Theater concerts and we go to ProgPower in Atlanta annually (which doesn't tend to have a lot of US metal). Please feel free to ask me for more info!

(Reply to this)

athersgeo
2009-07-20 10:30 am UTC (link)

Die Toten Hosen (or at least, their Kauf Mich era stuff) aren't bad - they're more to the punk end of the scale rather than full on metal.

The Reasoning are another band in the same sort of vein as Within Temptation but based in the UK rather than The Netherlands.

Paradise Lost are also worth a look (and I don't think anyone's already rec'd them!) again, UK based.

Marillion may also be worth a look - they're more on the progressive side than the metal side, but they're an interesting outfit all the same.

Also, slightly older recs: Emerson Lake and Palmer, Yes, Deep Purple, Led Zepplin, Motorhead, Judas Priest and Black Sabbeth. Given that metal more or less originates from this bunch, they're definitely worth a look!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	lemone 2009-07-22 01:48 am UTC (link)
	Paradise Lost is a great name for a band, on a lot of levels. Also, very catchy. I know Die Touten Hosen from Rock Band/Guitar Hero but Wiki'ing them I now see that "Hier Kommt Alex" is from a concept album based on A Clockwork Orange. It all sounds hella interesting, and worth a look-see. I love that movie/book. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	tree 2009-07-20 01:24 pm UTC (link)
	Father, from Croatia, is rather awesome, as is Hesus Attor. (Reply to this)

the_mouse
2009-07-21 04:48 am UTC (link)

I know everyone else has said this, but NIGHTWISH. I love those guys, they are awesome and over the top. Their earlier stuff is more power metal/fantasy metal type stuff and their original singer Tarja had a more operatic sound. Dark Passion Play Nightwish is still good but they do have a slightly different sound- their male vocalist/bassist sings more on this album. I'd recommend Century Child, Once, and Dark Passion Play (Century Child especially if you like conceptual style albums, Once and DPP if you like more Within Temptation/Evanescence/Rammstein type deals). After that then go back and listen to stuff like Wishmaster and Oceanborn. Barring that, try these songs: Dark Chest of Wonders, Wish I Had An Angel, Bye Bye Beautiful, The Islander, Ever Dream, The Wayfarer, Sleeping Sun, Wishmaster.

Within Temptation I really like too. My personal favorite album of theirs is The Silent Force. I can't really recommend a song from that album since I like all of them equally, but try Memories or Angels.

Epica is great (also, Simone is one of the few female singers for symphonic metal bands, so I already quite like her; her voice is gorgeous, of course). My favorite album of theirs is the first, The Phantom Agony. I definitely recommend giving Sensorium a listen. They have a slightly different sound to them than most other symphonic bands- they sound more "baroque" to me, if that makes any sense.

Leaves Eyes is also fun. They do themed albums; their first one, Lovelorn, is about the ocean, and their second one, Vinland Saga, is a story about the Vikings discovering North America. They have a follow up EP called Legend Land, and their third album (which might be about Norse mythology? Not sure yet) is coming out next month.

(Reply to this)

littleshebear
2009-07-21 03:59 pm UTC (link)

Opeth are a swedish prog-metal band. They're stuff is good on record but they're an absolute joy to see live.

If you want something a bit sillier, give Turisas a try. They're Finnish "folk metal," complete with fiddle, accordion, furs and warpaint. In a more punky, silly vein, I love a bit of Turbonegro.

I'm also quite partial to Chthonic from Taiwan. They tend to do songs about Taiwanese legends (their lead singer is a nationalist), in a symphonic metal style. What's really cool about them is that they use an erhu in their songs quite a bit.

If you want more traditional, dark, singin' 'bout Satan metal, Satyricon are always worth a look as are Akercocke from the UK.

Of course, you can't beat Immortal.

(Reply to this)

	shoiryu 2009-07-21 06:43 pm UTC (link)
	Have a try at Trax, from South Korea. They're not really metal, but they're as close as SK gets in the mainstream, and they definitely get their scream guitar on. (Reply to this)

	virgo 2009-07-21 09:09 pm UTC (link)
	I'm not at home so I can't look through my collection, but I recommend Charon. :) They're from Finland...I think. I'll see if I can rec some more bands later. (Reply to this)