Symphonic Metal [Archive]

Ron-P

02-13-2009, 08:36 PM

I just discovered this music a couple of days ago by accident, I love it. Has anyone heard of it, or is there anyone here into it? I find it fantastic blend of opera, death-metal with an orchestra. Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation and Sirenia just to name a few. Some awesome music.

Punch up some of those bands on YouTube. Nightwish does a fantasic version of "The Phantom of the Opera", it gave me chills.

MacLeod

02-13-2009, 09:40 PM

I love this genre of metal! You get kick ass heavy metal that is well written and played by extremely talented musicians. I stumbled upon Nightwish about 6 years ago and have been a huge fan ever since. There are a lot of other bands out there like this. Itunes has a ton of em! Nightwish from "Once" and back are just phenomenal but "Dark Passion Play" isnt so much. The music is still great but the new singer sounds like Jessica Simpson.

Kamelot is another of my favorites. The Black Halo and Ghost Opera are their best offerings. Roy Kahn is the best male singer in this genre and one of the best recording today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-TUufvK0gU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I438RH1oUJc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qdcl67H1Jw

metal83

02-13-2009, 09:42 PM

I just discovered this music a couple of days ago by accident, I love it. Has anyone heard of it, or is there anyone here into it? I find it fantastic blend of opera, death-metal with an orchestra. Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation and Sirenia just to name a few. Some awesome music.

Punch up some of those bands on YouTube. Nightwish does a fantasic version of "The Phantom of the Opera", it gave me chills.

That's the type of stuff my fiancee loves, she's really into that stuff (i enjoy it as well). And there are tons and tons of bands like this, it's amazing. And that music sounds incredible on a half way decent system, we were listening to one of her Nightwish albums, and a band called Amaran, last weekend.

Ron-P

02-13-2009, 10:31 PM

One of my favorites so far is Simone Simon's from Epica, her voice is amazing, I love it and she's smoke'n hot.

http://th01.deviantart.com/fs21/300W/f/2007/275/d/e/Simone_Simons_by_cahankh.jpg

metal83

02-13-2009, 10:37 PM

One of my favorites so far is Simone Simon's from Epica, her voice is amazing, I love it and she's smoke'n hot.

http://th01.deviantart.com/fs21/300W/f/2007/275/d/e/Simone_Simons_by_cahankh.jpg

Yeah she is!!! :)

TOOLFORLIFEFAN

02-13-2009, 10:49 PM

I like it,i will be checking more of these bands out.
never heard of any of them Thanks!! I like them better then DragonForce.DragonForce is good,and talented but after a couple of songs they start to get on my nerves.

lunazul

02-13-2009, 11:32 PM

Roy Kahn is the best male singer in this genre and one of the best recording today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-TUufvK0gU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I438RH1oUJc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qdcl67H1Jw

I like this guy's voice.
Kinda reminds me of Geoff Tate from Queensryche

MacLeod

02-13-2009, 11:54 PM

Exactly what I thought when I first heard it. He's into the theatrics of performing like Tate is/was as well.

I like a lot of Epica's stuff but they ruin a lot of their songs with the stupid screaming death metal crap. If they just let her be the ONLY vocalist, Id own all their music. As it stands now I have to pass. Im a diehard headbanger for over 20 years now but I have never been able to get into the dumbass screaming.

Tarja Turunen is the hottest of the symphonic chicks, and the most talented IMO.

http://i37.tinypic.com/xfst52.jpg

This is about my favorite from them. Nemo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO4LyKd-Hws

metal83

02-14-2009, 02:03 AM

Exactly what I thought when I first heard it. He's into the theatrics of performing like Tate is/was as well.

I like a lot of Epica's stuff but they ruin a lot of their songs with the stupid screaming death metal crap. If they just let her be the ONLY vocalist, Id own all their music. As it stands now I have to pass. Im a diehard headbanger for over 20 years now but I have never been able to get into the dumbass screaming.

That stupid screaming death metal crap is what makes it that much better...lol :p;)

I know that type of stuff is not for everyone though (the screaming), just like country isn't for everyone, or (c)rap, etc etc.

Ron-P

02-14-2009, 10:20 AM

I kinda like the screaming death metal crap, adds to the overall flavor of the music.

AsSiMiLaTeD

02-14-2009, 10:54 AM

They're a little different style than those mentioned above, but Symphony X is worth checking out as well.

AsSiMiLaTeD

02-14-2009, 11:00 AM

The only issue I have with alot of this music is the over-use of the dramatic and the theatrics in general. I 'get' that that's the point, just gets old after a while. I find this in a lot of other prog rock as well, I just have to mix things up...

As for Nightwish, 'Once' is a little too 'pop' for me. I won't use the term mainstream because then I get tagged as a music snob, but that's essentially what it is for me.

metal83

02-14-2009, 11:40 AM

The only issue I have with alot of this music is the over-use of the dramatic and the theatrics in general. I 'get' that that's the point, just gets old after a while. I find this in a lot of other prog rock as well, I just have to mix things up...

As for Nightwish, 'Once' is a little too 'pop' for me. I won't use the term mainstream because then I get tagged as a music snob, but that's essentially what it is for me.

Nothing wrong with calling something mainstream, so many good metal bands get sucked into that direction now a days, such a shame!!!

Nightwish is good though, i don't mind listening to them when my fiancee pulls out their albums. :)

Ron-P

02-14-2009, 12:35 PM

I like this guy's voice.
Kinda reminds me of Geoff Tate from Queensryche

That's exactly what I thought when I came across the band on YouTube the other day. But, it's not one of my favorites though.

organ

02-17-2009, 08:00 PM

I really like Nightwish up to "Once". I find them too poppy now. Epica, Sirenia, Theatre of Tragedy (older stuff), Borealis, etc are excellent.

The best Symphonic Metal IMO are Therion and Leaves' Eyes.
Therion has been around for a long time. Best album to try would be Gothic Kabbalah or Serius B/Lemuria. Vinland Saga is a great album from Leaves' Eyes.
Youtube them. I'm sure you'll love them if you're into Symphonic.

Ron-P

10-13-2009, 12:04 AM

Epica will be in LA in February. They are playing "The Key Club" in West Hollywood. At $23 a ticket, I will be there. Should be one hell-of-a concert.

Fongolio

10-13-2009, 02:34 AM

For some really good old school female lead vocal metal try Warlock's Triumph and Agony. Doro Peche on vocals.

organ

10-13-2009, 10:47 PM

Epica will be in LA in February. They are playing "The Key Club" in West Hollywood. At $23 a ticket, I will be there. Should be one hell-of-a concert.

They kick serious ass on stage. I've saw them open for Kamelot here. Simone can really headbang. Hope you enjoy the show.

mmadden28

10-13-2009, 11:11 PM

I guess you could say I'm still in the discovery stage for Symphonic metal, and with several of the bands already mentioned.

How about a little old skool; Candlemass. May not be quite the 'symphonic' you're looking for but they definitely had a unique vocal style--more Doom metal than Symphonic.

Check out Dark Are the Veils of Death from the Nightfall album (http://www.amazon.com/Nightfall-Candlemass/dp/B000CSULPO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255489401&sr=8-2)

mmadden28

10-13-2009, 11:14 PM

Where does Evanescense fit as a Genre?

organ

10-13-2009, 11:16 PM

How about a little old skool; Candlemass. May not be quite the 'symphonic' you're looking for but they definitely had a unique vocal style--more Doom metal than Symphonic.

Check out Dark Are the Veils of Death from the Nightfall album (http://www.amazon.com/Nightfall-Candlemass/dp/B000CSULPO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255489401&sr=8-2)

Incase you're interested, Snowy Shaw (Candlemass vocalist) performed vocals on Therion's 'Gothic Kabbalah' album.

IMO Evanescense is rock.

mmadden28

10-13-2009, 11:21 PM

Snowy Shaw? I know him from Mercyful Fate/King Diamond-I did not know he was a singer in Candlemass-Hmmm-I'll have to look into this some more. Thanks.

organ

10-13-2009, 11:48 PM

Sheeat, now that you mentioned Mercyful Fate, I think I may have had Snowy confused with them.. I'll have to look into that... sorry

mmadden28

10-13-2009, 11:56 PM

Just did a little digging, Your right about Snowy in Therion's latest, but not about Candlemass.

Looks like Messiah Marcolin was the singer when Nightfall was recorded. I never really listened to the other Candlemass albums, and apparently that was the only album Marcolin sang on.
Interestingly enough though, Marcolin is on the current live tour lineup (in addition to Shaw) with Therion.

Of course I never knew Shaw did vocals at all. Just as a drummer with MF, KD and IllWill. Cool to know though.

Ron-P

10-14-2009, 02:58 AM

Where does Evanescense fit as a Genre?

They don't. There a decent goth pop type band but no where near the quality of a good symphonic metal band.

Ron-P

10-14-2009, 02:59 AM

They kick serious ass on stage. I've saw them open for Kamelot here. Simone can really headbang. Hope you enjoy the show.

That's good to hear, I am super excited to see them live.

beardog03

10-14-2009, 11:44 AM

up late last night.....couldn`t sleep

you got mee hooked !

jinjuku

10-14-2009, 12:07 PM

Nightwish "Phantom of the Opera?" I don't know which is worse:

Poseur 'heavy metal' artistry or Yanni.

Now if this was Trinity or Zombie I would have a little more respect. Sorry, just not my 'thing'.

beardog03

10-14-2009, 01:11 PM

you can`t deny that the red-head for Epica can sing.....I can`t take my eyes off of her !

Ron-P

10-14-2009, 01:53 PM

Just scored my Epica tickets, there on the way to my house now.

Only a couple of weeks now until their new CD hits my mail box. Design Your Universe, it's getting some fantastic reviews. Can't wait!

http://www.gothtronic.com/Goth/data/Nieuws/Epica_DesignYourUniverse_300.jpg

beardog03

10-14-2009, 02:16 PM

I wanna go..!!

organ

10-14-2009, 03:51 PM

Whoa I didn't know Epica has a new album coming out. Gonna buy that one too.
Wonder how it will compare with Leaves' Eyes newest "Njord"? I feel it is one of the best female lead symphonic metal so far...

Ron-P

10-15-2009, 09:09 PM

I just picked up "Njord" and "Vinland Saga" last week, Vinland is a much better album then Njord. Njord, to me, is one long song, no real character to the album.

I also find her voice to be the least operatic, it's very soft, weak and with not much range. At least, compared to Simone and Tarja. Leaves' Eyes is good, but not Epica or Nightwish good.

organ

10-17-2009, 02:12 AM

Sorry to hear you didn't like them.

I really miss Tarja on Nightwish:(. Hope her new solo album comes out soon.

After the show, can you please let me know who the supporting acts were. They'll usually have 2-3 bands of similar musical sytle open up. It's such a great way to discover new bands, and you can buy the cd at their desk.
If you want to be close to Simone, get there early. Good symphonic metal bands here usually have long line ups. I normally get there 1-2hrs before doors open to guarantee front row. That's what I love about metal shows. You're so close to the band.

xj4094dg

10-17-2009, 03:13 PM

Epica will be in LA in February. They are playing "The Key Club" in West Hollywood. At $23 a ticket, I will be there. Should be one hell-of-a concert.

I'll be there as well...

Ron-P

10-17-2009, 08:13 PM

Sorry to hear you didn't like them.

I really miss Tarja on Nightwish:(. Hope her new solo album comes out soon.

After the show, can you please let me know who the supporting acts were. They'll usually have 2-3 bands of similar musical sytle open up. It's such a great way to discover new bands, and you can buy the cd at their desk.
If you want to be close to Simone, get there early. Good symphonic metal bands here usually have long line ups. I normally get there 1-2hrs before doors open to guarantee front row. That's what I love about metal shows. You're so close to the band.

Thanks for the tip. BTW, her new solo album "My Winter Storm" has been out for a while now.

Ron-P

10-17-2009, 08:14 PM

I'll be there as well...

Cool! We'll have to try and meet up. I plan to be on Sunset all day for lunch and such, plus, I want to get there early like organ suggested.

Ron-P

10-19-2009, 02:31 PM

WoooooooooHoooooooooooooo.......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/Ron-P/EpicaTix.jpg

beardog03

10-19-2009, 03:22 PM

do you have the schedual for these guys ?
I would like to make a show myself...

Ron-P

12-07-2009, 10:27 PM

Well, SUCK!!!

Their show at the Key Club got moved to the House of Blues in LA. I hate the HoB, their acoustics suck, their small, parking sucks and their overpriced. So, seems I won't see them after all.

On the other hand, EPICA's new CD; Design Your Universe is their best yet, fantastic on all accounts.

nadams

12-07-2009, 10:30 PM

Any Apocalyptica? Or does that not fit your genre?