Symphonic Metal

[fullerene]

Does anyone know any good bands within the genre? I've been listening to it a lot recently, but it of the bands I could find, they all had on little thing here or there that ruins the music for me. In particular, it's usually because they bring in a growler to sing along with the actual good singer... which is frustrating. I hate growlers.

I'm basically looking for music with a reasonably complicated structure, preferably a singer with a crisp tone, and above all, energy. I have plenty of chill music for when I want to lay around in a dark room and think for hours, but lack music that radiates energy when I want to move around... the kind of music that drags you along with it, rather than letting you melt into the background, but still doesn't have any elements in it that would grate against ears sensitive to the tone/texture of the notes.. Any suggestions?

 

[Dissident]

My favourite genre, which ones do you already know? (and like)

 

[fullerene]

oh sweet, haha I lucked out then. I only just found out about it, so I basically wikipedia'd "symphonic metal" and checked out what was there... basically like nightwish, within temptation, epica, and rhapsody of fire. I'm at a dead split right now between nightwish and epica... I like nightwish, although the new singer puts it into a category sort of like evanescence for me... the old one seemed more operatic. I don't mind her too much though. Epica is great, except for that damn growler. I only listened to a few songs by rhapsody of fire, but they overdid the bass drums pounding in my opinion... I think it was a little too much metal and a little too little symphony for me.

Of the nightwish songs I've heard (they have soo many) I think I like Gethsemane and End of All Hope the best. Nemo was ok, and the Pharoah Sails to Orion and Wishmaster were above average. Wish I Had an Angel was good for the first 1/2 to 3/4, before it broke down into yelling.

I also have some Symphony X, but don't like it too too much. It also masquerades anger and intensity for energy. I don't know how to distiguish the two objectively, but like... Disturbed (in the cd 10000 fists, at least... I don't like their other stuff) and System of a Down's cd Mezmerize have energy. Dragonforce (mostly) and Sea of Lies from Symphony X just have intensity.

Umm... what else might help you narrow it down... Within Temptation I like off and on, but they don't often sound like metal very much. I did like In Perfect Harmony, Angels, and Forgiven by them... although Angels was pushing the edges of what I would consider too plain.

To narrow it to one song that best exemplifies what I'm looking for, it's probably Mother Earth from Within Temptation.

 

[October]

Why was my post deleted? Twice? O_O

Here it is again:

Well, I recommend:

female vocals: Nightwish, Tarja, Within Temptation, Epica, After Forever, Edenbridge, Leaves Eyes, Vision of Atlantis, Amberian Dawn...there are more - Xandria, Angtoria, Sirenia, Lacuna Coil, Tacere, Virgin Black, Midnattsol, Autumn,

male vocals: Therion, Haggard,Stratovarious, Kamelot,Avantasia, Sonata Arctica, Wintersun, Ayreon, Rhapsody of Fire, Symphony X,


And I suggest you take a look on the list that wikipedia offers about symphonic metal bands - not the article about it, but link to the list.

 

[Jesin]

See? Wikipedia has an answer to everything!

 

[fullerene]

I was actually going through the bands in the symphonic metal section... but I didn't see the specific article for list of symphonic metal bands. Therion did pop up, but I haven't gotten around to listening to them yet. I think Nightwish is my favorite overall now... but it might just be because they have so many songs out that I'm bound to like a bunch of them. Either way this list'll keep me busy for a while, thanks.

 

[Dissident]

Nightwish is great, I dont like the new singer that much either but there is plenty of good old stuff to listen to.

Try Tristania, Therion, Haggard, Apocalyptica and Lumsk

Although I think you would get more energy from power metal like Stratovarius, Angra, Sonata Arctica, Lacuna Coil, Ayreon, Dream Theater, etc

 

[October]

^ Yes, those too, I didn't mention Tristania though because I think it's more inclined to the gothic metal area and Dream Theater to the pogressive metal scene, so not exactly symphonic.

lol, I was wondering how this got 6 replies when I only left for like 5 minutes. Thanks for the suggestions, and the suggestions, and the suggestions, and the suggestions .

Sorry about that.

 

[fullerene]

oh is dream theater considered symphonic metal? In that case I've known the genre for years... I always thought of them as progressive metal though. Their stuff was good, but after a few years the signer got a little annoying, and the petrucci (the guitarist) is boring. His stuff is plain and mechanical... "look! I can play fast!"

Apocalyptica I've known about too, but didn't know if they counted because they're more of like a cover-band for Metallica. I do like their stuff a lot, though. I'll have to look through the rest of these guys.

 

[October]

Oops, I meant progressive metal, not power metal. *edits*

 

[Dissident]

No, I didnt say its symphonic, but power metal, progressive is more accurate tho. Apocalyptica does its own stuff too, not only covers; and I love Tristania no matter what genre you may put them

 

[Wisp]

Hmmm... Symphonic metal... this seems to be worth a looking over.

EDIT: I just looked at Nightwish's Ocean born... I...I think I'm in love....

EDIT:EDIT: This topic has my official seal of win.

 

[Kumori]

Symphonic Metal is close to Power Metal, check out Lost Horizon, Blind Guardian or Sonata Arctica if you decide to stop by the genre, three of my favorite bands.

 

[Jordan~]

I have one song from the metal genre in general that I like, Cent[re] of the Universe by Kamelot. Would symphonic metal be similar to this? Specifically, I'm looking for a vocalist who actually sings, rather than speaks rhythmically or anything like that - I wish I knew the musical terms to describe it, and I suppose a trained voice will have to do; preferably not too much focus on the electric guitar, I'm not fond of it or its acoustic cousin (why settle for guitars when you could have a harp?); and, uh, preferably less cheesy lyrics than that song? I can't help but grin occasionally when listening to it. I also liked the quick drum beat in that song, but wouldn't really like anything much quicker than that. I generally prefer female vocals, but I'm not keen on an overtrained-sounding voice.

Edit: Another thing I really don't like is synthesised instruments. I know there are some in that song I mentioned, but they're not something I'm fond of at all.

I doubt I'll find anything I love, given my near-deification of Joanna Newsom and the resultant inevitable comparison to hers that all other music has to go through; but I might find something I listen to once in a while when I'm in the mood for something less mentally demanding.

 

[fullerene]

Glad you like it Wisp... I've fallen in love with the genre almost overnight too. Some of these bands you guys have mentioned are really good... I actually picked up all of Epica's stuff and just got rid of the songs where the growler was obnoxious.

I don't think your respect for me has dropped low enough yet, so I thought I ought to let you know that I gave Joanna Newsom a listen because you'd mentioned her enough times that I remembered the name. I was grooving to the harp (peach, plum, pear) at first... it was really beautiful--but then she opened her mouth... I lasted about 15 seconds before I had to choose between stopping the song or sticking a fork through my eardrums. Does she do any songs where she doesn't sing?

Center of the Universe seems to fit into the genre too, yes. I don't find the singer all that great, but he's not too bad either. The symphonic metal I really like sounds more... symphonic than them... but not by much. Those drums are probably on the 85-90% range of as much as I can bear before it starts to get too much. I haven't heard any great lyrics yet from the genre... but the music is usually intricate. You'll get better suggestions from the others than me I'm sure though.


On a side note, "she is my sin" from nightwish has been playing on loop for a solid hour or so now. Beautiful.

 

[Dissident]

Here are some I like (look at all those links! I deserve a cookie )

ANYTHING by Nightwish

Ghost Love Score http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOpIeDakgPs
Stargazers YouTube- Nightwish - Stargazers
The Kinslayer YouTube- Nightwish - 04 The Kinslayer （End of An Era） Live
Wanderlust YouTube- Nightwish - Wanderlust
Crownless YouTube- Nightwish - Crownless
End of all hope YouTube- Lord of the Rings - Nightwish End of all Hope

Therion

To Mega Therion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a8hr7NCo0k
Nightside of Eden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm2DEpc4R70
Summernight City YouTube- Therion - Summernight City
Crowning of Atlantis (Sorry about the video ><)YouTube- Therion - Crowning of Atlantis (video: Heavy Metal - 1981)
Nifelheim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgmmutcOzE

Tristania (some growling, you'll survive )

World of Glass YouTube- World of Glass by Tristania
Beyond the Veil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ-p-BoAvSM
A Sequel of Decay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1bMbwKUzOg
Evenfall YouTube- tristania-evenfall

Lumsk (probably not symphonic but folk metal, good anyway)
Nøkken YouTube- Lumsk-Nøkken
Trolltind YouTube- Trolltind - Lumsk

YouTube- Rebirth - Angra
Rebirth by Angra

YouTube- Final Fantasy-Haggard-Awaking the Centuries
Awaking the Centuries by Haggard (Sorry about the video)

 

[fullerene]

wow. *gives Dissident a cookie the size of his head.* Go to town buddy. If only it weren't 2:30 in the morning or I weren't waking up early to go out for lunch tomorrow...

edit: lol ok, I watched the therion one just because you said "sorry for the video." I probably would hav just started playing it and gone to do something on another site otherwise... haha but now that ive seen it, wtf? The song itself was awesome though.

 

[October]

I have to add something to Dissident's list:

Tristania - My lost Lenore. YouTube- Tristania - My Lost Lenore (Live)

It's an absolutely beautiful song, and it has remained my favourite: it's dark, mystic, tragic at the same time.

And I also recommend: Haggard - Herr Mannelig YouTube- Herr Mannelig - Haggard

 

[Dissident]

*Hands October half a cookie*

Good ones!

*munch* *munch*

 

[October]

*munches half a cookie* I want more.

Now I'm in the mood for some Haggard; I can't wait till October/November when they'll come here again.

 

[Dissident]

Sorry, I only had the one Cryptonia gave me

Your are lucky, I havent seen any of these bands in person.

 

[October]

That's alright.

Epica is great live too. Well, I'll consider myself lucky when I'll finally see Tarja - because she's the one I have been waiting for for three years.

 

[ElectricWizard]

Why would anybody ever recommend Nightwish?
Anyways, Therion's Lemuria is great, of course. Also, Estatic Fear, who are brilliant, and definite recommendation. Abberant Vascular is another one that I like (More Operatic, but whatever), though it's harder to get into. Sigh's 'Hangman's Hymn' could work. It's an awesome album, but more of a fusion of thrash and classical music, though it's still great. If you want Black Metal, there's Obtained Enslavement, and perhaps ...And Oceans (I've only listened to 'The Symmetry of I...').

 

[October]

^ Why wouldn't they/we recommend Nightwish? I'm recommending the old one, with Tarja, personally.

 

[Loraella]

It's one of my favourite genres, specially the band Epica - I think I like this one the best from this genre.

 

[*Stabbity*]

I listen to In Flames, Soilwork and Deathstars.

 

[Legionnaire]

Isn't Symphonic Metal a form of Power Metal? I'll just list Power Metal artists, almost the same category if not exactly anyway.

Out of the ones I listen to frequently are Luca Turilli/Rhapsody of Fire, Apocalyptica, Blind Guardian, Nightwish, Silent Force, HammerFall, Manowar, Edguy, Iced Earth, Nocturnal Rites, Helloween, Level 80 Tauren Chieftain.

 

[Ermine]

One of my favorites that hasn't been mentioned is Vanden Plas. Especially their album Christ 0. And Kamelot. I like their album The Black Halo best.

 

[Vegard Pompey]

^Vanden Plas is good, never thought of them as symphonic metal though. Kamelot... Not a big fan, but I listen to The Black Halo sometimes.

I don't listen to much symphonic metal. Adagio sometimes, and in the past I listened a bit to Rhapsody... Not so much now.
I generally prefer symphonic black metal, like ...and Oceans, Summoning and Bal-Sagoth.

 

[Anthile]

So I decided to make a small summery of some more or less unknown bands which were not mentioned before. It is not always that what most people would call Symphonic Metal. The boundaries are blurred between the genres and so it is more a Symphonic/Power/Progressive/Melodic/Heavy Metal mixup.
Please do not bother me with "Band X is not genre Y, it is clearly Z!".


Mechanical Poet - Stormchild

Threshold - Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams

Rising Dream - To Dream Alone

Sirenia - Path To Decay

Anubis Gate - Andromeda Unchained

Visions Of Atlantis - Seven Seas

Avantasia - The Seven Angels[Part1]
Avantasia - The Seven Angels [Part2]

Delain - Frozen

Leaves´ Eyes - Elegy

Theocracy - On Eagles Wings

Karelia - Restless

Diablo Swing Orchestra - Balrog Boogie

Harmony - Eternity

Orden Ogan - The Lords Of The Flies



Maybe someone likes on of them. Have fun with it.

 

[Vegard Pompey]

Avantasia isn't very obscure. I find it vastly inferior to Ayreon though.

I guess I'll provide you with a vid of one of Adagio's songs, if you like it get the Underworld album.

Adagio - Next Profundis

 

[Vegard Pompey]

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchar...d_genres=t&include=both&limit=none&countries=

I do not trust their definition of symphonic metal but it is a good list. Imaginary Sonicscape is one of my all-time favourite albums.

 

[Seducer of the Homeless]

Listening to Adagio now.

Feckin' Awesome!

Vegard, your taste is impeccable


Sigh also are fantastic. especially 'Hangman's Hymn'


Anyone rate Trans-Siberian Orchestra. sounds fruity

 

[Seducer of the Homeless]

a few decent bands...

Equilibrium-

301 Moved Permanently

301 Moved Permanently

301 Moved Permanently

Cradle of filth-

301 Moved Permanently

301 Moved Permanently

I Am Ghost-

301 Moved Permanently

301 Moved Permanently

Somewhat symphonic

 

[Vexbeast]

I've never much gotten the distinction between metal genres. But something I was recommended for symphonic (Not sure I would say it is, I have only one song and it has some beautiful male and female vocals, and a slight dash of choir, but nothing else really.) Anyway, Season's End (the song I have is called A Ghost In My Emotion) is great. Pretty low-energy for metal though.

And yeah... EPICA <3

 

[Aakani]

Wow, I came here hoping I could maybe actually suggest something when all the bands I knew were named, one by one. But yeah, I'd say Apocalyptica definitely fits the trend. I also know Symphony X, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Blind Guardian, umm...I'd say Ensiferum is pretty borderline so you don't need to look into it (I looked it up and it was considered "viking metal"), Sonata Arctica, Luca Turili, and Kamelot. I would suggest Hammerfall, but that isn't symphonic metal, really.

Great, now I'm going to stay up all night listening to all the bands I've never heard before.