Beckerhead Music

This thread has brought back some memories...good stuff!

Although I like a variety of music from blues to metal, the 80's thrash is probably my favorite stuff. Padruig, you have exquisite taste! I like all the BIG 4, Testament, Exodus, etc. Also like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, some Motley Crue, some Guns 'n' Roses...

Oh, I like some classical music too, like Led Zeppelin, Cream, Pink Floyd...

Here is a good one I think reminiscent of that 80's thrash sound...

How 'bout some crossover?

Some of it has aged well - some has not.
 
KingMC KingMC , I figured you would have some solid input on female metal vocalists. I think they lend themselves particularly well to the Power/Symphonic Metal sub-genre. It is a genre that I used to really enjoy and then Drangonforce came along and all of a sudden, I lost interest...

Artists that make Power Metal shine are those who incorporate excellent story telling paired with exquisite musicianship. Many of the more modern Power Metal bands are heavy on the "cheese" factor and largely come across as LARP/D&D players who wanted to create a band. There is nothing wrong with that, mind you, it is just a little difficult to take such bands seriously.

Though I would not call Iron Maiden a power metal band, they undoubtedly have influenced most, if not all, of the bands that sit within that specific sub-genre. They are masters at story craft and their lyrics never fail to captivate and draw you in. Power Metal should be more than sword, shields, elves, and glory. There needs to be substance behind the operatic vocals, the thunderous drumming, and masterful shredding, and you do that by crafting intriguing tales within your lyrics.

Some favorites:

Manowar - Sleipnir


Helloween - Dr Stein


Hammerfall (kind of cheesy, but definitely catchy) - Let the Hammer Fall


Stratovarius (Power Metal Gods) - Future Shock


Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song

 
Pàdruig said:
KingMC KingMC , I figured you would have some solid input on female metal vocalists. I think they lend themselves particularly well to the Power/Symphonic Metal sub-genre. It is a genre that I used to really enjoy and then Drangonforce came along and all of a sudden, I lost interest...
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I actually consider them two separate genres, Power metal has a lot more male singers and the ones that do have female vocalists often have them using a gruff and lower voice than what you'd find in symphonic metal. I was actually introduced to Metal as a genre by a song from Nightwish, looking back I thought it was way too loud and aggressive for me but currently I barely consider it metal anymore. I may not listen to the genre as much now as I used to (besides Epica, but they're barely symphonic) but I have good feelings towards it due it being my path into the better stuff.

Also, Dragonforce was my intro to power metal itself, while I may not listen to them much I also have a soft spot for their cheese and more cheese.

Pàdruig said:
Artists that make Power Metal shine are those who incorporate excellent story telling paired with exquisite musicianship. Many of the more modern Power Metal bands are heavy on the "cheese" factor and largely come across as LARP/D&D players who wanted to create a band. There is nothing wrong with that, mind you, it is just a little difficult to take such bands seriously.
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I agree, but at the same time when you do find a good, strong power metal band their work can be some of the most powerful and energetic music outside of the death/core subgenres. The best example I can think of is old-school Sabaton (they got pop-y in their last couple albums, shame), some of the best driving power metal songs I can find. Bonus, similar to Iced Earth, they like to sing about military history and since their from Sweden they have a broad source material they sample.




Some great stuff there: German, Swedish, American, they sing about it all.

Pàdruig said:
Though I would not call Iron Maiden a power metal band, they undoubtedly have influenced most, if not all, of the bands that sit within that specific sub-genre. They are masters at story craft and their lyrics never fail to captivate and draw you in. Power Metal should be more than sword, shields, elves, and glory. There needs to be substance behind the operatic vocals, the thunderous drumming, and masterful shredding, and you do that by crafting intriguing tales within your lyrics.
Click to expand...

Listening to Iron Maiden after most other power metal, I happen to hear plenty of power metal in them, more of an 'inspired by' origin rather than an actual beginning. They're not like Death, they don't have the genre named after them, but they really are the catalyst that allowed the genre to start in force.

Pàdruig said:
Some favorites:

Manowar - Sleipnir

Helloween - Dr Stein

Hammerfall (kind of cheesy, but definitely catchy) - Let the Hammer Fall

Stratovarius (Power Metal Gods) - Future Shock

Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song
Click to expand...

Plenty of excellence there, for sure. Manowar is always a fun listen, they manage to invoke a lot of raw adrenaline without being too crazy; Blind Guardian is great but IMO would be better if they took the vocals away from Hansi, as much as their sound is epic and they manage to craft some epic music, Hansi's vocals have always kinda bugged me and I honestly don't know why. Jens Carlsson from Persuader also sounds very similar, but a bit better.

I'll add a couple other bands that I think are keeping Power Metal relevant.

Iron Savior has a classic sound and has been making albums for a long time. Pick any album and it's the same great stuff.


Powerwolf is a strange, strange band: Themed around werewolves and religion, they always have an interesting topic to their songs, but their music is very powerful.

 
I love how this has turned into a mostly metal thread, with some random diversity to mix it up.
I'm about half way through page 4, listening to everything in order.
I was hoping to discover some new favorites.
So far, it's been a lot of old favorites, and some new "well, that was interesting..."
So relieved when the Crue came through and broke up the bagpipe invasion.
Looking forward to the female metal vocalists section.

I've got mixed feelings about the Metallica/classical mashup group. It's an interesting study, and I enjoy the songs. But I like them better as straight-up metal.
It did remind me of the Harp Twins version of One.
Looks like the Twins have done a bunch more Metallica since then.
(Side note - my wife took up the Harp in Junior High, but gave it up when she started college. So her mom started playing it. We just sold one, have three rented out to various people, and still have one in the music room. Now wifey is re-learning piano, eldest daughter is becoming a viola virtuoso, and youngest has picked up saxophone. I've tried a number of instruments, and sounded so good that we all decided that I play the Stereo.)
But if you want Metallica mashed up with symphonic instruments, they did it themselves on the S&M album. Again, an interesting study. Only a couple tracks really hit it out of the park, but it's good to listen all the way through once.

Really trying to contribute to the thread!
Working to figure out how to embed Harp Twins - "One", and Metallica S&M "Until it Sleeps" in here, but am having a heck of a time. Will try again later.
 
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cbwoods67 said:
One of my history teachers in high school told me about these guys.


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I've had "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" for years. Mostly agree with KingMC. But a couple months ago while enjoying fish (not sturgeon!) on San Pablo Bay, I wished I had it with me.
 
KingMC said:
I actually consider them two separate genres, Power metal has a lot more male singers and the ones that do have female vocalists often have them using a gruff and lower voice than what you'd find in symphonic metal. I was actually introduced to Metal as a genre by a song from Nightwish, looking back I thought it was way too loud and aggressive for me but currently I barely consider it metal anymore. I may not listen to the genre as much now as I used to (besides Epica, but they're barely symphonic) but I have good feelings towards it due it being my path into the better stuff.

Also, Dragonforce was my intro to power metal itself, while I may not listen to them much I also have a soft spot for their cheese and more cheese.
Click to expand...

I would agree; Symphonic and Power Metal are indeed separate sub-genres, though the lines are often blurred between the two. I know that defining the numerous distinctions that separate the even more numerous sub-genres of metal music can be quite a daunting and onerous task so I find myself grouping similar flavors together for the sake of simplicity.

I think you raise a good point though when it comes to your introductions to metal in general. I think Power Metal in particular, lends itself to being quite approachable by those who would otherwise not enjoy metal or at the very least, have not had the exposure. Power Metal is uplifting, positive, melodic, and generally has the catchy hooks that can do wonders at drawing folks in.

Once you start delving those depths though, you find your tastes evolving, and you wonder why music that you once found so enjoyable sounds so bland and lifeless. This isn't always the case but it happens frequently with me. The music of my boyhood, I would barely categorize as music today...

KingMC said:
I agree, but at the same time when you do find a good, strong power metal band their work can be some of the most powerful and energetic music outside of the death/core subgenres. The best example I can think of is old-school Sabaton (they got pop-y in their last couple albums, shame), some of the best driving power metal songs I can find. Bonus, similar to Iced Earth, they like to sing about military history and since their from Sweden they have a broad source material they sample.
Click to expand...

I am embarrassed to admit that I had forgotten about Sabaton. And yes, they are a solid Power Metal band, or they once were (I haven't listened to any of their latest stuff).

KingMC said:
Listening to Iron Maiden after most other power metal, I happen to hear plenty of power metal in them, more of an 'inspired by' origin rather than an actual beginning. They're not like Death, they don't have the genre named after them, but they really are the catalyst that allowed the genre to start in force.
Click to expand...

I remember when I first heard Iron Maiden, I didn't like them. In fact, I hated Bruce Dickinson's vocals! Granted, I first heard them when I was exploring thrash metal and they provided a rather stark contrast to the anger and speed presented in the albums I was currently listening to then. However, with time, more exposure, and evolving tastes, Iron Maiden has become a band by which I will measure most any music. It truly is a spiritual experience for me to listen to their music and with the exception of the albums with Blaze Bayley, there isn't an Iron Maiden album that exists that I don't find enjoyment in.

I understand your point in regards to them being Power-Metal-esque, but in my opinion, I truly find it difficult to define them or put them in some sort of box. Perhaps that is simply due to the pedestal I have placed them on or they truly do transcend the typical bounds of labels, genres, etc.

Mmmmmmm, Death.... That band is sacred to me.... Nice name drop.

KingMC said:
Blind Guardian is great but IMO would be better if they took the vocals away from Hansi, as much as their sound is epic and they manage to craft some epic music, Hansi's vocals have always kinda bugged me and I honestly don't know why.
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I can certainly understand your aversion to Hansi's vocals. I certainly did not like them when I first heard him, which was on the first Demons and Wizards album. However, they have kind of grown on me over the years and though I do prefer other vocalists, I do not shy away from hearing him and have even listened to the band by choice when the mood takes me. Plus, apparently he is a stand up guy and holds the respect of a lot of fans and peers alike.

KingMC said:
Powerwolf is a strange, strange band: Themed around werewolves and religion, they always have an interesting topic to their songs, but their music is very powerful.
Click to expand...

Yes... Strange indeed... I have no problems with their thematic elements. Though I appreciate them for what they bring to metal, I haven't really gotten into them yet.


Here is a band that is a new one to me, I came across them when listening to some Arch Enemy the other day. Pretty solid...

Unleash the Archers - Awakening

 
tjswarbrick said:
I love how this has turned into a mostly metal thread, with some random diversity to mix it up.
I'm about half way through page 4, listening to everything in order.
I was hoping to discover some new favorites.
So far, it's been a lot of old favorites, and some new "well, that was interesting..."
So relieved when the Crue came through and broke up the bagpipe invasion.
Looking forward to the female metal vocalists section.

I've got mixed feelings about the Metallica/classical mashup group. It's an interesting study, and I enjoy the songs. But I like them better as straight-up metal.
It did remind me of the Harp Twins version of One.
Looks like the Twins have done a bunch more Metallica since then.
(Side note - my wife took up the Harp in Junior High, but gave it up when she started college. So her mom started playing it. We just sold one, have three rented out to various people, and still have one in the music room. Now wifey is re-learning piano, eldest daughter is becoming a viola virtuoso, and youngest has picked up saxophone. I've tried a number of instruments, and sounded so good that we all decided that I play the Stereo.)
But if you want Metallica mashed up with symphonic instruments, they did it themselves on the S&M album. Again, an interesting study. Only a couple tracks really hit it out of the park, but it's good to listen all the way through once.

Really trying to contribute to the thread!
Working to figure out how to embed Harp Twins - "One", and Metallica S&M "Until it Sleeps" in here, but am having a heck of a time. Will try again later.
Click to expand...

I have a few passions in my life: Knives, Firearms, Outdoors, Scotch, a good pipe/cigar, a fine ale, guitars, etc. What transcends all of these though, is my love for music, metal music in particular. You could strip everything else away from me and though I'd be destitute in some fashion, I'd truly be dead without my music. That might be putting it rather dramatically but music truly is something I would find rather difficult to live without.

I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts regarding some of the content you have yet to get to.
 
tjswarbrick said:
I've had "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" for years. Mostly agree with KingMC. But a couple months ago while enjoying fish (not sturgeon!) on San Pablo Bay, I wished I had it with me.
Click to expand...

"Primus sucks" used to be a term of endearment from their fans. I assume KingMC was aware of that or maybe it was just a coincidence.

They are certainly not for everyone.:D
 
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