Bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, Evanescence, etc.
I'd just like to know, personally I am a big fan of the sub-genre and like to know if any of you good people are too. And if you are what bands and songs do you listen to?
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Evanescene isn't metal...
I would drop them somewhere between goth rock and nu metal.
Edit: Oh, and just so everybody knows, this is what the OP is probably referring to when he thinks of Evanescence being symphonic metal. If you, uh, squint your ears a little you can sort of hear it.
I listened to Evanescence's first album(haven't heard others) when I listened to nu metal/hard rock. That album is more hard rock than nu metal. Some gothic influences in style and lyrics. Saw them live with Seether, put on a good show. After I heard Lacuna Coil I never really went back to Evanescence. After I got into more metal after that, didn't really go back to Lacuna Coil lol.
I would recommend checking out their latest album. Its heavier, better writing and such. Never go back is good. Lacuna coil is still good! just cause you get more into metal doesnt mean you have to forget about bands!
Don't drop them anywhere near goth rock, thanks very much.
Squint your ears, good analogy. For a wierd reason I cant really define them. I mean some of their stuff sounds like metal whilee some sounds like rock.
I'd say that some of their stuff (mostly off of Fallen) is borderline symphonic, but they don't make the cut overall for me. I do enjoy their stuff sometimes, though.
i was asking myself about this the other day
really, other than the fact that Evanescence gets played a lot on the radio, what is the big difference between them and the rest of symphonic metal? what makes them "not" symphonic metal? and another question, why is it that Evanescence gets so much air-time while symphonic metal bands do not, despite being extremely similar?
i'm honestly looking for an answer, if somebody's got one
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Comment deleted by user
Metallica's: SYMPHONY and Metallica
Is symphonic metal...
ya i agree, they always "felt" like a hard rock band to me, i just didn't know where to draw the line. but ya, i do recognize the difference between "symphony" and "keys"
Symphonic metal usually has symphonic instruments. Usually violins or cello and sometimes more.
Air time only has to do with popularity. Which has nothing to do with metal.
Evanescence is not metal because it's not complex enough in structure and composition. Generally speaking, less complex metal becomes hard rock/nu metal.
Symphonic metal on its own is not an actual genre. You only have the various genres of metal(death, heavy, doom, black, power, thrash, folk) that use symphonic instruments giving you symphonic <genre> metal.
I like me some symphonic stuff... if it's done right. I feel a lot of bands seem to go way overboard on the symphonic elements and make things feel over the top.
As far as power metal goes, I like Nightwish, Kamelot, Epica, Pathfinder, Blind Guardian, Symphony X, Within Temptation and Ayreon.
Symphonic black metal: Carach Angren, Bishop of Hexen, Emperor, Borknagar, and some Old Man's Child.
Symphonic Death/melodeath is a little harder to do well imo, but I'd say Septic Flesh and Orphaned Land (latest album) are the best I've heard.
Hollenthon and Haggard are other great symphonic death metal bands.
10's of upvotes for Haggard.
Edit: Fixed.
Liar. I'm only seeing 10.
Fixed.
There is such a thing as breach of promise
Also Fleshgod Apocalypse (recent Album)
For whatever reason I just can't get into the operatic female vocalists like....ever. Most of the time they seem very forced or "faux-operatic" to me. Like they are actually kind of straining their voice but no one really cares because "dude, it's a metal chick".
There are a few bands/songs I like, but in general I would say I don't like it unless its more along the symphonic black/death metal path.
Septic Flesh is definitely a favorite.
I blame Nightwish for making every girl think she can be an opera singer without learning how to do it. The key that band had was the guitar/keyboard interplay, a good vocalist was icing on the cake.
Yeah, I don't disagree with that at all. Everyone seems to lose their shit over Epica and I can't listen to it for more than 30 seconds.
Not saying "they suck", but it's absolutely NOT my thing.
I have that frustration with Epica. I know they're great musicians and capable of shredding the hell out of a song, but they often sound held back.
Nightwish's old singer, Tarja Turunnen. She actually was a professional opera singer, I believe, and she is incredible.
I recognize that. But even her I just couldn't get into it because it's always SO operatic all the time. Case in point, songs such as "She is My Sin" are just constantly in that high register that I get a little weary listening to it.
Sometimes it's a quality issue, but sometimes it's just TOO MUCH on the ears. Variety is key for me.
At some point that band decided to sort of do a duo with her and the guitarist and I think that helped a little bit because it at least offered a contrast. Bands that are just SOLELY the femvox just need some change-up for me to be interested.
dude, you like Septic Flesh...
It's a weakness. I love all that Greek metal. Rotting Christ, for example, was pretty much the first band to get me into any kind of black metal whatsoever with Nonserviam, so even though Septic Flesh is not Rotting Christ...it's all close enough to give me the same interest.
And still is, Listen to this and you'll hear the power of her epic voice.
Yeah, I can understand that point of view. For me, it's hard for me to be arsed one way or another with regards to vocalists - they're just another facet of the music. They have to reach the next level of suck for me to hate a band solely because of the vocals. Likewise, a singer has to be pretty damn good/unique to get me to listen to a band solely on their vocal merits alone. Though, I will admit that listening to a lot of operatic femvox easily gets exasperating if there's no variation. But otherwise I don't have any problems with listening to female fronted symphonic power/gothic metal (assuming it's done well, of course, and not just a pretty face/voice and a bunch of guys making mediocre rock in the background).
Going to those shows (and more or less power metal in general), however, is a different case - mainly due to fans. There's so much vocalist worship it's disgusting. And then there's always a contingent of neckbeards that only seem to show up at those shows who clearly have that "dude, it's a metal chick" mentality you mentioned.
"Exasperating"....yes. That's the word that I was looking for. It just hits a point where I say "Ooookkkay....that's enough of that".
I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way about super guttural death vox, too. I like variation, contrast, and range.
I agree, vocals are just another instrument. As long as they don't get in the way of the guitarwork and drumming, I'm going to be happy. It takes really terrible vocals with not much you can appreciate about it to really turn me from a band. Vocals should match the atmosphere and tone of the album.
Pathfinder and Rhapsody (all its incarnations) are probably my two favorite bands. Love them!
Dimmu Borgir is another amazing blackish metal (Is it even Black? I don't know, however it does sounds awesome.)
Yup, they're black. I liked Enthrone Darkness Triumphant and Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, and In Sorte had some good parts here and there. I lost interest in them after hearing other black metal bands though, which is why I didn't mention them.
I've not heard many of the bands mentioned here, but Spawn of Possession had a sick symphonic track on their latest album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlMsWdZtsB8
This thread is over two hours old and no mention of Therion?
As far as I am concerned they are the best Symphonic Metal band ever.
I haven't listened to much Therion, but what I did hear was awful. Any recommendations as to what I should listen to to change that opinion?
Here's one of Therion's live DVDs on YouTube. It's an awesome performance and if you don't like it then God rot your soul. Or whatever, man, it's just a band. http://youtu.be/x_0FdLPu-KY
I really recommend to hear at least Muspelheim (It starts at 1h4m43s), it's a fucking awesome song and Katarina Lilja kicks so much ass in this.
My favorite album is Theli. Gothic Kaballah is great too. So is Lemuria and Serius B. Secret of Runes is good. I enjoy Deggial and Crowning of Atlantis.
Wish there were more bands like Therion, but I have yet to find one that does it nearly as well as them.
Hmm.. I would start with the Lemuria/Serius B albums, then Gothic Kaballa. So of their best stuff in my opinion. But then I also Like Deggial and Secret of the Runes as well.
Secret of the Runes is nice, I'd recommend it. Crowning of Atlantis, Deggial, Lemuria and Sirius B are great too.
Really, Crowning of Atlantis? I love Therion, but Crowning of Atlantis sucked.
I'm equally surprised that there is no mention of Xandria at all. They're basically the new revival of old Nightwish, except without the enormous production values.
In addition to the other albums listed in here, I really liked their newest one, Sitra Atha.
Live Gothic is good too.
really didnt like Sitra Atha. Very boring and forgettable.
Therion's cover of Iron Maiden's Revelations is amazing. I would post a link but I cannot find a decent quality one anywhere.
There's a few of us around, amidst all the black/death metal guys. I'm personally pumped for ProgPower USA next month...Nightwish/Kamelot are playing here 2 nights in a row, then Epica the next night, then Symphony X the next. I'm not sure my body is ready.
Septic Flesh is the best symphonic metal band I've heard. They play symphonic death, and their last two albums are fantastic. The Vampire from Nazareth is my favorite SF song.
Everything from The Great Mass and most pieces from Communion are incredible.
The Great Mass is a masterpiece imo
I'd be careful with Evanescence around here. I've never heard them, but the hive-mind disapproves. As for my favorite Symphonic, Fleshgod Apocalypse's latest album is pretty damn good.
Fleshgod is also extremely good.
Saw them last year at Summer Slaughter. It's safe to say that nearly everyone in the crowd jizzed themselves during The Violation.
I think that song is just a bit too much... Blast beat.
I feel stupid saying this about a band with 2 albums and an lp, but their earlier work was considerably better.
I like their 1st and 2nd album better actually. The first was more Death, but they achieved a neoclassical sound almost purely through guitars with occasional background symphonies, the second was a good mix between them.
But in the last album, the orchestra almost completely drowns out the rest, the technicality is lost, and their guitar works sounds more bland to me. It's like they were trying to get a Septic sound, but still have to do some looking.
Rhapsody of Fire, brother. The definition of Symphonic Metal. This song is pretty much Dvorak's New World Symphony, but with sweet guitars. Enjoy!
Isn't that the band who got Christopher Lee to narrate their albums?
A few of them, yep! And he sounds really cool too. He sings on one of the songs as well.
In FACT, Christopher Lee has his own band. Go check it out!
The same
Easily one of the three best metal shows I've ever been to, along with Iron Maiden and the 2008 Metal Masters Tour.
They are one hell of a live band. I also made eye contact with Alex Starapoli, Tom Hess, and Oliver Holzwarth multiple times. Seriously see them at a small venue if you can. Fabio was actually having conversations with the audience.
I love the symphonic shit. Check out some Sabaton...I can't BELIEVE no one's listed them yet. Very war-themed, not overboard on the symphonic elements. Epic. Fucking. Metal.
Awwwwww yeah....I love me some Sabaton
Sabaton?! I fraking love them!
All of the win!! My fiance got to meet them...They're pretty fucking cool guys, too. They might play our wedding if we can afford it :D
Ive drank with them a couple of times, they ARE fucking amazing and super cool guys. Joachim gave me his awesome aviators because i told him they would get me laid. He didnt even hesitate, he just goes, "oh man, theyre not helping me, here ya go"
Nightwish, Within Temptation, Symphony X, Avantasia, Edguy. Love them all, they sound fantastic.
Symphonic metal can be great but can also be absolute garbage. When the orchestrations are done to compliment the music and create atmosphere, it can be really wonderful and work so well but a lot of "symphonic bands" use these wall of sound orchestrations as a way to cover up shoddy or boring riffs (Edenbridge anyone?) and any metal edge seems like it's added in as an afterthought.
That said, for those who like symphonic black metal, Obtained Enslavement's Witchcraft is an absolute masterpiece. It's perfect.
I used to like symphonic metal way back in the day, but I lost interest because of how overboard many of the bands go.
However, if we can consider a band like Winds to be "symphonic", then we're talking. Winds is absolutely fantastic neo-classical metal that everyone should give a listen to.
Lots of times though the orchestrations are good enough to make up for the boring riffs. Like Planet Hell by Nightwish, that song has boring riffs and sounds pretty cool anyways. I don't really think riffs are the important part of symphonic metal like they are with other genres.
One band I haven't seen mentioned here... Turisas.
I haven't heard of them being called symphonic before, I don't think people generally consider them such, although I'm not a fan of the word symphonic in a metal sub-genre context.
Turisas are brilliant though.
because no one's mentioned them, Leaves' Eyes
IMO, Leaves' Eyes are kind of wannabe folk metal. I'd rather just listen to Moonsorrow or Eluveitie.
How is Njord at all folk metal?
I mean, Meredead is folk metal, and it's good folk metal. I don't see the wannabe aspect.
Have an upvote and some love for Leaves' Eyes! Regardless of whether they're symphonic metal or not, Liv is a great songwriter and they make good music. Some people are inclined to give them crap for Krull's harsh vocals but that's what really sells their sound to me. I saw them live about two years ago, they were supposed to open for Kamelot but Kamelot had to bail on the ticket. Most people assumed the entire show had been cancelled but around 40 of us showed up anyway and they performed for the small crowd of people with the same enthusiasm they would have for Wacken. That's when I crossed over the line from "mildly curious observer" to "fan".
Now Moonsorrow and Eluveitie? Ah, my heart beats for those bands! I'm seeing Moonsorrow in September and I'm beside myself about finally seeing them on stage.
Nightwish lover here, listened to every CD and I have the End of an Era live DVD.
They are insanely good and I have no idea why.
You might want to check out Sirenia. Not quite the same, but still good. I've become pretty fond of female vocalists in metal.
I've only heard stuff from the two albums with Anette, and yeah, it's really good stuff. I've heard the Tarja era was better so I'm looking forward to getting that. My dad also likes Nightwish and he's typically not a metal kind of guy...
The whole Tarja/Anette thing is a bit overblown. I like Tarja because her voice communicates coldness and independence whilst Anette is full of warmth and energy and a mothers love.
I discovered Nightwish during the Tarja era and it took me some time to adjust to Anette. Then I saw here live and she convinced me quite a lot. Tarja's solo album was interesting too but lacked a bit... It was just not the same. I'd be interested to hear more about your thoughts on Tarja since your experience is the reverse of mine.
I do agree on the fact that they are insanely good! I think they have a very good alchemy together. Marco's awesome and Tuomas is a genius.
I have EoaE on DVD as well :D
If you want to know why let me know.
For those that like symphonic metal with harsh vocals, this is a list of the best albums I can think of that suit your tastes.
Death:
Septic Flesh - The Great Mass
Hollenthon - With Vilest of Worms to Dwell, Domus Mundi
Karlahan - A Portrait of Life
Darkness Ablaze - Shadowreign
Haggard - Eppur Si Muove, Awaking The Centuries
Grand Alchemist - Disgusting Hedonism
Hope For The Dying - Dissimulation (metalcore vocals but still amazing)
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Agony
Ex Deo - Romulus (a lot more subtle use of symphonic elements)
Wintersun - Wintersun (ehh more melodic than anything but worth a mention I think)
Black:
Obsidian Chamber - Der Gesang Der Fliegen
Summoning - Stronghold, Oath Bound
Carach Angren - Death Came Through A Phantom Ship, Lammendam
Catamenia - Halls of Frozen North
Bishop of Hexen - The Nightmarish Compositions
Ancient Rites - Dim Carcosa
Demonic Resurrection - The Return To Darkness
Stormlord - Mare Nostrum (though just about everyone of their albums is similar style, this is the best)
edit: please go to this thread and help me expand this list.
Delain is one of my most favorite bands ever. Check them out!!!
I can't stand Delain. It's like Within Temptation, but even worse. (i.e. bad pop/rock with orchestrations)
dude, Emperor
and Septicflesh
. . . .Versailles is more similar to what you are talking about though
Love Versailles.
Symphonic black metal is actually my favorite sub genre. Bands like Bishop of Hexen, Daemonicium, Carach Angren.
Obsidian Chamber?
old Catamenia?