Metal thread of Metalness, or Hawk needs music

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Like the title says; I like metal, and could really do with some new stuff to listen to. My ipod currently has around 1200 songs on it, and after listening to most of them many times over, it's getting a little stale. So I turn to you, peoples of the NPF; help me find some new music!


I already have fairly large collections from bands such as Kamelot, Disturbed, SOAD, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Mudvayne, Pain, Pantera, Static X, Slipknot, Dragonforce, 36 Crazyfists and many others that I can't be bothered to list, so that should give an idea of my general interests.

So yeah, what bands do you guys reccomend I try out next? Note that particular emphasis on the symphonic/power/speed metal genres would be nice, as would any bands with decent, audible lyrics that you can actually understand, but isn't neccesary.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

Have you checked out Avantasia already?
I'd particularly recommend The Scarecrow* (Recommendations here would be the title track, Devil in The Belfry, Another Angel Down and Lost in Space), their third album. The ones before that are a bit more generic metal and the two after that I've yet to listen to a few times.

Oh yeah, it's a Metal Opera project by Tobias Sammet of Edguy* (album-wise my favorites are Rocket Ride, Hellfire Club and Mandrake), which is also a nice band.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Haven't heard of any of those, but I'm giving Scarecrow a listen as I type. It's pretty good. I shall check out the rest of your suggestions in a little while.

EDIT; ok yeah, definately gona download some Avantasia, they're really cool. Not so sure about Edguy, their stuff is ok, but not as great. If I could still get stuff for free (completely illegally of course) then I would, but I'm unable to do so any more, which just leaves me with iTunes. I don't mind paying for Avantasia's stuff, but Edguy, still not sold on.

[rawredy]

If you like metal opera stuff like Avantasia, I'd definitely check out Ayreon. Absolutely any album. Arjen Anthony Lucassen specializes in that kind of thing.
There is no set line-up for the band. The only member is him, however guest musicians/singers are signed on for each album, and each singer plays a certain character.

Another great band would Demons and Wizards, which is a side project between Blind Guardian's Hansi Kursch and Iced Earth's John Schaffer.
And if you haven't listened to Blind Guardian or Iced Earth, I'd recommend those, as well.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

Originally Posted by rawredy

Demons and Wizards

How could I forget that.

Ayreon is nice as well. More rock-ish than metal. But that shouldn't stop you from liking it.

[rawredy]

Originally Posted by InsaneGenius

Ayreon is nice as well. More rock-ish than metal. But that shouldn't stop you from liking it.

Ayreon is indeed more rock-ish, but still metal enough that I thought it was relevant. Not to mention amazing.

[Nightshine]

Go listen to a ton of post metal and progressive metal.


Avoid Dream Theater like the plague.

[rawredy]

Originally Posted by Nightshine

Go listen to a ton of post metal and progressive metal.


Avoid Dream Theater like the plague.

If we're going to get into progressive metal territory, I HIGHLY recommend Seventh Wonder. Their Mercy Falls album is one of my favorite albums.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Originally Posted by Nightshine

Go listen to a ton of post metal and progressive metal.

I would, if I knew the names of some to listen to, hence the thread...

Avoid Dream Theater like the plague.

That's a given.

[rawredy]

I just realized, I should probably also recommend Firewind.
They're a pretty good power metal band.

Edit:
And for an interesting twist on metal, you may want to check out Bassinvaders. A power metal side project featuring only bass guitars, drums, and vocals.

For a metal band that only uses bass, drums and vocals, quite honestly I prefer Shrum, but they're death metal, and only produced an EP before they split because the founder died in a car accident.