MetalFilter - I know what I like, but not how to find more of it

August 25, 2013 6:52 PM

So, there's a particular flavor of music that I like, but there's a lot of music in its genre that doesn't scratch my itch. Pandora gives me too broad of a variety, and I'm not enough of an aficionado to know the specific subgenre, or labels, to search for. Some examples I like are Wounds by Masterplan, and Starfall by Dragonland. I think my tastes generally fall under "power metal", but a specific variety of it, and I don't have a name for that subcategory.

Key features, as I see them:
-Inspirational, energetic pace
-Clear, triumphant melodies, often but not exclusively in a major key
-Lack of growly/screamy vocals
-Expressive electric guitars (as in the solo sections of Wounds and Starfall)

Also, suggestions on other sources to find music that's up my alley, and maybe advice on how to better label my tastes, would be appreciated - this track from the Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack nails the "clear triumphant melodies" and "expressive electric guitars" criteria, but I don't know of an umbrella that groups it with my other two example songs without including basically everything with electric guitars in it.

posted by NMcCoy to Media & Arts (11 answers total)

I don't know the name of the genre besides "power metal," but you might like Dragonforce.

(I flippin love this song btw, it's classic!)
posted by htid at 6:59 PM on August 25, 2013

Also, if Pandora isn't doing it for you, try last.fm. You can search for related artists there.
posted by htid at 7:10 PM on August 25, 2013

Glam Metal. In all it's glory.

http://www.last.fm/tag/glam%20metal

Check out Loud Lion
posted by BlerpityBloop at 7:14 PM on August 25, 2013

Powerglove. It's video game and carton theme covers, but I have a feeling that will be OK with you.
posted by theichibun at 7:19 PM on August 25, 2013

You'd probably like Dream Evil (power metal) and/or Rhapsody of Fire (symphonic power metal).
posted by reptile at 7:28 PM on August 25, 2013

Sounds like Edguy.
posted by MinusCelsius at 7:41 PM on August 25, 2013

No idea what it's called, but the Wikipedia entry for the lead singer of the Masterplan song you linked (Jorn Lande) calls it "melodic power metal", for whatever that's worth. He has been in several other bands. His solo work (as simply "Jorn") is probably in line with what you are looking for.

Christine
Something Real
posted by rakaidan at 8:03 PM on August 25, 2013

Best answer: Every Noise at Once may help you find more music that you like.
posted by southern_sky at 8:08 PM on August 25, 2013 [5 favorites]

Best answer: You'd probably like Helloween. They sometimes have a similar sound to the tracks you've posted and are kind of one of the original power metal bands. Unfortunately, there isn't really a term totally representing what you're looking for, but if you explore the power metal genre you should find lots of things that you'll enjoy. Bands from continental Europe or Japan are probably most likely to have the kind of sound you're looking for.

(As far as game soundtracks go, you might enjoy some of the Guilty Gear X soundtrack — it's the expressive guitariest game soundtrack that I can think of.)
posted by miraimatt at 8:40 AM on August 26, 2013

For something on the chunkier end of the PM spectrum, can't go wrong with Manowar.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 10:39 AM on August 27, 2013

Best answer: Edguy's frontman is one of the participants in Avantasia, a supergroup whose sound is kiiinda similar to the artists you linked.

A possibly more accurate match: are you familiar with Sonata Arctica?
posted by Z. Aurelius Fraught at 5:49 AM on August 31, 2013