Sonata Arctica

[SirChadwick]

I just recently became more interested in progressive metal after hearing Evergrey earlier this year. So I ventured out and came across Sonata Arctica... wow am I ever glad I did. They open up a whole new musical world to me and the lead singer actually sings (no screams!) It's like a Dream Theater/Journey/Queen on roids type band from Finland. The lyrics are deep for the most part and every song brings out emotions in me.

I've been listening heavily to the albums Silence and Ecliptica... but hell they have like 8 out there.

Stand outs are Replica, Letter to Dana, Weballergy, Wolf and Raven, and Blank File but everything is just amazing musically.

My favorite by them is a ballad called "Last Drop Falls"... awesome!

If you're open to new rock/metal and need something different give them a try.... just make sure you like a guy who can actually sing and loves to hit high notes like Freddy Mercury.

 

[Ulfhednar]

There's better PM but they're good.

 

[SirChadwick]

Originally posted by: Ulfhednar
There's better PM but they're good.

Suggestions please. I've looked around out there, but no one else comes close from what I've heard. Could just be preference though - SA puts me in a great mood.

 

[FoBoT]

if they don't scream, i would listen to it
the screaming thing, i don't like it so much

 

[SirChadwick]

I guess I should label them as "Epic Power Metal".

 

[SirChadwick]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if they don't scream, i would listen to it
the screaming thing, i don't like it so much

Take a shot and let me know if you like it.

I suggest Replica first to get a feel for the band. If you don't like it, you probably won't get into them much. Most of their songs off the album SILENCE are great.

 

[6StringSamurai]

Nightwish is in the same vein and good, also Kamelot.

 

[SirChadwick]

Originally posted by: 6StringSamurai
Nightwish is in the same vein and good, also Kamelot.

I've heard Nightwish before. Don't they have a female vocalist?

In Japan they seem to really dig these bands.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if they don't scream, i would listen to it
the screaming thing, i don't like it so much

no screaming.
they're pretty good, i like them.

I have tons of power metal and prog rock/metal stuff at home.

Blind Guardian, Symphony X, Stratovarius, Ayreon, Demons & Wizards, Kamelot, Helloween, Rhapsody, Hammerfall, Dragon Force.

Here's a pretty decent list. actually, after takign a better look at that list, there's some crappy death metalish type stuff on there. still, most of the more well known bands are on there.


there's a site called progarchives.com i think that has a huge list of prog rock/metal bands.

 

[6StringSamurai]

Yep,

I also like

DreamEvil
Apocolyptica
Helloween
Dragonforce
Avenged Sevenfold

I will PM you a complete list when I get home from work.

 

[SirChadwick]

Thx bud. A7X is one of my fav bands man! We have a lot in common already.

 

[6StringSamurai]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if they don't scream, i would listen to it
the screaming thing, i don't like it so much

no screaming.
they're pretty good, i like them.

I have tons of power metal and prog rock/metal stuff at home.

Blind Guardian, Symphony X, Stratovarius, Ayreon, Demons & Wizards, Kamelot, Helloween, Rhapsody, Hammerfall, Dragon Force.

Here's a pretty decent list. actually, after takign a better look at that list, there's some crappy death metalish type stuff on there. still, most of the more well known bands are on there.

Ahh yes, those are some great suggestions as well too.

 

[6StringSamurai]

Originally posted by: SirChadwick
Thx bud. A7X is one of my fav bands man! We have a lot in common already.

Are you a musician per chance?

 

[SirChadwick]

Originally posted by: 6StringSamurai

Originally posted by: SirChadwick
Thx bud. A7X is one of my fav bands man! We have a lot in common already.

Are you a musician per chance?

Actually I've only played sax for 8 yrs and quit to start on guitar. I tried to teach myself and got completely frustrated after learning only a few chords. So now my appreciation for guitarists is above anything it used to be. I really want to get into it more and take lessons when I have time.

 

[6StringSamurai]

Originally posted by: SirChadwick

Originally posted by: 6StringSamurai

Originally posted by: SirChadwick
Thx bud. A7X is one of my fav bands man! We have a lot in common already.

Are you a musician per chance?

Actually I've only played sax for 8 yrs and quit to start on guitar. I tried to teach myself and got completely frustrated after learning only a few chords. So now my appreciation for guitarists is above anything it used to be. I really want to get into it more and take lessons when I have time.

Very cool, I have been playing for about 15 years. It's alot of fun, my only frustration is that I never could find a band that was into the same type of music as I am. So after several years of wedding bands(ugh), cover bands, and 1 country band ( hey it paid well ) I just play hooked into my PC now, sigh, I miss playing on stage though.

 

[SirChadwick]

Yea it's not easy finding people that are into the same type of music. Most rock fans only stick to classic rock or whats on the radio... it seems they don't venture out to discover the wonderful music from other countries, etc. I have one good friend who is into the exact same type of music I'm into and everytime I download something new he wants a copy of it.... I got him more hooked on A7X than anything. It's just awesome to hear musicians who vary their sound and have a lot going on in each song. I enjoy the bands most that don't hook me the first listen, but take me a few times and then all of the sudden I hear something I never caught before.

 

[skace]

Sonata Arctica is great because they actually sing. Also, Chad listen to the song The Gun. I believe thats the name anyhow.

I'll double Pontifex's suggestions of: Blind Guardian and Helloween.

 

[SirChadwick]

I will download The Gun tonight when I get home. What are your favorite SA albums?

Thanks for the other suggestions too!

 

[SirChadwick]

Alright thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I just downloaded songs by Helloween, Dragonforce, and Apocolyptica.

From just the first 10 minutes of sampling I can say that Helloween isn't my type... but who knows they may grow on me. I think it's the lead singers voice. Dragonforce on the otherhand, WOW that may open up a new door. I've only listened to Apoc's cover symphonic songs like "One", "Legend of Zelda theme", and "Smells like Teen Spirit" and I'm lovin it. I'll make it to their original stuff in a bit.

Again thanks guys!

 

[6StringSamurai]

Helloween, is definately a hit or miss due to the guys voice, and I will admit there are certain songs of theirs I cannot stomache. I remembered another one.. check out Edguy. If you have not heard of it go to Pandora.com enter in the artist you like, and it will play other bands with a similar sound.

 

[A Casual Fitz]

Other bands you should check out:

Angra
Rhapsody
Blind Guardian
Brainstorm
Avantasia
Theocracy

 

[BurnItDwn]

Sonata Arctica is a good epic metal band.
Many others have mentioned other good simalar style bands.

I'll mention a few of my favorite prog bands as well.

Opeth: Without a doubt, my favorite band of all time, Warning: Death Metal style "grunts" instead of singing in many of their songs. Not for everone.
Porcupine Tree: Prog Rock band from England. They have been around for a long time, their music is pretty "simple" yet also, somewhat technical at the same time. They are really good.
Riverside: New band out of Poland. I first heard them earlier this year. They play prog rock/metal it's not very heavy or loud or fast, but it's still awesome. It isn't epic like Kamelot, Pegazus, Blind Guardian, or Sonata Arctica, but it's still worth checking when you feel experimental.

I saw Ayreon get mentioned, Arjen Anthony Lucassen is really an awesome musician. Check out any "Star One", "Stream of Passion", "Ambeon", and/or "Ayreon" you can get your hands on. They are all his different bands/projects.

It seems like pretty much everyone loves Dragonforce these days, they bring back a lot of old school style and they can sure as hell play. SHRED (aka Herman Li) rocks. (His old band, Demoniac is totally different from Dragonheart --> Dragonforce, but it too is pretty decent (if you're into death metal.)

I have a TON more at home, though most of my collection leans a bit more towards death metal or grindcore.
Happy listening.

 

[dudeman007]

Anyone else think this was a thread about some new Antec case?

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: dudeman007
Anyone else think this was a thread about some new Antec case?

YES! I was coming in here to say exactly that! Hahaha

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: dudeman007
Anyone else think this was a thread about some new Antec case?

Antec Cases and Power Supplies Rock.
I love my Overture II!