Stratovarius Community

Just in case anyone wants to complain about the local power metal scene in the United States, may I present to you Shadowstrike?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZOTkLtZeI

More of the same, i see....

dragon force American version......

Murrica. Why not make this into a murrican power metal thread? Next band: armory.

robocop656 wrote:Murrica. Why not make this into a murrican power metal thread? Next band: armory.

I saw them live on Friday!

How was it?!?

robocop656 wrote:How was it?!?

Their singer was probably the best performer of the festival (Cellador and Noble Beast were also there, speaking of awesome US Power Metal). They were probably the only band were I felt like they were 100% performing up to the quality of their studio material.

Sounds pretty, pretty good! Next american band: Symphony X.

hahahah cellador is the old band of warren curry!!

i dunno was he left, maybe why he married

Can we have a discussion about how unbelievably excellent this Skyliner debut is? I mean what?

I heard one skyliner song on YouTube, not bad. Next american band: Lorenguard.

robocop656 wrote:I heard one skyliner song on YouTube, not bad. Next american band: Lorenguard.

I met them at a show a few years ago. They had awesome stage outfits. The editor of Blackwindmetal is good friends with the drummer of that band as well. We're all familiar with Holy Grail, right?

Sounds pretty cool, dude. Next american band: Kamelot.

Ghost Opera was awesome. I haven't heard much from them in 4 years (never bothered to look up other albums)

A few other bands you should all be familiar with from the states
Mindmaze: Jens is actually guesting on their upcoming album. Their guitarist is also an occasional contributor at Black Wind Metal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRkOgI2eyrA
Disforia: Singer John Yelland is also a friend, they are Utah's premier metal band. I actually helped fund this album. Their debut (Which this is from) has a guest spot from Hansi Kursch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPf9__GnbfI
Judicator: Also featuring John Yelland on vocals, but this one is his collaboration with the fantastically talented Tony Cordisco, an English teacher from Arizona. A bit more power metal oriented than Disforia. Unlike Disforia, which just released their debut, Judicator has released 2 albums and is currently working on a third (That this is a preview of). Their first two albums are really cool historical concept albums, and this upcoming one is a more personal concept album about the singer's childhood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFjKdwrlLuI
Also from their excellent Sleepy Plessow album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJPtZT_nh0M
And an obligatory Theocracy plug because they're so freaking great
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrZpGEyitck

NeverendingAbyss wrote:Ghost Opera was awesome. I haven't heard much from them in 4 years (never bothered to look up other albums)

Roy Khan left and was replaced by Tommy Karevik from Seventh Wonder. You should both check out their new album. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvWT-7l6vJU) as well as Tommy's main band Seventh Wonder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRDa-xTfwg) who will be playing immediately before Stratovarius at ProgPower USA this year.

Flavio Ontivero wrote:hahahah cellador is the old band of warren curry!!

i dunno was he left, maybe why he married

I would guess it had to do with Chris relocating the band from Nebraska to Denver Colorado.

Also, since I can't edit my posts, I have to make another, because Steamforged.

http://steamforged.bandcamp.com/album/f ... ingularity

Must-hear for any fan of awesome keyboard stuff

Where do you find these bands? Do they submit reviews to you? Next american band: Savatage.

robocop656 wrote:Where do you find these bands? Do they submit reviews to you? Next american band: Savatage.

Some of them, yes, others I find through a facebook group, (US Power Metal Connection), and others just through friends that comb over metal archives.

Jon Oliva's Pain is playing the Savatage album "Streets" In it's entirety at ProgPower USA this year. I've never been much of a Savatage fan myself though.

Gutter ballet is a classic. Next american band: Iced Earth.

Saw Jon Oliva & co play all of Hall of the Mountain King last year in London. Was pretty awesome, he's got two great guitarists playing for him now. Jon himself is... to be honest... not looking great but sounds surprisingly good after all these years.

As for Iced Earth, I'm glad that Stu Block has fit into the band as well as he has, he nails the old material. They're still really good live.

What the fuck