New Videos - December 2021!

Well, here's one last batch of videos for the end of the year.  This is not as long as November's list, but I was pretty busy catching up on albums for 2021.  However, these videos do give us a peek into what 2022 has in store for us, and it's looking pretty good, I think.  Let's get it on!

I don't know how many AOR groups there are anymore (though I do think Frontiers has picked up at least half of them).  City of Lights is another new for me, and I really like how this sounds.  There's a bit of crunch to this one, giving their sentimental 80s vibe some decent heft, while still giving the keyboards an opportunity to shine.

HammerFall are back!  It's a little strange, with the Halloween imagery, but this is some pretty standard heavy/power metal the band is known for.  I do need to get caught up with their latest releases, as I've kind of gotten behind on those.  Maybe I'll do a quick catchup before their 2022 release.

I'm trying to decide if Dynazty was always in the synth metal style (a la Beast in Black) or if this is a shift for them.  Still, it makes for a very powerful, uplifting track that's backed with some crunchy guitars and a soaring chorus from vocalist Nils Molin.

I'm not quite sure where these guys are from as there are a bunch of bands with the name Spitfire (Germany, maybe?), but this one seems to have a pretty solid mix of hard rock and heavy metal that's pretty energetic.  Can't go wrong with some chest-beating, fist-pumping music!

Well, that was pleasant!  A nice prog epic that seems equal parts Billy Sherwood, Jethro Tull, Rick Wakeman, and Pink Floyd.  It also has that laid-back third-wave prog vibe, establishing some nice atmosphere and giving plenty of room for folky organ noodles and a nice guitar solo.

New Videos - October 2021!

Sorry for the lack of posts.  This month ended up being busier than usual.  Still, late on Halloween, I was able to get this article of videos together.  I've got some great metal this time.  Also, I want to make a minor change to my Spotify playlists: I'm going to have them go by quarter than by month.  Anyway, let's get started!

Starting off with some more Manimal, this track has a ton of Judas Priest energy.  Not only do you have some nice mid-tempo riffing, but singer Sam Nyman really channels that Halford energy with some epic wails.  This one is real solid, fist-pumping kind of stuff.

More Firewind!  It looks like Gus G and folks have another neat single for us, and while it may not be anything they haven't done before, it's solid power metal.  Herbie Langhans really seems to fit well with the band, now that he's had an album with them under his belt.

Now that I'm aware that Herman Frank is a part of this band, each new single definitely gets my attention.  Here, we have a nice, mid-tempo rocker, giving me some AC/DC vibes along with the classic German metal sound.  Vocalist Gianni Pontillo really lets it hang out, and it's great stuff!

Oh, hey!  These guys are back!  Once again, they've taken melodic metal and added a powerful swing-step to it, making a pretty catchy and groovy track with some nice, crunchy riffs.  I guess they're preparing an album for next year, but it's nice to hear they're still rockin'!

Here's another band I hadn't heard of before.  I guess this is from an album that came out last year, but this video was pretty new.  It's kind of a mix of heavy and power metal, but it has a some catchy riffs and good melodies.

Yup, Sabaton is back and doing more World War One stuff.  Of course, given the subject matter, they've added a strong layer of symphonic elements, giving the track a Trans-Siberian Orchestra vibe, going for both somber and anthemic.  Say what you like about the band, they certainly don't do things half way.

New Videos - June 2020!

Good heavens!  It's been a while, hasn't it?  It's not like there wasn't good material released in the past few months, I just wasn't getting around to it like I normally do.  Excuses aside, here are some new tracks worth listening to!

Modern Kansas is not quite like the 70s material, but they do have moments where it comes together pretty nicely, and this definitely shows the promise of their new album.  Thoughtful, broad, with that violin which adds that nice touch that's made this band stand out all these years.

I admit I haven't followed DeYoung's career after he left Styx, but here we see him aiming for that classic sound.  Tons of vocal layers, some classic proggy synths, the build to the catchy chorus, it has a lot in common with the sound he forged with his band in the 70s.  It could use some crunchier guitars, though.

After being blown away by them back in February, here they are again with another great song.  It's pretty poppy and melodic, but retains the heavy, crunchy guitars of the other song, making for a pretty epic number.

Nice piece of melodic prog metal, in the vein of Dream Theater and Vanden Plas.  With some interesting syncopated riffing and great vocals, this band just released their debut and from this track, they seem to have a lot of promise!

You can always trust Vega to lay down a solid rock song with a big chorus.  This one is the title track of their latest album, and probably one I should go pick up.  I really liked Only Human, and this sounds like it's more of the same!

More melodic prog metal!  I was impressed by Noveria back in March, and this one is just as epic.  Italian prog seems to have this perfect balance of melody, drama, energy, and crunchiness that works for me, and this track is a prime example.

New Videos - February 2020 Part Two!

It's that time again!  This one's definitely all over the place, genre-wise, but it's all great stuff, I promise!  Here's what I've come across this time.

Let's start off with another Beast in Black song to rock your face off!  They really have found that magic balance between power metal epicness and synth-pop energy, each side supporting the other.  Just plain huge!

Yup, another one from Archon Angel.  I'm really feeling the Trans-Siberian Orchestra vibes on this one, making for another epic entry in this week's list.  Zak Stevens really is an underrated singer!

Well, this was a surprise!  When the song started, I thought I know what the first riff was gonna sound like, so when they laid out that swing-step riff, I was totally caught off guard!  Sticking with the groove and keeping things heavy, Dynazty provides something that feels very fresh indeed!

Candlemass find themselves with a new EP and a new singer!  Actually, they've brought back the singer from their very first album, Johan Längqvist, and he sounds great!  Backed by the band's iconic riffs, they sound as huge as ever!  I should really listen to more of this band!

H.E.A.T. provides another great 80s rocker!  This one is definitely more metal than "Rise," giving me some really strong Dokken or Europe vibes.  Solid riffs and vocals, without sacrificing any of the melody, this one demands to be turned up to 11!

Let's end with another rocker from a bunch of 80s masters.  Black Swan really come out swinging with this one, making the classic metal riffs sound fresh and energetic.  I certainly wish this style of much could "shake the world!"