So, seeing as I'm the only one that dares to represent metal in here (post more you lazy slobs), i figured i might as well give a little rundown on some special bands i recently came across

Death Metal

MARTYR

Arguably one of the most technical and evolved Death bands of Quebec, martyr's songs show a brilliant blend of death metal brutality, with a hint of old school speed metal riff, all merged togheter with the technicality and complex structure found in some of progressive metal's biggest names. Dan Mongrain's elusive lead guitar is haunting and mysterious, giving Martyr a veil of unpredictability, while keeping a solid and coherent songwriting.

Martyr - Virtual Emotions

QUO VADIS

Another Death band from quebec, this time featuring bass legend Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Death, Testament). With a new vocalist and new bass player, The Quo Vadis axemen have definitely found a new inspiration since their last album. The basswork is awesome, yet steve's awesomeness does not detract from Quo Vadis' usual top notch playing. The songs are heavy, they're fast, and they're catchy. I'm looking forward to seeing them this summer

Quo Vadis - Silence Calls The Storm

THEORY IN PRACTICE

Raw, Heavy, Flawless. Three words that describe this amazing band. Theory In Practice is definitely what Death Metal should be. Forget the blastbeating, the pointless snarling over chuggy/tremolo picked chromatic riffs, and look at what this Swedish Quartet has brought us, Haunting melodies, chaotic yet controlled riffing, demonic solos filled with tension that gives a horror-like quality to some of the songs. Theory In Practice is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and this album, Colonizing The Sun, should make its way into every metalhead's library.

Theory In Practice - Shapeshifter


PROGRESSIVE METAL

SPIRAL ARCHITECT

This band is pretty much the progressive equivalent to Martyr. Spiral Architect's music will **** with your head, if you like complex, spinning and odd melodies and riffs, you'll find everything you like and more. I'll be honest, it's not something i'll listen to everyday given the overwhelming complexity of the songs, but it's still something to hear once in a while, and it's -definitely- good too. Flawless production and performance, my only gripe is the odd vocal line choices in some songs, but it's very minor.

Spiral Architect - Spinning

CONTROL DENIED

Not Long Before his demise, Death Founder/Guitarist/Vocalist Chuck Schuldiner worked on a side progressive project with bandmates Richard Christy and Steve DiGiorgio (he's everywhere isn't he?!). This project was dubbed control denied. in Chuck's words, it's everything "I couldn't put in Death, simply because of the fact Death is Death, and Control Denied is not Death"

If you're a fan of chuck's work, Control Denied is a MUST get, as it is the best work of his career, and it is a true shame he had to go before pushing this project further

Control Denied - Consumed

ADAGIO

While Adagio has a lot of power metal elements, their new cd, Underworld, is such a masterpiece of varied elements that it deserves the "progressive" mention. Those not familiar with Stephan Forté's guitar work better brace themselves, as he is one of today's top axeman, and his songwriting is worthy of something you'd find in a John Williams score. Fans of music like Symphony X and Dream Theater will find a lot to like in Adagio.

Adagio - Chosen


Once again, Listen, Love Buy. Any questions post them her e. Any suggestions, post them here as well! I want this thread to be a reference for good and original metal.

Spiral Architect is a Black Sabbath song.

I'll check some of those bands out.

I love Adagio.

I love the Adagio also, but I dislike the screamer singer ones.

Yeah, Adagio's one of the well known progressive metal bands.

I saw them last year when they played in the states at ProgPower.

Was a good show, but I feel they're more a studio band then a live band. The energy just wasn't there. However, the singer had just changed since the singer (Also in Pink Cream 69) left the band, so that might be why

I've listened to Quo Vadis and Martyr so far, i like.

Chosen would kick derriere (what the hell is the word 'derriere,' and how do I know it, you ask? I have no clue) in a Castlevania game. But I 'spect there are alot of neo-classical metal bands that would sound good in that sort of game.

Funnily enough, I just discovered that Yngwie Malmsteen very evidently borrowed a tune from Castlevania 2 in one of his songs.

Can you recommend any more metal bands with melodic voice? Or are those no longer considered metal?

Seb : I agree, Martyr is pretty insane (i'm from MTL, i've seen them live last year)

For Technical Metal, you should listen to Psyopus...the musicians of that band are unhumans

Psyopus mp3s

Also, look out for The Red Chord and Between the Buried And Me
(well, metalhead will say that it isn't metal, it's metalcore...but i hate this way to compare musical "styles"...good music is good music...)

Just look at any power metal band Connection.

I think that's one of the most characteristic trademarks of power metal is the melodic voice and choruses.

if you want really great metal singing, check out Masterplan, there are several samples all over their official site so i won't bother uploading any.

Also, a good, but not really groundbreaking band is At Vance, solid musicians, but the songs just end up sounding the same.

At Vance - Only Human

Agreed on At Vance. There's no progression in their music - so their albums from 1997 to their latest "Chained" in 2005 sound the same. However, that's not always a bad thing as they have some cool songs. Olaf, the guitarist, is great at classical pieces as well.