Music Rant / Rave

I've come across a few new albums / bands lately and I thought I'd share my opinions on them:

Avantasia - The Scarecrow
The idea of Avantasia was/is awesome. Get the most respected singers (and musicians) in the world of Power Metal, create a conceptual world and create a metal "opera". The first one was brilliant (and my favourite), the second was good, but the latest one (which I got pre-release... erm... nevermind) just doesn't do it for me. The songs aren't as melodic nor catchy (apart from Lost In Space) on the first listen. Not sure if this one will get better with more listens....

Coheed and Cambria - No World For Tomorrow
My first exposure to Coheed and Cambria is their latest album. Labelled as Progressive Rock, they do have some metal elements in their songs although some of their drumming and riffing are quite "funky", and not really heard of in metal. I quite like this album, but not too sure if I'll see them when they come to Perth (in a few months or so)....

Elvenking - The Scythe and The Winter Wake
An unusual blend from the Italian band Elvenking. Power Metal with folk sounding influences, along with some aspects of Death Metal (both vocally and riffing) makes it an interesting listen. Typically heavier than I normally listen to, but still very melodic and quite catchy! Definitely worth looking for!

Helloween - Gambling With The Devil
I haven't been a big fan of Helloween after the Keeper series and their latest album cements it even further. It's the music, it's Andi Deris, it's everything .. But others like it and that's why their still very popular in Europe today.

Innerwish - Inner Strength
Late 80s, early 90s Power Metal recorded in 2006. This Greek band should be looked up by any Power Metal fan. Catchy tunes, fast songs and soaring vocals. Seriously good stuff. Too bad they're not as big as they deserve to be....

Stormwarrior - Heading Northe and Northern Rage
Stormwarrior picks up where Helloween stopped in the mid 80s. Ultra fast thrash/speed metal with soaring vocals. Helloween went on to literally create the Power Metal genre with their "Keeper of the Seven Keys" albums, but before doing so, had two rather good thrash albums. Stormwarrior is pretty much in the same style as those. In fact, a few of their albums were produced by Kai Hansen (who was in Helloween in that time and is now in Gamma Ray). Definitely worth a listen...