Rateyourmusic's Top 50 power metal of 2010

[General Zod]

I'm confused at all this talk of power metal becoming 'stagnant.' I'd argue that it was 'stagnant' within the first five years of its existence.

My argument is really twofold. First, I think the genre has become stagnant in that recently it's failed to continue to produce quality acts. Second, I think the genre has evolved. I think it incorporated elements of Thrash, Prog, Death, Opera and Classical in a way that it hadn't in its first five years. However, as I think most agree, the genre can only bend so far before it ceases to be Power Metal.

 

[NuclearFire166]

Agreed. However, where is the band who released a great collection of Power Metal songs? Not necessarily original or groundbreaking... just great, kick ass songs?

I only heard a few CDs from the list that was posted. I think that the InnerWish album qualifies as "kick ass songs."

 

[modernwizardry]

I think people are overreacting in terms of Gamma Ray as a whole. Yes, I agree this album was very lackluster; however, I wouldn't go so far to say that Gamma Ray has run out of ideas. Lately it seems they're inconsistent. I love No World Order, didn't like Majesty, liked Land of the Free 2 but didn't like the new one. Considering that, I'm looking forward to them releasing a new album.

I thought Land of the Free Pt. 2 was amazing. To the Metal has some decent tracks but didn't have a real flow. It felt like a b-sides album.

 

[nomisofsiman]

I thought Land of the Free Pt. 2 was amazing. To the Metal has some decent tracks but didn't have a real flow. It felt like a b-sides album.

I never thought about it that way but yeah, it does sort of seem like a b-sides album. No flow whatsoever. Yeah, I wouldn't say it was bad, but it just was a real disappointment for me. Most disappointing album of the year by far for me.

 

[Fire breath]

I completely understand what you're saying; I have no desire to see Manowar evolve (I also have no fear that they will ). However, with respect to Sabaton, the reason I don't like the new album isn't because they failed to evolve, it's because it's the weakest collection of songs they've released.

Agreed. However, where is the band who released a great collection of Power Metal songs? Not necessarily original or groundbreaking... just great, kick ass songs?

If I was burnt out on the genre, than the Sinbreed disc wouldn't be finishing the year in my Top 10 this year.

By the way, in your assessment of the current state of Power Metal, where you went through about 20 of the bigger 2010 Power Metal CDs, where was the disc that you thought was fantastic? Here are some of the descriptors you used....

"the album is fine"
"for me this is just a real solid album"
"meets expectations"
"This one is actually a disappointment"
"they make the same album all the time"
"Actually a disappointment"
"quite stagnant"
"a disappointment"

Those are hardly glowing words of praise for your genre. Where are the amazing, 10/10, buy or die Power Metal CDs of 2010? The discs that you'll be reaching for in five years?

Don't really know what you want from me man. Are you trying to make me see sense? Are you trying to reason with a dyed in the wool cheesehound as Frankster calls me? I'm far too set in my musical ways to move now and your attempts at gaining admissions from me are doomed to failure. Power metal is under my skin and I carry it like a badge and I'm very happy with pm bands of today and what they are delivering for me as a pm fan.

You are obviously far more discerning and need something more from your pm than I do and that's fine. You can scream about bands being this and that and stagnant but in the end I like the power metal albums and songs released these days more than ever if truth be told thanks to much better production values and vocals. Perhaps it helped that I was a relative late comer to power metal as I only really heard my first new wave of power metal in 98 when I fell in love with Legacy of Kings. I was never and old schooler when it comes to pm, Keeper era meant jack to me to be honest.

I like close to 200 albums in 2010 and these are the 59 power metal albums amongst them since you are interested. I really really like these records to varying degrees. If you think the vast majority of them are worthless rehashes you're probably right but I could care less. Can you see what I'm getting at here? So if 50 odd albums can satisfy me from a pm persepective I'm happy. Heck even if yo take out 30 of them and left the best 20 I'm still righteously happy to have 20 great pm albums. Like I keep saying we seem to be on complete polar opposites with regard to modern pm. The ones with asterix are the albums I consider to be great or awesome even. Over to you!

Amberian Dawn - End Of Eden
Ancient Bards - The Alliance Of The Kings
Anthriel - The Pathway
*Arryan Path - Terra Incognita
Arthemis - Heroes
*Axel Rudi Pell - The Crest
Concerto Moon - Angel Of Chaos
Crystal Viper - Legends
Dark Moor – Ancestral Romance
Disdain - Leave This World
*Dream Evil - In The Night
*Edenbridge - Solitaire
Eternal Reign - The Dawn Of Reckoning
Excalion - High Time
Firecracker - Born of Fire
*Firewind - Days of Defiance
*Galneryus – Resurrection
Gamma Ray - To The Metal!
*Ghost Machinery - Out For Blood
Ghosthill - Embrace Of A Chasm
Halford - Made Of Metal
*Helloween - 7 Sinners
*InnerWish - No Turning Back
*Instanzia - Ghost
Juvaliant - Inhuman Nature
Katra - Out Of The Ashes
Kerion - The Origins
*Magic Kingdom - Symphony Of War
*Masterplan - Time to be King
Metal_Inquisitor-Unconditional_Absolution
Painside - Dark World Burden
Pastore - The Price for the Human Sins
*Pathfinder - Beyond The Space Beyond The Time
Pertness - From the Beginning to the End
PowerWorld
*Rage - Strings to a web
*ReinXeed - Majestic
Rhapsody Of Fire - The Cold Embrace Of Fear
*Rhapsody of Fire - The Frozen Tears of Angels
Ross the Boss - Hailstorm
Royal Jester - Night Is Young
*Sabaton - Coat Of Arms
*Signum Regis - The Eyes of Power
Silverlane
*Sinbreed - When Worlds Collide
Soulspell - Labyrinth Of Truths
SpellBlast - Battlecry
Stratosphere
*Sunrise - Trust Your Soul
Thaurorod - Upon Haunted Battlefields
*Triosphere - The Road Less Travelled
*Versailles - Jubilee
Vindex - Ultima Thule
Violet Sun
Virgin Steele - The Black Light Bacchanalia
Winter's Verge - Tales of Tragedy.
Winterstorm – A Coming Storm
Wolfcry - Glorious
*Wuthering Heights - Salt

 

[General Zod]

Don't really know what you want from me man. Are you trying to make me see sense? Are you trying to reason with a dyed in the wool cheesehound as Frankster calls me? I'm far too set in my musical ways to move now and your attempts at gaining admissions from me are doomed to failure.

Not at all. You missed my point.

For the better part of this thread, you've defended Power Metal, saying it's not a genre in decay. I merely pointed out, that when you yourself broke down the Rate Your Music Top 50 (in Post #12), you had nothing glowing to say about any of those discs. To me, that was an odd review for someone claiming the genre is doing just fine. So I'm asking you (not debating with you) which discs from 2010, in your opinion, are great discs? Discs that you think will stand alongside Legacy of Kings (since you mentioned that is one of your favorites). I have no intention of debating your response. I'm merely curious.

 

[Fire breath]

And I've just told you the answer above - the ones with the asterix. They are all fucking great. positive enough?

 

[General Zod]

And I've just told you the answer above - the ones with the asterix. They are all fucking great. positive enough?

Yep. I counted 23 CDs that you feel are "great" CDs. I'll check out those I haven't heard... not to offer a counter or a critique, just in hopes of finding a hidden gem. Because despite your protestations to the contrary, I really do enjoy good Power Metal.

 

[oldboy]

This kind of discussion is so subjective that sometimes I wonder if I heard the same albums as other people. Besides, being a metal head is about being an individual who can think differently and not be afraid of liking music most people don't care about, so it is OK to disagree. Personally I think this was a great year for power metal. A few personal opinions about some of the best albums released this year:
Blind Guardian: At the Edge of Time-A great album from a band yet to dissapoint me.

Gamma Ray: To the Metal-Their best since Powerplant, a perfect power metal album

Rhapsody-A great album, and a great comeback

Wuthering Heights-Salt: As good as Far from the maddening crowd

And I would still listen power metal than any other form of music in the planet. To me that is what matters in the end.

 

[adaher]

Actually, I think that 2010 was a very strong year for power metal. My disappointment is mainly with many of the established bands. Most of the best power metal is coming from bands making their debuts.

Although Rhapsody made a big comeback from their less power metal works of recent years.

 

[adaher]

To me, power metal is just pop music that is heavy. All I ask is that it sound good and be catchy. I actually think that we should start classifying some power metal as something else, because some of it, like Power Quest and Rhapsody, Freedom Call, and Kamelot, is light as a feather. Great melodies, superb songwriting, but not really what you'd call heavy. You can play those bands for non-metal fans and it's not hard for them to appreciate it because it's not pummeling their senses.

 

[spag]

I haven't been into a lot of pm albums from this year, but there have been a few solid ones. I don't know if there have ever been a lot more solid ones from any given year for me. Like Glenn, except for some notable albums this year, I've mostly been drifting a bit back to prog, and some heavier stuff. I like a handful of those albums a lot, and some for the occasional listen. Otherwise I'm still content playing back catalog music, as there is plenty I still I get a rush from.

 

[J-Man]

Some new PM i found this year.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u-3YQ4_q7U&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8-uVLPsCHo&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ah5lpu5d74&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqlamQ_y37Y&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNvD2tQ6K_s&feature=related[/ame]

 

[Akumu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNvD2tQ6K_s&feature=related

I remember reading the press release on this and thinking that it sounded like an interesting concept, but I've seen no discussion about the album at all - why? This track is killer!