If the Germans are the kings of power metal then Primal Fear are gods amongst kings; has any band cranked out the sheer POWER– always solid, catchy and unabashedly self-referential — as consistently as Primal Fear? Unbreakable, their ninth album since their 1998 debut, proves without a doubt that the answer is “no;” Primal Fear are the best. Twin guitarmonies, galloping rhythms, high-pitched screams, scorching solos — it’s all here, as you’d expect. Listen to Unbreakable — out today via Frontiers Records — below, and try, just TRY not to raise your fist to the air in triumph any less than once per minute. Order Unbreakable via iTunes here.

Primal Fear – Unbreakable by MetalSucks

Rhapsody of Fire might be the new L.A. Guns with two touring versions of the same group, but apparently that’s not ridiculous enough for Luca Turill: he wants to be Steven Spielberg too. For those not paying attention (aka most people), Turill’s version will go under the name Rhapsody and include some dudes who… ah, who really cares? I mean, look at this shit! “A truly cinematic experience! Bombastic!” The After Effects, the voiceovers! LOL @ this guy. Just get on with it already and give me some shred, epic choruses, and lyrics about dragons and demons.

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Thanks: Morizz

Look up “bad business” in the dictionary and you’ll find two pictures of L.A. Guns, both current incarnations of the band side-by-side. Phil Lewis L.A. Guns and Tracii Guns L.A. Guns have been cannibalizing each others’ income, confusing fans and making complete assholes out of themselves in the press for years. Which version is the real L.A. Guns? Does anyone besides Lewis and Guns really give a fuck?

Italian power metallers Rhapsody of Fire are about to go the same route. Rhapsody of Fire hold an important spot in the power metal canon, and truth be told I’m a casual fan. The group has released eight studio albums over their 18-year career and stayed the course despite power metal’s perpetual un-coolness; no one can deny them that. But now they’re making a complete circus out of themselves by pulling an L.A. Guns and splitting into two versions, both of dubious credibility.

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Who said those lovable goons over at The Number Of The Blog were good for nothin’? Certainly not us and certainly not with the “Morning Wood” series on Danish epic metallers Mercenary they’ve been running this week. Odin knows we love us some Mercenary here at the Mansion, and TNOTB’s morning posts highlighting one classic Mercenary track per day have been providing us with a fine way to get our mornings started. Mercenary are kinda like Mamoun’s… never a bad idea.

If you ask the peanut gallery (me and Axl) you’ll find that latter day Mercenary material isn’t quite up to the caliber of their earlier stuff; it’s the old cliche, but it’s true. Before half the band left and before they started leaning more towards their power side, Mercenary were an unfuckwithable mix of power, epic, and brute force in that special kind of way that only seems to be possible if you grew up drinking European water. Here’s “World Hate Center” from 2004′s 11 Dreams, a prime example of now-vintage Mercenary done right.

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Thanks to reader Ryan Durinick for sending in two songs by Powerwolf, a band that’s “extremely popular in Europe and are touring a shitload of cities with names that have triple vowels and O’s with crosses through them.” Based on that description and the band name alone I’d wager that Powerwolf play epic metal, and I’d be right; I’ll also add that they’ve got a serious boner for Iron Maiden but their music sports modern production. I’m definitely digging these tunes. Thanks, Ryan!

Now, about that video of a naked fat chick on PCP terrorizing someone’s street (as well as another Powerwolf song):

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When I want power metal that’s fast, over-the-top, full of shred, searing keyboards and soaring vocals, I turn to Rhapsody of Fire. No one does it better. “Tornado,” the new track from the upcoming Rhapsody of Fire album From Chaos to Eternity, which comes out July 12th on Nuclear Blast, delivers 100% in that regard. It reminds me of the early material that first got me into the band back when they were just called Rhapsody. Maybe that’s because this album marks the end of an era for the band, as explained in a press release:

This historical release will end the RHAPSODY sagas once and for all after 15 years of fantasy-oriented lyrics.  For the last time, we’ll hear Sir Christopher Lee narrating in one of our albums the last dramatic events of a legendary tale started in 1997 and told through two different sages and ten full-length albums.  We are surely very sad but we also know that for this same reason, the upcoming release will remain in the history of the band for its artistic importance and unique epic!

Hmm, ok… whatever. I’m just in it for the sick tunes brah! Power Metal Party on! Stream “Tornado” from Rhapsody of Fire’s Facebook page.

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You’ve listened to Hammefall’s “Heart on Fire” (hint: the video has the smokin’ hot 2006 Olympic Women’s Swedish Curling Team)… but have you listened to “Hearts on Fire” STRETCHED? That’s not a new slang word for stoned; that’s literally stretched out, as in “took a 4 minute song and slowed it the fuck down to more than 25 minutes.” Although the effect certainly makes you feel stoned. Reeeallllly, realllllyy stooooooooooooooned.

According to HF guitarist Pontus Norgren, the song has been stretched 666 times (although the MS Mansion monkeys were quick to fire up their hand-crank-powered calculators to tell us that he must’ve meant 6.66 times); “Just close your eyes and enjoy this journey! This will fit perfect as set change over music and I will also contact Aqua Land in Stockholm an see if the want to use the song as a theme for the under water park.”

Download / stream:

Hammerfall – “Hearts on Fire STRETCHED”

Hammerfall’s newest album, Infected, is out in North America on June 7^th. Watch the new video for “One More Time” here.

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Hammerfall are completely ridiculous (in a good way), and their new video for “One More Time” is no different (also in a good way). One day I will see Hammerfall live. But until that day I will maintain the illusion that their live show is [almost] as ginormous and impressive as Rammstein’s, complete with fire, dozens of light arrays, lots of hair, and, uh, zombies, just like it is in this fantastic cinematic masterpiece.

Nuclear Blast will release Infected in Europe on May 20th and in North America on June 7th. So that’s May 20th worldwide, for anyone living in 2011 who uses the internet.

Because no post about Hammerfall is complete without the video they made with the smokin’ hot ’06 Swedish Olympic Curling Team, you’ll find that after the jump.

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Cheese for breakfast, anyone? Great! Come join the party. The Power Metal Party!

Poland’s UnSun probably wouldn’t call themselves power metal — probably more like gothic melodeath or something equally lame sounding — but there’s something so sugary sweet and unabashedly catchy about their music that I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch. Replace Aya’s soaring vocals with a male croon and you could easily pass this off as new Mercenary or Raintime, no questions asked. And hey, the band was founded by ex-Vader guitarist Maurycy “Mauser” Stefanowicz; instant cred!

The band’s new album Clinic For Dolls is decent if not terribly distinguishable from a lot of other bands playing metal like this (save for Aya’s vocals), but the first track “The Lost Way” is SO fucking catchy. From Aya’s Polack-inflected “What cahhn I deuuuu” on I’m hooked, every time, can’t stop listening. A true pop metal gem.

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I guess the water supply at the MS Mansion this week has been poisoned with Power Metal Party Punch, ’cause Vulvagun are the second quality power metal submission we’ve gotten in as many days. Don’t worry, the music sounds exactly like how you’d expect given the band’s ridiculous name (which essentially translates to “penis” if I’m interpreting it correctly). More than likely, though, the band was just trying to turn heads with their name… and hey, mission accomplished. That album cover is completely OOC too. Kinda reminds me of the cover for In Flames’ Whoracle.

Vulvagun’s brand of Power is faster, more thrashy, and a touch less cheesy than most. The vocalist is pretty good but misses the mark from time to time which occasionally brings the band down, but they’re still pretty decent. Give ‘em a listen.

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Thanks: Wayne Dwyer

Been a while since I partied down with my uber-nerdy side at the Power Metal Party, but I guess there just hasn’t been anything to come around lately that’s made me feel like dusting off my World of Warcraft peripheral setup. But lo and behold; Pagan’s Mind are here to the rescue with new music and a serious case of awesome nerd-itis!

An anonymous MS reader who literally instructed us “please don’t mention me in the news” sent in the latest Pagan’s Mind jam “Intermission,” posted above. Don’t feel guilty, dude, it’s ok to like this band! The track comes from the Norwegian power metallers’ fifth album Heavenly Ecstasy, which will presumably come out at some point this Spring.

Has anyone ever told Pagan’s Mind vocalist Nils K. Rue that he kinda sounds like Saigon Kick’s Matt Kramer? ‘Cause he really does.

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Because it’s Friday! Party! Power metal!

• Volture: We’re off to a great start just by looking at the band name; combining a measure of electromotive force with a vicious bird of prey? This band is obviously going to kick ass. And kick ass they do. Volture actually feature in their ranks Ryan Waste of Muncipal Waste, and though the press release says he and co-founder Nick Poulos share a common interest in “obscure NWOBHM and early European heavy metal,” let’s call a spade a spade: if these guys were from Germany that’s be called POWER metal with a capital POWER. But fuck genre-tagging; as previously mentioned, Volture are good at kicking ass and that’s all that matters. They have a song called “Heavy Metal Machine;” what else do you need to know??? Listen to two full tracks (including the aforementioned) on their official website.
• In Dread Response: These guys are a pretty decent if standard Epic Metal band, but they’re from New Zealand which I guess caused reader Jack Holmes to take special notice of them. They’re not straight-up Epic/Power as they’ve got some metalcore/thrash influences too… but they’re aight. Check ‘em out.

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Last night MetalGF brought back bagels to the Vince Division for me to eat for breakfast this morning. Since there aren’t really any great bagel shops around the MS Mansion this is a real treat for me, except for the only cream cheese we had in the fridge this morning was like over a week old. And while the bagel hit the spot, the cream cheese was… I dunno, a little too tart or something. Since the cream cheese didn’t cut it, I found myself craving some real cheese this morning… Powerworld to the rescue! When you name your band Powerworld you’ve got to know you’re going to appeal to a very specific crowd. So, if the name Powerworld turns you off then you should stop reading this post right now.

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I’m boycotting Halloween this year. I’m just over it. All the effort that goes into planning out your costume, procuring it and dressing up… and worst of all the constant TALK with EVERYONE about “what are you wearing?” and “what are you doing this year?” It’s like the obligatory weather-related elevator conversation… cringe-inducing. So over it.

But I’m most certainly not boycotting German power metallers Helloween, who have posted their brand new album 7 Sinners in its entirety on MySpace just in time for today’s festivities. We all know how I feel about bands that sing about METAL and this album’s got a song called “Are You Metal?” so it’s an automatic win in my book. Raise your fist in the air this Halloween with some tasty new Helloween as you go out dressed up as Snooki / The Situation or whatever the hot costume is this year.

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Thanks: Captain Wookie

2010 has been a weird year for metal; there’ve been a ton of really good releases but so far none that are like OMG WOW THIS RULEZ! [except for Ratt's phenomenal comeback Infestation, of course]. Finnish epic metallers Kiuas released Lustdriven back in March and at the time I was all up on its nuts, but I haven’t really listened to it since… I guess that means ultimately it’s another of those “really good but not great” releases. I’m re-listening to it now for the first time in months, and I do stick with my original assertion that this album is really fucking good.

I bring this up now because loyal reader Ross King has alerted us to the fact that Kiuas lead singer Ilja Jalkanen has left the band.

Click to read more…

Kamelot are one of those bands I’ve heard mentioned time and time again over the years but for whatever reason never actually listened to. Call it BS, or Blabbermouth Syndrome; it’s like there’s all these Euro bands that get a ton of coverage over there but we’re all like “Zuh? Who actually listens to these bands?” But apparently lots of folks do. See also: Stratovarius.

Anyway, Kamelot. Since they’ve got a new release called Poetry for the Poisoned coming out on September 14th (is it September already??? crikey), I decided to check out their new video for “The Great Pandemonium.” And it’s pretty much what you’d expect from a band named after a fictional 12th-Century British castle; it also happens to be pretty good! It’s all powery / Epic Euro Metal (which I love), except most of the members are from the U.S., and it certainly feels fantastical although I haven’t checked out the lyrics. The video is high-budget affair by today’s standards, complete with plenty of CG intercut with high-gloss faux live footage of the band playing the song, which would seem to indicate that yes, this band is big enough to warrant spending a lot of dough on a video.

So if you’re into power / epic bands that tr00/br00tal kids would call “gay,” check out “The Great Pandemonium” below via Noisecreep. Poetry for the Poisoned comes out on September 14th.

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When it comes to writing metal songs about metal, no one beats the Germans (with one exception: Manowar). It’s like there’s a giant bubble floating above Germany, one that only covers metalheads and prevents them from taking influence from any outside factors. When Axl and my grandchildren are throwing the horns together in the playpen 60 years from now, Germany will still be churning out hordes of cheesy power metal bands that constantly name-check themselves and sing about how great metal is.

Meet Kissin’ Dynamite, the terribly named (or greatly named?) newcomers to the German cheese scene. They’re addicted to metal (and steel!), just like you and me, and they want us to know it. They’ve even tapped their fellow German friend and cheese progenitor Udo Dirkschneider for an assist with their message. The minute I popped this tune on — from their new album of the same name — it was an instant classic in the Neilstein library and had to be shared with the masses. You can closely guess what the rest of the album sounds like… there’s even a power cover of Damn Yankees’ “High Enough”! Pure gold.

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Man, you just gotta love Dream Evil. The band has gone to painstaking measures to make sure the “show” in this video looks as bad-ass as possible by creating a giant “Dream Evil” backdrop light sign, dropping in a ludicrously huge wall of amp cabinets, inviting a CGI audience to attend (!) and dubbing in fake crowd noises. One guitarist (not Fredrik Nordstron) is wearing fur. The song is about banging your fucking head, a tried and true metal topic that will never be overdone. These guys are complete and total dorks and not ashamed of it at all. This isn’t quite what I had in mind when I advocated keeping metal videos inexpensive, but this video couldn’t have cost that much to make and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t do the trick.

In short, this video is fucking fantastic. There is nothing not to love about it. Long live Dream Evil!

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Despite having like 10,000 releases over the past 20 years I’m not sure if I’ve ever listened to an Angra song. But their new track “Arising Thunder” seemed as good an excuse as any to check these Brazilians out, and wouldn’t you know, they’re the kind of epic metal I hate to love.

Despite modern production, Angra seem to live  in the cheesy, up-beat corner of the power metal universe as opposed to the big, bombastic epic metal crossroads which has been dominating the sphere of late. In other words, they’re more Rhapsody of Fire, less Mercenary. But that’s ok; they still bring plenty of delicious guitar harmonies, soaring vocals, a scorching solo, a big, climactic chorus, and presumably silly lyrics… ya know, the reasons we listen to this music in the first place. And of course it’s all well done; you don’t exactly get to be in an epic metal band if you’re a slouch.

Check out “Arising Thunder” on Angra’s MySpace from the new album Aqua, out September 29th via SPV/Steamhammer.

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Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer is an interesting dude. As a founding member of Iced Earth he helped create one of the most enduring power-ish metal bands of the past 20 years. But that hasn’t stopped him from exploring other avenues, as his new solo project Sons of Liberty proves. Schaffer has devoted this project entirely to one cause: raising awareness about and rebelling against the Federal Reserve system that controls our world’s economy.

From what I can gather, Schaffer is trying to keep politics out of his argument. I have to admit, I know very little about the Federal Reserve system, its roots, its effects, its strengths and its weaknesses. But watching videos like the above has caused me to dive deeper into this issue — which undoubtedly affects every single one of us — and I think that’s Schaffer’s goal. I’m still not sure what I think; it’s a very complex issue with hundreds of years of back-story. But I’m enjoying learning about it. Musically speaking, Sons of Liberty are a bit heavier and more straight-forward than Iced Earth; if you’re perpetually turned off by IE’s power leanings, don’t dismiss this music without first giving it a shot.

Sons of Liberty, which sees Schaffer handling all guitar and vocal duties, self-released their debut album Brush-Fires of the Mind in late 2009. That album has subsequently been picked up by Century Media who will re-release the album worldwide on July 13th. You can download the opening track “Jeckyll Island” for free below.

Sons of Liberty – “Jeckyll Island”

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