Dive Into the Amazing World of Empyrean Realms Now!

After a 5 years wait, Armory have released their highly anticipated album Empyrean Realms. After listening to the trailer, I was excited for this and now, even only a a few tracks in, I can say this will probably end up on my year end list.

This American band follows in the steps of bands like Edguy, Rhapsody and Sonata Arctica. Empyrean Realms seems to have a few more proggy passages in it compared to their debut... Anyways, it's definitely dramatic and energy filled power metal.

Here's Dreamstate and you can listen to the whole thing on their bandcamp. Please do!

Timo Tolkki Talks About Composing the New Avalon Opera

If you can stand Timo Tolkki talking for 10 minutes, then you should check out the first of apparently few video blogs on the new Avalon metal opera. But actually, it's a sweet little talk about his time in Greece finding his inner self and [insert egoistic musician comments here].

Anthelion Delay Obsidian Plume Release

Your favourite Taiwanese metal band, Anthelion, announced that they will delay the release date of their second album, Obsidian Plume which was to be released on November 15th.

Quite a bummer since I was really looking forward to it but I'm glad for the band, that they've decide to go back and make this second album their best.

If you're not familiar with this great symphonic black metal band, go check out their debut Bloodshed Rebefallen... now! Here's Bloody Matrimony from that album.

First Trailer For New Rhapsody Album

While Rhapsody of Fire is getting a bit of doubt on their new album, Luca Turilli's Rhapsody (the real Rhapsody that doesn't sound like Rhapsody at all) released the first of hopefully several trailers for their second album, Prometheus, which will be out in the summer of 2014.

The trailer didn't feature too much "metal" and mostly film styled orchestral which didn't disappoint at all. Luca Turilli's cinematic orchestrations that we saw on the last amazing Rhapsody album, Ascending to Infinity, are some of the best in metal in my opinion. 

I'M SO STOKED FOR THIS. 

Brazilian Folk Tinged Power Metal Anyone?

I just came across Tierramystica, a Brazilian power metal band. They have some cool stuff going with folk flutes or whatever you call them. Here's the song The Rise of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzacoatl) from their 2013 album, Heirs of the Sun released in July.

Meanwhile, ZP Is Singing Love Songs Outside A Castle

Remember that ZP guy that used to sing in Dragonforce before he left and Dragonforce recorded their most successful album yet, The Power Within? Well ZP's new power metal band I AM I (who I haven't really bothered to check out) has this new music video for their single, a ballad entitled See You Again. Please don't try to laugh, the song does get better. The solo's actually pretty sweet.

New Rhapsody of Fire Song Off Of Dark Wings of Steel

While Luca Turilli's Rhapsody is plotting a great surprise for us, Rhapsody of Fire have released a new song off of their upcoming album, Dark Wings of Steel, which will be out on November 22nd in Europe via AFM records.

The song seems quite straight forward compared to the elaborate modern symphonic power metal sound that Luca has been going after in the last two or three albums he's done. Rhapsody of Fire has definitely gone back in time but without the same excitement. Silver Lake of Tears isn't a bad song though by any means. 

I'm personally very excited t o see where the rest of this album takes us as it's the first Rhapsody album that Luca Turilli won't be writing.

Anthelion Tease New Video From Upcoming Album Obsidian Plume

Taiwanese symphonic black metal guru Anthelion, release a behind the scenes video for their upcoming video for Obsidian Plume, the title track for their upcoming second album. I have little idea how the song will go from that piano intro to black metal but I'm so excited for this second album!

Anthelion are to release Obsidian Plume on November 15th. Check out their debut, Bloodshed Rebefallen if you like bands like Carach Angren, with great symphonic orchestrations. 

Does the New Tyr Album Crush Steel?

Just got around to listening to Tyr's newest creation, Valkyrja, which came out in September. Pretty straight forward isn't it. There are definitely some good moments and tracks though.

Still don't know whether or not I can see Bodom and these guys on their North American run this February and March... Must go to this.

Here's the title track which I say is worth some attention.

A Start For Selene

Selene, are a young promising women-fronted symphonic metal band from Northern Ireland. They have an EP out, released this July, which you can check out on their bandcamp.

Here's their recent lyric video for the track Piece of Mind. I must say I'm not a fan of the vocals on this first track, and in general, however the instrumental work is well done.

Let Keldian Blast You Into Space

Norwegian warriors from space, Keldian, released their third album. The album, Outbound, is very solid hard-hitting sci-fi themed power metal and is definitely worth a listen.

The album can be streamed on their bandcamp but for now, here's the track Burn the Sky which will have you blasted beyond the stars. Brace yourselves for take off! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Skeletonwitch Has Awakened the Wizards

The witches of Skeletonwitch have in fact been trying to put me in a boiling cauldron for the last 10 years but I must say their newest album, Serpents Unleashed, has some pretty wicked battle tunes in it, From A Cloudless Sky being one of those songs.

Check out my review for Serpents Unleashed that I wrote on We Love Metal Dot Com. 8/10!

Serpents Unleashed was released two days ago on the 31st via Prosthetic Records. It's a great fresh album from the band... listen to it!