symphonic metal

(7/10) It was the 90’s peak of gothic metal and the evolving female-fronted symphonic metal some years later that acted as a source of inspiration for South Tyrolean drummer Mirko Montresor to start a band that he named Alight. This happened in 2005 and...

(*/10) Introducing Finnish symphonic rockers of Nightwish feels like carrying sand to the beach. Tuomas Holopainen and band are more than 20 years in business, a good moment to look back on all the band's achievements of two decades. "Decades" is such...

(7/10) Therion has a long history in metal. Founded by Swedish multi-instrumentalist Christofer Johnsson, Therion began as a death metal band before slowly shifting toward symphonic metal. After having released a debut album in 1991, entitled "Of Darkness...",...

(8/10) 2018 is the year Angra opens a new chapter in their career - „Ømni“. This is the title of Angra’s new album that comes up to surface mid-February via earMUSIC. The new album follows the “Secret Garden” release from 2015 and as the predecessor also...

(8/10) Orphaned Land is more than just a band. The outfit, founded in 1991, went on a journey that includes excellent metal music with the inclusion of thought-through lyrics, which contain a positive and peaceful message. The band from Israel released...

(8/10) Normally I’m not a fan of too much gimmicks and frills used by a band. Often it’s done with the purpose of compensating for something else that’s missing, mostly good songs. I’ve been doubtful when I listened to Avatar the first time but luckily...

(7/10) “Sign of the Dragonhead” is album number one in the ‘post Liv Kristine era’ and it’s number seven in the band’s history. Finnish singer Elina Siirala followed Liv Kristine in 2015 and after having done some first well-received live shows it was...

(7/10) Portuguese dark metal powerhouse Moonspell released a few weeks ago their twelfth longplayer. „1755“ is the title of this album that shows Moonspell from another angle. The newest output from Portugal’s finest is a concept album with the devastating...

(8/10) If Nightwish and Within Temptation belong to your favorite female-fronted metal bands you should miss out on The Dark Element. This Scandinavian metal outfit is the brainchild of Finnish guitarist Jani Liimatainen. The singer of this new project...

It was a grey weekend in October when Epica embarked on a short three leg journey through The Netherlands to bring 'The Dutch Principles' closer to people. It was October 21st when the symphonic metal outfit stopped at the Patronaat, Haarlem for celebrating...

(8/10) The density of Dutch female-fronted metal bands is quite impressive and what is even more formidable is the quality level of each of these bands. One of the spearheads of symphonic Dutch metal is Epica, a band that’s around already since 2002....

A new era will begin on the 27th of October 2017, as Symphonic Metal masters Serenity are ready to release a brand new full-length album! Before the announcement of the album the band encouraged fans to guess the title of their upcoming effort via their...

( 8/10 ) Basically all the ingredients for an album like "Rhapsodies in Black" are well known and still, this album offers fascinating songs that each of you heard earlier in their original set-up. Exit Eden is a new project, that's female-fronted. The...

(7/10) Swiss rock outfit Cellar Darling could wrap up a deal with Nuclear Blast, leading to a debut called “This is the Sound”. So, what is the sound? The trio, Anna Murphy (v), Ivo Henzi (g,b) and Merlin Sutter (d), is fascinated by folk-based rock and...