Formed in 1991 the American metal outfit Kamelot did not record its debut album Eternity until four years later Dominion followed shortly thereafter For 1998s Siege Perilous the band revamped its lineup adding drummer Casey Grillo and ex-Conception v…

Edguy is a neo-classical metal band from Germany Featuring Tobias Sammet on vocals and bass Jens Ludwig and Dirk Sauer on guitar and Felix Bohnke they released their first album Kingdom of Madness in 1997 when all members were still in their teens Th…

While the choirboy vocals and classical melodies of power metal may not be for everyone, Finland's Stratovarius remain a gripping listen nonetheless, due to their phenomenal musicianship and the debt they owe to masters of melody such as Iron Maiden.…

Formed in 1984 in Hamburg, Germany, from the ashes of local bands Second Hell and Iron Fist, the original line-up of this durable heavy metal band comprised Kai Hansen (b. 17 January 1963, Hamburg, Germany; guitar, vocals), Michael Weikath (b. 7 Augu…

Finnish prog metal quartet Sonata Arctica specializes in a soaring orchestral variation on European heavy metal fusing the sweeping romantic bombast of bands like Europe with the over-the-top instrumental chops of Dream Theater Born in 1996 the band …

Avantasia was an all-star side project headed by Tobias Sammet lead singer of the prog-tinged German power metal band Edguy While recording a guest appearance from Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kursch with his regular band Sammet conceived of a massive…

This Swedish power metal band was originally a project created by Oscar Dronjak (b. 20 January 1972, Sweden; guitar) and Jesper Strömblad (drums) to compete in local band competitions. Neither had wanted to leave their own established bands Crystal A…

Dream Evil is the pet project of producer Fredrik Nordstrom and guitarist Gus G both of whom felt they could easily become a strong force in the metal underground if they teamed up Forming a power metal foursome with drummer Snowy Shaw and vocalist …

Despite facing all manner of adversities, public indifference and a constantly changing line-up, this old-fashioned heavy metal outfit is one of the few acts to stick defiantly to their guns in a much maligned genre. Originally based in Indiana, USA,…

Iron Maiden were one of the leaders of the early-1980s New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement energized by the spirit of punk. Maiden built upon their initial cult success, eventually leading to global domination by the mid '80s. The band's singer …

UK power metal sextet Dragonforce formed in 1999 around the twin-guitar assault of Herman Li and Sam Totman keyboard player Vadim Pruzhanov and the powerful vocals of ZP Theart -- drummer David Mackintosh and bass player Adrian Lambert joined later D…

Continuing in the classic vein of melodic prog-tinged German power metal Freedom Call comprised vocalistguitarist Chris Bay drummer Dan Zimmermann guitarist Sascha Gerstner and bassist Ilker Ersin The group debuted in 1999 with Stairway to Fairyland …

Founded as Lucifer's Heritage in Krefeld, Germany in 1985, Blind Guardian incorporate elements of speed and thrash metal, bombastic progressive rock and sword and sorcery lyrical themes into their own brand of "fantasy metal".
Comprising Hansi Kür…

Chart-toppers in their native Finland, Nightwish was formed in 1996 by classically-trained vocalist Tarja Turunen (b. 17 August 1977), Tuomas Holopainen (b. 25 December 1976; keyboards) and Emppu Vuorinen (b. Erno Vuorinen, 24 June 1978; guitar), as …

Heavy metal had existed for several years before Judas Priest hit the scene in the mid 1970s, but the mighty Priest drove it all home--many still consider them to be the quintessential metal band. Dressed in studs and leather from head to toe, the ba…

This traditionalist heavy metal quartet from the USA (whose motto is "Death To False Metal') was formed in 1981 by bass player Joey DeMaio (a former Black Sabbath roadie) and ex-Shakin" Street and Dictators guitarist Ross "The Boss' Funicello. Recrui…

Before founding Megadeth in 1983, Dave Mustaine was an original member of Metallica (his songs were recorded by them after his departure). With Megadeth, however, he pursued his own vision; equally inspired by heavy metal and punk, Mustaine and compa…

Nocturnal Rites began life as the Swedish death metal outfit Necronomic which released a demo tape entitled The Obscure in 1991 Gradually as the band members realized they would prefer to play more melodic strains of metal they had enjoyed growing up…