Great recommendations and it's SO cool getting such a good explanation of the genre from someone who's so passionate about it too. Extremely cool video series, i can't wait for more
Thank you for featuring Griffin! I bought Flight of the Griffin and Protectors of the Lair when I was in Germany in the eighties. Flight of the Griffin has one of my favorite album covers. The band photo on the back of that album is a work of art.
That Ice Sword album sounds like an album that I would write, since I have always been a big fan of stories where the protagonist transforms into a dragon. So I will have to check that out sometime! My vote for the next video will probably have to be epic doom metal, considering that your band plays that style on the first album.
Great to see you mention the 'Traveller' album and of course the second LP of Griffin. Lethal was a killer band too. I personally love Villain! The genre is vast so there's no point for further analysis. You might want to create a second part for USPM. Thanks from 🇬🇷 !
Damn you, Sarah! I'm not big into power metal but that Ice Sword segment grabbed me. Went to Bandcamp to hear the album and just bought the gatefold vinyl before I was done listening. It's fantastic. I didn't want to spend $90 on an album once conversion and shipping to Australia was done, but here we are and I did. 😅
I was fortunate enough to see Owlbear at Legions of Metal in Chicago. They played my favorite set of the weekend. (Sorry pals in Dawnbringer. I love you guys, too.)
Great video! USPM is my favorite subgenre of metal, but it's rarely talked about. I will definitely be checking out that Ice Sword album. My favorite obscure USPM recommendation will always be Axehammer - Lord of the Realm. It's an unreleased album from 1987 that was later put out as a compilation. It's a top 10 USPM release for me, easily.
Great video! And great albums listed. I'll add a couple obscure USPM gems: Timelord, Magnabolt, Deadly Blessing, Gargoyle, Helms Deep, Mystic Force, Oliver Magnum, Ritual, Sacred Oath, Screamer, Slauter Xstroyes, Titan Force
Thanks, Sarah. My favourite modern USPM release was Eternal Champion's 2020 release 'Ravening Iron'. I usually find there's some annoying quality to most PM releases so I'm very picky about it, but you've given me some stuff to try out here.
Wow it's awesome to see USPM covered on this channel! I'd love to see more USPM on this channel! Absolutely my favourite "niche" of Metal - the perfect "next step" to Heavy Metal. I call it "Heavy Metal 2.0". It frustrates me SO MUCH that most people are just aware of "Traditional Metal" - ie. Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and "Euro Power Metal" ie. Helloween and Rhapsody etc. They're missing out on a whole world of music that fell between the cracks of the subgenres.
Sarah - this is fantastic - thank you very much. Great to see that there is more coming from Ice Sword! The debut was brilliant and boy was it expensive to get the vinyl to Germany. For the next time - please do Epic or German Speed Metal. The Savage Oath album is fucking killer. I can only recommend everybody to listen to it. Not sure if this really fits into the US Power Metal but I hold the Titan Force albums very close to my heart. Check them out - Titan Force "Titan Force" and "Winner Loser"
Anyone who hasn't checked out 'Treacherous Ways' by Helm's Deep is missing out on some of the best new metal in decades, IMHO. Def a power metal vibe there.
While having „Altered Realities“ by Sovereign on the turntable right now, I totally vote for tech thrash as a new episode. Keep up the great and very informative work.
I typically enjoy the more power/thrash i.e. Nevermore, metal side of US PM. Sarah, I know you had mentioned the band Project: Roenwolfe, and I've also been a huge fan of Silver Talon. Sarah do you have any recommendations in that style?
Obscure metal albums of my generation. I remember a few of them. Awesome vid. I pounded the hell out of the like and subscribe buttons. Love the Fates Warning shirt! I would appreciate a review of Wings of Steel's album Gates of Twilight.
Just one album, but Lords of the Crimson Alliance self-title from1986. I think still to this day, nobody knows who the musicians are on this album. Some articles guessing it's the band Grudge, but they have denied it. Perhaps to keep it a mystery, idk. Anyway favorite track is the Sorcerer.
Hi Sarah. Would Appreciate you checking out Ls-6 subconscious endeavor and militia fiend of misery. Ls-6 was recorded in 1988, just released on Stormspell records in August 2024. Militia was recorded 1989, just released with bonus tracks on Stormspell records also in August of 2024. Love that you’re highlighting this genre!!!
Hi Sarah, if you haven't already heard of them, check out Power Theory. You can either listen to the most recent album with the new singer, who is better in my opinion. Then work your way through the others. Or you could listen through chronologically and enjoy the stronger sounding vocals at the end. 😊
Gotta admit the only one on your list I’ve heard of is Owlbear and my god I love that album so much. I listen to it at least once a week!! I will be checking out the other ones on your list, thanks for putting this video out. Rock on!
Just listened to the entire Griffin album on TH-cam! Amazing! Almost thought I was listening to Leave No Cross Unturned by the Mighty Dark Throne for a min! Awesome pic and album!
Here’s some more obscurities to check out Altered State-Winter Warlock Antithesis-S/T Apollo Ra-Ra Pariah Axehammer-Lord of the Realm and Windrider Blackgate-Ronin Blackholicus-Megaforte Borrowed Time-Arcane Metal Arts Brothers Grimm-Helm’s Deep Colossus- and the Rift of the Pandimensional Under Gods Dark Age-S/T EP Deadly Blessing-Ascend From The Cauldron Dofka-Toxic Wasreland Echo Temple-The Fall Emerald-Armed For Battle Enchanter-Defenders Of The Realm Forte-Stranger Than Fiction Ghost Tower-Head of Night Illegal Bodies-Mindflayers King’s Ransom-Curators of the Realm Last Empire-Heir To The Throne Longings Past-Meadows of Maseilya Magnabolt-S/T Matthias Steele-Haunting Tales of a Warrior’s Past Messiah-Fatal Warning Mystic Force-The Eternal Quest Necrytis-Dread En Ruin Oliver Magnum-S/T Oracle-As Darkness Reigns Overlorde-Return of the Snow Giant Phantasm-From The Attic Ravage-Spectral Rider Sacred Blade-Of the Sun and Moon Sacred Warrior-Master’s Command Savage Choir-Winter of Probator Screamer-Target Earth Skullview-Legends of Valor Slauter Xstroyes-Winter Kill Squadron-Fatal Strike Steel Assassin-War of the Eight Saints Stormbringer-Stealer of Souls Tanagra-Meridiem Throes of Sanity-The Upheaval Wild Dogs-Reign of Terror Winters Bane-Heart of a Killer Happy hunting.
Had to come back here after listening to that Riot album, enjoying the drummer and checking him out. Most of his career checks out, stints in Fates Warning, Halford, Iced Earth, etc leading to him now being the touring drummer for.... George Strait??
Amulance - Feel the Pain 1988 New Renaissance Records So obscure, so brilliant 🤘 Darklin Reach - Where Evil Dwells 1992 Tombstone Records More in the power thrash zone 🤘
My vote goes for german speed metal. And who the hell doesn't like Thundersteel? It Riot's highest rated album on RYM AND Metal-archives (a 96% average)
Am I the only person listening who was surprised to hear the band I heard as Eyesore was actually Ice Sword? Also, another vote for tech thrash of the available options!
Griffin → still think that they're overhyped. They never really got me Lethal → good and underrated Crescent Shield → amazing and totally underrated. You can get those albums for dirt cheap (here in Europe at least) and they're worth every penny and way more Ice Sword → good Cauldron Born → an acquired taste, so to say. "Born of the Cauldron" is like Progressive Epic Metal ... which sounds like a nonsensical paradox, but that's how it sounds to my ears 🤣 Owlbear → new band to add to the (almost infinite) backlog Brocas Helm → damn good stuff Hammers of Misfortune → very progressive The Lord Weird Slough Feg → Traveller is one of my favorite albums of all time. Addendum Galactus = ❤ RIOT → most underrated band in metal history. Shine on Mark! Visigoth → not so obscure anymore. Good stuff. Savage Oath → my album of the year so far. My 2 cents of obscure US Power: Apollo Ra - Ra Pariah → best USP unreleased album. Kinda mix of Crimson Glory, early Queensryche, early Savatage and "Thundersteel"-RIOT Pharaoh → pick any album. RIP Tim Aymar Ballistic - Ballistic → last effort by Tom Gattis, dating back to 2003. One hit wonder, I guess
I really like (and am pushing on others) the new album by Helm's Deep "Treacherous Ways". I'm not sure if it's technically power metal, but I'm a big fan of John Gallagher so I like it either way. Thanks for all the info, Sarah! I made a list and will be diving in today since, even though I'm old, I don't know a ton of power metal other than the big names. And, yeah, that Riot album is great!
Hey sarah, what was the name of that "Christian cult doom" band you talked about awhile ago. They had female vocals and a red and black album art. I been trying to find their music again after you talked about them, I forgot to save the album.
Hey, I used to own that Crescent Shield album The Stars of Never Seen. I had never heard of the band and I bought it purely for the album cover. Good album though.
Wow I guess I have a different idea of what power metal is cause never in a million years would I have said Lethal was USPM. Cauldron Born too, especially their first record. this is very interesting. and tech thrash pls plspls Species - To Find Deliverance(2022) has got to be my fav thrash release by far in a very long time.
Not a fan of power metal in general. However, I'm a huge fan of Sarah, it's enough for me. I want the next episode to be about tech thrash or epic doom
Sarah highlights six obscure USPM Gems. What other subgenres do you want to see?
It would be cool to see a Canadian-focused episode, any subgenre. :)
US Progressive Metal, 90s European Progressive Metal, uncategegorizable bands (i.e., King,'s X, Galactic Cowboys, Atomic Opera.)
German speed metal, PLEASE!
Prog!
French Metal
Owlbear! HELL YEAH🤘 'Chaos to the Realm' was one of my favorite records of 2023. Thank you so much for shouting it out!
I vote for Tech Thrash as the next video in this series.
criminally underrated genre
That would be interesting. Erosion - Mortal Agony would be one of my picks!
I came here to say this. Realm is such a criminally underrated band
Omg! That Lethal album is incredible. Thanks so much for the introduction.
Great recommendations and it's SO cool getting such a good explanation of the genre from someone who's so passionate about it too. Extremely cool video series, i can't wait for more
Never clicked and liked a video so fast.
My favorite genre, long live true metal.
What in the green hell is true metal lol
My vote is for Epic Doom. Great video!
Vote Epic Doom, just amazing.
Thank you for featuring Griffin! I bought Flight of the Griffin and Protectors of the Lair when I was in Germany in the eighties. Flight of the Griffin has one of my favorite album covers. The band photo on the back of that album is a work of art.
Grandfunk Railroad is one of my favorite bands.. Glad to see them mentioned among the greats. I feel they get overlooked a lot..
Love the Chastain shirt. They will always be one of my favorite USPM bands. Leather Leone kicks so much ass
It makes me so happy to see Crescent Shield get some recognition. They are really something special.
Screamer, "Target Earth," and Heir Apparent, "Graceful Inheritance" are two USPM nuggets I cannot live without!
That Ice Sword album sounds like an album that I would write, since I have always been a big fan of stories where the protagonist transforms into a dragon. So I will have to check that out sometime!
My vote for the next video will probably have to be epic doom metal, considering that your band plays that style on the first album.
Great to see you mention the 'Traveller' album and of course the second LP of Griffin. Lethal was a killer band too. I personally love Villain! The genre is vast so there's no point for further analysis. You might want to create a second part for USPM. Thanks from 🇬🇷 !
Damn you, Sarah! I'm not big into power metal but that Ice Sword segment grabbed me. Went to Bandcamp to hear the album and just bought the gatefold vinyl before I was done listening. It's fantastic. I didn't want to spend $90 on an album once conversion and shipping to Australia was done, but here we are and I did. 😅
I don't know if you agree, but Twisted Tower Dire would be included in this genre too, "Crest of the Martyrs" is one of my favourite álbuns ever.
TTD came a little later, part of the "second wave" from the 90s, along with Destiny's End and Iron Rainbow.
Just discovered twisted tower dire and they kick some serious ass!!!
@@ryanmcdougall4401 One of the bands that kept the True Metal legacy alive
@@Sorlucaslima they sure are, absolutely love the songs, the stone and mystera off of the make it dark album, killer songs!!
Crescent Shield is incredible. Rest in Power Michael Grant
I was fortunate enough to see Owlbear at Legions of Metal in Chicago. They played my favorite set of the weekend. (Sorry pals in Dawnbringer. I love you guys, too.)
Great video! USPM is my favorite subgenre of metal, but it's rarely talked about. I will definitely be checking out that Ice Sword album.
My favorite obscure USPM recommendation will always be Axehammer - Lord of the Realm. It's an unreleased album from 1987 that was later put out as a compilation. It's a top 10 USPM release for me, easily.
Great video! And great albums listed. I'll add a couple obscure USPM gems: Timelord, Magnabolt, Deadly Blessing, Gargoyle, Helms Deep, Mystic Force, Oliver Magnum, Ritual, Sacred Oath, Screamer, Slauter Xstroyes, Titan Force
Really appreciate your reviews in general and loved discovering Lethal-all thanks to you!
Thanks, Sarah.
My favourite modern USPM release was Eternal Champion's 2020 release 'Ravening Iron'. I usually find there's some annoying quality to most PM releases so I'm very picky about it, but you've given me some stuff to try out here.
Thank you for this Video Sarah🙏
Thank you Sarah for your continuous support and shoutout! 🖖💜
Wow it's awesome to see USPM covered on this channel! I'd love to see more USPM on this channel!
Absolutely my favourite "niche" of Metal - the perfect "next step" to Heavy Metal. I call it "Heavy Metal 2.0".
It frustrates me SO MUCH that most people are just aware of "Traditional Metal" - ie. Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and "Euro Power Metal" ie. Helloween and Rhapsody etc. They're missing out on a whole world of music that fell between the cracks of the subgenres.
Sarah - this is fantastic - thank you very much. Great to see that there is more coming from Ice Sword! The debut was brilliant and boy was it expensive to get the vinyl to Germany. For the next time - please do Epic or German Speed Metal. The Savage Oath album is fucking killer. I can only recommend everybody to listen to it. Not sure if this really fits into the US Power Metal but I hold the Titan Force albums very close to my heart. Check them out - Titan Force "Titan Force" and "Winner Loser"
Sarah is back 🙌
Anyone who hasn't checked out 'Treacherous Ways' by Helm's Deep is missing out on some of the best new metal in decades, IMHO. Def a power metal vibe there.
John Gallagher of Raven on bass too!
Check out Jacob's Dream. Don't know if they are still around. The song "Sarah Williams" is a masterpiece.
While having „Altered Realities“ by Sovereign on the turntable right now, I totally vote for tech thrash as a new episode.
Keep up the great and very informative work.
I typically enjoy the more power/thrash i.e. Nevermore, metal side of US PM. Sarah, I know you had mentioned the band Project: Roenwolfe, and I've also been a huge fan of Silver Talon. Sarah do you have any recommendations in that style?
The answer you're looking for is "Graceful Inheritance" by Heir Apparent :-)
Great video topic! Always great to see my favorite subgenre get some love!
Obscure metal albums of my generation. I remember a few of them. Awesome vid. I pounded the hell out of the like and subscribe buttons. Love the Fates Warning shirt! I would appreciate a review of Wings of Steel's album Gates of Twilight.
You can always count on Sarah to not be Blayne. Good to see you again, ma'am. Thanks for the recs. Love The Broca's Helm shirt, btw.
Slough Feg - Traveller, one of the best albums in the genre!
Sarah, Great Job & Thank You for turning me onto some obscure Great Bands🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
As Blayne’s video about Hooded Menace, this is great content! I hope you guys put out more things like this
Just one album, but Lords of the Crimson Alliance self-title from1986. I think still to this day, nobody knows who the musicians are on this album. Some articles guessing it's the band Grudge, but they have denied it. Perhaps to keep it a mystery, idk. Anyway favorite track is the Sorcerer.
Hi Sarah. Would Appreciate you checking out Ls-6 subconscious endeavor and militia fiend of misery. Ls-6 was recorded in 1988, just released on Stormspell records in August 2024. Militia was recorded 1989, just released with bonus tracks on Stormspell records also in August of 2024. Love that you’re highlighting this genre!!!
Hi Sarah, if you haven't already heard of them, check out Power Theory. You can either listen to the most recent album with the new singer, who is better in my opinion. Then work your way through the others. Or you could listen through chronologically and enjoy the stronger sounding vocals at the end. 😊
Gotta admit the only one on your list I’ve heard of is Owlbear and my god I love that album so much. I listen to it at least once a week!! I will be checking out the other ones on your list, thanks for putting this video out. Rock on!
Lethal “Programmed” mentioned!! I LOVE that record to death and I swear I’m the only one that knows it (until now haha). Sick video!
Great video, Sarah!
Definitely German speed metal next.
I've loved that Lethal record since it first came out. Great to see it get some recognition!
Just listened to the entire Griffin album on TH-cam! Amazing! Almost thought I was listening to Leave No Cross Unturned by the Mighty Dark Throne for a min! Awesome pic and album!
Here’s some more obscurities to check out
Altered State-Winter Warlock
Antithesis-S/T
Apollo Ra-Ra Pariah
Axehammer-Lord of the Realm and Windrider
Blackgate-Ronin
Blackholicus-Megaforte
Borrowed Time-Arcane Metal Arts
Brothers Grimm-Helm’s Deep
Colossus- and the Rift of the Pandimensional Under Gods
Dark Age-S/T EP
Deadly Blessing-Ascend From The Cauldron
Dofka-Toxic Wasreland
Echo Temple-The Fall
Emerald-Armed For Battle
Enchanter-Defenders Of The Realm
Forte-Stranger Than Fiction
Ghost Tower-Head of Night
Illegal Bodies-Mindflayers
King’s Ransom-Curators of the Realm
Last Empire-Heir To The Throne
Longings Past-Meadows of Maseilya
Magnabolt-S/T
Matthias Steele-Haunting Tales of a Warrior’s Past
Messiah-Fatal Warning
Mystic Force-The Eternal Quest
Necrytis-Dread En Ruin
Oliver Magnum-S/T
Oracle-As Darkness Reigns
Overlorde-Return of the Snow Giant
Phantasm-From The Attic
Ravage-Spectral Rider
Sacred Blade-Of the Sun and Moon
Sacred Warrior-Master’s Command
Savage Choir-Winter of Probator
Screamer-Target Earth
Skullview-Legends of Valor
Slauter Xstroyes-Winter Kill
Squadron-Fatal Strike
Steel Assassin-War of the Eight Saints
Stormbringer-Stealer of Souls
Tanagra-Meridiem
Throes of Sanity-The Upheaval
Wild Dogs-Reign of Terror
Winters Bane-Heart of a Killer
Happy hunting.
That's so cool! Thanks! I'd never have stumbled upon those by myself!
Fun video, love any power metal. The ManOwar shirt was the perfect complement for the content.
German Speed, love Blind Guardian, running wild and Early Helloween. Would love more
Ice Sword - bloody brilliant! Cheers for the heads up ⚔️🤘
Had to come back here after listening to that Riot album, enjoying the drummer and checking him out. Most of his career checks out, stints in Fates Warning, Halford, Iced Earth, etc leading to him now being the touring drummer for.... George Strait??
Hit me with that Epic Doom goodness next time and great work on this one as always
Love it, thanks for the obscure gems.
All for German speed metal!
Great video. My vote goes to tech thrash, one of, if not my favourite subgenre. German speed metal would be cool too though, hope they both get one
That Slough Feg album is killer.
Amulance - Feel the Pain
1988 New Renaissance Records
So obscure, so brilliant 🤘
Darklin Reach - Where Evil Dwells
1992 Tombstone Records
More in the power thrash zone 🤘
Another hidden gem of US power metal is definitely Lorenguard - Eve of Corruption. Amazing album from beginning to end.
Love the Brocas Helm shirt Sarah!
All great bands. TY Sarah.
My vote goes for german speed metal.
And who the hell doesn't like Thundersteel? It Riot's highest rated album on RYM AND Metal-archives (a 96% average)
Am I the only person listening who was surprised to hear the band I heard as Eyesore was actually Ice Sword?
Also, another vote for tech thrash of the available options!
German Speed Metal or Epic Doom will be amazing, I'm not the biggest Tech Thrash fan hehehe...
Griffin → still think that they're overhyped. They never really got me
Lethal → good and underrated
Crescent Shield → amazing and totally underrated. You can get those albums for dirt cheap (here in Europe at least) and they're worth every penny and way more
Ice Sword → good
Cauldron Born → an acquired taste, so to say. "Born of the Cauldron" is like Progressive Epic Metal ... which sounds like a nonsensical paradox, but that's how it sounds to my ears 🤣
Owlbear → new band to add to the (almost infinite) backlog
Brocas Helm → damn good stuff
Hammers of Misfortune → very progressive
The Lord Weird Slough Feg → Traveller is one of my favorite albums of all time. Addendum Galactus = ❤
RIOT → most underrated band in metal history. Shine on Mark!
Visigoth → not so obscure anymore. Good stuff.
Savage Oath → my album of the year so far.
My 2 cents of obscure US Power:
Apollo Ra - Ra Pariah → best USP unreleased album. Kinda mix of Crimson Glory, early Queensryche, early Savatage and "Thundersteel"-RIOT
Pharaoh → pick any album. RIP Tim Aymar
Ballistic - Ballistic → last effort by Tom Gattis, dating back to 2003. One hit wonder, I guess
Great video. My suggestions:
Jag Panzer , Helstar, Titan Force, Messiah Force
All of these sound great! *takes notes* Also I love the Moomin tattoo!
Divine Battle is easily my album of the year so far.
Savage Oath is perfect. The new IRONFLAME album might peak your interest. 🤔🤘🏼
Both first records of Griffin was released on cd in Brasil....awesome releases lot of bonus....i got them😊
I really like (and am pushing on others) the new album by Helm's Deep "Treacherous Ways". I'm not sure if it's technically power metal, but I'm a big fan of John Gallagher so I like it either way. Thanks for all the info, Sarah! I made a list and will be diving in today since, even though I'm old, I don't know a ton of power metal other than the big names. And, yeah, that Riot album is great!
Unrelated but has the new Shredders Of Metal Live happened yet? I remember seeing an ad to sign up for it, but nothing else!
2:44: No Manilla Road? Does that make them obscure?
Yeah, I was surprised, but we all know them anyway, so it's cool. 🙂
New to give some love to my boys in Ryghär from Texas, very lo fi doomy USPM/Epic Metal, lots of similarities to Ice Sword
I gotta check out that 2nd Griffin album, big fan of their first. My vote for the next one is tech thrash!
Hey sarah, what was the name of that "Christian cult doom" band you talked about awhile ago. They had female vocals and a red and black album art. I been trying to find their music again after you talked about them, I forgot to save the album.
Phantom Cyberchrist.
Anyone got any recommendations for a sucker hooked on the second and third Fates Warning albums.
Hey, I used to own that Crescent Shield album The Stars of Never Seen. I had never heard of the band and I bought it purely for the album cover. Good album though.
Wow I guess I have a different idea of what power metal is cause never in a million years would I have said Lethal was USPM. Cauldron Born too, especially their first record. this is very interesting. and tech thrash pls plspls Species - To Find Deliverance(2022) has got to be my fav thrash release by far in a very long time.
Voting for tech thrash! One of my favorite genres, watchtower control and resistance is an all time favorite record
Definite vote for Tech Thrash - keep babbling about how underrated this Genre is.
All Hail Anacrusis!
Epic doom or German speed for SURE.
Hey, I also have that same Fates Warning - Awaken The Guardian T-shirt. Mine's been washed to death, though.
Please do German speed metal!
I vote for German Speed Metal🤘🤘
Epic doom next!!
My favorite USPM album is Virgin Steele’s A Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part 1 & 2.
Not a fan of power metal in general. However, I'm a huge fan of Sarah, it's enough for me. I want the next episode to be about tech thrash or epic doom
great list! Tech Thrash next please!!!
we gotta get tech thrash girl
pretty much my most listened counterpart of thrash
I vote German speed
Would Iced Earth be considered USPM?
German Speed Metal!
Tremendous! Epic Doom
Tech Thrash! For USPM Adamantis is such a goddamn good band.
german speed metal please
Good video. Thanks.
Epic Doom, please!
German Speed Metal