Or what I refer to as "Epic Metal".

Recently discovered this genre. Been listening to a lot of Dragonforce, Axenstar, Darkmoor, Nightwish, Dark Tranquility, & Insomnium.

Any recommendations?

Please note: No throat growling. I appreciate the musical aspect of some of these bands, but I really want to be able to understand the lyrics.

Thanks.

Dude, you should realize with the exception of Dark Tranquility & Insomnium, none of those groups are melodic death metal. Epic Metal is another name for Power Metal, so I think that is what you are really asking for.

Power Metal = Blind Guardian, Helloween, Hammerfall & Kamelot

Melodic Death Metal = Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, At The Gates & In Flames

Take your pick and go from there.

I was just going to mention... those are Power Metal and Symphonic Metal.

Well, for those genres I'd say some Sonata Arctica, perhaps Masterplan, Demons & Wizards, Rhapsody of Fire, Iced Earth (loosely fits and depends on the album), Symphony X, Blind Guardian, and MAYBE DragonForce.

Damn, I was hoping for discussions on In Flames or Children Of Bodom.

You guys are making this stuff up.

Check out a band from Finland called Stratovarious

Oh, another one I forgot: Timeless Miracle. Got into them a year or two again. They're pretty awesome and one of those bands where every song seems to be some fantastical story. Just to fit the "epic".

Haha. Too many sub-genres goin on here. I'll just refer to it ALL as "Epic Metal". Cool?

Like I said. As long as I can understand the lyrics. No REAL "Death Metal", like Carcass, Death, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, etc...

I have heard most of the bands mentioned here. Really dig Stratovarious, Symphony X, Rhapsody of Fire, Blind Guardian, Children of Bodom, Hammerfall, & Amon Amarth (especially Twilight of the Thunder God. KILLER album). Not a huge fan of the rest mentioned.

I'll give the other ones a listen.

Thanks!

The differences to look for:

Melodic Death Metal has the heaviness and distortion of Death Metal, but with clearer harmonic melody and guitar lines of classic heavy metal. Vocal styles are often mixed and range from death grunts, growls, to more clear sounds. It is generally a separate subgenre from the following two (which may often overlap):

Power Metal is clear all around, typically pretty damn fast and may or may not incorporate keyboards as well. Vocals are clear and often range from medium to high, but not necessarily.

Symphonic Metal combines elements of classical music basically and symphonies. Operatic vocals are often included, though may be more like those of traditional heavy metal. Rather than relying solely on electric guitar, instruments like violins or organs, even piano, may be incorporated. This is often quite epic. Nightwish (mainly with Tarja) is a good example.

Just go old school and listen to Savatage...in the hall of the mountain king

Ewwwwwww Savatage. :D


Kidding.

It's not what I'd consider death metal, but a good friend of mine has a band with a similar sound to Nightwish. You can check out Ashentide a little on Utube.

Will do man. Thanks!

If you like that one, you can check out his last band, Dremora. That band only lasted long enough to put out one album, but has a similar sound.

If it is the same Dremora I am thinking of, they put out a really awesome slice of Symphonic Metal, and Ashentide is grand as well.

Another good symphonic band not well known is The Sins of thy Beloved. Of course the vocals might turn you off.

Dimmu Borgir (song dimmu borgir)
or
Dimmu Borgir (gateways)

Seems like all metal seems to have some growling...

Dimmu Borgir is good stuff.
As for all metal seeming to have some growling, not really... It's not employed much in Power Metal nor in more classic Heavy Metal.
I don't recall Bruce Dickinson or Dio really incorporating much growling.

Actually, this thread made me laugh. :) I expected something different. But since it's here, why not start a real conversation about metal? ;)

You first.

We are all shy.

Actually metal threads don't seem too do real well here for the most part.

Haha. We're all ears (or eyes in this case). School us in some metal.

Me too. Once it gets to Screamo level, well, might aswell have a dog growl over the guitar music. Yeah i can never tell what they're singing.