Hard History

Part XI Page 3

And although the United States has decidedly turned away from heavy metal during this decade, Europe and Japan have proved to be strong bulwarks for the music, and have allowed the power metal movement to grow impressively and accept new members as each year passes by. In addition to bands that have played the style and have gone unrecognized for what seems like ages (Helstar, for instance), a roster of new bands have incorporated themselves into the melodic metal mold. There are, for instance, power metal bands like the neoclassical Rhapsody or the progressive Angra that not only excel at playing their instruments but that also have taken a major cue from the style that Yngwie Malmsteen once became so reputed for (although one is forced to wonder why these bands take the music of composers like Niccolo Paganini and Franz Schubert while claiming the authorship of such pieces), or others like the Finnish Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica, which have in great part taken up the flag of power metal and carried it in a long crusade forward. Finally, there is the undeniably astounding power metal scene in Germany, which has produced bands like U.P., Headhunter, and the Kai Hansen-led unit Gamma Ray, which, along with others like Kamelot and Labyrinth, have kept metal alive and well in many countries outside the United States.

What lies in the future of heavy metal? As any historian worth his own weight knows (and me not being one), history cannot and should not be predicted; although historic cycles may help with such evaluations, nothing assures that they are right. By now, the return of glam metal has proven to be nothing more than hype, alternative metal would be dead if it weren't for Creed's unabashed ripping off of Pearl Jam, power metal keeps thriving in Europe and Japan, and Iron Maiden has come back in full force with Brave New World. Moreover, The Gathering keeps releasing album after album of progressive and awe-inspiring atmospheric beauty, Neurosis is still exploring abrasive sonic territory, bands such as Tiamat and Opeth break the limits that were once set upon them, Therion delivers its unique mixture of metal and classical music, In Flames continues taking over the world, stoner rock seems to be making major waves, and Nevermore takes American power metal to levels of heaviness previously unthought of, honoring the tradition that some of its members had once established with Sanctuary. What's next? Pardon the naive and jaded cliche', but only time will tell.

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