Hall of the Mountain King is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Savatage, released in 1987 under the direction of producer Paul O'Neill. It is their first album produced by O'Neill, who was assigned to the band after the tour in support of Fight for the Rock. Through Paul O'Neill's connections, he brought in Ray Gillen of Badlands fame, then briefly fronting Black Sabbath, to perform a vocal duet at the end of "Strange Wings".
Winterheart's Guild is the third studio album by the power metal band Sonata Arctica. It was released in 2003 through Spinefarm Records. In a 2014 interview, vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter Tony Kakko said inspiration for writing "The Ruins of My Life" came from the film Braveheart. In 2019, he would refer to the album's recording process as a "nightmare" because he only had "two or three" songs ready when the band went in the studio.
Falconer was a Swedish power metal band from Mjölby, formed in 1999 by the former guitarist of Mithotyn, Stefan Weinerhall. Falconer carry on many of the traditions set by Weinerhall's previous band and play a fusion style of power metal that utilizes folk instrumentation and melody to create a more medieval sound.
Mandrake is the fifth album by German power metal band Edguy, released in 2001. It is a varied album, exploring many styles of the power metal genre. It was their last studio album for AFM Records. They later signed a contract with Nuclear Blast.
Imaginations from the Other Side is the fifth studio album by German band Blind Guardian, released in 1995. The atmosphere of this album is darker in comparison to their earlier works, such as Battalions of Fear, which had a relatively light tone. This album also marks the first since Battalions of Fear in which Kai Hansen did not guest on vocals or guitar, and the last album to feature vocalist Hansi Kürsch as bassist. It was also their first album to spawn off any singles, in the form of "A Past and Future Secret" and "Bright Eyes". It was remastered and re-released on 15 June 2007, with bonus tracks and videos.
Black Sun is the fourth studio release and first concept album by German power metal band Primal Fear.
Power of the Dragonflame is the fifth studio album released by Rhapsody. It was released on 23 April 2002 by Limb Music. It is the last chapter in the Emerald Sword Saga. In 2017, Loudwire ranked it as the 9th best power metal album of all time.
Andy LaRocque is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter, and producer, best known as a member of the heavy metal band King Diamond since 1985.
The Odyssey is the sixth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released on November 5, 2002 through Inside Out Music. The album is the band's first to be recorded entirely at guitarist Michael Romeo's home studio, The Dungeon. "Accolade II" is a sequel to "The Accolade" from The Divine Wings of Tragedy (1997). The title track is the album's grand finale: a 24-minute musical interpretation of Homer's Odyssey, an epic poem about the journey of ancient Greek hero Odysseus.
Port Royal is the fourth album by Running Wild. This release expanded on the pirate theme introduced in their album Under Jolly Roger (1987) and established them as "pirate metal" in the metal community. The album has sold nearly 1.8 million records worldwide. The album takes its name from the location of Calico Jack’s death.
Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I is the second studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1987. It marks the first appearance of vocalist Michael Kiske, and is considered the album that created the genre of European-style power metal. Kai Hansen stepped away from doing vocal duties as he had difficulties singing and playing the guitar at the same time during the previous tour. It was an album dominated by Hansen, due to an injury to co-guitarist Michael Weikath which prevented him from performing on much of the album. "Future World" was released as a single and a music video was made for "Halloween" but with 8 minutes omitted from the song. The band originally planned to release Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II as a double album, but their record label refused, insisting that the albums be released separately. In 1993, both albums were released as a double CD set with bonus tracks.
Follow the Blind is the second full-length album by German metal band Blind Guardian. It was released in 1989 and is more in the vein of speed metal, compared to the style that would later define the band's unique sound. According to guitarist Marcus Siepen, "When we were doing Follow the Blind we were listening to a lot of thrash metal bands like Testament or Forbidden, and that's why Follow the Blind was a bit heavier".
Chapters from a Vale Forlorn is the second album by Swedish power metal band Falconer.
The Sceptre of Deception is the third album by Swedish power metal band Falconer, the first with vocalist Kristoffer Göbel and also the first to feature a full band line-up. The album covers events during the reign of King Birger of Sweden and lengthy strife between him, his brothers, and the Danish and Norwegian crowns.
Grime vs. Grandeur is the fourth album by Swedish power metal band Falconer, and the last to feature vocalist Kristoffer Göbel.
Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II is the third studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1988. The album sold well, and success bloomed all over Europe, Asia, and even the United States. The album went gold in Germany and reached No. 108 in the US.
Visions is the sixth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 28 April 1997 through Noise Records. The album reached No. 4 on the Finnish albums chart and remained on that chart for 23 weeks. It is a concept album about Nostradamus.
Land of the Free is the fourth studio album by German power metal band Gamma Ray, released in 1995. Continuing a trend that would conclude with the band's fifth studio release, the lineup for the album was different from the previous one, as Land of the Free was the first Gamma Ray album to be released since the departure of Ralf Scheepers, leaving Kai Hansen to take up lead vocals. While not his first stint as a vocalist, it would be the first time he had performed lead vocals exclusively in 8 years.
Dust to Dust is the third full-length studio album by the French power metal band Heavenly. It was released on January 12, 2004, by Noise Records. Dust to Dust is a concept album following a man seeking revenge upon the Master of Doom for transforming him into a vampire and forcing him to prey on the innocent for eternity. The album concludes with the protagonist overcoming his master. He suffers a fatal wound, but he regains his soul and attains paradise.
Among Beggars and Thieves is the sixth album by the Swedish power metal band Falconer, released on September 2, 2008 through Metal Blade Records. It was produced by Andy LaRocque. A heavier album than Northwind, it tells the tale of the hardships of medieval Sweden. Some of the songs seem heavily inspired by actual historical events. For example, the song "Man of the Hour" apparently deals with the fate of the Swedish 17th century warship Kronan, the lyrics of "Mountain Men" bear a strong resemblance to the Engelbrekt rebellion, and "Boiling Led" appears to be about the assassination of Sverker I of Sweden.
