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Power Metal day. Something I'm not usually in the mood for but just feels right today. My ass is dragging after a brutal travel schedule of late, so a little pick me up I guess. Throw all the shit into a playlist and let it go. German Blind Guardian - Memories of a Time to Come Gamma Ray - Heading for Tomorrow Helloween - Helloween, Keeper pt 1 & 2 US Queensryche - EP & Rage for Order Crimson Glory - self titled Jag Panzer - Ample Destruction Liege Lord - Master Control Attacker - Battle at Helm's Deep Omen - Battle Cry Savatage - Sirens Fates Warning - Guardian & Spectre Warlord - Deliver Us Heir Apparent - Graceful Inheritance Not Power Metal, but close enough The Lord Weird Slough Feg - Traveler & Deadmen

Well, allow me to be first, if I may, since NWOBHM seems somewhat neglected. Saracen, while also being from Matlock (a true biker haunt which is naturally going to appeal to me, as a biker), are a band who truly pushed boundaries and as far back as 1981 (when the album I link to below was released, their first - 42 years ago!!!) was already a true masterpiece that no one who was "into music" knew what to do with. Steve Bettney (vocals) proved not only to have that rocker/heavy metal attitude, but man, he could actually SING. Sure, it may have been like listening to one of your friends being a badass (and not quite knowing how) but he pumped out such energy and enthusiasm that if, even like me, as a lover of the fast and hard thrash, you can overcome the slower pace, but still appreciate the energy and will to experiment and fuck with the norm, you can then surely appreciate Saracen. They were formed in 1976 and released their first album (again, linked below) followed by their second in 1984 (Change of Heart). A third album would require a nearly 20 year wait as it didn't come along until 2003 (Red Sky). Ironically, despite their sound, they would release only two albums in the 1980s and five in the 2000s, possibly attesting to their loyal, if small, fanbase. Many people have opinions about Saracen, and they have also been compared to many bands (my favourite of which, being Yes, which I feel is at least somewhat accurate), but whatever you think, give them a try - they are worth at least a one off listen for the great singing and the heartily interesting and thought-provoking lyrics.

As a means of attempting to spark more discussion around here I plan on creating threads like this for most sub-genres. Now without any further delay here is: RelentlessOblivion's Top 10 Heavy Metal albums Accept - Restless & Wild Satan - Court In The Act Motorhead - Ace Of Spades Angel Witch - Frontal Assault Deep Purple - Fireball Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality Judas Priest - Stained Class Iron Maiden - self titled Rainbow - Rainbow Rising Dio - Holy Diver

TWO MINUTES TO LATE NIGHT - Anthem

Massive Attack - Mezzanine (album)

New Selbst album "Despondency Chord Progressions" will be coming out through Debemur Morti on April 19th.

Excellent choice with "Necroshine"! It sure does have some great songs. It's very groove-laden, but it still has thrashy moments as well. "Let Us Prey" is probably my favorite track, but it's difficult to pick just one. This is my favorite Overkill album from their "middle era", which I define as spanning from "I Hear Black" up through "Immortalis". The greatest and most consistent thrash band to ever exist, in my opinion.

Sword - Metalized, heavy metal Quebec 1986 Crossfire- Second Attack, heavy metal Belgium 1985 Tyrant – Mean Machine, heavy metal Germany 1984

Nice, I was just listening to Necroshine last night and today. The opening track kicks ass and the album has some bangers! NP: Guy working at the weed store, somehow we got on the topic of music. Recommended me the song above. I'm like "I'll check it out while I'm packing the bong and while nice and baked". He goes, 'maybe better to listen to it while you're packing the bong, you probably don't wanna listen to this while high..." haha, well I listened to the whole thing out of morbid curiosity and I get why he said that. Some crazy schizo stuff but not bad.

Keeping to one album per band? Hmm ok in no order Accept - Restless & Wild Angel Witch - Frontal Assault Armored Saint - Delirious Nomad Black Sabbath - Sabotage Chastain - Mystery Illusion Grave Digger - Heavy Metal Breakdown Helloween - Walls of Jericho Iron Maiden - Killers Judas Priest - Stained Class Oz - Fire in the Brain Running Wild - Branded & Exiled Satan - Court in the Act Savage - Loose n’ Lethal Saxon - Wheels of Steel Sortilege - Sortilege EP Tyrant - Too Late to Pray