For more than thirty years, fans of symphonic melodic metal act Rhapsody Of Fire have been able to rely on one thing: there’s nothing half-hearted about this band. Rhapsody Of Fire mastermind and founder Alex Staropoli looks back at an impressive record of 14 studio albums, three EPs and two live recordings to date, all marked by lots of heart and soul, passion and a virtually inexhaustible wealth of ideas. Since 1993, the Italian keyboardist has been hailed as the creator of the film score metal genre and his band as one of the most charismatic acts worldwide. In addition, Staropoli has enlisted a highly creative first-rate guitarist in Roby De Micheli, who joined the fold in 2011, contributing lots of gritty metal riffs and virtuoso solos to contrast the band’s symphonic orchestral style. Their latest studio album ‘Challenge The Wind’ is marked by Staropoli and De Micheli’s zest and energy, but also by a number of surprises. The most obvious one: “Compared to all previous Rhapsody Of Fire releases, the current album consists exclusively of up-tempo numbers, not a single ballad in sight,” reveals the composer and keyboardist. “None of our other records have featured as much pure, unadulterated metal as ‘Challenge The Wind’!”

Omen is best-known for melodic yet aggressive power metal/fantasy metal along the lines of King Diamond, Queensrÿche, Savatage, Manowar, and Helloween; Omen is forceful and hard-driving, but they’re always been musical and melodic. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by lead guitarist Kenny Powell, who had been a member of an L.A.-based band called Savage Grace. Powell’s early influences included Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, UFO, Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow (among others), and Omen’s Metal Blade and Enigma recordings of the ’80s reflected the guitarist’s appreciation of those headbangers.

Intergalactic Power Metal. Always anti-dragon.

Glyph is: Barbara Blackthorne – Lead Vocals Jeff Black – Keyboards Rob Steinway – Guitars Darin Wall – Bass Jeff Potts – Lead Guitars Damien Rainaud – Drums

When darkness engulfs the world, NITE sets the sky ablaze with white-hot, blackened heavy metal.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a history steeped in forward-thinking, technically dazzling metal, and NITE carries that torch with pride. Founded in 2018, their blackened heavy metal barrels towards the peril of an unknown future, while looking to the days when blistering leads once ruled the land. Guitarists Van Labrakis (Satan’s Wrath, Mencea) and Scott Hoffman (Dawnbringer, High Spirits) let loose galloping riffs and harmonies that evoke the classic sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M., with Labrakis’ grizzled voice driving their dark, melodic metal into the modern era. Drummer Patrick Crawford (Older Sun, Mustard Gas & Roses) and bassist Avinash Mittur (Wretched Stench) make up a rhythm section that’s fierce yet breathlessly precise: a freewheel pounding reminiscent of heavy metal’s earliest days.

Having completed their journey through the stars and the skies on Voices of the Kronian Moon, NITE now faces the abyssal and shadowy mythology that has long laid dormant on their third album, Cult of the Serpent Sun. Fans who yearn for the days of molten guitar leads, chest-rattling bass and stadium-shaking drums flock to NITE’s circle, and stay for the snarling vocals that speak to metal’s esoteric underground.

On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE guards the altar of blackened heavy metal with sharpened blades and axes raised.

Luminator is a fantasy power metal band based out of Seattle/Tacoma WA.

Thrash N’ Roll from Los Angeles, CA