Nine Heavy Metal Albums You Might Not Have Heard (But should hear ASAP)
Elan vital - Elan vital
An early Fates Warning/Adramelch soundalike from South Korea of all places. Combines a beautiful melodic flowy twin guitar approach with some of the most otherworldly and captivating female vocals I’ve ever heard, a modern hidden gem.
Enchanter - Defenders of the Realm
More Fates Warning inspired stuff - this time fused with the more muscular side of USPM like Manowar, one of the best obscurities from the 80s US underground.
Heathen Hoof - The Occult Sessions
This Finnish band plays a very stripped down, no-frills approach to heavy metal on this EP. 4 perfectly executed songs reminiscent of the darker NWOBHM acts like Satan, Holocaust, and Cloven Hoof.
Inquisicion - Black Leather from Hell
Not to be confused with the black metal band bearing a similar name and logo, this Chilean band plays a very free-wheeling style reminiscent of Mercyful Fate - highly dark yet highly melodic.
Onward - Evermoving
Landing firmly on the power metal side of US power metal, this album has the massive choruses, soaring vocals, and shredding acrobatic solos one expects from power metal, but doesn’t forget the fantastic riffing like many European bands.
Prodigy - As Darkness Reigns
Extremely progressive approach to USPM that combines thrashy riffs with extended neoclassical solos.
Proud - Fire Breaks the Dawn
Very melodic, passionate, and sensitive Swedish heavy metal with some absolutely gorgeous twin guitar harmonies.
Skullview - Legends of Valour
By far the heaviest album here. If you ever wanted to hear US power metal with Bolt Thrower riffs, you’re in luck.
Slauter Xstroyes - Winter Kill
One of the earliest examples of progressive metal, and also one of the weirdest. Few heavy metal albums get this off-kilter while still retaining everything that makes the genre so great.