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Sometime in 2009 I decided to check out a band that tours frequently with Helloween. I had heard of Gamma Ray but never checked out their stuff. God, what I was missing. Gamma Ray led me to Blind Guardian, which led me to Avantasia. Avantasia led me to Sonata Arctica, which led me to Stratovarius. Three other bands in the Euro mix is Hammerfall, Rhapsody of Fire and DragonForce. While I was looking through these European bands, three American bands came up in searches of European Metal, they are: Kamelot, Iced Earth, and Symphony X.
This music made an incredible impression on me. Being a drummer it was easy to be drawn to this line of metal. It's fast, sophisticated, clean, double bass METAL!!!! The subject matter is a bit dark in places, but the music is clean, most of the Eruo-Metal is based on myth, legend, and folklore. It was a welcome relief from the pity, sad-sapped, 'don't I feel bad' modern American music. To me the subject matter of American music is pathetic. I'm not talking about classic metal ie: Metallica, Megadeath, Anthrax, Slayer and the like. I am talking about Lincoln Park, Nickleback, and the like. Good music; shitty subject matter.
Over the last couple of years I looked at this music as being impossible to play, but fascinating to learn nonetheless. Around September of 2010 I had listened to this stuff daily, sometimes two or three times a day. And I put a few song together. Next thing I knew I began to catch on to the double bass work and the speeds. Over the last 10 months I have put together a comprehensive list of music together. Also over the last 10 months I got these songs down about 90%, and now practice for three hours every night.
Below are download of the music I have grown to love. Some people have asked me why I would spend so much time on music I'll never play out. I say "I enjoy this music, it has taught me a lot." and "I really feel that if performed well this stuff could kick some serious ass." and "How many other drummers in this area can play this stuff." I'm rather proud of this accomplish.
Anyone who knows anyone who would be interested in this kind of music pass it along. I would love to find guitarists capable of pulling this stuff of.
The list of songs below are: Proudest accomplished are in this color
Avantasia (German): Avantasia, Farewell, Breaking Away, Seven Angels
Gamma Ray (German): It's a Sin (PetShop boys cover) The heart of a Unicorn, Strange World
HammerFall (Sweedish): Any Means Necessary, Last Man Standing
Helloween (German): Shade in the Shadow
Iced Earth (Florida US): Ten Thousand Strong
Kamelot (Florida US): March of Mephisto, Rule the World, Call of the Sea
Rhapsody of Fire (Italian): The Village of Dwarves, Queen of the Dark Horizons
Sonata Arctica (Finnish): Broken, Replica, Don't Say a Word, Kingdom for a Heart, My Land,
8th commandment * I love these guys
Stratovarius (Finnish): 4000 Rainy Nights, Destiny, Anthem of the World, Distand Skies, Stratofortress
Symphony X (NJ, US): Domination
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