Male operatic singing in metal, vol. II
Volume I is here [edit: Volume III]. But I like the combination of metal and male operatic singing so much and I’m so happy every time a single band tries it and does it well that I want to showcase even more of them.
Imperial Age
I’ve already mentioned them last time when I said how the Russians are the only ones who realize the potential of male singing voices, but I think they deserve to be featured properly. Complementing the two female singers Anna Moiseeva and co-mastermind Jane Odintsova, tenor Alexander Osipov provides the male vocals. Imperial Age are influenced (and, I think, mentored) by Therion, but differ from them through their stronger power metal influences.
Also, most of the band left Russia for Turkey when the war started and they’ve been donating parts of their proceeds to Ukrainians. I thought that was worth mentioning, not that it has any impact on the music.
Crown Solace
This band has a countertenor! I wanted to announce that right away. If you already listen to Luc Arbogast and Cezar, you’re in luck today. Also this band is from Scotland and it has a stronger “anglo” sound, so this might also by something for North Americans for whom most symphonic metal just sounds “too European”. Dramatic music, with Pete Rawcliffe‘s voice soaring high above it.
Knights of Heliopolis (ex-Phoebus the Knight)
This is a new band from France with a really ambitious concept. Each member has an alter ego as an immortal alchemist knight of the sun god who throughout time fights against oppression and for freedom and enlightenment values. Their videos contain hints that they might have been part of the French résistance against the Nazis. Their singer, bass Axel de Montalembert, wears a piece of heavy armor on his left arm as a reference to the archangel Gabriel, the “left hand of God”. I love high mythology stuff like that! One of their knightsonas studied with Paracelsus! It’s just so cool. Their first album will be out this year.
Neopera
I edited this in later because the original post had too few entries anyway. Neopera is a more recent band from Northern Germany that has a pretty artsy side to it. This song builds upon Schubert’s Lied "Wanderer an den Mond". Jasmin Gajewski and baritone Thorsten Schuck sing the roles of the moon and the wanderer respectively.
Just, The Opera, man!
As a bonus, listen to the epic and immortal Hermann Prey sing Johann Strauß’ “Werberlied”. With such a forceful voice, he was born to be a metal vocalist.
And we live in a golden age of music!
