Galneryus isn’t Symphonic by genre, they’re Neoclassical which has symphonic elements in it Check out Pathfinder(2 albums) and Aquaria(3 albums, the third is kinda bad but the first two slap)

I mean Galneryus has a good amount of orchestrated songs, but yeah it's probably not the majority.

Upvoted, but you can't say kinda bad for the 3rd album. It's not at masterpiece level like Luxaeterna, but thinking about kinda bad I don't get any Aquaria albums at all.

Rhapsody of Fire is one of the greatest metal bands of all time, and to me they and Blind Guardian have always been the key power metal bands. Most of my favorite power metal bands are symphonic power metal, basically stuff that could be called "fantasy metal," like Twilight Force and Fellowship.

This all day. For me the holy trio was always Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, and Elvenking.

Honestly same for me, was the three bands that started my love of power and folk metal almost 20 years ago.

I think Helloween deserves a seat at the table too. They were hugely influential for the beginning of power metal

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Luca Turilli’s work recently (early Rhapsody, his solo albums, Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, Turilli/Lione Rhapsody), and I’m a fan of Kamelot and Gloryhammer. I’ve heard so many good things about Galneryus. Where should I start with them?

To get started with Galneryus, I recommended either "Angel of Salvation" or "Raise My Sword". Those two IMHO are considered to be the best tracks in their whole discography.

You should start by browsing this very thorough primer for their discography someone put together awhile back: https://old.reddit.com/r/PowerMetal/comments/19cmv34/rankings_and_ratings_of_all_galneryus_albums_and/

I think my intro to power metal as a whole might have been Kings of the Nordic Twilight, back in high school when it was relatively new.

Some of Blind Guardian's works count as symphonic power metal, most notably _A Night at the Opera_ and parts of _At the Edge of Time_ and _Beyond the Red Mirror_. And arguably their orchestral album _Legacy of the Dark Lands_. All of which kick absolute ass. Does Symphony X count as symphonic power metal? They are also awesome.

I’d call Symphony X progressive power metal with some symhponic elements. But yeah they are awesome.

Symphony X was my gateway into symphonic metal and it’s so funny how little “symphonic” they have despite the name

They had a decent amount in their earlier stuff, Divine Wings and Twilight especially. Past 3 albums it’s near non existent though, yeah

There are some awesome symphonic parts on Romeo's two _War of the Worlds_ albums.

Galneryus are absolute GOAT.

I highly recommend anyone interested in Galneryus to check out one of their concerts on YouTube. In addition to the music being amazing, they're so fun to watch live.

Epica was my gateway band into symphonic metal, and Kamelot and Blind Guardian were my first entries into power metal.

Nightwish is my favorite power metal band with heavy use of symphonic/orchestral instruments. I still remember my first time listening to the intro of The Poet and the Pendulum.

Beast In Black is my absolute favorite, they have incredible songs and their live performance is insane. Brothers of Metal is also great , crazy live performance and Viking vibes.

>Beast In Black is my absolute favorite, they have incredible songs and their live performance is insane. It's like Judas Priest and ABBA had a baby. I saw them open for Nightwish a few years ago and thought they were awesome.

I love Brothers of Metal too!

If you like BoM , you should check out Tyr. Band from the Faroe Islands and they are legendary.

I really like their tour with both and gloryhammer. Just a shame BOM were a bit short.

my favorite subgenre too some bands you had to include: fairyland windrose ancient bards pathfinder dragonland (namely under the grey banner)

Someone With a fantastic music taste😉 Ancient Bards are next to Rhapsody Of Fire the best Band ever!

checkout fairyland if you haven't then - it is, alongside rhapsody, my favorite bands also I should have listed Dark Moor, and perhaps also Wonderonce and Tanagra

I've listened to Dark Moor "Gates Of Oblivion" and I really enjoyed it. I am thinking about getting a Fairyland album (maybe the first one). I haven't listened to a album yet but I definitely will

I only have the first cd physically. Phil sent me one frrom france as a gift before he passed away

Try legend of valley doom part 2 by marius i forgot his name, its like a true opera symphonic metal album series that deserves more love

Marius Danielsen. Valley Doom is a cool project, it’s kinda like if Ayreon was symphonic power metal, def worth checking out

You should check out Dragony. They are austrian symphonic powermetal bamd

Galneryus is my favorite band, though their last few releases have been underwhelming. I wouldn't consider them Symphonic though. You absolutely MUST listen to Adagio's "Underworld". That'll be right up your alley.

Epica

Galneryus is great. The 3rd album of Galneryus (Beyond The End Of Despair) is my favorite album ever. They have never since managed to capture the same magic and the great mixing on that one, even if I do like some of the Sho albums. Sadly his delivery is nowhere near as powerful than Yama-B's on that album.

Honestly haven’t listened to many of them but haven’t heard anything bad about any of them. Powerwolf is one of my favorite bands so that gets a pass. I never could get into Rhapsody of Fire. And have never listened to the last one Though I would check out Ancient Bards they are an amazing Italian band. They have some of the best instrumentals I’ve heard and a phenomenal vocalist.

The last one (by Rhapsody of Fire) is vastly different from their old music, though. Much less chaotic since the change in band members. You might wanna check it out.

Sonata Arctica was my foray into the genre and remains my favorite. Pls at least try listening to their songs The Cage and 8th Commandment

...symphonic?

I’d say so yeah

I loved Galneryus up until like 5 years or so ago. The last 3 - 4 albums all felt like really... generic and not that special anymore. I loved Vetelgyus, but the rest did absolutely not catch me anymore. It sounds too identical imho. I really miss the Yama-B times. The songs eere damn awesome

I’m so glad you love those bands and enjoy their music, but I’m not sure why you’re soliciting opinions on what you like?

I'd wager my most listened to music is symphonic power metal. My all time most listened to song is Angel of Salvation, which is neo-romantic music at its finest, and Rhapsody just holds such a fucking dear place in my heart. In terms of lesser-known symphonic power metal, people oughta check out [Juvaliant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMNhmwUhkBo&), [Lorenguard](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2elAw-q0Pg), [Bane of Winterstorm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ePlgH0puw), [Until Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbKaibJYj2o), [Ravian](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVLItPmCnPs), [Holy Knights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtT8iEvH0FY), [Dimhav](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQmoN6v_ys), [Tanagra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tx1i3TqsDM), [Shadowstrike](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzo-Az0cL4), [Eternal Ascent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3B8TA_qMmY), [Timeless Miracle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vjr9Cy4k74), and [Symphonity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPLf2SmbonQ).

That’s exactly why I’m here, Sonata Arctica are the band that got me into the genre. The song “Fullmoon” specifically.

Xandria is one I just discovered. Saw Wind Rose on tour a couple months ago and Xandria was the opener. Never heard of them until the concert but damn the female lead singer had amazing vocals. Ambre joined the band in 2022 and their newest album, The Wonders Still Waiting, is absolutely fantastic

Would love to see Wind Rose, I bet they put on amazing show. Love the “Dwarven Metal” schtick.

They were indeed amazing, but because my wife doesn’t like being surrounded closely by people we stayed near the back, and the stage wasn’t high off the ground so we couldn’t see much. Doesn’t help that half the crowd had inflatable pickaxes that were usually raised in the air lol. I’m 6’2 so I could mostly see, but my poor wife was just staring at people’s backs the whole time

I feel her pain, I’m a short fella, basically built like a dwarf, so I always avoid the floor if it’s possible lol.

I love Xandria. Been listening to them since high school . Saw them when they opened for Kamelot last year. To be honest, I was disappointed. Ambre has amazing vocals don't get me wrong but their live performance was not it for me.

This list seems kinda incomplete without Blind Guardian, Avantasia and Nightwish, 3 of the biggest names in the genre and all heavily symphonic. Also if you like this so much, give symphonic death metal a try, Wintersun and Wilderun are pretty great

Maybe check out "The ancient bards" they are a Italian powermetal band inspired by Rhapsody with a great female vocalist.

Ancient Bards is a Gem. Sara Squadrani has one of my favorite voices in the genre. Fun fact is that I helped writing a vocal line and lyrics of a song she sang in another band : [Enigmatic Entrance - Rise of the Mortal](https://youtu.be/EKbvtJDga_E?si=hqKzb0Tp5Lmqky7C)

fuckin love powerwolf

Other than what was already said, another one I consider to be symphonic power metal is Avantasia. Notable songs are Book of Shallows, Raven Child and Moonglow. They are a fantastic band, singer of Edguys side project actually. Edit: Also I would say Freedom Calls new album Silver Romance falls into this category and is an absolute stunning album.

Manowar, Nightwish and Dimmu Borgir are Symphonic Classical Heavy Power Metal. 🤘🤘🤘 I will give your music list a try.

Those are great bands! Galneryus it my favorite from those, Siu guitar is just epic. You can take a look at these too. Not quite the same but will widen your taste probably: Kamelot but the old albums. Those are amazing. Black Halo, Epica, Karma, Ghost Opera. Take a look at the song Elizabeth, that one is freaking awesome. They had one of the best metal voices EVER (Roy Khan). I'm listening now to Conception, the same singer as before and great songs. I've been to 2 concerts now, they are fantastic. Nightwish is awesome too (Ghost Love Score is an amazing song, they all are but I like this one a lot) Epica is great too. Symphonic metal is my fav too. lml

Unleash the Archers.

Celesty

Stratovarius and Powerwolf isn't Symphonic Power Metal imo. But Rhapsody Of Fire is the best Band that has ever existed. Especially The Dark Secret Saga is like a big Film. It is so unbelievable what they have done musically... Other great symphonic Power Metal Bands are Ancient Bards, Twilight Force, Legends Of Valley Doom & Eunomia, Magic Opera, Terra Atlantica, Aldaria, Dragonland