This was a blog homework from a while back. I'll be honest, my musical tastes are not terribly 'alternative'. I like romantic, dramatic music with good musicianship and strong melodies and enough variation to keep things from getting too stale.
First up...
I had the incredible privilege of seeing Nightwish in Manchester just a couple of weeks after Floor joined the band. Both they and she were awesome that night and this song was probably the highlight of their set - although they did a version of 'Ever Dream' that sent chills down my spine, too. They've got a new album coming out in a couple of weeks too. Which, I'm rather excited about. :)
I know that there's a big debate among Opeth fans about whether the band has gone too progressive and, consequently, strayed too far from their death metal roots. While I understand the arguments, I'm afraid I can't care about them too much when the band keeps on producing stuff like this. Taken from the 'Heritage' album, this starts off subtly and delicately, building up to the kind of melody that sounds like it should be the title track to a weird 70s kids sci-fi series (I'm thinking of something like 'The Tomorrow People', to be honest). Orgasmic.
Yes, I know it's better known as a Stones song, but this version (from the singer who sang backing vocals on the Stones track) struts and swaggers and wails and just... rocks!
And here's some Epica. This is taken from their last album and, quite frankly, it's one of the best albums I've heard in ages. Love Simone's voice. Love the production values. Symphonic metal at its best! :)