Wintersun

Wintersun

Genre: Epic Death/Power metal
Website: http://www.wintermadness.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wintersun
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

After mentioning Jari Mäenpää in the last post, its suiting that I do my next band post on Wintersun.

Wintersun is a finnish metal band founded by Jari that is very difficult to define. The band's musicial influence is very wide, including such as power metal, death metal, folk metal, melodic death, and even hints of black metal. In 2004, they released the first album self-titled "Wintersun" with huge success. It has been noted as one of the best metal albums of that year. All the instruments were performed by Jari, with the addition of Kai Hahto on drums. What started out to be a side-project for Jari, has turned into a full-time band with a full band lineup. Currently they're working on the new album "Time" which has been been held back due to many technical issues, but hopefully will see the light of day very soon.

Real Guitar Hero: Jari Mäenpää

Jari Mäenpää

A friend of mine gave me a suggestion to talk about guitarists to really demonstrate the talent in metal bands. So heres my new "Real Guitar Hero" section.

Jari is the founding member of Wintersun. He performs both vocal duties and guitars, and actually did all keyboard and bass duties on the first Wintersun release. Before creating Wintersun, Jari was best known for being in folk/viking metal band Ensiferum. Jari himself has said he has a very "heroic" sound to his melodies which I personally believe attributes from the overall folk/viking style he tends to flourish in. The use of extremely fast sweep-picking solos keeps up with equal pace of Wintersun's music that creates a sound that is indubitaly a very distinct signature sound.

Website: http://www.wintermadness.net/

Grey Skies Fallen

Grey Skies Fallen

• Genre: Death/Doom/Dark Metal
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/greyskiesfallen
• Webpage: www.greyskiesfallen.com
• Label: Xanthros Records

Grey Skies Fallen started out as a doom metal act in 1996. Originally under the name "Eve of Mourning" they released a demo, then changed their name to Grey Skies Fallen for their first album "The Fate of Angels" in 1999. The album was a great doom album with slow to mid tempo songs, layers of keyboards, acoustic guitars, both death and clean vocals . In 2003, they released the album "Tomorrow's in Doubt" that showed a new sound. All the doom elements were still in there somewhere, but the songs were longer, faster and more progressive. It was almost a more melodic death metal approach. Four years pass, and band changed lineups a few times, split up a few times, and was on a long hiatus. Then they got together and released a collection of songs written during this period of time. The album was "Two Way Mirror", showing a drastic change in style. It was a softer album, with only a hint of death metal vocals, or even distorted guitars. Which brings us to 2009 -- the band is still writing and have plans to record new material this summer. Grey Skies Fallen have been one of my favourite bands and its sad to see them so under appreciated, and just lost in the shuffle of metal music. They deserve to stand out for sure.

Also, check out some video footage of them on YouTube. They've recently just posted a bunch of very interest and comical videos from their past.
http://www.youtube.com/CraigGSF

Morgion

Morgion

• Genre: Death/Doom Metal
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/morgion
• Webpage: www.morgion.com
  
• Label: Dark Symphonies
  

Morgion was formed in 1990 by Dwayne Boardman (Guitars), Jeremy Peto (Vocals, Bass), Mike Davis (Guitars) and Rhett Davis (Drums). The band recorded their debut “Rabid Decay” demo in 1991, followed by the “Travesty” 7" in 1993. With the addition of Bobby Thomas (Guitars) and Ed Parker (Keyboards) in 1994, Morgion recorded a what would become “Among Majestic Ruin” on Relapse Records in 1997. In 1995, Gary Griffith joined Morgion as a replacement for Parker on keyboards. In 1998, Thomas departed and Griffith took on both guitar and keyboard duties. Morgion then wrote and recorded “Solinari” released by Relapse Records in 1999. In 2002 Morgion moved forward with Justin Christian on Bass and an album partnership with Dark Symphonies. “Cloaked by Ages, Crowned in Earth” was released in April of 2004 and stands as the band’s most diverse and most successful release. Boardman and Griffith left Morgion in 2004, and the band was officially put to rest.

I only discovered this band after the release of "Cloaked by Ages, Crowned in Earth" and was immediately amazed by this album. The overall atmosphere of the album is brilliant and definately makes you want to keep listening. This album was also one of the albums that really got me into the doom genre.

October Tide

October Tide

• Genre: Death/Doom Metal
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/octobertideband
• Label: Avantgard Music

October Tide originated with a 1995 demo tape created by Katatonia members Jonas Renkse and Fred Norrman. Much of the material was written during a break-up of Katatonia (which would end up being only temporary). In 1997 the two signed to VIC Records to release their debut, "Rain without End". In 1999 October Tide would release their second and last album entitled "Grey Dawn" which had Mårten Hansen (of A Canorous Quintet) replacing Renkse on vocal duties. The album received much deserved praise from fans and the media alike. Renkse and Norrman made a decision to not grant interviews nor tour whatsoever, which resulted in short lived public profile. These two albums continue to live on in the underground community and are widely regarded as two treasures to result from the temporary break-up of Katatonia. Despite pleas from fans, Renkse and Norrman have repeatedly refused the notion of any future October Tide material.

Definately a great listen if you're into early Katatonia. A must for all fans of doom.

Dead Autumn

Dead Autumn

• Genre: Thrash/Dark Metal
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deadautumnofficial
• Webpage: www.deadautumn.com

Dead Autumn is a band from Canada. They call themselves dark metal, being somewhere between thrash metal and death/black metal. The song structures are somewhat progressive, with constant changes and the odd acoustic interlude. The vocals are harsh with hints of a black metal type screams in the background. They're currently unsigned and the only songs available from their album "In Diseases She Waits" are on the MySpace page. If you're looking for something a little different that shows mixed elements, you'll dig this.

Introduction

Welcome to Metal Cynosure. The idea of this page is simple -- to showcase all the talented metal bands out there that most people have never heard of. I know a lot of people who are into metal music, but are only aware of the bands that are very popular and can get their CDs from all the major music stores. I'm always scouring the internet looking for new music and constantly come across amazing bands even I'm not aware of, so I know for a fact most other metal fans have never heard of them either. Theres so much unheard talent out there!

The bands I'll be posting on here and just random bands that I come across that I think need to be shared. I'll try to provide information, websites, videos and places to buy CDs if you like what you hear. I'll also mention some of the more popular bands from time to time just in case some people are really out of the loop.

Please remember that all opinions are that of Metal Cynosure only, and you may disagree. This isn't a place for arguements or bashing.

If you're in a band and would like your band showcased on here, please feel free to contact me.