I'm not going to try and trace the lines around this when people's posted tracks so far demonstrate that they do actually know what I mean.

So then we basically just post any metal band that is melodic? Sounds easy enough. Though there's a lot.

The OP says no harsh vocals.

I could have said "only power metal, trad metal, heavy metal and harsh-vocal-free prog and folk metal", but that would exclude a lot of interesting outlier bands.

Most metal bands care more about repeating rhythmic models and variations than any melodic development worth noting, for that matter.

Ok. Well it's a vague term so as long as it has clean vocals, it's good? Because like I asked, doesn't melodic meta focus more on riffs?

Metal as a genre is pretty focused on riffs of course, but some bands have vastly more melodic riffs and lead guitar playing than others.

Melodic death metal is a funny genre. It's got more of a focus on memorable melodies than death metal, obviously, but it's usually still got rhythmic and simplistic grunted vocals and a tendency to repeat melodies in short sections so they really end up feeling like short little riffs. So when I say melodic development, I mean melodies that progress over longer sections instead of just repeating every 4 seconds in the form of a riff.

Metal does this a lot. Repeating ideas in little chunks. Typically 4 times in a row. Then do another chunk. It's the basis of thrash metal songwriting, but lots of other metal genres - even prog metal - tends to do it a lot. The way I think of it, that makes a band less melodic, since they go for instant repetition of a theme instead of development.

I don't have the proper terminology down quite right to really express fully what I mean.

Riffs are inherently melodic unless they're playing one note.

Repetition doesn't make something less melodic lol. I don't even think you understand what the word really means. It's just a succession of notes, even dissonant stuff counts. The thing that makes some metal bands "less melodic" is muddled production.

It worries me when Frown and I are on the same page.

Technically Frown, you, Mic, and now I are all on the same page. More to follow presumably.

Anal dial set to 10.

It's been a longtime pet peeve of mine. Refer back to my comment about harmonic metal.

Yes I understand, but I personally like a more layman's understanding of the word melody. Show 30 seconds of fusion jazz and 30 seconds of Kate Bush to a random person and chances are that person will tell you that Kate Bush is more melodic, even though the fusion jazz clip also featured a succession of notes in varying pitches.

You can go with the stream and agree with that use of the word or you can argue against it and be sort of right but also just talk past most people as a result.

Go ask strangers for melodic metal recommendations, then. **** a layman, use them words correct.

Jazz fusion is a bad example unless what you're really asking for is simplified melodic metal btw.

I just don't really think most people would post a load of Cannibal Corpse if I'm asking for melodic metal. Maybe melodic death metal.
A genre that has the word melodic in it for a reason.

The reason being that people use the term melodic incorrectly.

I like people who aren't you. Wrong or not, they're easier to talk to.

**** small talk too.

Mostly, yeah.

Symbol of Salvation is actually the best Armored Saint album though. I can't get over how much I truly love it. One of my favorites ever.

I kinda agree but it's kinda too polished for the kinda band Armored Saint are. They're an 80s band making a 90s album and it's great and all but... I don't know. Great ****ing songs without quite the right aesthetic I suppose.

I've been a fan for the past decade and a half though so I can't hate, only critique. One of the bands I got into metal with tbh.

This song is one of the ultimate metal songs though and I'll fight anyone who says different.

it kinda is kinda

That's terrifying.

Hmmm... maybe they can do better, but this one doesn't really have that memorability that Iron Maiden's songs would usually have (pre-Final Frontier anyway *snort*)

Tried to give it several listens, but every time I came back to it, it just made me want to listen to Onmyoza


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNr5DqfirLU

This one got a few chances as well, but damn, there's like no single part of this song that registers with me at all.

I didn't know Eros Ramazzotti had a metal band!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTOKcxIujgE

this is a catchy thrash album with alternative and funk elements

Tf when you get seven pages into a melodic metal thread and nobody brings up one of the best ever.

As the videos were loading, I thought "ffs it's just going to be Dream Theater." Good choice, interested in Mike's thoughts on it.

Figured nobody on this site should need to be told about Queensryche. Empire is a ****ing monster.

I know them, but I've never listened to a full album. Only a few songs spread across several albums.

Possibly the best pop metal album ever, and that production is glorious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEnE...j5LR-aN-WrDl2d

There are no words for how much Mic will hate that tripe. Makes Dream Theater sound credible.

That's really sad.

Almost as sad as Ayreon's existence.

I'm going to visit my sister for a few days soon, so I won't be able to react to any of the remaining recs for a couple days - but let's just say that if good prog metal is a plate of quality dark chocolate, and Dream Theater is a plate of cheap milk chocolate, then Ayreon is a bag of plain, white sugar.

That's too bad.

I'm still checking it out when I have time. I only think I've really heard material from the newest album.

I hope you like it.

Absolutely no guarantees whatsoever on that front, but I will try to see the positives.

The only melodic metal I need.
Interested to hear Mic's thoughts about the band.

How about Mammatus? The focus is on melodic guitar work, and the vocals, when they do make an appearance, are not harsh.