Saje Williams

Right now I'm really into symphonic power metal, like Nightwish, Epica, Amberian Dawn, Nemesea, Within Temptation, After Forever, Leaves' Eyes, and Tarja. Oh, and Kamelot, who aren't part of the whole European and Scandinavian symphonic movement, but totally kick ass with their progressive power metal. Frankly, most American "rock" of recent years leaves me cold, with only a few exceptions. And don't even get me started on what they're calling "metal" here in America these days. I can live with the death metal growls in some of the European symphonic metal as a counterpoint to the operatic beauty of the female vocalists, but any of the bands that emphasize that style above all others can go blow themselves. I don't get the point of "singers" who can't sing. The closest thing out of America to these bands I've quickly grown to love is Evanescence, though I have to say that the first album more reflects this style than does their second album. My tastes are fairly eclectic otherwise. I like everything from Peter Tosh and Bob Marley to so-called "pop tarts" like Pink and Christina Aguilera. I respect talent. Oh, and as far as the Nightwish goes, I happen to like BOTH Tarja and Anette for different reasons. Tarja's operatic soprano is so pure and ethereal it nearly brings tears to my eyes, but Anette's mezzo-soprano brings a rock edge to the band that I can't help but appreciate...