My favorite lesser-known bands/albums...

Back in the day there was an over-abundance of what I like to refer to as "melodic metal" bands. By "back in the day" I mean, of course, the late 80s to early 90s. A lot of critics like to say that the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, whatever generation "metal" bands were simply copy-cats and their music wasn't worth the time it had taken to record them. While this sometimes may have been true, to make a sweeping generalization such as that, as usual, just proves ignorance on the subject at hand. Here, in no particular order, I present to you my favorite lesser-known melodic metal bands and albums. Some of these bands may be better known and even have had a hit or two, but their follow-up albums were largely ignored. Or their biggest hit came on a second album and their first album wasn't given respect. Every single one of the bands mentioned I believe had more to offer the rock world and were not given a fair chance to prove themselves. Remember, these are just my opinions. If you'd like to know more about each band, click on their album photo to go to their official site. Enjoy.

  Tyketto was a band I found in Metal Edge sometime in the early 1990s. The descriptions of their music intrigued me, as did their drummer (who looked a lot like an old drummer crush of mine from the early days of high school). So yeah, their looks initially interested me. I can admit that. But looks don't hold my attention very long. Luckily, there turned out to be a lot of substance in their first album, 1991's Strength In Numbers to back up the initial intrigue. For the most part the lyrics are intelligent, well-written and definitely sexy. Singer Danny Vaughn has a whole lot of soul and a very big voice. Drummer Michael Clayton had a lot of swing, and I just can't resist that. The guitarists, particularly Brooke St. James, were fantastic. Their sound, at least on this album, could be best described as Bon Jovi, if only Richie were singing full time. Yeah, so you see why this album really worked for me!

Babylon A.D.'s self-titled debut came out in 1989. Why this band wasn't bigger I am not completely sure. Again, larger-then-life vocals and intelligent lyrics against the backdrop of driving guitars and a thundering energy for some reason couldn't help this band. Sam Kinison did some guest-screaming on "The Kid Goes Wild." The song "Desperate" is hauntingly beautiful - it inspired me to write a poem for my creative writing class that I consequently got an A on! Their most famous song was probably "Bang Go The Bells" or "Hammer Swings Down" - both full on rockers. This band had energy to spare. I can't give them enough props.

I found my way to Europe's 1991 album Prisoner's In Paradise album through a now ex-boyfriend in about 1996. I remember being in the bathroom fixing my hair or something and hearing song after song that tugged at my heart. Finally, I joined the now-ex in the living room and asked him, "Who IS this, anyway?" When he told me Europe I remember being utterly shocked. Shocked that I hadn't recognized Joey Tempest's voice, and shocked at how the band seemed to have grown from their previous album. Everyone knows Europe from their over-played monster hit "The Final Countdown." Some people dismiss them as goofy light-rock keyboard-heavy cheese (at least, my current boyfriend does!). But to take this stance diminishes the talent of this great band.  Joey Tempest is one of the most under-rated vocalists in the genre. And on Prisoners In Paradise he truly shines. The lyrics have their moments, but overall, this album is still very emotionally raw and makes my heart sing. Songs like the title track, "Halfway To Heaven," and "I'll Cry For You" are my favorites - evoking passion and heart.

Everyone knows Extreme's early 1990s hit "More Than Words." What never got enough credit was their self-titled debut album from 1989. Or the band in general. With songs like "Kid Ego," "Mutha(Don't Wanna Go To School Today)," and "Wind Me Up" this band was heavy on the funk-flavored rock. Nuno Bettencourt's chops on the guitar are second-to-none. Gary Cherone is a good enough vocalist that he was chosen to front Van Halen for a time. "More Than Words" off their second album, 1990's Pornograffiti was a blessing and a curse for the band. They were given the publicity they so richly deserved, but at what cost? Unfairly pigeon-holed as a ballad band ever since, Extreme gave up the game after one more album. I can't find an official website for the band, so click the picture to go to Nuno Bettencourt's website instead.

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