Starting as a drunken idea at Bloodstock Festival by Gemma and Amy of Dakesis and CapsaArx Studios, Power Metal Quest Fest is returning for its third year in Birmingham, having to change venue AGAIN due to the festival’s growing popularity. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 28th September at The Asylum, Birmingham. If you are a fan of power, prog, symphonic, or heavy metal, you need to check this great one-dayer out.
You can buy Power Metal Quest Fest tickets here, as well as pre-order Power Metal Quest Fest 2019 t-shirts. I also have a short Power Metal Quest Fest playlist, which features a couple of tracks from each band playing.
Forlorn Hope
A new band to me, Forlorn Hope sound very much like an 1800’s battle themed Sellsword. Which is definitely no bad thing, of course. There’s definitely an Iron Maiden vibe here too. With gallops, keys, and even a ballad for good measure, Forlorn Hope give another new twist on traditional power and heavy metal.
Buy Forlorn Hope music and merch: https://forlornhope.uk/store
Listen to Forlorn Hope on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PGRhbdRvhro8guh2Bmyc5
Follow Forlorn Hope on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialForlornHope/
Forlorn Hope website: https://forlornhope.uk/home
Primitai
Primitai have a heavy and fast sound that you can definitely have a good old headbang to. There’s some groove in there too, which is also great for a little bit of dancing. There are some great solos, and the vocals are powerful. There’s definitely a lot of 80’s heavy metal influence, but it’s still got that modern feel. I might find myself picking myself up some Primitai merch if there’s any available on the day…
Buy Primitai music and merch: https://primitaiofficial.bigcartel.com/
Listen to Primitai on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oZlvk8hh22ritpToa8kJj
Follow Primitai on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primitai/
Primitai website: http://www.primitai.com/
Control the Storm
Control the Storm are another new discovery for me, and they’ve just released their new album, Forevermore. For me, they have a bit of Nightwish feel, with elements of more traditional heavy and symphonic metal whacked in there for good measure. The music is generally fast paced, and there are some harsh vocals mixed in with the predominant powerful female vocals. They are definitely a band to watch out for in the future.
Buy Control the Storm music and merch: https://controlthestorm.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Control the Storm on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ascG63vFAacfYKoRYyH6V
Follow Control the Storm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ControlTheStorm/
Luke Appleton
Something a little different for Power Metal Quest Fest, Luke Appleton (Iced Earth and Absolva) brings his acoustic music to the power metal masses. Purely through personal taste, I am not the biggest fan of purely acoustic music, but I can appreciate the emotion and feeling behind the music, and Luke’s voice (plus guests) is definitely suited the the instrumental.
Buy Luke Appleton music and merch: http://lukeappleton.bigcartel.com/
Listen to Luke Appleton on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3gsTVPsl1HDWGwaPEWx6D5
Follow Luke Appleton on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukeappletonofficial/
Luke Appleton website: https://lappleton896.wixsite.com/lukeappleton/home
RuinThrone
With atmospheric instrumentals accompanying heavier guitars and drums, RuinThrone are another band you an have a good headbang to, as well as feel the power and feeling behind the music. With what seems to be a more modern feel to the traditional fantasy style power metal, I’m really looking forward to giving these guys a listen live. There’s a bit of a nu-metal feel in some of the instrumental as well, which is something I can only love.
Buy RuinThrone music and merch: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/band/ruinthrone
Listen to RuinThrone on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3cpZneJRjlmpjgbhby9GH3
Follow RuinThrone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuinThrone/
RuinThrone website: http://ruinthrone.altervista.org/
Memories of Old
With song titles such as The Land of Xia and Zeras Shadow, this already seems like it’s going to be wonderfully cheesy power metal, and the music itself does not disappoint. I can definitely hear some Dragonland, Gloryhammer, and Twilight Force in the instrumentals. It’s some good old fashioned power metal you can have a headbang and raise your fists to, and there’s even some power metal screams. And let’s face it, you can’t really call yourself a power metal band without a power metal scream or two.
Buy Memories of Old music and merch: http://www.memoriesofold.co.uk/shop/
Listen to Memories of Old on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jwxNFNe7BHnFTas8X2cGS
Follow Memories of Old on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MemoriesOfOld/
Memories of Old website: http://www.memoriesofold.co.uk/
Dakesis
Dakesis are a band I’ve known for a few years now, starting from when I saw them on their Northern mini tour with Leadrobot and Sellsword. Featuring the founders of Power Metal Quest Fest Amy (bassist/vocalist) and Gemma (lead vocals), Dakesis are a progressive metal band with lots of power and symphonic metal influences, having long epic tracks in their set. The instrumentals are complex and well executed, and the vocals are powerful and punchy. Definitely not a band to miss.
Buy Dakesis music and merch: https://www.dakesis.com/store/
Listen to Dakesis on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6cLnsXprLpBnKlX5XDVCn9
Follow Dakesis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dakesis/
Dakesis website: https://www.dakesis.com/
Ancient Bards
Hailing from Italy, Ancient Bards round off Power Metal Quest Fest in style. With an ongoing story in their Black Crystal Sword Saga albums, Ancient Bards have a powerful power metal style. The lead vocals are powerful, the instrumentals are atmospheric and can raise you up as well as bring you back down, and if their live performance has half the enthusiasm as the recordings, then it will be one hell of a way to end the evening.
Buy Ancient Bards music and merch: https://ancientbards.bigcartel.com/
Listen to Ancient Bards on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZlSRBv3StWrGuGTAwKskP
Follow Ancient Bards on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ancientbards/
Ancient Bards website: https://ancientbards.com/
Ostara Metal 