Power Ballads That Don't Suck...

I recently woke up in some sort of insane alternate universe where Hellyeah make pretty darned good music instead of ridiculous tripe.

I s'pose Seether and Hellyeah are the kinds of bands that do good ballads and shitty roickers? It's happened before...

A classic, made all the more powerful by the tragic Real Life context.

Some of my favorites:

• Robbi Robb - In Time: From the Bill & Ted soundtrack, I feel this one often gets over-looked and forgotten about. It's a beautiful song though, like the kind Wild Stallyns will eventually make that brings world peace. XD

• Journey - Separate Ways: This is only my favorite of the Journey power ballads, I like most of their songs.

• Stratovarius - Soul of a Vagabond: I don't think anyone's mentioned this band yet, they have a lot of great power ballads, this one's just my favorite.

• Kamelot - Memento Mori: Kamelot has a lot of songs that would qualify but I think this one is the most epic.

• Dokken - Dream Warriors: I recently watched the third Nightmare on Elm Street movie and coincidentally have had this stuck in my head on and off since then.

Qualifies only by broad criteria—it is an electric ballad with an explosive climax—but I am unconcerned.

The first song I remember ever really loving... when I was about 4 or 5 I think.

Stillbirth Machine posted "Gods of Wrath" earlier. I just listened to Metal Church's second album and it has another really strong power ballad:

edited 21st Oct '14 8:19:17 AM by MidnightRambler

And another great one from Alice Cooper (besides "How You Gonna See Me Now"):

Excellent choices! &

And, Power Ballads- NYC Punk Rock Edition!

Have some Patti Smith - "Pissing In A River": This is one of the most depressing songs I know- and it's also awesome!

And some Richard Hell - "Betrayal Takes Two": An odd example, but it still (sorta) counts, IMO.

And, finally, a little Ramones - "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow": I know, not known for their ballads, but they actually did some good ones, weirdly enough...

and good stuff, all.

Here's something from an album that really kicked my arse recently. Bloodsimple - members of Vision of Disorder playing Alice in Chainsy metalcore, and this great quiet song. I normally don't like stuff called "The ________ Song", but here I'll make an exception.

Not bad. Not bad at all...

Just came across this one, on the latest album by one of my favorite criminally underrated bands. Blew my socks off. Hard to believe these guys are pushing 70!

Magnum -- Midnight Angel

edited 5th Dec '14 12:40:24 PM by bokhuraburnes

Classic Arena Rock stuff. The genre had a lot of good Power Ballads, and quite a few surprisingly obscure but good bands. Magnum's pretty much the ultimate example of that in the genre.

I haven't been able to get this out of my head for a week. MUTTER! MUTTER!

Children of the Damned, Beyond the Realms of Death, and Fade To Black all in the first post....I said damn. My work here is done.

Ahaha, yes, Rammstein! Might I suggest "Klavier" and "Seemann", as well.

Demon Hunter is really good at this. It's a theme of theirs doing beautiful power ballads at least once per album.

Cases in point: Driving Nails, Dead Flowers, Deteriorate, and others.

Now, for a heavier approach... Who Could Say by Omnium Gatherum. Also noteworthy is Desperate Times by Killswitch Engage.

Another great one from the master himself:

Classic track, that. Also, necro. Whatever, I like this thread.

"Otherside", by Red Hot Chili Peppers. An oddly structured example, but I say it still counts.

Also, "Summertime Rolls", by Jane's Addiction. The Epic Rocking double whammy that is "Three Days" and "Then She Did...", but they only sorta count due to the insane progginess they exhibit...

Sharkcrap! You're back! And you brought good music with you!

Anyone missing early Linkin Park? Sylar are here for you!

edited 11th Jun '15 6:26:35 AM by Jonny0110

We running Progressive Rock in here? If so, Shadow Gallery is seriously awesome.

Ever heard Rod Stewart's take on Tom Waits' Downtown Train? It's pretty interesting

edited 15th Jun '15 6:02:02 PM by iamathousandapples