Italy may well be known for fine wine, fine art, extraordinary pasta creations and a rich and glorious history, but it can be overlooked as a supplier of quality heavy metal. The USA, UK, Germany and Sweden are obvious places to go to find a plethora of the heavy metal elite, however look past Italy at your peril. The land of the Roman Empire has plenty of awesome Italian metal bands, and here is 10 of them for your listening pleasure.
Lacuna Coil
Ok so I am going to start with the obvious one. Don’t @ me. Lacuna Coil are very likely the first band that comes to mind when you think of Italian metal bands, and there was no way I could omit them from this list. Releasing their first album In A Reverie back in 1999, Cristina Scabbia and co. have brought their brand of gothic inspired metal consistently over the pat 2 decades. They have pushed the softer, more melodic gothic elements to one side in recent years in lieu of more straight forward modern metal chugging and pumping rhythms. Whether you prefer the OG Lacuna Coil, or the modern version, there is no denying their impact on the Italian metal scene.
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Rising through the modern metal scene, Fleshgod Apocalypse have taken symphonic metal in an entirely unique direction. Actually referring to them as symphonic metal is a little misleading. They use orchestral and classic music to brilliant effect, intertwined with with a brutal deathcore underbelly. Italy is famous for producing world renowned concert and opera musicians, so the combination here is actually no surprise. Their most recent release No made it only to The Best Metal Tracks of 2020, and features a rather surprising final act turn. They even covered fellow Italian metal giants Eiffel 65 to great effect. Ok there was a joke in there somewhere. Not funny? Nevermind then, moving on…
Rhapsody/Of Fire/Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody/Rhapsody on Toast…
The band of many names. Much like Lacuna Coil, it’s impossible to mention Italian metal bands without mentioning Rhapsody. Forced to change their name following a legal issues, and the departure of co-founder Luca Turilli, Rhapsody of Fire are commonly regarded as one of the pioneers of the symphonic metal movement. Particularly in regards to the use of epic fantasy themes. Following the departure of Luca Turilli, much like the epic nature of their music, the story plays out like a mystery novel. Luca Turilli left to form Luca Turilli‘s Rhapsody, with Rhapsody of Fire still existing side by side. Then members of Rhapsody of Fire left to join Luca Turilli and reform the name Rhapsody for a farewell tour. Then Luca Turilli and Rhapsody of Fire frontman Fabio Lione formed Turilli/Lione Rhapsody, containing former members of Rhapsody of Fire. You follow all that? Nope, neither did I. Good job their music is killer.
Elvenking
Folk metal is not something I typically think of when I visualise Italian metal bands. Maybe it’s too warm. Folk metal feels like it needs a cold, snowy conditions, with oversized coats and large beards. Elvenking buck that trend however, with their folk inspired brand of power metal. If there is something consistent across all the bands on this list, it is that they are specifically talented at writing hooks you will subconsciously start humming along to like it has been preprogrammed into your brain. Elvenking do this as well as anyone. 2019’s Reader Of The Runes – Divination kicked off a new chapter of exploration for the power folk leviathans.
Secret Sphere
Are you craving for some 80’s influenced power metal? Then Secret Sphere have got you covered. For almost 3 decades now the brainchild of Aldo Lonobile has been pumping out fist raising anthems across 9 albums, but have largely lived outside of the minds of the masses. Internationally at least anyway. Their ninth album Lifeblood was released in 2021, and whilst it won’t set your life ablaze with progressive wizardry, it’s very easy listening, straight forward power metal. We all need more power metal in our lives. Secret Sphere will oblige in expanding your musical vocabulary.
Temperance
Did someone call in a order of three vocalists? Focussing on the captivating power-pop side of symphonic metal like fellow tri-vocal’ers Amaranthe (sans death growls), Temperance have so far released 6 albums and one EP, packed with a plethora of catchy hooks you will need a lobotomy to stop spinning through your brain. However with the addition of new vocalists Alessia Scolletti and Michele Guaitoli on their latest album Viridian and EP Melodies of Green and Blue, Temperance have reached new heights. If ever there was a time for these Italian powerhouses to hit the headlines, on the back of these two excellent releases will they rise.
Ancient Bards
Spearheaded by talented vocalist Sara Squadrani, Ancient Bards take the idea of concept albums to another level. Mixing a variation of musical genres together, forming a sound loosely aligned to that of the epic nature of Blind Guardian mixed with the symphonic arrangement of Nightwish, their first 3 albums form the first part of The Black Crystal Sword Saga. Fourth album Origine (The Black Crystal Sword Saga, Pt. 2) released in 2019 commences part two of the Crystal Sword saga. Origine focusses largely on storytelling, setting the scene for the saga to strive forth.
Labyrinth
Following power metal’s European breakthrough lead by bands such as Helloween and Blind Guardian, Italy followed suit with Labyrinth being one of the earliest proponents of that Euro-power metal style. Formed back in 1991, you can split Labyrinth‘s career into 2 distinct sections. Up until 2000’s Suns of Thunder there is an obvious fantasy concept theme, with the high tempo style borrowed from those early German power metal pioneers. Following Olaf Thorsen‘s departure to form Vision Divine, the members of Labyrinth dropped their pseudonyms, and the band transitioned to a more modern feeling progressive brand of power metal.
Vision Divine
There is definitely a theme of Italy producing power metal bands. This time mixed with a tinge of progressive metal, Vision Divine began as a solo project of former Labyrinth guitarist Olaf Thorsen in collaboration with Fabio Lione (now of Rhapsody of Fire). The cross pollination of Italian power metal is much like that of the USA’s big 4 of thrash metal, where you can follow the links through each band at one point or another. Well half of all Italian metal bands are some version of Rhapsody, which helps. Vision Divine have since become a fully fledged band, and released their ninth album When All Heroes Are Dead, after 7 years in the abyss since 2012’s Destination to Nowhere.
Dark Lunacy
Amongst a sea of power metal, Italy is more than capably of producing it’s share of other metal genres. Melodic/symphonic death metal may well be more associated with their Nordic counterparts, but Dark Lunacy show that Italian metal can produce. Much like Fleshgod Apocalypse, Dark Lunacy wear their heritage on their sleeves, incorporating classical compositions into their work. The use of a string quartet is essential to their sound, helping them stand out amongst a crowed scene of established international players.
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