Enjoyed the video! I discovered Royal Hunt as a "blind buy" back in the late 90s. A great catalog, including the Andersen, Cooper & West solo releases. 🤘
They were probably a blind buy for me back in the day too. I don't remember them being on any comps that I heard, and RH is not something the college radio metal show would have played. I probably ordered a CD from Sentinel Steel after reading about the band.
I think what is also really special about Royal Hunt is that their best albums are not from one era but they were able to do insane albums again and again for over three decades now. I think 'Moving Target' (1995), 'Paradox' (1997), 'Paper Blood' (2005), 'A Life to Die for' (2013) and both 'Dystopia' (2020 and 2022) albums are the jewels in their backing catalogue. And that impresses me as usually great bands have their big era were they make 2, 3, maybe even 5 or 6 top albums in a row and before and after that never reach that level again.
@@letstalkmetal, That's right. Only the André - DC combination seems to be really beneficial for them to create masterpieces even though John, Henrik and Mark were great too. But to me they never fitted that Royal Hunt style as well as DC. But the instrumentalists were always great whoever came or left.
Loved the DC Cooper era the best. Really enjoyed listening to those albums back then. I bought a RH Paradox Japanese VHS boxset back in the day. Still own all that stuff still today. Good memories.
Thanks for this guided tour! Great timing too as I've been getting into this band lately and this helps me know which albums to prioritize! I love the neo-classical "Euro-Metal" foundation of this band's sound - also their keyboard-centric songwriting. Of course it means they're not particularly "heavy" but that's a very low priority for me! Are you a fan of the Dutch band Elegy? I've been listening to their very impressive early demos from around the time of Helloween's Keepers albums - they're really strong and quite ahead of their time. Unfortunately another band that gets overlooked!
I've only heard a few Elegy songs. I'll have to dig into my mp3 folder and see what's there. I know they've always had a loyal fan base, I just never investigated them in depth.
@@letstalkmetal They came to mind as there are a few similarities, and they're second (after Symphony X) on Royal Hunt's "Similar Artists" list on Metal Archives. Crazy guitar work, and a lot of Neo-Classical Progressive influence. Also popular in the Japanese market - released 7 albums within a decade - from 1992-2002. It's understandable how bands with just one or two albums slip by but for a band with a strong 7 album run, they're surprisingly not that well known outside Progressive Power Metal devotees. They're Dutch, so that's one factor - and debuted in 1992, but by the sound of their third demo "Elegant Solution" from 1988 - they sounded totally ready to release an official full length at that time if they got signed and maybe would have made a bigger impact if they did.
You’re right, nobody ever talks about Royal Hunt, which is too bad because they’ve done some really cool stuff. They definitely deserve more exposure. Good choice for a feature video; you always seem to pick interesting bands for those. Cheers
Shadow Gallery is a nice comparison, though I think they're better than SG. RH doesn't stray into classic power metal styles as much as Stratov- did during their heyday.
Some strong names on that list! I love Conception, especially 'Parallel Minds' and 'In Your Multitudes'. I've only heard one album from each of the other bands you mentioned so I don't have much to go on for them. Vandan Plas always gets high marks when anyone brings them up, I really should revisit that one in particular.
Great journey as always Alan. Last goodbye and message to god were on my soundtrack of my schooldays. They were quite big here in Greece on those moving target/paradox years
Great choice of a band to spotlight. Like most in the US I am not that familiar with them other than their brief time on Century Media. I really liked The Watchers "EP" (70 minute EP lol). Cheers Alan!
@@lagry1175 Good idea! I've probably missed some of their albums, so I'll have to do some homework before I can get to that, but it's now on my To Do list.
Thanks for doing this Alan I became aware of royal hunt through you showing their albums on hm streams I do have a couple now devil's dozen is one and x is the other but looking at those album covers I probably passed over their stuff in used racks before I knew who the band were! (Silly me!) Also check out a band called symphforce who were a German progressive/power metal group I think you'll like them
Great video Alan. Fantastic to hear also someone else that likes Royal Hunt. They are a very good and consistent band, which falls in a peculiar niche, which doesn't make them very appealing to may of the metal fans. I have 4 of their albums and I am always "on an hunt" for others in there catalogue. up to mission are all good to fantastic records, specially the ones you highlighted. First 3 records are really good, i like them a lot Paradox, Fear and Mission are masterpieces. the chorus of fear might be their best eyewitness is ok, not bad I really like paper blood 8/10. Boals albums are good, i prefer X to Paradox 2 Show me how to live and a life to die for are fantastic records after that they made good albums, which i haven't spun much, but they are somewhat formulaic/repetitive and royal hunt by numbers IMO Nevertheless great band and i hope more people will check them out
Cheers! I will revisit the Boals albums sometime; I really don't know if I ever heard 'X'. I thought I had it but I don't and that cover does not look familiar at all. It is a shame more headbangers can't appreciate a band like this- we can't Reign in Blood all the time LOL
You should do a Monster Magnet discography analysis. So many great albums! Superjudge, Spine Of God, Dopes To Infinity, Powertrip, Monolithic... All great albums! 🤘🤘
I don't know enough about them to do their catalog justice. I enjoy the Powertrip album but beyond that I've only heard bits and pieces of other albums.
Need to dive into RH but their old bass player Steen started Cornerstone and their 2002 album "Human Stain" is a must for any Rainbow/Purple/Whitesnake fans.
Royal Hunt totally passed me by, I´ve heard and read the name for decades but I never ever bothered to listen to them. What I heard sounds good. Now, let´s see what Discogs or eBay has to offer from them cheap, hahaha... yes, yes, I´m one of those who needs a physical copy to check out albums...
Dear Alan, I've never known you are into RH so much. Actually this band is also discovered in Japan for the first time in the import CD shops and spread rapidly in the Japanese market. I've also joined their live show back in 1996. It was a very fantastic show! I just want to recommend (if you are not tried yet) another "Big In Japan" Danish band named DIZZY MIZZ LIZZY. It's not prog metal at all but whoom.. say super melodic new-type hard rockin pop band. Especially when their 1st album was out in Japan, I was in the CD shop and most of customers there picked up this alnum right after "Glory" is played in the shop, and soon got into Japanese national chart! Of course this has got 1st prize in the Danish chart. It's very shameful because this kind of super talented group is not officially introduced in the US market. I'm just afraid you'd rather prefer CRYSTAL KNIGHT kinds of obscure outfits anyway. Hehehe...😁
Very cool that you got to see RH! They've had a good following in Japan; Japanese fans have always had great taste when it comes to Metal bands :) I haven't heard of DML but I will keep an eye out for them.
One of my all-time favorite bands. Thanks 🍺🤘!!
Cheers!
They will play here in my hometown next week 😊 Really looking forward to that.
Awesome, hope you enjoy the show!
Enjoyed the video!
I discovered Royal Hunt as a "blind buy" back in the late 90s. A great catalog, including the Andersen, Cooper & West solo releases.
🤘
They were probably a blind buy for me back in the day too. I don't remember them being on any comps that I heard, and RH is not something the college radio metal show would have played. I probably ordered a CD from Sentinel Steel after reading about the band.
I think what is also really special about Royal Hunt is that their best albums are not from one era but they were able to do insane albums again and again for over three decades now. I think 'Moving Target' (1995), 'Paradox' (1997), 'Paper Blood' (2005), 'A Life to Die for' (2013) and both 'Dystopia' (2020 and 2022) albums are the jewels in their backing catalogue. And that impresses me as usually great bands have their big era were they make 2, 3, maybe even 5 or 6 top albums in a row and before and after that never reach that level again.
That's a really good point and I agree; their best albums are spread out not just across many years but also across different lineups.
@@letstalkmetal, That's right. Only the André - DC combination seems to be really beneficial for them to create masterpieces even though John, Henrik and Mark were great too. But to me they never fitted that Royal Hunt style as well as DC. But the instrumentalists were always great whoever came or left.
@@VornameNachname-g7k Agreed, DC is the best RH singer among a group of very good singers.
Loved the DC Cooper era the best. Really enjoyed listening to those albums back then. I bought a RH Paradox Japanese VHS boxset back in the day. Still own all that stuff still today. Good memories.
Nice! Some of their old stuff, like the VHS you mentioned, is hard to get now TMK. Some of it's gotten pricey too.
Thanks for this guided tour! Great timing too as I've been getting into this band lately and this helps me know which albums to prioritize!
I love the neo-classical "Euro-Metal" foundation of this band's sound - also their keyboard-centric songwriting. Of course it means they're not particularly "heavy" but that's a very low priority for me!
Are you a fan of the Dutch band Elegy? I've been listening to their very impressive early demos from around the time of Helloween's Keepers albums - they're really strong and quite ahead of their time. Unfortunately another band that gets overlooked!
I've only heard a few Elegy songs. I'll have to dig into my mp3 folder and see what's there. I know they've always had a loyal fan base, I just never investigated them in depth.
@@letstalkmetal They came to mind as there are a few similarities, and they're second (after Symphony X) on Royal Hunt's "Similar Artists" list on Metal Archives.
Crazy guitar work, and a lot of Neo-Classical Progressive influence.
Also popular in the Japanese market - released 7 albums within a decade - from 1992-2002.
It's understandable how bands with just one or two albums slip by but for a band with a strong 7 album run, they're surprisingly not that well known outside Progressive Power Metal devotees.
They're Dutch, so that's one factor - and debuted in 1992, but by the sound of their third demo "Elegant Solution" from 1988 - they sounded totally ready to release an official full length at that time if they got signed and maybe would have made a bigger impact if they did.
@@Stevie-Steele Symphony X leans more power metal what with Mike Romeo's shredding, but I can see what they're getting at with that comparison
You’re right, nobody ever talks about Royal Hunt, which is too bad because they’ve done some really cool stuff. They definitely deserve more exposure. Good choice for a feature video; you always seem to pick interesting bands for those. Cheers
Thanks! I try to pick acts that don't get talked about a lot but made some good music.
Reminds me a lot of Stratovarius and Shadow Gallery. Going to check them out further. Thx Alan.
Shadow Gallery is a nice comparison, though I think they're better than SG. RH doesn't stray into classic power metal styles as much as Stratov- did during their heyday.
Thank you¡ Great report and speech. Kind regards.
Thanks for leaving a comment, I hope the video gets more people to check out RH :)
Prog/power bands I realy realy like
1. Conception
2. Vanden Plas
3. Elegy
4. Balance of Power
Some strong names on that list! I love Conception, especially 'Parallel Minds' and 'In Your Multitudes'. I've only heard one album from each of the other bands you mentioned so I don't have much to go on for them. Vandan Plas always gets high marks when anyone brings them up, I really should revisit that one in particular.
@@letstalkmetalLearn yourself some Balance of Power. Pronto Prof Steele
@@thegrilledcheese4841 I'll have to see which one I have. It's probably from the early 00s.
Great journey as always Alan. Last goodbye and message to god were on my soundtrack of my schooldays. They were quite big here in Greece on those moving target/paradox years
Greece has always had excellent taste in heavy metal \m/
Great choice of a band to spotlight. Like most in the US I am not that familiar with them other than their brief time on Century Media. I really liked The Watchers "EP" (70 minute EP lol). Cheers Alan!
Longest. EP. Ever. But hey they sold it for an EP price so no complaints :)
John West... What a voice. Metal needs more of those "soul" singers.
Agreed, he's terrific. If you haven't heard him on THIRD WISH by FEINSTEIN it's a great listen.
@@letstalkmetalgreat album indeed. We need a special THE RODS episode!
@@lagry1175 Good idea! I've probably missed some of their albums, so I'll have to do some homework before I can get to that, but it's now on my To Do list.
Thanks for doing this Alan I became aware of royal hunt through you showing their albums on hm streams I do have a couple now devil's dozen is one and x is the other but looking at those album covers I probably passed over their stuff in used racks before I knew who the band were! (Silly me!) Also check out a band called symphforce who were a German progressive/power metal group I think you'll like them
Thanks Robert! I've heard of Symphorce but never checked them out. I will keep my eyes open for them. Cheers!
I recommend ELEGY. Amazing underrated band.
I've heard some of their songs here and there but I don't think I've ever come across one of their albums.
Great video Alan. Fantastic to hear also someone else that likes Royal Hunt. They are a very good and consistent band, which falls in a peculiar niche, which doesn't make them very appealing to may of the metal fans.
I have 4 of their albums and I am always "on an hunt" for others in there catalogue.
up to mission are all good to fantastic records, specially the ones you highlighted.
First 3 records are really good, i like them a lot
Paradox, Fear and Mission are masterpieces. the chorus of fear might be their best
eyewitness is ok, not bad
I really like paper blood 8/10.
Boals albums are good, i prefer X to Paradox 2
Show me how to live and a life to die for are fantastic records
after that they made good albums, which i haven't spun much, but they are somewhat formulaic/repetitive and royal hunt by numbers IMO
Nevertheless great band and i hope more people will check them out
Cheers! I will revisit the Boals albums sometime; I really don't know if I ever heard 'X'. I thought I had it but I don't and that cover does not look familiar at all. It is a shame more headbangers can't appreciate a band like this- we can't Reign in Blood all the time LOL
You should do a Monster Magnet discography analysis. So many great albums!
Superjudge, Spine Of God, Dopes To Infinity, Powertrip, Monolithic...
All great albums! 🤘🤘
I don't know enough about them to do their catalog justice. I enjoy the Powertrip album but beyond that I've only heard bits and pieces of other albums.
I love the DC Cooper era and own a few of their albums. I feel Devil's Dozen is criminally underrated!
I need to revisit that one. Their last few have had poor distribution in the US unless I wanna pay over $20 for a copy from amazon :(
@@letstalkmetal I got lucky and found it in a used bin for $6!
@@WilliamRyan-h2y Nice! I don't think I've ever seen a RH CD in the used bin.
Need to dive into RH but their old bass player Steen started Cornerstone and their 2002 album "Human Stain" is a must for any Rainbow/Purple/Whitesnake fans.
I didn't know that, thanks for pointing it out! I'll keep it in mind.
Those Cornerstone releases are awesome. What - two albums plus the live?
@@thegrilledcheese4841 4 studio albums!
Royal Hunt totally passed me by, I´ve heard and read the name for decades but I never ever bothered to listen to them. What I heard sounds good. Now, let´s see what Discogs or eBay has to offer from them cheap, hahaha... yes, yes, I´m one of those who needs a physical copy to check out albums...
Ok, found a Best Of 1992 - 1999 for 5 Euro incl. shipping.
Some of their albums are really cheap but others are oddly expensive. Good luck on the Hunt (hahaha),
What would you say is the main or big differences between progressive rock and prog metal?
Good question! I think it's kinda the same as the difference btwn rock and metal- one is just heavier than the other.
@@letstalkmetal Heavy being the operative adjective. 😁
@@jamesgwarrior1981 Yup :) It is hard to pinpoint where to draw the line. For some, RUSH is heavy but for me they're not.
Dear Alan, I've never known you are into RH so much. Actually this band is also discovered in Japan for the first time in the import CD shops and spread rapidly in the Japanese market. I've also joined their live show back in 1996. It was a very fantastic show! I just want to recommend (if you are not tried yet) another "Big In Japan" Danish band named DIZZY MIZZ LIZZY. It's not prog metal at all but whoom.. say super melodic new-type hard rockin pop band. Especially when their 1st album was out in Japan, I was in the CD shop and most of customers there picked up this alnum right after "Glory" is played in the shop, and soon got into Japanese national chart! Of course this has got 1st prize in the Danish chart. It's very shameful because this kind of super talented group is not officially introduced in the US market. I'm just afraid you'd rather prefer CRYSTAL KNIGHT kinds of obscure outfits anyway. Hehehe...😁
Very cool that you got to see RH! They've had a good following in Japan; Japanese fans have always had great taste when it comes to Metal bands :) I haven't heard of DML but I will keep an eye out for them.