45% stunningly glass-shattering female clean vocals, 40% excessive reliance on keyboards, 10% generic riffs, 5% memorable "metal" riffs.

morreu

for the girls and the gays

Epica >>>>>

Halsey,Zara Larsson,Dua Lipa :D

Epica>>>

Why are Dua Lipa and Zara Larsson isted here? wtf

Japanese symphonic metal >>> Western counterparts.

Ariabl'eyeS ist Krieg!

Очень скрипучий жанр

It is interesting to note how Symphonic Metal and Folk Metal slowly come together. SM bands like NIghtwish and Leaves Eyes introduce folk instruments and tunes in their music, FM band like Turisas and Ensiferum use orchestra and "epic" arrangements. I believe it's a romance made in heaven; these two were star-crossed to be mixed.

"just grow up" tag

woman=symphony

Too many female vocalists...

you said power metal?

nightwish is not a symphonic metal band. its symphonic power metal band. example for symphonic metal-haggard.

Most of this so-called symphonic metal fits much better as "operatic metal" or even female-fronted power metal. I don't like the thing there's so little symphonic elements, and yet the bands stand proud as "symphonic". I'm not elitist, just the female voice alone don't make music symphonic. I guess bands like Septic Flesh (especially in "Titan" album) shows how symphonic elements should be added to be true with this mark.

Not sure if it's symphonic (it's certainly progressive), but the new Ayreon is really worth a look. As to who the best symphonic metal band currently is, I'm not really sure. Probably Nightwish, to be fair. Although the latest Xandria album is pretty good. WT are not, at present, symphonic, although I still love pretty much everything they've ever done. :)

With all respect to Within Temptation and its numerous fans here, WT is a good band, but far from "best SM band" and does not "deserve to be #1". WT only released three "pure" SM albums and then moved towards radio-friendly alternative rock following "The Unforgiving". Compare that to Therion, the band that invented the Symphonic metal and developed this genre over two decades and nine albums. Therion deserves more love and credit than it gets today.

ew

Within Temptation is the best Symphonic Metal band <3

#mygloriousinternetlife About a month ago, I pissed off some Delain fans on YouTube when I disagreed with the claim that "Delain sounds *NOTHING* like Within Temptation." As I walk through hillside meadows at dusk, watching the twinkling fireflies, I wonder: how deep within the bowel of symphonic metal must one reside to completely stand by such a statement? We, in our ordinariness, may never understand.

Within Temptation someday will be 1st ... We need another of The silent force for that

This shit is good when its not just popera with distorted guitars.

Within Temptation someday will be 1st

@Viccio90 Metal it's boring and uncreative these days.Every genre of metal it's like that.

Symphonic metal has the prettiest women in music. [2]

This genre has the most bitter fanbase there is.

The best ♥

amazing..

No sé si sea que me este poniendo viejo.. Pero tengo un tiempo ya escuchando Bandas de Rock Sinfonico, en especial las muy buenas Bandas Españolas como Dark Moor... Aunque, no abando el genero de mis amores el Thrash, reconozco la tremenda calidad que existe en este genero... Eso si, jamás, me he dejado etiquetar y mucho menos pienso que los generos musicales fuera del thrash no sirven o no son de "rockeros" de verdad !!!! ... Sandeces, solo los chavales piensan de esa manera.

This was quite a big thing in late '90 and early '00, but now is there too much of this stuff. To be sure listening to Nightwish, Epica, After Forever, Haggard still can be pleasant. But sometimes I listen to a lot of new bands that are good, but the music is all the same. What i think is that if you want to make this kind of music you have to try doing something original, creative, new. Otherwise is all the same music over and over again

I am a die hard metal fan, maybe I am getting old, listened to symphonic metal the other day,now I am hooked. I mentioned this after reading DrDarkoDarlin comment. I find if you don't want to listen to ancient metal bands (Metalica excluded) then symphonic metal groups rule.

My subjective taste is the one i can use to say this genre is bigger than life for me. Bt apparently , some of the metal experts think that's no real metal applying arguments about how ''pop'' ''cheesy'' , ''girly'' some of this bands are etc ..Anywhre if this were true , so what? Wow you're so edgy , so antisystem , i'm impressed. You guys take the tags so seriously , it doesnt really mean that are purely symphonic , maybe has more to do with the fact that the bands were thinking in classical/operatic music when they were doing the tunes.

When Nothing Remains vinyl pre-orders http://www.wretchedrecords.com/when-nothing-remains

Hi ! I am Vynce Leff from the symphonic metal band Whyzdom. I just wanted to mention that we released a new music video lately : Dancing With Lucifer. Enjoy ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fADPM7DFtq8

Hi! New symphonic metal release - Split LWFDIHH/Uroboros 2014 http://www.lastfm.ru/music/LIBIDO+WITH+FUCKING+DEMONS+IN+HIS+HEAD/LWFDIHH%2FUroboros+Split+2014

Only good for euro eyecandy. Music is garbage

Fabio Lione is the prettiest woman I know.

No... that really isn't true at all, fortunately. But it does have some of the best female singers in music.

most of these bands are 'symphonic rock', i mean symphonic metal's a contradiction in terms, unless you're going use the tag for metal bands like cradle of filth and siegfried XD

Verona Septima - Symphonic metal band from Finland with classical soprano vocals is happy to introduce their debut single What is Dead May Never Die! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KphAFp8OJ5s Verona Septima vocal session at Finnvox Studio, Helsinki, Finland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3epXJca4BnM

uy

Hey, I just released an EP the falls under the Symphonic Metal category.. Influences are Dimmu Borgir and Fleshgod Apocalypse, but it's a lot more "classical" focused. I'd love any and all feedback! and free download at www.design.bandcamp.com -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DVH3HZC5eU

I suppose The Gathering has been both metal and symphonic, but never both at the same time.

Why are Lacuna Coil and The Gathering in here? Lol, not everything with a female vocalist is automatically symphonic.