Hey guys! Sharing here my favorite impulse response loader! A good IR loader is a "must-have" plugin in your digital signal chain for guitars; in other words, without it loaded with a good IR, your guitar tone will be total crap!
NadIR is a great IR loader that you can use for free! I've been using it for several years, and it has worked perfectly for all my metal production needs so far.
It's very versatile, with many options like HP and LP filters, delay and pan controls, and you also have the option of blending the sounds of two Impulse Responses. The visuals are very inspiring in your pursuit of the perfect metal guitar tone! Really worth giving it a try!
After several years of trying to make things happen with very underground bands in Brazil, the guitarist, composer, and producer Fábio Simão started his new Melodic Power Metal solo project, called ANGELS ARISE! Check out the first official post discussing the project and its plans for the near future!
"みんなこんにちは! Hi friends! Finally, my first post! I'm excited for this, and if you would like to support Angels Arise, sharing this video would mean the world to me! Thank you so much! どうもありがとうございました、また次回お会いしましょう!"
The band Anthology, formed in 2008 in Slovakia, built its path in the symphonic power metal scene, evolving with each album released, presenting a sound that mixes melody, heaviness, technique, speed, clean and guttural vocals, and symphonic elements.
After their first EP, “Exitus” (2011), and two full-length albums, “The Prophecy” (2014) and “Angel's Revenge” (2016), the band went on a hiatus and lineup change at the end of 2019, returning to activity with a new vocalist announced in 2021, and new releases scheduled for 2025!
The lineup of the band consists of: Martin Lofaj - guitar; Lilian Anerousi - vocals; Marián Gonda - guitar; Miro Grman - bass; Peter Pleva – drums.
A team of talented and skilled musicians who kindly provided an exclusive interview to the blog Power Metal Producers, talking about their latest singles and plans for the upcoming album “Frozen Sun”! Check out the interview below:
1- The arrival of vocalist Lilian Anerousi marks the beginning of a new era for Anthology. How did you go about selecting the new singer, and what creative possibilities have emerged since she joined?
MARTIN: When Ľubica left the band, we were almost done with the new album's creation. So we started to think, how to take the new album and the band to the next level. We really like the idea of getting a vocalist from abroad to open new doors for the band. Our last gigs we played with Lilian´s band Evil Within in Athens and Vrútky, and we knew that she would fit the band perfectly. We really liked her beautiful and strong voice, vocal skills, and abilities. And of course, personal qualities. So we started working to finish the album with Lilian. As I said before, the album was almost done, so most of the vocal lines were done before Lilian joined the band, but her vocal range gave us more possibilities. Of course, we made some new vocal lines, we could use some "oriental" elements, and all of this helped to create a really specific atmosphere on the new album.
2- “Be My Savior” was the first single released with the new lineup, demonstrating an evolution towards a more modern sound without abandoning the epic and symphonic elements. How have fans received this release?
MIRO: Before releasing this single, we were very curious and a little nervous about how fans would accept our new material with a new singer and new sound. We also decided to shoot a studio video because we needed to present our visual side too. We opened the new chapter of Anthology with Be My Savior, and I think that the reactions of most of the fans are very positive about it. Moreover, this song has already been played on our live gigs before. And when we saw how this song was getting a great response from fans, we chose to release just this song as the first.
3- “Sinners in Paradise,” the new single and video, features some progressive elements and adds even more punch to Anthology’s sound mix. What message and concept is the band going for with this song?
MIRO: This song has a message for people who still don’t realize that we, humans, have incredible luck to live on our wonderful Earth. With this song, we draw attention to how people don’t appreciate this gift and opportunity to live in this amazing world, and of course, how we don’t try to make this place even better for life. Instead of this, we’re plundering nature, the environment, and the society is more and more divided.
4- “Frozen Sun” is the next album, scheduled for release in 2025. Without giving too many spoilers, what can fans expect from this album?
MIRO: I think this new album is a mature and very diverse work. You can find songs from every genre on it. You can hear, for example, fast thrash parts, punchy power metal passages, energetic melodies, or epic symphonic creations. The basis of this album is edgy guitar riffs supplemented with symphonic compositions that beautifully complete the atmosphere of each song. The big change is the vocal parts of the new singer, Lilian, who you could already hear on two previous singles. She brings more power and energy to the songs and takes that all to a higher level. Also, I can reveal that you can expect another new single at the turn of August/September, which will reveal a little more of what we have prepared for you.
5- Are there already plans for a European tour or festival appearances after the release of the new album?
LILIAN: After the release of our new album, we’re planning to do live shows in Slovakia and Greece, and yes, we’re working on scheduling performances at various festivals. We’re always open to new opportunities! Make sure to follow us on social media and check our website for all the latest updates on upcoming live shows!
6- Previous albums, especially “Angel's Revenge,” brought great results for the band, reaching audiences in other countries such as the USA, Japan, Brazil, among others. What good memories does the band have from that time?
MIRO: Yes, that was a very intense time for our band. With this release, "the door to the world" has opened a little more for us. We reached new contacts, played more gigs outside Slovakia, mainly in Czechia, Poland, Greece, and Romania. We gained lots of fans from the whole world, even some of them were able to travel hundreds of kilometers to see us live. I consider sharing big stages with such bands as Epica, Edguy, Accept, Ensiferum, etc., unforgettable moments. We’ve had an amazing experience during that time, and that pushed us to be still better and better.
7- With all your experience in the metal scene and your career built over the years, what advice can you give to new bands and musicians around the world?
LILIAN: Every musician should never stop practicing and studying their instrument. Within a band, good communication and a shared vision are essential. Bands should always stay creative, working as a team to write new music that they can then share with the world. It’s also important to build connections, stay active on social media by regularly sharing content, and play as many live shows as possible.
In the beginning, they’ll need to invest time—and money—into promoting their work in order to gradually attract more opportunities.
But above all, no one should ever stop doing what they love, no matter what challenges come their way—financial difficulties, mental struggles, health issues, anything. Keep creating music and keep sharing it with the world.
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The Power Metal Producers blog is very grateful for this interview and wishes Anthology every success and good fortune! STAY METAL!
An homage to the power metal bands of the 90s and 2000s: fast, powerful, and playful. This is how you could describe the style of the Munich band Legacy Reborn if it weren't for the multi-layered vocals of frontwoman Susan Noto, which add the necessary amount of emotion to the concentrated energy of the instrumentalists. The result is a unique style of melodic power metal, exciting, honest, and free of clichés.
Susan Noto - Vocals
Carlos Prada - Guitars
Karlos Chavez - Guitars
Mischa Goschkoder - Bass
***Note: at the same release date of this interview, Legacy Reborn announced the farewell of vocalist Susan Noto, and her last show as the band's frontwoman on August 30th. Check out the post on their official profile on Instagram***
The band's guitarist, Karlos Chavez, kindly provided Power Metal Producers blog with an exclusive interview, talking about their releases and the journey so far, as well as future plans! Check the interview below:
1- The first demo, self-entitled “Legacy Reborn,” features traditional elements of melodic power metal, characteristic of the 2000s, evoking a sense of nostalgia and good memories. How was the public's reception to this demo?
The first demo we published received a few but genuinely positive reactions. We shared those songs to establish our presence on social media and to give promoters a clear idea of what we could deliver to secure live bookings. Randomly enough, a YouTuber (Power Metal Ranger) came across our demo and reviewed one of our songs: Rising From Fire. The review showed us we were on the right track and confirmed that both the band and the music had potential. When we played the songs live, people were excited and enjoyed them so much that we even gained some fans at that gig who still come to our shows.
2 - “Unbroken” was one of the official singles released, a power ballad with a striking chorus and an incredible video clip, marking new steps in the journey of Legacy Reborn. What is the main message the band seeks to convey with this song?
Unbroken was originally born from the inspiration found while reading one of the books of the saga: A Song of Ice and Fire.
One of the characters falls from the heights after an almost deadly attack and, as a consequence, falls into a deep state of unconsciousness. In his dream or illusion, unconscious, the character gets confronted and encouraged to fly despite falling, as an act of resilience and endurance.
I found the passage very inspiring and wanted to put its spirit into a song that encourages listeners to be strong despite hard times, to be brave, and to endure darkness. For me, music has always been a way to go through rough times. Unbroken tries to capture this spirit. You are not broken, not this time. Believe in yourself, look deep within you, there you'll find the courage to open your wings and fly.
3 - “Wind Rose” is the latest single, featuring some epic elements, melodic solos, and a sailing theme, in a lyric video with beautiful artwork. Does the band intend to explore more themes like this, or incorporate fantasy and mythology themes into the songs, or even create an epic saga in future compositions?
Beyond being inspired by a fantasy or mythological theme, Wind Rose is an allegory to my own story, leaving everything behind to go abroad and start living a new life in a foreign country.
The song found its inspiration when I started to look back in time and recapitulate how far life can take you once you decide to go discover new places. How many stories you can live, how many places you can visit and the wonders you can see. Sometimes through a storm, sometimes with a tailwind. In the end, there is always a reward for those who are able to leave their comfort zone and start looking for something else beyond their borders.
Wind Rose is an ode to the ones who, no matter how difficult it can be, have taken the risk to leave it all behind to board into an adventure, into a journey to many distant shores.
It is not planned to become a saga, but…hey, who knows?
4 - What can fans expect from a future full-length album from Legacy Reborn?
We want to record a full-length album, and it’s one of our next goals. Right now, we are developing the concept for it, though there are no definite plans yet. We already have enough songs to make it happen, but we first want to speak with some producers we’d like to work with and develop the idea further. It may even be that we end up creating entirely new songs for the album.
5 - Are there already plans for festival appearances or a future European tour?
We have already played festivals such as Schalldruck 2023, StuStaCulum 2023, Free & Easy 2024, and very recently Wisdom Tooth Festival 2025. We have a few shows planned for this year, the next one being on the 30th of August at the Hot Rock Festival 2025 in Reichel, a small town near Munich. We don't have any tours planned at the moment, but once we record an album, we will definitely plan a release event and a small tour within Germany to promote it. All our upcoming shows are listed on BandsInTown.
6 - The story of the two guitarists, Carlos Prada and Karlos Chavez, who grew up in Colombia and managed to make their way to consolidating a metal band in Germany, is undoubtedly a great inspiration and motivation for musicians from Latin American countries. What is the best advice you can give to those who share the same dream?
We used to have separate bands back in Colombia around 20 years ago. Although we had high hopes, playing outside the country felt more like a dream than a real possibility (sometimes never even thought of it). Times have changed impressively since then, and I believe it’s now easier to travel and create music with musicians from all over the world. Nevertheless, the only advice I can give (and the only one I truly believe matters) is to follow that dream to the very end. Every band that has made it big, in any place and at any point in history, has risked it all for that dream. ___________________________________________
The Power Metal Producers blog is very grateful for this interview and wishes Legacy Reborn every success and good fortune! STAY METAL!
Everlast Dream is a Progressive/Power Metal band from Sorocaba-SP, Brazil, formed by former members of Lethal Accords in 2024. The lineup includes Felipe De Milito on bass, Cláudio Pereira on keyboards, Leonardo Constâncio on drums, Vitor Campos and André Panceri on guitars, and Vergílio Pauletto on vocals. With strong influences from major names such as Angra, Stratovarius, Kamelot, Helloween, Dream Theater, and Evergrey, the band delivers a powerful and engaging sound.
In July 2025, they released their debut single, "Survivors", which will be the opening track of their EP, produced by Raphael Dantas from Studio Modus Operandi.
The guitarist, Vitor Campos, kindly provided Power Metal Producers Blog with an exclusive interview, responding to our questions and discussing the band, future plans, and more. Check the interview below:
1. What inspired the band to combine power and progressive metal influences in your music?
Diverse musical references: We admire both the epic and fast side of power metal (such as Helloween, Stratovarius, Angra) and the rhythmic and structural sophistication of prog metal (such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Opeth). Also, a desire for creative freedom: Progressive metal allows for freer structures and longer compositions, while power metal brings melodic hooks and strong choruses. Together, these influences enable songs that are both technically challenging and accessible.
2. "Survivors" received positive feedback from both fans and fellow musicians. How did this impact the band's direction moving forward?
We have received a lot of positive feedback so far, and it has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the direction of the band. The response from fans and the recognition from other musicians have served as validation of the style we are pursuing for Everlast Dream and the message the band is exploring, such as more serious and heavier themes.
3. What themes or messages are explored in "Survivors", and how does it fit into the band's overall narrative?
The song conveys a powerful message of hope, resilience, and empathy. Right at the beginning, it reminds us that each new day is a chance to start over and be a better person, even in the face of difficulties.
The phrase “Another day, another chance / To be a better person” reinforces this idea of constant personal growth, while the chorus “'Cause we're survivors” celebrates the strength of those who move forward despite obstacles.
The song then takes on a more critical and social tone, denouncing the injustices caused by the greed of those in power and the negative effects of extremism, as in “In a world ravaged by the greed of those in control,” highlighting the need for unity and collective resistance.
But beyond the struggle, it also values caring for others: by saying “Nobody knows what you've been through / Keep your head up,” it recognizes that everyone faces invisible battles and encourages empathy and mutual support.
The song ends on a hopeful note, stating that “The light will shine again,” reinforcing that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of a new beginning and a better future.
4. What challenges did the band face during the transition between the previous project ( Lethal Accords) and the current one, and how did you overcome them?
The transition from Lethal Accords to Everlast Dream was an intense moment for us. It wasn't just a change of name or sound — it was a change of identity. Half of the band had slightly different visions about what we wanted to do musically. There were many conversations, some disagreements, but also a lot of honesty.
One of the biggest challenges was leaving behind something that already had history and value for us, to make room for the new. There was that natural fear: “Will people understand? Will they enjoy this new phase?” But in the end, we understood that the music we make needs to reflect who we are now.
We overcame all of this with a lot of patience, open dialogue, and, above all, by staying focused on our friendship and passion for creating together. Today, looking back, we can see that it was necessary—this transition strengthened us as a band and as people.
5. How has the reception been for your recent performances and releases since the start of the activities as Everlast Dream?
It has been an intense and rewarding experience. The reception has been very positive—the audience connects sincerely with our music. Each show has been a real exchange of energy, and the release of our single Survivors has especially touched people. This has motivated us even more.
6. What can fans expect from Everlast Dream in terms of future projects, such as albums, tours, or collaborations?
Everlast Dream fans can expect news soon! “Survivors” is the first single from our debut EP, which is already in production. We are also preparing the music video for the song, and the idea is to release another single by October. The rest of the EP will come later, at the right time — when everything is ready, the way we believe it should be.
7. Finally, how do you see the evolution of progressive power metal in the global music scene, and where does Everlast Dream fit into that evolution?
The evolution of progressive power metal has been marked by a constant search for innovation without losing the epic and technical essence of the genre. Bands are increasingly mixing symphonic and electronic elements, and even influences from other styles, creating something more dynamic and modern. In this scenario, Everlast Dream fits in as a new creative force, bringing freshness, technique, and emotion, but with respect for the roots of the style. We are not here just to repeat formulas; we want to contribute with our own identity and be part of the new generation that is taking power prog to new heights. ______________________________________________
Fourteen-MH1 – a tight, aggressive-sounding amp. My first attempt at replicating Natas' tone, but mistakenly taken for Meathead.
The reissue features:
– SSE stereo mode to process double-tracked guitar tracks more conveniently;
– HQ/LQ mode to switch between oversampled and non-oversampled modes;
– The old tonestack was replaced by the newer model as the older one couldn’t be ported to handle the new features and sampling rates.
– more frames for the knob animations, allowing for tweaking smoothly;
– smooth start for the plug-in start and switch presets, smoother, and causes fewer pops.
It features usual amp controls that allow you to get some nice tones quickly enough.
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Combine this BEAST with a good tube screamer before the power amp (check TS999 byIgnite Amps), and a good guitar impulse response (check Excalibur IR), loaded in a good impulse response loader (check NADIR by Ignite Amps) to get the metal guitar tone of your dreams! Enjoy!
Hey guys! I want to share one of the best guitar IRs I have ever found on the Internet, and it is almost off the radar for guitar enthusiasts, as I downloaded it on a free IR pack and never saw anybody talking about it!
I present to you the majestic Excalibur Dark 3 b.
In my humble opinion, this IR is just perfect for Power Metal guitars! With this guitar impulse, you will easily get a sharp, defined, aggressive, and powerful guitar tone.
Download it now and enjoy the mighty blade of your new guitar tone!
