Nightwish/Sabaton/Delain

This symphonic metal band out of Finland was formed nearly 20 years and has persevered despite numerous lineup changes. The band's newest album, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, finds the band on familiar musical ground. Album opener, "Shudder Before the Beautiful" starts with a bit of spooky spoken word before the strings (or synthesizers that sound like strings) kick in. The soaring vocals sound like something you might hear at a church but songs such as "Weak Fantasy" and "Yours is an Empty Wish" are heavy enough to keep the band's metalhead fans happy. Be sure to arrive early enough to see Sweden;s SABATON, a hard rock band that sings almost exclusively about historical wars and battles. (Niesel)