Well this is right up my alley. You're talking to the resident music freak here!
First of all though let me point out something. You said you'd like some suggestions and criticisms. Well here's where I criticize:
Although the music mentioned certainly has sf/f themes, I don't think that's the sole basis of the music itself. Sure some may be quite literally 100% influenced by sf/f, but I think (I hesitate to use the word majority) some of that music might just be music, and the whole sf/f themes or influences thing may just be wishful thinking. This is just my opinion though...
On to some suggestions.
Bands like Iron Maiden and Iced Earth cater to the "over the top" dungeons & dragons type metal, which in a way could be considered "Fantasmal themes". The song "Electric Eye" by Judas Priest deals with satellite surveillance. Yngwie Malmsteen does the whole dungeons & dragons bit as well. Current Guns N Roses lead guitarist Buckethead has done instrumental work for the likes of Dragon Ball Z movies. Some might even consider the tune "Judgement Day" by Whitesnake a fantasy oriented song of sorts.
Monster Magnet in the song "Look To Your Orb For The Warning" talks about "the spaceship/landed at your doorstep". Many, many bands/artists/songs with sf/f themes. However I find myself asking this question: is it just wishful thinking for the most part?
-Travis "not trying to take the fun out of this at all" Edmunds
I'm not trying to be confrontational, but you'd have to carry a lot of water to say you are "the" (sorry Nick) resident music freak.
I have to side with Rob. BOC is very SF. In fact (much to my delight) he didn't list Sole Survivor, close to my favorite song, with Secret Treaties being my favorite album. (But I'll admit to not knowing Black Blade, never heard of it). How does a band from New York City end up writing such messed up lyrics? The worst mistake ever made was choosing Sammy Hager's Heavy Metal over BOCs for the title song of the soundtrack . (Well, now that the song is in my head, it is a little light.) I can think of no other bands that have music that deals so much in SF.
Would the themes of Boston's first three albums qualify? Only one or two songs were SFish, but they had the cover art.
Iron Madien also has Stranger in a Strange Land and To Tame A Land (about Dune). Not fantasy DnD at all.
I don't think any of Pink Floyd's music is SF related. It works as a soundtrack, but not as directly as the above. Heck, they are more agrarian than futuristic.
What about Devo? The Devolution theme is SFish, but none of their songs really fit the bill.
Can't add any more right now. I only flipped the 'puter on because of insomnia. Hopefully my 15 hour working day tomorrow will fix that.
Kevin T. - VRWC Off to bed, perchance to dream
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