Numenor

Numenor formed in Portugal in 2004, started by keyboardist Paulo Pereira, bassist Paulo Loureiro, and drummer Pedro Ribeiro. Vocalist Carlos Zema and guitarist José Costa joined later to round out the lineup. Their music leans into symphonic and power metal, with arrangements that often feel large and orchestral.

They've released four albums, and their songs frequently draw from fantasy literature and mythology. One of their best-known tracks is "The Oath Of Fëanor," a 23-minute piece based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Silmarillion." Other songs like "Bane of Durin" and "Dragon of Erebor" continue in that vein, pulling from epic stories and landscapes.

Some listeners have found their compositions elaborate or their Tolkien references heavy, but the band has generally kept to their own approach. They work with sweeping vocal harmonies and folk touches, building songs that feel designed for scale rather than simplicity.