Power metal
Power metal is a style of
heavy metal music with the aim of evoking an "epic" feel, incorporating characteristics of primarily
traditional metal along with
thrash metal or
speed metal, often within a fantastic or (less often) symphonic context. There is some dispute about the term, which can refer to two different, but related styles: one pioneered and largely practiced in
North America, and one based in
Germany and
Scandinavia. In contemporary usage, "power metal" generally refers to the European style, with American band
Iced Earth being a notable exception.
American power metal, like European power metal, was influenced by
Queen,
Rainbow,
Iron Maiden,
Judas Priest,
Dio,
Queensrÿche, and
Plus Ultra. Some consider modern American bands like
Iced Earth and
Nevermore to be the descendants of this style, but others claim that the movement has ended, swallowed by better known styles such as
thrash and European power metal. Others consider the genre in America on the rise again, with fledging American power metal bands in places such as
New York (home to
Manowar,
Zandelle,
Gothic Knights, Twilight Odyssey, and pioneering NY band
Virgin Steele). Florida's
Kamelot has recently emerged as a forerunner in the genre with the release of their albums
Epica and
The Black Halo. However, it should be noted that musically,
Kamelot resembles European power metal more closely. Following
Kamelot, the Nebraska-based power metal band
Cellador was signed in August of 2005 to
Metal Blade Records, signalling a return of the style by a homegrown band to a noted record label in America, although their sound is also more similar to that of European power metal.
In the mid-
1980s, European bands such as
Helloween (Germany) and
Europe (
Sweden) put even more attention to the melodic development of the songs.
Helloween mixed fast
speed metal riffs with melodic ones and added
Iron Maiden-like powerful vocals, further cleaning the sound. Their albums
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 1 (
1987) and
Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 2 (
1988) are generally regarded as a milestone of this genre. Subsequently, European-style "happy metal" has spread across the continent (particularly to
Finland) and worldwide, though it is comparatively unpopular in the
United States,
United Kingdom and other
English speaking countries.
Recently, however, many power metal bands have abandoned the "happy-metal" sound of their predecessors, and have adopted a more
epic sound combined with the power metal core. Bands such as
Blind Guardian have combined their classic power metal sound with an orchestral background as
Rhapsody of Fire or
Angra have done.
Musical characteristics
Power metal, as the term is used today, places primary importance on an epic sound, usually at high speeds, primarily due to its
speed metal roots, and with catchy melodies. Whereas most rock lyrics focus largely on "the real world" - personal experience, historical incidents,
social commentary, etc. - power metal often treats epic,
cosmological or
metaphysical themes. Many power metal songs draw inspiration from
religion and
mythology, and
science fiction and
fantasy (especially
high fantasy) and they tend to be more optimistic than most metal lyrics.
Power metal vocals are generally "clean", as opposed to the growling vocals that characterise
death metal, and are delivered by a trained vocalist. Following in the tradition of
Bruce Dickinson and
Rob Halford, power metal vocalists tend to sing in a high register and often in
falsetto. Some singers, such as
Hansi Kürsch of
Blind Guardian, record multi-layered vocals reminiscent of
Queen. Because of the primary importance of vocals in power metal, vocalists can make or break a band of this style and generally do not double as instumentalists.
Power metal
guitarists and
bassists generally play rapid streams of notes, but change
chords comparatively slowly, with a
harmonic tempo of once per measure or slower. Fast and demanding guitar solos, however, are almost guaranteed.
Power metal
drummers generally play with two
bass drums for added speed, often playing a constant stream of sixteenth notes with snare drum accents on the beat. Some bands defy this formula, but it is surprisingly universal.
Many bands also play with a keyboardist, but keyboards are not generally a musical focus. A few, such as the
Italian band
Rhapsody, have also been known to record with more symphonic elements. Rhapsody actually calls their style of music "
Hollywood metal," emphasizing its resemblance to modern
film scores.
This style is most popular in
Europe,
Japan, and some countries of
South America (including
Brazil,
Venezuela,
Argentina and
Chile), and has a growing popularity in certain parts of
North America. UK Power-metal band
DragonForce's recent spike in popularity is a fine example however this band mixes a variety of genre's and is often described as extreme power metal (a mix of thrash/speed/power metal).
List of power metal bands
