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 and thrash 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

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.

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).

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American power metal

European power metal

Musical characteristics

See also