Power metal : when power is the ultimate goal!

Hey !

We’re back today to talk about a genre that can be complicated to grasp in its nuances: Power Metal!

So let’s find out this universe when fantasy meets heavy music !

DISCLAIMER: This post is based on some of my knowledge and is backed up and supplemented by research done before its writing. You can find the sources at the bottom of the page.

Note: Bands/ artists I quote in the posts, I only mention them to give you an idea of the sounds you find in the different genres. But I want to be clear that over time it has become more and more complicated to do it with style blends and so on.
In addition, my goal is not to categorize artists, but to present them to you so that you discover the different possibilities that there are in rock and metal. And even make you enjoy those genres.

Note 2 :
Unfortunately, there’s still no recent drawing yet ! The pain has intensified again in recent weeks.
I even wondered how I was going to write my research for this post, but I managed to do it (at least)!

WHAT IS POWER METAL ?

Power Metal (which I’ll shorten to PM) is a subgenre that appeared in the 80s. This one has two different but very similar styles:

US Power metal (ou USPM)
European Power Metal (ou Melodic PM)

The gender can be summarized in a mixt between Traditional Heavy Metal and Speed Metal.

US VS EUROPEAN POWER METAL

Before continuing this article, to avoid confusing you along the way, I will give you a brief overview of the similarities and differences between these two styles.

For this, let’s take a look at the table below!

In the outer columns, you can find the distinct elements of each style. In the middle, which brings them together.

US Power metal		European Power metal
– Appeared in 1993 – Darker in the subjects of the songs – Major influence from the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal), some consider it to be the continuation of it, while others like to say it’s a reaction to what the British did.	– Depict a fantasy, mythical world, etc. – Anthems like songs For the rest, check the characteristics below !	– appeared in 1997 – More influenced by Speed Metal than the NWOBHM – Closer to what we can consider as Power Metal today – a more optimistic approach

However, today the two are extremely close and artists come from all over the world.

ORIGINS OF POWER METAL

The genre (whatever its origin) begins with the new wave of English Heavy Metal more commonly called NWOBHM.

Then, speed, thrash, and neo-classical metal brought other elements that the PM roughly took (hence the difference explained above).

Through all this info, we can name as inspiration : Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Marcyful Fate, Rainbow, Dio, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Yngwie Malmsteen among others !

Caricature Iron Maiden, power metal — Iron Maiden’

Caricature Judas Priest, Power Metal — Iron Maiden’

As to who highlighted the PM, one that stands out in America as one of the key bands is Manowar. In Europe, it’s Helloween who is credited.

As for the origin of the name, it’s like many other genres uncertain. What we can say is that one of the first uses was made by none other than Metallica for one of their demos in 1982.

POWER METAL CHARACTERISTICS

Music and instrumentation

We want it to be powerful, so speed is a key element! Not necessarily in chord changes, but in arpeggio, solos, or «scratching of strings».

We also use palm mute technique.

This applies to both guitar and bass.

For the drum, we use double bass patterns !

And we add a melodic aspect with either :

a keyboard
or an orchestra

Everything must be epic. An anthem where everyone gathers.

Note :
Many PM bands can fall as well under the Symphonic metal or Power symphonic metal categories

Singing

Most often songs are sung with clean vocals (even classical). We sing in the high register. We can hear lots of tenor voices (one can give the example of a band that influenced the genre: Iron Maiden)

But we can find lower voices. And in the more recent bands, we can hear some screams and growls here and there.

Lyrics

Here we talk about fantasy, science fiction, mythology, personal problems, hope, strong emotions, war, history, science, or spirituality.

Appearances

This is where EVERYTHING can happen !

Have you always dreamed of seeing guys dressed only in beast skin? Or are you more into medieval times with dungeons and dragons? Or do you secretly adore men dressed in leather, who wear the codpiece like no other and with pride?

All the craziest outfits can be found in this genre! (Not only, but mostly)

From medieval/ pirate/ viking look, to the futuristic space warrior, through half-man/ half-robots, animated and other fantasies.

The crazier, the better right?

Well, then, some dress normally also…

POWER METAL BANDS/ARTISTS

Power metal artists include :

Manowar, Brocas, Helm, Cirith Ungol, Fates Warning, Metal Curch, Iced Earth, Sanctuary, Crimson Glory, Manilla Road, Savatage, Omen, Hammers of Misfortune for the USPM

Helloween, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Lost Horizon, Running Wild, Pagan’s Mind for the European Power Metal

A well as : Children of Bodom, Angra, Sonata Arctica, Alestorm, Beast In Black, Kamelot, DragonForce, Powerwolf, Galneryus, Hammerfall, Avantasia, Unleash The Archers, Sabaton, Chinchilla or Epica and Nightwish among others.