Power metal
Power metal is a type of heavy metal music that mixes traditional metal with thrash metal or speed metal. There are two types of power metal. One comes from North America that sounds more like speed metal, and a more popular one from Europe (especially Finland, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia) and Japan that usually sounds happier and usually uses keyboards. It is usually characterized by high, clean, melodic vocals, fantasy based lyrics as well as complex and fast lead guitar solos.
| Power metal | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | NWOBHM Speed metal Hard rock Classical music; |
| Cultural origins | 1984 in Germany and Finland as well as other parts of Europe |
| Typical instruments | Vocals − Electric guitar − Bass − Drums − Keyboards |
| Fusion genres | |
| Symphonic metal - Progressive metal - Folk metal - Neo-classical metal | |
| Regional scenes | |
| American power metal - European power metal | |
Some of the most popular European style bands include:
- Helloween (1984-Present) from Germany is one of the first, and most influential power metal bands.
- Gamma Ray from Germany
- Stratovarius from Finland
- Sonata Arctica from Finland
- Blind Guardian from Germany
- Edguy/Avantasia from Germany
- Kamelot from the U.S.A. but they are of a European style
- HammerFall from Sweden
- DragonForce from England
- Power Quest from England, frequent use of keyboards
Power Metal Media
Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray during a show in Barcelona. Hansen is regarded as one of the biggest influences in the early development of power metal.
Most songs of German band Blind Guardian are based on fantasy, mythology and science fiction, and their live shows often feature fantasy decorations
Italian band Rhapsody of Fire performing in Buenos Aires in 2010
