Power Metal

Power metal is a subgenre of Metal that developed primarily in Europe in the 1980s. Power metal combines elements of both Heavy Metal and Speed Metal, characterized by fast tempos, constant power-chords and an emphasis on melody and guitar harmonies rather than heaviness. Power metal is known for its epic guitar solos which range from simple and melodic to shreddy. The majority of power metal bands use soaring clean vocals rather than the harsh vocal styles often found in extreme metal. Plenty of acts also employ synths and strings, often overlapping with Symphonic Metal. The lyrics of the genre mostly focus on high fantasy or mythological imagery and often make allusions to specific works of literature such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

The fantasy aesthetic that power metal draws upon dates back to heavy metal’s earliest days, as “swords and sorcery” imagery was common among the genre’s 1970s pioneers. Rainbow influenced many bands to come with their epic melodicism and Ronnie James Dio’s fantasy-themed lyrics. Other notable influences on the emerging style include the iconic twin-guitar harmonizers Judas Priest and Iron Maiden who greatly influenced the genre’s lead guitar style. Power metal originated following the NWOBHM era. Bands of the German speed metal scene are often credited with inventing the genre, particularly Helloween on their album Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I. Blind Guardian, another band of the scene, are also credited with helping develop the genre. Parallel to this flavor of power metal, US Power Metal developed in the United States of America, a similar, but separate style played by bands such as Jag Panzer and Manowar.

Power metal experienced a decline in popularity during the 1990s, an era where (contrary to power metal’s main tenets) metal generally became darker and heavier. Late into the decade, Children of Bodom merged the harsh vocals and more aggressive playstyle of Melodic Death Metal with power metal’s epic sound and created a unique fusion. Power metal experienced somewhat of a resurgence in popularity during the 2000s due in part to the influx of new artists and the spread to different countries. During this era, DragonForce made a name for themselves via their song “Through the Fire and Flames”‘s prominent inclusion in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Sabaton also rose to popularity as a war-themed take on the genre.