Check out this video from Rock in Rio, where they played to over 250, 000 reverent fans.
Pay attention to how the audience not only sings every word of the song but also "whoa oh oohs" the melody to every instrumental part. As an American heavy metal enthusiast, to put it mildly, I am astounded to see that outpouring of dedication to a metal band. Do you know the words and melody your favorite song? How about every song in that artist's catalogue, because I promise you that those fans do! And it's not just Iron Maiden that receives this treatment. Because of Maiden's relentless world travelling when touring, they have built this incredible international following and left a passion for their style of metal, which evolved into power metal, in their trail. As proof of this, check out this video by Blind Guardian. Have you even heard of them? Would you imagine going to their concert here in the US and hearing this many fans that know every word to the songs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYdd4fMtW_A
The point is that this wildly popular form of metal is vastly underappreciated in the US and regardless what you decide as a listener, if you love harder music, you should be aware of this brand of metal. I consider it amongst the most, if not the most (other than Metallica, who even your grandma likes), approachable forms of metal to the casual listener and several of its characteristics make it thus.
Power metal's roots can be traced back to what is largely called classic or traditional metal. The two finest examples of this genre are, indeed, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Thus it was largely associated with the awkwardly abbreviated (thanks Ian Christe) New Wave of British Heavy Metal, NWOBHM. It was faster and less bluesy than the Black Sabbath version and was more bombastic or intense in its guitar playing and vocal stylings. These two bands along with bands like the Scorpions created the dual guitar (lead and rhythm) band structure that countless metal bands would emulate there after. The style generally had high pitched vocals, but were not to be confused with those of the glam metal genre to follow. The vocal range and ability of the lead singers were and still are of generally higher quality, but the fact that power metal uses this singing rather than the growling (which Americans associate as inherently metal) that is the first reason that makes the genre more approachable.
So classic metal laid the groundwork, but to become power metal, other influences were needed. First was speed metal, a genre that took classic metal and played it at break-neck speeds, but with articulation and accuracy that was absolutely pinpoint. The new genre was created in response to the desire for more aggressive music and that, it certainly was. We can largely thank Germany for pioneering speed metal. Bands like Kreator, Sodom, Helloween, and Blind Guardian are some of the best and earliest examples. However, two of those bands, Kreator and Sodom, are considered part of what was largely going on the US, that is the start of thrash metal. Basically it boils down to how aggressive the music is. Thrash metal, such as Slayer, is super fast, draws influences from punk, and generally has much more evil overtones and gravely vocals. It was the other two bands, Helloween and Blind Guardian, that were part of what was and still is power metal. The music was faster than classic metal but kept the cleaner vocals, and in some cases, due to symphonic influences, was not aggressive or evil at all; the other attribute making power metal so approachable. Power metal also uses keyboards in the song arrangements, which is largely taboo in thrash.
If you do not like the screaming, yelling, growling, ultra-distortion, sludgy sounds, etc. of heavy metal, but love the guitar technicality, double bass drumming, speed, etc. of the genre, I implore you, GIVE POWER METAL A TRY! The symphonic overtones and the lack of necessity for the "evil" make it more diverse musically in the sense that it does not have to have quite as specific a sound. The minor key is no longer the only key. For those of you that do not know, musicians can use the key (or mode) of a song to evoke a certain mood and the minor key inherently sounds more dark or gloomy. The use of the major key in power metal tends to have a bright, upbeat sound. Metal can be an uplifting genre and the songs can make you happy. It is not all doom and gloom. This is yet another reason to give it a listen.
There is a final aspect of power metal that I really like, but may be a roadblock for others, and that is the prevalent use of fantasy in the themes and lyrics. This goes hand in hand with symphonic nature of a lot of power metal, and for nerds like me, we cannot get enough of it. It is understandable if this is not your cup of tea. It does, however, open the door to those of you that love classical music. I would argue that there is no other kind of music that lends itself to classical types of arrangements than power metal. Albums have been created that focus on concepts or even have movements like a "metal opera." Blind Guardian's seminal concept album Nightfall in Middle-Earth is just such an album. It is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion and contains songs such as "The Curse of Feanor" and "Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)." Just check out this album cover from another of their outings for an idea or the pervasiveness of fantasy themes in power metal:
As you start listening to many power metal bands, especially if you have listened to one of today's most popular power metal bands, DragonForce, you will encounter some reoccurring themes. The concepts of glory, honor, and "carrying on" will keep creeping up on you and it all comes from the fantasy themes whose lineage in metal can be traced way back. Perhaps the most overt ones coming from the diminutive metal singer with the huge voice, Ronnie James Dio. He sang for Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and finally in his solo band Dio and brought fantastical imagery into the forefront for each of those bands. Thanks, Dio!!! Many power metal songs feel epic and they build to a grand conclusion, just like the fantasy culture that influences them, and it indeed evokes powerful emotions. For me the most powerful one is an overwhelming love for the music and what we can do with the medium to please the mind and body.
I should not ignore the early Scandinavian influence from bands like Stratovarius and Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, who also brought the shred aspect into power metal (DragonForce should thank them for that) . Stratovarius is of particular note because in addition to having uplifting themes, they placed a large focus on socially and environmentally conscience songs. Songs like "Paradise" are about preserving our Earth. This idea runs throughout many other power metal bands as well. Two songs from Helloween come to mind: "Eagle Fly Free" and "Livin' Ain't No Crime" which are about the environment and living life to its fullest, respectively.
Basically, as it stands today, power metal has many permutations. It has evolved into many of its own sub-genres like pagan metal and viking metal and has influenced the formation of melodic forms of black and death metal. I will use this discussion for another entry, because power metal deserves it. There are so many bands out there that I want you to know about and experience.
I would like to give you a short list of what I think is some of the essential power metal listening, both old and new. You can do your own search as well. Just search YouTube for something like "best power metal" and you will find loads of lists. Or this Wikipedia page is a good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_metal_bands
Helloween: Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt I and II
Blind Guardian: Nightfall in Middle-Earth
Stratovarius: Visions
Avantasia: The Metal Opera
Iced Earth: Something Wicked This Way Comes
DragonForce: Valley of the Damned
Edguy: Vain Glory Opera (but really EVERYTHING they have done)
Hammerfall: Glory to the Brave
Kamelot: Epica
Gamma Ray: Land of the Free
I would also recommend Manowar, Metal Church, Rhapsody of Fire, and Sonata Arctica though I must admit to not knowing as much about them other than that they are influential, popular, or unique.
I wanted to further emphasize my note above that everything Edguy has done is quintessential power metal (accept some of the more recent work, which is still good in its own right). They really, in my opinion have it figured out. They are another German band fronted by Tobias Sammet, who is one of my favorite voices in metal. Their songs just ooze epic fantasy and speed metal. In fact, Tobias Sammet is responsible for another member of the list, Avantasia. It is exactly what it says: a metal opera and he recruited other big names in power metal to create it with him and sing different character's voices. But unlike many operas in the traditional sense, each song stands on its own and is just damn good.
Look for the next entry on power metal, and until then, The Power of Two Words:
EASY FLAPS
tee hee...
Godspeed on the Devil's thunder, getcha' pull, and may the power of the riff compel you always.
stops copys me!
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