Power metal
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Power metal | |
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Stylistic origins | |
Cultural origins | Europe and United States in the 1980s |
Fusion genres | |
Symphonic power metal | |
Regional scenes | |
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List of power metal bands |
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within a symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contrast with the heaviness and dissonance prevalent in, for example, extreme metal. Power metal bands usually have anthem-like songs with fantasy-based subject matter and strong choruses, thus creating a theatrical, dramatic and emotionally "powerful" sound.[1][2]
The term was first used in the mid-1980s[3] and refers to two different but related styles:
- the first largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal;
- a later, more widespread and popular style based in Europe[4] with a lighter, more melodic sound and frequent use of keyboards.
Origins
Anthropologist
Another British band,
Throughout the early 1980s especially in the years 1982 and 1983, a US power metal style first emerged from traditional heavy metal, the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), and thrash/speed metal influences. The exact first origin is often contested, but bands such as Cirith Ungol, Jag Panzer, Manilla Road, Omen, Riot, Savatage, and Warlord are thought to have influenced the earliest development of the style.[7][8]
More concretely, in 1987 German band Helloween released their second album, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I, cited by AllMusic as "a landmark recording that remains arguably the single most influential power metal album to date. Its volatile combination of power and melody would inspire an entire generation of metal bands".[9] This release influenced a European power metal style to evolve, which proliferated throughout the globe and since the start of the 1990s is still the most commonly heard style of power metal.
Musical characteristics
Power metal is today associated with fast tempo and melodic harmonies, the sound tempered by characteristics of speed metal, power metal's musical forerunner.
Vocals
Power metal is highly focused on the vocalist, with "clean" vocals being much more prevalent than the growling vocals often associated with
Lyrical themes
Themes that frequently feature throughout other metal subgenres, such as religion and politics, are comparatively rare in power metal - albeit not unheard of. Power metal's lyrical themes often focus on
Many power metal bands based their
.Historical themes have also seen usage in the works of bands, most famously
Contrary to traditional power metal music,
Instrumentation
Power metal guitarists and bassists generally play rapid streams of notes, but change
Many power metal drummers play double bass patterns with either two
Power metal bands often incorporate keyboards into their musical arrangements, something popularized by Jens Johansson of Stratovarius, though their usage varies from subtle accents to a full-blown melody line. Some power metal bands also record with symphonic elements, and as such, they utilize a full orchestra to fill the role usually played by the keyboardist.
Styles
American style
The American branch of power metal emerged in early 1980s in the United States, drawing influence primarily from traditional metal and the
The early releases of progressive metal bands
European style
European power metal originated from speed metal and the NWOBHM, emerging in late 1980s, particularly in Germany, with Helloween, Running Wild, Rage, Grave Digger, and Blind Guardian. The second and third Helloween albums; Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I (1987) and Part II (1988) are usually considered the first proper European power metal albums.[16] Alongside the early German bands came Finland's Stratovarius in late 1980s. These bands pioneered the genre, but took it in somewhat different directions. Helloween, followed by early Gamma Ray, mixed fast palm muted speed metal riffs with high-pitched clean vocals, and with a strong focus on melody and uplifting, positive themes. Stratovarius further developed this melodic direction by making heavy use of keyboards, with lyrics dealing with emotions and personal issues. Blind Guardian utilized the technique of vocal and guitar overdubbing to create an epic atmosphere, with lyrical content strongly based on fantasy novels, myths and legends. The symphonic and neo-classical elements also found their way through power metal with bands like Rhapsody of Fire (Italy), Serenity (Austria) and Nightwish (Finland).[17] At the same time, bands such as HammerFall simplified their power metal to bring it closer to traditional heavy metal.
Over the late 90s and early 00s, power metal spread over Europe especially as well as the rest of the world, often incorporating new influences. Italy's Elvenking, Sweden's Falconer, Spain's Mägo de Oz, and Denmark's Wuthering Heights integrated elements of folk music with power metal. Angra, Kamelot, and especially Symphony X are known for combining progressive and power metal. Some bands are known for combining power metal with more aggressive musical forms; Children of Bodom were one of the earliest who combined elements of power metal and an early form of melodic death metal.
European-style power metal became widespread in comparison with US style as of the mid 1990s, with numerous North American bands such as Theocracy, Borealis, Forgotten Tales, Avian, Pharaoh, Circle II Circle, and Kamelot demonstrating the style. This European style of power metal is sometimes considered the "second wave" of power metal since its spread was in the late 1980s and especially the mid-late 1990s rather than proliferating throughout the 1980s, and the widespread influence and development of the genre that came in its tow while US "first wave" style markedly declined.
See also
References
- ^ Neo-classical & Power Metal (progrockandmetal.net)
- ISBN 978-1-901447-13-2. "Riffs became labyrinthine, vocals scorched higher altitudes—and they even managed to crank out some more volume."
- ^ Power Metal (guitarmasterclass.net)
- ISBN 978-1-901447-13-2. "American metal such as Queensrÿche, Attacker, Jag Panzer, Iced Earth, Liege Lord, and Savatage; European bands such as Helloween, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Running Wild, and Grave Digger;"
- ^ Metal – A Headbanger's Journey, DVD, ASIN B000FS9OZY (2005).
- ^ Dunn, Sam. "Metal Evolution, Episode 110: Power metal". VH1. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ Marco. "Marco's Guide to USPM Part 1". Ride Into Glory. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ISBN 978-1-906002-87-9.
- ^ Helloween – Biography
- ^ What Is Power Metal? Archived 25 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine (about.com)
- ^ Stagno, Mike. "Wintersun review". Sputnik Music. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ Helloween cover Queen's song 'Sheer Heart Attack' (Blabbermouth net)
- ^ ISBN 978-1-901447-13-2.
- ^ Power-Progressive Metal (American style) (progarchives.com)
- ^ "Reunited Liege Lord to Headline Next Year's Keep It True XVI Festival".
- ^ What Is Power Metal?, by Dan Marsicano Archived 25 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine (about.com)
- ^ Wang, Albert. "Albert's Beginner's Guide to Symphonic Metal". Retrieved 2 November 2016.
General bibliography
- ISBN 978-1-901447-13-2.
- ISBN 0-7607-4218-9.
- Kahn-Harris, Keith (2007). Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge. Rockdetector Series. Berg Publishers. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-84520-399-3.