Heavy-Metal.Info

Power metal began as a contrast to death metal and black metal. This form of heavy metal music uses some elements of thrash metal, but it is more melodic than death metal or black metal. The vocals are closer to traditional singing. The themes covered in power metal lyrics are usually fictional as opposed to realistic. Fantasy and science fiction themes are often used in this genre.

Power metal is a form of metal music that tries to give the listener and epic feel to the music. It combines the traditional metal with thrash metal and some speed metal. It the inserts a symphony sound to the mix. There are two different places that power metal refers to. They are the North American style of power metal and the German, Italian, Scandinavia type of power metal. It is more commonly associated with the European metal band and a few of the American bands have slipped into the mix.

Power metal is epic sounding with speed metal in some of the songs. The whole reason behind power metal is to break away from reality and get the listener involved in religious, mythological, science fiction, or fantasy story line. It does not touch on any kind of real life issue. Power metal is the opposite of doom metal in the fact that it is positive and optimistic instead of dark and gloomy.

The vocals of the power metal are done in a clean style. Most of the vocalists are what is called tenor singers. They have a fairly high sound to their voices instead of the low growl that is used in some other styles. These vocalists have the ability to hit a lot of high notes. There are a few that have come down through the ages that have a lower sound or even a mixed range to sing in. You will also find that it is very uncommon for the lead vocalist to play any instruments in the band.

Power metal consists of a regular guitar and a bass guitar. The play rapid streaming notes but the chords will change very slowly. You will find that these songs will almost always have a guitar solo that is fast and hard on the guitar. You will also have drums involved. There are bass drums with one snare drum to give it a good sound. Power metal also has a keyboard in the mix of other instruments. You may find that it is used a majority of the song and is noticeable or it may be used softly in the background.