Power Metal

[speed]

As someone who listened to power metal for about 6 months- I would say you have a very good point- the bands are very talented- but they are cheesy as hell- and in fact are not very inventive musically at all- the same solos, the same choruses- the same slow ballads- agh. Even worse, is the fact that i think listening to power metal may actually be the most embarrassing form of metal( besides nu- metal ) to listen to. If anyone else hears a power metal song about wizards, and mighty warriors- well what can they think about you ?- oddly enough though, power metal seems socially acceptable in many parts of Europe.

As for bands you may actually like without the huge operatic vocals- I would try Vanden Plas, Evergrey, Kamelot, Symphony X, Iced Earth Iron Savior and Gamma Ray- yet I dont know if you will care for them- I know the only power metal band of the some 20-30 power metal cds that I still listen to is Sanctuary- and at times Vanden Plas and Symphony X. Other bands to consider that are I believe mistakenly labeled power metal- would be Nevermore( thrash), Bruce Dickinson, and Queensryche( high vocals- but the very best in high vocals)

WHo made the comment that Megadeth was power metal? What is that all about?- they were a thrash band- and just how does one consider them to be a power metal band?

 

[Life Sucks]

Candlemass isn't power metal, but doom metal. Candlemass is actually the founders of the modern doom metal scene. And how the fuck can't you like Candlemass or Blind Guardian?

Yeah, I've heard them referred to as doom before. But I've only heard like two of their songs. I find the vocals in the song Mirror Mirror to be somewhat irritating. In their other song I heard, Solitude, the vocals are ok, because it's a slow song, where soaring operatic vocals don't fit. And I don't care for Blind Guardian simply because of the vocals. Maybe I'll give them another shot though, as almost everybody seems to be saying good things about them. Maybe I'll check out some more songs by Candlemass too.

 

[Neslepaks]

Yeah, I've heard them referred to as doom before. But I've only heard like two of their songs. I find the vocals in the song Mirror Mirror to be somewhat irritating. In their other song I heard, Solitude, the vocals are ok, because it's a slow song, where soaring operatic vocals don't fit. And I don't care for Blind Guardian simply because of the vocals. Maybe I'll give them another shot though, as almost everybody seems to be saying good things about them. Maybe I'll check out some more songs by Candlemass too.

The Candlemass vocals are kind of special, but I don't mind them. It's the music that I listen too anyway.

 

[Life Sucks]

The Candlemass vocals are kind of special, but I don't mind them. It's the music that I listen too anyway.

Yeah, the music is good. IMO, it's the guitarwork that makes metal, as opposed to the vocals. I don't mind the vocals as much as most powermetal bands. But then again, as I said, lots of powermetal has great musicianship but the vocals ruin it. Rhapsody is a good example; I really like their guitarwork and technical riffing, but I can't fucking stand the vocals.

 

[UNDEROATH777]

I know what you mean, I HATE the vocals, it sounds like shreiking to me...Im happy that someone started a thread like this, cause Ive been looking for Power Metals guitar work without that gay happy and shreiking noise, yea...the vocalists. I tried getting into Iced eart and I kow their awsome, exept..wlll u know what im going to say, the vocals.

 

[Slaughter Of The Soul]

since i consider myself a huge power metal fan, i have to say this: when it comes to POWER metal , then we must talk about the u.s.a. power metal scene, why noone is talking about that scene ?
power metal in europe is DEAD for me, all bands are just copies of Helloween, or Stratovarius ,with no power at all , just cheesy songs, with some exceptions (Shadowkeep), the DIVINE power metal bands Europe had were:Helloween, early Stratovarius, Heaven's Gate (first 2 albums) , Attack, Running Wild, Defender, Adramelch, Gamma Ray, and some others
u.s.a. had the BEST and more ORIGINAL power metal bands this world has ever faced :Helstar, Titan Force, Fifth Angel, Metal Church, Destiny's End, Jag Panzer,Sanctuary, early Queensryche, early Fates Warning,Oracle,Oliver Magnum, Deadly Blessing, Gargoyle, and many many others (most of them with one album only).

Without being a power metal fan. Im just starring at the power metal scene cause i know many power metallers. European power metal is no fucking way dead, it is do-mi-na-ting !!!

 

[Slaughter Of The Soul]

Yeah, I've heard them referred to as doom before. But I've only heard like two of their songs.

You haven't heard Candlemass referred to as doom before????
Sorry, but where do you live??
Candlemass are one of the biggest doom metal bands ever...

Actually, their earlier stuff is more doomy than last, they have some power metal inside, but they are definitely doom !!

 

[Nocturnal Emperor]

i think power metal is ok some good bands and songs. its a bit of a hypocrisy people saying that high vocals are crappy and then go and listen to the stupidly low gutteral growls on some death metal bands, no disrespect to death metal as i like death metal. Anyway rhapsody are the only power metal band i really listen to, they are ok got some good songs, got some really bad songs i like to describe them as 'getaway music with a difference'

 

[TheGraveDigger]

Power metal is my favorite genre of metal besides of course the Gods of Metal who are in a league of their own like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, etc...

If you don't like operatic type vocals there are many many bands for you to check out but the top three I recommend for you are Grave Digger, Running Wild, and Rage. Also if you didn't like Primal Fear check out Sinner. It is Matt Sinner's otherband who musically are similair to Primal Fear at times but vocally are different and you might like them better.

Power metal is just awesome though. I can't get enough of it. My favorite bands include Helloween, Gamma Ray, Grave Digger, Stratovarius, Running Wild, Hammerfall, Blind Guardian and Primal Fear among many others.

The new Helloween album Rabbit Don't Come Easy comes out this Tuesday May 20. I picked up the cd last night because a local independent music store puts everything out as soon as they get it. Let me tell you, this new Helloween album is one of my favorite cd's ever. It is like a perfect mix of their highly underated Better Than Raw album and the classic Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 2 album. It is just a total listening pleasure. Andi Deris really shines on vocals, the band is tighter than ever and they have Mikkey Dee (former King Diamond, current Motorhead) on drums. If you want a great power metal album I suggest getting this on Tuesday.

 

[IOfTheStorm]

Without being a power metal fan. Im just starring at the power metal scene cause i know many power metallers. European power metal is no fucking way dead, it is do-mi-na-ting !!!

its sales are not dead but euro power metal's quality is dead.
that is what my whole post is about that the real dominating thing in terms of quality is the u.s. power metal .

 

[Orion Crystal Ice]

As someone who listened to power metal for about 6 months- I would say you have a very good point- the bands are very talented- but they are cheesy as hell- and in fact are not very inventive musically at all- the same solos, the same choruses- the same slow ballads- agh. Even worse, is the fact that i think listening to power metal may actually be the most embarrassing form of metal( besides nu- metal ) to listen to. If anyone else hears a power metal song about wizards, and mighty warriors- well what can they think about you ?- oddly enough though, power metal seems socially acceptable in many parts of Europe.

I strongly disagree and this entire statement alone is enough to depress me for the rest of the day.

Power metal and nu mentioned in the same paragraph? Let alone same sentence? Ugh..................

First of all if metal is "embarrassing" either someone isn't playing right or someone isn't listening right. I wouldn't label any kind of metal as "embarrassing" except some tr00 to the bone kind of band like ManOwar or all these freaking porno-death and grind bands there are. I don't get what's wrong with fantasy based lyrics or themes.. I guess we should fear going to see Lord of the Rings now, a Britney Spears fan may milk the growing cliche and think we are nerds.
As far as cheese goes....don't understand that part either..to me cheese is like something done extremely badly, ending up being awkward...with stupid subject matter to begin with..I don't listen to any power metal bands that fall into that vein (Stratovarius is a good example, not all, but a good amount), and if you want real cheese, have a look at 80's glam. I consider referring to your girlfriend as "Mama" and begging for her to lick your love stick and generally stupid, superficial lyrics to be "cheese", not fantasy themed music. Some people wouldn't call something like say, Fantasia for example 'cheese'.. cause it's classical music and you can't touch those old composers and so on and so forth. But classical lends itself a lot more to good power metal then it does most other kinds of heavy metal, yet power metal gets the lumps. Eh.

 

[speed]

Yes, I maybe made too bold of a statement.

In my poersonal opinion, fantasy ( dungoens and dragons- swords and knights), is a genre that is just screaming out grow up - then again, so is death metal. Seriously though, have you ever read some of those power metal bands lyrics- they are so so cheesy- so fantasy land. (Rhapsody is the perfect example) I suppose i like my music with a little more realism- it should somehow relate to my life- not some story about hobbits or wizards etc.- although I can understand the power of escapism- and even my own love of escapism.

So, yes this is personal opinion- yet I know of few outside of the power metal fantasy genre- who do not snicker at such a genre- but then again we all have our embarrassing and odd tastes.

Orion, I must confess you called me out on a true prejudice I have-and i have no room to talk- as I know of few people that listen to the music I do- and I listen to this music not because of how others perceive it( if this was the case I would be listening to rap- or Dave matthews)- but how much I like it. I suppose this point is true for all matters of life- especially mine- if we all did what was popular we would end up like all those we hate- we would be living for them, the outside world- instead of for our own self.

 

[Life Sucks]

I was able to find and download some tracks by Grave Digger. The vocals are indeed tolerable, and not annoying, like those of Rhapsody, Luca Trulli, Primal Fear, etc..

 

[Immortal Death]

Power metal fucking rocks!

Cheese = \m/ \m/!!

 

[Bryant]

Well "Power metal" covers a pretty big range. To me, the kings of Power Metal are Germany's Angel Dust, though their last release could have been better. If you don't mind going back a few years, I highly suggest the cd, "Bleed" by them. It came out in '99 I think, so I'm not talking about something so old it sounds dated. Most of the songs on that Cd rock, but my favorites are Bleed, Liquid Angel, Black Rain and Follow Me. I think that is my favorite power metal CD.

Bryant

 

[nergal_S]

I love power metal just as much Black and Death metal.

Each one of them is special in its own way.

 

[peavy_fan]

Some people dont like Black Metal Vocalists, some people dont like Death Metal vocalists and some dont like Power Metal Singers, but you have to understand that every singer has his own style and you have to respect that. I'm mostly in Power Metal and I like some Death Metal bands but I can stand a minute of Black Metal in my stereo.

 

[St. Vitus]

Yeah, I've heard them referred to as doom before.

Well, that's good, since that's what they are...

But I've only heard like two of their songs. I find the vocals in the song Mirror Mirror to be somewhat irritating. In their other song I heard, Solitude, the vocals are ok, because it's a slow song, where soaring operatic vocals don't fit.

"Solitude" is from their debut, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, which has a different singer than most of their other albums. "Mirror Mirror" is off of Ancient Dreams, featuring Messiah Marcolin, who employs an operatic voice very heavy in vibratto. He's definitely not for everyone. My guess is that you'll enjoy songs from Epicus... more than their other stuff.

 

[sh0kr0k]

I have to cast my vote for Power Metal - I simply can not get enough of it! I don't care for people calling it cheesy but I suppose I can see their point. I think Black Metal is worse

I don't have any other recommendations beyond what has already been mentioned.. Oh - yes I do! Try the band Dark Moor! They have a female vocalist but it's nothing like Tarja (Nightwish) or Cristina (Lacuna Coil) - very great vocalist, in my opinion!

~Sh0k~

 

[veil the sky]

Uhh.....well, gee.

ummmmmm....... *looks over at his 20-plus stack of power metal CD's* heh

*throws on some Rhapsody and runs*

don't take that shit man! rhapsody are awesome!