Power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contrast with the heaviness and dissonance prevalent, for example, in 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. The term was first used in the mid-1980s and refers to two different but related styles:
Influences
- Neoclassical metal
- Speed metal
- Heavy metal music
- Thrash metal
- New wave of British heavy metal
- Extreme metal