Posted June 22, 2006 Seeing as on other threads (I point no fingers) people seem to have a problem with a healthy debate, I thought that I'd make this thread to discuss power metal, generally a sub genre notorious for it's reputation as being the laughing stock of metal. So, here you can feel free to declare your undying love/ hate for power metal/ myself. So and go ahead and discuss the advantages/ disadvantages of power metal over other forms of metal, or other music. Power Metal as defined by wikipedia: In the mid-1980s, European bands such as Helloween (Germany) and Europe (Sweden) put even more attention to the melodic development of the songs. Helloween mixed fast speed metal riffs with melodic ones and added Iron Maiden-like powerful vocals, further cleaning the sound. Their albums Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 1 (1987) and Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 2 (1988) are generally regarded as a milestone of this genre. Subsequently, European-style "happy metal" has spread across the continent (particularly to Finland) and worldwide, though it is comparatively unpopular in the United States, United Kingdom and other English speaking countries. Recently, however, many power metal bands have abandoned the "happy-metal" sound of their predecessors, and have adopted a more epic sound combined with the power metal core. Bands such as Blind Guardian have combined their classic power metal sound with an orchestral background as Rhapsody or Angra have done. My two cents are that power metal has gained such a shitty rep because of some bands penchant for having cheesy lyrics about Dragons and nordic myth (yes, I'm pointing at you Rhapsody and Manowar) but I for me, lyrics don't detract from the musical virtuosity and emotion that these artists show through their instrumentality, and In my opinion, sounds are much more evocative of emotions than words. Here are 3 of my favourite Power Metal bands, that you should check out if you're interested: Blind Guardian: Imo the best power metal band, songs to check out are: "Mordreds Song" "Nightfall" "The Bard's Song" "Theater of Pain" "Hallelujah" Dragonforce are some of the most talented musicians in history, talent which is arguably wasted on drunken antics. Songs to check out are "Fury of the Storm" "Soldiers of the Wasteland" "Valley of The Damned" "Black Fire" and "Dawn of a New World" This is their live album, and in my opinion, this is the band that brought me to heavy metal, they're not the best, but they showed me what was possible and that in music there really are no boundaries. They even did an entire concept album based on the spawn comics. Song's to download are "Ghost of Freedom" the live version of "A Question of Heaven" "Angel's Holocaust" "The Hunter" "Dracula" Although I have a sneaking suspicion that this thread is going to get closed before it takes off, but what the hell here ya are, flame away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 This thread won't get locked. The only reason the others got locked is because it led to flaming and the content was far from what the original subject was about. Provided that this doesn't turn into a 'bitch fight', then it'll remain open. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 I am a big Metallica and Iron Maiden fan. However due to a project I did a few years back in secondary school I found Helloween. I really liked their stuff and did listen to them for quite a while then drifted out of their stuff. What I loved about them was their harmony on guitars and definitley their vocals. I really thought that they produced a fantastic sound. I must start listening to them again actually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 Yeah I'm a huge tallica fan, helloween have some killer songs, some of my favourite are "I wan't out" and "I'm Alive," but I never really got into them, I always thought of them as a less professional version of Iron Maiden. You're interested in guitar harmonies? Have you heard any In Flames or Dragonforce? They kinda specialise in that kinda stuff...In Flames are in some ways my favourite band Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 My mate is big into Prog Metal, Death Metal and Black Metal. He has some pretty bizarre bands in his collection and I believe one of them would be Dragonforce. I have a ery little amount allrite. I havent heard any In Flames stuff though. Mr. Torture was always my favourite Helloween tune. I'm definitely into harmonies though. I used to play in a Metal band, and we used to experiment all the time with harmonies. Once we recorded to a 24trck 2 guitar lines then layered 4 more harmonies onto it. Recorded 2 separate bass lines and then the drums. It sounded like Maiden and (the like of) Helloween fused! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 I'm not into metal at all. Just not my thing. I differ from your opinion, you can ignore lyrics in favour of music. I can't. As a musician and kyricist cheesy lyrics annoy me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 I really like Dragonforce, think they're amazing musicians. But sometimes the songs aren't there and I'd rather listen to Pantera or 'tallica. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 Friend played me some dragonforce when I was in college, meant to try and sample some tracks on iTunes. Never got round to it. They were pretty good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 I'm not into metal at all. Just not my thing. I differ from your opinion, you can ignore lyrics in favour of music. I can't. As a musician and kyricist cheesy lyrics annoy me. Well as a musician and lyricist myself, I think that the majority of pop music is just drivel. I also think that love isnt the only subject that should be sung about. An awful lot of the worlds best lyricists are people who are in Metal Bands and sing about war, destruction, disabilty etc. Although love is also sung about, it has a darker more intense and personal feel. You should be able to empathise with a lot of it. With pop songs its the same stuff rehashed with a different beat and anothe key change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 Well as a musician and lyricist myself, I think that the majority of pop music is just drivel. I also think that love isnt the only subject that should be sung about. An awful lot of the worlds best lyricists are people who are in Metal Bands and sing about war, destruction, disabilty etc. Although love is also sung about, it has a darker more intense and personal feel. You should be able to empathise with a lot of it. With pop songs its the same stuff rehashed with a different beat and anothe key change. An awful lot of the worlds best lyricists are people who are in Metal Bands That's only your opinion. lol. :P You seemed to be insinuating I was into Pop music and didn't know songs could be about anything other that love. Pardon the K I put on Lyricist, give me a break, it's 6AM over here. haha. :P PJ Harvey's a very good lyricist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 More of a fan of punk, but I absolutely ADORE Iron Maiden. I have most of their albums and am going to see them at the NEC in December. Power metal is really an unexplored genre to me, but I was amazed when I first saw the "Through the fire and flames" video by Dragonforce. Those guys are seriously talented (I don't see BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG doing any solos!!!). Have also heard a couple of songs by Rhapsody ("Emerald Sword" and "Holy Thunderforce") and I quite like them, some of the riffs kinda remind me of great Maiden classics. The cheesey lyrics do not bother me, I listen to metal for the instrumentation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 22, 2006 You seemed to be insinuating I was into Pop music and didn't know songs could be about anything other that love. Pardon the K I put on Lyricist, give me a break, it's 6AM over here. haha. :P PJ Harvey's a very good lyricist. Yeah sorry went on a bit of a pop rant there!! Yes, PJ harvey is a good lyricist. I like a lot of different types of music and I find that the vocalists in Metal/Rock bands have a lot to say and quite afew of them can say it very well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 This is not music, i do not like it so i class it as shit and no one should listen to it. Lol. hypocrit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 Cant beat a bit of cheese every now an then. As such I dont mind power metal. Relaly like Iron Maiden infact. Dragon force are pretty cool. But for all out over the top cheese nothing beats some Man O War. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 I heavily dislike Power Metal, because of its lyrics, but I do like the instrumentals. In fact, most metal doesn't please me, because of the singers vomiting instead of singing. Which is a shame, because they sometimes have awesome instrumentals and good voices. Metal is way to angry at the moment, sometimes I just don't feel like hearing it. That's why I stick to the oldies when it comes to metal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 I am a big fan of Power metal. I mostly listen to Dragonforce, Hammerfall Manowar, Rhapsody and Blind Guardian Hrm Manowar aint much about dragons, there are a couple of songs involed with nordic myth but not the huge part of it. Most of theyre songs are about battles pillaging and drinking beer and riding horses made of steel! (Motorcycles if yer daft :Þ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 I just tried to give some of your suggestions a listen on iTunes, The Bard, but I... just can't. Listening to them yodelling on just made me burst out laughing. I'm not saying it's bad, or that the bands are talentless: I can appreciate that I could never do what they're doing, and I'm sure they're doing it fantastically. The style just doesn't mesh with the type of person I am, I think — the '80s and I have never really got on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 While I'd MUCH rather listen to power metal than pop or ©rap, I can never really get into it. Its a shame really as the talent these bands display is immense but it just sounds..... annoying if you get me. Its the ott solos and vocals I think. But thats just my opinion, I get slated constantly for listening to KoRn, Soulfly, Pantera and others by people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 big dragonforce fan respect metallica they done some classics only just gettin back in to metal stuff kind of went off it a couple years ago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 then y bbother posting on the thread if you don't like it especially when the last one got locked due to bitchin you can be a real sod sometimes fieldsofanfieldroad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 Helloween and Dragonforce ftw. I saw Dragonforce last feburary, awesome performance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 wud love to see dragonforce live but by the time i realised they were tourin it was too late Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2006 I lvoe Iron Maiden and Metallica, but that's all the metal i listen to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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