What are some good Power Metal bands?
 

I'm not sure if "power metal" is the right term but it's what AOLRadio calls it. Bands like Nightwish, Dragonforce, etc. So what are some good ones. I don't like screaming in songs for the most part. Bands that have good lyrics and melodies but also shred hard. Any suggestions?

Blind Guardian or Symphony X should be up your alley then.

Though the definition of "power metal" has probably changed since I was a kid, I'd recommend:

Exciter
Annililator
Anvil
Manowar

They all bow to the power of Dragonforce.

Stratovarius is pretty good, although I've only really heard their Infinite album. It definitely rocks.

<b>Stryper</b>, specifically <i>To Hell With The Devil</i>. In fact, it's so rockin' here's a live clip:

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:up: My favorite album by them.

Symphony X is excellent. Along the same lines would be Kamelot, Rhapsody of Fire and maybe Pain of Salvation.

helloween is my favorate power metal band.

Iced Earth
HammerFall
Blind Guardian
Dream Evil
Grave Digger
Helloween
Sonata Arctica
Kamelot
Avantasia
Symphony X
Stratovarious
Dragonforce
Dio

Yup. Helloween defined Power Metal.

Lyrically, they're watered-down Manowar, but their music is very catchy.

This is representative of the majority of their work

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yah Hammerfall is pretty cool. Also Helloween.

check out Savatage of course
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SAVATAGE - "Hall of the Mountain King"

and what about EdGuy? They totally rock!
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EDGUY - "King Of Fools"


and Rob Rock is a classic
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ROB ROCK - "Streets of Madness"

once again Helloween are the kings of power metal...
also on the Helloween Family Tree are Gamma Ray and Primal Fear

Annihilator is good. The new Megadeth cd is good also. Nightwish is ok, depending on what cd you get. Rebel Meets Rebel is excellent but they only did one cd. Check out More- Blood & Thunder, Grim Reaper - Rock you to Hell is really good- older- but good. A number of Trouble cd's are great- Trouble, Manic Frustration, Psalm 9.

I don't know if it's hard enough, but I'd nominate Clutch

I don't know if I'd put Megadeth in the "power" metal category.

My favorites are Helloween and Gamma Ray.

I don't know if I'd put Megadeth in the "power" metal category

They were great when they first started, then as Dave put it, " he got lazy " probably because he got rich too. And he slacked off in the middle of his career, but the new cd is a cut from the old day's, when he was mean and nasty and heavy as hell and deserves to be checked out. I think anyone who likes metal should like this one, but if you don't like it, throw it in the river. But try it out first.

I found this list on another site...


Also, if you haven't yet heard it, definitely check out the new Iced Earth album, "Framing Armageddon", it is fucking fantastic! Also the Blind Guardian/Iced Earth side-project "Demons & Wizards" is an amazing band, Hansi has such a unique voice.

I second Demons & Wizards. Good shit. :up:

First band that came to mind. I had honestly played at my wedding (in 2003). I really like it when I ask someone what kind of music they listen to and they say "Christian". "Oh, so like this band..."

Definitely Helloween. Savatage... anything before Gutter Ballet. That album began their turn from power metal to melodic rock.

All good picks.

Avantasia is more a "project" than a band. I'd say Edguy in place of it.

I would also strongly suggest Arjen Lucassen's side project Star One.

The new Epica CD is also an amazing album, and I've never been a big fan of female metal vocalists.

Two others that were really good (but may no longer be together) are Angel Dust and Tad Morose.

Pagan's Mind and Evergrey are real good too, if you like the more progressive side of power metal.


That reminds me of the Dethklok stage in the arctic circle for the Duncan Hills Coffee jingle performance. :lol:

This was the video that really made me a fan:
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Just put Holy Diver on repeat.

I forgot to mention Ayreon, they are awesome. They are a very epic group that on most albums have 10+ singers and most songs are 8+ minutes long. They might not be quite "Power Metal" but they definitely share similar themes. Also all of Arjen Lucassen's other projects/bands are really good too.

I don't know if they would be Power Metal, but when I discovered Helloween a while back, a friend said if I liked them, I'd like Celtic Frost. Pretty decent stuff.