Synopsis

Power metal can be seen as a pure metal revival that took place in the late '80s and early '90s. It drew inspiration from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands, such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, to re-inject the classic technical ability and melody into heavy metal.

Bored by the formlessness of death metal, in the early '90s, power metallers returned to the drilling basslines and power-chords of the early '80s. For the most part, they also abandoned the grunting and squealing vocal style favoured by contemporary metal sub-genres.

Key band: Helloween

Helloween pioneered the power metal scene in the late '80s with pummeling power chords and double-harmony guitars.

Key album: Hammerfall - Glory To The Brave (1997)

Every track here is an anthem about honour and glory - this is power metal as it’s meant to be.

Key track: Manowar - Kings Of Metal (1994)

According to the Guinness Book Of Records no one is louder is than Manowar, and that’s enough to make this track a power metal anthem.

Further reading

101 rules of power metal - Metal Storm