Power Metal Recommendations
What is Power Metal?
Many people assume that all metal music is screaming, harsh, scary, Satanic music. That’s not so!
Power metal emphasizes clear vocals and generally lighter, uplifting sound. It’s often described as “theatrical” or “dramatic”.
Unleash The Archers
Currently (2021) my favourite band. They’re also Canadian! They sometimes incorporate growls, but not so much as to lean into death metal territory.
Awakening
Tonight We Ride
Northwest Passage
This is a cover of a Stan Rogers song, but they’ve definitely made it their own.
Brothers of Metal
Uplifting, energetic, Norse-themed. They do a great job of getting different voices into their songs, and they don’t take themselves too seriously. Spikey-helmet guy dies in all of their music videos.
Prophecy of Ragnarok
One
Ayreon
Ayreon isn’t so much a band as one guy who invites his friends to make grand concept albums. They’d also be better-classified as progressive metal, but it’s close enough!
The Day That The World Breaks Down
Daniel’s Descent into Transitus
Sonata Arctica
Early Sonata Arctica was one of the major attractors to the genre for many people. Unfortunately, their newer stuff has shifted away from power metal.
White Pearl, Black Oceans
Full Moon
Kamelot
Phantom Divine
Center Of The Universe
Nightwish
Ghost Love Score
Over The Hills And Far Away
Lost Horizon
Welcome Back
Highlander
Helion Prime
Life Finds A Away
Question Everything
Ancient Bards
The Birth of Evil
Keldian
F.T.L.
Sabaton
Most of Sabaton’s songs are world war-themed, usually covering real battles that occurred in history.
40:1
Van Canto
Van Canto is a unique band in that other than drums, they’re entirely a capella! They’ve even somehow figured out how to approximate guitar songs with their voices.
If I Die in Battle
Winter Sun
Another genre breaker: Winter Sun is actually melodic death metal. For this one song though, there’s a definite power metal spirit that shines through.
Sons of Winter and Stars
Damnation Angels
Pride
Amaranthe
This band is kind of weird: it definitely leans heavily towards pop music, but there’s also a vocalist who screams. I don’t really like most of their work, but they have a couple of good songs.
Fearless
82nd All The Way
This is actually a cover of a Sabaton song, but I kind of like this version better.
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