martes, 1 de octubre de 2013

The power metal it is a subgenre of what we know as heavy metal, speed metal, metal neoclassical and metal classical.
The typical instruments for this kind of music are the electric guitar, electric bass, powerfull drums, keyboards.
This branch of powet metal emerged in early 1980s in the united states, drawing its influences mainly from traditional metal.
Though very close to its roots, US power metal (often abbreviated USPM) is often faster and more energetic than traditional heavy metal, with a more riffs driven approach than its later European counterpart and with a relative lack of keyboards, but more melodic and often with a higher emphasis on guitar leads than trash. Manilla Road, Manowar, Helstar, Liege Lord, Virgin Steele and Jag Panzer are examples of american power metal bands.
European power metal originated from speed metal, emerging in mid/late 1980s with Helloween and in early 1990s with Blind Guardian and Stratovarious.
The symphonic and neo-classical elements also found their way trough power metal with bands like Rhapsody of Fire and Nightwish. Furthermore, some bands are known for combining power metal with more aggressive mussical forms, such as Children of Bodom, who combined elements of power metal and melodic death metal. Two Helloween albums, keeper of the seven keys part 1and 2, are usually considered the first proper European power metal albums.
Many power metal bands based their concept albums on fantasy books and national epics; for example, Blind Guardian based their nightfall in middle earth on the Silm Arillion by Tolkien.
Power metal guitarists and bassists generally play rapid stream of notes, but change chords comparatively slowly, with a harmonic tempo of once permeasure or slower. Some of the most influential and imitated power metal guitarists are Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray, Michael Weikath of Helloween and Timo Tolkki formerly of Stratovarious.
The lirics themes of power metal, though as varied metal itself, often focus on fantasy and mythology, camaraderie and hope, personal struggles and emotions, war and death, or combinations of the listed themes.