1. Keeper Of The Seven Keys II--Helloween
Inarguably, the greatest power metal album of all time. Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath have given the rhythm/solo performances of their lives, and Michael Kiske proves that when it comes to epic vocals in metal, he is second to none. Highlights include the culty 'I Want Out', the wonderfully melodious 'Dr. Stein' and the 13 minute epic 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' which was/is the creative pinnacle of Helloween and all of power metal for that matter.
2. Hall Of The Mountain King--Savatage
Savatage are the best power metal band America has ever produced(no offence to the I
ced Earth lovers), and this is their masterpiece. Brothers Cris and John Oliva pour their metal hearts out on this gem. The album, though not as polished and technically brilliant as Savatage's later releases and some other albums which are to follow in this list, truly captures the essence of raw 80's heavy metal. Highlights include the sharp '24 Hours Ago', the boombastic 'Legions' and the eternal heavy metal classic 'Hall Of The Mountain King', this song is such an adrenaline rush, it's not funny.3. Follow The Reaper--Children Of Bodom
Children Of Bodom are not power metal per se(this is their most pwer metal sounding album), they are much more extreme and their sound is closer to melodic death/black metal IMO, but they are categorised as power metal(with h
arsh vocals) in the music world, that's why they are here. Although included in this list, I must say,especially to the 'virgin' ear....tread softly here, this is some gut thumpingly heavy and shocking music...but very melodious nonetheless. If you haven't listened to any of Children Of Bodom's stuff, you're in for the shock of your life. When it comes to technical ability, these guys are second to none..and I mean NONE. Alexi Laiho, vocalist and lead guitarist, is one of the 10 best guitarists ever!!! This album, though softer and slower than their later mammoth Hate Crew Deathroll, is definitely their best work till date. Highlights include the classic 'Hate Me', the balladesque 'Everytime I Die' and the monster of a rocker in 'Kissing The Shadows', this song has one of the top 5 guitar/keyboard duelling solos ever!Download&Preview Album
4. Visions--Stratovarius
Stratovarius is one of those bands that never ever release a 'bad" album...never. Although Episode is widely considered to be their greatest effort, I have a soft spot for Visions. A true work of art, so melodious and so powerful and so progressive. They can easily be termed as the Dream Theater of power metal. Highlights include the rocking 'The Kiss Of Judas','Legions' and the classic 'Black Diamond'..all the other songs are great too...not a single filler.
Download&Preview Album
5. Nightfall In Middle Earth--Blind Guardian
No band on this planet tells stories quite like Blind Guardian, with the possible exc
eption of early King Diamond. As you can tell from the title, this album deals with the Tolkien created land of Middle Earth. The lyrics are inspired from one of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels, The Silmarillion. This album is as epic as it gets, passages galore, dreamy atmosphere, thunderous guitars, immmaculate hamonies and godly symphonic choruses. Highlights include 'Into The Storm', 'Mirror Mirror','Nightfall' and the classic 'The Curse Of Feanor'. If you like the thrashier side of power metal though, you should get their album Imaginations From The Other Side.Download&Preview Album
6. Keeper Of The Seven Keys I--Helloween
The first installment of the Keeper saga, the second greatest effort of the mighty Helloween. Not quite as masterful and epic as the second Keeper but a watershed album in power metal history nonetheless. Higlights include 'Future World', 'I'm Alive', 'A Tale That Wasn't Right' and the mammoth 'Halloween'(sheer metal madness this one).
7. Inhuman Rampage--DragonForce
Released in 2006, how can this be in a list of my absolute favourite power metal albums? Is it that good? YES. I discovered this band only about a year ago, and man! they do
have some serious talent. Only three albums old, this band has already given 2 power metal classics in Sonic Firestorm and Inhuman Rampage. Although both these albums are great musically, I would have to give it to Inhuman Rampage for it's sheer speed!. This album is, without a doubt, the fastest I've heard in all my life. How can all the musicians play at such an inhuman speed(no pun intended) is beyond me. Running at 100miles/hr, it's so insane you would have trouble tapping your foot to it. Hermann Li's soloing is something which you have to hear to believe and Sam Totman is not far behind ..I know I've been using a lot of cliches lately..but it's simply out of this world. Highlights include 'Through The Fire & The Flames'(another top 10 solos ever contender), 'Revolution Deathsquad','The Flame Of Youth' and 'Cry For Eternity'.
Released in 2006, how can this be in a list of my absolute favourite power metal albums? Is it that good? YES. I discovered this band only about a year ago, and man! they do
have some serious talent. Only three albums old, this band has already given 2 power metal classics in Sonic Firestorm and Inhuman Rampage. Although both these albums are great musically, I would have to give it to Inhuman Rampage for it's sheer speed!. This album is, without a doubt, the fastest I've heard in all my life. How can all the musicians play at such an inhuman speed(no pun intended) is beyond me. Running at 100miles/hr, it's so insane you would have trouble tapping your foot to it. Hermann Li's soloing is something which you have to hear to believe and Sam Totman is not far behind ..I know I've been using a lot of cliches lately..but it's simply out of this world. Highlights include 'Through The Fire & The Flames'(another top 10 solos ever contender), 'Revolution Deathsquad','The Flame Of Youth' and 'Cry For Eternity'. Download&Preview Album
8. Sonic Firestorm--DragonForce
Oh yes, this has to be here. As I said, Inhuman Rampage is ranked above this for the sh
eer speed factor, but this album is in no way musically inferior to Inhuman Rampage. In fact, some may prefer this over Inhuman Rampage, as it has a lot of prog influences thrown in and is more melodious. Highlights include 'My Spirit Will Go On','Fury Of The Storm' and 'Soldiers Of The Wasteland'. DragonForce are going to be a household name in a few years time..take my word for it.
8. Sonic Firestorm--DragonForce
Oh yes, this has to be here. As I said, Inhuman Rampage is ranked above this for the sh
eer speed factor, but this album is in no way musically inferior to Inhuman Rampage. In fact, some may prefer this over Inhuman Rampage, as it has a lot of prog influences thrown in and is more melodious. Highlights include 'My Spirit Will Go On','Fury Of The Storm' and 'Soldiers Of The Wasteland'. DragonForce are going to be a household name in a few years time..take my word for it. 9. Rising Force--Yngwie Malmsteen
This is not a power metal album but most of the music in power metal is derived from here. This is what you call neo-classical metal and the legendary Yngwie Malmsteen started
it. Make no bones about it, but Yngwie Malmsteen is pretty much responsible for everything you hear in power/progressive metal today, and without taking anything away from the greatness of Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, I must say that Yngwie is the REAL man, well, he was for a short period atleast, before he met with a car crash and had to relearn how to play. This is a mind boggling effort from a young Swede who had the hunger to be at the top of his game, and at the top he was! With the exception of the 2 tracks with vocals(who wants vocals in an Yngwie Malmsteen album anyway?) all the songs are excellent. Highlights include the classic 'Black Star', 'Now Your Ships Are Burned','Evil Eye' and the magnificent 'Icarus' Dream Suite Op.4'. Even if you're not a sucker for guitar wizardry and instrumentals you gotta have this for historical value.
it. Make no bones about it, but Yngwie Malmsteen is pretty much responsible for everything you hear in power/progressive metal today, and without taking anything away from the greatness of Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, I must say that Yngwie is the REAL man, well, he was for a short period atleast, before he met with a car crash and had to relearn how to play. This is a mind boggling effort from a young Swede who had the hunger to be at the top of his game, and at the top he was! With the exception of the 2 tracks with vocals(who wants vocals in an Yngwie Malmsteen album anyway?) all the songs are excellent. Highlights include the classic 'Black Star', 'Now Your Ships Are Burned','Evil Eye' and the magnificent 'Icarus' Dream Suite Op.4'. Even if you're not a sucker for guitar wizardry and instrumentals you gotta have this for historical value.10. Something Wicked This Way Comes--Iced Earth
The best album from America's reigning power metal kings. Iced Earth music is o
n the thrashier and angrier side of power metal with thunderous riffs and baritoned/gruff vocals...the music really kicks serious a**. Although not nearly as great as being called the Master Of Puppets of power metal(most Iced Earth fans will have you believe this) it's still a classic work of art. The guitars are really fierce on this one. Highlights include the bludgeoning 'Burning Times', the ballad in 'Watching Over Me' and the 3 part 'Something Wicked' trilogy.
n the thrashier and angrier side of power metal with thunderous riffs and baritoned/gruff vocals...the music really kicks serious a**. Although not nearly as great as being called the Master Of Puppets of power metal(most Iced Earth fans will have you believe this) it's still a classic work of art. The guitars are really fierce on this one. Highlights include the bludgeoning 'Burning Times', the ballad in 'Watching Over Me' and the 3 part 'Something Wicked' trilogy.Shout in the box for RAR/ZIP passwords...cheers!!
1 comment:
Good list. Except maybe the Dragonforce stuff. They may sound technical, but don't be fooled. It's all programed with a keyboard. But other than that, great list. Also I would put Hatebreeder by Children of Bodom instead of FTR. Even though it's darker, it's alot more power metal IMO, and plus it's a great metal album everyone should hear.
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