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Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Melodic death metal1993

Second genre

Power metal1984

Head to headMelodic death metal vs Power metal
Melodic death metal: heaviness 8, melody 9, speed 8. Power metal: heaviness 6, melody 10, speed 8.Heaviness8 / 6Melody9 / 10Speed8 / 8
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

The same harmonised leads and the same debt to Maiden. Power metal sings them; this rasps over them.

Power metal is sung cleanly where melodic death metal is growled or screamed, and keeps to a narrower band: 160 to 200 bpm against 150 to 220. To hear the difference, play At the Gates next to Helloween. They share a root in heavy metal, and power metal came first, by nine years.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Melodic death metal8
Power metal6
−2
Speed
Melodic death metal8
Power metal8
level
Melody
Melodic death metal9
Power metal10
+1

Melodic death metal

1993 · Gothenburg, Sweden

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Death metal › Melodic death metal

In short

Iron Maiden-style guitar harmonies over screamed vocals. The Gothenburg scene later became the foundation of American metalcore.

How it sounds

  • Twin guitar harmonies in the Iron Maiden tradition over a death metal base.
  • Tremolo picking over melodic minor progressions with open chord voicings.
  • Screamed vocals more often than growls, with melancholy lyrics.

Key acts

  • At the Gates
  • In Flames
  • Dark Tranquillity
  • Amon Amarth

Start here

The pickAt the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul. Thirty-four minutes that shaped two decades.

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Power metal

1984 · Germany · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Power metal

In short

Galloping tempos, choral hooks and lyrics about dragons and battles. Optimistic by definition.

How it sounds

  • Sustained galloping tempos with nearly continuous double kick.
  • Choruses harmonised across many voices, choir style.
  • Keyboards, neoclassical solos and lyrics about battles, dragons and hope.

Key acts

  • Helloween
  • Blind Guardian
  • Gamma Ray
  • DragonForce

Start here

The pickHelloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II. The closing track runs thirteen minutes and deserves them.

Full page →