The difference, by ear
Power metal took this technique and put songs around it. Neoclassical metal is the technique as the subject.
Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 140 to 200 bpm. To hear the difference, play Yngwie Malmsteen next to Helloween. Both grew out of heavy metal in the same year.
In figures
Neoclassical metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Neoclassical metal
In short
Bach and Paganini transposed onto a distorted guitar: harmonic minor scales, sweep arpeggios and three-minute solos.
How it sounds
- Harmonic minor and Phrygian dominant scales with diminished arpeggios.
- Sweep picking and legato technique at extreme speed.
- Structures borrowed from the baroque concerto: theme, variation, cadenza.
Key acts
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- Racer X
- Cacophony
Start here
The pickYngwie Malmsteen - Far Beyond the Sun. Instrumental, six minutes, unplayable.
Full page →Power metal
Where it sits
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.
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