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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

Pirate metal2006

Second genre

Symphonic power metal1996

Head to headPirate metal vs Symphonic power metal
Pirate metal: heaviness 6, melody 10, speed 7. Symphonic power metal: heaviness 6, melody 10, speed 8.Heaviness6 / 6Melody10 / 10Speed7 / 8
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Shares the polish and the choruses, and swaps the fantasy libretto for a nautical one.

Symphonic power metal is sung cleanly where pirate metal is part sung, part screamed, at much the same pace, around 150 to 200 bpm. To hear the difference, play Alestorm next to Rhapsody of Fire. They share a root in heavy metal, and symphonic power metal came first, by ten years.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Pirate metal6
Symphonic power metal6
level
Speed
Pirate metal7
Symphonic power metal8
+1
Melody
Pirate metal10
Symphonic power metal10
level

Pirate metal

2006 · Scotland

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Folk metal › Pirate metal

In short

Power metal with accordion and lyrics about rum. A small genre, entirely shameless and very effective live.

How it sounds

  • Accordion, fiddle and hurdy-gurdy-style keyboards over fast power metal.
  • Choruses written as sea shanties, built for singing in unison.
  • Lyrics exclusively about pirates, rum and naval battles - without exception.

Key acts

  • Alestorm
  • Running Wild
  • Swashbuckle

Start here

The pickAlestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge. Exactly what the title promises.

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Symphonic power metal

1996 · Italy / Finland

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Power metal › Symphonic power metal

In short

Power metal with orchestra, choir and a fantasy libretto. The more, the better.

How it sounds

  • Full orchestra and choir, often recorded live rather than sampled.
  • Film-score structures: overtures, interludes, recurring themes.
  • Operatic or lyrical vocals carrying a narrative libretto across the album.

Key acts

  • Rhapsody of Fire
  • Nightwish
  • Sonata Arctica

Start here

The pickRhapsody - Emerald Sword. Knowing kitsch, flawlessly executed.

Full page →