Rockpedia

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

Traditional heavy metal1976

Second genre

Power metal1984

Head to headTraditional heavy metal vs Power metal
Traditional heavy metal: heaviness 7, melody 9, speed 6. Power metal: heaviness 6, melody 10, speed 8.Heaviness7 / 6Melody9 / 10Speed6 / 8
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Power metal is this with a keyboard, a fantasy libretto and a chorus built for a crowd. The vocal tradition runs straight through.

Both are sung cleanly, but power metal is a little faster: 160 to 200 bpm against 120 to 170. To hear the difference, play Judas Priest next to Helloween. Both grew out of heavy metal, traditional heavy metal first and power metal eight years after.

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

In figures

Heaviness
Traditional heavy metal7
Power metal6
−1
Speed
Traditional heavy metal6
Power metal8
+2
Melody
Traditional heavy metal9
Power metal10
+1

Traditional heavy metal

1976 · UK / USA · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Traditional heavy metal

In short

The classic form: high vocals, twin lead guitars, choruses to raise a fist to. Leather and studs.

How it sounds

  • High vocals with controlled vibrato and sustained top notes.
  • Two lead guitars harmonising and trading solos.
  • Singalong choruses, medium to fast tempos, epic or motivational lyrics.

Key acts

  • Judas Priest
  • Dio
  • Manowar
  • Accept

Start here

The pickJudas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny. Before the leather, and already perfect.

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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.

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