The difference, by ear
The two scenes shared bills and equipment in early-1980s America, and several bands sit on the line - the tell is whether the singer is singing or shouting.
Thrash metal is shouted where US power metal is sung cleanly, and faster: 180 to 250 bpm against 150 to 200. To hear the difference, play Manowar next to Metallica. They share a root in heavy metal and arrived in the same year.
In figures
US power metal
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Traditional heavy metal › US power metal
In short
The American version, rawer and closer to thrash than its melodic European cousin.
How it sounds
- Riffing closer to thrash, with aggressive palm muting and variable tempos.
- Very high vocals, often at the top of the register.
- Epic, martial or mythological lyrics; rawer production than the European version.
Key acts
- Manowar
- Riot
- Jag Panzer
- Vicious Rumors
Start here
The pickJag Panzer - Ample Destruction. The best US power metal album, no argument.
Full page →Thrash metal
Where it sits
In short
NWOBHM plus hardcore punk: palm-muted riffs, brutal tempos and lyrics about war and society. The first truly extreme branch.
How it sounds
- Palm-muted riffs in sixteenths, played with relentless downpicking.
- Tempos of 180 to 250 bpm with skank beats and double kick.
- Barked or shouted but still intelligible vocals, and fast aggressive solos.
Key acts
- Metallica
- Slayer
- Megadeth
- Kreator
Start here
The pickSlayer - Reign in Blood. Twenty-nine minutes that redefined the word extreme.
Full page →