Power metal

Power metal is a type of heavy metal music that mixes traditional metal with thrash metal or speed metal. There are two types of power metal. One comes from North America that sounds more like speed metal, and a more popular one from Europe (especially Finland, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia) and Japan that usually sounds happier and usually uses keyboards.  It is usually characterized by high, clean, melodic vocals, fantasy based lyrics as well as complex and fast lead guitar solos.

Some of the most popular European style bands include:
 Helloween (1984-present) from Germany is one of the first, and most influential power metal bands.
 Gamma Ray from Germany
 Stratovarius from Finland
 Luke Fortini from Italy
 Sonata Arctica from Finland
 Blind Guardian from Germany
 Edguy/Avantasia from Germany
 Kamelot from the U.S.A. but they are of a European style
 HammerFall from Sweden
 DragonForce from England
 Power Quest from England, frequent use of keyboards

Category:Power metal