This is a list of power metal bands including notable bands that have at some point in their careers played power metal or heavily contributed to the genre's development. Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a more uplifting sound, in contrast to the heaviness and dissonance prevalent in styles such as doom metal and death metal. Power metal bands usually have anthem-like songs with fantasy-based subject matter and strong choruses, thus creating a theatrical, dramatic and emotionally "powerful" sound.
Power metal has two distinct early styles, which developed in parallel. US Power Metal was developed in the mid/late 80s, pioneered by bands such as Omen and characterized by harsh thrashy sound and a focus on speed and soaring operatic vocals. It was directly influenced by speed metal and NWOBHM, and had a drop in popularity in the 90s. A more widespread and popular style, European Power Metal, was developed in the late 80s by key bands such as Helloween, and was more melodic, employing keyboards, synths and anthem-like songs.
Name Origin Years active Brief summary Note 3 Inches of BloodCanada1999–2015, 2023–presentStyle strongly influenced by NWOBHM, combining both operatic and growled vocals.
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Name Origin Years active Brief summary Note AcceptGermany1976–1989, 1992–1997, 2004–2005, 2009–presentPlayed an important role in the development of speed and thrash metal.Metal - A Headbanger's Journey, DVD, ASIN B000FS9OZY (2005). AdagioFrance2000–presentKnown for technical precision and dark orchestration.After ForeverNetherlands1995–2009Strong progressive metal influences, use of both soprano vocals and death grunts.Agent SteelUnited States1984–1988, 1999–PresentForged a reputation due to their lyrical themes of apocalyptic sci-fi.Ainavarious (supergroup)2003–2004Together created the metal opera Days of Rising DoomAlestormScotland2004–presentExclusively pirate themed band with folk metal incorporation.AldiousJapan2008–presentJapanese all-female power metal band from Osaka. Aldious have been labelled pioneers of the Girls Metal Band Boom that began in Japan in the 2010s.AlmahBrazil2006–presentSide project from the singer of Angra, now a full-fledged band.AltariaFinland2000–2016, 2020–presentKnown for recruiting guitarist Jani Liimatainen of Sonata Arctica in their earlier years.AmaranSweden2000–2005Gothic style with clean female vocals.AmarantheSweden2009–presentFuses melodic metal with pop melodies and vocals of Elize RydAmberian DawnFinland2006–presentLyrics often influenced by Finnish and Norse mythologyAncient BardsItaly2006–presentTheir Black Crystal Sword Saga was said to be inspired by fellow Italian band Rhapsody of Fire's fantasy-styled concept albums.AngbandIran2004−presentConceived as a progressive instrumental band, the addition of a vocalist moved towards power metal.Angel DustGermany1984–1990, 1998–presentAfter 1998, moved away from thrash metal to a power/progressive metal style.AngraBrazil1991–presentKnown for symphonic interludes, technical instrumentation and Brazilian regional elements.AntiquusCanada2000–presentIron Maiden influenced band writes concept albums with unifying themes or stories.Anubis GateDenmark2003–presentProgressive band nominated for multiple Danish music awards in 2008 and 2009.AnvilCanada1978–presentTheir documentary illustrated how staying together as a band for them was more important than making as much money as possible.ArktidaRussia2003–presentOne of the relatively few English-lyrics Russian power metal bands. Symphonic style.ArmageddonSweden1997, 2000, 2002, 2012–presentStarted as a melodic death metal band formed by Arch Enemy guitarist Christopher Amott.Armored SaintUnited States1982–1992, 1999–presentFounders in close relation to members of Metallica, their lyrics helped shape today's power metal.ArtchNorway1983–PresentEarly power/heavy metal band originating from Sarpsborg, Norway.ArthemisItaly1994–presentKnown for fusing neo-classical European style with the aggression of American Speed Metal.A Sound of ThunderUnited States2008–presentA female-fronted band from Washington DC with varying styles. Astral DoorsSweden2002–present"Jerusalem", the sixth album by Astral Doors is a clear singing from vocalist Nils Patrik Johansson. At VanceGermany1998–presentTheir first album included covers of a Vivaldi piece Summer and ABBA's Money, Money, Money AttackerUnited States1983–1989, 2001–presentAvalanchSpain1997–presentA leading Spanish-language power metal (particularly their first three albums) band, the ejection of some of its members led to the creation of WarCry in 2001. AvantasiaGermany1999–presentA metal opera hosted by Tobias Sammet, different renowned musicians/vocalists participate in every album.AvianUnited States2002–presentFormed after being inspired by a metal festival that featured performances by Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Edguy, and others.Axel Rudi PellGermany1989–presentEponymous German heavy metal / hard rock band formed in 1989 by guitarist Axel Rudi Pell after leaving Steeler; known for a classic, melodic, guitar-driven sound influenced by Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Dio.AxenstarSweden1998–presentOriginally formed as a cover band, now producing power metal that shies away from typical mythical themes. AxxisGermany1988–presentTheir debut album, "Kingdom of the Night", became the best-selling debut album ever by a hard rock band in Germany in 1989. AyreonNetherlands1995–2008, 2012–presentA rock-opera type solo project.
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Name Origin Years active Brief summary Note Balance of PowerUnited Kingdom1995–presentChristian power/progressive metal band from London. BansheeUnited States1985–1993, 1999–2000, 2008-presentA mix between NWOBHM sound combined with US Power Metal style.Battle BeastFinland2008–presentKnown for winning two major band competitions prior to procuring a record contract.BattleloreFinland1999–presentFolk mixed with power and melodic death metal, growled vocals with clean female accompaniment and lyrics inspired by Tolkien's TLOTR.Beast in BlackFinland2015–presentA five-piece Helsinki-based band founded by Anton Kabanen after parting ways with the band Battle Beast.BenedictumUnited States2005–presentFemale fronted harder style power metal from band members who were previously a Dio tribute band.Beto Vázquez InfinityArgentina2000–presentSymphonic/gothic style band hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina.Beyond FearUnited States2005–presentA side project band of Tim "Ripper" Owens.Black DeathUnited States1977-1984Marketed their band as the first all-African-American heavy metal band.BlackguardCanada2001–presentMelodic death metal with power/folk metal influences.Black MajestyAustralia2001–presentFormed by ex-members of prominent bands on the Australian metal sceneBlind GuardianGermany1984–presentOften credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres.BloodboundSweden2004–presentMelodic power metal band that uses corpse paint in promotional photos, in a style similar to black metal acts.BorealisCanada2005–presentHeavy and progressive with deep vocals, known for their excellent live performances.BrainstormGermany1989–presentKnown to play a somewhat darker style of music than most power metal groups.Brothers of MetalSweden2012–presentNorse Mythology inspired heavy metal band from Falun, Sweden.Brocas HelmUnited States1982–2013Known for founding their own record label after disappointment with their affiliated labels. Burning PointFinland1997–presentOriginally doom-influenced, the band moved towards a power metal feel.
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Name Origin Years active Brief summary NoteCadacrossFinland1997–2005Their second album departed towards heavier viking metal.Cain's OfferingFinland2009–presentFormed by ex-Sonata Arctica members Jani Liimatainen, Mikko Härkin and Stratovarius vocalist Timo Kotipelto. CatharsisRussia1996–present Early demos the band played a style with a mix of death metal and doom metal. CelestyFinland1998–2012, 2015–2016Epic, fantasy-themed power metal.<CelladorUnited States2004–presentContrasts the popular death metal and metalcore scenes of the American Midwest with melodic speed metal.ChastainUnited States1984–presentKnown for David Chastain's shred guitar work. Children of BodomFinland1993–2019One of Finland's best selling artists of all time, incorporating power metal and melodic death metal. ChinchillaGermany1988–presentA band with a reputation of being serious heavy performers, despite their ironic band name. Circle II CircleUnited States2001–presentFormed by former Savatage lead vocalist, Zachary Stevens. Cirith UngolUnited States1972–1992Sword and sorcery themed songs contributed to the development of power metal as a genre.Damien (November 2005). "The Pinnacles of Power: Power Metal Top 20", Cirith Ungol, King of the Dead. Terrorizer No. 137, p. 48. Cloven HoofUnited Kingdom1979–1990, 2000–presentA NWOBHM band that helped carve a path for Power Metal. After a long departure in 1990, the band reformed in 2000. ConceptionNorway1989–1998, 2005, 2018–presentFeatures ex-Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. Concerto MoonJapan1996–present80s style Japanese symphonic rock specialists. Control DeniedUnited States1995–1997, 1999–2001A power/progressive metal band formed by Death co-founder Chuck Schuldiner. Discontinued after Schuldiner's death in 2001. Crimson GloryUnited States1979–1992, 1998–presentA pioneer of the American progressive metal movement. Crystal EyesSweden1992–presentPut their own studio together in order to improve the quality of their recordings after dissatisfaction with their first label. Crystal ViperPoland2003–presentPolish band founded by singer/songwriter and recently guitarist Marta Gabriel
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