Power metal - I've been waiting to start with this special subgenre of heavy metal! And what better band to start with than German band Helloween who have been called "fathers of power metal" and are part of the big four of power metal together with Blind Guardian, Sabaton and DragonForce.
So. What is power metal? The most distinguishing features of power metal are: fast tempo, uplifting lyrics often based on mythology or fantasy, clean and high-pitched vocals, strong choruses, anthemic elements, double bass drumming, dominating rhythm guitars and a slow changing of chords to create an epic atmosphere. Power metal can be theatrical and dramatic with a certain element of cheesiness and many a true metal head has been looking down on this style of metal. Costumes are also part of power metal and power metal bands have dressed like cavemen, dwarfs, pirates, vikings, warriors or even superheroes. Power metal is incredibly popular among fantasy fans and role-players and many power metal bands have released concept albums based on whole fantasy books.
Early influences for power metal have been Ronnie James Dio with his lyrics about kings and dragons and far away realms in the late 70s; Judas Priest have been a huge influence for power metal with Rob Halford's voice and the twin guitar shredding of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton. Iron Maiden have brought anthemic elements into heavy metal and Manowar took this to a whole new level in 1980.
The American style of power metal is sometimes called the first wave of power metal. It evolved in the late 1980s from traditional heavy metal and the NWOBHM and focused more on speed. Like thrash, but more melodic. One of the most popular US power metal bands is of course Manowar who will receive their very own blog article soon.
This style of power metal declined during the 90s while the European style of power metal continued to thrive and grew in popularity. European power metal evolved from speed metal and the NWOBHM and incorporated a heavier use of keyboards in their style.
Defining for the European style of power metal were two particular albums from a German band called Helloween: Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I (1987) and Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II (1988).
Helloween was formed in 1984 in Hamburg by Kai Hansen (vocals & rhythm guitar), Michael Weikath (lead guitar), Markus Grosskopf (bass) and Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums). Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath are both considered to be among the most influential power metal guitarists and the drumming style of Ingo Schwichtenberg has been a blueprint for many drummers to follow.
While Helloween's first album Walls of Jericho (1985) was still very thrash oriented, their second album showed all the features that came to be defining for European power metal. Kai Hansen was replaced on vocals by Michael Kiske who brought in a vocal range of 4 octaves and a very Rob Halford-esque singing style. The band focused on speed, they played very fast but used uplifting and easy melodies and positive lyrics.
Helloween originally intended to release a double album, which was declined by their record label, so they decided to split the album in two parts and release them separately.
Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I charted at position 15 in Germany and 104 on the US Billboard charts and was a great success in Europe and the US. The follow-up album Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II was released one year after in 1988 and was even more succesful. Most songs on Part I were written by Kai Hansen while Michael Weikath wrote the majority of songs on Part II.
When I listened to both albums I have to admit that they did not blow me away. The riffs are great and the songs feature catchy melodies. The drumming is really good, Schwichtenberg's blast-beats are leading you through the songs. I am not a fan of Kiske's singing though and his head voice is exhausting for me to listen to. And while I can enjoy the drumming, riffs and guitar solos most songs feel rather boring to me. And still very 80s. Some songs sound a lot like Maiden, which is not surprising as power metal was born out of the NWOBHM. I would always prefer Bruce Dickinson to Michael Kiske though.
I want out from Part II is considered one of Helloweens most successful songs and it is definitely easy to listen to. But again, it is not a song that leaves me breathless and has me concentrating on the music.
So, historically speaking those albums had to be heard, but they will not be played here frequently I guess. I am looking forward though to listen to different power metal bands to see if one of them will sweep me off my feet like Dio did a couple of months ago. He is still my secret heavy metal god.