The origins of power metal

Many people call Dio, Iron Maiden, and Helloween the pioneers of this genre, but there were power metal bands that existed before them. Two bands come to mind. Heavy Load, a power/heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1976 and released their first album in 1978. Many describe Heavy Load as Heavy Metal, Epic Metal,Power Metal, or all three. Stormwitch also comes to mind. Stormwitch formed in 1979, but released their first album in 1984. There were heavy metal and hard rock bands who existed before that who had a major influence on the genre, but I would call these two bands one of the first. If you know a band that undoubtedly played power metal that existed before that, hit me up. I'm counting Rainbow as more heavy metal and a huge influence rather than actual power metal.


Helloween came much later, releasing a different kind of power metal. It was energetic, and had more of a pop metal sound. Sure, Helloween might be the fathers of modern power metal, but the real power metal existed before that. As you might have noticed, I prefer USPM and the original power metal over the more modern sound. The older version of power metal was heavily NWOBHM influenced, and was very riff driven.

Helloween's first album was speed metal, but after that they pretty much laid down the foundation for all modern power metal bands to follow. Stormwitch and Helloween were both pioneers of two different kinds of power metal. Stormwitch only found moderate success, while Helloween became pretty huge. To this day, I will prefer Stormwitch to Helloween. Stormwitch's first three albums were pretty fantastic. If you haven't listened to Stormwitch, you really should. I want to smash my head through a wall when people think Hammerfall's cover of Ravenlord is the original.

Heavy Metal and Power Metal are definitely pretty similar, though most metal genres have something in common with heavy metal. Maybe there was power metal that existed before the late 70s. Send me a comment if you know any.

A big list of Traditional, Speed, and Power Metal bands you should check out.

Just a big disorganized list of bands from those genres I enjoy. Maybe one day when I get some time I'll edit it better, recommend albums too, or go into more detail about these bands, such as where they are from, and the type of metal. Anyway in no order. Some of these are borderline on other genres, but I had to include them.


Stormwitch,Cauldron Born,Helstar,Taliön, Tröjan, Griffin, Dark Age, Wolf, Tyrant, Blind Guardian, Attacker, Helloween, Attack, Savatage, Riot, Titan Force, E-X-E, Omen, Fates Warning, Jag Panzer, Gravestone, Black Knight, Abraxas, Liege Lord, Sanctuary, Manilla Road, Anvil, Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Skid Row, Metalucifer, X-Japan, Piledriver, W.A.S.P, Manowar, Virgin Steele, Twisted Tower Dire, Adolf Castle, Heavy Load, Gotham City, October 31, Brocas Helm, Grave Digger, Cirith Ungol, Cloven Hoof, Metal Church, The Lord Weird Slough Feg, Exciter, Abattoir, Mercyful Fate, Dio, Heaven and Hell, Accept, Running Wild, Atlain, Mania, Scanner, Iron Angel, Chastain, Agent Steel, Rage, Axehammer, Adramelch, Paragon, Iron Savior, Iron Grey, Paradox, Druid, Angel Witch, Tokyo Blade, Tygers of Pan Tang, Girlschool
Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Dark Star, Battleaxe, Satan, Witchfynde, Witchfinder General, Grim Reaper, Demon, Tank, Diamond Head, Saxon, Steel, Savage Grace, Piledriver, Vicious Rumors, Morgana Lefay, Oracle, Axel Rudi Pell, Winters Bane, Heir Apparent, Mystic Force, Warfare, Anthem, Armored Saint, Loudness, Angel Dust, Oz, Witch Cross


That should keep you guys busy. I'm probably missing some stuff, but these are all bands from those genres I enjoy. If you think I left some things out, feel free to put them in the comments.

A quick list of ten of my favorite USPM albums

I'll try to narrow it down to one album per band.

In no order...


Helstar- Burning Star
Sanctuary- Refuge Denied
Omen- Battle Cry
Jag Panzer- Ample Destruction
Liege Lord- Freedom's Rise
Fates Warning- Awaken the Guardian
Savatage- Hall of the Mountain King
Attacker- Battle at Helms Deep
Griffin- Flight of the Griffin
Crimson Glory- Transcendence

These are all classics in my opinion. Check them out if for some reason you haven't given them a listen.