Definition of Power metal

This article refers to the sub-genre of heavy metal music. For the Pantera album, see Power Metal (album).

Power metal is a style of heavy metal music typically with the aim of evoking an "epic" feel, combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a later more widespread and popular style based in Europe (Especially Germany, Italy and Scandinavia) with a lighter, more melodic sound and making frequent use of keyboards. With mainstream metal's fall from popularity and the growth of the underground metal scene, power metal can be seen as a parallel counterpart to extreme metal within the metalhead subculture. It is one of the most popular genres amongst metalheads yet has achieved low mainstream success in the United States compared to thrash metal.