No Power Metal Album Rated Over 8.4 in a Decade

Looking at the ratings on this site and notice that the highest rated power metal album since 2015 is Galneryus's Under the Force of Courage with an 8.4.
Are there no more masterpieces in this subgenre, or are fans too jaded and feel like everything falls short of their expectations? Is the subgenre dying?

I think there’s few Power Metal fans on Metalstorm, and overall the genre isn’t taken seriously by most people here so it’s probably not a good representation. In addition to that, there’s few quality Power Metal bands left. Most of the best in the genre have disbanded or had substantial lineup changes. So I guess yes, it’s kind of dying.

Written by Vellichor on 17.02.2025 at 02:41

I think there’s few Power Metal fans on Metalstorm, and overall the genre isn’t taken seriously by most people here so it’s probably not a good representation. In addition to that, there’s few quality Power Metal bands left. Most of the best in the genre have disbanded or had substantial lineup changes. So I guess yes, it’s kind of dying.

I think your last line says it all. It has nothing to do with power metal fans here. Whole genre is on the verge to get extinct.

Yeah, some bands have disbanded, but many have gotten back together better than ever like Helloween. You'd think this younger guys would step up, but the new generation of bands haven't really made a breakthrough the way Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, and Kamelot did in the 90s and early 2000s.

Power metal and us power metal is a bit history, younger people are more post and soft music, same goes for heavy metal, those genres are not so popular in ms

Written by IconMaiden on 17.02.2025 at 20:26

Yeah, some bands have disbanded, but many have gotten back together better than ever like Helloween. You'd think this younger guys would step up, but the new generation of bands haven't really made a breakthrough the way Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, and Kamelot did in the 90s and early 2000s.

If a genre depends on the old, well established bands to get together in order to release new quality stuff, then this is a bad sign, you know...

Written by Karlabos on 18.02.2025 at 13:57

Written by IconMaiden on 17.02.2025 at 20:26

Yeah, some bands have disbanded, but many have gotten back together better than ever like Helloween. You'd think this younger guys would step up, but the new generation of bands haven't really made a breakthrough the way Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, and Kamelot did in the 90s and early 2000s.

If a genre depends on the old, well established bands to get together in order to release new quality stuff, then this is a bad sign, you know...

No doubt- bad bad news.

Power metal also happens to be one of the most formulaic genres with a limited amount of diversity, ultimately it becomes hard to make something fresh and interesting when new bands sound like another band that did it better 30 years ago
We need avant-garde power metal, I will die on this hill

Written by Roman Doez on 20.02.2025 at 06:02

Power metal also happens to be one of the most formulaic genres with a limited amount of diversity, ultimately it becomes hard to make something fresh and interesting when new bands sound like another band that did it better 30 years ago
We need avant-garde power metal, I will die on this hill

The problem with that is that the fans don't seem to be interested in innovation as well, the few avantgarde power metal bands out there only get listens from avantgarde metal fans rather than power metal fans. Since the fanbase itself isn't looking for anything new, it's hard to be motivated to do something new.

For melodic metal fans, you probably are going to like power metal, heavy metal, speed metal and symphonic. But in metal storm, most of the fan base are black, death or extreme progressive metal fans, so they are always going to evaluate bad a power metal album, no matter how good it is. If you look at top 200, there is not metal opera, which is probably top 10 of all power metal history, why? The type of voters, every power metal fan knows how good this album is and what it means (return of kiske).

Also, new power metal bands are evolving to something like "electro power metal", like Beast in black, sabaton or Battle beast. Is this good? Personally, i don´t like it too much, and i don´t take very seriously this kind of music, but is the only fresh and different of what we have seen on the late 90s and early 00s.

Of course there are fantastic albums in the last years, but those were made by legendary power metal bands (Blind guardian, Helloween, Avantasia, Kamelot), and also there are others key bands that are basically dead (Rhapsody, Edguy, Gamma Ray...).

Then i listen to new music, for example, Majestica, and i think i´m listening Sonata Arctica. Is that good? Yeah, Sonata is fantastic! Is it new? NO, that´s why this Majestica new album are probably going to be forgotten soon.

Written by Labelas on 24.02.2025 at 15:20

For melodic metal fans, you probably are going to like power metal, heavy metal, speed metal and symphonic. But in metal storm, most of the fan base are black, death or extreme progressive metal fans, so they are always going to evaluate bad a power metal album, no matter how good it is. If you look at top 200, there is not metal opera, which is probably top 10 of all power metal history, why? The type of voters, every power metal fan knows how good this album is and what it means (return of kiske).

Also, new power metal bands are evolving to something like "electro power metal", like Beast in black, sabaton or Battle beast. Is this good? Personally, i don´t like it too much, and i don´t take very seriously this kind of music, but is the only fresh and different of what we have seen on the late 90s and early 00s.

Of course there are fantastic albums in the last years, but those were made by legendary power metal bands (Blind guardian, Helloween, Avantasia, Kamelot), and also there are others key bands that are basically dead (Rhapsody, Edguy, Gamma Ray...).

Then i listen to new music, for example, Majestica, and i think i´m listening Sonata Arctica. Is that good? Yeah, Sonata is fantastic! Is it new? NO, that´s why this Majestica new album are probably going to be forgotten soon.

I would also add a lot of prog bands to those of us who love melodic metal. Threshold, Symphony X, Evergrey, etc all provide great melodic music.

I listen about 5 new power metal albums every month and none of them tell me anything new.
I don't know the reason, but it's hard to find a band with interesting ideas in this genre. Is it so difficult?

We can see at it in another way. I think power metal are not popular now just beacause of a trand. Like some genres in the past which no one's interested in now. So bands mostly prefer not to invest in music like that. If it were profitable and made sence overall they would get something new. And yeah i agree that this site is more into post, black, death and something but not into PM, so we hardly will see high rated PM albums here in near future.

Written by vadimVx on 25.02.2025 at 00:25

We can see at it in another way. I think power metal are not popular now just beacause of a trand. Like some genres in the past which no one's interested in now. So bands mostly prefer not to invest in music like that. If it were profitable and made sence overall they would get something new. And yeah i agree that this site is more into post, black, death and something but not into PM, so we hardly will see high rated PM albums here in near future.

What sites are more into prog, power, or traditional? Any other sites with rating systems?

Some good points have already been made.
Both Euro-power metal and USPM are not that popular on MS. I dare say USPM is underappreciated here on MS.

It's also true that non-fans downrate albums, I've been guilty of that, too. If i am frustrated, disappointed after listening to an album, it might get a low rating.

Both Euro-power and USPM are way beyond their glory days.

In the case of USPM, it's got a "beating" in the 90s, along with the glam metal bands and thrash. Some USPM bands jumped on the trends of the time, especially doing the groove metal sound, sometimes with rather poor results. Or even trying a grunge-y sound (like Queensryche did on their 1997 album, weird I dare say). Conform or be cast out I guess.

Written by John_Doe on 25.02.2025 at 08:15

I dare say USPM is underappreciated here on MS.

That assumes there's something worth appreciating in the first place. USPM—and power metal in general—suffers from a dearth of quality. It's monotonous and boring and that is why audience doesn't here clap about it much.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 25.02.2025 at 09:22

Written by John_Doe on 25.02.2025 at 08:15

I dare say USPM is underappreciated here on MS.

That assumes there's something worth appreciating in the first place. USPM—and power metal in general—suffers from a dearth of quality. It's monotonous and boring and that is why audience doesn't here clap about it much.

That's a harsh statement.
Also just your opinion. I think it's underappreciated, you think there's nothing much to appreciate.

"monotonous and boring" - again, a subjective description, just your opinion.

Written by IconMaiden on 25.02.2025 at 02:12

Written by vadimVx on 25.02.2025 at 00:25

We can see at it in another way. I think power metal are not popular now just beacause of a trand. Like some genres in the past which no one's interested in now. So bands mostly prefer not to invest in music like that. If it were profitable and made sence overall they would get something new. And yeah i agree that this site is more into post, black, death and something but not into PM, so we hardly will see high rated PM albums here in near future.

What sites are more into prog, power, or traditional? Any other sites with rating systems?

Yeah, there are some. Just google something like "top metal albums of..." and compare results from different resourses.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 25.02.2025 at 09:22

Written by John_Doe on 25.02.2025 at 08:15

I dare say USPM is underappreciated here on MS.

That assumes there's something worth appreciating in the first place. USPM—and power metal in general—suffers from a dearth of quality. It's monotonous and boring and that is why audience doesn't here clap about it much.

To be honest power metal is far of being monotonous (Boring is just your point of view, which is totally acceptable), in my case i love power and thrash metal too, and i have to say that thrash metal is WAY MORE MONOTONOUS, no doubt about that. PM have the hability to flirt with prog, heavy, symphonic and even pop (or glam), you listen to an entire album of Angra, Avantasia, Symphony X or Blind Guardian, and you are going to find different resources. If i listen to megadeth, kreator, Exoduds or overkill, it will sound heavy, much heavier than PM, but probably the "Riff" or base sound will be mostly the same on the entire song, and even maybe in the entire album (Maybe some excepcions, the entire RIP of Megadeth, which is a total masterpiece).

Power metal is about energy, maybe you can confuse that on being monotonous, but if you go to the keepers and then listen to march of time, i want out, halloween and a tale that wasn´t right, is going to be easy to see the difference between all those songs.

And about quality, probably the best singers of metal are from PM, their technique is unique, and we have plenty of the most gifted composers of metal in here, such as Hansen or Sammet. PM also can create lyrics with sense, telling you a story or building an entire tematic album, things that in a lot of genres of metal don´t happen (most of songs are about death, pain, satan and stuff like this), of course there are other ridiculus lyrics about a might sword or dragons, but well... also power metal is about epicness, a mighty warrior and this kind of stuff... Is fun, and no one gets hurt about that.

Written by Labelas on 25.02.2025 at 13:10

To be honest power metal is far of being monotonous (Boring is just your point of view, which is totally acceptable), in my case i love power and thrash metal too, and i have to say that thrash metal is WAY MORE MONOTONOUS, no doubt about that. PM have the hability to flirt with prog, heavy, symphonic and even pop (or glam), you listen to an entire album of Angra, Avantasia, Symphony X or Blind Guardian, and you are going to find different resources. If i listen to megadeth, kreator, Exoduds or overkill, it will sound heavy, much heavier than PM, but probably the "Riff" or base sound will be mostly the same on the entire song, and even maybe in the entire album (Maybe some excepcions, the entire RIP of Megadeth, which is a total masterpiece).

Power metal is about energy, maybe you can confuse that on being monotonous, but if you go to the keepers and then listen to march of time, i want out, halloween and a tale that wasn´t right, is going to be easy to see the difference between all those songs.

And about quality, probably the best singers of metal are from PM, their technique is unique, and we have plenty of the most gifted composers of metal in here, such as Hansen or Sammet. PM also can create lyrics with sense, telling you a story or building an entire tematic album, things that in a lot of genres of metal don´t happen (most of songs are about death, pain, satan and stuff like this), of course there are other ridiculus lyrics about a might sword or dragons, but well... also power metal is about epicness, a mighty warrior and this kind of stuff... Is fun, and no one gets hurt about that.

You make quite the persuasive case for power metal. Maybe I should revisit it. Do you have any favorites you could recommend?

Written by F3ynman on 25.02.2025 at 13:29

You make quite the persuasive case for power metal. Maybe I should revisit it. Do you have any favorites you could recommend?

Elvenking- Wyrd
Iced Earth- Burnt Offerings
Rhapsody- Dawn of Victory
Moonlight Sorcery- Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (more black than power but still)

Not the one you asked but as someone who usually doesn’t like the style much these are some that I’ve liked quite a bit

Written by Vellichor on 25.02.2025 at 15:39

Written by F3ynman on 25.02.2025 at 13:29

You make quite the persuasive case for power metal. Maybe I should revisit it. Do you have any favorites you could recommend?

Elvenking- Wyrd
Iced Earth- Burnt Offerings
Rhapsody- Dawn of Victory
Moonlight Sorcery- Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (more black than power but still)

Not the one you asked but as someone who usually doesn’t like the style much these are some that I’ve liked quite a bit

Thanks, although I know already 3 of those. Burnt Offerings is one of my all-time favorites. Rhapsody and Moonlight Sorcery had also good albums. I don't know Elvenking, though. I need to give that a listen

Written by F3ynman on 25.02.2025 at 13:29

You make quite the persuasive case for power metal. Maybe I should revisit it. Do you have any favorites you could recommend?

Speed - Power metal:

Blind guardian - Battlions of fear
Helloween - Walls of jericho
Heavens gate - Living in hysteria

Classic power metal:

Helloween - Both Keepers
Avantasia - Both Metal operas
Blind guardian - Nightfall in middle earth (Also for tolkien lovers)
Angra - Angels cry
Gamma ray - Land of the free
Edguy - Vain glory opera
Sonata arctica - Ecliptica

Happy Catchy power metal:

Edguy - Hellfire club
Stratovarius - Visions
(There is also Hammerfall or Freedom call, in my case i´m not big fan of those bands)

Symphonic power metal:

Nightwish - Once
Avantasia - The wicked symphony
Rhapsody - Symphony of enchanted lands (more epic, but still symphonic)

Progressive power metal:

Angra - Temple of shadows
Symphony x - Paradise lost
Theocracy - Mirror of souls
Shaman - Ritual

New power metal:

Avantasia - Ghostlights
Sabaton - Primo victoria
Beast in black - From hell with love

A lot to pick to be honest, if you like heavier sounds maybe you should try the ones closer to speed metal, if you want to know better the genre, then the classic albums are better for you.

Written by Labelas on 25.02.2025 at 16:02

Written by F3ynman on 25.02.2025 at 13:29

You make quite the persuasive case for power metal. Maybe I should revisit it. Do you have any favorites you could recommend?

Speed - Power metal:

Blind guardian - Battlions of fear
Helloween - Walls of jericho
Heavens gate - Living in hysteria

Classic power metal:

Helloween - Both Keepers
Avantasia - Both Metal operas
Blind guardian - Nightfall in middle earth (Also for tolkien lovers)
Angra - Angels cry
Gamma ray - Land of the free
Edguy - Vain glory opera
Sonata arctica - Ecliptica

Happy Catchy power metal:

Edguy - Hellfire club
Stratovarius - Visions
(There is also Hammerfall or Freedom call, in my case i´m not big fan of those bands)

Symphonic power metal:

Nightwish - Once
Avantasia - The wicked symphony
Rhapsody - Symphony of enchanted lands (more epic, but still symphonic)

Progressive power metal:

Angra - Temple of shadows
Symphony x - Paradise lost
Theocracy - Mirror of souls
Shaman - Ritual

New power metal:

Avantasia - Ghostlights
Sabaton - Primo victoria
Beast in black - From hell with love

A lot to pick to be honest, if you like heavier sounds maybe you should try the ones closer to speed metal, if you want to know better the genre, then the classic albums are better for you.

wow, thanks for the comprehensive list! I'll make sure to check these out!

Written by Labelas on 25.02.2025 at 13:10

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 25.02.2025 at 09:22

Written by John_Doe on 25.02.2025 at 08:15

I dare say USPM is underappreciated here on MS.

That assumes there's something worth appreciating in the first place. USPM—and power metal in general—suffers from a dearth of quality. It's monotonous and boring and that is why audience doesn't here clap about it much.

Power metal is about energy,

It was. Today it’s about autopilot—recycled riffs and melodies, and the same over-the-top formulas beaten to the death. Take RoF’s Glory for Salvation, drown in orchestral excess with nothing to offer and same goes with Stratovarius's Survive. Avantasia’s A Paranormal....another bloated theatrical cheesy show and there are many examples that leads you to a good night sleep.

I feel like "extreme power metal" and melodeath bands that lean into clean singing and cheesier elements have taken the place of power metal bands for most younger metal heads. That and Gen Z tends to favor djent and deathcore so yeah it kinda is dying. Millennials are the last generation to embrace traditional power metal but even then its more Sabaton and Dragonforce and less Helloween or Stratovarious.

I feel like 8.4 is a bit of an arbitrary cutoff point, last decade there were 33 releases rated 8 and above.

You can check https://metalstorm.net/bands/albums.php?a_sortby=rating&sort_order=desc&page=1 and filter for power metal years 2015-2025

Written by F3ynman on 25.02.2025 at 15:58

Thanks, although I know already 3 of those. Burnt Offerings is one of my all-time favorites. Rhapsody and Moonlight Sorcery had also good albums. I don't know Elvenking, though. I need to give that a listen

If you like Burnt Offerings (Iced Earth are my second favorite band after Maiden) then you should try out some Symphony X and the three album run of In Search of Truth, Recreation Day, and the Inner Circle by Evergrey. Those two bands mix in progressive elements wtih power metal and have great vocals.

Written by IconMaiden on 26.02.2025 at 19:42

Written by F3ynman on 25.02.2025 at 15:58

Thanks, although I know already 3 of those. Burnt Offerings is one of my all-time favorites. Rhapsody and Moonlight Sorcery had also good albums. I don't know Elvenking, though. I need to give that a listen

If you like Burnt Offerings (Iced Earth are my second favorite band after Maiden) then you should try out some Symphony X and the three album run of In Search of Truth, Recreation Day, and the Inner Circle by Evergrey. Those two bands mix in progressive elements wtih power metal and have great vocals.

Haha, you all are listing my exceptions! I do like Iced Earth and Symphony X. Don't know Evergrey, though, I think. I'll check it out!

I feel like there is good stuff around but new bands are hard to find because music in general is now flooded with independent releases, I like bands like Hammerfall, and Sabaton when it comes to modern day Power Metal, They both release consistently good stuff but never hit that 8.4 mark you speak of. Bands like Avantasia, Stratovarious, Rhapsody and Sonata Artica have really had a dip in quality in recent years. The problem for me at least is for the more popluar Power metal bands, you could get their 3/4 most recent releases and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them because the music is basically identical from album to album. As others have said it becomes boring and stagnent, and nothing new, therefore its not going to score highly.