Metal Storm logo
The 'Big Four' Of Power Metal ? (Just For Fun)



Posts: 132   [ 2 ignored ]   Visited by: 645 users

Original post

Posted by Pazu, 10.06.2011 - 21:42
Hi there everyone,

so we all know the 'Big Four' of thrash, don't we? They were huge in the 80's and still enjoy a large following that originated during that time. Just for the fun of it, I thought it might be nice to discuss what we would consider the 'Big Four' of power metal. Obviously, there is no such thing as an official list of names, and we won't create it and spread it to the world, but that's not the point of this discussion anyway. Let's just have a little fun.

Now Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax were pretty much chosen as the 'Big Four' because they were the most succesful bands of their genre, commercially speaking. I however, want to focus more on factors like influence, originality, musicianship and consistency for our little debate. That's partly because power metal has never been popular on the mass market to be honest, but mainly because there'd be no reason to discuss otherwise, since we could just look at the plain facts of who sold the most records.

Still I'd prefer a little bit of an objective debate, if that's possible. Let's not just vote our favorite bands, because else we could simply look at the band rating here on MS. Let's focus more on the above-mentioned criteria. In the poll, I've tried to name the eight bands that are most likely to match those criteria the best, but of course my musical knowledge isn't the greatest, which is why you can still vote for the option 'other'. Also, I've tried to avoid bands that are just as much another genre as they are power, bands like Wintersun with a very strong melodeath aspect to them or Symphony X, which are probably more progressive metal anyway.

Since you can only vote for one band, please choose the one that, in your opinion, would deserve a spot on the 'Big Four' the most!


Alright, now let me start with my opinion:

Blind Guardian:
This should come as no surprise. Blind Guardian have been around since the mid eighties and have been a driving force of the genre in the nineties. They've been quite consistent over all those years and that even while constantly evolving in sound. There are many BG songs, that are well-known even outside of power metal, such as 'The Bard's Song (In The Forest) or Mirror Mirror.

Helloween:
Helloween are arguably the fathers of power metal. They have been hugely influential in the late eighties, even to the early sound of Blind Guardian. Helloween has not always been quite as consistent as BG (Chameleon and PBGA come to mind), and that while being less experimental. Still, as '7 Sinners' demonstrated, Helloween is no band that simply forgets how to make great music, and their impact on the metal scene simply cannot be denied.

Kamelot:
Out of all those bands, Kamelot is probably the one that has evolved the most over time. It is arguable whether or not that has occured for better or for worse, the relative consistency is still there though. Since Roy Khan joined the band in '97, Kamelot had been steadily improving over three albums, until the incredible 'The Black Halo' came along. As of now, I can't really see how Kamelot has been influencial to the genre at all, but it's probably too early to tell anyway. However, despite the little miss step that was 'Poetry For The Poisoned', I consider Kamelot to be the best band in power metal at the moment.

???:
Blind Guardian, Helloween and Kamelot definately take three of the for spots in my opinion. I am unsure though, what the fourth band should be. To further represent the US, I'd probably go with Iced Earth, as they made quite an impact over on the other side of the ocean and have been around for quite a while. I still don't know their music well enough to confidently vote for them though.

Speaking of which, where does my vote go? Well, I'd consider Kamelot the best power metal band of today and Helloween the best and most influencial in the late 80's / early 90's. However, Blind Guardian have been consistantly very strong throughout all that time, when Kamelot still struggled to find their sound and even later, when Helloween lost some of their luster. Throughout 20 years, Blind Guardian have always been among the top of the genre if not the top at times, and that's why my vote goes to Hansi, Andre & Co..

Poll

Which band most definately deserved a spot on the 'Big Four'?

Blind Guardian
144
Helloween
112
Gamma Ray
40
Iced Earth
35
Kamelot
28
Nightwish
17
Rhapsody Of Fire
15
Sonata Arctica
14
Other
12

Total votes: 417
12.06.2011 - 05:37
selken
Irreligious
The big four of thrash are historic, original, highly acclaimed and commercially successfull... also they share a region, have been compared ever since, and share common roots including people, trends and influences...

with all that said IMO the big four of power are:

Helloween - They practically invented the genre, brought the epic feeling to metal, incorpored melodies, sing-along choruses and many elements still present. They are the most innovative to me.

Blind Guardian: Expored furthermore the epic element, brought metal Fantasy themes, and maybe they are along the first thematic-lyrics band. They are the most solid for me.

Stratovarius: Added medieval/renaissance touches to the genre, pushed the keyboards and orchestras in the genre. This is my favorite of the four.

Gamma Ray: Consistent career, showing that heavy and power are one being in their albums, merged the keyboard approach with both the heavy and epic feelings. They are the most varied to me.
----
Loading...
12.06.2011 - 08:39
Pumpkinforce
BG no.1 oh c'mon... Helloween must be... Helloween is creator of power metal... no helloween means no power metal....
1. Helloween
2. Gamma Ray
3. Blind Guardian
4.
Loading...
12.06.2011 - 11:50
Milena
gloom cookie
Staff
Ummm, guys, the original post gave us three of four, it's up to us to decide who the fourth is I don't like some 90% of power metal nor any of the bands offered except Sonata and Kamelot. But I kinda agree on the offered big three, they're pretty much the true power metal here
----
7.0 means the album is good
Loading...
12.06.2011 - 17:25
Metal_4Ever
Written by Milena on 12.06.2011 at 11:50

Ummm, guys, the original post gave us three of four, it's up to us to decide who the fourth is I don't like some 90% of power metal nor any of the bands offered except Sonata and Kamelot. But I kinda agree on the offered big three, they're pretty much the true power metal here

Yeah you are right. But anyway, the three bands that the original post gave us are the same bands which on top..
1) Blind Guardian
2) Haloween
3) Kamelot ...
Loading...
12.06.2011 - 19:58
Sword_Chant
My four would be (in no particular order):

1. Helloween
2. Blind Guardian
3. Stratovarius
4. Gamma Ray or possibly Angra

NOT DRAGONFORCE.
Loading...
12.06.2011 - 21:37
giok99
Hi,

Nice post. My big four would be

Helloween, Keeper of the Keys
Blind Guardian, Keeper of the Epicness
Rhapsody of Fire, Keeper of the Dragon
Hammerfall, Keeper of the Steel

When I want to listen to "Real" Power Metal, thing that i love, I go for one of those groups and specially the firsts albums.
----
Nothing is real
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 05:02
Cuca Beludo
Account deleted
1- Sabaton (absolutely amazing! Every song from the band is epic, and the band have the best lyrics, such an history lesson).

2- Sonata Arctica (I think the guitars are very good, and the lyrics aren't too many complicated.)

3- Children Of Bodom (I am listening their songs for a small time. Their do what i like in an song, changing the song speed and some other variations that make the song not boring.)

4- Angra (I know almost nothing about their, but i loved the way the band have perfect harmony in the song, and not playing all random. And on top of that, their are the only band i really liked in my country).

Well, i don't care much about listen to just only genre. I like to listen for everything, because is in these times we discover how brillhant some bands can be, in the time we judge their and thing their are trash!
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 13:55
The Norseman
Well... after 209 votes I think it's clear that Power Metal only has a "big two".

2 Kings and several Knights...
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 20:37
Luneth
Account deleted
In no order

Helloween
Blind Guardian
Rhapsody of Fire
Sonata Arctica
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 21:39
Kennoth
Tagging bands in threads to gain more view has started to seriously annoy me.
----
*insert something deep and profound*
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 22:48
Vikcen
Metálico
Written by Bad English on 11.06.2011 at 23:05

Written by Vikcen on 11.06.2011 at 22:02

Written by truenoacero on 11.06.2011 at 01:32

I would say Helloween, Gamma Ray, Running Wild and Blind Guardian. Unfortunatley I'd leave Iced Earth, one of my favourite metal bands in general, Edguy, Kamelot, Rage, Sonata Artica...It's nearly impossible to choose the "Big Four of Power Metal" , but this poll is really original

I think Running Wild is a band very accurate to the concept of "Big four", plus the obvious Blind Guardian and Helloween.

Disagree because there was many good bands before, only RW was maybe who hit the lil nail to bring wgole genre in mainstreem

I don't understand very well your point, but Running Wild was one of these mythical bands, they were very good, doing great music for the genre.

But well, i will say you: Runing Wild is considered one of the founding groups of the European style of Speed ​​/ Power metal of the 80s.

Loading...
13.06.2011 - 22:52
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
RW 1th 2 albums was more pure HM and even after it was more HM sound not PM,
----
I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"

I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 23:01
Pazu
Yeah, it really does look like a 'Big Two'. I wonder how the poll would look like if I had integrated Stratovarius though. Well, I have to admit I was unaware of how important they were to the genre. Like I said, my musical knowledge isn't the greatest. Still, this topic has proven to be quite interesting so far. I like your analogy, bj_waters.
Loading...
13.06.2011 - 23:10
SteTech
When it comes to bands of high influence over the power metal scene, surely Iron Maiden and Judas Priest deserve a mention? I know they wouldn't be classed as power metal, but I'll bet if you asked any power metal musician who one of their main inspirations is, it would be one of their counterparts in Maiden or Priest
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 00:14
Beastofmetal456
Account deleted
I think Blind Guardian is the definitive power metal sound. Must be up there.
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 00:25
Vikcen
Metálico
Written by SteTech on 13.06.2011 at 23:10

When it comes to bands of high influence over the power metal scene, surely Iron Maiden and Judas Priest deserve a mention? I know they wouldn't be classed as power metal, but I'll bet if you asked any power metal musician who one of their main inspirations is, it would be one of their counterparts in Maiden or Priest

Judas, but in my opinion i would say from Painkiller.
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 00:44
Vikcen
Metálico
My list definitely (taking in account the concept that can means 'Big Four'):

1. Blind Guardian
2. Helloween
3. Running Wild
4. Gamma Ray

And even, you get the Big Four of Power Metal from the same country: Germany, from my point of view, the cradle of Power Metal.

EDIT: Even you have Kai Hansen taking the rol of Dave Mustaine .
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 01:34
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
Written by SteTech on 13.06.2011 at 23:10

I know they wouldn't be classed as power metal...

But the big four can be classified as thrash. Your logic is flawed.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 08:43
Void Eater
Account deleted
Having 'big fours' for other genres of metal is pointless. The reason that there is a big four of thrash is because those four bands are significantly more popular than all other thrash bands. For power metal, there might be a big 3 or a big 6 or something to fit in the bands with significant mainstream success. But regardless, I'll vote for Helloween, to my (limited) knowledge the earliest power metal band
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 11:55
ecent
In no order IMO

Kamelot
Blind Guardian
Kamelot
Helloween

Then maybe Rhapsody? Running Wild.

FML
----
http://www.last.fm/user/ecentrix
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 12:51
immortal83
Bands like Kamelot make people hate Power Metal ... here's my list:

1) Helloween
2) Manowar
3) Blind guardian
4) Iced Earth/Hammerfall

I've chosen these because they sounds good to me, they've got the power to move people to their concerts and they are worlwide known (maybe iced earth is the less known of the four, but I don't want to put Kamelot in my list ), and that's my concept of big band.
Loading...
14.06.2011 - 22:06
Anibx
1. Helloween
2. Blind Guardian
3. Rhapsody of Fire
4. Nightwish

How can people put Kamelot on a list like this?
Loading...
15.06.2011 - 09:47
barcano1
My big 4 of PM are:
1. Blind Guardian
2. Helloween
3. Stratovarius
4. Manowar
----
"Nothing lasts forever.
Everything is dust in the wind..."

For rock music: Siemens SL45 + Sony MDR-E737LP/Grado SR80 \m/
Loading...
15.06.2011 - 19:54
Guib
Thrash Talker
Well it should be the 4 oldest bands... which is Helloween, Stratovarius, Blind Guardian and Iced Earth -_-

... ok manowar is older but still
----
- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
Loading...
16.06.2011 - 01:15
Demon Heart
1. Iced Earth
2. Hammerfall
3. Demons & Wizards
4. Children of Bodom
----
It's a black cloud over head
That's me
And the poison ivy chokes the tree
Again it's me
Loading...
16.06.2011 - 05:42
Guib
Thrash Talker
Written by Demon Heart on 16.06.2011 at 01:15

1. Iced Earth
2. Hammerfall
3. Demons & Wizards
4. Children of Bodom

Ahem... Children is Extreme Power Metal.. its kind of like including kalmah or Wintersun -_-
----
- Headbanging with mostly clogged arteries to that stuff -
Guib's List Of Essential Albums
- Also Thrash Paradise
Thrash Here
Loading...
16.06.2011 - 11:09
Sulac
I'd have to say:
Helloween
Gamma Ray
Blind Guardian
Iced Earth
Loading...
17.06.2011 - 10:02
Vacant Throne
Written by Mountain King on 11.06.2011 at 03:14

With a lot of experience in the Power Metal Genre (My favorite with Heavy Metal) and as a guitar player that covers Power Metal songs, here is my Big Four list:

1- Helloween (A legendary band by all means with Michael Kiske and with Andi Deris)
2- Stratovarius ( Genial compositions. Fast and beautiful)
3- Angra (Might be a little proggy but they are more of a Power Metal band)
4- Edguy (Exceptionally amazing compositions and consistency make them the fourth band)

That's a pretty good list! I forgot about Angra honestly. I only like one of their albums and the rest is "a little proggy" and also a little too "happy" in my opinion but talented stuff. I do like seeing Edguy up there, they have the best choruses of all time.
Loading...
19.06.2011 - 17:40
Aristarchos
To me it's obvious it is Helloween, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray and Stratovarius. I think Kamelot (and most other mentioned bands) debuted too late and never defined the genre, and I can't consider Iced Earth as power metal. Manowar and Running Wild are not pure power metal either, or at least a different kind.
Loading...
20.06.2011 - 04:42
ToMegaTherion
This kind of topic is always going to be contentious, but its always a bit of fun to look at anyway.
For me if there were to be a 'big four' of power metal, i would put forward the following.

Iced Earth
Kamelot
Blind Guardian
Stratovarius

I only leave out Helloween because of the long list of albums i really didn't enjoy. But Gamma ray and Primal fear deserve mention as well. One could probably put forward a top seven here and not be disappointed by the outcome. Sonata Arctica, Nightwish and Rhapsody of course all play their part in the world of PM, but I don't think I would place them at the same level of influense as those mentioned, except perhaps Nightwish, but in terms of musicianship and the like, I would place a number of other bands ahead to them in terms of female fronted power metal bands.
Loading...