Metal Storm logo
The Greatest Power Metal Albums Of All Time


The best Power Metal albums by the best bands in the genre. The albums are not in any specific order, at least after the first 10. I placed more than 1 album per band cause they really deserve to be here. Feedback is appreciated.

Note: I edited the list and changed the title because there are albums that deserve to be here and I felt 20 albums are not enough

If you are aware or listened to these albums and want other great power metal albums from different bands, then check out this list:

http://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=5997

If you have a thing for stats like I do then countries by albums:

Germany - 10
Finland - 5
Sweden - 4
Brazil - 4
USA - 1
Denmark - 1
Greece - 1
France - 1

Created by: Mountain King | 09.04.2010



1. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I
(1987 - Germany) This album and part 2 are among the best metal albums of all time. Very inspiring compositions by young and talented musicians and no filler tracks at all. Ingo's drumming is very remarkable, nothing like that in 1987. Favorite tracks: "I'm Alive" "Future World" "A Tale That Wasn't Right" "Twilight Of The Gods"
2. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II
(1988 - Germany) The second part is just as good as part one, even better. Eagle Fly Free was a revolutionary song in 1988 and this made Helloween young legends. Favorite tracks: "Eagle Fly Free" "March Of Time" "Dr Stein" "Keeper Of The Seven Keys"
3. Angra - Temple Of Shadows
(2004 - Brazil) Nothing is like this album. The different elements used makes it so unique and the technicality of the guitarists (Loureiro & Bittencourt) and Aquiles Priester's drumming is just incredible here. One of the very best albums ever made. Favorite Tracks: "Spread Your Fire" "Temple Of Hate" "Sprouts Of Time" "Winds Of Destination"
4. Angra - Rebirth
(2001 - Brazil) Another timeless classic by Angra. No bad track on this one and a great comeback after the departure of Andre Matos. A must have for all Power Metal fans. Favorite tracks: "Acid Rain" "Running Alone" "Visions Prelude" "Rebirth" "Unholy Wars"
5. Stratovarius - Visions
(1997 - Finland) Amazing compositions by one of my favorite composers, Timo Tolkki. Stratovarius reached their peak with this album and countless bands tried to imitate them after this one. Favorite tracks: "Black Diamond" "Before The Winter" "Kiss Of Judas" "Visions" "Coming Home"
6. Stratovarius - Infinite
(2000 - Finland) My second favorite Stratovarius album. Brilliant compositions and very inspiring moments! Almost on the same level as "Visions" and definitely one of the best Power Metal albums ever made. Favorite tracks: "Phoenix" "Mother Gaia" "Hunting High And Low" "A Million Light Years Away" "Celestial Dream"
7. Avantasia - The Metal Opera Part I
(2001 - Germany) What can I say about this album. No words to describe the awesomeness of it. I was stunned by the beauty of the compositions that are more accomplished than part 2. Favorite Tracks: "Reach Out For The Light" "Glory Of Rome" "The Tower"
8. Edguy - Theater Of Salvation
(1999 - Germany) While "Vain Glory Opera" might have signaled to the world that a new A class power metal band is coming to you, "Theater Of Salvation" cemented Edguy as a power metal powerhouse that is here to stay. The epic mood throughout the album alongside the double bass drums and fills of Felix Bohnke, Tobias Sammet's best vocal performance and great guitar harmonies that are reminiscent of Helloween, make it a speedy ride to hell and back! Favorite songs: "Arrows Fly", "Headless Game", "Babylon", "The Unbeliever", "Theater Of Salvation", "Wake Up The King"
9. Heavenly - Virus
(2006 - France) This French Power Metal band have outdone themselves on this album. No filler tracks here and some very epic moments. Favorite tracks: "The Dark Memories" "Spill Blood On Fire" "Wasted Time" "Prince Of The World"
10. Dragonland - Astronomy
(2006 - Sweden) This album belongs here because of it's unique Power/Melodeath blending, use of growls and female vocals with orchestration in the right places. Amazing compositions and each song is unique and different. Production is crystal clear and the guitar parts are amazingly done. Favorite tracks: "Astronomy" "Antimatter" "Beethoven's Nightmare" "Direction: Perfection"
11. Pyramaze - Melancholy Beast
(2004 - Denmark) The best Danish Power Metal band and with a good reason. Their music is undeniably unique and their technical skills specially their drummer make this album a jewel among metal albums. Another high point of this great album is the high pitched vocals and beautiful vocal melodies of master Lance King who lays his mark as one of the best singers in our recent time. Favorite tracks: "Legend" "Sleepy Hollow" "Power Of Imagination" "Until We Fade Away".
12. Edguy - Mandrake
(2001 - Germany) Another one of Tobias Sammet's great achievements. My favorite Edguy album although there are other very good albums, but this one contains more variations and shows that the band matured and expanded their musical vision. Favorite tracks: "All The Clowns" "Wash Away The Poison" "Pharaoh" "Save Us Now" "Jerusalem"
13. Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
(2003 - Finland) People say Ecliptica or Silence is their best but i think this album shows Sonata Arctica on their best day. Amazing album from start to end. Favorite tracks: "The Cage" "Gravenimage" "The Misery" "Victoria's Secret" "Draw Me"
14. Primal Fear - New Religion
(2007 - Germany) Many may disagree with my choice but i think this is Primal Fear with a lot of creativity. People who don't like this album should listen to it again, it's better than any other album they released. Favorite tracks: "Sign Of Fear" "Fighting The Darkness" "Everytime It Rains" "Face The Emptiness"
15. Silent Force - Worlds Apart
(2004 - Germany) The most underrated band that i know. Their best album by far and one of the best in the genre. Favorite tracks: "No One Lives Forever" "Master Of My Destiny" "Spread Your Wings"
16. Lost Horizon - A Flame To The Ground Beneath
(2003 - Sweden) The second and last Lost Horizon album would prove that this band could have been one of the greatest names in the metal scene, Daniel Heiman delivers the goods with his soaring high pitched vocals. Favorite tracks: "Again Will The Fire Burn" "Think Not Forever" "Highlander"
17. Masterplan - Aeronautics
(2005 - Germany) Slightly better than the debut, Masterplan matured their sound and showed that they got what it takes to write some of the best metal songs ever. Favorite tracks: "Falling Sparrow" "Black In The Burn" "Back For My Life" "I'm Not Afraid"
18. Firewind - The Premonition
(2008 - Greece) Slightly better than Allegiance and definitely better than their latest Days Of Defiance. Fast, Catchy and varied compositions makes it a winner for me. Favorite tracks: "Head Up High" "Angels Forgive Me" "My Loneliness" "Life Foreclosed"
19. HammerFall - Legacy Of Kings
(1998 - Sweden) LET THE HAMMER...FAAAALL! The first 4 Hammerfall albums are the best and this one is on top. It's the most consistent and took their warrior Power Metal to another level. Favorite tracks: "Dreamland" "Heeding The Call" "Let The Hammer Fall" "The Fallen One"
20. Helloween - The Time Of The Oath
(1996 - Germany) The best of the Deris Era. This album is a must for all metal fans. Helloween shows that they have what it takes to produce more legendary albums. Favorite tracks: "Power" "Kings Will Be Kings" "Forever And One" "If I Knew" "Time Of The Oath"
21. Cain's Offering - Gather The Faithful
(2009 - Finland) This new band has made some beautiful riffs and melodies. I'm in love with their debut and Timo Kotipelto still has it. Favorite Tracks: "Dawn Of Solace" "Oceans Of Regret" "Gather The Faithful" "Elegantly Broken"
22. Gamma Ray - Majestic
(2005 - Germany) Might not be the best GR album but it's the best for me, very consistent. I love almost all the tracks on it. Inspiring music by this German band. Favorite tracks: "Fight" "Strange World" "Blood Religion" "Revelation"
23. Almah - Fragile Equality
(2008 - Brazil) Edu Falaschi of Angra's fame created Almah as a side project. This second album puts Almah on the forefront of the Brasilian metal scene and makes me a fan of this great band. Very technical solos and drumming yet very catchy. Favorite tracks: "You'll Understand" "Birds Of Prey" "Shade Of My Soul"
24. Kamelot - The Fourth Legacy
(1999 - USA) Although Karma comes close, this is my favorite Kamelot album. Not just that, it is one of the best albums I have ever heard. Roy Khan's best performance is in this album. Be sure to check it out! Favorite Tracks: "The Fourth Legacy" "Sailorman's Hymn" "Nights Of Arabia" "Lunar Sanctum" "Until Kingdom Come"
25. Twilightning - Delirium Veil
(2003) A relatively unknown band and album, I was really surprised with how good it is. From the album cover to the song titles up to the real music, this is a pure majestic Finish Power Metal journey. The highlights are the whole band but mainly the singer. Favorite tracks: "Gone To The Wall" "Return To Innocence" "At The Forge" "Delirium Veil"
26. Saint Deamon - In Shadows Lost From The Brave
(2008 - Sweden) It's strange to find that such an album is not famous between the metal masses. Perhaps it's due to its late arrival on the power metal scene when it was and still is almost certainly packed with bands competing to grab the spotlight. Honestly, if it hadn't been for my nature & curiosity in discovering things fully, I wouldn't have discovered this band. I would truly recommend this album to any metal fan and not only power metal enthusiasts. The songwriting, hooks and vocals are the highlights where few albums can outpass the quality found on this record. It's a record done from the heart and you can feel that nothing is forced. It's pure creativity and ambitions driving this band on their debut. Favorite tracks: "My Judas", "My Heart", "The Burden", "My Sorrow" & "Run For Your Life"
27. Aquaria - Luxaeterna
(2005 - Brazil) How can a such a jewel be so unknown? This is also one of the reasons I had to add this album to this list. It contains all you need to have it in your favorite power metal library, from soaring vocals that can also be soft (Whispers And Pain Of Mother Nature) to an intensive progy side like "Choice Time" that rival any prog band out there. Favorite songs: "Humanity" "Choice Time" "And Let The Show Begin" "Whispers And Pain Of Mother Nature"



Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by Mountain King ]



Comments

‹‹ Back to Lists
Comments: 14   Visited by: 322 users
30.08.2012 - 23:49
giok99
Nice list, as i agree with most of it, i would have choose other albums for certains bands (Silent Force - Walk the Earth, Kamelot - Black Halo, Heavenly - Dust to Dust, Masterplan - 1st one), but it's not the point.

No Blind Guardian in this list ....... and you should check the one and only album from Timeless Miracle.

Otherwise, i would also have Keeper 1 & 2 in first position, Imagination from the other Side second followed by Glory to the Brave and Legacy of Kings third and the Timeless Miracle.

Nice work for the comments
----
Nothing is real
Loading...
31.08.2012 - 00:03
Ellrohir
Heaven Knight
Hm...like half of them i dont even know...should have improve this
----
My rest seems now calm and deep
Finally I got my dead man sleep


Loading...
08.09.2012 - 23:11
Lit.
Account deleted
No Sabaton, Blind Guardian or Iced Earth?
Loading...
08.03.2013 - 19:27
EmeraldSword
Good list and I think you nailed it by chosen these bands older albums. Sometimes it's hard to outdue older masterpieces that earned these bands their recognition. For example, Angra. Their last few albums have been terrible (which is maybe why Edu quit/retired). I'm also not a fan of Sonata Arctica's newer albums as well (their decision to move away from Speed/Power Metal). In any case, good list and I think your comments on each album was pretty spot on too. Cheers.
Loading...
26.07.2013 - 12:19
Nice albums but not in that order.
----
{}::::::[]:::::::::::::::::> ONLY DEATH IS REAL <:::::::::::::::::[]::::::{}
Rest In Peace: Bon Scott, Dave G. Halliday, Michael "Destructor" Wulf, Jerry Fogle, Quorthon, Witchhunter
Loading...
14.12.2013 - 16:18
undertaker55
Where's the masterpiece bands like a Rage, Blind Guardian , Grave Digger , Iced Earth
Scanner , Running Wild
Loading...
12.11.2019 - 15:11
Mountain King
K i K o
Written by Ellrohir on 31.08.2012 at 00:03

Hm...like half of them i dont even know...should have improve this

I guess that's the point no? Discovering new bands and different opinions.
Any suggestions? Maybe I am missing some great PM albums. I would gladly take any suggestions.
Loading...
12.11.2019 - 15:16
Mountain King
K i K o
Written by [user id=101272] on 08.09.2012 at 23:11

No Sabaton, Blind Guardian or Iced Earth?

I consider Iced Earth as heavy metal. Even if I did consider them PM, I wouldn't any of their albums to this list. Sabaton have some solid albums but I woulnd't also include any of their albums in the very best PM albums. Not a big fan of BG. I really like some of their songs but I can't get through a whole album.
Loading...
12.11.2019 - 15:21
Mountain King
K i K o
Written by undertaker55 on 14.12.2013 at 16:18

Where's the masterpiece bands like a Rage, Blind Guardian , Grave Digger , Iced Earth
Scanner , Running Wild

Good bands but I wouldn't qualify none of their albums for this list.
Loading...
21.02.2020 - 12:44
Mountain King
K i K o
My other list which complements this one:

http://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=5997
Loading...
22.02.2020 - 16:18
Metren
Dreadrealm
Some pretty good albums here, but any list of "best" or "greatest" that has Hammerfall on it, is automatically disqualified from getting my thumbs up.
----
My one-man project's Bandcamp with free downloads: https://dreadrealm.bandcamp.com/
Loading...
22.02.2020 - 16:21
John doe
I like a few of these, nice list.
----
I thought the two primary purposes for the internet were cat memes and overreactions.
Loading...
24.02.2020 - 11:38
Metal Diogenes
Great list, dude! Never heard of nearly half of these albums, but discovering good metal is always refreshing and fun.
----
You've got a lot of guts. Let's see what they look like!
Loading...
26.06.2022 - 20:29
ikakoika
Strange List, Without Imaginations From The Other Side and Land Of The Free.
Loading...

Hits total: 21990 | This month: 65