The difference, in figures
Black metal is far less melodic (−6), clearly heavier (+3) and slightly faster (+1) than Power metal. It emerged in 1982, 2 years before Power metal in 1984. Both branch directly off Heavy metal.
Power metal
Where it sits
In short
Galloping tempos, choral hooks and lyrics about dragons and battles. Optimistic by definition.
How it sounds
- Sustained galloping tempos with nearly continuous double kick.
- Choruses harmonised across many voices, choir style.
- Keyboards, neoclassical solos and lyrics about battles, dragons and hope.
Key acts
- Helloween
- Blind Guardian
- Gamma Ray
- DragonForce
Start here
The pickHelloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II. The closing track runs thirteen minutes and deserves them.
Full page →Black metal
Where it sits
In short
Tremolo picking, blast beats, shrieked vocals and deliberately cold production. More an aesthetic than a technique - atmosphere matters more than clean sound.
How it sounds
- Tremolo picking on open fifth voicings, with vocals in the high register.
- Deliberately thin, cold production - the missing bass is an aesthetic choice, not an accident.
- Fast blast beats, drums often mixed back, atmosphere placed above technique.
Key acts
- Bathory
- Mayhem
- Darkthrone
- Emperor
Start here
The pickDarkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky. The production is intentional, not a flaw.
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