It feels like there was a big focus on 00s (or later) albums, but power metal was around since the 80s. So many important bands from the previous decades were missed. This focus also effectively excluded the entire US strain of power metal, which was very influential to the genre even if the European strain has endured more. Rage? Grave Digger? Running Wild? Jag Panzer? Virgin Steele? Savatage?
"Manowar aren't really powermetal" I am deceased. I wish to commit unlife. Sever my mortal coil and sunder my life from the mortal plane. God could not weep for he is a shrouded corpse lying within this tomb built from the incredulity of the wailing undead. Other than that, great video, cheers!
Issue with Manowar being power metal Joey Demaio has tried to keep Manowar being characterised in the genre, because they don't like being along side other the bands
If we're talking essentials, I think it would prudent to split European power metal from US power metal since the sound between the two differs enough to be a different scene. I suppose the closest parallel would be Death Metal and Swedish Death Metal. Both share elements and of course there will be bands from either place that defy the rule, but for the most part, at the blossoming of the scene, the sounds were different. Here would be my lists: European (in no particular order): 1. Blind Guardian - Somewhere Far Beyond (it's their first real power metal album. The previous albums are fantastic but still retain a lot of that speed metal feel). 2. Gamma Ray - Land of the Free (I think I personally prefer Somewhere Out in Space or No World Order, but I think LOTF is the most influential) 3. Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I & II (I don't think you can really separate these two) 4. Rhapsody - Power of the Dragonflame (any of the first five albums could really be up here) 5. Sabaton - Primo Victoria 6. Stratovarius - Destiny (or Visions) 7. Hammerfall - Glory to the Brave (not my personal favorite but it was significant in reviving the scene) 8. Angra - Temple of Shadows (or Angels Cry) 9. Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild 10. Avantasia - The Metal Opera There are a few bands I'm not sure whether to include or not and I think they could easily replace any of the bands on this list other than Blind Guardian, Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Rhapsody. Running Wild's Black Hand Inn is one of my favorite albums of all time and is definitely the one often considered best by the band (though pretty much everything up through Victory is awesome). I just don't know about considering Running Wild "pure" power metal. They have a lot of speed and heavy metal elements. There are other bands I'm not sure to include based upon not having enough influence. Their music is amazing, but I don't think they had a huge impact: Powerwolf - Blood of the Saints, Edguy - Mandrake OR Theater of Salvation, Crimson Glory - Crimson Glory OR Transcendance, Dragonforce - Inhuman Rampage, Freedom Call - Eternity, Heavenly - Sign of the Winner OR Dust to Dust, Iron Savior - Iron Savior, Lost Horizon - Awakening the World OR A Flame to the Ground Beneath, Nocturnal Rites - Shadowland OR Tales of Mystery and Imagination, Royal Jester - Night Is Young, Timeless Miracle - Into the Enchanted Chamber I'm not nearly as familiar with US power metal but there are some albums I think should be in the top 10. 1. Virgin Steel - The Marriage of Heaven and Hell I, II, or Invictus 2. Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy OR The Odyssey 3. Savatage - In the Hall of the Mountain King 4. Riot - Thundersteel 5. Manowar - Hail to England, Sign of the Hammer, Kings of Metal, OR The Triumph of Steel 6. Manilla Road - Crystal Logic 7. Jag Panzer - Ample Destruction 8. Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings OR Night of the Stormrider 9. Helstar - Nosferatu 10 - Armored Saint - Symbol of Salvation Honorable mentions would be Omen - Battle Cry, Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime, Also, there's some other bands I think could make the list, though I wouldn't put them because of not fitting into the genre and/or not having enough influence. I personally think they're symphonic metal, but one could make an argument for Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, Kamelot, and Therion. Stormwarrior, Primal Fear, Firewind, Crystal Eyes, Brainstorm, and Sacred Steel.
No same genre. You shouldnt try to create so many microgenres. Its too restricting. The difference between US and European bands is as big as in between Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray or Manowar and Dragonforce. Plus, where does this leave bands from Asia, South America or Africa?
I would say that Power Metal is 2 genres. One is the USPM sound that developed in the first half of the 80's in the US and then the more melodic european variant. USPM: Helstar, Jag Panzer, Omen, etc. Euro PM: Blind Guardian, Helloween and Gammaray.
No same genre. You shouldnt try to create so many microgenres. Its too restricting. The difference between US and European bands is as big as in between Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray or Manowar and Dragonforce. Plus, where does this leave bands from Asia, South America or Africa?
It’s very rare that new power metal excites me and I never really gave Unleash the Archers a chance, but after this I decided I would give Apex a shot and… HOLY FUCK! This is so damn good. And a top-tier workout album to boot. Thanks to Grant and thanks to Banger!
An exceptional album in every regard. It fully lives up to its hype. One of my top-tier albums of the last decade, and its amalgamation of different subgenres lets it appeal to a broad range of fans. It's definitely not cliched, cookie-cutter power metal.
You need a sequel where you split this into two lists, like a 1st and 2nd wave or something. Or add another row and have 1st wave essentials and 2nd wave essentials. I don't think it would work for all subgenres, (eg. melodeth), but it feels like there are so many essentials missing from this list
BG's Somewhere Far Beyond is legendary. That to me was their first power metal album. Tales from the Twilight World is also amazing, but it's a transition album where a lot of the speed (and even a bit of thrash) is still in the forefront.
This episode should have been done by Sarah K. that seems to loves power metal than anyone else from Banger... Blayne, your stuff is Death metal and affiliates.
I saw comments like this before. Its quite accurate but also is interesting understand what and how others appreciate and must to say about this genre, even when is not their first choice as a genre in metal. Saludos from Mex
I'm sure this is just a gripe stemming from me being old and grumpy, but I think I now hate the Banger guitar riffs. Is that a Twitch thing? I feel like it's making me insane and not in a cool metal way
It's unwatchable for me because of that annoying crap, let alone all the rambling and dumb jokes. I was hoping to learn something and get turned on to some albums I didn't know. I'm out. Banger has really gone down hill over the years :(
BangerTV, will YT not let you play excerpts for these shows? I know they've been weird w/Metal Monthly. Although this one had a ton of classics, hearing some of these bands would be great, while you're discussing them.
Uta one of my absolute fav bands and I dont even like power metal. They are awesome from their first raw and agressive demo to their latest epic album. If anyone thinks they wont like it just force them to listen to them and they can thank you later. I dont even know why I started to listen to them but its probably the greatest accident of my life.
While it's often overlooked due to how unknown they are, Lör's In Forgotten Sleep is definitely and essential power metal album. Anyone who's not heard it needs to change that now!
@@russell2890 Well firstly, they're overlooked, not cause they're bad, but because they're completely independent. Just cause they're unknown does not mean their album isn't essential. Secondly, how essential an album is should not be gated by the year its released. Look at dissonant tech-death for example; of course Ulcerate, Portal and Gorguts are essential listens in the genre, but Ad Nauseam's Imperative Imperceptible Impulse, which came out last year, is also an essential album of the genre. It's on par with the forementioned bands because it challenges the very fundamentals of the genre in a quality manner. The same goes for Lör with In Forgotten Sleep. Even though it came out in 2017 it also challenges the fundamentals of power metal with style.
@@Homm3dude88 I disagree with most of your points to be honest. We do seem to have different points of view on how to define essential. I don't want to waste more of your time but I'm glad that you took the time to express your thoughts and respond. Cheers.
Just picked up the new G.I.V.E. Unnatural CD and it rocks! Are you planning on reviewing it? It is awesome AF! I streamed it so much, I bought the CD. HAHA. Great video.
Yes. Helloween created the genre and has always been leagues above the rest, they're amazing for that. Gotta love Manowar too. There's a lot of bad power metal that people unfortunately judge the genre on.
@@independenceltd. they didn't create the European power metal sound as we know it though. American power metal was really more like classic heavy metal.
@@xenos_n. "European power metal" wasn't even a thing even in '85. It was all just power metal, until the Euros added more keyboards and operatic singers. So, I'd even argue that Helloween weren't "European power metal," just power metal.
@@independenceltd. I don't even know what you're going on about but considering your name is The Donald and you have Trump as you avatar, that totally checks out.
So, I kind of slept on the 2020 serenity album "the last knight". And the past 2 weeks it hasnt left the cd player in my car. I dont think there is a bad track on it.
If the keyboards sound like a synth it’s definitely power metal. If the keyboards sound like strings/horns/winds it could be either depending on the balance between guitar and keys. It’s symphonic metal if the keyboards are the main instrument and the guitars play mostly chords and gallops. It’s power metal if the guitars are the main instrument and the keyboards add layers and the occasional melody. If the balance is pretty equal I guess you could call it symphonic power metal.
Dio definitely invented the power metal aesthetic, but he really was more classic heavy metal. I think he was very important in influencing the aesthetic of power metal for sure.
No Symphony X at all? I know theyre Prog-Power but Id still stick them on this list, probably in "legend" territory. Why no love for Symphony X? they are one of the greats!
I never got into early helloween I prefer better than raw album what a gem, Gamma Ray is a solid band, Stratovarius for me the best band, first 4 raphsody are gold, nightwish oceanborn, Visions Divine stream consciousness mind blowing, first labyrinth album, blind Guardian, between heaven and Hell by Firewind, iced earth, Pagans mind, Sonata arctica, Dragon hammer time for expiation, Angra, Kamelot, Stormwarrior, Luca Turilli, Primal fear, Iron Savior come on bros listen to good power metal,, if you looking for new power eternal champion. Don't listen to Sabaton lol
Second sanctuary album Helstar Nosferatu Second iced earth album First three manilla road Adramelch Irae melanox 2and 3d Fates Warning Omen Battle cry Mephisto - mephisto 1988 Final Prophecy - Beyond Reality demo 1988 Helloween Ep 1985 Slauter Xstroyes first lp First lost horizon album
Sometimes the bonus tracks are one of the best songs but the label wouldn’t put them on the album. Broken One by Trivium is a good example. They wanted to put it on The Crusade but their label said no and had them put The Rising instead.
Dragonforce and Sabaton as legends...yes I know they came way way later, but in terms of getting people into the genre, they pull from all sorts of non power metal fans
Yall are letting your political views disregard Iced Earth. They are an essential Power Metal Band. Jon schaffner's actions pale in comparison to so many other metal artists that continue to be celebrated. Pathetic
I agree with the last part (which speaks horrible of the metal community), but Iced Earth ain't that really important like the rest of the bands discussed here. It's just a simple fact.
