One huge problem I have had with the Metal community for the past fifteen years is the disparagement against Power Metal and the wonderful people behind this immensely talented genre. I keep seeing the haters referring Power Metal as “cheesy”, “lame”, “boring”, and “derivative”, which couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s one thing to dislike certain sounds or a vocalist’s tone, but undermining an entire genre is sacrilegious and immature. Metal is supposed to be about community, acceptance, and rebelling against any kind of authority. In a society where everything divides us, Metal can unite us. Letting one basement dweller alter your view of a sub-genre that goes back four decades is the equivalent of letting some snobby reviewer keep you from watching the new Star Trek. You’re only giving into suggestion, instead of educating yourself and forming your own opinions. There is a niche Power Metal band for everyone, and my mission is to promote these bands until they get the credit in the community that they deserve.

The Power Metal genre is attributed to Ronnie James Dio and his brilliantly written fantasy lyrics and the whole new universe with Rainbow and solo projects. To disparage Power Metal is ignorant because Dio is a founding father of Metal. He invented the symbol of “the Horn” and united us all with emotive and powerful lyrics that would charge tens of thousands into battle. This world of Fantasy combined with the screams, fast music, and dual guitars of Judas Priest promoted Power Metal. Manowar brought this whole new universe of Metal to America in 1980 when they were inspired by Canadian act Thor. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal also inspired Power Metallers like Accept, Blind Guardian, and the almighty Helloween Power Metal IS original Metal along with Black Sabbath. And, the new wave of Power Metal hasn’t fallen far from the original tree that Dio planted so long ago. Whether you like it or not, Power Metal is quintessential to all Metal. To disparage it is to discount Dio’s influence on Metal, which would get you your ass kicked in any mosh pit in the world.

Power Metal has come back with a vengeance and more talent than ever with bands like Battle Beast, Beast In Black, Lords of the Trident, Seven Kingdoms, and the band who inspired this article, Unleash the Archers. These bands have worked tooth and nail to give this genre and an awakening too prove it is the best genre of Metal. It is a place where media distractions and inspiration meet to create an all inviting community. This unity is ever present at North American festivals like Mad With Power, curated by “nice Metal bud” Ty Christian of Lords of the Trident, and the hugely successful Prog Power in Atlanta. These festivals are huge meet ups for the all accepting “nerds” of Power Metal. Unleash the Archers, one of the most successful and highly regarded bands of the genre, have created and inspired this absolutely incredible community of nerds who wish to return Metal to the forefront. Brittney Slayes, who is considered a Dio successor, has created an entirely new fantasy world inspired by Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and Mad Max. She is an eloquent direct writer, has nearly a four octave range, and embraces where Metal and nerdom/geekdom meet. Her brothers in arms, Andrew Kingsley on Guitar, Grant Truesdell on guitar, Nick Miller on Bass, and husband and drummer Scott Buchanan have created a unique blend of Power Metal, Prog, Death Metal, and Neo Classicism that has stunned audiences all over the world. There is a magic quality to this band that mirrors Iron Maiden, especially in a live setting, and their brother bands are no different. Unleash the Archers is unarguably one of the best bands of the century and the company they keep mirrors this brilliance and exalts the talent within the genre.

Watching Mad With Power, which Unleash the Archers headlined for their first show in nearly two years, on stream this year reminded me of the scope and the importance of Power Metal. These bands are the best talents you can ever see live. The music is brave, technical, emotional, and provides an escape from a difficult time in society. Powerglove brought the nerdom to life as well as newer Symphonic Power Metal outfit Shield of Wings. They debuted a cover of “The Final Battle” from Elden Ring that stunned the video gamers in the crowd. Bostonian Death/Prog/Power Pirates Seven Spires absolutely dominated the first night bringing Neo Classicism and utterly devastating riffs. You just have to experience this band live to understand the unending talent. The second night, Floridian Power Metal band Seven Kingdoms took the stage and brought a work horse speed metal vibe with singer Sabrina Cruz belting into the rafters. The speed of this band is unbelievable. They are undoubtedly one of my top five live bands and just the nicest most inspirational people you will ever meet. Lords of the Trident come humble but completely destroy the stage with song after song emotive Neo Classicism that screams of Yngwie and Van Halen. Headliners Unleash the Archers, I mean I’ve already exalted and honestly drooled over this band, but their set at MWP Fest this year was truly something to behold. I can’t believe the talent we have in North America, and UTA is the finest example of that talent. If you have never heard or seen this band, go see them live, and I promise you will leave with your jaw dropped, tears in your eyes, a smile, and a sore neck.

Mad With Power is built around Ty Christian’s ideology, “New Wave of Nice Metal Buds” of trying to build an all accepting community. It’s where everyone can like Metal, Games, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, 80’s Music, and Synthwave all in one amazing festival and all the bands inspire each other to be authentic. Being a part of this community myself has utterly changed my dingy view of American Metal and an all too hateful society. I found like minded people who want to keep echoes from the past alive. This is why Power Metal is so pertinent to the Metal Community, it provides an absolute escape from daily stresses and trials and brings people together while keeping the music to the highest standard. This festival is the event of the year. If you like Power Metal, you cannot miss this festival. Ty Christian and friends have created the best festival in North America but also brought a new family style feel to Metal that we have needed all along. Mad With Power proves we are in the second wave of Power Metal, and it gives me hope that people will once again return to original Metal and honor where it came from.

Whether you like it or not Power Metal has the best riffs, the best solos, the best vocal lines, the best screams, the best lyrical content, the best fans, and the best merchandise. This genre combines everything that made us love Metal in the 80s and the media that has combined new fan groups. There is nothing cheesy or derivative about inspired music and immense musical proficiency. There are infinite possibilities and you are bound to like something in this vast technical prowess filled genre. So, here’s 20 essential Power Metal Bands you must hear. Maybe these awesome picks will expand some feeble minds and cast out the ignorance to this supreme genre.

This list is not in any order of best or age, it’s merely a sampler playlist you can use to check out some of the GOATS in Power Metal

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