40 Power Metal Bands Lesson

40 Power Metal Bands

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    THE PROFESSOR As you can hear in this killer lesson by Gabriel, who melts some faces with his riffage in this video, there are a lot of different theoretical concepts going on in the power metal genre. While there are many angles you can take when soloing, riffing or writing in a power metal context, one of the most commonly used devices is the Harmonic Minor Scale System. Both the first mode, used over minor chords and keys, and the 5th mode, used over V and V7 chords, are commonly used in power metal and are must know scales for anyone interested in shredding in the power metal style. 

    Learning how to play, build and apply the first mode of Harmonic Minor as well as the Fifth Mode of Harmonic Minor will allow you to bring a metal sound to your own riffs, songs and solos. Though the raised 7th can be a bit “outside” at first, if you’re a power metal fan you’ll instantly recognize it as a characteristic, and must known, sound of that genre.

    Welcome to my biggest lesson ever!

    In this one I will cover the style of 40 power metal bands in one song! You will find all the most important Power Metal bands from every part of the world covered here. Once you learn this full lesson you can consider yourself a master of Power Metal.

    These are the bands covered in order of appearance:

    1. Stratovarius
    2. Helloween
    3. Gamma Ray
    4. Blind Guardian
    5. Rhapsody
    6. Dragonforce
    7. Angra
    8. Sonata Artica
    9. Hammerfall
    10. Nightwish
    11. Edguy
    12. Heaven’s Gate
    13. Rage
    14. Grave Digger
    15. Primal Fear
    16. Epica
    17. Avantasia
    18. Iced Earth
    19. Firewind
    20. Galneryus
    21. Running Wild
    22. Sabaton
    23. Children of bodom
    24. Yngwie Malmsteen
    25. Jag Panzer
    26. Nocturnal Rites
    27. Crimson Glory
    28. Manowar
    29. Highlord
    30. Freedom Call
    31. Shaman
    32. Savatage
    33. Turisas
    34. Labyrinth
    35. Riot
    36. Masterplan
    37. Dream Evil
    38. Virgin Steele
    39. X Japan
    40. Symphony X

    Music Style:

    I have been a fan of this style when I was learning to play the guitar so many of these bands have been very important in develping my own style.

    "Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a more uplifting sound, in contrast to the heaviness and dissonance prevalent in styles such as doom metal and death metal. Power metal bands usually have anthem-like songs with fantasy-based subject matter and strong choruses, thus creating a theatrical, dramatic and emotionally "powerful" sound.[1] The term was first used in the middle of the 80s[2] and refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a later more widespread and popular style based in Europe (especially Germany, Finland, Italy and Scandinavia), Latin America (Argentina, Brazil) and Japan, with a lighter, more melodic sound and frequent use of keyboards." - Wikipedia

    Techniques:

    We will cover many techniques like alternate picking, sweep picking, legato, banding, vibrato, rhythm, palm muting, harmonics and more!

    Sound:

    I used my POD hd500 to build a sound based on Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amps and 4x12 cabinets.
    I used Cubase to record audio and midi, SSD 3.5 for drums and Trillian for bass.

    Click HERE if you want to download the patch used in this lesson for Pod HD 500.

    Tuning:

    I used standard 440 tuning - E A D G B E

    Tempo:

    Multiple tempos starting at 160 BPM.


    Ok guys - it's time for power metal!


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