Top 55 power metal albums
I've never been the hugest fan of power metal's aesthetic but like almost every genre there is a big amount of good stuff out there. List won't include SAVATAGE which i've never comsidered to be power metal. |
| 55 |  | Hibria
Defying The Rules
Awesome bass |
| 54 |  | Yngwie Malmsteen
Marching Out
A nice neoclassical power work |
| 53 |  | Avantasia
The Metal Opera
It grew off me with time but still a really good work |
| 52 |  | Anubis Gate
The Detached
Lost in myself is outstanding |
| 51 |  | Grave Digger
Knights of the Cross
Hoarse vocals, wicked lyrics and catchy choruses |
| 50 |  | Slough Feg
Traveller
A fun sci-fi power metal with lots of traditional metal elements |
| 49 |  | Galneryus
Angel of Salvation
Promised flag alone deserves a mention |
| 48 |  | Seventh Wonder
Mercy Falls
While some acted parts are cheesier than hell the majority of the tracks are memorable, hide and seek is an absolute highlight |
| 47 |  | Rhapsody of Fire
Dawn of Victory
I really wanted to rank this higjer because of some great epic atmospheres but the lyrics are too cheesy even for power metal. |
| 46 |  | Blaze Bayley
The Man Who Would Not Die
I still dislike his vocals but it's the only remarkable flaw of the album, Samurai alone is better than the entire virtual xi album |
| 45 |  | Primal Fear
Black Sun
These guys are pretty much pissed off |
| 44 |  | Angel Dust
Enlighten the Darkness
Celestial album with lots of good ballads |
| 43 |  | DragonForce
Maximum Overload
I've never thought i would've liked so much anything by dragonforce but this exceeded my expectations |
| 42 |  | Epica
Design Your Universe
A creative mashup of symphonic, death, power and prog metal. Simone's vocals are top notch |
| 41 |  | Twilightning
Delirium Veil
Unknown gem you need to discover |
| 40 |  | Powerwolf
Bible Of The Beast
RRRRESURRECTIONNNNAH BY ERECTIONNNNNAH |
| 39 |  | HammerFall
Glory to the Brave
The title track have been stuck in my head for days |
| 38 |  | Sanctuary
Into the Mirror Black
Gloomier than your average power metal, Warrel Dane was a great vocalist. |
| 37 |  | Bloodbound
Book of the Dead
Wicked album with super catchy riffs, choruses and esoteric lyrics about Satanism |
| 36 |  | Sabaton
Carolus Rex
Ost to ww2 |
| 35 |  | Pharaoh
The Longest Night
great proggy elements and epic vocals in a great astral journey |
| 34 |  | Brocas Helm
Defender of the Crown
Heavy metal with power vibes and one of the best bass sounds ever |
| 33 |  | Edguy
Hellfire Club
This grew on me recently, super fun album |
| 32 |  | Warlord
And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun...
The fact that they recorded this all in one take makes it even better |
| 31 |  | Iron mask
Hordes of the Brave
Another unknown gem of old school power metal |
| 30 |  | Crimson Glory
Transcendence
One of the most iconic progressive heavy/power metal works ever |
| 29 |  | X Japan
Art of Life
The title describes it perfectly |
| 28 |  | Labyrinth
Return to Heaven Denied
They should have more recognition in the italian power metal panorama, every single song is great but night of dreams takes the cake |
| 27 |  | Running Wild
Death or Glory
The true inventora of pirate metal |
| 26 |  | Kamelot
The Black Halo
I would have ranked this higher but the second half of the album is slightly worse than the marvelous first one |
| 25 |  | Virgin Steele
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: Part II
The second part of a long legendary journey |
| 24 |  | Nightwish
Oceanborn
Tarja's opera vocals and the fable atmosphere made nightwish an icon of symphonic metal |
| 23 |  | Alestorm
Sunset on the Golden Age
Elitists will bash me for putting this so up high but honestly, fuck'em. Without taking themselves seriously they created one of the most fun albums ever, The Hangover may be the best cover in metal |
| 22 |  | Lost Horizon
Awakening the World
I'm sure this is cheesy on purpose, one of the most entertaining works in power metal |
| 21 |  | Royal Hunt
Paradox
Savatage inspired power prog with great lyrics and delightful musicianship |
| 20 |  | Evergrey
Recreation Day
One of the most elegant albums in the genre, you will remember every song after one listen |
| 19 |  | Vicious Rumors
Digital Dictator
A fair of epic solos in this underrated thrashy power metal lp |
| 18 |  | Timeless Miracle
Into the Enchanted Chamber
Original vocals, folk elements and some of the catchiest songs in metal, some lyrics are pretty good too |
| 17 |  | Kalmah
Swampsong
While their first 2 works are still my favorites this is the only one i would considerpower oriented. Heroes to us is still their best song ever. Sure one of the best melodeath power bands ever |
| 16 |  | Riot
Thundersteel
Influential for both power and heavy thundersteel is the painkiller of (almost) underground metal |
| 15 |  | Gamma ray
Land of the Free
The anthem.of freedom |
| 14 |  | Stratovarius
Visions
An astral cosmic journey through galaxies |
| 13 |  | Sonata Arctica
Ecliptica
Replica, full moon, my land and 8th commandment are some of the best power metal songs ever |
| 12 |  | Symphony X
The Divine Wings of Tragedy
Maybe the most technical album of the sub genre |
| 11 |  | Almah
Fragile Equality
Falaschi managed to create an uplifting masterwork without being just a copycat of angra |
| 10 |  | Theocracy
As the World Bleeds
Christian power metal with majestic musicianship and even fine lyrics (somehow it's still fantasy). I am's savatage-style vocal solo is out of this world and the groovy breakdowns through all the album are great too |
| 9 |  | Angra
Temple of Shadows
A triumphant passionate journey through history, spread your fire may be in my top 10 power metal songs ever. Kiko's guitar work is marvelous and Edu's vocals are top notch |
| 8 |  | Wintersun
Wintersun
They can make you feel like you're fighting against time while a tempest is coming |
| 7 |  | Persuader
When Eden Burns
Evolution purgatory is my favorite but it's a thrashy blind guardian, this one fits more with the list. The perfect balance between power melodies and aggressive thrashy riffs. Twisted eyes is out of this world |
| 6 |  | Manowar
Kings of Metal
One of the biggest influences for the genre. With awesome guitar and bass solos, ridiculous exaggerated lyrics, terrible drumming, epic atmosphere and powerful high pitched vocals they became an icon. |
| 5 |  | Children of Bodom
Follow the Reaper
My favorite power oriented melodeath album. The harmony between guitars and keyboards is unique. Bodom after midnight is their best song ever imo |
| 4 |  | Blind Guardian
Imaginations from the Other Side
The essence of power metal itself but wothout the cheesiness |
| 3 |  | Rage
Speak of the Dead
Rage is one of the best, most prolific and underrated bands in the genre. SOTD cis a great mixture of power, thrash, symphonic and groove. The riffs are ferocious, the symphonic compartment fits perfectly with the rest, Wagner's vocals are some of the most recognizable ever and Smolski's guitar work is an highlight |
| 2 |  | Iced Earth
Burnt Offerings
Without doubt the darkest power metal album ever, with spooky vocals, gloomy atmospheres and demonic lyrics. A journey through dantesque hell. |
| 1 |  | Helloween
Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II
The pioneers of the genre. One of the most positive metal albums ever. The instrumentation is way beyond great and Kiske was at his best. A great balance between fun and epicness. March of time is one of the best songs ever. |
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