Playlist Central

Inspired by guitar virtuosos, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and in many cases J.R.R. Tolkien, power metal took shape in the mid '80s. Featuring a treasure trove of clean, operatic vocals over epic opuses with tight grooves and flashy technical chops, the sub-genre is quite distinguished. While it was primarily a European phenomenon in its heyday, it has undergone a revival in the American underground, reaching new generations of fans. Check out some of the world's best right here.