The Magazine

The long reads. Genre histories told chapter by chapter, band biographies, the essential albums, the label stories and the portraits, written by the KaosMetal editors.

Narrowed to Power Metal. The whole magazine →

Two Powerwolf guitarists face to face on stage at Wacken Open Air in 2017, both roaring as they play, with the band's stained-glass backdrop and a golden eagle behind them

The Best Power Metal Live Albums

Julien Vasseur · Oct 27, 2026

Tommy Portimo of Sonata Arctica at his drum kit on stage at Wacken Open Air 2024, sticks in hand, long fair hair, tattooed arms, surrounded by cymbals and microphones.

The Fastest Power Metal Songs

Julien Vasseur · Oct 26, 2026

Rhapsody of Fire at Rockharz Open Air 2025: a guitarist leans back over his instrument at the left, the drummer plays at the centre under the band's painted backdrop, and the singer holds the microphone at the right.

The Power Metal Concept Albums

Julien Vasseur · Oct 25, 2026

Avantasia at Wacken Open Air 2022: Tobias Sammet in a top hat and long dark coat points sharply across the stage, mouth open, with a guitarist playing behind him on the right.

The Longest Power Metal Epics

Julien Vasseur · Oct 24, 2026

Stratovarius on the Wacken Open Air stage in 2022: the singer throws the horns at centre, a guitarist and a bassist flank the drum riser, and a crowd of raised hands fills the foreground.

The Power Metal Ballads, and What They Do on an Album

Julien Vasseur · Oct 23, 2026

Gamma Ray at Dong Open Air 2015: two guitarists stand side by side at the front of the stage, one with a Flying V and one with a white guitar, in blue stage light with the drum kit behind them.

The Best Power Metal Songs

Julien Vasseur · Oct 21, 2026

Two members of Angus McSix on stage at Rockharz Open Air 2023: a guitarist smiles beside a microphone stand while the singer in gold armour sings into a handheld microphone.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 2020s So Far

Julien Vasseur · Oct 20, 2026

Powerwolf singer Attila Dorn on a cathedral-themed stage riser amid fire and smoke at OVO Arena Wembley, March 2026

Why Is Power Metal Hated?

Julien Vasseur · Oct 19, 2026

Kamelot singer Tommy Karevik sings into a handheld microphone with one hand raised, in front of stage haze, at the Masters of Rock festival in Vizovice, Czech Republic, 2018.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 2010s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 18, 2026

Avantasia at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2008: frontman Tobias Sammet at centre stage, microphone in one hand and the other arm raised, with a guitarist and the rest of the band playing behind him.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 2000s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 17, 2026

Alestorm performing on the main stage at Hellfest 2022, with their inflatable duck and a pirate-ship backdrop

Pirate Metal: From Under Jolly Roger to the Tavern Singalong

Julien Vasseur · Oct 16, 2026

A singing guitarist of Running Wild at a microphone in a bandana and a studded black jacket with gold trim, a burst of flame behind him and the band's skull-and-crossbones backdrop at the right edge of the stage

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 90s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 15, 2026

Manilla Road on stage at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, October 2017: the singer leans into the microphone with both arms thrown open, a guitarist at the left and the drummer under a skull-and-crossbones backdrop at the right.

The Best Power Metal Albums of the 80s

Julien Vasseur · Oct 14, 2026

A Stratovarius guitarist playing a white guitar on stage, the band's name on the backdrop behind him

The Key Change: Power Metal's Favourite Trick

Julien Vasseur · Oct 13, 2026

Michael Kiske singing centre stage with Helloween live, backed by a castle-themed video screen

Keeper of the Seven Keys and the Birth of a Genre

Julien Vasseur · Oct 10, 2026

Powerwolf singer Attila Dorn in face paint, holding a microphone stand shaped like a cross, Sweden Rock Festival 2019

Is Sabaton a Christian Band? Faith, Powerwolf's Mass and Religion in Power Metal

Julien Vasseur · Oct 8, 2026

Hail of Bullets guitarist headbanging mid-riff on stage, red stage light behind him

Bands Like Sabaton

Julien Vasseur · Oct 5, 2026

Dream Evil performing at Sweden Rock Festival 2024 in front of their backdrop banner

The Swedish Power Metal Bands

Julien Vasseur · Oct 3, 2026

HammerFall singer Joacim Cans performing live in front of the band's shield emblem backdrop

The Power Metal Band Logos, from Gothic Script to Chrome

Julien Vasseur · Oct 1, 2026

Herman Li and Sam Totman of DragonForce playing guitars live at the Forum, London, November 2019

Guitar Hero and Power Metal: The Song That Crossed the Atlantic

Julien Vasseur · Sep 28, 2026

Sabaton, the five members standing in a city alley, 2025

What Genre Is Sabaton?

Julien Vasseur · Sep 25, 2026

A guitarist of Luca Turilli's Rhapsody looking down at a pale electric guitar in blue stage light, one hand at the bridge and the other on the fretboard, fret markers running up the neck

Power Metal Guitarists, Sweep Picking and the Shred Tradition

Julien Vasseur · Jun 3, 2026

A festival crowd seen from behind, fists and horns raised, the lit stage and pyrotechnics beyond them

The Power Metal Underground and Its Fans

Julien Vasseur · May 28, 2026

Gamma Ray guitarists Kai Hansen and Henjo Richter playing side by side under red and amber stage light

The Visual Language of Power Metal: Covers, Logos and Symbols

Julien Vasseur · May 21, 2026