Power metal is a type of heavy metal music that mixes traditional metal with thrash metal or speed metal . There are two types of power metal. One comes from North America that sounds more like speed metal , and a more popular one from Europe (especially Finland , Germany , Italy , Scandinavia ) and Japan that usually sounds happier and usually uses keyboards . It is usually characterized by high, clean, melodic vocals, fantasy based lyrics as well as complex and fast lead guitar solos.

Some of the most popular European style bands include:

• Helloween (1984-Present) from Germany is one of the first, and most influential power metal bands.
• Gamma Ray from Germany
• Stratovarius from Finland
• Sonata Arctica from Finland
• Blind Guardian from Germany
• Edguy / Avantasia from Germany
• Kamelot from the U.S.A. but they are of a European style
• HammerFall from Sweden
• DragonForce from England
• Power Quest from England, frequent use of keyboards

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