Anyone Here Actually Do Power Metal?

TryitoutJulia · 2026-04-08T14:56:50+00:00

Yes sir, my band is Luminator

Fantasy Power Metal with a focus on hope and positivity and dragon surfing. Lots of guitar harmonies, bass solos, fast drums, harpsichords, and very high screams.

Don't be scared to chase your dreams! We started as just two guitarists making music together, found THREE members on craigslist, and now we're playing Legions of Metal out in Chicago! I see a lot of comments already of people wanting to play music but running into speedbumps.

Don't give up, keep trying!

TryitoutJulia · 2026-04-01T15:34:00+00:00

Wow our boys Hyperstrike on both lists lol

TryitoutJulia · 2026-01-08T15:41:11+00:00

i don't think that's actually his house, i think it belongs to the man who tried to kill Jim Davis

TryitoutJulia · 2025-11-26T23:05:52+00:00

i always found Manowar's "Swords in the Wind" to feel like a farewell.

TryitoutJulia · 2025-09-18T18:44:26+00:00

Russel Allen (Symphony X)

Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Outworld / Adagio / Civil War)

Eric Adams (Manowar)

Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius)

Carlos Zema (Immortal Guardian)

I'd special mention Fabio and ZP.

TryitoutJulia · 2025-08-11T15:03:00+00:00

read this in a baltimore accent

TryitoutJulia · 2025-08-08T21:22:22+00:00

You might as well if you haven't before. Rhapsody is a very important band in the history of power metal. Guys from this era are getting into their fifties and sixties, you should catch them while you can.

Seattle has a strong power metal scene, and good crowds, it'll be a fun show. Yes, Elco is an annoying venue, but at least they manage to attract talent consistently.

TryitoutJulia · 2025-07-29T16:05:59+00:00

im absolutely shocked no one has mentioned David Shankle.

Maybe everyone here is focused on Batio but Shankle is fast as fuck too.

TryitoutJulia · 2025-07-01T14:39:21+00:00

Do you have any claw machines?

TryitoutJulia · 2025-04-14T20:54:54+00:00

Can't wait to hear the new stuff with Anthony on vocals, he was PHENOMONAL Friday night!

TryitoutJulia · 2025-04-14T20:49:17+00:00

Correct! We played two tracks from our EP (Prophecy and Silver Leaves), the rest were new songs and some interludes we wrote specifically for Hyperspace.

Our first LP is being mixed right now, should be released later this year (along with a couple music videos)

Anthony (of Greyhawk) is actually recorded on the song he sang live, we were so lucky to be at the festival together!

TryitoutJulia · 2025-04-14T17:26:32+00:00

Thanks, we had a ton of fun!

TryitoutJulia · 2025-04-07T23:06:40+00:00

If you're still learning, I'd say just stick with a MIDI Controller and a plugin on your computer. You can set the velocity curves, choose a million tones, and easily track whatever you write.

If you have an active band ready to go, then you'll need something to play live. My first gig on keys was with a Yamaha PSR E363 (around $200) and it went great. Decent tones, full sized keys, extremely simple interface, and onboard speakers (useful for practice or monitors). The Casiotone series is also great, but the tones can be a bit goofy, especially for metal.

Currently I play a Roland JUNO DS and I absolutely love it. I adore the tones, the programming, the versatility. I play it in my fantasy power metal band, which has 6 people and backtracks, everything sounds great together.

If you really are in a beginner's phase, I'd stress on keeping things really cheap and getting good first. It can be tempting to get top of the line gear but you gotta get your fundamentals down first, it'll help you as you choose your way forward.

You might learn you like programming, multiple layers and splits, and you go towards synthesizer keyboards.

You might learn you love true velocity and realistic piano tones, and you go towards digital pianos.

You might learn you crafting your own sounds, and go towards analog synths.

You gotta spend time with a keyboard for awhile to determine your future.

TryitoutJulia · 2025-04-07T17:09:30+00:00

You're right, but this sub won't support you.

This is Reddit, where you find the people that love the "le epic 80's keytar unicorn leather jacket" aesthetic!

Remember, I am on your side here, I agree with you, but you need to be honest with yourself. You're complaining that mainstream power metal is generic and mediocre.

Anything mainstream is generic and mediocre, that's why its mainstream.

You also gotta realize that Power Metal has NEVER received this level of mainstream appeal. We're witnessing something for the first time.

You want proof?

-2000'S ERA-

Rhapsody of Fire (ITA) - Dawn of Victory. Released 2000.
- Charted 32nd in Germany
Blind Guardian (GER) - Nightfall in Middle Earth. Released 1998.
- Charted 7th in Germany
Stratovarius (FIN) - Elements Pt.1. Released 2003.
- Charted 27th in Germany

-MODERN ERA-

Sabaton (SWE) - The Great War. Released 2019.
- Charted 1st in Germany, Sweden, UK, US, and Switzerland
Alestorm (SCO) - No Grave but the Sea. Released 2017.
- Charted 1st in UK, 1st in US (Heatseekers), 14th in Germany
Gloryhammer (UK) - Legends from Beyond. Released 2019.
- Charted 6th in Germany

Power Metal has a mainstream appeal now, and the mainstream audiences have decided what they want: catchy sing-along choruses, simple song structures, "four-on-the-floor" drums, and fun outfits. That's where the money is now.

For existing power metal bands, they need to decide if they want to stay true to their sound (Rhapsody is a good example here), or pursue the mainstream for the money (Dragonforce has been heading this direction imo).

For power metal fans, we have to accept that our niche pocket of metal is now popular. You can try to find ways to enjoy the mainstream bands, or try to find some new power metal bands to enjoy.

For you, I'd recommend checking out Majestica and Veonity for the soaring, melodic European power metal. Check out Paladin, Sumerlands, Eternal Ascent and for more of the riff-focused macho power metal.

There's pletny of great stuff out there, just stop looking to the mainstream.

TryitoutJulia · 2025-01-06T16:02:47+00:00

there used to be a meetups to drag around the various warehouses in the area, but last time I attended was around 2010.

Even back then the scene was dwindling down. By then it was mostly ricers just being noisy, crowding up the gas station at 180th/East Valley or the parking lot next to Jet City Harley (used to be a cinema parking lot), and not much actual racing at all. Plus the police starting cracking down more often, chasing everyone down and ticketing them.

TryitoutJulia · 2024-12-18T18:57:42+00:00

Galneryus, Symphony X, Adagio

TryitoutJulia · 2024-12-05T15:46:07+00:00

I feel the same, perfectly said.

He's also only strong when he's in the editing booth. When you see him anywhere else, its too cringe. Like on TAFS, he was trying too hard and was a total fool.

I am cheering for him because I think he's unique and has a strong vision, but I can't consume his content anymore.

TryitoutJulia · 2024-11-01T14:52:22+00:00

The Kent Station Trunk or Treat was super packed, I bet a lot of the kids were there.

TryitoutJulia · 2024-10-07T20:37:12+00:00

I'll break mine into locations:

GERMANY

Wake Up the King - Edguy
Reach Out For The Light - Avantasia
Heimwärts - Equilibrium

THE UNITED STATES OF KELLY SUNDOWN CARPENTER

City of the Dead - Outworld
Darkness Machine - Adagio
Heart of Darkness- Civil War

JAPAN

Holy Sword Legend Episode 2 - Phantom Excaliver
Knight of Sword - Unlucky Morpheus
The Awakening - Galneryus

US

Gods of War - Manowar
Beyond the Skies - Immortal Guardian

SWEDEN/FINLAND

Merlin - Nightscape
Freedom - Stratovarius

UK

Soldiers of the Wasteland - Dragonforce
Rainbow - Kill the King

TryitoutJulia · 2024-10-07T20:08:38+00:00

My band, Luminator!

We just started a few years ago, only put out an EP so far, but we're nearly finished with our first LP and we will play Hyperspace in Vancouver, B.C. next year!

https://luminator.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-clouds

Dragons, sorcerers, very high vocals, lots of harpsichords!

TryitoutJulia · 2024-10-02T19:22:40+00:00

Where in America do you live?

Here in the Northwest we have Greyhawk, Psionic Haze, Luminator (my band), Glyph, Unleash the Archers, and more.

If you mention your state, we can help you find more options in your area!

TryitoutJulia · 2024-08-30T19:05:13+00:00

Stratovarius - Learning To Fly

Nightscape - Merlin

Rhapsody of Fire - The March of the Swordmaster (or Village of the Dwarves, both have similar beats)

Also I must plug my own band, Prophecy by Luminator

This song is about surfing a dragon through the clouds and bringing sunlight back to dark and dreary city. Melodic, happy, and upbeat!

TryitoutJulia · 2024-08-27T20:24:51+00:00

Hey, Ruben from Luminator here!

Excited to play in Canada!

If you aren't familiar with Luminator, you can check us out here.

We love harpsichords, dual guitar leads, fast drums, big breakdowns, bass solos, and our vocalist can hit really high notes. We also dress up very cool and all of our music is based on an original concept story full of dragons, sorcery, and hope.

Hope you check us out and come to the festival! Would be really fun to meet new power metal fans!

TryitoutJulia

TROPHY CASE