2019 - A Great Time To Be A Power Metal Fan

2019 has had a ton to offer in all genres of Metal, but one that I'm constantly surprised by is the sheer amount of fantastic Power Metal releases this year. While I don't think all of these are top notch, I've seen others give them high amounts of praise, so I've included them in this quick list to give everyone who may be interested in exploring the genre a 2019 road map of all things Power Metal.

Avantasia - Moonglow 

Avantasia have perfected their formula on their 2019 release and it's been sitting high among my Top 10 for 2019. Amazing vocal performances with all the bells and whistles of Avantasia's signature instrumental style collide to create their best album to date. 

Dragonforce - Extreme Power Metal

While not the biggest Dragonforce fan, Reaching Into Infinity showed me that Dragonforce were no joke and were capable of creating some serviceable Power Metal with their signature blistering speed and solos. Extreme Power Metal is no different, being a decent album with a ton of 80's cheese thrown into the mix. While not the strongest release this year, Dragonforce fans must be happy with the material they've been pumping out.

Elvenking - Reader of the Runes

A folky and more fantastical Power Metal album oozing with energy and personality. The heavy folk melodies with backing orchestration and catchy choruses are a recipe for success in this varied journey through mystical lands. While it doesn't do anything unexpected, Reader of the Runes doesn't disappoint at any point and is a must-listen for Fantasy Power Metal fans. 

Hammerfall - Dominion

Straight to the point, no fluff power metal from one of the old guards of Power Metal. Hammerfall have been in a slump as of late and Dominion seems like a turning point in the band's long career. It's powerful, big, cheesy, and overall just a pure Power Metal experience. There are some weak tracks like "(We Make) Sweden Rock", but tracks like "Chain of Command" and the title track "Dominion" make it all worth it.

Sabaton - The Great War

While I'm not the biggest fan of The Great War compared to Sabaton's other albums, there are some great tracks regardless. "Attack of the Dead Men", "The Red Baron", and "Fields of Verdun" are standouts and the album is very short, clocking in at 37 minutes, so while most of the tracks are on the weak side, they don't stick around for too long. 

Steel Prophet - The God Machine

Steel Prophet, with no relation to Iron Savior, have been around a surprisingly long time, with their first album debuting in 1986. The God Machine is fast, furious, and loud as hell. I prefer this to Hammerfall's Dominion for no holds barred Power Metal this year, so look no further for your dose of classic Power Metal.

Iron Savior - Kill or Get Killed

Speaking of Iron Savior, they also have one out this year, continuing their 20 year string of concept albums. This one is pretty run-of-the-mill, so if you liked Hammerfall or Steel Prophet, check this one out as well. "Roaring Thunder" is the track I keep going back to and the album as a whole has just as much speed and energy as its rivals.

Frozen Crown - Crowned In Frost

Frozen Crown have been averaging one album a year and their progress has been immense, with Crowned In Frost being pretty damn good for being fairly generic. This one didn't stick with me for too long, but it has a faster and rawer production than most of the other albums on here. The vocalist also has a pretty mean higher register, so if you want something more Rhapsody-like this is the album for you. 

Beast in Black - From Hell With Love

I hesitate to call From Hell With Love a good album, since it has a few very poor tracks and is overall a hook-laden, generic pop-metal-fest, but it's just done so well I can't help but go back and listen to it every now and again. If you like Battle Beast you'll be right at home here, with blaring synth over syncopated guitar riffs and infectious choruses. Look out for "Cry Out For A Hero", "Unlimited Sin", and "Heart of Steel" as the standout tracks and avoid "Killed By Death" like the plague.  

Ancient Bards - Origine: The Black Crystal Sword Saga Part 2

Ancient Bards released Part 1 of this saga in 2010 and now they're finally back continuing whatever story they had brewing. Origine is brimming with symphonic elements, a powerful female vocalist, and even some questionable harsh vocals. It wouldn't be Power Metal if the harsh vocals weren't questionable, now would it? This album is the full package of fantasy inspired Power Metal, and in terms of that style, is second this year only to:

Twilight Force - Dawn of the Dragonstar

Dawn of the Dragonstar is most likely my favorite Power Metal album apart from Somewhere Far Beyond from Blind Guardian. I've written a review gushing about it on here, so go check that out and just go listen to Dawn of the Dragonstar already. 

Gloryhammer - Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex

Gloryhammer had the 2019 Power Metal throne until Twilight Force showed up, and for good reason. Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex continues the tale of Angus McFife and the Hootsforce as they do battle in an apocalyptic alternate dimension. Gloryhammer have the best storytelling in Power Metal right now and are just too good at being completely over the top and silly that I can't help but love this album. 

Týr - Hel

If you want something very different this year then look no further than the viking powered Hel all the way from the Faroe Islands. The guitar riffs and licks throughout this long album are monstrous and are Týr's heaviest offering to date.  

Syu - Vorvados

Syu is the lead guitarist for GALNERYUS, so you know you're going to get some serious shredding. Vorvados is a pretty typical solo project with very dense production and many, many guest vocalists. Most of it is sung in Japanese and is surprisingly diverse apart from Syu's signature solos. 

GALNERYUS - Into The Purgatory

Speaking of Syu, Galneryus themselves decided to release an album of their own in 2019 and it's one of the most technically impressive pieces of Power Metal I've heard in a long time. The guitar solos, instrumental sections, and riffs in general are just insane and Galneryus continues to impress after 16 years and 14 albums, which is impressive in of itself. 

Turilli-Lione Rhapsody - Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution)

Luca Turilli (Lead guitarist of the original Rhapsody) and Fabio Lione (Vocalist of the original Rhapsody) team up for the first time in many years to produce a surprisingly fresh and powerful take on their signature neoclassical/theatrical brand of Power Metal. Although the album is Sci-Fi inspired, the synths, piano, and church choirs still come out in full force, creating heavy riffs mixed with beautiful melodies and harmonies, especially from their female guest vocalist. Who I just found out is lead vocalist for Amaranthe, which makes a ton of sense now and further expands the insane web of bands that are somehow connected to Rhapsody.

Let me know if I missed any you'd like to see, I did leave some albums I thought were on the weak side out of the list!

Looks like a great list!

One day I will give Power Metal a serious go. I might even devote a month or two to really delving into it and seeing if I can make the connection that has eluded me so far. The themes are right up my alley, being  a big fan of fantasy and science fiction. I just have a constant struggle with the lack of darkness and the abundance of cheese.

I forgot Turilli-Lione Rhapsody, fixed!