15 Great Lesser Known Power Metal Albums

More or less, every Power Metal fan is accustomed to bands like Blind Guardian, Helloween, Stratovarius, Sabaton etc. Since we are talking about a genre with almost 40 years of existence however, there are hundreds if not thousand bands that have recorded at least one album in that genre to the point that it is almost impossible to not have missed a potential favorite. From Metal veterans that listen to this music from Helloween’s first steps back in the 80s, to newer fans that have just started witnessing its magic, this list is dedicated to everyone that either wants to discover some older stuff or remember some of their favorite moments.  To add a few clarifications: 

• We will not include newer releases in this article due to the sheer amount of albums we already have to cover
• We will limit ourselves to one album per band
• Bands in the article range from underground to well-known for people following the genre. Inclusion does not mean a band is not known or without its contribution in the scene. 

So sit back, grab your favorite drink and enjoy! 

1) Heaven’s Gate – In Control (1989)

I can sing praises about Sascha Paeth all day. From this band that was active until 1999, to his contribution in bands like Epica, Kamelot, Rhapsody among many others as a producer and his current role in Avantasia. Sascha is responsible for a big portion of Power Metal’s outputs and the genre would not be the same without him. Unless I am mistaken, In Control marks his debut in the metal world and we are talking about a masterpiece that is not far from Helloween’s Keepers in terms of everything. Thomas Rettke has an amazing voice that can reach very high notes and he would have made wonders had he not retired from metal so early. Tracks like In Control, Surrender and Tyrants are impossible to come by today and are a must hear for any Metal fan in general. Finally, despite its release date, In Control has an amazing production that allows it to be easily enjoyed today at its fullest. 

2) Domine – Dragonlord (1999)

Time for some epic Power Metal with Domine, a band that is still active with some scarce live performances but have not released new music since 2007. Dragonlord is my favorite point of their discography, it is epic without being cheesy, it is metal, while Morby is great on vocals and at times he reaches unbelievably high octaves. My favorite song is definitely Defenders with its hymnic chorus, but there are many others to choose from, others more powerful and others lean more on the epic side. If you like the early days of Hammerfall, Rhapsody or Manowar then do not skip this one. 

3) Jacob’s Dream – Jacob’s Dream (2000)

Heavy/Power Metal with progressive touches that has something from Crimson Glory and Jag Panzer. Jacob’s Dream hail from the US, so their music falls on the heavier side compared to the more melodic and happy EU Power Metal. This album is very atmospheric and dark, for example Mad House of Cain is like it came out of a horror show in both lyrics and instrumentation. The same darkness is present in all songs to some extent, creating some of its best moments in Kinescope, Crusade and Scape Goat. 

4) Rough Silk – Mephisto (1997)

We have something very unique here. Mephisto’s melodic Heavy/Power Metal approach is something I have not come across somewhere else. First, the album is not very fast but at the same time it sounds very upbeat. When it decides to get heavy, it gets HEAVY, courtesy of its edgy guitars that generate powerful riffs like that of the title track, My Last Farewell and Glissando. Keyboards play an important role, but are not there to create an epic background,  instead it is familiar to the sound of Savatage and Queen! On their slower moments, the result is magnificent and beautiful, with Subway Angel’s Caravan and Dust to Sand. Just press play and let Recall welcome you and introduce you to this masterpiece of an album.   

5) Scanner – Ball of the Damned (1996)

Scanner recently accompanied us with new music, but I want to stand on Ball of the Damned, their most Power Metal moment. Beefy guitars and great leads? Check! Amazing choruses? Check! Epic moments? Check! An incredible cover of Queen’s Innuendo? Check! It is not too much to say that Balls of the Damned reminded me of Blind Guardian’s Imaginations album on some parts. In the welcoming Puppet on a String the band collaborates with Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex. Gamma Ray) for a classic PM song. Frozen Under the Sun and We Start it Tomorrow start great until they blow out of the roof when their chorus starts. Tollshocked has unforgettable vocal lines and destroys everything, with the title track being a great atmospheric and story-centered track. Regarding the mentioned Innuendo, it blends naturally with the rest of the tracklist. If you didn’t know it was Queen’s composition, you wouldn’t understand it was a cover.    

6) Virgin Steele – Invictus (1998)

We have temporarily entered into a very known band’s territory, Virgin Steele are not lesser known at all, but in all honesty they are now a ghost of their past selves. They have not released something worth bothering with for one or two decades, they hardly tour now and newer fans may have missed what used to be one the most important Metal bands when they were on their prime. Virgin Steele are not far from Manowar, Savatage’s Gutter Ballet and Warlord sound, while David DeFeis’ vast vocal range combined with some dramatic compositions are the main attraction. As the band themselves have characterized some of their later albums, I would describe Invictus as a Barbaric-Romantic opera with themes of ancient history. There are moments that it is direct like the title track and others like it is a part of a play like Sword of the Gods. Finally, how many songs of the genre can claim that they are better than A Shadow of Fear? Regardless of your opinion on today’s Virgin Steele, Invictus is a classic and should not be left out by any informed Metal library.  

7)  Tad Morose – Modus Vivendi (2003)

In terms of Power Metal, Tad Morose in Modus Vivendi is as heavy as it gets. You press play, a small Egyptian melody starts, then the instruments make brief appearances, until ultimately Anubis really kicks in with a riff heavier than a boulder, strong drumming and the incredible voice of Urban Breed completing the puzzle. Backing vocals’ limited use adds to the atmosphere of the song, to create a moment that will make you mutter it in your sleep. If you believe Modus Vivendi stops there, you will reconsider once Anubis gives its place to No Mercy. Regardless of the tempo Tad Morose play in, all songs share the same heaviness, epicness and quality. There is no need for highlights as all songs could be mentioned here. If you miss the heavy side of Power Metal and venerate Iced Earth during the 90s, Modus Vivendi is an essential visit. 

8) Lost Horizon – Awakening the World (2001)

Do you like speedy songs and vocals that can reach the highest of notes? If yes, then seek no further. Lost Horizon have only released two albums, but even with a brief appearance, they really managed to make an impression. Daniel Heiman shines with his supersonic screams, he is one the greatest Metal vocalists out there, but his very limited presence in discography did not give him the chance to claim that title. Awakening the World has some very fast songs like the fully energetic Sworn in the Metal Wind and its face-melting solo session. When the band goes slower, the result is also good like in Kingdom of My Will. What I also like is that the vibes of this record are always very positive and uplifting. Another credit that must be given is in the solos. When some bands play very fast songs, sometimes they end up super technical and lack feeling, but Lost Horizon do not fall into that trap. 

9) Wuthering Heights – The Shadow Cabinet (2006)

Wuthering Heights are a Power firstly, Folk secondly band and this album is their most powerful release. Here we have perhaps the best performance of Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors, Lion’s Share, ex. Civil War). Compositions are adventurous and do not necessarily follow any specific structure, orchestrations are great and songs are fast & heavy. Demon Desire is an excellent start that gives you an idea of what follows. Tracks like Snow, I Shall not Yield and Capre Noctum are one of my all time favorites. Your experience with Shadow Cabinet will vary depending on your tastes, but if you end up liking it, then prepare for something very, very good. 

10) Iron Mask – Hordes of the Brave (2005)

Iron Mask and Magic Kingdom are both children of Dushan Petrossi, a virtuoso guitarist in the footsteps of Yngwie Malmsteen. They are similar bands with the first focusing more on classic Power Metal while the latter’s focus is on Symphonic PM. I personally see a small decline in the more recent work of Dushan, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that he has also released some great albums in the past. In Hordes of the Brave now, obviously the guitarwork is on high levels but fortunately it does not try to steal the spotlight by being the main focus. What makes this album worthwhile are the great compositions that vary in style between them. Holy War is an in your face moment full of double bass drums and heavy riffs. Invisible Empire and High in the Sky are very melodic and we have an amazing hymn in the song Alexander the Great. Finally, ballad lovers will be delighted to hear My Eternal Flame. It is not that Hordes of the Brave is unmissable or the best introduction point for PM, but if you are caught up with the basics and are in the search for a quality album with songs that stand out, then this is a safe pick. 

11) Brainstorm – Soul Temptation (2003)

What I miss about this earlier era of Power Metal are the edgy guitars and overall heavier songs. Brainstorm delivers in that area without sacrificing good melodies. They are not very far from bands like Grave Digger and Iced Earth (without the signature galloping riffs), with Andy having a more clear voice however. The songs are structured with sharp guitars and great riffs accompanying the vocals at almost all times, which lead to more epic choruses in a way that reminds of Blind Guardian at times. Highlights are the opening Highs Without Lows and the “Trinity of lust” trilogy that consist of the consecutive Shiva’s Tears, Fornever, Soul Temptation.   

12) Labyrinth – No Limits (1996)

Let’s dive into some Progressive/Power Metal from Italy with a band that is more known due to their follow up Return to Heaven Denied, but the debut is not without its charms either. At vocals you may recognize Fabio Lione (Angra, ex. Rhapsody) with whom the band’s leader Olaff Thorsen collaborated also on Vision Divine for four albums. For bands like that, the main attraction is not the aggressiveness of the songs but the quality and inspiration behind them and Labyrinth do wonders in that area like the innovative for that time use of electronic sounds in Mortal Sin, Vertigo and The Right Sign. Fabio sang quite differently during his early days but still did wonders, the guitars are technical and keyboards are implemented exceptionally. The overall result is very good and despite being overshadowed by Labyrinth’s next chapter, it is a rare gem that is worth every minute it lasts.  

13) Morgana Lefay – Maleficium

This band falls in the same category as the previously mentioned Tad Morose as some of the most aggressive representatives of Power Metal, with Morgana Lefay taking it a step further and branching even to some Thrash paths. Maleficium is an album full of darkness and is vocally represented by a total beast of a singer, Charles Rytkonen  whose performances are totally passionate and strong. The title track alone is enough to make even the more indifferent bang their heads. The guitars and drums hit hard during the atmospheric moments like Victim of the Inquisition and truly shine in faster ones such as Master of the Masquerade. Enter at your own risk! 

14) Arrayan Path – Stigmata

Those Cypriots will satisfy anyone that hangers for good epic Power Metal. They are mostly a studio band with very limited live appearances but are very dedicated to their craft, with nine records under their belt ranging from very good to impressive. Nicholas Leptos not only has a charismatic voice, but consistently creates inspired vocal lines. While their rest discography is definitely more epic, Stigmata occupies this slot due to its darker musical themes that suits them greatly. The album begins with Clepsydra, a great PM song. Bible Bleeds is good, sure, but nothing prepares us for what is coming next and that is Midnight and the First-born Massacre, with its riveting intro, lead riff and powerful refrain. And let’s jump to Stigmata, one of my favorite songs ever written with its melancholic vibes. A song that tricks you to think that its peak lies in the chorus, only to lead into a dark epic choir for an unparalleled result. The remaining tracks manage to keep the epic-meter high enough to keep our attention till the end, where the theatrical Storyteller resides.

15) Crimson Glory – Transcendence (1988)

Transcendence is not only a glorious record but one of the genre’s best. If not everyone knows this one, then everyone should and while not lesser known, the fact that it was released almost forty years ago makes it find its place here just to be sure it will not be forgotten. Unfortunately their vocalist Midnight (RIP) is not with us and the metal world was deprived of one of its best voices. He could easily hit those astronomically high notes and his performances were always very emotional. In Crimson Glory’s self-titled album you can find the song Lost Reflection, where he assumes the role of someone locked in his attic for years with a mirror to keep him company, and as he gradually loses his mind he goes insane for one of THE most breathtaking vocal renditions ever made.  On to Transcendence, that is not strictly Power Metal as it has many Heavy and Progressive touches and similarities with Queensryche and Fates Warnings. The whole band plays like a well oiled machine and is supported by a great production that lets each instrument shine. All songs are highlights but to name a few, the vocals in Red Sharks and Where Dragons Rule, the full of emotion Lonely and the instrumental fireworks of Eternal World are the first that come to mind.   

Pavlos Pavlakis

On behalf of Metal Domain