Cookie Cutter Power Metal

Guest

I want to see if my suspicions are warranted. Do you think that modern power metal has become cookie cutter? I mean there seems to be a few main ingredients you need. A flashy guitarist, a soaring vocalist (female preferred), dynamic keyboards, an album cover with a fantasy painting......

I honestly would like to know if I'm off base on this, while I like a few of the bands, the subgenre seems a little samey to me.

Guest

101 Rules of Power Metal (borrowed from metalstorm.ee)
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1. You have one goal: be epic.
2. Let no sound be lonely. If there's a guitar solo, harmonize it. If there's singing, make it a choir.
3. Keyboards offer a way to add thousands of different textures to a song. Find two of those that you like and use them on every song you write.
4. In a power metal world, everything steel is good, and anything good must be compared to steel.
5. You are not bound to sing about Satan, evil, and/or darkness.
6. You are bound to sing about dragons, freedom, and/or power metal.
7. Remember how no sound should be alone? Same goes for albums. Everything can have a sequel!
8. You are allowed to be blonde.
9. Swords enhance your credibility and your performance. Be sure to carry one regardless of whether or not you know anything about using one.
10. Pick a theme and stick to it. Manowar are warriors of true metal, and they don't get to sing about anything else. Rhapsody has their Algalord chronicles. Hammerfall has their steel, hammers, and templar. Running Wild has pirates. Blind Guardian has Tolkein. None of them are allowed to sing about anything else.
11. If you have to sing about something else, put together a side project to do it. Avantasia is the perfect model.
12. Ballads are permissible.
13. That doesn't mean your ballads can suck.
14. The longer a song is, the more epic it is. See rule #1.
15. More solos means more epic.
16. If at all possible, be Michael Kiske.
17. If this is not possible, pretend to be Michael Kiske.
18. Your album cover should include at least one of the following: fire, steel, weird glowing magical items, irregularly muscular men, fists thrust into the air, weaponry, magic creatures (preferably dragons), or bright beams of light around somebody/something.
19. 'Grim' and 'necro' don't apply here; they just make you look silly. Now go back to singing your 20 minute epic about dragonslaying!
20. Power metal depends on power chords.
21. 16th notes are the only notes.
22. Unless you're singing, in which case you are not permitted to hold a note for any less than 2 bars.
23. Keyboards get solos, too.
24. If you can't be Michael Kiske, you can at least be Timo Tolkki.
25. Actually, don't be Timo Tolkki.
26. In case you didn't know, "symphonic" is synonymous with "epic." See rule #1.
27. Just because 300 bands before you have already done "epic," there's always room for more.
28. Songs come in two tempos: metal and ballad.
29. You are officially the only group of people who can refer to themselves as 'mighty' without being laughed at. Much.
30. Audiences need to be able to sing along. Make it catchy.
31. Sing in English, even though your fan-base will be comprised entirely of Brazilians, Germans, Japanese, Swedes, and Finns. See rule #30: if it's not catchy, it's harder to sing in a language that is not your first.
32. Play in as many bands as possible. More side projects and guest appearances means more epic!
33. Tight. Pants.
34. You don't have to detune your guitars.
35. Though you probably should drop them a half-step.
36. Unfortunately, you need at least two guitar players. How else are you going to have dueling guitar solos?
37. Keyboards may substitute for one guitar player, as long as they can solo.
38. Fortunately, you don't need a bass player! Or at least, you never have to use the same bassist twice.
39. Begin all songs with one big swelling chord on the keyboard.
40. Acoustic guitars are allowed. Sometimes.
41. It's not a tour, it's a crusade!
42. Layer your vocals, hundreds upon hundreds of times. Don't worry about them live.
43. Never use mundane words in your lyrics. Nothing is epic if you don't use words like "majesty," "glorious," "magical," and so on.
44. Wizards! You need wizards!
45. Although your costume does not require corpse paint, it will require a cape, lots of jewelry, and the aforementioned swords.
46. Unless you are Manowar, in which case you are too metal for clothing.
47. Come to think of it, don't be Manowar.
48. Wear armor if at all possible. Hammerfall can give you an idea of the variety of acceptable armors, ranging from leather to ring-mail.
49. Songs don't begin at full speed. Gradually work your way into an epic frenzy.
50. Hail true metal!
51. Acoustic guitars are for intros and bridges. Then crush them with steel.
52. Epic. Tight. Pants.
53. Higher vocals are epic vocals. Female lead singers are great for this.
54. So, male lead singes should sound like female singers. See rule #52.
55. True warriors can tell the difference between albums.
56. Concept albums are totally epic. Nobody will ever see it coming.
57. Liner notes must include pages of backstory, either of your epic saga of conquest over dragons and evil or of your epic battles with alcoholism while recording the album.
58. Drugs aren't metal.
59. Beer, however, can be served in all kinds of true metal ways.
60. "Flagons of ale." It's appropriate to your fantasy-riddled lyrics, and it almost looks like "dragons," so you score extra points.
61. Since you can't get away with grunts, growls, and other troll-like noises, you will have to sing.
62. Your accent will show as a consequence.
63. To compensate, sing about killing trolls. Preferably with the swords that you carry onstage.
64. More sequels = more epic. See rule #7.
65. Guest vocalists, guest guitarists, and any special appearances from outside your band will make your sound more epic, even if the track sounds just like all the other songs on the album with an extra solo.
666. Norsk Arysk Blak Metal! Rahhh!!!
67. Begin songs at half-tempo, and then, when listeners least expect it (i.e. at exactly the same time it happens in all your other songs) kick into full speed complete with double-bass and power chords.
68. Bass players: one note. Really fast.
69. But include one enormous crazy-ass bass fill before the chorus, even though the production will bury you so far in the mix that most people won't realize your band has a bass player.
70. Just because you don't play black metal doesn't mean you can't use Tolkein.
71. Whenever you short of ideas, pick up your Dungeons and Dragons books. You might as well be the first band to sing about owlbears.
72. Never leave Europe.
73. For purposes of rule #72, Japan may be counted as part of Europe.
74. Oh, and South America was colonized by Europeans, so it can count too.
75. Orchestras make a great addition to your album. Since you can't afford one, find a new patch on your keyboard.
76. If your live album does not have the crowd singing all the harmony parts for you, you aren't epic enough to justify a live album.
77. If you are European, use as many archaic English words in your lyrics as you can. Obfuscation is epic!
78. If you are South American, your lyrics should be closer to standard English, though nobody will ever read them.
79. If you are U.S. American, you probably aren't actually a power metal band. Sing about tanks, or something.
80. If you are Italian, write some lyrics in Latin. Your American fans won't be able to tell the difference between your Italian lyrics and your Latin ones, but Latin is epic.
81. Remember, shaving is epic, haircuts are not.
82. Entire albums must be recorded in the same key.
83. For that matter, entire careers may also be recorded in the same key.
84. Guitarists, remember: dun da-da dun da-da dun da-da…
85. Make your band logo very angular, but perfectly legible.
86. More than a logo, you need a mascot.
87. He need not be distinguishable from Eddie, but he does need to be on all your album covers.
88. At your first gig, if you feel a "rising force", do be sure not to get it all over your audience.
89. Record your best songs unplugged, and sell them as an EP.
90. Do not expect anyone to buy the EP.
91. Remember, power metal fans are not gay. They are just comfortable with their masculinity.
92. Sing along.
93. Don't get caught singing along.
94. Glitter is not epic.
95. Neither is body oil. See rule #47.
96. If you see a black metaller in the woods pretending to be a troll, see rule #9 and rule #63.
97. In your liner notes, thank everybody you toured with, even if they're Stratovarius.
98. Complain about Stratovarius constantly even though you've bought all their albums and listen to them more than anything else in your collection.
99. Power metal must be pure; do not mix it with other metal styles.
100. To repeat: be epic.
101. I ran out of funny things to say way back at rule #52, but any less than 101 rules would so not be epic.

King Of Kaiju Number of posts : 30892 Age : 63

I think it depends on your definition of "power metal". To me, the use of a female singer and choirs is not power metal, it's symphonic metal.

Also, there's a big difference between US power metal and European power metal. I see both Iced Earth and Rhapsody classifed as pm and those two bands are completely different IMO.

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Guest

I'm not a fan of power metal. Too........cheesy.

Metal, Movies, Beer Number of posts : 37656 Age : 53

When the "Power Metal" boom started up in the late 90s with bands like Stratovarius, HammerFall, Primal Fear, Iron Savior, etc., I was all over it, but it didn't take long for it to become stagnant for me. Nowadays, nine times out of ten if I hear a new "power metal" band I'm like "meh, whatever." I don't even remember the last time I was truly knocked out by a "new" power metal band. I've even lost interest in some of the older ones that I used to love cuz they seem to simply turn out new CDs that sound exactly like the prior ones, just with different song titles.

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Zooey Addict Number of posts : 17074 Age : 44

Can't argue with that list. However, despite the sameness of a lot of power metal bands, I still cant get enough (I'm like Ult with thrash metal in that respect).

Subject: Re: Cookie Cutter Power Metal Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:10 am

I think you are on to something there Spec.

Subject: Re: Cookie Cutter Power Metal Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:13 am

Quote :: Can't argue with that list. However, despite the
sameness of a lot of power metal bands, I still cant get enough (I'm
like Ult with thrash metal in that respect).

Ditto!

It is cookie cutter but I've eaten about 1,772 chocolate chip cookies from my Mom that all tasted the same. The next time she puts plate in front of me I'll probably eat them again!!

They have to be good at what they do but I find enough differences between the GOOD bands to find pure joy always!!

Metal is Forever Number of posts : 5704 Age : 49

flower metal is totally cookie-cutter

Administrator Number of posts : 19452 Age : 57

Temple of Blood wrote:: flower metal is totally cookie-cutter

Flower metal! LOL!

Think that will be my two word review for the latest Kamelot CD.

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Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 4077 Age : 51

Temple of Blood wrote:: flower metal is totally cookie-cutter

Now THAT'S the TOB I've come to love!

So is Pagans Mind PM?

Guest

I am a Dream Evil fan and consider them to be power metal and their song "My Number One" from United is one of the most original songs I have heard from a power metal band. Just good stuff.

Bukkake Tsunami Number of posts : 25557 Age : 52

While there are a few stand-outs, power metal seems too cookie-cutter for my tastes. There are always exceptions to the rule, but I try to be a little more selective when purchasing any power metal these days. I went through a phase were I was snapping up any and all power metal I could find, becasue it was all new to me. But as the excitement wore off, I found myself listening to stuff that I couldn't tell who they were anymore. It was all blending together. Soaring vocals, double-base drums, ripping solos. All quality musicianship, but ultimately unmemorable.

Master Sailboat Number of posts : 9301 Age : 45

i think it is very cookie cutter these days, but alot of people feel the same way about death or black metal. i guess it's just about which appeals to you more.

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Cookie Cutter Power Metal MNxjcKm

Metal student Number of posts : 162 Age : 38

Well, I'm a pretty big power metal fan, but I to admit that there are alot of bands that basically copy each other.

I myself however like power metal bands that manage to stand out.

I like Rhapsody of Fire for their unique concepts and well-orchestrated songs.

I like Dragonforce for their speed and bombacity.

I like Sonata Arctica for their emotional lyrics and social commentary.

I like Gamma Ray for the sci-fi style lyrics and Kai Hansen's playing.

I like Blind Guardian because I'm a gigantic dork. Very Happy

Guest

As far as the cookie cutter bands go I would assume whichever band (or bands) you hear first is generally the one you stick with. Dream Evil and Primal Fear were two of my first and I generally enjoy everything they put out.

Certainly the bands above are exceptions to this rule.

Guest

Power metal is as a genre is cookie cutter.

Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 4077 Age : 51

Eyesore wrote:: Power metal is as a genre is cookie cutter.

Subject: Re: Cookie Cutter Power Metal Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:43 pm

Power cutter is a cookie genre

Metal, Movies, Beer Number of posts : 37656 Age : 53

Mmmmm, cookies.

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Subject: Re: Cookie Cutter Power Metal Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:37 pm

Quote :: flower metal is totally cookie-cutter

How did I know you'd chime in, smiley!! Razz

Zooey Addict Number of posts : 17074 Age : 44

Lets face it, no matter the genre (modern power, speed, thrash, death, black, etc.) all metal has become cookie cutter in one way shape or form. For every origional sounding band there are four or five copy cats. Power metal is just the one that seems to get the most flack apart from black metal and metalcore

Metal is Forever Number of posts : 5704 Age : 49

DallasBlack wrote:: Lets face it, no matter the genre (modern power, speed, thrash, death, black, etc.) all metal has become cookie cutter in one way shape or form. For every origional sounding band there are four or five copy cats. Power metal is just the one that seems to get the most flack apart from black metal and metalcore

True.

Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 4077 Age : 51

DallasBlack wrote:: ......apart from black metal and metalcore

SO TRUE....BACK OFF THE CORE AND BLACK! Don't say it TOB!!!!?

Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 2793 Age : 65

Yeah. I just can't love it the way I once did. A lot of it just sounds the same to me. It's better having too much than not enough though. I still love it but I'm really fussy about spending on it at this point.

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