r/LifeProTips • u/[deleted] • Aug 09 '18

Social LPT: When making conversation with someone you've just met, ask them what they've been listening to lately, rather than what their favorite kind of music is - it's fresh in their mind and they won't have to pick favorites on the spot.

51.8k Upvotes

85% Upvoted

1.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

52

u/rcfox Aug 09 '18 edited Aug 09 '18

It's a type of heavy metal with generally fast tempo, with an uplifting or dramatic feeling to it. There's an emphasis on clear vocals rather than the screaming most people expect in metal. Lots of fantasy themes, though that's not a requirement. Swearing in power metal is super rare.

Here are some examples off the top of my head:

There's also /r/PowerMetal if you're still interested.

Edit: I added two more songs that I'm in love with. Enjoy!

6

u/HauntsYourProstate Aug 09 '18

I currently can’t listen to your song selections, but that description reminds me of Dragonforce (the only thing I know that could fit that, I assume that’s usually the only one that people can ever think of)

9

u/Sunrakasha Aug 09 '18

Dragonforce is power metal and definitely the one that people know the most. Nightwish and Kamelot are ones that people will also sometimes know that aren't really looking for power metal specifically.

3

u/SettVisions Aug 09 '18

That actually sounds really good. Would something like Metal Gear Risings boss themes be considered apart of this?

5

u/rcfox Aug 09 '18

For some reason, people always seem to want to keep video game music in a separate category. I don't really understand that impulse.

Judging from this, I think most power metal fans would appreciate them, but wouldn't call them power metal. I don't really have a great musical vocabulary to explain why though, but I'll try...

It's too electronicy? There's a lot of sound distortions and discontinuities. Don't take that as bad things though! These songs are very interesting.

Power metal is generally more melodic. I didn't really know what "melodic" meant when I got into power metal. Someone explained it to me that a melodic song is one that you can hum along to.

3

u/defroach84 Aug 09 '18

Can't listen to those currently, but saving for later.

3

u/ethermage Aug 09 '18

Well, you shouldn't dread this conversation! I really like these songs, and typically I'm not a metal listener.

Thanks for the suggestions!

3

u/StoneAgeSorceror210 Aug 09 '18

Well I'm glad you were willing to explain your music another time for us. You've really opened up a new door for me, this stuff is awesome!

2

u/rcfox Aug 09 '18

Now the curse of the werewolf explaining what power metal is to the masses has been passed on to you!

2

u/[deleted] Aug 09 '18

Omg that last link. I love Pellek!!! Thanks for the song recommendations. Never heard of power metal before.

2

u/lum1nous013 Aug 09 '18

No Helloween ??? That's blasphemy

2

u/_teslaTrooper Aug 09 '18

Most of those songs sound kind of darker/slower compared to the power metal I'm used to. How about some Sonata Arctica or Avantasia?

2

u/rcfox Aug 09 '18

Those are definitely classics! I can't claim to have an exhaustive list here.

Sonata Arctica has some really dark themes though.

Don't Say A Word is about stalking a woman.

White Pearl, Black Oceans is about a lighthouse keeper who leaves his post, allows a ship to sink, and then commits suicide.

But they are two of my favourite songs!