Omschrijving van power metal:
http://www.answers.com/topic/power-metalPower metal, as the term is used today, places primary importance on an "epic" sound, usually at high speeds and with catchy melodies. Whereas most rock lyrics focus largely on "the real world" - personal experience, historical incidents, social commentary, etc. - power metal often treats cosmological or metaphysical themes. Many power metal songs draw inspiration from science-fiction, mythology, and fantasy, and they tend to be more optimistic than most metal lyrics. These lyrics, combined with power metal's tendency for histrionic and high-pitched vocal performances, have led to some criticism of the style as overly campy.
Power metal vocals are generally "clean" (as opposed to the growling vocals that characterize Death Metal) and delivered by a trained vocalist; following in the tradition of Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford, power metal vocalists tend to sing in a high register, often in falsetto. Some singers, such as Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian, record multi-layered vocals reminiscent of Queen. Because of the primary importance of vocals in power metal, vocalists generally do not double as guitarists as in other styles of metal.
Power metal guitarists and bassists generally play rapid streams of notes, but change chords comparatively slowly, with a harmonic tempo of once per measure or slower. Fast and demanding guitar solos, however, are almost guaranteed.
Power metal drummers generally play with two bass drums for added speed, often playing a constant stream of sixteenth notes with snare drum accents on beats 2 and 4. Some bands defy this formula, but it is surprisingly universal.
Many bands also play with a keyboardist and a few, such as the Italian band Rhapsody, have been known to record with more symphonic elements.
This style is most popular in Europe, Japan, and some countries of South America, and has a growing popularity in certain parts of North America.