Now, you may win a Grammy or get a platinum record or get inducted in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame or whatever you like, but if you ask me the true measure of whether or not you are absolutely slaying it as a band is if you can get in front of like 40000 people (total attendance was 75000 but some will stay at the tents or be at one of the smaller stages or be getting food) and play a song which at 30 years old is older than most of the audience yet is so well known and beloved that your singer is largely just for decoration because nearly everyone knows every word and every note and has the song so deeply ingrained into their heart that they can sing it mostly on beat.

Love them. Their album Nightfall in Middle-Earth is a masterpiece

Translation what he says in the beginning: Crowd: GUARDIAN! GUARDIAN! GUARDIAN! We always like to come to Wacken. (rough translation) I'd love to let you scream longer, but sadly we only have a little time left. And we want to spend that with music. I believe most of you know what comes next. It has been legendary here from time to time. I have a feeling we will top this tonight. Let's sing "The bard's song (In the forest)"! What he says between songs: YOU'RE F*ING CRAZY! Wacken! I nearly don't dare to say it... YOU'RE MORE EPIC THAN EVER! We up here had a great time. We always liked coming to Wacken. Sometime the time has come to move on. That time has come now. We'll see each other somewhere. LET'S GET CRAZY FOR A LAST TIME! LET'S LOCK UP THE GATES OF VAL(crowd: HALLA)... Hope this helps :)

Thrash metal at its core is built on the riff, power metal at its core is built on the chorus! Thrash will usually have more staccato picking and breakdowns, power metal will have more double bass drumming and harmonizing guitars! Btw, BLIND GUARDIAN is my favorite band by far, thank you for the reaction video !!!

If it makes you want to ride a unicorn while wielding a flaming sword against a dragon...then it's power metal :)

I was part of that crowd and it was truely a magical moment. Wacken 2016 overall is dear to my heart. It was the first time for a friend of mine (I already went there in 2013) and he was so excited during our ride to Wacken. And when we arrived we met a very cool group of people. We hung out during the whole festival - And even went to this concert together. We liked each other very much and decided that we would meet again in Wacken 2017. We became friends and went to every Wacken together since then. And our group has even grown over the following years. We will be around 20 people this year - consisting of people from all over germany. This is what the Wacken Family is all about and i cant wait to go there again this year and meet them all again.

Wacken is German festival, hence speaking in german. Power metal is Epic Metal w/ neo-classical guitars, and Dickinsonish soaring vocals.

Always down for more Blind Guardian!

Blind Guardian was the first metal band I heard that had fantasy themes. It really got me interested in discovering bands from other countries, and my life is so much richer for that journey over the years.

Vocalist looks like a CEO at a massive TED talk.. in such a good way lol

I am quite sure that you will have already received all the necessary information about this band and this festival in the comments, so I won't repeat it all now, but I just want to say about this band that they are a real institution in the german metal scene. They come from a fairly small town called "Krefeld", not far from where I live, I actually used to work at the Krefeld Zoo. But what I really wanted to say is that these guys are totally down to earth and adorable. No rock stars, but nice guys you like to have a beer with!

Traveller in time... masterpiece from the band...

Easily 70% of the crowd has never been on a Blind Guardian concert actually. But if you live in Germany and are on a metal festival there is no chance that you don't know em. They may not be your favorite band, you still like em. That's the way it is. (btw, I'm an immigrant's child and got introduced to em in my younger years by my friends. now 41 and still liking it..^^).

I was there. In 14 years of Wacken the best performance and the best concert of my life.

yup, it is basically a little crowd hyping before the songs... they are shouting "Guardian" to cheer for the band in the beginning and after the bards song , but with heavy german accent, so maybe that is why it is not as easily distinguishable ;) translation of the german bits: "We always like to take Wacken (the name of the festival plus the name of the village in which vicinity said festival is taking place. one of the biggest and oldest heavy metal festivals in europe)" "I would like to let you scream for longer, but we have to come to an end eventually. Unfortunately we do not have much time left." "And we want to spend that time with music. I think most of you know what is coming now." "It has been legendary a few times here before, ´I have a feeling you will be able to top these past experiences today." +++ Bards Song +++ "Wacken, I almost do not dare to say it, but you rule even harder than usually today." "We had a great time, we always really liked to come to Wacken but at some time you have to move on, that time is now. We will see us... somewhere" +++ Vahlalla +++ "Looks awesome, sounds awesome!"" "I think Marcus (Guitarist) has worked enough for now, so lets bring in Frederic (drummer)" "For that, you have to sing a little bit LOUDER" ++ le drum solo happens ++ "Gimme EVERYTHING!" "MEGA" **It is hard to understand the next words, even for me, so I left them out, also not sure about the last translation since I might have misunderstood cause of sound** "Sweep us of the stage!" Blind Guardian started out as more of a Speed Metal band on the first two albums I reckon, they still have some of these elements, i.e. in the valhalla song. speed metal and thrash metal are more closely related I would say, but sometimes the borders between genres get fuzzy, cause different genres use the same elements: fast 16th notes, often tremolo picked, often on the lower strings are a staple in thrash metal (leading to such jokes as "thrash metal song?" EEEEEEEEEE), frantic skank beat drums (with down beats on 2 and 4 usually) too, but you find them in Speed or Power Metal as well (or even Black Metal, Death Metal, what have you...). Power Metal I daresay feels more upliftgin and less aggressive, more heroic, often incorporates more major melodies or arpeggios, whereas thrash is more chaotic, chromatic (just compare a slayer solo to one from rhapsody of fire), although exceptions exist (take testament or Heathen as also highly melodic thrash metal bands with duelling or harmonizing guitars, which you will also find in power metal). IDK, sometimes hard to describe where the real differences lie. To me, feeling is sometimes even more important than the actual musical elements. THrash Band examples: Early Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Slayer, Warbringer, Heathen, Toxik, Vektor, Coroner, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction (the last three being our german "big three" somewhat) Power Metal Band Examples (her you could also divide between euro and american, just as with thrash metal, maybe even south american for thrash metal as well, which is usually much more punkish, gritty): Iced Earth, Rhapsody (Of Fire), Blind Guardian, Unleash The Archers, Dragonforce, Brainstorm, Hammerfall, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Powerwolf, Savatage. That being said, I am also not a big fan of Power Metal, but Blind Guardian are such good songwriters, even a grumpy old introverted extreme metal fan like me gets a tear or two when a few thousand souls chant "Valhalla" together. Magic moments...

Probably the only band that has to support the audience singing.

As my fiance always said: Trash Metal is anger, riff based, lyrics about present reality, on the other hand, Power Metal is happiness, epic tales and fantasy based lyrics. She always said that she loves her happymetal (she's a big Blind Guardian fan)

Congrats to your honest reaction! If you like Hansi's voice you should also peakminto Ayreon's "The Day That The World Breaks Down" or "Star Of Sirrah".

I heard power metal bands say why they're called Power metal and not just named after traditional heavy metal, NWOBHM or Thrash which they share a lot of musical similarities, is the chanting singalong choruses which were born out of Germany beer halls where they would sing songs. I think it's called Schlager.

Chorus most definitely continued at least 2h after the end of the concert.

Living legends! ❤️🤘🔥

Iv been a fan for years and I still need to see them live!

An epic Kaiya! As some would sing, "Kaiyhalla!" Valhalla really became one of the greatest crowd hymns. I was never a huge BG fan (just not into power metal). But they are perhaps the biggest name of the genre for all the good reasons. I first heard about them back in the 90's, when a friend told me there is a band that writes about Dragonlance. Yes, Wacken became the biggest metal festival in the world. But it's incredible to see how others grew with it, from the early 2000's until now. Almost unbelievable that something huge started so small. Each year has a certain theme, though. So it makes more sense to included this or that lineup, and it spices things up.

Blind Guardian are incredible! I got to catch them in Orlando, FL in 2015, they played a very long set and were just amazing. If you ever get the chance to see them, must go!

Great that you like the Band and the music! Greetings from Frankfurt in germany 🤘

Blind Guardian was the first band In ever bought tickets for myself! I've seen them on every tour since :D They never get old. I'm already ecstatic at the prospect of seeing Hansi with Ayreon this year.

thats the greatest meldodic metal ever. i began me journey with blind guardian in to metal. they are one ofe the best best german metal bands. for ever.

Valhalla is from their second album Follow the blind, which is still rooted in Thrash/Speed Metal. Power Metal usually has more keyboards, bombastic choruses, often fantasy lyrics. Some Power Metal can be quite cheesy. Blind Guardian in the beginnig were kind of a mix. If you want to hear the more Power Metal side of theirs check out "Somewhere Far Beyond", "Bright Eyes" or "Mirror, Mirror". Later on they even got a bit proggy with songs like "And then there was silence".

This extension started on the original hyped version where it happened. Back in 2009. Where the crowd just kept singing after they ended it. And they kept going until the band started playing again.

Blind Guardian formed in the 1980's, and those two songs are from the early 90's. I discovered them in about 1998, and I've been a fan ever since. I think it was 2016, when I finally got to see them live, here in St. Louis. The band is still around, and they released a really good album last year. 'Secrets of the American Gods' is a really good one to check out, inspired by the Neil Gaiman books. This is my first time on your channel. You've made a very good first impression here. :P

Great reaction. One of my favorite performances for both crowd participation and great music. Not knowledgeable about Thrash Metal but Power Metal is kind of direct off shoot of old school heavy metal and often uses fantasy themes as the basis of their songs. Blind Guardian considers themselves traveling storytellers, i.e. bards, and often use Tolkien, George Martin, and other fantasy literature as inspiration for their songs. The Nightfall in Middle-Earth album is a great example. Many non-English speaking bands will record English as it is the lingua franca of the world currently and allows them to reach the greatest number of potential fans. I know Tuomas Holopainen of Nightwish has said that Finnish is a very non-poetic language so it is easier to write deeply emotional and literary lyrics in English. Personally I find Finnish beautiful and love the few Nightwish songs that are in Finnish.

Valhalla was off their second album, released in 89. At that time Blind Guardian was more of a speed metal band. As time went on they became more and more straight up power metal. While they have some thrashy riffs (and songs) across their albums, they have never really been much of a thrash band. If I am being honest, their early/mid speed metal stuff is my favorite. Tales from the Twilight World and Somewhere Far Beyond are probably my favorite albums. Though its very different stylistically, Nightfall in MIddle Earth is right up there with the two albums I mentioned previously. Through all those years though, they rarely disappoint. One of the most consistent metal bands out there.

Blind Guardian is one of my favorite bands ever 😀

Nightfall in Middle-Earth is Power Metal + little Prog Metal vibe. The pinnacle of their album. IMHO.

Oh yeah Blind Guardian, they are probably my favorite band of all time. I'd definitely love to see more of your reactions to them, and if you loved these 2 I can pretty much guarantee you'll love their other songs. I'd suggest The Wheel of Time. And no, they have no songs in German as far as I know. Thrash metal is more about speed-focused rhythms, they sound less melodic, while Power Metal songs are more melody focused with generally lyrics about fantasy, but they can sound somewhat similar time to time.

I saw them live on the 27th Sep in Stuggart (Germany). For me as fan since the 90's It is always a blast. Next day I had an aching neck and no voice.

The lead guitarist of Blind Guardian (André Olbrich) was ranked number 76 out of 100 "Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time" by Guitar World. He is also ranked number 64 in Joel McIver's "The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists".

Walhalla is an very old song of Blind Guardian. On the first discs, they were actually seen as a speed metal/thrash metal band. Over the years, more and more bombastic, folk and symphony elements were added. Many singers of power metal bands have quite a high voice, Hansi is an exception. I really like the newer stuff of Blind Guardian, but I love the older ones.

in my opinion, thrash metal has the vocals in the same line in all songs, while power metal is more melodic both in the vocal parts and in its riffs. Listen to Helloween's "Eagle Fly Free" for you to understand better, many people consider it a power metal classic.

Blind Guardian have a massive world wide audience, and in Europe there are so many languages in just a small area of the continent, so English is easier, as they all learn English at school, so the crowd all understand.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH VALHAAAALAAAAAAA!!!!!

This is the band's anthem sung exclusively by the fans.

My all time favourite albums are the older ones "Tales from the twilight world" and "Somewhere far beyond", second one containing also cover songs like "Spread your wings" and Uriah Heep's "The wizard". Later on, their style changed into more atmospheric keyboard based music - still hard though. Most german rock and metal bands use the english language to get known more. BG are/were heroes in South America and Japan f. e. Great reaction btw

Power metal tends to be more melodic, symphonic and play more with tempos while often having a more "happy" sound. Also power metal very often have lyrics about fantastic things like fantasy, scifi, religion and mythology. But they are related, Trash, power, speed and heavy are very close.

I highly recommend the song Dante's Inferno by Iced Earth. Specifically the Alive in Athens show. That band actually does a collaborative side project with the lead singer of Blind Guardian.

Isn't it a really great one! You didn't catch everything - but you know how to get along! Thanks!

the studio version has another singer on it kai hansen from helloween and its awesome

Wacken is a German festival, that's why they speak German in this recording. But if you listen to their first live album "Tokyo Tales" which was recorded in Japan, there they speak English between the songs. So I believe they speak English to the crowd on all the concerts that aren't in Germany. But don't quote me on it, since I never visited one outside of Germany. These are two of their eldest songs from the late 80's and early 90's, so pretty much every fan knows the text in their sleep. They are fan favorites, so they play them every time.

@imakaiya If you like Hansi's vocals and want to see him outside his natural habitat (Blind Guardian) I can recommend Ayreon Age of Shadows from the Universe live.

Blind Guardian Is Love. Greetings from Germany :-)

Hola querida está primera vez que veo tu canal . Soy de Colombia he visto videos de bar song y se la saben en todos los países Colombia costa rica Brasil es increíble es la mejor bande pawer metal junto con. Sus compatriotas de Helloween

This is a nice Video. Blind Guardian hav alot verry good songs.

They are mainly an English singing band, but they recorded one song in like eight different languages and I don't remember but I would guess German was one of them. For further songs, Script For My Requiem and Mirror Mirror are my personal favorites.

i will see them next week on the "Rock Harz Festival" and i am so fckng exited

Surprisingly all their songs are in English. And I've heard a lot of European bands say they play their songs in English because we have a larger and wider vocabulary for them to write lyrics in and also the music sounds better with English lyrics.

Finally ! ! !

German such a beautiful language, I have no idea why people always see it as harsh.

Thrash metal is all about the aggression with lots of shredding, riffs, dry (often harsh) vocals and lyrics mostly around real world events. Power metal is more melodic with more emphasis on the vocals and the vocals themselves are clean. Power metal is about empowerment and it's lyrics are very motivational and often themed around fantasy, epic battles and conquering your inner demons. I listen to power metal allot at the gym 💪

Travelers through the Wacken area, nowadays report that it still echoes Valhalla...

VALHALLA! Deliverance.

You can watch this reaction right now on my Patreon for just $2 :) www.patreon.com/imakaiya See you Saturday! ♥

Basically the difference between power and thrash is the amount of cheese. The bigger the cheese puddle below your speaker after the song, the more power it is 😅

13:53 That solo line from André! 🥲👌

1:20 Well - it's Wacken. Wacken is the largest annual open air Metal festival in the world. That crowd - that's roughly 80,000 people. Blind Guardian are known for their great audience interaction btw. Many bands write in english because it does appeal more to international audiences - people in most countries learn English after all. There are a few famous and internationally successfull exceptions though - Rammstein for example. PS: Legend says that if you go to that field, close your eyes and listen you can still hear the crowd singing in the wind. PPS: Fun fact - the crowd is not entirely German. A lot of Metal fans from all over the world travel to Wacken and even though Europeans are the by far largest demographic in the crowd that doesn't mean they all speak German either - there are many scandinavians, people from France, the Netherlands, the Eastern European countries, Spain, Italy etc.

Valhalla is from their early albums, which were heavily trash metal inspired. If you want to check their full power metal works, you need to check the album Nightfall in Middle Earth! :D

most songs are in english, I do not know of any german songs from Blind Guardian , but there might be some... not too familiar with their discography TBH. The Wacken crowd is pretty international by now, that is also why he said goodbye in so many different languages. There are SOME bands that write and sing in german in the heavier genres, Rammstein probably the most famous one. Interestingly, they are much more successful in other countries than here ( Rammstein are an exception somewhat, they have also become VERY big in germany, but in the beginnings, say their first 3,4 albums, they were pretty unknown and small here, much bigger in the international business, played even small clubs, now almost exclusively arena shows). A lot of times german language does not work in heavy music. there are some bands that make it non-cringe, but mostly it does not work. I can not even explain why. Sometimes it is the subject matter, they try to get into Sturm and Drang type romanticism and poetic language and it just falls flat and other times it is indeed too "blunt" and gets in bad Rammstein territory fast. So I reckon most bands would find it embarrassing to write and play in german but international audience plays a role obviously too. One band I like that also sings in german is a old Black Metal band called Nagelfar, split up for a long time now. You could also they their lyrics are somewhat cringe, but for whatever reason, they get a pass from me for that. Helrunar would be another pagan-black sortish band, Nocte Obducte is another band with german lyrics, some Metalcore bands I remember have german lyrics (Caliban, Narziss, I think Heaven Shall Burn has parts or maybe even 1,2 songs as well? Idk, my metalcore days are long behind me by now), for the younger generation Eskimo Callboy or Callejon might ring some bells... so yeah, these bands do indeed exist, but they are a majority... for good reason Id say.

Between Power Metal and Thrash Metal is Speed Metal. Blind Guardian was a Speed Metal band in their early years and the Song Valhalla was part of it. A really great time!

Blind guardian❤

That's the best question ever, because there is absolutely thrash influenses in this performance. And this band complicates things further by starting out more of a speed metal band than a power metal band (speed and thrash at least to me is really close related) But go listen to let's say traveller in time by this band, and then south of heaven by slayer and the difference will be obivous

Wacken is a small village in northern germany where 2000 people live. One time a year there is an open air festival called WOA (Wacken Open Air) at that time app 100.000 people come to Wacken and join the party.....have you ever been to Wacken? ....no? better go there once in your life!

Valhalla is one of the oldest Blind Guardian songs, from the early 90s I think. The recorded version might disappoint a bit, because, well, quality. Blind Guardian's theme is actually fantasy, inspired mostly by fantasy books. If you look through their music you'll find a lot of familiar stories. :) Also, most German bands make English music actually.

Simply put: If you've read "The Wheel of Time; The Eye of the World" there's a scene in this with Thom Merrilin who's a gleeman, a bard, poet and another ton of entertainer tropes and he has crowd control to a level which always reads to me like *Hansi* bloody *Kürsch!* 🤣 Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

Power metal and thrash having the same vibe, lmao

BLIND GUARDIAN

Thrash = social rebellions, skateboards and mosh pits... Power = fantasy vocals and fast guitars & keyboards solos

9:18 you're right, there are similarities between Power Metal and Thrash. At least when it comes to the songs structure, most of the riffs, etc'. I would say that for Thrash, there is a much greater emphasize on aggression, or anger, even in the slower songs. And the Thrash vocals reflect that: while PM vocals could fit in Heavy Metal, Thrash vocalists are still more raw and angry (for the most part). And of course, the lyrics. PM will write a lot about fantasy, all sorts of epic/glorious themes, etc'.

Started listening to Blind Guardian around -95 and eventually saw them live in -02. Their first couple of albums were more in the vein of speed metal, but then they started drifting more towards the power metal style. The lyrics were always mostly about the fantasy genre with a few exceptions here and there. Favorite albums would the _Somewhere Far Beyond (1992), Imaginations from the Other Side (1995)_ and _Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)_ . Imaginations I would consider being their thrashiest album. It was produced by Flemming Rasmussen who also produced _Morbid Angel's Covenant_ album and three early Metallica albums. Dipped out buying BG albums after they released two duds in a row in the early to mid 2000's, but still check out their new stuff when it's released. There's three studio versions of Valhalla at the moment. The original from 1989, remastered from 2017 and a re-recorded version from 2012. All versions feature Kai Hansen of _Gamma Ray_ and _Helloween_ fame doing lead vocals on the the pre-chorus. This is the best studio version: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mbCWhrqWx5-Zc2w.html&pp=ygUXYmxpbmQgZ3VhcmRpYW4gdmFsaGFsbGE%3D

and if you like acoustic guitar one of the best intros into a death metal song is by unleashed where no life dwells/dead forever

bars song and Valhalla is considered blind guardian's classic songs always end its performance with both of it.the most epic album is nightfall in middle Earth but to me imaginations from the other side and follow the blind are my favorite albums by them as well you must be listen to.

On languages. IMHO, English is essentially the lingua Franca, at least in rock/ metal. Happy to be corrected

"I'm ready" I'm not sure you are ^^'

If you want some more crazy crowd interaction I suggest checking out BABYMETAL, in particular road of resistance live in Japan or Headbanger from legend 1997 apocalypse

For another song with great crowd interaction i would like to recomend Sabaton "En Livstid i Krig (live fron Gothenburg)" it is in swedish so remember subtitles (oh and the swedish phrase from the leadsinger i the beginning that song is "My friends, now we will sing together), also if you can get through En livstid i krig whitout sheeding a tear you are superhuman. Since you have watched Darkthrone i would like to recomend Nanowar of Steel - Norwegian Reggaeton (Nanowar og steel is Italian comedyband and this is them making fun of death/black metal). For me the difference between Thrash and powermetal is that Thrash is all about beeing Harder, Faster and Louder than all the others, while powermetal also can be that, it is more about beeing melodic and most songs has a fantasy/medieval theme, also you can sing the music (not just the lyrics), i don't think there are any other music style (pop music included) that invites audience participation more than powermetal (A good example of audiences singing the music is Sabatons - Swedish Pagans (the video from their 2019 Wacken concert is fire).

power metal has more medieval sounding melody than thrash

Power metal is basically really fast heavy metal, where thrash metal has a lot more punk rock influence. Power metal generally also has more of what you call clean vocals but it is hard to distinguish on vocals. If it sounds like Iron Maiden on crack -> power metal; if it is more like Slayer -> thrash metal

power metal=dragons and elves, Thrash= SLAYERRRR

An international appeal is certainly a big part of the reasons why some German bands perform in english but there is also a certain element of tonality in Metal. Using the German language with crowls, screams, vocal fry, etc. gives a song a certain tonality that might not always fit so well to what you want to get across, English is a bit smoother. Guardian sings mostly about high fantasy stuff, a Rammstein sound does not fit that well. Another important part, of cause, is idols and musical imprinting, when Bling Guardian started in the late 80s there where no German speaking Metal idols. And to be frank, I prefere my music in English and I am German, too.

the playing style of the guitars from the Valhalla song is more speed metal

Valhalla is an early blind guardian song when they where more of a "trash" band but power metal is really different . Also i might point out that european and american trash is also very different

Thrash is to hedbang together, do some slamming in mosh.etc. Powermetal is more like singing with your friends choruses in bar while drinking beer.

I don't think they have any German songs like Rammstein. Dimmu, to my knowledge, only has one album from Norway. But yes, it's medieval Nordic music. And you, being a female guitarist, epic. Hope you've heard of Kittie, awesome band! Being a drummer, this would be my dream.

Then listen to Mirror Mirror and Lord of the Rings also from Blind Guardian. because this two songs are also classics. And I think between Bard Song and Valhalla was Mirror Mirror. Becaus in the past Mirror Mirror was their last song where the fans singalong to the guitar melodies.

Well, Blind Guardian didn't adapt the song to the crowd, but vice versa, there is a video here on YT in which the crowd sings along for the first time, Hansi's (singer) reaction is surprised and also deeply moved.

You should listen demons & wizards another hansi's project but thrasher and dark

In this way.. Check out.. :"die toten Hosen, mehr davon, live, Hals und Beinbruch" (and See what the singer did at thi Song. ☠️😧)!!

You again. With one of my favorite bands from the past again. Hmm.

I've seen this in 2006. Too late

Try Valhalla or Journey throw the Dark. Those are Mose metal BG songs

The DIFFERENCE between THRASH METAL and POWER METAL is in the different style of Riffing, Drum Beats, and Vocal Style. With Power Metal you often get a fast, sometimes, galloping riff with an accompanied drum beat. You'll notice it when you hear it. It's unmistakable once you hear it for the first time. Think of how a horse would gallop, right? That's the beat/riff style you'll hear in Power Metal. Not always, but a lot of the time. Power Metal vocals are usually, but not always, in the higher, upper octives. Now Power Metal tends ro have certain themes in their lyrics that aren't ordinarily found in Thrash Metal. Power Metal tends to be more aimed at Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and songs about Heavy Metal itself. So if you see album covers that are of a Sci-Fi or Fantasy nature, it's more than likely Power Metal. Thrash Metal, which predates Power Metal by about 4 of 5 years (1983 as opposed to 1987 or 1988) is a bit slower, more chuggy Metal. The riffs have a chuggy sound rather than the faster gallop sound. You listen to any of the classic 80s Thrash bands (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Exodus, OverKill, Testament, Flotsam and Jetsam) and you'll hear if then for sure. Some of these newer post-2000 Thrash bands still have the chug, but play a bjt faster, and the overall sound field is wider that kijda hides the chug a bit...but it's still there. Thrash Metal vocals tend to be a bit harsher, more aggressive in their delivery. They can be clean or a bit growly depending on the band. Lyric themes are also darker than Power Metal. Often political, or about the darker sides of life...like drugs, war, death, suicide...stuff like that. I used to prefer Thrash Metal over Power Metal, as that's what i kinda grew up on, but since getting back into music hard in 2003, I have found that Power Metal is a bit more to my liking, as it's almost like what 80s Hair Metal would have evolved into had it not been killed off by Grunge in the early 90s. Power Metal got started in the late 80s by two bands basically...Helloween and Blind Guardian. Both from Germany I believe. Another big band, got started in the early 90s, by the name of Gamma Ray. Again from Germany. One of Gamma Ray singers quit in like 1993 i believe to try out for Judas Priest. He didn't get the job. So he started a new band, Primal Fear, that was almost a Judas Priest clone. There's one other major band that may have predated Hellowern and Blind Guardizn by a few years, and that's Grave Digger. I wanna say they got started around 1985 or so. Without looking it up, i think that's about right. But Grave Digger's music is geared more towards Medieval-era themes. And along the dark death side of them as well. Skeletons are on their album covers. Gamma Ray was Sci-Fi themed. Blind Guardian is Tolkien fantasy themed. I always say that if a Medieval courtyard mentral band had electric guitars, that'd be Blind Guardian. Their lead guitarist can make some really crazy Medieval sounds come out of his guitar. Primal Fear is more of a modern Judas Priest. They got started in 1997 with a new album coming out this year fairly soon.

About your language question … i dunno where I read this comment, but it was something along this lines "German in Metal works only with Rammstein" and of course other bands in the whole Neue Deutsche Härte (~Industrial'ish) spectrum. And it's quite okay with folky stuff. German as a language doesn't work that well with more traditional metal, like Blind Guardians Power Metal or Kreators Thrash Metal … it's language wise a mess, that won't really fit in.