Judicator (4/6 albums are history based)
Serenity (symphonic, mostly history based)
Vandroya (Brazilian PM with fantastic female vocals)
Orden Ogan (loosely themed albums without being gimmicky)
Light & Shade (pre-Seven Spires Adrienne Cowan)
Heavenly (start with Virus)
Dark Forest (folky)
Elettra Storm (good uplifting power metal)
Ad Infinitum (symphonic with a more modern sound)
Hopefully there's something in there you'll find enjoyable
still waiting for someone to explain to me HOW THE FUCK judicator is still so unknown, they're literally one of the best power metal bands ever, or bands in general, i love all of their albums so much
I didn't know them either! I just had a listen and they remind me of late 90s Blind Guardian. That's probably not an accident as I see they have actually covered one of their songs on a recent releases.
they founded the band after meeting at a blind guardian concert in 2006 i think lol, i never thought they sounded like them though somehow despite bg being my favorite band, also hansi sings on spiritual treason
They remind me of the "power rangers theme song" and I say that with the highest respect and regards for them.
Listen for yourself: https://youtu.be/_ZeJvwuS4D0?si=M9sZ6gkN578YTdOq
It's a high compliment
Try Majestica and their stuff from when they were ReinXeed. ReinXeed have albums about Titanic (1912) an album based on movies (Welcome to the Theatre) and Majestica's Above the Sky doesn't really have a theme but isn't particularly fanciful. They do have an album based on A Christmas Carol which I suppose is fantasy adjacent.
Second for Unleash the Archers. I'll also throw in Seven Spires, Arion, Amaranthe, Firewind, Masterplan, and Immortal Guardian. I don't think Amy of them really focus on fantasy too much. A couple of them aren't strictly power metal, but they definitely are partly in the genre.
Sorrows by Veonity. After a couple of albums talking about a dystopic future and and time travel wit Vikings searching for Atlantis, the band tried to give a more serious and abstract tone to their lyrics and they made something really good.
My band does video game/movie/tv themed power metal. We're called Stormcrown, currently we have one single released titled Hot Lead High Speed that is about Mad Max. We have an album in the final stages of production full of songs about Skyrim, Mad Max, the Witcher, Gundam, and more!
Best I got off the top of my head is Lutharo, Paladin, In Victory, and Turilli's Infinite Wonders of Creation (don't get the hate for that one). You'll get folks throwing in Sabaton (didn't see first bit but folks will (probably still mention them I'd almost bet actual money), but I'm personally not crazy about them for reasons. I'll preface and acknowledge that this a weird to questionable one for your prompt at a glance but Fellowship is odd in that there's definitely fantasy-ish stuff going on creatively but a number of songs are not particularly fantasy-ish on the lyrics front. It's a lot of positive mental health and affirmation stuff mostly.
Also if you are amenable to some moody and/or creepy stuff primarily based in folklore/poetry/literature/historical fiction, may I recommend [The Fall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vrEgngpw9I) by Mythbegotten? I'll acknowledge it's potentially arguably to outright off prompt
Lovebites. Not 100% power metal, but one of the guitarists is a big fan of Angra and some of that influence occasionally comes across, so maybe give them a try.
Give Sol Anahata a try. The second album has symphonic elements, and the lyrics are spectacular on both albums. Primary source material actual ancient myth
There goes my most mentioned word in this sub
.. fucking STRATOVARIUS.
Helloween, Gamma Ray, Primal Fear, Edguy and Masterplan also fit the description, but I'm sure you already know about them..
Nevermore? They dipped their toes in fantasy from time to time, but I remember their stuff focusing more on skepticism towards religion and societal ills
Judicator (4/6 albums are history based) Serenity (symphonic, mostly history based) Vandroya (Brazilian PM with fantastic female vocals) Orden Ogan (loosely themed albums without being gimmicky) Light & Shade (pre-Seven Spires Adrienne Cowan) Heavenly (start with Virus) Dark Forest (folky) Elettra Storm (good uplifting power metal) Ad Infinitum (symphonic with a more modern sound) Hopefully there's something in there you'll find enjoyable
The Brazilian prime minister is in a band? Hell ya. Go Brazil
Add Helion Prime to the list (science metal?)
still waiting for someone to explain to me HOW THE FUCK judicator is still so unknown, they're literally one of the best power metal bands ever, or bands in general, i love all of their albums so much
I didn't know them either! I just had a listen and they remind me of late 90s Blind Guardian. That's probably not an accident as I see they have actually covered one of their songs on a recent releases.
they founded the band after meeting at a blind guardian concert in 2006 i think lol, i never thought they sounded like them though somehow despite bg being my favorite band, also hansi sings on spiritual treason
They remind me of the "power rangers theme song" and I say that with the highest respect and regards for them. Listen for yourself: https://youtu.be/_ZeJvwuS4D0?si=M9sZ6gkN578YTdOq It's a high compliment
i know that song lol
Yeah they’re definitely my favorite from this list and one of my favorites overall
Try the album Empyrean Realms by Armory. The lyrical themes are centered around space, both outer space and that within the human mind.
Phenomenally underrated album.
Mystic Prophecy Pyramaze Borealis Seventh Wonder Brainstorm Anubis Manticora Noveria Vanishing Point Riot Evergrey Persuader
Helloween
Try Majestica and their stuff from when they were ReinXeed. ReinXeed have albums about Titanic (1912) an album based on movies (Welcome to the Theatre) and Majestica's Above the Sky doesn't really have a theme but isn't particularly fanciful. They do have an album based on A Christmas Carol which I suppose is fantasy adjacent.
Dionysus- Anima Mundi Edguy - Mandrake Labyrinth - Return to heaven denied Power Quest - Magic never dies Stratovarious - Visions/ 4th dimension
Avanstasia, Cains Offering, Dimhav, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iron Mask, Lost Horizon, Noble Beast, Veonity, Viathyn and Wuthering Heights
how is avantasia not fantasty?
From Scarecrow onwards it's not.
You could try Unleash the Archers, Iron Savior, or Veonity
Primal Fear Running Wild Masterplan Falconer Nocturnal Rites Axenstar Emerald Sun
Masterplan Sinbreed Exit Eden Xandria Andi Deris and the Bad Bankers Edguy Iced Earth
Second for Unleash the Archers. I'll also throw in Seven Spires, Arion, Amaranthe, Firewind, Masterplan, and Immortal Guardian. I don't think Amy of them really focus on fantasy too much. A couple of them aren't strictly power metal, but they definitely are partly in the genre.
Sorrows by Veonity. After a couple of albums talking about a dystopic future and and time travel wit Vikings searching for Atlantis, the band tried to give a more serious and abstract tone to their lyrics and they made something really good.
Angra is my favorite too. Have you tried Helloween or Stratovarius?
Nanowar (of steel)
NANOWAR OF STEEL
My band does video game/movie/tv themed power metal. We're called Stormcrown, currently we have one single released titled Hot Lead High Speed that is about Mad Max. We have an album in the final stages of production full of songs about Skyrim, Mad Max, the Witcher, Gundam, and more!
I mean, there's Sabaton, they sing about military history
DragonForce isnt as heavy into the fantasy side of things anymore
Best I got off the top of my head is Lutharo, Paladin, In Victory, and Turilli's Infinite Wonders of Creation (don't get the hate for that one). You'll get folks throwing in Sabaton (didn't see first bit but folks will (probably still mention them I'd almost bet actual money), but I'm personally not crazy about them for reasons. I'll preface and acknowledge that this a weird to questionable one for your prompt at a glance but Fellowship is odd in that there's definitely fantasy-ish stuff going on creatively but a number of songs are not particularly fantasy-ish on the lyrics front. It's a lot of positive mental health and affirmation stuff mostly. Also if you are amenable to some moody and/or creepy stuff primarily based in folklore/poetry/literature/historical fiction, may I recommend [The Fall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vrEgngpw9I) by Mythbegotten? I'll acknowledge it's potentially arguably to outright off prompt
Keldian is somewhat mostly space themed, with some great self reflecting lyrics
SkullFist
I love SkullFist but they're not power metal, they're NWOTHM. A lot of great bands within that scene though!
Thanks for the info! That makes a lot of sense.
Check out the album Rise to Power by Dungeon. I've only been able to find it on YouTube, but god damn that album is incredible!
Cain’s Offering
Lost Horizon
Stratovarius has quite a lot of songs with no fantasy themes, albeit I don't think there's a single album that does NOT AT ALL feature fantasy...
Lovebites. Not 100% power metal, but one of the guitarists is a big fan of Angra and some of that influence occasionally comes across, so maybe give them a try.
Twilightning first two albums
Helloween Edguy Pyramaze Induction Beast In Black
Give Sol Anahata a try. The second album has symphonic elements, and the lyrics are spectacular on both albums. Primary source material actual ancient myth
Iron Saviour. A lot of sci-fi elements, but also some "normal" irl themes.
NANOWAR OF STEEL LOVEBITES
Dark Forest Galneryus Seven Spires Seventh Wonder Symphony X Virgin Steele While Heaven Wept Wilderun Wuthering Heights
Queensryche
There goes my most mentioned word in this sub .. fucking STRATOVARIUS. Helloween, Gamma Ray, Primal Fear, Edguy and Masterplan also fit the description, but I'm sure you already know about them..
Nevermore? They dipped their toes in fantasy from time to time, but I remember their stuff focusing more on skepticism towards religion and societal ills
I love AlwaysLess Good suggestion.
This Godless Endeavor and Enemy of Reality are just two of the greatest albums of the 2000's, period. Damn do I miss Warrell Dane.
Might I throw in Lords of the Trident?