I honestly have no idea what prompted me to make this topic, but I don't care. Discuss all things power metal related here.

For a long time the only power metal band I listened to was Dragonforce, but today I was trawling around Youtube and heard some awesome stuff from two other bands that I've heard of, but never listened to.

First there's Sonata Arctica. Awesome band, they play a different style of power metal than Dragonforce, which fans call symphonic power metal. It's great.

Next there's Wintersun. Their shredding and overall instrumental sound is very similar to Dragonforce,m the main difference is that they have heavier vocals that remind me more of traditional heavy metal bands along the lines of Metallica. So don't expect any of Theart's patented ear-fucking high notes that forcibly penetrate the ear canal. "Glares angrily at Starfire"

So anyway, check 'em out when you get the chance.

Sonata Arctica:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h2SGIzjgXzI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=G1zkXdqcajk
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zbQZkqzh9p8

Wintersun:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=igkzTGsqMQU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tnhdJVh9iIY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lc4WFzl-6Xs

And my obligatory song lyrics post...

Burning fires, burning lives on the long distant roads
Through the lost mountains endless so far away from home.
Warrior soldiers forever, we fought long ago
We're all lost in the darkness so far away from home