Editing Power metal (section)

===European style===
{{Listen|filename=Rhapsody_-_Wisdom_of_the_Kings_(clip).ogg|title=Rhapsody - Wisdom of the Kings (sample)|description=A brief sample of the track 'Wisdom of the Kings' from ''[[Symphony of Enchanted Lands]]'', the second album of band [[Rhapsody of Fire|Rhapsody]] illustrates European stylings as well as aspects of [[symphonic power metal]]}}

[[File:Rhapsody_Buenos_Aires_2010.JPG|thumb|Italian band [[Rhapsody of Fire]] performing in Buenos Aires in 2010]]
European power metal originated from [[speed metal]] and the [[new wave of British heavy metal|NWOBHM]], emerging in late 1980s, particularly in Germany, with [[Helloween]], [[Running Wild (band)|Running Wild]], [[Rage (German band)|Rage]], [[Grave Digger (band)|Grave Digger]], and [[Blind Guardian]]. The second and third Helloween albums; ''[[Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I]]'' (1987) and ''[[Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II|Part II]]'' (1988) are usually considered the first proper European power metal albums.<ref>[http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/p/powermetal.htm ''What Is Power Metal?'', by Dan Marsicano] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425112002/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/p/powermetal.htm |date=25 April 2009 }} (about.com)</ref> Alongside the early German bands came Finland's [[Stratovarius]] in late 1980s. These bands pioneered the genre, but took it in somewhat different directions. Helloween, followed by early [[Gamma Ray (band)|Gamma Ray]], mixed fast [[palm mute]]d [[speed metal]] riffs with high-pitched clean vocals, and with a strong focus on melody and uplifting, positive themes. Stratovarius further developed this melodic direction by making heavy use of [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], with lyrics dealing with emotions and personal issues. Blind Guardian utilized the technique of vocal and guitar [[overdubbing]] to create an epic atmosphere, with lyrical content strongly based on fantasy novels, myths and legends. The symphonic and neo-classical elements also found their way through power metal with bands like [[Rhapsody of Fire]] (Italy), [[Serenity (band)|Serenity]] (Austria) and [[Nightwish]] (Finland).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wang|first1=Albert|title=Albert's Beginner's Guide to Symphonic Metal|url=https://symphonicmetal.mit.edu/|access-date=2 November 2016}}</ref> At the same time, bands such as [[HammerFall]] simplified their power metal to bring it closer to traditional heavy metal.

Over the late 90s and early 00s, power metal spread over Europe especially as well as the rest of the world, often incorporating new influences. Italy's [[Elvenking (band)|Elvenking]], Sweden's [[Falconer (band)|Falconer]], Spain's [[Mägo de Oz]], and Denmark's [[Wuthering Heights (band)|Wuthering Heights]] integrated elements of [[Folk metal|folk]] music with power metal. [[Angra (band)|Angra]], [[Kamelot]], and especially [[Symphony X]] are known for combining [[progressive metal|progressive]] and power metal. Some bands are known for combining power metal with more aggressive musical forms; [[Children of Bodom]] were one of the earliest who combined elements of power metal and an early form of [[melodic death metal]].

European-style power metal became widespread in comparison with US style as of the mid 1990s, with numerous North American bands such as [[Theocracy (band)|Theocracy]], [[Borealis (band)|Borealis]], [[Forgotten Tales]], [[Avian (band)|Avian]], [[Pharaoh (band)|Pharaoh]], [[Circle II Circle]], and [[Kamelot]] demonstrating the style. This European style of power metal is sometimes considered the "second wave" of power metal since its spread was in the late 1980s and especially the mid-late 1990s rather than proliferating throughout the 1980s, and the widespread influence and development of the genre that came in its tow while US "first wave" style markedly declined.