The earliest influences of power metal are traced back to 1976 when the musical group Rainbow(led by Ronnie James Dio) released the track, "Stargazer". The track is widely considered the first power metal song. The genre achieved widespread popularity through Helloween's 'Keeper of the Seven Keys' albums. Helloween, with artists Blind Guardian and Stratovarius, are considered the pioneers of the genre.
Power Metal is often divided between two types. Helloween and Blind Guardian led the more guitar orientated power metal (see speed metal), while Stratovarius set the tone for a more melodic variant of the genre. These two streams of power metal are not too far apart and power metal bands are very commonly seen with influences from both types. American Power Metal acts are more often of the guitar orientated type, while in Europe both streams are well represented.
The early 90's saw the rise of the bands Gamma Ray, Angra and Iced Earth, which still have a solid fan base today. In 1997 the genre's popularity experienced a big boost by Hammerfall, Rhapsody and Edguy all releasing debut albums. At the turn of the century, the genre gained even more popularity due to the rise of mainstream acts like Nightwish and Dragonforce.
The general aspects of power metal are fast drums and fast bass riffs, often in 16'th or 8'th notes, but a slow change of guitar chords, resulting in an harmonic sound. Guitar solo's are present in virtually every song. Most power metal bands make use of a keyboard. This is more often seen in the more melodic power metal bands, in which they are used mostly for orchestration. Most power metal bands have two guitar players and a vocalist who is mostly not playing another instrument in the band. Mostly power metal vocalists are male tenors singing in a very high range. Notable exceptions to this are Roy Khan of Kamelot and Joakim Broden of Sabaton. The lyrics are mostly about fantasy themes and glory and sword-era battle, though almost any subject is possible for a power metal band.
Key persons in the development of Power Metal:
Kai Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray)
Michael Kiske (Helloween)
Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards)
Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance)
Andre Matos (ex-Angra, ex-Shaman)
Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards)
In USA, the term was originally used somewhat differently and referred to the bands that would have been described as "speed metal" in modern terminology. See American power metal.
Walk
Pantera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One step from lashing out at you
You want in, to get under my skin and call yourself a friend
I've got more friends like you, what do I do?
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Run your mouth when I'm not around, it's easy to achieve
You cry to weak friends that sympathize
Can you hear the violins playing your song?
Those same friends tell me your every word
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk, are you talkin' to me?
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
No way, punk
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk, are you talkin' to me?
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Walk on home, boy
The lyrics to Pantera's song "Walk" are a powerful expression of frustration and isolation. The singer is easily bothered by persistence and feels one step away from lashing out at those who try to get under their skin and call themselves a friend. The singer acknowledges having more friends like these and questions what they should do. The repeated refrain of "Respect, walk" emphasizes the need for respect and boundaries, telling individuals to be themselves, by themselves, and stay away from the singer. The lesson learned in life is to know when to walk away from individuals who do not respect boundaries.
The song is a commentary on the lack of standards in society and the need for individuals to be true to themselves. The singer questions what it takes, who they are, where they have been, and where they belong. The lyrics suggest that being oneself is more important than trying to be someone they are not. The violins playing signify that the individual cries to their weak friends who sympathize with them, while those same friends tell the singer every word. The frustrating and isolating experience of having friends who are not true friends is not something new and has been known since the dawn of time.
There are several interpretations of the lyrics to "Walk." One interpretation is that the song is about the music industry and the pressure for musicians to conform to a certain image. Another interpretation is that the song is about personal boundaries and respecting those boundaries. The repetition of "Respect, walk" is a powerful reminder that individuals need to respect one another's boundaries and be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see I'm easily bothered by persistence?
I am easily irritated by persistent people.
One step from lashing out at you
I am very close to getting angry with you.
You want in, to get under my skin and call yourself a friend
You want to be my friend, but your true intention is to annoy me.
I've got more friends like you, what do I do?
I already have many annoying friends like you, what should I do with you?
Is there no standard anymore?
Have our values degraded so much that there are no standards left?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been, belong
My identity, experiences, and beliefs are all essential parts of who I am and where I belong.
You can't be something you're not
You cannot pretend to be someone you are not.
Be yourself, by yourself, stay away from me
Just be yourself, without trying to be my friend, and stay away from me.
A lesson learned in life
This is a lesson that everyone learns in their life.
Known from the dawn of time
This is a truth that has been known since the beginning of time.
Respect, walk, what did you say?
Did you just say 'respect' to me?
Respect, walk
Show respect and walk away from me.
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me?
Are you addressing me? Are you really talking to me?
Run your mouth when I'm not around, it's easy to achieve
It is easy to talk bad about me when I am not present.
You cry to weak friends that sympathize
You complain to your weak friends who only sympathize with you.
Can you hear the violins playing your song?
Do you hear the fake sympathy that people give to you?
Those same friends tell me your every word
These friends of yours tell me everything you say behind my back.
No way, punk
Absolutely not, you punk.
Walk on home, boy
Just get out of here and go back home.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rex Brown, Philip Anselmo, Darrell Lance Abbott, Vincent Paul Abbott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JohnSmith-mk1rj
I saw them on the Far Beyond Driven tour at Roseland in NYC.
Every song was a classic. Not one wasted guitar riff.
Also one of the most violent show I've ever seen in my life. Crowbar opened, and as soon as they went off (they were ok, but this is like a band opening for Slayer. No one comes to see YOU), shit started up. Circles began clearing.
And then when the lights went down, it was just on.
They dragged out the first body on a stretcher when the first guitar solo started. That quick.
And I lost count before the end. at least 9, perhaps as many as 12 with various broken things.
The crowd was lit.
The only show I can compare it to was the Cro-Mags, who I saw at the Ritz with Voi Vod and...Venom, believe it or not.
The thing about the Cro Mags is that they're a skinhead band, and the skinheads turned up in mad numbers to see them.
They came to fuck shit up, and the Cro Mags played the entire Age of Quarrel record, front to back.
On the subway on the way home, I saw skinheads pulling the hairs off their big black mosh boots and laughing.
I made it out ok of both Pantera and Cro Mags, but not without a bunch of bruises. I hit the floor during just about every song at Pantera (I have long hair still, so I knew better than to pit with skinheads during Cro Mags. That shit is like, assisted suicide), but someone always picked me up quick.
I'll never forget Pantera, that's for sure.
At Roseland, the sound and light system was in the middle of the floor, with metal gates around it. People were getting crushed at the gate the second Pantera came on.
Those were the first casualties 🤣😂🤣
What a great time.
So very glad I got to see Dime before he left us. An unforgettable night.
Also glad I left my girl at home that night. I wouldn't have wanted to have some issue protecting her in that madhouse.
Roseland had a slightly pitched floor, which is great for people in the back, but when you're in the pit, it makes it easier to take a spill. I'll always prefer the Limelight (also cuz you could stagedive there), but like every NYC club, from L'Amour in Brooklyn to the Tunnel in Manhattan and hell, even Jimmy's Bronx Café in my hometown they Bronx, obviously (Fat Joe and Terror Squad w/Big Pun would show up there), I could actually walk there (or stagger. Either/or, it's all good) from my last crib on the West Side...
Every NYC club owner gets involved with selling drugs somehow, and they just get popped by police mad quick.
It's so sad saying goodbye to these places. They were all special in their own way. Stadiums blow compared to clubs.
EDIT: Sorry I'm a lil' lifted, and I can't spell for shit right now. I did the best I could, trust. 😂😂😂😂😂
@rdunnit66
Can't you see
I'm easily
Bothered by persistence
One step from lashing
Out at you
You want in
To get under my skin
Call yourself a friend
I've got more friends like you
What do I do?
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been belong?
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself by yourself
Stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk
What did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
Run your mouth
When I'm not around
It's easy to achieve
You cry to weak friends
That sympathize
Can you hear
The violins
Playing your song?
Those same friends
Tell me your every word
Is there no standard anymore?
What it takes, who I am, where I've been belong?
You can't be something you're not
Be yourself by yourself
Stay away from me
A lesson learned in life
Known from the dawn of time
Respect, walk
What did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talking to me?
Respect, walk
What did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
No way, punk
Respect, walk
What did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talking to me?
Respect, walk
What did you say?
Respect, walk
Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to me?
Walk on home, boy!
@djc5897
I love the message behind this song. Walking for 30-60 minutes per day can improve confidence, stamina, energy, weight control and life expectancy and reduce stress. It can also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, bowel cancer and osteoporosis. We need more bands like Pantera promoting healthy living.
@johndawson6057
@@abeerabalbeera i know that this is a ripoff but i just gave him a like bcoz of his time spent writing this.
@johndawson6057
@@abeerabalbeera what kind of app does that. And yes i know those types of apps but most do not work believe me i've tried.
@stuart207
Stfu bro just wAlk
@thelaughingman79
damn...you are the only one here to receive phills message.
@HeavyMetalBarpiano
Ehm... yes. I think this is exactly the message of this song. 🤘🎹
@emilymaxfield8726
My dad who passed away when I was young...apparently loved this band and it was his favorite. Now I know why.
@BugCombat
+Emily Maxfield He had good taste. Rest in peace Emily's dad. \m/,
@emilymaxfield8726
Thank you <3
@xfccgvbhcxcccvbggcd1216
I'm sure he is listening Pantera wherever he is now. Rust In Peace Emily's dad.