Power metal is a style of heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with thrash metal or speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a later more widespread and popular style based in Europe (Especially Germany, Italy and Scandinavia) with a lighter, more melodic sound and making frequent use of keyboards.
"The Power" is an electronic pop hit song for the group Snap!. The song went to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts in the United States during the summer of 1990.
Written by Benito Benites and John "Virgo" Garrett III and produced by Snap!, the third single by the Frankfurt-based dance rap group was their biggest hit. Featuring a rap by Turbo B and vocals by Jackie Harris the single became a massive international hit first in Germany where it peaked at #2 and was certified gold then in the UK where it peaked at #1 on the UK singles chart for two weeks in March 1990 and where it was also certified gold. It then crossed over to the USA by entering the charts just based on import sales. After being released regularly in the U.S. it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on both the Billboard Hot Rap and Hot Dance Club Play charts. Finally it was certified platinum in the U.S. Jocelyn Brown, however, was responsible for the, "I've got the power" vocal, sampled from the song Love's Gonna Get You, a dance single by house musician Jocelyn Brown. In addition, the song also heavily samples rapper Chill Rob G's "Let The Words Flow."
The song opens with the somewhat enigmatic line in Russian: “Американская фирма Transceptor Technologies приступила к производству компьютеров «Персональный спутник»” (meaning “The American company Transceptor Technologies has started production of the ‘Personal Companion’ computer”). “Personal Companion” was a computer-like device for the blind and visually impaired released in 1990, it was controlled by voice and could, among other functions, automatically download articles from USA Today by a built-in modem. It was made by Transceptor Technologies of Ann Arbor, Michigan. blank">http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=113583&top=0&productid=94205&trail=0
The song has made many appearances in film, television and other media. It is also popular as a sporting event anthem. For example, it is played at times at hockey games throughout _North America as home teams go on a power-play.
This song was covered in 2002 by the German Crossover band, H-Blockx. http://www.gunrecords.de/content/artist/hblockx/bio.htm
Power is a song by the German power metal band Helloween taken from the album The Time of the Oath.
