2. 1. ‘Music Videos Demonstrate Certain
Genre Characteristics’
Goodwin’s first point was that the genre of music decides
certain aspects which get added. Within the ‘Power Metal’
genre, there are a lot of similar aspects which generally get
used, and many different aspects which depend on the
theme of the song, such as:
• Fantasy-themed, and mythological lyrics and scenes;
• Close-ups of the fast guitar-play;
• “Cold” lighting;
• Long flowing locks of warrior hair;
• Contradicts the stereotype of ‘Metal’ being Satanic music;
• Fast-moving cameras;
• Full band performances;
3. Fantasy-Themed, and Mythological
Lyrics
At the start of the music video, a ‘so far away’ (distant) futuristic-looking airbase is shown in
a mountainous terrain, similar to that of which the mystical dragon, which DragonForce
defeated, lives in. Then, at the end of the video, the airbase is shown once again as a group of
some form of futuristic space shuttles take-off and leaves the Earth’s atmosphere. These
things, obviously being fantasy, are conveying the fantasy aspect of ‘Power Metal’. This is one
of the many characteristics of the genre that makes ‘Power Metal’ so different, and unique.
The song writers’ ability to tell a fantasy story through the medium of musical lyrics and
instrumentals allows for individual ‘Power Metal’ songs to be completely different, rather
than using lyrical staples, like other genres.
4. Close-ups of Fast Guitar-play
During the long, and extremely fast-paced, guitar solo, the video focuses on the
incomprehensibly fast guitar-play of Herman Li (mainly), and Sam Totman. Herman Li is
arguably the greatest guitarist of all time, and so the video makes sure to focus on his unique
play-style. Doing so gives the video more so of a “WOW-factor”, as viewers are often
mesmerised by the talent of this guitarist.
5. Long Flowing Locks of Warrior Hair
In this shot, we see Z.P. Theart, and Sam Totman’s beautiful hair. As well as this, we see
Herman Li’s locks, the best, and most electrifying flowing warrior locks of all-time. Amazing
hair, like this, is almost a staple in ‘Power Metal’ metal.
6. Full-Band Performances
The entire band is often shown, performing, in ‘Power Metal’ music videos – this is
because, usually, every/most of the band members are so talented at their instrument that
they are all at a high level of significance. The director(s) often want to bring attention to the
skill of each member in the band, and reinforce the fact that the lead singer, and guitarist(s)
aren’t the only members in the band.
7. Contradicts the Stereotype of ‘Metal’
being Satanic Music
With images of what seems to be a patient undergoing medical treatment, and making a full
recovery, the stereotype of ‘Metal’ being Satanic music which often revolves around death
and despair, is contradicted. Whilst these images are being displayed, the singer, Z.P., is
singing about conquering the forces of evil, et cetera.
8. “Cold” Lighting
Often, in ‘Power Metal’ music videos, the lighting is quite “cold”, with lighter shades of
colours being dominant, along with whites and blacks. Here, in ‘Heroes of Our Time’, we see
“cold” blue lighting, and colour correction. This colour might have been selected for the
purpose of giving the video a science-fiction atmosphere, as, at the end of the video; we see
a group of futuristic-looking spacecraft take-off and fly out of the Earth’s atmosphere.
9. Fast-Moving Cameras
The camera work throughout the video is generally quite fast-paced to match the fast-paced
music. Fast-paced camera movement is definitely another characteristic of ‘Power Metal’, as
‘Power Metal’ songs are generally fast-paced. Dollys, and cranes are used to achieve certain
angles and techniques.
10. 2. ‘There is a link between the lyrics
and the visuals’
During the course of the entire video, there is no specific moment at which the visuals
convey the intended implication of the song -- this particular band usually leave the viewers
and listeners to interpret the lyrics and visuals on their own, and, whilst other ‘Power Metal’
bands sometimes differ, generally, ‘Power Metal’ bands leave it all to interpretation.
Throughout this music video, the camera continuously swaps from focussing on the band
performing, to the first-person perspective of a, what seems to be, patient, surrounded by
what seem to be doctors and nurses, or scientists -- we recognise them as these titles due to
the white coats they are wearing. One of the white-coated who we see the most, is
female, and gets the closest to the camera. Although said female is fully dressed, the idea
and popular male fantasy of a female nurse is there. This is targeting a male audience.
However, Herman Li’s incredible finger speed and skills which were focussed on throughout
the video could be somewhat targeting a female audience.
11. 3. ‘There is a link between the music
and the visuals’
The incredibly fast-paced guitar-play throughout the video - especially during the guitar solo
- is represented by the futuristic-looking spacecraft that are seen in the video, taking-off and
flying out of the Earth’s atmosphere, as they are obviously very fast-moving. On top of that is
the evident fact that the camera showed a lot of close-ups of the guitars as the guitarists are
playing.
12. 4. ‘The demands of the record label will include the
need for close-ups of the guitarists’ guitars as they play
the fastest-paced parts of the song’
This demand has evidently been met as throughout the solo, there are about 23 close-up
shots of Herman and Sam’s guitars. This is to emphasise the skill level of both guitarists, and
to sell more. The general public generally enjoy watching people demonstrate their talents,
and guitar-playing talent is very respected by rockers, et cetera. So, Herman and Sam -
however more so Herman - utilise their incredible guitar-playing talents as a selling point.
13. 5. ‘The artist(s) may develop iconography
that recurs across their work’
DragonForce definitely have their own style of music videos, in that they always show full-
band performances, and focus on the guitar-play with close-up shots of the guitars during the
solos. These aspects of their music videos are definitely associated with “a DragonForce
music video”.
14. 6. ‘There is a frequent reference to the
notion of “looking”’
The notion of “looking” is made apparent by Z.P., the lead singer of DragonForce, looking at
the camera a lot throughout the video. This somewhat connects the viewer(s) to the
song, and the band, especially as the title of the song is ‘Heroes of Our Time’ -- implying that
the viewer(s) is a hero of our time.
15. 7. ‘There are often inter-textual references – mostly to
film, other music artists, television, and popular
culture’
In the final shot of the video, there is almost an exact recreation of the shot in ‘Star Wars:
Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace’, in which the Naboo Fighters take-off from Naboo. This is a
very good example of an inter-textual reference used in this music video as it is easily
recognisable to those who have watched ‘The Phantom Menace’.
