Manowar

Formed in the early 1980s in Auburn, New York, Manowar emerged during the American heavy metal wave while quickly developing an aesthetic close to power metal. Centered on bassist Joey DeMaio and vocalist Eric Adams, the only constant members, Manowar has spanned decades with a succession of guitarists and drummers, from the original lineup featuring Ross "The Boss" Friedman and Donnie Hamzik to later formations. The early albums, from "Battle Hymns" (1982) to "Kings of Metal" (1988), including "Into Glory Ride" (1983) and "Hail to England" (1984), established a style built on massive riffs, highly lyrical vocals and choruses designed for collective singing. Beginning with "The Triumph of Steel" (1992) and continuing with "Louder Than Hell" (1996) and "Warriors of the World" (2002), Manowar heightened the epic aspect of its music with extended tracks, narrative interludes and themes drawn directly from mythology, fantasy and warlike imagery. The band, which promotes a straightforward heavy metal often dubbed "true metal", focuses much of its live activity in Europe—regularly playing festivals and large venues—while continuing to release new studio recordings and re-recordings of its historical repertoire.