First power metal band EVER?

I know it's tough to tell, and these genres are sometimes quite vague, but what do you all think was the first power metal band in existence? The earliest I have is 1987 with Savatage's Hall Of The Mountain King. Is there much else that's earlier? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: My library was screwed up due to some update; anyway, Helloween's Walls Of Jericho is my first.

Metal Church released in 1984 as did Omen's, Battle Cry.

TheNazgul wrote:

Metal Church released in 1984 as did Omen's, Battle Cry.

and Helstar's Burning Star

Well there are 2 different types of Power Metal (which I learned, on here) US Power Metal and Euro Power Metal.

I still don't believe in the US Power Metal to me it was either Heavy Metal or Thrash. Anyway.... I think I'm with you Helloween's Walls Of Jericho was the first Power Metal album.

that depends on your defenition of Power Metal doesn't it? As I understand it, "Power Metal" was a term originally used to describe a more aggressive, thrash style of metal, and not the flowery, happy metal with songs about unicorns and dragons that we know and love today. So do you go with the original definition or the modern one? If you go with the original, the first band to call themselves "power metal" I believe were Pantera.

Power metal was those bands that were too fast/heavy for traditional heavy metal but not quite as fast/heavy as thrash bands, thus POWER metal.

Metal Church were the very definition of Power Metal.

romeolimagolf wrote:

that depends on your defenition of Power Metal doesn't it? As I understand it, "Power Metal" was a term originally used to describe a more aggressive, thrash style of metal, and not the flowery, happy metal with songs about unicorns and dragons that we know and love today. So do you go with the original definition or the modern one? If you go with the original, the first band to call themselves "power metal" I believe were Pantera.

yeah, back in the mid 80's I was taught that Power Metal was stuff like Metal Church, Master Of Puppets type stuff. Fast-forward years later and people are calling power metal stuff the European speed type stuff so I dont even know what the heck it is anymore.

So I'm assuming that under the old definition, it would be Metal Church's s/t album. Under the newer definition, I suppose I would go with Helloween's Walls, or even their s/t album with Starlight, Murderer, etc...

I know that Ult wrote a big post once that was pretty much spot-on about the history of thrash, power, speed, etc...Maybe it's time for a refresher course there pal

I think it has to be Metal church.

I was listening to blessing in disguise on my way to work this morning.

Gilbert wrote:

I think it has to be Metal church.

I was listening to blessing in disguise on my way to work this morning.

Great album!! I would go with Helloween personally but Metal church is a good pick too..

ultmetal wrote:

Power metal was those bands that were too fast/heavy for traditional heavy metal but not quite as fast/heavy as thrash bands, thus POWER metal.

Metal Church were the very definition of Power Metal.

The first and the best , as far as I'm concerned. (Helloween ain't too shabby either)

Walls of jericho is also outstanding.

Although i'm more of the Deris era fan.

As far as what most people nowadays call "power metal" the first (and best) band would be HELLOWEEN.

Possibly omen...I'm not quite sure what the TRUE first would be!

I vaguely remember Metallica being called "Power Metal" back in the KILL'EM ALL days...

Flotsam and Jetsam referred to themselves as 'power metal' on their first album--but it doen't really apply.
I would go with Helloween.
And if we boiled it down one more degree, we'd find Iron Maiden.

Fat Freddy wrote:

I vaguely remember Metallica being called "Power Metal" back in the KILL'EM ALL days...

They had a demo named "power metal", before Kill 'em All.

kmorg wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I vaguely remember Metallica being called "Power Metal" back in the KILL'EM ALL days...

They had a demo named "power metal", before Kill 'em All.

Well, there you go.

There are some goofy songs in Iron Maiden's discography that would fit nicely under the power metal umbrella; "Flash Of The Blade", "Sun And Steel", "The Duellists", "Quest For Fire"...all the cheesy imagery and overly catchy pop-influenced arrangements scream today's definition of "Power Metal".

detuned wrote:

There are some goofy songs in Iron Maiden's discography that would fit nicely under the power metal umbrella; "Flash Of The Blade", "Sun And Steel", "The Duellists", "Quest For Fire"...all the cheesy imagery and overly catchy pop-influenced arrangements scream today's definition of "Power Metal".

"In the daaaaayyyyyys when di-no-saurs walked the earrrrrrrrrth...."

Savage Grace was "borderline" speed/power metal on "Scepters of Deceit" Metal Massacre II (1982) and "The Dominatress" EP (1983)

Again, all dependes on what "is"... is

From what we called Power Metal in the 80s, the earliest albums would be:

Hawaii - One Nation Underground (83)
Wild Dogs - Wild Dogs (83)

firestarter wrote:

From what we called Power Metal in the 80s, the earliest albums would be:

Hawaii - One Nation Underground (83)
Wild Dogs - Wild Dogs (83)

I have not heard these two in over 20 years, but if memory serves me, I would whole heartedly agree.

Rainbow - Long Live Rock'n'Roll

Songs like Kill the King were totally power metal and influential to what became the European power metal scene.

ahhh, yes, plodding songs like Rainbow's "Stargazer" could almost fit the Power Metal category
That song structure/style seems to be what I think of when I hear the term.

Though a lot of the bands mentioned and more - Metallica, Omen, Metal Church, Overkill, Exciter, Liege Lord, Jag Panzer, etc all used to be labelled Power Metal right before the term "thrash metal" seemed to be mentioned everywhere almost overnight when I looked in fanzines and mags in 1985, and The Big Four were the bands to be compared to if they fit the genre.

One of the first power metal discs for me came from France in 1983. The H-BOMB - Coup De Metal EP. This was one of the first with speedy double bass stuff.