80s true American Metal / USPM

I love this 'sub-genre' - bands like Omen, Jack Starr's Burning Starr, Helstar, Metal Church, Cirith Ungol, Lizzy Borden, 80s Fates Warning, Armored Saint ...

I want some more recommendations - especially of stuff released in the 80s.

What I love about the 80s true American Metal bands is the raw, speedy and epic sound - it's like taking early 80s Saxon , Maiden, Accept and Running Wild and adding that a certain grittiness or aggression to the sound.

Shok Paris is a good band to check out if you like that type of sound.

I think there were a few threads like this and people better not start a genre war in here, evolve or die.

But here are a few:

Glacier
Liege Lord
Thor (the 'Only The Strong' album)


I mean the list is pretty much endless but those are some notables as well.

CAULDRON BORN!!!! I'm singing on their next album.

(P.S. also make sure you check out "Deliver Us" by WARLORD)

I enjoy Rival quite a bit. Fierce shit.

Let's not forget Warlord!  

Saint
Barren Cross
early Laaz Rockit
Vicious Rumors
Cirith Ungol

Satan's Host & Jag Panzer

Savatage - Sirens, The Dungeons Are Calling, Power Of The Night, Hall Of The Mountain King, Gutter Ballet

Malice
Steeler
Bitch
Savage Grace
Sacred Warrior
Recon
Obsession
early Fates Warning
Hades
Sentinel Beast
Banshee
TT Quick
Helstar
Sardonyx
New Eden
Hellion
Chastain
CJSS

If this album hadn't been recorded through a sock, it would have been a classic of the genre

Sanctuary

Though I started this thread I would also add Manilla Road!

Manilla Road are imo the ultimate underdogs of 80s true American Metal

Haven't seen Meliah Rage listed yet.

If you're looking for more epic sounds, than these might interset you (I linked youtube tracks):
Virgin Steele
Jag Panzer
Chastain
Commander
Axehammer
Sacred Oath
Onward
Pharaoh
Griffin
Medieval Steel
For Manilla Road type of bands I'd suggest Brocas Helm and Thunder Rider. Not a fan of that specific sounding, so can't provide any samples

For more prog oriented - aka those who took The Warning as a foundation,- check these out:
Heir Apparent - first LP is more epic, 2nd one leans towards mellower, a tad progressive approach.
Apollo Ra - this album is sick.
Titan Force - the perfecton.
Screamer
Deadly Blessing
Gargoyle
Fifth Angel - also a perfection.
Oliver Magnum
Glacier - 88 demo can be found on the reissue of their original EP, and this demo completly destroys it. Literally.

Since I have to stop somewhere, I'll do it now, otherwise this page will be spammed with such bands. If you want more, just ask, as US metal is basically 70% of stuff I'm focused on

Why is it when we have this conversation there is always an oily loincloth wearing elephant in the room!

Villain's Time Machine comp is well worth seeking out.

Just got this one and even though it is clearly a vinyl rip I still thought it was great, Culprit's Guilty As Charged.

Lari wrote:

All I've heard of Panzer is Mechanized Warfare, and it's good. How's their other stuff hold up?

Any Jag Panzer is good to great, save for the one album without Harry Conklin.

And Bear beat me to everything I was gonna recommend, haha.

The Rods

Riot

Vexer6 wrote:

Riot

Crap! How did I forget RIOT? Great band.

corplhicks wrote:

All I've heard of Panzer is Mechanized Warfare, and it's good. How's their other stuff hold up?

Wurthless wrote:

Any Jag Panzer is good to great, save for the one album without Harry Conklin.

Ample Destruction is like a holy grail, loved and rated extremly high by almost everyone, and being a long OOP gives it additional "cult classic" points. Though myself I have to admit I never liked Jag Panzer that much. While every ingredient is up to my liking, as a band they more often than not leave me waiting for a punch that never comes. Ample Destruction is without a doubt a great heavy metal album, recommended for acquiring it somehow. I believe it is going to be reissued as Joey Tafolla is back in the band. Thane to the Throne is also a worthy purchase - killer concept album and probably their best since AD.

And I'll disagree with Wurthless about Chain of Command. Hell, it is a great LP. The only bad thing I can say about this one is that it doesnt have Jag Panzer identity within :DBut if you're looking for great USPM album, I fail to see how one can be disappointed in CoC. High soaring vocals and melodic leads accompained by characteristic atmosphere - what else to wish for?

TLDR: Ample Destruction, Thane to the Throne are essential Jag Panzer items. Than any other post reunion material (97 onwards). High chance of you liking it, since you enjoyed Mechanaized Warfare, which didn't hit me at all. Decade of the Nail Spiked Bat (rerecordings) is mediocre the internets say. Apporach to Dissident Alliance last, with caution and open mind, you might like it. Some people do.

Wurthless wrote:

And Bear beat me to everything I was gonna recommend, haha.

I simply can't stop posting
Atlantean Kodex
X-Caliber

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

And I'll disagree with Wurthless about Chain of Command. Hell, it is a great LP.

Chain Of Command is excellent ! I'm guessing he's talking about Dissident Alliance with Daniel Conca on vocals, quite a departure in sound for the band.