80s true American Metal / USPM

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

So many good bands have been mentioned. This sub-genre (really it's the defining genre) of metal

    

Haha, I'm not sure how to interpret that.

I just didn't understand your comment. The U.S had some fine metal bands but it was already pretty well defined by Sabbath, Priest, Saxon, Maiden, Scorpions, Accept and many others before this generation of bands.

Boris2008 wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

So many good bands have been mentioned. This sub-genre (really it's the defining genre) of metal

    

Haha, I'm not sure how to interpret that.

I just didn't understand your comment. The U.S had some fine metal bands but it was already pretty well defined by Sabbath, Priest, Saxon, Maiden, Scorpions, Accept and many others before this generation of bands.

Ah ok. What I meant was...that era of metal, the 80s traditional metal, is really what, as I see it anyway, defines the term heavy metal to most people's minds. Not that the 80s bands paved the way or set the tone, as the ones you listed and others certainly were the ones who defined and set the sound.

Though all those bands, save BS, would fit right into that mold too, obviously, as they all played metal in the 80s.

Even though metal is a diverse and varied and nuanced beast, the idea of 4 or 5 dudes in denim and leather, with long hair flying, blazing solos and such...that feels like the very defintion of what would be known as metal.

I'm close to the point of starting massive genre wars here
An essential item for those who can't get enough of Awaken the Guardian and The Specter Within era Fates.


Simply a very good band, on the prog side

Yep. American PM walked the edge of thrash.

Jacob's Dream's first two albums are very good.

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Not to repeat myself from a recent thread, but check out Volture, to fulfill your new band of this genre requirement.

So many good bands have been mentioned. This sub-genre (really it's the defining genre) of metal is easily my favorite, alongside thrash (and the two often overlapped in the 80s anyway).

One that I like that I don't think I've seen mentioned is Trojan's Chasing the Storm. Also, the First Q5 album, Steal the Light, fits in with this pretty well, although their second album is completely AOR/meodic rock (still good, just different sounding)

While that Trojan album is superb, it's not USPM. The reason being that Trojan was from the UK.

Witchfinder wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Not to repeat myself from a recent thread, but check out Volture, to fulfill your new band of this genre requirement.

So many good bands have been mentioned. This sub-genre (really it's the defining genre) of metal is easily my favorite, alongside thrash (and the two often overlapped in the 80s anyway).

One that I like that I don't think I've seen mentioned is Trojan's Chasing the Storm. Also, the First Q5 album, Steal the Light, fits in with this pretty well, although their second album is completely AOR/meodic rock (still good, just different sounding)

While that Trojan album is superb, it's not USPM.  The reason being that Trojan was from the UK.

Whoops, I somehow just read through this thread as a traditional 80s metal thread, not US-specific.

corplhicks wrote:

some of these bands are thrash imo

Yeah? Well you're gonna hate my next entry  



Overkill became thrash after this record but this is pure USPM (or heavy metal as I call it)

Boris, this is valid because Overkill excelled in injecting their music with power metal goodness. Good call.

ultmetal wrote:

Warrior is a another good pick.

Also, forgot about HERETIC!

What about bands like Bloodgood and Armageddon?

Dark Horseman wrote:

Yep. American PM walked the edge of thrash...

And progressive and also that barbaric, mighty sound. No chance to categorize them properly Still, I think there are too many traditional bands in here

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Though all those bands, save BS, would fit right into that mold too, obviously, as they all played metal in the 80s.

Eh? Sabbath had six albums in the '80s, how do they not fit there? 

Cruella


Though they hedge more towards a thrash sound I think PM fans could find something to like about Apocrypha.

As mentioned already, TT Quick.

TheGreatDuck wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Though all those bands, save BS, would fit right into that mold too, obviously, as they all played metal in the 80s.

Eh? Sabbath had six albums in the '80s, how do they not fit there? 

When I think of Sabbath, any incarnation, I don't think of the description I gave: dudes in denim and leather, long hair flying, with lightning solos. Many bands had albums in the 80s that don't fit that mold.

Aaaronsrod - Illusions Kill
Attila - Rolling Thunder
Blacklace - Unlaced
Cities - Annihilation Absolute
Hawaii - The Natives Are Restless
Hexx - Under The Spell
Hexx - No Escape
Tension - Breaking Point
Tsunami - Tsunami
Wild Dogs - Wild Dogs
Wild Dogs - Man`s Best Friend
Wild Dogs - Reign Of Terror
World War III - War Is Hell
Ruffians - Ruffians

ZombieHavoc wrote:

dudes in denim and leather, long hair flying, with lightning solos.

When I was 16 that description would get a HELL YEAH!  

At age 43 my reaction is more like...hmmmm...maybe Steely Dan is playing somewhere instead?  

S.D. wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

dudes in denim and leather, long hair flying, with lightning solos.

When I was 16 that description would get a HELL YEAH!  

At age 43 my reaction is more like...hmmmm...maybe Steely Dan is playing somewhere instead?  

Haha, For the past 25 years, that description has always gotten a HELL YEAH from me. Hopefully, it always will.

Quote :

maybe Steely Dan is playing somewhere instead?

I'm sure somewhere right now A Steely Dan is playing.  But no judgement, whatever gets one off.  Sorry as a Naked Lunch fan I couldn't resist.  Too easy, I know.

I still give it the HELL YEAH from the comfort of my own home and the hope to be in bed at a decent hour.  My metal representin' is in my heart and no longer in my actions.  But good for those still flying the metal flag.

Quote :

Cities - Annihilation Absolute

Awesome call on that one.  Everyone should own it.

firestarter wrote:

Aaaronsrod - Illusions Kill
Attila - Rolling Thunder
Blacklace - Unlaced
Cities - Annihilation Absolute
Hawaii - The Natives Are Restless
Hexx - Under The Spell
Hexx - No Escape
Tension - Breaking Point
Tsunami - Tsunami
Wild Dogs - Wild Dogs
Wild Dogs - Man`s Best Friend
Wild Dogs - Reign Of Terror
World War III - War Is Hell
Ruffians - Ruffians

A couple more DUHHHH moments here. How did I forget Wild Dogs and Cities? Hawaii is a good choice as well, though I've only ever heard "The Natives are Restless".

Alot of the original early Metal Blade releases are great stuff that one could label in this flavor.

There are alot of good bands in this "genre" <<<(totaly dislike term) on the four U.S Metal compilation albums.

If I had to choose 10 albums to represent that true american Power Metal, they would be:

Omen - Battle Cry
Wild Dogs - Reign Of Terror
Tyrant - Legions Of The Dead
Liege Lord - Freedom's Rise
Cities - Annihilation Absolute
Savatage - Sirens
Helstar - Remnants Of War
Riot - Thundersteel
Griffin - Flight Of The Griffin
Ruthless - Discipline Of Steel

I still don't really understand what makes true U.S power metal different from a lot of other heavy metal from Europe & Canada. If Raven, Exciter, Anvil, Grim Reaper, Warlock and Grave Digger were American, would they make the list?