Manowar

Manowar began life in Auburn, New York, US, brought together by bassist Joey DeMaio formed a band with fellow musicians in the area, with the three original members DeMaio, Eric Adams (vocals), Donnie Hamzik (drums), joined by guitarist Karl Logan as of 1994, to form the quartet. From the strength of their first demo, they secured a recording contract in 1981 with Liberty Records, which began their rise to cult metal stardom, releasing their debut album, “Battle Hymns,” the following year.

Manowar have gone on to release 13 albums, each pushing their powerful, heavy sound to grander levels than what came before. Whilst never obtaining mainstream commercial success, their music has developed a strong cult following across the world. Whilst being popular in the US, they made their biggest impact in Europe, as well as being popular in the Australian and South American metal scene. Their use of mythological themes and Viking-inspired leather outfits made them the precursor band to the rise of Viking-metal and pagan-metal acts, such as bands like Finntroll, Gwar and Amon Amarth.

Highlights of their large discography include the 1988 album, “Kings of Metal ,” which is their highest-selling album worldwide, with many songs featured being fan favorties, played to uproarious receptions when performed live. 1992’s “Triumph of Steel” was another career high point, famous for its inclusion of a 28-minute suite titled “Achilles, Agony and Ecstasy in Eight Parts,” which was inspired by the Iliad.

Manowar are able to lay claim to the title of the ‘loudest metal band’ breaking this record on two separate occasions having being awarded it by the Guinness Book World of Records in 1984. As well as being the heaviest band, they also have the record for playing the longest heavy metal concert, when they played for five hours straight at a concert in Bulgaria in 2008.