Manowar | History of the Band

From thunderous battle cries to epic metal sagas, the story of a band that turned fantasy and ferocity into anthems for the ages.

Some bands play metal. Manowar live it. Formed in 1980, this Auburn, New York quartet set out with a mission to make heavy metal louder, prouder, and more epic than anything that came before. While bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden laid the groundwork, Manowar took it to the next level—adding more bombast, leather, and straight-up fantasy novel energy. For every kid who felt like a warrior in denim and studs, Manowar was the soundtrack to their dreams.

Let’s dive into how Joey DeMaio, Eric Adams, and company crafted their legacy—and why their 80s albums still feel like battle hymns for the misfit metalheads of the world.

Formation and Early Years: Metal With a Mission

Manowar’s origin story reads like something from a comic book. Bassist Joey DeMaio, a pyro technician for Black Sabbath, met guitarist Ross “The Boss” Friedman, fresh off a stint with The Dictators, during a Sabbath tour in 1980. The two bonded over their shared love of classical grandeur and heavy riffs. With Eric Adams—a vocalist whose operatic range could make Odin himself weep—and drummer Donnie Hamzik, the first iteration of Manowar was born.

From the beginning, Manowar’s vision was unapologetically grand. While others were experimenting with punk and glam influences, these guys were writing about ancient battles, Norse gods, and the undying spirit of heavy metal. Their motto? “Death to False Metal.”

Gavin Reid suggested this artist for a future Dig Me Out podcast episode. Each month, our Patrons are presented with a selection of albums suggested by listeners and asked to vote for their favorite.

Musical Style and Evolution: Shredding the Rules of Metal

Manowar’s music was heavy metal distilled to its purest, most theatrical form. Imagine galloping basslines, thunderous drums, and guitar solos that felt like they could summon lightning. At the center of it all was Adams’ voice—a weapon as potent as DeMaio’s bass, soaring from growls to sky-high wails.

In the early 80s, their sound was raw and ferocious, leaning heavily on stripped-down production that emphasized their speed and power. But as the decade progressed, their music became increasingly polished and symphonic, like a metal Wagner opera. They didn’t just play songs; they created sagas.

Discography and Notable Albums: The 80s Metal Masterpieces

Manowar didn’t just release albums—they unleashed manifestos of metal.

“Battle Hymns” (1982)

Their debut album set the tone with tracks like “Metal Daze” and “Dark Avenger,” which featured narration by Orson Welles. (Yes, that Orson Welles.) Released on Liberty Records, the album sounded like it was forged in a blacksmith’s shop—raw, unpolished, and ready for war.

“Into Glory Ride” (1983)

A turning point for the band, this album leaned fully into their epic tendencies. Songs like “Gloves of Metal” and “Revelation (Death’s Angel)” made it clear: Manowar wasn’t here to mess around. With lyrics that read like passages from Beowulf, it’s no wonder this one’s still a fan favorite.

“Hail to England” (1984)

Recorded for Music for Nations, this album was pure heavy metal perfection. “Blood of My Enemies” and “Bridge of Death” showcased a band hitting its stride—balancing aggression with melody and storytelling. It also cemented their connection to the NWOBHM movement, even though they were proudly American.

“Sign of the Hammer” (1984)

Released just months after Hail to England, this album cranked up the heaviness. Tracks like “Thor (The Powerhead)” proved Manowar could write anthems that were both crushing and majestic.

“Fighting the World” (1987)

Manowar’s first album on a major label, Atlantic Records, marked their move toward a more polished sound. With tracks like “Blow Your Speakers” (a tongue-in-cheek jab at the music industry) and the thunderous title track, the album captured their balance of fun and fury. But the standout was “Defender,” featuring a powerful narration from Orson Welles, recorded shortly before his death. Fighting the World was Manowar’s gateway to a larger audience, cementing their role as metal’s theatrical titans.

“Kings of Metal” (1988)

This was Manowar’s masterpiece—a culmination of everything they’d been building toward. From the tearjerker ballad “Heart of Steel” to the thunderous battle cry of “Hail and Kill,” the album was an unapologetic celebration of all things metal. Released on Atlantic Records, Kings of Metal reached a wider audience, earning the band their place in the pantheon of metal gods.

Manowar was nothing if not divisive. Fans adored their over-the-top dedication to “true metal,” but critics often wrote them off as self-parody. Still, magazines like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer praised their musicianship and epic vision. Joey DeMaio once famously responded to the haters: “We’re not here to make friends. We’re here to blow your eardrums out.”

Despite the mixed reviews, their fanbase—the “Army of Immortals”—remained fiercely loyal. Manowar wasn’t just a band to them; it was a lifestyle.

Influence and Legacy: Immortals in Metal History

Manowar’s influence is unmistakable. Bands like Sabaton, HammerFall, and Rhapsody of Fire owe much to their epic, fantasy-inspired style. DeMaio’s innovative use of bass as a lead instrument inspired countless metal musicians to rethink the instrument’s possibilities. And their record-breaking live shows, hailed as the loudest in history, set the standard for theatrical metal performances.

By the early 90s, lineup changes (Ross “The Boss” exited in 1988) and the grunge wave shifted the spotlight from bands like Manowar. But their legacy endured, particularly in Europe, where they became festival staples and metal royalty.

Manowar’s journey in the 80s and early 90s was one of unwavering commitment to heavy metal’s power and mythology. For Gen X metalheads, their music was more than just anthems—it was a call to arms. Whether you were spinning Hail to England on your turntable or air-guitaring to Kings of Metal, Manowar made you feel like you were part of something bigger—a brotherhood of true believers.

And isn’t that what the best music does? It doesn’t just entertain; it transforms you. For every fan who raised a fist to “Hail and Kill,” Manowar remains a symbol of heavy metal in its purest, most unapologetic form.

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