Hey guys,

I am after 80's metal that focuses on things like going to Valhalla, Thor and Odin, epic battles, that kind of stuff. My favorite band of all time is Manowar, a big reason is because of their songs like 'Gates of Valhalla' and Thor Powerhead which are about, of course, Viking mythology.

As a descendant of the Vikings themselves I love listening to this kind of thing, I am not interested in any particular type of metal at the moment, just Norse type stuff.
Before you suggest them, Bathory is one of my favorite bands of all time, though most of their Viking stuff is from the 90's they still kick ass big time.

Any help would be appreciated.
thanks

I know they're pretty mainstream these days, but Amon Amarth specializes in this lyrical field. Good swedish Death Metal with lots of additude

Doomsword

I suggest starting with Resound the Horn, but all of their albums are gold.

COVEN - Worship New Gods

Thor!

Yep, I know this band is not 80s metal, but you must check them out, really! Both lyrics and music are just awesome and pure nordic viking stuff far from clichees!
http://www.myspace.com/manegarm

Amon Amarth are so 80s

Dont' people bother to read posts anymore?

Try Legend's "From the Fjords". It's actually from 1979, and redolent of 70s hard rock sounds, but it's definitely metal, and at least three of the songs are very much viking-themed. Try "The Golden Bell" and the title track from the album..I am sure you will be impressed. I think these guys were fantastic and wish they'd had the inclination to record another album in the 80s.

Heavy Load also has some viking-themed stuff. They're not really all that exciting, though I think I like them a little more than failsafeman does. THey do have the distinction of being from Sweden and starting out in the late 70s. I like their debut album most somehow...has a real charm to it and is a bit sloppy in a pleasing way.

Of course, Manilla Road has written songs about Norse mythology. They aren't "pure" though if you know what I mean..Mark Shelton likes to draw parallels through history and myth and so you'll get helpings of Greek and Roman and Arthurian legend in there, too. The most "viking-esque" album they've ever recorded is probably their latest one, but if you want to stick with 80s stuff, try "Open the Gates" perhaps.

Legend [US], though they are from 79.

Bathory.

I know they're not from the eighties, but listen to Stormwarrior's Heading Northe - it sort of has an '80s-type sound. You'll likely enjoy it.

Virgin Steele is awesome.

Good rec, though I found them pretty hard to get into. Rewarding once you do, though. Weird mix between sloppy rock, punk, and epic metal, with a strong atmosphere.

Also, try Glory Bell's Band's debut album, specifically "Old Viking Man":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ULpb0zne38
Glory Bell's Band have some other good songs on their debut too, but I wish they could've put out a whole album of songs as awesome as that one.

There's mainly individual songs about vikings from the 1980s, without it being the main theme of the band, for example:

Elixir (UK): Son of Odin, title track of their first album as well, but the other songs have different subject matter.

Markiza: Voron-Viking (Raven-Viking): female-fronted 1980s heavy metal with lyrics in Russian, this song is actually doom metal

Blitzkrieg (UK- NWOBHM): Vikings, from their first album, also Ragnarok from the same album (which appears to be an instrumental, I haven't actually heard this song though)

I am really curious about the Valhalla (UK) 7" "Lightning in the Sky", it was on Asgard records, but it seems very hard to find.

Grave Digger, Rebellion...