This was the first to come. All metal that is known today are descendants of Classic Heavy metal. Rock 'n' Roll became heavier and Heavy metal was created.
Guitars are rocking and jaunty, while also quite heavy. Tempos are usually fast, but double-bass drums are not commonly used. Catchy guitar riffs and sing-along choruses are trademarks here. Vocals here are most often high-pitched, but mid-range voices are also possible. The lyrical content within this genre commonly deals with the band themselves and their egos. Just have a look at Manowar's album 'Kings of Metal', in which they proclaim themselves the ultimate metal band. (ever). However, such bands are generally tongue-in-cheek and it is all in good fun.
Other lyrical themes include violence (particularly medieval), women and the occasional Satanic reference.
Also note that what I am referring to as "Classic heavy metal" is called Power metal by some. I guess it is old-school power metal, but I consider the likes of Helloween and modern descendants. to be power metal.
Masters of metal, MAIDEN have been around for a long time now. They have inspired so many modern metal bands, it's not even funny. Their guitar sound and energetic solos have been imitated countless times. And have influenced all metal in existence today. You owe it to yourself and metal to at least own a few Maiden albums.
Powerslave and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son are my personal favorites here.
MANOWAR
Now here is a fine line between Power and Classic metal, but I will put MANOWAR here in Classic because of their retro approach to metal. Their music has remained unchanged, retaining the sound of 80's heavy metal (not Thrash). One warning however: MANOWAR has the highest cheese-factor of ANY band in the history of Earth. Their lyrics are ultra-cheesy, dealing with medieval warriors, young maidens and the POWER OF METAL BROTHERS!
But I must admit, despite the cheese, certain MANOWAR pumps me up like few other bands.
You can get just about any MANOWAR album and be guaranteed an awesome and get your head banging. Warriors of the World, Battle Hymns and Kings of Metal are my current favorites.
JUDAS PRIEST