Editing Manowar (section)

===''Into Glory Ride'' and mainstream success (1983–1988)===
[[File:2002.11.18 manowar bercy eric adams 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Frontman Eric Adams in 2002]]

By 1983, the band left Liberty Records and struck a deal with [[Megaforce Records]] in the US and [[Music for Nations]] in Europe—signing the contract in their own blood, to make a stance against the music industry they felt slighted by.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://concerty.com/artist/manowar-2301|title=Manowar Biography|website=Concerty.com}}</ref> The signing was a cover story in the 1983 July–August issue No. 47 of ''[[Kerrang!]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Male Orientated Rock |magazine=[[Kerrang!]] |date=July 28, 1983 |last=Bonutto |first=Dante |issue=47 |url=http://www.gillyon.com/manowar_k47.htm |access-date=May 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110141/http://www.gillyon.com/manowar_k47.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>

When Manowar returned home, they immediately went into a recording studio to produce what, in the intentions of the group, would have been a simple [[Extended play|EP]], but came out instead, due to the quantity and quality of the tracks made in that period, as the band's second album, ''[[Into Glory Ride]]''. An EP was actually published in 1983 with the title ''Defender'' containing, as its main track, the eponymous song, which included more work by Orson Welles. The atmosphere of the album evoked classical [[heroic fantasy]] and mythology, and served as a predecessor to [[Viking metal]]. It contained several innovative features,{{According to whom|date=December 2016}} both in style and sound, and led to a huge increase{{Vague|date=December 2016}} in the number of fans of the group, particularly in the United Kingdom, where the band planned a long tour that was ultimately canceled. The song "Defender" was later re-recorded and included in the ''[[Fighting the World]]'' album of 1987.

To apologize for the failure of their UK tour, Manowar decided to dedicate their next album to the United Kingdom. The album, ''[[Hail to England]]'', was recorded and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] in just six days and was released in early 1984.

Manowar soon returned to work in the recording studio. After leaving Music for Nations, the quartet released ''[[Sign of the Hammer]]'' ten months after their previous album.

Following further disagreements with their new label, the group changed record label to [[Atlantic Records]] in 1987. Via Atlantic, they released ''[[Fighting the World]]'', which enjoyed more extensive distribution and increased the band's prominence in the international heavy metal scene. Album art was designed by [[Ken Kelly (artist)|Ken Kelly]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Voger |title=Criss eager to meet television idol Zacherley |work=[[Asbury Park Press]] |page=6E |date=October 22, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manowar truck to make its debut in Austria this weekend |work=Austria Today |date=September 8, 2006}}</ref>

In 1988, Manowar released the album ''[[Kings of Metal]]'', which is the band's best known work. Songs like "Heart of Steel", "Kings of Metal" and "Hail and Kill" are performed regularly in concerts. ''Kings of Metal'' is Manowar's highest-selling album worldwide.

Manowar embarked on a world tour, for a period of approximately three years, with stops in almost all European nations. During that tour, Joey DeMaio "fired" Ross the Boss. According to a 2008 interview with the guitarist, "Joey felt that Manowar would be better without me".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=2400&type=1&lang=EN |title=Interviews - Ross The Boss |website=Rockpages.gr |access-date=July 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927211614/https://www.rockpages.gr/detailspage.aspx?id=2400&type=1&lang=EN |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> He was replaced by [[David Shankle]], who was chosen by members of the band after a search among about 150 candidates. Scott Columbus later also decided to leave the band during the Kings of Metal tour. Columbus himself picked his replacement Kenny Earl Edwards (soon nicknamed 'Rhino').