Manowar - why are they great?

Now, if you agree or not of my personal preference (that manowar is a great band), I would like to hear from you why you think they are so massively successful.

Benefits of answering this:
Clarity on what musical communication works universally
More awareness on how to be successful in the music industry
Higher appreciation for heavy metal

Originally Posted by: Magnus GautestadNow, if you agree or not of my personal preference (that manowar is a great band), I would like to hear from you why you think they are so massively successful.

Benefits of answering this:
Clarity on what musical communication works universally
More awareness on how to be successful in the music industry
Higher appreciation for heavy metal

I know quite a lot about Manowar but have never been a fan.

However (long story), I know first hand why MANY fans like them:
They sell testosterone and sell it flawlessly.

I don't mean that in a negative way. They are always stocked with skilled players (ie - the rotating guitar players are always very talented). They have the technical chops all around. They are talented musicians.

What the 'sell' is what they purport to be selling, testosterone. Read their DVD stuff and this is what they say. Thus why I am not spinning that as a negative. The band tells you up front what they are about.

Fans appreciate that honesty and are happy to partake in the fist pumping metal.

You're exactly right. Popularity can have as much to do with branding as it does music. Several times I've grown to appreciate an artist because of their message, projected by their image, which was complimented their style of music. It's a way of extending who you are through what you like. I don't think we all conciously listen to music that reinforces who we want to be, but it does happen.