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I've been enjoying the Epic Metal tracks of Belantara (thank you so much Dan for introducing me to the Malay/Singapore scene!) and absolutely astounded by how they nailed the sound. So I was wondering what other True Epic Heavy Metal gems are hidden in other albums that really aren't "epic" as a whole. So not just your standard Maiden-"long song" but ancient steel of the Manilla Road/Warlord/Manowar school.

Some examples to get the ball rolling:
Saxon - Crusader (duh!)
Michael Schenker Group - Lost Horizons (Did Manowar base their sound on this song? It is uncanny!)
Anvil - Kiss of Death
Oz- Rather Knight
Def Leppard - Overture

One that springs to mind is KISS's "Under the Rose" from "The elder" album 1981. I've never been a fan of KISS, but this is a good example of Epic Metal.

Sir Lord Baltimore, from 1971, possibly the earliest example of Epic Metal :

Yeah! Those two are great examples! Along with Trapeze's "Jury" I agree Caesar LXXI is the start of the genre.

The superb Finnish Prog group Kalevala has a sound which I think is a real treat for fans of From the Fjords, Full Speed at High Level and and the first 2 Manilla Road records.


Thunderpussy's sole full length is also an incredible example of a proto-Epic Metal sound. Though that applies to the whole damn album not just one song.


From the 70's generally I'd also add:
Blue Max - March of the Trolls
Alkana - The Tower (Damian King!)
Desiree - King of Hell
Granmax - Mistress of Eternity
Silvertrain - Nearer to the Light

QUEEN « The prophet’s » song. Not scarce or hidden gem, but too rarely evoqued in my opinion. Mostly first part of the song (even though I’m fine with some operatic meows).

Nor 'hidden' perhaps, but that Salem epic is certainly not as well known as it ought to be.
And if we're including so-called Proto-Metal examples too, then Flower Travellin' Bands 'Satori' is undeniable: