Can you name an 80s hair metal and/or a power metal album that I wouldn't hate?

Well if you like the technical aspect of metal you might enjoy some technical thrash bands, give these bands a try.

Sadus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t3Ykd2cDk8

Coroner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJJov7wOCc

Dark Angel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYBbY7pSH-M

Not quite power metal or hair metal but I think that is a good small first step towards 80's metal. At least compared to the much better produced modern tech death metal acts like Obscura or Necrophagist.

You might also enjoy some progressive metal from that era which takes you another step closer in that direction, yet still has some technical aspects to it, for those I'd recommend;

Fates Warning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUJQ5Kngw8g

Savatage (their early work actually is borderline power metal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVI7iX4N08s

Dream Theater

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKhfkfnbAMQ

I don't personally like hair metal myself and power metal is kind of hit or miss for me. However, if I had to recommend a few power metal bands they would be;

Iced Earth (this particular album has a bit of a thrashy feel to it, but their later work is definitely power metal)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LrGSIYAn9c

Helloween

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E268jKfnJd8

Hammerfall (not 80's but still had the 80's power metal feel, and one of my favorites)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjXMJcjE7qE

Blind Guardian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F808YM1Ot68

Of course I'm sure you've heard Iron Maiden and Judaspriest as they often get lumped into the power metal category even though most would probably consider them classic heavy metal. Anyway hope this answer helped.

Obviously Hair metal and power metal can't be lumped in the same category. I will cover both separately:

Hair: I am not a huge fan of it but I think Motley Crue and Cinderella have some good songs and good musicianship. But really i don't have much to say since i am not a big fan.

Power: There are too many weak european, puffy shirt wearing power metal bands that give the good stuff a bad name. I don't know if you think the same way as i do but the Renaissance fair guys focus too much on keyboards and synthesized orchestration and usually have a vocalist with high notes but with out any power to his vocals. THe band i have a problem with include: Sonata Arctica, Rhapsody of Fire, Dragonforce, Hammerfall, Kamelot, etc.

I can't promise you the bands i recommend will not be "cheesy" or "epic" thats very subjective. Bnads i do recommend:

Primal Fear

Accept

Blind Guardian

Metalium

Lefay

Chinchilla

Sinbreed

Helloween

(I just realized the majority of bands i mentioned are German. I think a good rule in power metal could be German - kickass; Italian/Swedish/Finish - *******) Take it with a grain of salt

I still think that 80s hair metal wins because those guys were able to pack the stadiums. When I see stadiums being packed by today's metal artists then I will hand the baton over to them. Today's metal sound is very diverse and interesting but it does not have the same mass appeal that Guns N Roses or Bon Jovi had.

Good '80s Hair/Glam/Butt metal albums:

Shout at the Devil by Mötley Crüe (although the hair metal's pretty secondary)

Metal Health by Quiet Riot

Stay Hungry by Twisted Sister

Turbo by Judas Priest (pretty secondary as well)

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi

And a power metal album that hopefully you won't hate:

The Glorious Burden by Iced Earth

Hair Metal include Glamour Metal and Sleaze Metal. Glamour Metal was actually a movement to replaced AOR and Sleaze Metal was the answer to Glam Metal. Sleaze Metal is actually Glam Metal, but without the glamour, but more sleazy appearance.

It is difficult to find the bands in hair metal that you might like. If you include Southern Metal/Rock among the Hair Metal then I have some good bands.

Some "Hair Metal" bands (I am not really sure who is meant with Hair Metal, because I never heard this term in the 1980s. It was a term that I just heard from MTV):

Circus of Power:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHTNUFpXP34&feature...

Zodiac Mindwarp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d40NFax8EmE

Sea Hags:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvIUlgoyNPM

Saigon Kick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnjyZSeA4D4

Hanoi Rock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUPFiMnbVTQ

Personally, I like super-cheesy power metal, especially with female vocals. However, there are many power metal bands that are not at all cheesy. You might confuse Power Metal with Symphonic Power Metal such as Rhapsody of Fire and Forgotten Tales.

There is old school power metal and there is modern power metal. Old school power metal is just a metal style between Heavy and Speed Metal. It is not Heavy enough to be Heavy Metal, but also not Speedy enough to be Speed Metal. If you don't find good Power Metal then you should look for Speed Metal bands. Usually Speed Metal bands are among power metal albums in the stores I went.

What power/speed metal albums might you like?

Maybe, Inhuman Bondage by Angel Dust (Germany):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47sz69mZLbY&feature...

or Perfect Man by Rage (Germany):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtF25Mvv4UQ&feature...

or Inferno by Capricorn (Germany):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unKWglsaNH8

or The Enforcer by Warrant (Germany):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpkmuimWvvU

or Walls of Jericho by Helloween (Germany)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQB3AUcZzWU

Also check the bands:

early Blind Guardian

Savage Circus

Armored Saint

early Fates Warning (before Awaken the Guardian)

Grave Digger

Seventh Avenue

Iron Savior

Dark Avenger (Brazil)

Running Wild

Vicious Rumors

Skyclad

Omen - Termination

Morgana Lefay

Lefay

lol some one said slayer was hair metal, geez

umm most hair metal is crap, the only person that comes to mind is van halen cause at least he was a talented guitarist. Bands like motley crue kiss twisted sister and others mostly just suck ***

Guns N' Roses - November Rain from Use Your Illusion 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE

The Headless Children by W.A.S.P. I guess its considered hair metal but its way cooler.

(hair)

Tooth and Nail by Dokken is real good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFDDjXfAD5Q

(power)

Try the title track from The Dungeons are Calling by Savatage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVhtbg30GnM

Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry.

How can anyone *not* love this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25pS3bx4S8A