What makes Battle Cry by Omen notable?

'Battle Cry' is significant for its role in shaping the American heavy metal landscape during the 1980s. The album received critical acclaim within the underground metal community and has influenced numerous bands in the epic and power metal genres. It also helped to solidify Omen's reputation as a key player in the early days of speed metal. Released on January 1, 1984, 'Battle Cry' was Omen's debut album, introducing their unique blend of epic and speed metal. At this point, the band was establishing themselves in the burgeoning American heavy metal scene, following their formation in 1983. This album laid the groundwork for their subsequent releases and set a high bar for their signature sound.