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| Manowar 'Into Glory Ride'
Metal Blade, 1983 Gloon: Manowar, the Kings of Metal and Princes of Cheese. From Warlocks, Swords and Sorcery to Motorcycles, Studs and Leathers, Manowar have it all. Into Glory Ride sees the Kings out on their second journey for blood and glory and deliver an album of classic swords and cheddar to be remembered for all time. Manowar play straight out true Heavy Metal with the Sabbathy 'Hatred' and the trademark metal anthem 'Gloves of Metal' perfect examples. If Bathory and Venom are the forefathers of black metal than surely the Kings are responsible for the fantasy based power side of things. Epic tracks such as 'Gates of Valhalla' and 'Secrets of Steel' go blow for blow with anything the newer breed can offer. But for me the stand out track without a doubt is 'March for Revenge (By the Soldiers of Death)' what a gem and what a way to finish off this classic metal release. Favourite tracks - March for Revenge (By the Soldiers of Death), Secrets of Steel, Gates of Valhalla Mark - 7.5/10 Manowar 'Hail To England' Geffen, 1984 Tyrant: 33 minutes ( 7 tracks ) of bassy medieval pride powermetal from America's self proclaimed kings of metal. Musically Manowar follow rather simplistic patterns with big bass riffs mingling with casual rock riffs flooded with melodic leads. Rather straightforward drumming plods throughout the uncomplex song structures without making to much of an impression. So what makes Hail To England worth your attention? Firstly Eric Adams' superb soaring vocals, and secondly unrivalled epic power and the huge bloodstirring chorus' which seep through the basic arrangements into your head and will ahve you singing along in no time. Hail To England heralds some truly memorable tracks from the pagan majesty of 'Blood Of My Enemies', to the foreboding 'Each Dawn I Die', to the cheesy 'Kill With Power', and the squealishous track written about Manowar's fans 'Army Of The Immortals'. The title track is slightly more complexand features with a rousing choir chorus whilst the final track 'Bridge Of Death' is a lengthier song with an acoustic intro and satanic lyrics. Overall well worth your money. Favourite Tracks - Blood Of My Enemies , Each Dawn I Die , Army Of The Immortals Mark - 8/10 Manowar 'Fighting the World' Atlantic, 1987 Gloon: If the opening title track doesn't put a half proud cheesy grin on your face then 'wimps and posers, leave the hall'. The self-proclaimed 'Kings of Metal' are back with their fifth release and one of their best. The cheese flows hard and fast to start with, the before mentioned title track followed by the rockin 'Blow up your Speakers' has you banging like a mother even though the sensible side of you wants to get as far away from the stereo as possible. This release sees Manowar hitting full stride with the band getting a solid hard-hitting production and Eric Adams vocals again improving and evolving. This albums will always be remembered however by me for two songs. The first is 'Defender' a brilliantly powerful narrative about a father handing over the responsibility of protecting the Kingdom to a son he never knew, truely unique, truely brilliant. The other is the high octane of 'Black Wind, Fire and Steel' a metal classic of sing-a-long proportions. Get it now and find out why Manowar are the 'Kings of Metal' Favourite Tracks - Defender, Black Wind Fire and Steel, Blow Up Your Speakers Mark - 8/10 Manowar 'Kings Of Metal' 1988, Atlantic Tyrant: Kings Of Metal may sound like a big claim but when Manowar write a decent track it goes a long way to prove their arrogance and this release sees some of the bands finest songwriting to date. Out of the 10 tracks presented ( one being a bonus track for the CD release ), 4 of them are rather lame and cheesy like 'Wheels Of Fire' ( a track about male ego and cars ), 'Kings Of Metal' ( a song about how good Manowar are ), 'The Warriors Prayer' a narrated story track, and a musical piece 'Sting Of The Bumblebee'. What is left however are some of the best epic songs of this style ever to be concieved, the piano power ballad 'Heart Of Steel', and the epic battle hymn 'The Crown And The Ring' with its soft synth and rousing vocals breaking into a deep dreamy chior chorus both make excellent impressions. Followed shortly after by 'Kingdom Come' with inspiring lyrics, layed vocals, chiors, and a crescendo of Eric's squeals to shatter your windows, and perhaps my all time favourite Manowar track 'Hail And Kill' another epic battle fueled track with a chanted chorus and some truely memorable lines 'May your sword stay wet, like a young girl in her prime...' marvellous. The album is then closed by the majestic 'Blood Of The Kings' a song strung together from previous Manowar song titles with a huge choir chorus. Overall a must have release. Favourite Tracks - Hail And Kill , Kingdom Come , The Crown And The Ring Mark - 8.5/10 Manowar 'The Triumph Of Steel' Atlantic, 1992 Tyrant: Manowar return again to reassert their claim on the 'true metal' throne with a new 6 track 69 minute slab of bass driven slow chugging powermetal bombast. Starting off with the grand 'Achilles, Agony And Ecstasy In Eight Parts' a collosal 28 and a half minute epic full of synth, varied passages, and a drum solo which is good in parts but overall fairly annoying to listen all the way through. Following on is the all time classic metal anthem 'Metal Warriors' with a big rousing cheesy chorus "Wimps and posuers, leave the hall!!!". Other tracks of note are 'Spirit Horse Of The Cherokee' a crunchy shamanistic dirge with a powerful chorus, and the softer reflective power ballad 'Master Of The Wind'. The rest of the album flows well with some more good tracks and again Manowar stand triumphant without altering their classic 80's formula of bass driven, simplistic, and great fucking vocals! A welcome addition to the Manowar catalogue. Favourite Tracks - Spirit Horse Of The Cherokee , Metal Warriors , Master Of The Wind Mark - 7.5/10 Manowar 'Warriors Of The World' Nuclear Blast, 2002 Tyrant: Warriors Of The World is Manowar's first studio album in six years and the best of their career. The opener 'A Call To Arms' is an aggressive metal battle anthem sure to get your blood pumping, followed by the slower more melodic and epic 'The Fight For Freedom' but after these two songs things get a bit weird. Firstly with a great metal rendition of Puccini's 'Nessun Dorma' followed by 'Valhalla' a 30 second choir piece with synth leading into the viking epic 'Swords In The Wind' a slow atmospheric track in the vein of 'Master Of The Wind'. Then comes the biggest surprise, the very American folk hillbilly style 'An American Trilogy' Elvis cover, followed by another 'The March' synth based musical piece leading into the fist banging single 'Warriors Of The World' a true Manowar metal anthem. The last three tracks 'Hand Of Doom', 'House Of Death', and 'Fight Until We Die' close the album in a quicker aggressive style in the vein of 'Kill With Power' and 'Black Wind Fire And Steel' sealing Manowar's latest legacy amongst their finest ever written. This is Manowar minus the whip and chains imagery with a much darker and harder modern feeling behind the music and production that long time fans and new comers alike are sure to respond to. Favourite Tracks - Call To Arms ; Warriors Of The World United ; Swords In The Wind Mark - 8.5/10 Manowar ‘The Dawn Of Battle’ Nuclear Blast, 2002 Tyrant: The Dawn Of Battle is a three track shaped mini cd featuring two exclusive tracks and the triumphant ‘Call To Arms’ from the Warriors Of The World album. The title track is a typical Manowar epic with a driving riff slowing and catchy chorus that slows into a saucy lead/build up section before returning with a more up tempo version of the chorus ( predictable, but effective as always ). My only complaint with this track is that the lyrics seem to be a little clumsy in places like a mish-mash of Manowar cliches. The second track ‘I Believe’ is your typical egotistical hero ballad that Manowar are famous for but like lacks a small spark of conviction in the vocals that the other Warriors Of The World material had. The last track is the brilliant battle anthem ‘A Call To Arms’ one of the best album tracks. Overall a good collectors piece for fans of the band who liked the bands newer material. Favourite Tracks – A Call To Arms , The Dawn Of Battle , I Believe Mark – 8/10 Manowar 'The Sons Of Odin' Magic Circle, 2006 Tyrant: The first Manowar mini album is here in fine style featuring two live tracks and 3 new tracks. The two live tracks are 'The Ascension' and 'King Of Kings' neither of which I had heard before, 'The Ascension' is a short lead in style track to 'King Of Kings' with some gentle vocals and synth and choirs whilst 'King Of Kings' is another track in the vein of 'A Call To Arms' with a powerful dynamic feel and awesomely catchy chorus. Of the new material 'Odin' is a sweeping orchestral musical both dark and beautiful, epic and ominous. 'Gods Of War' is the biggest surprise with elaborate layered synth reacting with heavy pulsing guitar riffs and low growled lyrics that build into the soaring vocals we are used to, this track reminds me of the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack alot. The final track 'The Sons Of Odin' is a classic Manowar romp featuring slow passages with choir synth, heavy groovy sections and an odd 'Defender' style spoken outro. Overall an essential purchase for any fans of metal. Favourite Tracks - Gods Of War ; King Of Kings ; The Sons Of Odin Mark - 8.5/10 |
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