Manowar - Warriors Of The World

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Nuclear Blast
Catalog Number:
Format: CD
Total Time: 47:54:00

It has been seven years since Manowar's last studio album (Louder Than Hell), and with two double live albums right in the middle, I would have expected more from one of the leaders in heavy metal. Manowar, the self-proclaimers of Loudest Band in the World, have not released the Loudest CD in the World. If a true metal band would have released an album consisting of two instrumentals, four ballads, two covers, and 5 true metal songs then they would have been crucified. So here it comes, a crucifixion - in parts.

Like many metalheads, I was looking forward to this album. Each album thunders like no other, even though they are criticised for their wares, their lyrics, and their attitude, you can always rely on Manowar on remaining true to heavy metal, can't you? They mainly do - which is the good news. In other good news I want to say that, taken individually, there is not one bad song on the album. The not so good news is the questionable song selection and the general "metal-ness" of the album. The biggest problem with Warriors Of The World, and it's a huge problem in my opinion, is the unbalanced song selection of the album. Let me elaborate:

The first song is an absolute scorcher and it's called "A Call To Arms." It's a rallying-the-vanguard type song that typifies and has typified Manowar over the decades. I was so looking forward to each of the songs following but, unfortunately, I was disappointed. The next 6 tracks display a side of Manowar that has only been hinted at in the past, but they've decided to dump them all in one block. Next up is "The Fight For Freedom," which is a fairly good power ballad with a marching theme. The next is the theatrical/dramatic "Nessun Dorma," the first of the two covers (this cover is from Puccini's Turandot opera). It's wonderful and it's sung in Italian and it's reminiscent of "Herz Aus Stahl." Next up, a short introductory instrumental, followed by another power ballad in "Swords In The Wind." Great song once again. Next up, the Elvis Presley song "An American Trilogy." Whilst the song is more dramatic (especially towards the end), the song is a (complete) waste of time and CD space, especially for a band that seems to release albums after many years. A rather slow-mid paced 4-minute instrumental follows and it's called "The March" - self-explanatory of course. And finally, we're back to what Manowar knows best - a veritable metalheads dream with four METAL tracks: "Warriors Of The World United," "Hand Of Doom," "House Of Death," and "Fight Until We Die" - the weakest of which is the final number.

The album is so unbalanced it's not funny and I look at the example that Iced Earth set with Something Wicked This Way Comes where one fast song was followed by a slower number. This was repeated until the end of that album but on Warriors Of The World I find myself bored of so many slower numbers. Yes, they're good songs - but I don't want to hear them all in a row. The fast songs are absolutely terrific.

The true metal spirit does flow, but it's sporadic and Manowar have experimented like never before with many theatrical and dramatic movements and it's safe to assume this is the direction the band is headed. Another point I'd like to make is that all the Manowar members have still got it and it is good to hear Eric Adams (v) still sound truly amazing.

Warriors Of The World contains far too many ballads and that has a serious detrimental effect on not only the album but on my mark as well. Be wary, be selective.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Call To Arms / The Fight For Freedom / Nessun Dorma / Valhalla / Swords In The Wind / An American Trilogy / The March / Warriors Of The World United / Hand Of Doom / House Of Death / Fight Until We Die

Musicians:
Eric Adams - vocals
Karl Logan - guitar
Joey DeMaio - bass
Scott Columbus - drums

Discography:
Battle Hymns (1982)
In Glory Ride (1983)
Hail To England (1984)
Sign Of The Hammer (1985)
Fighting The World (1987)
Kings Of Metal (1988)
The Triumph Of Steel (1992)
Hell Of Steel: The Best Of Manowar (1994)
Louder Than Hell (1996)
Anthology (1997)
Hell On Wheels Live (1998)
Secrets Of Steel (1998)
Hell On Stage Live (1999)
Hell On Wheels Live (1999)
Live In France (1999)
Kingdom Of Steel: The Best Of Manowar (1999)
Warriors Of The World (2002)

Hell On Earth, Pt. 1 (2000) (VID/DVD) Fire And Blood (2003) (VID/DVD)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.manowar.com
Hits: 1812
Language: english