Warriors of the World

Untitled Document Just a few weeks ago Danny at Metal Reviews gave us an appetizer of what one could possibly expect from the new Manowar album, "Warriors of the World". Now that you've all had a chance to digest that, it's time for the main course. It's been almost 6 years since Manowar's last studio release, "Louder Than Hell". There has been so much anticipation for a new studio release that fan expectations were probably very high. And with that said there are going to be some longtime Manowar fans shaking their heads saying, "What the fuck is this shit?" That really all depends on how you look at it. So what does a six-year hiatus do to a band? Enough time has passed where new styles and influences are incorporated into certain areas of this album. 6 years is a lot of time for a band to progress and at the same time take a step back and remain the same. Sound confusing? Let me explain. Track 1: "Call To Arms" This album starts off strong with a track destined to become a Manowar classic: "Call To Arms" is a cry to the fans. It's in the vein of such Manowar anthems as "Metal Warriors" from "The Triumph of Steel" and "Brothers of Metal" from "Louder Than Hell". It's one of many battle hymns on this album. The beginning sounds like something from the Bathory album "Hammerheart". It has a Viking Metal feel at first with male choir voices. It then kicks into a tempo and style that reminds me of a bit like "Blood Of My Enemies" from "Hail To England". This song also would have made a great single from the album. Track 2: "Fight For Freedom" Another anthem, with a very patriotic, marching feel. There's never been a more appropriate time in life for a track like this. I can see this song being played at sports events. It reminds of something out of the Revolutionary War; the minute mans marching theme! The beginning starts off with a piano ala Savatage type power ballads. Some freedom bell dings and snare drum rolls are also used before being joined by some guitar power chords highlighted by choir voices and orchestration. This could very well be America's National Anthem for the new Millennium. Track 3: "Nessun Dorma" The most out of place track on the album. Heavy metal Pavoratti, or something that Uncle Junior from "The Sopranos" would sing. It is sung in Italian. Very opera oriented with orchestration. However, it is beautiful! Eric Adam's "Golden Voice" has never sounded better. I like how the dynamics of the song start off soft and then get much louder, to climax with the trademark Eric Adams scream! I think this track would have been more appropriate as a b-side. It may not fit Manowar's overall style but give them credit for trying something new. Track 4: "Valhalla" A very short symphonic instrumental that is a prelude to "Swords in the Wind". Sounds such as the pipe organ, choir voices and strings are used in this piece. Track 5: "Swords In The Wind" A warrior's battle ballad about his thoughts of fighting and then dying to go to a place where the brave have fallen yet proudly live again. It starts off with an acoustic guitar followed by electric guitar harmonizing fills, brass keyboard sounds and strings. It then gets heavy, in the tempo of "Heart of Steel" from "Kings of Metal" and "Secret of Steel" from "Into Glory Ride". Track 6: "An American Trilogy" Yet another out of place track that has a patriotic feel. The tragic events of September 11th hit close to home for Manowar, (being they are New Yorkers from America). The tragedy inspired them to do a medley of songs that symbolize patriotism in America. It combines three good ole American classic songs into one. It uses "Dixieland", "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and some kind of lullaby. A very emotional song that just might bring a tear of joy to your eye! There are soft quiet parts that slowly build to a louder, fuller ending. Again, not your usual Manowar style but it works. Track 7: "The March" Another symphonic, instrumental track, almost Rhapsody sounding. This piece could have been in the movie "Gladiator". I can see Maximus as he enters the arena to do battle! This song leads into the first single "Warriors of the World United United". Track 8: "Warriors of the World United" The first single from the album. Another battle hymn destined to become a classic. A slow marching paced song calling out to the fans, or warriors of the world. This song sounds a little like the beginning of Ozzy Osbourne's "Believer". Once again the choir voices add a nice touch over the bass drum/snare/bass drum pattern, guitar power chords and thumping bass lines. There's a nice clean dreamy break midway through the song, reminiscent of that during "Battle Hymn" from "Battle Hymns" or "March For Revenge (By The Soldiers of Death)" from "Into Glory Ride". Tracks 9/10/11: "Hand of Doom" "House of Death" "Fight Until We Die" The album has a strong finish with the last 3 tracks. "Hand of Doom", "House of Death", and "Fight Until We Die" are the heaviest and fastest tracks on the album. All have double bass drumming similar to songs like "Outlaw" from "Louder Than Hell" and "Blackwind, Fire and Steel" from "Fighting The World". Included are the Manowar screams, guitar shredding, and galloping bass lines. Great power metal! Why couldn't the rest of the album be like this? So to sum up, the progression of Manowar is best displayed on the symphonic styled pieces like "Valhalla", "The March", and "Nessun Dorma". Has Manowar been listening to one too many Rhapsody albums? I'm not sure but that's not a bad thing either. I feel they have taken a step back in their mixing and production. The production on "Warriors of the World" seems a bit rough at times. This album was recorded with digital equipment in Joey DeMaio's home and it shows. "Call To Arms" sounds more like a rough demo than the final product, but it is still good none the less. The drums don't sound as "BIG" and the songs are missing the big multi-layered background choruses usually present during the main verses. At times the high hats seem so tight that they sound synthetic, like a drum machine.. There seems to be a bit of a flanging effect on them. If you listen to albums like "Louder Than Hell", "The Triumph of Steel" or even the live album, "Hell On Stage", you can hear a big difference in the dynamics of the sound. See how loud your stereo gets when you switch from the "Warriors of the World" album to any of the other three albums that I mention. The mixes on those three albums are powerful where you hear every instrument loud and clear. However, I must consider that this album is in the form of a promo tape, not CD. The new songs might go over better in a live setting, since an album like "Hell On Stage Live" (an album which I hope to review at somepoint) lacked audience participation on many of the songs from albums that were overproduced in the studio. Manowar has stayed the same lyrically. What's a Manowar album without references to words like battle, fight, metal, blood, steel, fire, wind, kill, etc.? I would have preferred a different order for the songs. When the album starts off with "Call To Arms" you get the impression that this is the pace and tone of the album. Then the next 5 or 6 tracks take a different turn, only to pick up again with the last 4. It starts of strong and ends strong, but the middle kind of leaves one wondering, "when does the next kick ass song come?" Overall this is a very good album that could have been much better. Hence the 85 rating.