(Rated this album with 8 out of 10) Reviewed by
crymedogg
from Jackson, TN United States
This was the first album by ex-Dictator Ross the Boss' new band. I became disenchanted with Manowar when they became so Serious as to be like a cartoon, but "Battle Hymns" was a terrific debut album. A lot of energy, and some really good songs. "Shell Shock" has some real clever Vietnam-vet lyrics, and "Dark Avenger" features Orson Welles' narration: what could be heavier than that? "Battle Hymn" is the highlight of the album: I don't care much for pump-your-fist-in-the-air anthems, but "Battle Hymn" is different, a great song about courage in battle, and probably would be a classic if it had been heard by more people. I wish the re-release had not re-ordered the songs, though- "Manowar" and "Death Tone" are switched, and I think "Manowar" was a better opening song.
