(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
sweating_demon
from beirut-lebanon
this is what that particular manowar album does to you; at the 0:59 seconds mark, the "intro" ends with the distortion still lingering and you're wiped off the ground with one of the most awesome battery sounds you'll ever hear! accompanied razor sharp riffing, this is an audial moment that you'll permanently remember. Eric adam's voice slices through the instruments loud, clear and demonically furious! i think his performance on "triumph..." is his best (studio) vocal performance with manowar. back to the music: the magnificently chilling keyboard laden interlude ends and Achilles vows to avenge his comrade's death (the bells' sound along with the keyboards' makes the passage perfect for an epic soundtrack). the scenery evoked by the music in here is so vivid! i always look out for music that actually makes one SEE as well as hear, which is strongly the case in here. now some people might not like the lengthy drum solo coming by now. i personally skip through it. it's just here to reinforce the concept of the gods forging Achilles' armor. As the solo abruptly ends, all hell breaks loose again with torrential double bass drumming, bass, guitars and mr adams' incredibly versatile vocals, going in a second from low growling bass to formidable high pitched screams. now "every one of us has heard the call!!!" and one of the best manowar songs ( metal warriors) kicks in with its sublime rythms. a true, timeless heavy metal hymn. and please dont start arguing that their lyrics are 'cheesy' and their attitude 'sucks' etcetc....if you want pensive music you're at the wrong window, PAL. "Ride the dragon" has its awesome intro where the guitars faithfully imitate a dragon's voice (sometimes, i admit i DO take manowar seriously!): this track screams "FAST" all the way; blistering drumming, whiplashing guitars and a fast talking vocalist. i'm smiling again....oh my god... "Spirit horse..." is a song about the Cherokee indian tribe. it has my personally favorite manowar chorus and the slow double bass drumming reinforces the song's monumental atmosphere. "Burning" is my absolute top song by Manowar. it's opening, delayed riff has "METAL" written all over it. this and Adams' whispered lyrics and brutally ascending and menacing tone make this song drip with evil and consumes you within its foggy, malevolent atmospheres. "power of thy sword" is a classic manowar epic with swords slashing, winds blowing and grand choruses. very very good. "The demon's whip" is maybe one and a half minute too long and i end up loving it at its very end, when you think the song ended but it blasts in back with unimaginable thrashing fury and E. Adams almost barking the lyrics! "Master of the wind" is the perfect, zippo-friendly closer; beautiful lyrics, grandiose keyboarding and passionate vocals from this incredible frontman. this album is metal. great music, great artwork, great band. if you're a metal fan and dont have this, then something's wrong with you.
