(Rated this album with 8 out of 10) Reviewed by
b_beachy
from Denton, TX USA
Manowar is one of those bands that has no clue, but they put it well, "Wimps and Posers, leave the hall...". While I think that half of their intensely loyal fandom comes from the way they hype themselves up in their music, I have to admit they are some very talented individuals. Joey DiMaio is one of the best bass players out there on pure technical skill, though his artistry doesn't quite compare to Geddy Lee or Les Claypool, and Eric Adams has got an unbelievable set of pipes, even if he doesn't quite use them with the skill of a Bruce Dickinson or Geoff Tate. The songs on this album are fast and hard, though I wouldn't particularly call them "heavy" in the classic sense. They may have a Guiness record for loudest band ever, but their music won't really melt your face like Slayer, Pantera, Fear Factory, etc. That is, of course, unless you're playing them through a 40 ft. Marshall stack, but who really does that anyway except the band themselves? "Achilles" is a long song and it has some great parts but tends to be stale in others. However, I have to say that I really like the rest of the album in a homey sort of way. This music just has a quality to it that makes you feel good, believe it or not. You listen and you think of the days back in high school sitting in a buddy's room listening to albums, or watching Headbanger's Ball on MTV. The band has talent, but not perfect talent. They have attitude, but it's not attitude that makes you think of them as superstars. They are accessible and human, and that definitely comes through in their music, which is probably its most appealing quality. "The Demon's Whip" and "The Power of Thy Sword" are probably my favorites. Overall this is a good album, but despite it's definite appeal it never quite reached in and tugged the heart strings or got me amped like Kings of Metal did. Go buy it, and you'll probably love it or possibly be underwhelmed by it, but either way you shouldn't be disappointed. If you are a fan of Manowar none of this matters. You'll love it regardless because it has that ineffable Manowar spirit that only true fans of the band can understand.
