(Rated this album with 6 out of 10) Reviewed by
Tomas Dahlheim
from Gothenburg, Sweden
I was a true swedish ManOwaR fan during the 80's from the first record to 'Sign of the Hammer'. When ManOwaR released 'Fightning the World' I was put down. In my opinion the band had giving in to the forces of commersialism and played music bordering on false metal. I didn't pick up a new record until a heard a sample of 'The Triumph of Steel'. Well, they no longer played false metal alright but it didn't sound like the classical ManOwaR, more like contemporary death metal. And I could't come to terms with the fact that Scott Columbus and Ross the Boss had left the band since the late 80's. Now, I always have liked and loved the classical ManOwaR period and continued to listen to the classical four (Battle Hymns, Into Glory Ride, Hail to England and Sign of the Hammer). When they released the two live albums in the late 90's, 'Hell on Wheels' and 'Hell on Stage', althought I only heard samples, I was stunned by the power and impact of the energy and sound. They really did justice to the classical songs and played the newer material in a more true way, and as a bonus Scott was back in the band! In my opinion, a band is defined by it's live acts and a good live record. Well the band put out two really good live records on a row, again showing their balls while standing up towards the record industry. ManOwaR really showed their love for their fans and I quickly fell in love again, in time for their new studio release. What can I say about 'Warriors of the World'. I have listened to it repetively during the last day or so. My first impression was: "Oh my, what a strange record!" Now I say: "What balls to put this diverse kind of material together!" It's still a stange record but it really grows in a short moment of time. It's not a masterpeace however, not compared to the classical ManOwaR era anyway (ManOwaR can't be compared to other acts because of the originality of the band). The first notes on the opening song 'Call to Arms' is reminicent of the band Therion (a Swedish act (which by the way did a cover of Thor (The Powerhead) on their recent album) distinguised by its gothic sound and use of choirs). The rest is reminecent of 'Blood on My Enemies'. It is monotone, primitive with a heavy ponding rythm, supported by classical ManOwaR lyrics. A really good song filled with honor and dark ambience. Right away from the second song the record takes a drasticly different direction. 'The Fight for Freedom' is really a song for Americans and the patriotic sentimens strikes discordia in my being. Besides a quite o.k. chorus, the rest of the song is totally uninteresting. I have really thought of ManWaR not as a patriotic band towards an existing country but towards their own legions of Army of Immortals. What can I say, a strike of false metal? From the third song the record travels on uncharted territory. The very personal interpretation of the classical act 'Nessun Dorma' is the kind of thing that really evokes my respect for the band. It is in the tradition of Joey's muscular bass solo numbers that has become a tradition on almost every album. Now it is time for Eric Adams to show the abilities of his voice, and it's an equal match to Joey's thunderpicks! I really like the closing of the song with the heavy chord and screaming heavy metal voice, which show the humor of the band. A nice break from the seriousness that sometimes can affect this band. 'Valhalla' is actually dedicated to me as a Swedish resident. It's quite a ordinary electronic overture which fits nicely with the next song 'Swords in the Wind'. This song is a really good ManOwaR ballad, filled with Norse mythology, death and honor, everyting that one can ask from ManOwaR. The heavy section fits in nicely and all in all this will become a true classical ManOwaR act. Just as everyone expects the rest of the album develope according to classical ManOwaR lines the band instead chooses to do a cover of the song 'An American Triology' filled with strong american sentiments, again to strong for my taste. However, the closing heavy metal riffs eases the mood. The somewhat self-ironic tone of the song makes the band excused. It can be proof of their balls to do what they feel like to do. It remains, however, that the song isn't going to be one of my favorites. The next composition, 'The March' is a tribute to Richard Wagner, with nice electronic ambience of a orchestral flavour. As I am into Wagner myself, I can easely go along for the trip. Somehow this is a prelude to the last 1/3 section of the record which ends in heavy death metal ambience. The last four songs is really worth the buy of the record in their own right. 'Warriors of the World United' is a good ponding and heavy track in the tradion of the opening act. It is somehow reminicent of classical Judas Priest but that isn't to obvious to be a flaw by itself. It will become a good live track, I am sure. The last three songs are of the same kind, heavy, fast and raw metalmania. The ambience is dark, bordering on death metal, with classical dark ManOwaR lyrics. 'Hand of Doom' is the best track on the album and probably one of the best overall songs in the carrier of ManOwaR. 'House of Death' and 'Fight Until We Die' is almost as good and already classical ManOwaR acts. This is the kind of ManOwaR we expect to hear in the 21'st century.
