(Rated this album with 4 out of 10) Reviewed by
goozemann
from West Chester, PA United States
Manowar are always boasting how they are the heaviest, loudest and fastest band on the planet (I guess they've never been to a Slayer show). I knew there was a pretty good chance this would suck, as Manowar haven't really been able to capture the greatness of "Battle Hymns" or "Into Glory Ride" in their later material, but I hesitantly picked it up anyway. Somewhere after whose two great albums, they became obsessed with False Metal power ballads and stupid choir-type stuff. In that respect, this album does not disappoint. There's Eric Adams singing an opera tune, there's a rendition of "when Johnny comes marching home again" or something like that (I had to fast forward, I couldn't take it), and an Elvis cover. Jeez, guys, that's real heavy!! The only thing that's listenable on the whole thing is the last three or so tracks which do indeed live up to the tradition. But the problem is having to sit thru all the rubbish on the first half to get to the good stuff. Sorry, guys, but in terms of heaviness, bands like Electric Wizard, Pungent Stench, and of course Slayer wipe you up.
