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Manowar: Warriors of the World
Review by Ed Graham
Right, finally got home from the studio and actually listened to the whole album, back to front. First, it’s Manowar. They can do no wrong. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, because the Gods of Metal keep proving me right.
However, Warriors of the World is quite different from anything they or anyone has done before. I guarantee, this album marks a change in the world of music. This album takes the boundaries that are drawn around Metal, around Classical, around Rock, and around Folk, destroys them, sets them on fire, and is carried on the smoke to a higher plane. This is pure Music. This is a landmark album, because this is where every example of the previous genres gets held up in comparison, and is found inferior. Songs like The March and Swords in the Wind combine Metal and Classical in a way that enhances both and detracts from neither. The orchestra is playing real parts, unlike the farce that was Metallica’s orchestral disaster. This album has an orchestrationally complex nature that has not been found yet in another band or project. The guitars are pure Metal, but flow with the orchestra in a classical manner. The drums are a mixture of standard Scott Columbus Doom bringing and orchestral percussion, with a lot of timpani. Eric alternates between real classical singing (not the Bruce “I cut my own balls off” Dickinson “”Operatic”” stylings) and his barked vocals ala Louder than Hell. I defy anyone in Metal or Rock to perform Nessum Dorma with half the ability and expression of Eric Adams. Hel, I defy Luciano Pavarotti to perform Nessun Dorma with half the ability and expression of Eric Adams! Please quote me on that!
All in all, this is a damn good album. Musically, it’s 10 times as diverse and complex as Louder than Hell, which was a Metal masterpiece. Lyrically, they have moved above and beyond their previous work, leaving it to shame.
The songs:
Call to Arms: A great intro song to the album. Up tempo, in your face, very heavy, and inspiring. Different scansion that most Manowar songs, but it works in ways I appreciate more and more each time I hear it.
Fight for Freedom: I got to say, this song worried me. It’s a standard 11 o’clock number, very Major mode, up beat, with a nice piano intro. But for some reason, I didn’t get into it until the second time through. I was a little worried by this song, as it’s the one song on the album that is only as good as their previous material. It’s a great song, but in this magnificent piece of art, it’s not the best track. It kicks ass when compared to any other band, but beside the next track, it’s just not as brilliant.
Nessun Dorma: As far as I’m concerned, this is the ultimate version of this song. This is unsurpassable. Allow me to quote myself:
“I defy anyone in Metal or Rock to perform Nessum Dorma with half the ability and expression of Eric Adams. Hel, I defy Luciano Pavarotti to perform Nessun Dorma with half the ability and expression of Eric Adams!” (Ed Graham, Review of Manowar: Warriors of the World)
It’s not a ‘Metal’ version of this aria, it starts with full orchestra, similar to Puccini’s version, and on the final “Vincero!” the guitars and bass come in, not to over power the orchestra, but to double the bottom end of the song. It’s a song that needs to be experienced, rather than read about.
Valhalla: awesome instrumental. My only complaint: It’s too darn short. Yes, it’s ‘only’ an intro to Swords in the Wind, but it still could have lasted 5, 7, 18 minutes of pure majesty! But as it is, it kicks ass, in a big way!
Swords in the Wind: What you get when you combine Gates of Valhalla, Heart of Steel, Master of the Wind, the Merseburg Charms, a gallon of Mead, and throw in Odin chanting Voluspa. So far, it’s one of my favorite Manowar anthems. It’s what every Tru person wants their end to be like. I cannot say enough good things about this song.
An American Trilogy: Elvis is reborn! Damn good version of the song! Hail the King! Eric more than does justice to this song, and the musical arrangement is true to the heart and soul of this song. Nicely done.
The March: It begins with a very avant-garde atonal sections, using quotations from the Chinese work “Tu Ning.” Just kidding. There’s the orchestra warming up/tuning for a couple seconds before the conductor (Joey?) taps his baton on the stand and begins The March. It has the intensity and majesty of Wagner, right down to the very last distilled essence of the song. It begins slow, then expands, grows faster, and gets heavier that I’ve ever heard an orchestra. Where Stravinsky was afraid to go in L’Sacre du Primtemps, Manowar goes with no fear. (Are you surprised?)
Warriors of the World United: Already done a review of this one on the single. It kicks ass. It’s an Anthem of the Ages, in D Minor, complete with soul reaping slow bridge in the middle. Yeah!
Hand of Doom: Very, very fast, very heavy. It’s very reminiscent of Triumph of Steel, complete with vocal effects. Karl Logan finally cuts loose on this one. I was missing his wild solos in the first half of the album, but here he more than makes up for it. And understandably, he couldn't throw a berserker solo in a slow song like Swords in the Wind, so I'm not complaining about his earlier solos, but I do like my share of wild and crazy solos, like this one. Karl Logan succeeds where Yngwie fails: Karl’s got phenomenal technique AND he plays with heart and soul.
House of Death: Hailed it live, Hailed it on the CD. Reminds me of having Mike Tyson use your balls for a speed punching bag. It’s fast, it’s heavy, it kicks ass. Has a bridge reminiscent of Bridge of Death. (Oh Gods, I can’t believe I just wrote that!) The ending is brilliant, just what Dr. Power ordered. I won’t spoil it though.
Fight Until We Die: A da capo aria ball destroyer. Fast, brutal, brilliant. A killer way to end the album. It kicks ass. It almost has an early 80’s thrash feel to the guitar riffs. What a way to end the album. Killer solo too.
My complaints about the album: it’s basically thrown all the music I’ve ever written in the gutter. Still, I’ve now a new goal to attain, at least until the next Manowar album comes out. Also, the album starts with two 11 o’clock numbers and ends with three ball busting ass rippers. Why not mix it up? On the other hand, I truly appreciate the orchestra numbers as when listening to them I’m in a classical mood. Fight for Freedom would probably have worked better between Hand of Doom and House of Death though. Either way, the album is awesome.
All in all, this album kicks ass. It will become the defining album of years to come. I mean that. And you can quote me on that.
What the Hel, one more time: “I defy anyone in Metal or Rock to perform Nessum Dorma with half the ability and expression of Eric Adams. Hel, I defy Luciano Pavarotti to perform Nessun Dorma with half the ability and expression of Eric Adams!” (Ed Graham, Review of Manowar: Warriors of the World)
Manowar: Warriors of the World
Choose your rating system: Then add 10% to the highest points possible.
Track listing:
1. Call to Arms
2. The Fight for Freedom
3. Nessun Dorma
4. Valhalla
5. Swords in the Wind
6. An American Trilogy
7. The March
8. Warriors of the World
9. Hand of Doom
10. House of Death
11. Fight Until We Die
Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.
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Review by Ed Graham
