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Manowar - Anthology Audio CD

A fair review of the Manowar "Anthology" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Manowar reviews here, or go back to the Manowar tabs.

Manowar Band: Manowar
Title: Anthology
Rating:
Release Date: 1997-05-22
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Manowar 2: Metal Daze 3: Fast Taker 4: Battle Hymns 5: All Men Play on 10 6: Sign of the Hammer 7: Fighting the World 8: Blow Your Speakers 9: Heart of Steel 10: Blood of the Kings 11: Violence and Bloodshed 12: Wheels of Fire 13: Metal Warriors 14: Demon's Whip

Best friggin' photo ever!!!!
Rock on (in your thongs)!!!. I don't own the album, but I have to give it 5 stars for the cover photo.


Guilty Pleasure, & a good place to start for Manowar
I discovered them way back in the early 80's, when I was a longhaired teenaged metalhead. Manowar is a guilty pleasure for me. Me & my buddies would lift weights in the garage while listening to Manowar and Iron Maiden. Something about their chest pounding macho vibe really connected with me back then. Is their image silly? Sure, just look at the cover of Anthology. But, then look at photos of Iron Maiden in their stage tights, or Judas Priest in their gay biker gear. It's metal, it's campy, it's fantasy, and it's fun. Musically, Manowar is a decent band, nothing special; their instrumentalists are somewhere above Twisted Sister and below Maiden in terms of technique (I'm a rock guitarist who went on to study jazz & classical in college, so I can speak with some objectivity on their skills). They were probably the first band to co-opt viking/norse mythology in their image and lyrics, which is original, but personally I don't care much for lyrical themes, I take in the vibe of the music as a whole. The special thing about Manowar is their singer, Eric Adams, and how his vocals emphasize the power of the music. This guy has an amazing set of pipes (he has obviously been trained), and his vocals still make me feel like a testosterone filled teen (which is no small feat for this middle aged old fart!).
Like many bands, Manowar's catalogue is hit and miss, so Anthology is a good cd for the new fan to buy, or for someone like me who used to have a bunch of their stuff on vinyl, but is not interested in buying a bunch of Manowar cd's at age 40. It has classic tunes that I remember from the 80's, like Metal Daze, Battle Hyms, All Men Play On Ten, Fighting the World, as well as a decent selection of their 90's catalog. Like most "best of" discs, I feel they left out some obvious tunes (Secret of Steel, Blood of My Enemies, Guyana), but this cd is a good representation of Manowar. Fans of powerful metal w/ operatic vocals like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Dio will probably dig this disc. Since I'm home alone, allow me to now crank up this cd, puff up my chest, lower my IQ, raise my fist, and proclaim DEATH TO FALSE METAL!!!
.


No good anthology available
They have some fantastic, world class songs, but these tend to be hidden beneath tons of mediocre or ridiculous material (especially on the later albums). If ever there was a band in need of a good anthology, it's Manowar. Alas, given the fact that Manowar has switched record companies repeatedly (they could never fulfill the sales expectations raised by their over-the-top ego's), it is very doubtful that such an anthology will ever see the light. If you are set on buying a Manowar compilation cd anyway, this one is the better buy compared to Hell of Steel, which mainly features the cheesy side of Manowar.

But the best advice for anyone looking for a good collection of Manowar songs is to buy the Battle Hymns and Hail to England albums, since they feature the highest concentration of Manowar classics (Manowar, Metal Daze, Fast Taker, Battle Hymns, Blood of My Enemies, Kill with Power, Hail to England), and then try to get hold of someone with the following songs on his or her mp3 player: Secret of Steel; Revelation (Death's Angel); Thor (the Powerhead); Sign of the Hammer; Black Wind, Fire and Steel; Wheels of Fire.

With these ingredients, you'll be able to compile a fantastic anthology that no metal fan should be without; and you'll do yourself the favour of not having to plough through all the idiotic, kindergarten tunes that Manowar alas has come to represent.


Sad excuse for a "Best Of" album!
Pardon me for pointing out that the cover art was from the band's most embarrassing moment, and that you're missing out on anything from "Hail to England" or "Into Glory Ride". This thing was put out in Europe only by a record company that didn't own the rights to publish stuff off of all the albums. . . which includes most of the bands's biggest and most epic songs.

Sure these songs are all good, but this compilation is just a few songs you should have already on the proper albums with the proper artwork.

Manowar NOW volume 1
and the hits just keep rolling.


"THE" Magic Circle to own!!
Hard Rockin' Kick Your Ass tunes Kingdom Come, Hail and Kill, and Blood of the Kings, and the mighty ballad Heart of Steel. By far the best CD from Manowar. If you like hard rock/heavy metal, and have not heard anything from this band, then get this CD!! You will be glad you did!!.


You can see a complete list of all Manowar discography, or go back to the Manowar tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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