Customer Reviews

Fighting the World

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

heavy metal n. 1. heavy guns. 2. metal of high density. 3 (often attrib.) colloq. A type of highly amplified harsh-sounding rock music with a strong beat and frequent theatrical performance. 4. Manowar.

Manowar probably say it best themselves - death to false metal, forever fighting the world. No band has stayed truer to the cause of heavy metal in the past 20 years than Manowar. Bowing to no trend, this band has peddled straightforward metal in the face of opposition from all sides. No compromise, no bulls**t, just metal. For some reason, this attitude has seen Manowar become the object of derision and mirth among many a so-called metal fan.

Y'see, Manowar have this homoerotic thing going on. They dress like rejected extras from a Village People video. A lot of people can't seem to see past the codpieces, rippling muscles and the dodgy leather pants. It's a shame, because behind the codpieces you will find... heavy metal, of the highest order! (If you thought anything else, you have a dirty mind.)

Second best is not good enough for Joey De Maio, self-styled macho man, bass virtuoso and visionary driving force behind Manowar. Here you will find only the best in production values, the best available musicians, and some of the best sounding metal you will ever hear. The definition on this album is crystal clear. It is one of those recordings where you feel the urge to keep turning the volume louder and louder because it sounds so damn good. And anyway, it's Manowar, so "turn it up louder 'til we all get fried"!

Vocalist Eric Adams has a dramatic, theatrical voice, able to hit those oh so metal falsetto screams with ease. The drum sound here is absolutely booming. Even the drum kit is called the Drums of Death. "It is the ultimate drum system in the universe. Everything else is junk", according to the liner notes. De Maio's bass work needs to be heard to be believed. He consistently outplays guitarist Ross the Boss, who is no slouch himself.

The proof, they say, is in the pudding. Manowar lay on a veritable banquet of goodies. The trio of opening tracks, "Fighting The World", "Blow Your Speakers" and "Carry On" all espouse the virtues of furthering the metal cause. "Holy War" and the almost thrash metal track "Black wind, Fire and Steel" are pure Dungeons and Dragons fare.

The legendary voice behind the War Of The Worlds radio hoax of the 1930s, Orson Welles, lends his vocal talents to the epic "Defender". All the more remarkable is that it was one of the final things Welles recorded, not seeing the light of day until two years after his death. Only Manowar could have secured such a legend of the screen to appear on their album.

Unfortunately, Manowar generally turn out one ultra cheesy track per album. This time round, it was "Violence and Bloodshed". Musically, it's fine but the lyrics? "My brother's still in Da-Nang/Puttin' an ad in the back of Kerrang!/I'm looking for people who just wanna kill/We'll go back to 'Nam, cause no one else will". Who ordered the double cheeseburger with extra cheese?

There is an absolute treasure trove of "true metal" quotes to be found in the lyrics and the liner notes here. In the words of Joey De Maio: "The battle rages - Choose your side". I'm with Manowar. It would be too damn scary to be against them.

Obviously Mr. T. Hardin is suffering from some musical mental problems. He would apparently refer the knuckle-dragging, amateurish, talentless stylings of the hundreds of bands that play the same three notes a thousand beats per minute while some oaf screams and growls unintelligible garble supposedly using all sorts of elaborate words for 'kill' that neither the band nor the fans know how to use or say properly.
OK, now that I've gotten that rant over with, let me continue on to what you really want to read. This was actually the very first Manowar album I heard. A friend picked it up the day it came out, let me borrow it after he listened to it once, and never got it back (sorry Darren). I was forever hooked. The first half of the album is classic, well produced, straight ahead metal. Fantastic, clear solos on each song. The title track is a classic Manowar anthem. It sums up what they are quite well. 'Blow Your Speakers' is not only another trademark metal anthem, but is also the closest Manowar has gotten to an actual "hit" in the U.S. "Carry On", one of my instant favorites, is and inspirational rally cry; the kind Manowar is known for, among other things. "Violence and Bloodshed' is a fast and furious return to the Heavy Metal beginnings and Vietnam theme that hasn't been seen since the first album "Battle Hymns". All in all the first half of this album is just in your face heavy metal.
The second half is a return to the days of long, long ago. 'Defender' is one of the last things that the late, great Orson Welles ever did before his passing. I listened to this track at least 200 times in the first week I had this album. It aptly sets the tone for the rest of the record. A rich narrative that opens to a powerful crash of truly heavy metal. From this point on, this album does it all. Beautifully clear and powerful bass lines. Articulate and soaring lead solos. Earth shaking Drums. And the absolute best vocals on any recording of the time. 'Drums of Doom' pounds you into 'Holy War' like a charging team of mammoth beasts which then throws you into the 'Master of Revenge', a mystical segue into 'Black Wind, Fire and Steel' which blinds all with the relentless speed and accuracy of both music and lyrics. All done at a rate that almost defies logic. Manowar have definitely cemented there place as the Kings of Metal with this album forevermore. All those who refuse to believe it can go back their amateurs and goons. Leave us and make room for the true men of heavy metal.

Very few albums will snap the bones of wimps and posers quite like this call to arms. Thy ferocious bedlam of riffs woun't give the blood on your battle axe time to dry, as thine assault in everlasting. This masterpiece begins with the title track, "Fighting the World" which affirms the kings stature as True Metal Champions! The final clash of steel in the closer "Black Wind, Fire and Steel," acts as a guillotine, coming down upon the necks of all whom would dare play false metal. This is not just "an album," for it tis a right of passage to becoming a man, in a world filled with wimps.

Hear ye, hear ye! For thy most presonal aspect of this work of passion and pride was the preasence of Orson Welles on the mighty tale, "Defender." An expression of skepticism fell across my countenance, as I did not foresee Sir Welles impressing me anymore than he had done in his films. However when I heard the track I was amazed. I have never heard a more emotionally intense preformance in all my years. My heart opened wider then all the young madiens whom come calling to Manowars bed chambers upon thy midnight hour of lust. Welles' preformance as a noble warrior, on his death bed, writing to a son whom he has never met in the flesh makes this faithful warrior shed enough tears to fill the nile. The great one's powerful passion makes his work in "Touch of Evil," "The Third Man," and even "Citizen Cane," look like the feeble-weak-life forsaken preformances given by such wimpy dogs as Adam Sandler. With Lord Adams enacting the voice and soul of the son, this heartbreaking tale is so full of spirit, it is impossible to believe they are not really father and son. After experiencing this powerful journey, I marched into the resthome where mine own father rested dormant. With all my heart I reached out my hand and pulled my father from his life-less slumber. Together we marched out into the sun set-hand in hand-two warriors on the quest bigger than life itself.

Question for all true metal fans. Do you have the courage and might to give your souls to the force of Manowar, and help slay the vile slug which is false metal? The battle rages-choose your side. Forever...Fighting the World into glory we ride.

I LOVE this album.

It is so metal! Songs like 'Black wind fire and steel','Fighting the World' and 'Blow your speakers' rule beyond beleif and this album has already earned it's place in you record collection so go ahead, give it what it deserves.

The songs are all good and the musicianship is pretty top notch.

One thing I would like to say is that this album is not only excellent but really funny too. 'Carry on' and 'Blow your speakers' crack me up every time. People who criticise this album becasue of it being funny take themselves too seriously! This album is great whether you take it seriously or not! It's just so...... so.... METAL! I really really love this album and think manowar are one of the best TRUE METAL bands in the world.

MANOWAR ROCK! BLOW YOUR SPEAKERS!

This record was the one that ended my passionate relationship with ManOwaR. Listening to samples I found it to catchy and commercial. Today I bought it and listened through the whole album for the first time. I have listened to it the whole day and must say that I judged it harsh and predisposed back in 1987. The typical ManOwaR album of the 80's always had its strongest moments during the second half of the album. The final two or three songs always were the strongest. This is even more obvious with this album. The first three songs represents the band's flirts with commercialism. From the fourth track and onwards, it is the ManOwaR of the old.
The title track is catchy and have pounding heavy rythm, with good guitar play on it. Not many like it but I do. I even like the lyrics wich feels true to the heart.
I remember the video for the track 'Blow your speakers'. It was the first time that I saw a performance by the band, so it is quite nostalgic to hear the song. But honestly, it feels like ManOwaR has tried to do a follow up to 'All Men Play on Ten', like KISS did with 'Shout it out Loud' as a follow up on 'Rock And Roll All Nite', and both band fails in this effort.
Many fans like 'Carry On' but I am not one of them. It is quite obvious that this record attracted newer fans to the band of quite different calibre compared to the veterans. The song isn't all bad but it isn't a ManOwaR song, period.
After this relatively poor opening of the record the ambience changes completely. Again we hear the storytelling side of ManOwaR, filled with rage, violence and honour. The track 'Violence and Bloodshed' is written in the tradition of 'Death Tone', 'Shell Shock', and 'Warlord' as it tells the story about vietnam veterans. It is heavy and agressive with explicit lyrics.
'Defender' is the real gem of this record. Originally recorded as a 12" back in 1982, in the spirit of 'Battle Hymns' and 'Into Glory Ride', it again features Orson Welles, now as the father writing a powerful letter to his only begotten son. It is gothic, ambient and almost brings me to tears. The chorus is absolutely beutiful! I never had the opportunity to hear the original version but it have been said that it is even better than this version. But the version on this record is brilliant enough, and together with 'Dark Avenger' and 'Revelation (Death's Angel)' represents the best work that ManOwaR has done, ever.
The last tracks of the album is worked into a whole and tells us stories about battles, blood and honour, as could be expected of ManOwaR. They are written in the best of ManOwaR tradition and together with 'Defender' saves the record. 'Holy War' is brillant and very original track. The twin bassdrumming style of Scott Columbus is unparallelled and constitutes his trademark. The lyrics is especially good on this song.
'Master of Revenge' makes me think of 'Hatred', and even if 'Black Wind, Fire and Steel' feels a bit repetetive it represents a powerful ending of this second phase of the record. Again Scott's drumming is unmistakeble.

First, this recording is about 38 minutes long (same as the lp version) with no extra tracks.

Second, the sound on the cd is as great as the lp version.

Third. My cd contains the lyrics which were on the lp, but is missing the band member names and the dedications, including the one to Orsen Wells (thus the last Manowar recording Mr. Wells did narration on).

This recording features the same fine songwriting and performance found on Battle Hymns, Hail to England.

Some past reviews have stated that Manowar sold out on this recording.

There are no love ballads on this recording or pop tunes with added distortion to make it sound like a metal recording.

If 'selling out' means concentrating on writing great powerful majestic songs, instead of concentrating on trying to make some Wagnerian concept epic recording, thus sometimes resulting in some of the material being nothing more that filler in order to tie things together, then I wish more heavy metal bands would 'sell out' like this.

If quality, not quantity alone is judged, it is one of Manowar's best, it gets a 9/10 for a Manowar recording

By the way, why does Amazon include a 'NO' in 'was this review helpful to you?'. People are only human and don't like opinions that differ from themselves, thus the 'NO' makes it too easy express such displeasure.

Are they trying to discourage negative reviews, hence not purchase the CD. Such reviews only help a person in not being dissatisfied a product that received positive reviews

If Iron Maiden and KISS birthed a band, it would definitely be Manowar, the New York quartet who can't get arrested in their native land but are considered gods in Europe and South America and can pack stadiums nearly thirty years into their career. "Fighting The World" was their first major label release and probably the one most familiar to non-fans. However, it's due more to the laughably bad lyrics and horrible image (it is rare that I hear their name without someone mentioning furry boots and loincloths) than to the music. In a way that's a shame, because vocalist Eric Adams is a top-notch metal singer and the musicianship is pretty solid, but it's wasted on stuff like the horrid "Blow Your Speakers," now infamous as a VH1 Awesomely Bad Video. The one bright spot is "Carry On," which "true fans" say is one of their worst songs but is probably the most accessible tune they've ever done. With a great beat and shout-along chorus, you'll be tapping your foot and throwing the horns in no time. Download that and leave the rest alone--and sample the rest of Manowar's catalog at your own risk.

There's simply no denying the following fact: Manowar makes awesome crunchy power metal.

"Fighting the world every single day / Fighting the world for the right to play / Heavy Metal in my brain / I'm fighting for Metal 'cause it's here to stay!" - That's how this album starts off, and it's pretty much how it continues for the next 8 songs thereafter. "Fighting the World" was the song back in '87 that made me love these guys, and the resurgent power metal scene going on now made me go buy this disc and learn to love them all over again.

Sure, they're image and lyrical content are silly to the point of dopiness, but who cares? With summer right around the corner, this album SHOULD be blaring from speakers everywhere! "Carry On, "Violence & Bloodshed," and "Black Wind, Fire & Steel" all rock to the point of bringing on the whiplash danger zone, and "Defender is a strong power ballad tune all about, you guessed it: defending all that is true metal. There's nothing out of the ordinary here. If you already like Manowar and their classic metal sound, you simply must have this album. If you don't, you probably didn't make it this far into the review. Get this.

For what it is worth. Back in the early 80's I had the rare 'privilage' of actually being one of the minions that helped stage this quad set of leather clad warriors in one of their very few US tour stops in the Chicago land area.

The thing that impressed me the most of this quartet was the mass of extremely raw talent. No where else have I found or worked with a group that could flawlessly reproduce their sound from either the stage or pre-recorded material.

Now for some that may lend heavily to Milli-Vanilli scandal of the later 80's, but I am here to say that if there was money to be made from this stage show, I have no idea if the band actaully made any revenue whatso ever. The reasons for this assumption are as follows.

One, what you hear on the album is the real thing. This basically means that they used absolutely no gimmics. There were no drum machines, no double step peddles, no synthesizer enhancements - other than for sound effects(say thunder or automotive sounds).

Sure Celine Dion has a beutiful voice and can give a flawless falsetto, but nowhere that i have been in my 17 year R&R career have I heard her hold onto a primal yell that seemed to last the length of "Stairway to Heven".

Fighting the World is one of the 1st works that was released to the US. Saddly it was during a time that drug related titles were getting attention and anything that didn't follow the bubble gum recipe was deamed as the sinful wayfare. These 4 young men had and still have a raw unadulterated talent that still has several hundred soldiers marching proudly into the battlefield.

Several of the songs contained in this early work deal with the strength of ones inner soul. Oddly enough, when listened to properly actually have you finding the inner strength that you never felt that you had.

Fighting the World is not only a hymn for the weak of heart and down troden of the 80's, but can also be a song of hope for those struggling up the ladder of life for the here and now.

Ok, I realize many will think I'm trapped in my angry adolescence for owning, let alone liking this CD. But if any inch of you enjoys good old-fashioned hard rock then this CD is for you. These guys on the surface seem over the top...but they can play, sing/scream, and write some really good hard rock. There is no glam metal with these guys... no "baby, baby love me" crap; no Manowar takes an almost operatic and sometimes militant approach to their music. It is heavy with a capital H and bigger than life. Defender with narration by Orson Wells is great anthem. Blow Your Speakers is great fun. Production on this CD is ahead of its time- it sounds great for an '80s recording. It is also great music for lifting and working out.