Customer Reviews

Hail to England

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After reading this comment's title you'll probably be thinking: "but I do want to listen to Manowar as loud as possible!". Sure, we all do. The expression "loudness war", however, refers to a trend in the music industry to master CD's with the volume too loud, often beyond the limits allowed by the technical specifications of the CD format. This process will almost always cause unwanted distortion and even "clipping" on various parts of the audio. In other words, parts of the audio are often irreparably damaged in the mastering process because they don't "fit" within the CD format's dynamic range limits.

I did a full audio analysis of this remastered "silver edition" of the album, and on the first track alone, "Blood Of My Enemies", there are at least 254 clipped (that is, cut off, LOST) samples on the left channel and 312 on the right channel. Please note that this is something completely different to listening to a correctly mastered CD as loud as you want - the sound will be intact in that case, and the loudness limit will be defined only by your audio equipment and your taste. On the other hand, an album that has been victimized by the "loudness war" will be missing parts of the sound even when played at a low volume.

It's a real shame that a band that's known for their perfeccionism when it comes to their music, and specially Joey DeMayo, allowed this absolutely classic album to be released this way. If you don't have "Hail To England" on CD, make sure you get the original release, which was mastered correctly.

For more information on the "loudness war", just Google the expression between quotes.

I know this CD by heart from the first accords of "Blood of my Enemies" till the laughter at "Bridge of Death". It is so classical, so powerful and brimming with the ancient lust for unseen lands, for truth and honesty, for pride and glory. I have many many CDs in my collection, including a wide range of styles (From Heavy Metal to Classic to Electronic Arts), but this one here is an absolute key to everything, one of the foundations Heavy Metal lies on. I wouldn't even compare it to any other bands of that age, because it's so supreme. But Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" for Heavy Metal or "In the Nightside Eclipse" by Emperor for Black Metal have had a similar impact and importance. I'd score this 10 stars if I could!

Hail, Brothers of Metal!
This is, in my opinion, the most criative and pleasurable Manowar's album. There are epic/sword-and-sorcery songs, satanic songs, a instrumental song and a exaltation to the Manowar's fans! Everything a Headbanger wants from a Heavy Metal album!

IT IS HEAVY METAL PURE AND DISTELLED! ENJOY IT!

I bought my copy of "Hail To England" back in May, kind on an impulse purchase really. As you can tell from my other reviews, I am a fan of Manowar and have many of their CDs. I wasn't particularly looking to buy a Manowar CD when I went into the local music/video/book place, but I saw it on the shelves, I'd heard good things about it, and I AM a Manowar fan, so I bought it. This is an example of one of those purchases that I have not regretted since.
The music on this CD has a raw, primal feel to it. It's kind of like they took the best songs from "Battle Hymns" ("Dark Avenger" and "Battle Hymn," to be exact) and built on the foundations of these songs, distilling the sounds and intensifying the lyrics. The result is awesome! "Blood Of My Enemies" could almost be titled as "Battle Hymn, Part Two," as the song structures of both songs are very similar. "Each Dawn I Die" is an intriguing track; I like the unique drum beat and Eric's vocals are nicely utilized here. "Kill With Power" is a definite Manowar staple. The title track is an early example of just how majestic Manowar can be, simply an awesome song. "Army Of The Immortals" is a tribute to all the dedicated Manowar fans of the world. This is one reason Manowar is so cool, they are definitely loyal to their fans and aren't afraid to show it! "Black Arrows" is another awesome display of Joey DeMaio's killer bass playing. I can understand how "Bridge of Death" could be disturbing to some. But let's face it: if you are a fan of Manowar, you should know that these guys are not for everyone. I for one think the song is great musically, a logical way to cap off the CD. As a whole, "Hail To England" is another classic from Manowar, and as such it should definitely be added to any Manowar fan's collection.

True, like "Into Glory Ride" and "Sign of the Hammer", the origional releases suffered from less-than-perfect production. Not that the sound was terrible, just muddy. The remasters sound a thousand times better. Now, when I first heard this album and it's opening tracks 'Blood of my Ememies' and 'Each Dawn I Die', I was sure that it was recorded at the same time as the previous one. Or at least fast on the heels of it. But, alas, I was wrong. Although sounding similar, it is a bit of a faster paced album than "Glory" as is clearly evidenced by 'Kill With Power'. 'Hail to England' is the first song to pay tribute to their fans overseas after being mostly ignored in America. 'Army of Immortals' is another, yet more direct, ode to the loyal fans of Manowar who are truly like no other. The closing two tracks always blow me away. 'Black Arrows' continues the tradition started on "Battle Hymn" of a Joey DeMaio bass assault, proving once again why he should get far more recognition as a musician than he gets. This Piccolo Bass solo shows that a great bass player is a great guitarist first, then a bass player. This leads directly into 'Bridge of Death' that opens with an 8 string bass solo unlike anything I've ever heard before of since. An almost 9 minute opus about dealing with satan, there is not much I can say about it other that I must be listened to completely to know what it's really about.
Once again, Manowar made a record with lush musical abilty, story telling lyrics, and quite simply heavy metal in it's pure form.

As I am not old enough to know, I can't say anything about the impact of this record in its time. But I can point out that it still rules. Everything about this is mindblowing. Eric Adams puts on one of his most inspired vocal performances, and that piccolo bass gives the album a great raw (or perhaps barbaric) sound. Nearly every song seems to have an original idea. Manowar never really topped this album, though they sometimes came close. Unfortunately, their next two albums don't have whole lot to recommend themselves.

By far my favorite Manowar album, Hail To England is pure driving tunes all the way. Turn it up, roll down the windows and sing along madly with this masterpeace. Every track on this album smokes like a full house of college kids in a coffee shop. The boys back up their "death to false metal" exclamations with true powerful metal. "Blood Of My Enemies" and "Each Dawn I Die" are incredible jump around like a madman tunes. "Kill With Power" and "Army Of Immortals" roll along brilliantly crushing anything weaker under it's wheels. Bludgeoning riffs, energetic, piercing vocals, "Hail To England" is a true adrenaline rush for metal junkies everywhere. So, what are you waiting for?

... then I laughed, and I cried, and I contemplated the great mysteries of life... okay, I mostly laughed. Really, it's funnier than a thrashing Spinal Tap cranked to 11. I love this and think, quite sincerely, that it's a masterpiece.

One of their best albums. With the exceprion of Black arrows the other songs are amazing. Especially Bridge of Death is a classic unigue song -> an epic metal ballad lets say. If you are new to Manowar this is a nice place to start. Epic metal at their best. I like also the production (its a little too loud but its mush better that their previous album Into Glory ride. A very good metal album for all metal fans.

Before I heard anything from Manowar I used to write them off as silly macho metal. But about a dozen years ago I found myself checking out several early 80s metal bands that I never gave a chance the first time around (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond). Because Hail To England got many good reviews I decided to start there. To my surprise this band could actually write good metal tunes. Their slogan of "Death to false metal!" seemed cheesey at first but then I started to realize that these guys are dead serious. I salute any band that holds the flag of metal high with pride. If you like heavy guitars, chugging bass, pounding drums, soaring vocals, and don't have a problem with fantasy lyrics, then Manowar is for you. My favorite tracks are Blood Of My Enemies, Each Dawn I Die, Army Of Immortals, and Bridge Of Death. Fans of the Dictators (and Shakin Street) will know of guitarist Ross The Boss who left the band in 1988. I ended up buying a few more albums by Manowar but I think this one is their best. Hail Metal!