Customer Reviews

Triumph of Steel

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Manowar is one of those bands that has a lot of songwriting talent but are often dismissed from their inability to graduate from the "all hail us" kind of mentality that characterizes their lyrics. This album marks somewhat of a departure from that songwriting mentality; I say somewhat because it is still present on a few songs. However, overlooking that aspect, most of the material showcases some real lyrical talent, not to mention the amazing instrumental feats. This is not an album for those with short attention spans. This is not to be listened to piecemeal, or a little here and there. Lock the door, disconnect the phone, and put this on as loud as your neighbors will tolerate. It will blow you away. The first song, over 28 minutes in eight separate movements, is a masterful discourse of the story of ancient Troy in Greek myhology. Follow the leaflet so you understand the separate movements and what they represent, and you will be hard pressed to find anything similar in modern music that can reach this plateau. This is the kind of songwriting skill that the classical music masters put into their work, and it takes on a similar style and grandeur. The subsequent tracks all showcase similar effort, although the theme varies. The final track, Master of the Wind, is a soaring spiritual journey into the eternal strength of the human character that packs a more powerful punch than any of their earlier "we rule" mentality songs ever could. This album is an oddity for Manowar in their career, always advertising on the record sleeve "no synths, no pedals, no wimps: just power, metal, and might" they make extensive use of them in this album, and somehow stand more powerful and mighty through their intelligent use of such devices to bring their music to another level. Incidentally, the drummer for this album, listed only as "Rhino", is the most talented drummer I have ever heard, making Lars Ulrich and Tommy Lee look like kids banging on upturned kitchen pots in comparison. Too bad he isn't on any of their other albums. But then, none of their other albums even compare to this one.

I've only heard every album preceding this so far (except Sign of the Hammer). But unless Warriors of the World is the most kick-ass Manowar album I'll ever hear this is by far their best. The production is bigger than the early-eighties albums. But the mtv-leanings that the last two albums had with songs like "Blow your Speakers" and "Kings of Metal" are gone. Instead the best elements of both those times, the purely medieval focus of Hail to England and the cleaner production of Fighting the World are combined in Triumph of Steel for the best Manowar album I've heard. All the songs are great but the best is Spirit Horse of the Cherokee (even though it is a pretty stereotypical view of Native Americans). Anyway if any Manowar album is worth your money, it would be this one.

Any band,especially metal that can lay down and record a twenty-eight minute epic that is based on the tale of Homer's 'Iliad',the disc's opener,"Achilles,Agony&Ecstasy In Eight Parts" must be given credit where credit is due.What a concept album.On the track "Death Of Patroclus",vocalist Eric Adams puts some emotion about the pain in which Achilles endures when his best friend gets slain by the evil Hector.A couple of the CD's rockers I also liked were "Ride The Dragon" and "Power Of The Sword".This was the band's seventh lp.Might be their best work since 1984's 'Hail To England'.If you are looking for some fine earth-shattering heavy metal,look no further.

In my opinion, this is the greatest Heavy Metal album of
all time! It has the raw power, metal intensity, and the
driving force that makes "Manowars" music so magical. If
you're looking for a true form of metal unaffected by the
trends of the modern music industry, this is it! This is
their most technical and detailed album to date. I love
the innovation of "Rhinos" drumwork, the double bass is
some of the fastest I've ever heard! I wish "Scott" played
more like him.And "Eric", well once again he is spectacular!
"Joeys" production abilities really come to light on this
album as well as his musical abilities.

This album will take you on a long journey into the world
of the fighting spirit that lives within us all! It sends
a message that tells us to never give up, believe in your
own truths and overcome all the obstacles in your life.
It's hard to pick a favorite song on this album because I
love them all, but "Spirit Horse of the Chrokee", "Burning",
and "Master of the Wind" are some of my favorites, it all
depends on the mood I'm in though. Although I do like other
metal bands, none have influenced me the way "Manowar" has!

So for all you new-wave rap metal fans, step out of your
trendy shoes and stop trying to fit into what everyone else
thinks is cool. Most of the music I hear in the mainstream
is so boring and spiritually dead that I can't feel any kind
of genuine emotion from it. They all sound so much alike. So
come on and give this one a listen. This is what real Heavy
Metal music is all about! And yes I take this music seriously, it's not just music, it's celebrating the triumph of the human spirit!!!!

this is what that particular manowar album does to you; at the 0:59 seconds mark, the "intro" ends with the distortion still lingering and you're wiped off the ground with one of the most awesome battery sounds you'll ever hear! accompanied razor sharp riffing, this is an audial moment that you'll permanently remember. Eric adam's voice slices through the instruments loud, clear and demonically furious! i think his performance on "triumph..." is his best (studio) vocal performance with manowar. back to the music: the magnificently chilling keyboard laden interlude ends and Achilles vows to avenge his comrade's death (the bells' sound along with the keyboards' makes the passage perfect for an epic soundtrack). the scenery evoked by the music in here is so vivid! i always look out for music that actually makes one SEE as well as hear, which is strongly the case in here. now some people might not like the lengthy drum solo coming by now. i personally skip through it. it's just here to reinforce the concept of the gods forging Achilles' armor. As the solo abruptly ends, all hell breaks loose again with torrential double bass drumming, bass, guitars and mr adams' incredibly versatile vocals, going in a second from low growling bass to formidable high pitched screams.
now "every one of us has heard the call!!!" and one of the best manowar songs ( metal warriors) kicks in with its sublime rythms. a true, timeless heavy metal hymn. and please dont start arguing that their lyrics are 'cheesy' and their attitude 'sucks' etcetc....if you want pensive music you're at the wrong window, PAL.
"Ride the dragon" has its awesome intro where the guitars faithfully imitate a dragon's voice (sometimes, i admit i DO take manowar seriously!): this track screams "FAST" all the way; blistering drumming, whiplashing guitars and a fast talking vocalist. i'm smiling again....oh my god...
"Spirit horse..." is a song about the Cherokee indian tribe. it has my personally favorite manowar chorus and the slow double bass drumming reinforces the song's monumental atmosphere.
"Burning" is my absolute top song by Manowar. it's opening, delayed riff has "METAL" written all over it. this and Adams' whispered lyrics and brutally ascending and menacing tone make this song drip with evil and consumes you within its foggy, malevolent atmospheres.
"power of thy sword" is a classic manowar epic with swords slashing, winds blowing and grand choruses. very very good.
"The demon's whip" is maybe one and a half minute too long and i end up loving it at its very end, when you think the song ended but it blasts in back with unimaginable thrashing fury and E. Adams almost barking the lyrics!
"Master of the wind" is the perfect, zippo-friendly closer; beautiful lyrics, grandiose keyboarding and passionate vocals from this incredible frontman.
this album is metal. great music, great artwork, great band. if you're a metal fan and dont have this, then something's wrong with you.

Manowar is looked upon as godly(the fans are hardcore, more than just about any group you can think of)or thought of as heavy metal's biggest joke. This was my first taste of Manowar back in the day, and I was a little confused about it at first. I wasn't sure if they were trying to be funny or not. Well, since I got more into them over the years I know that these guys are dead serious about what they're doing. They're music and image is extremely cornball, I would hope even the most hardcore fan could admit to seeing a bit of humor in it all. But to me, that's all a part of what makes Manowar Manowar. These guys are the epitome of male ma-cheese-mo; I mean, they're the total embodiment of tough guy-Conan-badass-motorcycle riding-sexist-violent maleness taken to it's most extreme. It makes you want to strip down to your undies and run about the house wielding an invisible sword while munching on a giant turkey leg. And that's just the way they portray themselves. But, for all of this braggadocio these guys really do know how to play, they're not all about image. Eric Adams has one helluva voice though it sounds like he's straining too hard on the high notes. When you listen to his raspy high pitched scream, you can just envision him with a blue face, veins bulging, on the verge of his head exploding. That's a singer. So, say what you want about them, but there's only one Manowar. If you're curious, it wouldn't hurt to give this album a spin. I would think most heavy metal fans will get something out of Manowar, even if it is only a good laugh. I think you'd have to be a real stiff to wholeheartedly say that you "hate" them, but there are certainly many out there who do. However, there isn't one group in existence that isn't hated by someone somewhere. So, give these guys a shot; For better or worse, you'll always remember them.

Ok. Manowar is by far the best metal band around. No other musical rock band has managed to capture the sound of hard, raw, heavy METAL! "The Triumph of Steel" has everything a metal head would want. From fast paced speed metal to loud crushing thrash Manowar KILLS. In my opinion you are not truly a metal head unless you have this album. Hail Metal Kings!

Manowar is the ultimate viking battle music, dont believe all these people who are writing long reviews which ultimately say nothing in the end, manowar is and always have been a true and honest band. Hard hitting stuff that gets right to the point. True fans love it others complain in other words its up to you. Personally this is one of their best albums not to be missed. I say buy it and enjoy it, dont gloat over it likes theres no tommorow.

What more to say, this is great from beginning to end. Smack you in the face riffs and growls that would make a polar bear run for cover and cower into the fetal position. Great first song about Achilles and such.
THIS ALBUM F'in ROX!!!!!!!!!!

Manowar is Powerful. Their Best album ever made. The kings of Metal sticks because they will change for nobody! Manowar is and are the Metal Masters. These guys know how to put out great material into their songs. Manowar will always be my Metal king. Best song on the album is Metal Warriors of course, but The Burning is 2nd place, as for 3rd Power of thy Sword. Hail Manowar. Death to false Metal!!!