Gods of War

Manowar

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 26, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Magic Circle Music
• ASIN: B000MQ3U5O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,098 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Manowar is a band that has set standards, broken records and won great accolades during its storied career. Known to their worldwide supporters as the "Kings Of Metal", the band has constantly redefined heavy metal by combining peerless musicianship and song writing with their undeniable commitment to true metal and their devoted fans. The band has always made the solemn pledge to create original music that is louder than hell and stronger than steel. The long standing lineup of vocalist Eric Adams, guitarist Karl Logan, drummer Scott Columbus and bassist Joey DeMaio is truly a force to be reckoned with in the studio and on stage. In addition they are the originators of the musical styles known as power metal and true metal.

As Manowar now prepares to unveil their tenth studio album, expectations from fans are higher than ever and Manowar are sure to exceed those expectations. The new album Gods Of War is Manowar's first entry in a cycle of concept albums; each a tribute to a different war god. Gods Of War brings out the greatest of Manowar's musical attributes by utilizing both epic song structures and dramatic narratives. Much like Ragnarok - the final battle at the end of the world - when listening to Manowar's epic saga, the earth will shake, the walls will crumble and only true fans of metal will remain standing, heads held high, with the triumphant glimmer of a battle well-fought in their eyes.

Gods Of War features brand new cover artwork by the world's leading fantasy artist Ken Kelly, as well as a scorching mix done by the unparalleled Ronald Prent.

Besides the normal Jewel Case version, Gods Of War will also be released as a limited edition in an embossed metal slipcase containing a high grade mediabook bound in leather.Furthermore, this limited edition will feature a bonus DVD with unreleased material about the making of this album and some special behind-the-scenes footage. A double-vinyl LP in a gatefold sleeve will also be available.

In their career Manowar has released 9 studio albums, two live albums and 5 DVDs with sales of over nine million records worldwide, as well as silver and gold records and numerous other industry awards. The last studio album Warriors Of The World was a critically-acclaimed worldwide chart topper, reaching gold status in Germany.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very orchestral album, April 19, 2007

By	Z. William Arkosy (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're new to Manowar, I suggest starting with the excellent "Kings of Metal" as a starting point, as that album is not only a superb sample of everything Manowar embodies, but it is one of their most diverse albums, with a little bit of everything.
If you're a long time Manowar fan, read on, and let me share my thoughts on their latest CD "Gods of War."

Overall, Manowar have not strayed from the musical path they created over 2 decades ago. What makes this album different is that it is far more symphonic than any of their other releases. While Manowar have always embraced classical music, this album is more like Rhapsody of Fire, with its Wagnerian choirs, string arrangements, French horns and church organ interludes. Not only is this evident on intros and instrumentals that adorn this CD, but the classical influence is present even on the `regular' tracks. What bothers me is the amount of narration on the album. Added up it's almost 10 minutes of talking (even if there's cool music and sound effects in the background). As they say on radio: "Less talk, more rock!" Also, Manowar albums have become less and less organic overall. I know the band are perfectionists (4 albums in the last 15 years says it all), but I think a lot of the songs are overproduced. I kind of miss the band's early/mid years, when they were very raw. But I guess some would call this progress and maturing artistically. Lyrically, I've always enjoyed the mythological element of Manowar's music. This is a concept album based on the Norse god of war: Odin.

Overture to the Hymn of the Immortal Warriors - A most excellent orchestral intro. Very much like an epic Hollywood film score, full of choirs, and strings and even an organ section in the middle!

The Ascension - Strangely enough after the lengthy opening track we get yet another orchestral intro. This includes a narration, Eric sings softly towards the end leading into:

King of Kings - This is the first real Metal track on the album. It's a lightning fast power metal/speed metal track in the style of "Black Wind, Fire & Steel," "Ride The Dragon," or "Outlaw."

Army of the Dead, Part I - This is a short acappela song with Eric harmonizing to himself. Nice little piece.

Sleipnir - After a short narration the songs kicks in, which is for me one of the highlights on the album. It's a little different (I imagine due to Karl Logan's input). It's another fast, power/speed metal type song, with a catchy chorus. The guitar solo is phenomenal!

Loki God of Fire - After a fast riff, which is probably the coolest riff on the album, the song kicks in, but surprisingly the song isn't a super-fast song with lots of double-bass as the riff would imply. It's still a cool, more upbeat song, with a great chorus.

Blood Brothers - This is the first ballad on the album, which continues in the fine tradition of Manwar ballads such as "Mountains," "Heart of Steel," & Master Of the Wind." While Blood Brothers doesn't quite achieve the greatness of the aforementioned songs, I like it a lot, because it's a different type of ballad. What I've always liked about Manowar's ballads is the fact that they're all very different from each other (up until "Courage"). Blood Brothers starts off with just strings & Eric's superb voice, then it adds some marching band type snare & guitars. For the chorus the song is almost like a power ballad, but the presence of the keyboards remains & adds an incredible ethereal vibe to the whole song. Nicely done! Lyrically it's also very uplifting.

Overture to Odin - Another orchestral instrumental. Once again it's very much like a Wagner piece mixed with an epic Hollywood filmscore. It's starts off with some haunting strings, and becomes grandiouse as the track progresses.

The Blood of Odin - A spoken narration that serves as an intro to the next track. You'll probably be skipping this after a couple of listens.

Sons of Odin - This is cool, typical mid-tempo Manowar song, with some cool double-bass drums & a bombastic chorus. The song ends with yet some more narration, which features some cool orchestral music in the background.

Glory Majesty Unity - This is a reprise of The Warrior's Prayer, pretty much all narration (but spoken by a different narrator than the rest of the album). Once again, some cool background music, but you'll be bored of this easily.

Gods of War - This is a slow, almost doom metal type song, that we haven't heard the likes of since "Into Glory Ride." It's got some cool classical arrangements over the gloomy, slowly grinding riff.

Army of the Dead, Part II - Repise of part one, but it adds some instruments.

Odin - It starts off with a great riff by Karl, with some cool effects on his axe. This is also a slower, grinding tune. A fitting tribute to the Norse god of war indeed!

Hymn of the Immortal Warriors - This is the other (power) ballad on the album, which is nothing short of phenomenal! The classical instruments add some awesome texture, which allows Eric's voice to soar. A beautiful song, starting out quiet & haunting, then building to a grandiouse finale!

Die for Metal (Bonus Track) - I imagine this only became a "bonus track" because lyrically it doesn't fit in with the rest of the concept album. The lyrics are pretty Spinal Tap-ish, glorifying metal and such. Musically the guitar riff is reminiscent of Zeppelin's Kashmir. The song is a slow(er), pounding track that has a lot of crowd vocals, similar to Kings of Metal.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must be listened to in its entirety!,, April 6, 2008

By	Spence the Elder (East TN, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gods of War (Audio CD)

Gods of War
By Manowar

First off let me state that I had never heard of the band Manowar prior to a month or so ago when a friend of mine turned me on to a YouTube video that someone had put together using , "The Sons of Odin", as the theme. I was blown away by not only the power and skill of the musicians but by how their lyrics reached out and grabbed me in a way few ever do. I ordered the CD form Amazon after it took me a week, (and 20 gallons of fuel), to figure out that these guys are generally not found in your normal music outlets. Needless to say the CD was nothing I expected it to be. I was astonished how well done it was. Don't get me wrong, I've been listening to "Metal" music long before it ever had a name. "Gods of War" is an Epic Ballad of interlocking songs that , dare I say, tells a story. The style of the CD is similar to what Rick Wakeman used in the 1970's with "Myths & Legends of King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table". Interestingly enough, the only track on the CD that I did not care for was the Bonus track, "Die for Metal". It seemed out of place and a bit juvenile compared to the rest of the CD. All and all I highly recommend this work. The only catch is you must listen to the CD in its entirety. This is not a work that can be looked at and judged by its individual songs. It must be taken as a whole, (minus the bonus track). The import version is musically the same as the domestic version.

On the down side, for you Heathens & Asatru out there, the Edda & Lore used in the lyrics is only marginally correct. But what the Hel, these guys are great musicians and not lore masters, they just kick butt!


In Frith,
Spence

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Defending True Metal, August 3, 2007

By	Mik "tjmik643" (Uganda) - See all my reviews

I have almost all of Manowar's cd's and am very pleased with this one. At first, it's hard to take Manowar seriously but when you hear their music it's actually very good. Manowar is one of the most original, dramatic and imaginative bands ever and their music keeps getting better. This cd is filled with instant Manowar classics like, Gods of War, Sons of Odin, Sleipnir, Odin, King of Kings and others.

It's not a cd that takes long to get used to either. After 1 listen you'll find yourself chanting along with them to their many catchy cadences of conquest and courage. If you're a Manowar fan I highly recommend this cd. If you've never heard Manowar, don't be too quick to judge. These guys are very talented musicians and very passionate about their work.