Manowar

Warriors Of The World

Too much of the same, old thing.

Review Score:

(4/10)
The 2002 release of WARRIORS OF THE WORLD marked the end of a six-year break from studio recording for Manowar. Their previous album, LOUDER THAN HELL, was an imperfect, but ambitious, recording that showed a Manowar looking to take chances with their thematic material, if not their musical style. Perhaps this is what makes WARRIORS OF THE WORLD such a disappointing outing: rather than building upon their prior experimentation, the band has gone back to the well for one more blood `n' steel extravaganza. The results are decidedly mixed, suggesting that perhaps this particular well has run dry.

To its credit, the album does begin well. "Call to Arms" is classic Manowar: a muscular, violent song that sets heads to banging and blood to pumping. The track is among the best of this kind that Manowar has ever done. It's a pity that such a strong track is followed with the tinny, overly earnest "Fight for Freedom," a post-9/11 anthem that never gets going anywhere. In a way, "Fight for Freedom" is indicative of everything that's wrong with WARRIORS OF THE WORLD: the song is haphazardly constructed, without much in the way of a tune, and it fails to build the momentum a metal track really needs in order to "rock."

"Nessun Dorma," a selection from the Puccini opera TURANDOT, is an unexpected inclusion. Lead singer Eric Adams has a classically trained voice, and he shows off his skill in a no-nonsense performance. Metal elements are kept to a minimum, but the song stands out despite this. It's an excellent, spare track that probably won't do much for die-hard heavy metal fans, but represents at least an attempt at something different. A later track, called "The March," tries to expand Manowar's palette into orchestral territory with far less success. While "Nessun Dorma" soars on the power of Adams' vocals, "The March" is put together with synthesizers standing into for real classical instruments. The result sounds cheap, not majestic.

The rest of the album is fairly lackluster. The title track, "Warriors of the World," shows some life, but it has a sullen beat that fails to inspire. The surrounding pieces are cut from the very familiar pattern and cloth of previous Manowar efforts; trying to count the number of times "blood," "steel," "fight," and "die" are used in song after song could leave a listener dizzy. Manowar doesn't seem to have anything to say, no good stories to tell. What's left is macho posturing and overblown, violent lyrics that are almost self-parodic. "An American Trilogy," a medley anchored by the Confederate anthem, "Dixie," is also an oddball entry, fitting in nowhere.

Manowar cut their original niche by bringing something distinctive to the metal scene of the1980s and `90s. Group mainstays, vocalist Adams and bassist Joey DeMaio, are men with real musical talent and skill. Albums like KINGS OF METAL are epic fusions of imagination, classicism, and shredded guitar. WARRIORS OF THE WORLD suggests that perhaps that niche has grown a bit too confining, and that maybe it's time for Manowar to stop playing in realms of fantasy and create a new role for themselves. The solid tracks on this album show that the band still has what it takes to blow your speakers. Maybe next time they'll make good on this potential.

More Reviews: