Manowar
Hail To England

THE REVIEW

I write this review to honor the great Ross the Boss.

"Hail to England" is one of those albums that sets a standard for all of heavy metal. Not that Manowar themselves haven't done even better, but this album is truly a crucial milestone. An album that marks a clear before and after.

It's not necessary to trap readers in the myth of the leather-and-studs metalhead; what's important to understand is that, just like there was behind AC/DC, just like there was behind Motörhead, behind Manowar too there is, first and foremost, a cultural revolution. Truly innovative bands have this, not just the sound. Manowar didn’t just want to make noise; behind them, there was a concept that we shouldn’t forget, and that we often take for granted when it comes to so many great bands.

If metal is what it is today, it is thanks in large part to classic American metal (first and foremost Dio and, indeed, Manowar) and specifically thanks to a mentality and an aesthetic that don’t come from nowhere. The comic-book-like epicness of metal that overflows right from their debut is not the Poe-style uneasiness of Iron Maiden, nor the hardcore skate vibe of Metallica, just as the hardcore skate of Metallica wasn’t the streetwise sadism of Slayer, and so on. Today, it’s easy to say someone listens to metal and lump it all under one umbrella. But if you stop and think, you’ll truly understand the idea behind every great band, including Manowar. And tell me, isn’t their idea still at the foundation of metal today? Manowar understood everything.

Tones as deathly and epic as a warrior trampling fallen enemies: "Blood of my Enemies" opens in sublime fashion. While everyone else was speeding up the BPM, Manowar granted themselves glorious, cadenced marches along the paths of victory. "Each Dawn I Die" foreshadows the melodies of the viking/epic black scene and lays down another track that is spectacular without being overly heavy. "Kill with Power" instead is furious speed metal tinged with epicness, once again highlighting the band’s melodic intuition. "On their weapons now we swear"—here, the melody on these words anticipates Bathory; indeed, the Norse school has its roots here. The title track was probably the most epic song ever written at the time, and the following "Army of the Immortals," perhaps the highlight of the album, is a beautiful love song. Yes, love—a deep and fraternal love: read the superb lyrics and see for yourself. "Black Arrows" is skippable, but paves the way for the lengthy "Bridge of Death," which, even if a bit monotonous, is fantastic and makes it quite hard to believe that Bathory didn’t listen to a bit of Manowar.

The band is extremely tight and perfectly in sync, but of course, an honorable mention must go to the great Ross. A guitarist who carves out his solo moments with taste—perhaps not stellar, but always enjoyable—and who keeps up a solid rhythm that supports the entire song in perfect harmony with the other instruments. Manowar, it has to be said, worked really well.

And so, once again, savor this masterpiece and live the epic metal glory.

"In our eyes you are immortal, in our hearts you will live forever". Rating: 94/100.