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Rating: Manowar is a complex band, much more so than critics and "experts" might think. I don't mean in a technical-compositional sense (we're certainly not dealing with a progressive group), but in the way they relate to the song, the sounds, and the lyrics, aiming to give that extra thrill to the listener, that sensation that goes well beyond super solos or mountain-crushing riffs.
This philosophy is fully expressed in "Into Glory Ride," the second album by the New York band released in stores way back in 1983, a year after their debut album "Battle Hymns," which, though still immature, already made clear the intentions of the four young Americans. More determined than ever to assert their vision and concept of music, Manowar recorded in all respects an exceptional album, a bomb ready to explode, destined to give birth to and grow in parallel a genre of heavy metal founded on the aforementioned values and permeated with epic themes aiming to transport the listener to another world, perhaps a better one, where they can hide from modern greyness and unleash their imagination, now dead in the current metal (and beyond) scene. I'm talking about Epic Metal.
We then start with "Warlord," the only song on the record that stands apart from the others in both sound and attitude, introduced by a delightful recording now historic for every metalhead (which I'll let you discover on your own). We are indeed facing a carefree heavy song, purely eighties, finely adorned by Ross the Boss's guitar work. But the real album begins with the majestic stride of "Secret Of Steel" which manages to highlight the best features of each member and makes us notice that the journey has begun.
The journey continues with "Gloves Of Metal," which opens with one of the most beautiful riffs in the band’s history. Powerful and melodic at the same time, just like the rest of the song, which is perfectly orchestrated and leads us to sing our hearts out with Eric Adams in the liberating chorus, from which it is impossible to remain indifferent. The lyrics are an anthem to metal and to the fan who lives and supports it. A theme that, unfortunately, will be overused in the band's future lyrics.
We move to the fourth track. Here, a bass arpeggio by Joey DeMaio (famous for his melodic use of the instrument) literally opens the gates of Valhalla for us. Just close your eyes and they will appear before you, while, like a modern poet, the band's gifted singer will narrate to you of a Nordic warrior who, having died in battle, is about to sit beside Odin. This is precisely "Gates Of Valhalla," a gem of the genre, which captures and doesn’t let go, especially when the rhythm section and the guitar begin to make themselves heard, giving life to a phenomenal march where the sounds and atmosphere truly manage to move.
The subsequent "Hatred" perhaps does not reach this peak, an extremely peculiar song, to be listened to thoroughly to be understood, endowed with an atypical intermezzo where the evil and darkness contained here open to sudden flashes of musical sweetness. The track is extremely fierce and experimental and therefore probably not digestible by everyone.
With "Revelation (Death's Angel)" and "March For Revenge (By The Soldier Of Death)" doubts are dispelled. These epic steeds are true textbook trials for Manowar. In every sense. The first, centered on the theme of the biblical apocalypse, is electrifying, a powerful ride surrounded by exciting choruses with a Columbus behind the drums more relentless than ever... The second, with very violent lyrics, makes use of those sonic and melodic solutions that, combined with the granitic nature of metal, make it fantastic and rich in atmosphere, a perfect summary and finale of a journey that is, in every respect, epic.
Thus concludes, then, the second album of the most inspired Manowar, who in '83 reached a new and wonderfully classic peak unfortunately never reached again by the band, despite producing excellent works in the following years like "Hail To England" and "Sign Of The Hammer."
Now the "4 Kings" orbit around less incisive songwriting and a different musical offering that you may or may not like, leaving in the hearts of "old school" fans the hope of a glorious, epic return.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Warlord (04:15)
When you see me comin' flying down the road
You know I ain't afraid to lay it down
Yea got me some leather. Leather is my skin
Black'n'chrome flashin' through the town.
Some call me the WARLORD 'cause I'm a god-damn
bad machine, young'n'hungry, not too proud'n'mean
Ride, ride, ride, I'm the WARLORD of the road,
Riding, riding, riding, ain't never growin' old.
Take what I want and I go where I please
Got the world right by the balls. This world ain't
big enough to keep me down. Yea we're livin'
in a sick world. The man on the T.V. said we
got lotsa trouble overseas, well what the hell
do I care? Think they care about me?
Stop sending money send'em all a bomb.
Ride, ride, ride, I'm the WARLORD of the road,
Ridin', ridin', ridin', ain't never growin' old.
Born to live in the fast lane on a chopped up
Harley-D, smell that oil and high test gasoline.
Never got a shortage of girls to share my seat.
Well they all want to know what people say is true,
You know, get a biker started 'n he'll drive all
damn night. Well hold on honey 'cause this ride's
for a ride.
Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride
I'm the WARLORD of the road.
Ridin', ridin', ridin', ain't never growin' old
04 Gates of Valhalla (07:12)
Valhalla the gods await me
Open wide thy gates embrace me.
Great hall of the battle slain
With sword in hand.
All those who stand on shore
Raise high your hands to bid a last
farewell to the Viking land.
Death's chilling wind blows through my hair
I'm now immortal, I am there
I take my place by Odin's side
Eternal army in the sky.
I point my hatchet to the wind
I guard the gates and all within
Hear my sword sing, as I ride across the sky
Sworn by the sacred blood of Odin onward ride.
Valhalla the gods await me
Open wide thy gates embrace me.
Great hall of the battle slain
With sword in hand.
Behold the kingdom of the kings
Books of spells and magic rings
Endless knowledge, endless time
I scream the final battle cry.
05 Hatred (07:42)
I taste your blood as it showers from my blade
I eat your heart, from evil it was made
With heart filled hatred black blood runs through my veins.
I take your powers to the ancient ones who reign
I conquer evil, let evil know my name
Come forth ye wicked, know the gruesome pain
I am the omen, the one that cannot die
I am the flame, hatred burns inside.
My strength is hatred, torment and pain, HATRED, HATRED
With heart filled hatred black blood runs through my veins.
I crush your bones, I kill your face
I rip your flesh, I end the chase
You meet with terror, you draw the ace
I rule the world the rats that race.
My strength is hatred, torment and pain, HATRED, HATRED
With heart filled hatred black blood runs through my veins.
HATRED
07 March for Revenge (By the Soldiers of Death) (08:31)
Ride, Ride, Ride, Ride Up From Hell
Armed with magic sons of demons and men
This song of greeting written for your tragic end.
So long our stride the world doth tremble with fear
Black winds blow where we ride near.
Maim and kill them, take the women and children.
Hot pitch and chain take to the air
Our ramming blades lay their ships hold bare.
Steel meets steel, axes, broadsword and shield.
Their heads ride our spears and bodies cover the fields.
Maim and kill them, take the women and children.
Fallen brother as I hold closed your side
I fear this wound your last.
Mighty earth now doth drink your blood
And I remember days long past.
Your sacrifice so great, rest now take thy sleep
For you shall not awake, let revenge be sweet.
For when we march, your sword rides with me.
For when we march, your sword rides with me.
For when we march, your sword rides with me.
For when we march, your sword rides with me.
You who killed my brother and all who take your side
This be your last hour. Let your steel be tried.
Now turn to face me upon the timeless plane
Kill me if you can.
Death is life!
By the full moon they rise from their graves.
Through seas of blood, fighting with hell bent rage.
Swear the creed of unity, by the circle of blood
We are one, we know not fear! Born to fight not run.
Maim and kill them, take the women and children.
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Other reviews
By mayhem
The soul is all in the immense voice of Eric Adams and the bass of De Maio, which in this work almost acts as a second guitar.
"Hatred" seems to be a contender for the worst track in Manowar’s history, but just listen to it without haste to realize that all things considered, it’s quite enjoyable.
