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Whether you're a blackster or a thrasher, a fan of Heavy or Power, a lover of Death, Glam, or Prog, if you're truly metalheads you've certainly heard at least once the "call of the road".
That spirit made of dust and sweat, asphalt and Harleys, women and beer has become music in "Louder Than Hell".
De Maio's mighty bass opens "Return Of The Warlord", assertive and beautiful in its simplicity, where the roar of the engines blends with that of the guitars. A song that screams "one more beer and Heavy Metal, and I'm just fine!".
But as beautiful as it is, it is still just an introduction to the immortal masterpiece "Brothers Of Metal": a high-pitched scream precedes an angry voice, marked by an arrogant bass, in a verse that rises in intensity every moment, reaching the chorus, raw and crude, in the best Heavy tradition, shouting: "Brothers Of Metal!".
An exhilarating, furious chorus rages in half a minute of total freedom, only to suddenly die down and give way to a short interlude that celebrates the brotherhood among metalheads. The chorus explodes again accompanying the refrain, followed by a scream that superbly overlaps with a lightning-fast guitar solo. The following verse is intense, angry... the refrains follow one another in a beautiful fading finale.
The third track, "The Gods Made Heavy Metal" is more melodic than the others, but equally engaging, thanks to a clever dosage of instrumental power and voice. In fourth position, one of the six most beautiful ballads ever written by Manowar: for the series "even metalheads cry" here is "Courage". A piano background, a soft and melodious voice, a "on the road" style solo that blend into a wonderful song.
The next track is simple but impactful: "Number One". An extraordinary vocal performance, not so much for the quality but for its ability to fire up spirits, urging them to challenge the world. The guitar work is splendid, graced by a particularly inspired Karl Logan.
"Outlaw" is perhaps the most steadfast track along with "The Power", but although both are a bit repetitive, the latter totally lacks imagination and is perhaps the only sour note of the album.
Magnificent instead are the two instrumental tracks "My Spirit Lives On" and "Today Is A Good Day To Die". De Maio works miracles, consecrating himself among the most capable bassists on the global music scene.
Slightly off theme in the context, but no less fascinating for that, is "King". An epic, dreamy beginning crashes into a guitar solo, while the voice changes resuming the usual aggressive tone. The chorus is sung by a choir similar to that of the opener and the verses, almost spoken, are interspersed with cues that hark back to the opening of the track.
A universal work, which cannot fail to be appreciated by anyone who loves Metal.
"No One Controls Our Goddamn life!"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Courage (03:49)
Some Want To Think Hope Is Lost See Me Stand Alone
I can't Do What Others May Want Then I'll Have No Home
So For Now Wave Good-bye And Leave Your Hands Held High
Hear This Song Of Courage Long Into The Night
So For Now Wave Good-bye Leave Your Hands Held High
Hear This Song Of Courage Long Into The Night
And The Wind Will Bear My Cry To All Who Hope To Fly
Hear This Song Of Courage Ride Into The Night
Battles Are Fought By Those With The Courage To Believe
They Are Won By Those Who Find The Heart
Find A Heart To Share
This Heart That Fills The Soul Will Point The Way To Victory
If There's A Fight Then I'll Be There I'll Be There
So For Now Wave Good-bye And Leave Your Hands Held High
Hear This Song Of Courage Long Into The Night
And The Wind Will Bear My Cry To All Who Hope To Fly
Lift Your Wings Up High My Friend Fearless To The End
So For Now Wave Good-bye, Leave Your Hands Held High
Hear This Song Of Courage Long Into The Night
05 Number 1 (05:11)
We Belong To The World We Belong To The Wind
We Are The Spirit Of Competition's End
Turning Hours Into Days Burning Muscles Feel The Pain
The Heart And Soul Of Discipline My Friends
We Are Sending You A Challenge It's Very Clear
We Came To Win That Is Why We Are Here
Demanding To Be Tested By The Best
Not To Be Forgotten Like All The Rest
The Time Has Come All Training Done
The Muscle And The Blood Will Come To Pay
Let The Game Begin Hear The Starting Gun
Play From The Heart Today We Will Overcome
When The Game Is Over All The Counting's Done
We Were Born To Win Number 1
Today Is The Day All The Training Through
We Have Come For The Number One Not The Number Two
Let The Contest Begin Play Hard Fight To Win
Immortality Victory And Fame
The Time Has Come All Training Done
The Muscle And The Blood Will Come To Pay
Let The Game Begin Hear The Starting Gun
Play From The Heart Today We Will Overcome
When The Game Is Over All The Counting's Done
We Were Born To Win Number 1
Today Is The Day All The Training Through
We Have Come For The Number One Not The Number Two
Let The Contest Begin Play Hard Fight To Win
Immortality Victory And Fame
Let The Game Begin Hear The Starting Gun
Play From The Heart Today We Will Overcome
When The Game Is Over All The Counting's Done
We Were Born To Win Number 1
06 Outlaw (03:22)
I'm a stranger in town and my guns never cold
I'm a gambler so bet on your life
You'll never live to grow old
I deal in lead I won't step aside
Where trouble's waitin well so am I
I live for the fight the thrill of the kill
Paid in gold for the blood I spill
Outlaw outlaw outlaw ride
Into the West a gun by your side
Hell and glory honor and pride
A gun will decide where the outlaws ride
The law of the West was the law of the gun
Shoot and be fast live on the run
Stay alive be fast on the draw
Live by the gun or die by the law
Outlaw outlaw outlaw ride
Into the West a gun by your side
Hell and glory honor and pride
A gun will decide where the outlaws ride
Shot through the heart in the blink of an eye
Buried up on boot hill
Life is cheap when the bounty is high
So be ready to kill
The law of the West was the law of the gun
Shoot and be fast live on the run
Stay alive be fast on the draw
live by the gun or die by the law
Shot of whisky I'll be on my way
Back in the saddle pull on the reins
Spurs to the beast over the hill
Another town one more kill
Outlaw outlaw outlaw ride
Into the West a gun by your side
Hell and glory honor and pride
A gun will decide where the outlaws ride
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Other reviews
By Starblazer
The arrival of Karl Logan and the return of Scott Columbus are truly a godsend.
The attempt to write a new Hail And Kill fails miserably, mainly because that chorus... seems to be sung by drunks at Oktoberfest.
