Manowar
The Absolute Power

THE REVIEW

“You deserve a slap, Frank“.

I say it seriously, while I take a seat on an empty chair at his table. He looks at me questioningly, while I hand him a pint. He understands that I am not drunk, an annoying fan, or a bothersome sycophant, but he must have had a hell of a day. You can tell by the glass cluttered on the table that has hidden the wood. I turn into a drop that, by falling, risks a lot by ending up in the small almost full vase. It’s called the language of gestures and it’s universal. With that look, Frank would want to shove the pint down my esophagus. Glass included. But the star is paid to swallow and endure even on a bad day, and that's why with the air of a seasoned old hand, he tells me, “a quick autograph, because I have to go, kid”. Of course, Frank, it's obvious that you have ants in your pants, I think to myself. He seems like a lame snail to which they have nailed crucifixion nails to keep him glued to the chair.

“You should slap yourself, Frank“. I slide the digipack smoothly across the table, just brushing his hand. Then I turn around and head for the exit.

Even a deaf person would have understood that the Manowar would have made him immortal. Your damn 300.

"The Absolute Power" might seem, to the few nonbelievers who have never heard anything from DeMaio & Co., an inflated title: even exaggerated. But it's not. When you look at the setlist of this DVD, and, stunned, reach the end, you cannot but acknowledge that the work has been captured in the best, most impartial and neutral way possible, calling it as such. The execution power of the Manowar indeed has no equals in the musical world. Eric Adams with an extraordinary vocal extension guides us confidently through the years of their triumphant ride. From the glorious furry underwear of their beginnings comes "Sign Of The Hammer" and "Metal Daze". Sheer devastation in the mature "Hail And Kill", "Black Wind Fire And Steel", "Outlaw", and "Blood Of My Enemies". Followed by the triumphant marches of "Battle Hymn" and "The Glory Of Achilles" to the moving epilogue of "The Crown And The Ring".
In the face of such abundant sound, a tear, dear stoic defenders, might also fall and it would not be scandalous: indeed, the sound quality, with the auditorium in the background, the technical finesse of DeMaio and Colombus' rhythmic section, and Logan's slashes exceeds perfection.

The second DVD instead that captures too much backstage and moments of "normal" life tends to be, in the long run, heavy. For these reasons, I relieve you of the obligation to watch it in its entirety. "The Absolute Power" remains divine for the 200 minutes of concert, captured with excellent visual quality. The 27 cameras placed on stage do the rest, capturing our 4 heroes from every angle.

Singing of war is an uncomfortable and elitist business, for which you must have a gift: the right mix of rough power, measure, calmness, courage, and pathos. Translating this into music is a titanic endeavor that has seen many fail. Many metal bands have shamefully renounced it, tainting metal itself; deviating towards light themes, curated melodies, strange, and even original. Their goal has become to sell, more than to produce records with a strong emotional impact. The music of Manowar is instead a true miracle for several reasons. From the way they write, it would seem legitimate to expect that they had been on the battlefield and seen death up close multiple times. Yet, our guys have never been to war, although heroically and stoically they managed to help many soldiers while hunting infidels in the world. No one doubts they would be ready for the ultimate sacrifice, to face the enemy on the front line, to go with a proud smile on their lips. But with the immense talent they have been given, they are forced to do a less valiant job: helping fighters and educating new generations along the right path. The correct ideals for which it is even worth dying.
Perhaps this is why, with calibrated, sharp, and impactful words of their lyrics, they always hit the mark in the heart of the warrior and brave spirit that dwells in each of us. With meticulous riffs, never repetitive and varied, with epic and complex choirs, they underline the precious lyrics in a triumph of heavy metal in an original and wholly unpredictable crescendo. "The Absolute Power" is full of all this bounty.

30 years of crusade have not incredibly worn them out: their music is always true and pure. Not for nothing have they coined the term true metal, which with them not only begins but dies. Sure, maybe they are somewhat egocentric, but I challenge any of you, (except the falsely prejudiced who will read), not to bow before a band that in the last ten years has given birth to a mere 3 studio albums against only 8 live DVD/CDs. Unmissable testimonies for anyone who is a true defender. Among these columns of enormous greatness and solidity, stand out, tower over, Hell On Earth I-II-III-IV-V, and obviously this "The Absolute Power". Because it is live that our heroes show their unique empathy, power and ability to want and know how to spread the word. Fortunately, they want to make us witnesses of this miracle once again. To not embrace such manna, that punctually comes almost every year, would be a sacrilegious mistake and a demonstration of very little gratitude.

Ilfreddo