•
Rating:
It's as if those notes have been indelibly etched on me. It's as if the roar of that crowd, the energy emanating, every single musical note, every single word of the singer, have been imprinted in my mind, refusing to leave. And even though I wasn't actually there, having only seen it on a screen, I can simply imagine. Imagine the power harnessed that night, imagine the genuine desire to perform, try to understand even a fraction of the thousands of emotions each person experienced at every moment.
These, and many other emotions, I felt while watching "The Absolute Power," a concert held at the Earthshaker Festival in 2005, performed alongside the 50 members of the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra. The first-ever complete live performance of the band to appear in full, naturally in the form of a DVD, since previous releases in the "Hell On Earth" saga did not present complete concerts, but snippets. "The Absolute Power" represents, in about three hours of live performance, the attitude that has always represented Manowar throughout their career. Energy, power, but also nonchalance, flashiness. A peculiarity that makes this live different from all the others is definitely the production. More than twenty-five cameras were positioned within the arena to make the concert appear more epic than ever to those watching at home, like myself.
The setlist revives the best pieces of Manowar, divided into three parts. The first includes songs that have gradually become symbolic of the band, like the classic opening track of the same name, "Kings Of Metal," "Sign Of The Hammer," the latter beautifully delivered live thanks to an Eric Adams in near-perfect form, the more recent "Call To Arms," the anthemic "Brothers Of Metal," and the devastating "Kill With Power" with a truly exceptional Scott Columbus (RIP). The second part sees the return for one night only of the band's former members, including David Shankle and Rhino, respectively guitarist and drummer who participated in the composition and tour for "The Triumph Of Steel," an album released in 1992. From this album, "Metal Warriors" and "The Glory Of Achilles" are revisited, with the band in full splendor, although Shankle's solos are somewhat "empty." Last but not least, historic guitarist Ross "The Boss" and drummer Donnie Hamzik, revisiting the 1982 debut "Battle Hymns," perform the powerful "Metal Daze" and the successful "Dark Avenger," a song featuring a nice solo by DeMaio. The third part winds through tracks from Manowar's remaining albums, concluding with "Battle Hymns," where all current and former members reunite on stage to perform one of the group's battle horses, and then conclude with a recorded version of "The Crown And The Ring" accompanied by fireworks, with the crowd singing the song at the top of their lungs.
If you are among the many who disparage the band, watching this concert probably won't change your mind, but if you're a fan of the American group, "The Absolute Power" is highly recommended because it encapsulates in one night everything that Manowar is and has been, as mentioned at the beginning of the review. I know I haven't excellently explained what's contained in this live, but I still hope you'll appreciate this review. Talking about a band like Manowar is always difficult and complex, especially given the influence they have had on the music scene, both positive and negative, but one thing is for sure. This concert is the most accurate definition that the word "power" can have. Spectacular.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Manowar (05:30)
We met on English ground
In a backstage room
We heard the sound
And we all knew
What we had to do
We called the high command
Questedly to make a stand
And in the field we grew
And we all knew
Soon the time would come
For us to fight,
Destination
Now in sight
Aaah, Manowar
Born to live forever more
The right to conquer every shore
Hold your ground and give no more
Our fight will never end
So we called your party sense
To raise your hands
And take our stand
Look sharp
When duty calls
Where we march
Cities fall
And the strong survive
And take our side
Now the time has come
For us to fight
Target waiting
In our sight
Aaah, Manowar
Born to live forever more
The right to conquer every shore
Hold your ground and give no more
Manowar
Born to live forever more
The right to conquer every shore
Manowar
Born to live forever more
Manowar
Born to live forever more
The right to conquer every shore
Hold your ground and give no more
Born to live forever more
The right to conquer every shore
Manowar
03 Call to Arms (05:09)
When They See Us They Will Run For Their Lives
To The End They Will Pay For Their Lies
So Long Did We Wait Now We Are Home
Here Once Again There's A Battle To Fight
Gathered Together For The Sound And The Might
So Long Did We Wait Now We Are Home
Now We Will Fight For The Kingdom Fighting With Steel
Kill All Of Them Their Blood Is Our Seal
Fight Till The Last Of The Enemy Is Dead
Ride Through Their Blood That We Gladly Have Shed
I Now Issue The Call Are You Ready To Fight
Fight All Together As One For The Right To Be Free Once Again
Tonight We Will Win
I Can See By The Look That You Have In Your Eyes
You Came Here For Metal To Fight And To Die
Defenders Of Steel Now We Are Home
Fight For The Kingdom Bound For Glory
Armed With A Heart Of Steel
I Swear By The Brothers Who Stand Before Me
To No Man Shall I Kneel
Their Blood Is Upon My Steel
Blood Is Upon My Steel
Fight For The Kingdom Fighting With Steel
Kill All Of Them Their Blood Is Our Seal
Fight Till The Last Of The Enemy Is Dead
Ride Through Their Blood That We Gladly Have Shed
I Now Issue The Call Are You Ready To Fight
Fight All Together As One For The Right To Be Free Once Again
Tonight We Will Win
I Can See By The Look That You Have In Your Eyes
You Came Here For Metal To Fight And To Die
Defenders Of Steel Now We Are Home
Fight For The Kingdom Bound For Glory
Armed With A Heart Of Steel
I Swear By The Brothers Who Stand Before Me
To No Man Shall I Kneel
Their Blood Is Upon My Steel
05 Kings of Metal (03:35)
Manowar, Manowar Living On The Road
When We're In Town Speakers Explode
We Don't Attract Whimps 'Cause We're Too Loud
Just True Metal People That's Manowar's Crowd
They Wanna Keep Us Down
But They Can't Last
When We Get Up We're Gonna Kick Your Ass
Gonna Keep On Burning
We Always Will
Other Bands Play - Manowar Kill
Other Bands Play - Manowar Kill
We Like It Hard, We Like It Fast
We Got The Biggest Amps, Man They Blast
The True Metal People Wanna Rock Not Pose
Wearin' Jeans And Leather, Not Cracker Jack Clothes
They Wanna Keep Us Down
But They Can't Last
When We Get Up We're Gonna Kick Your Ass
Gonna Keep On Burning
We Always Will
Other Bands Play - Manowar Kill
Other Bands Play - Manowar Kill
We're The Kings Of Metal Comin' To Town
When We Light Up, Have The Roof Nailed Down
Don't Try To Tell Us That We're Too Loud
'Cause There Ain't No Way That We'll Ever Turn Down
They Wanna Keep Us Down
But They Can't Last
When We Get Up We're Gonna Kick Your Ass
Gonna Keep On Burning
We Always Will
Other Bands Play - Manowar Kill
Other Bands Play - Manowar Kill
06 Sign of the Hammer (05:43)
The Spell Has Been Broken, The Curse Has Been Lifted
Black Is The Wind On The Heels Of The Gifted
Four Sworn To Vengeance, See The Hate In Our Eyes
Called By The Gods And Given A Sign
Onward Pounding Into Glory Ride
Sign Of The Hammer, Be My Guide
Final Warning All Stand Aside
Sign Of The Hammer, It's My Time
Pounding, Pounding, We Are Back From The Dead
Those Who Denied Us Are Delivered Instead
Into The Hands Of Four Sworn To Ride
Now The People Will Triumph And Live By The Sign
Onward Pounding Into Glory Ride
Sign Of The Hammer, Be My Guide
Final Warning All Stand Aside
Sign Of The Hammer, It's My Time
The Spell Has Been Broken, The Curse Has Been Lifted
Black Is The Wind On The Heels Of The Gifted
Four Sworn To Vengeance, See The Hate In Our Eyes
Called By The Gods And Given A Sign
Onward Pounding Into Glory Ride
Sign Of The Hammer, Be My Guide
Final Warning All Stand Aside
Old Men And Young Boys, It's My Time
Sign Of The Hammer, Be My Guide
Sign Of The Hammer, It's My Time
07 Blood of My Enemies (03:31)
Three sons have I
and they ride by my side
The fierce, the black
and the wicked are their names
We ride down my enemies
on their half hearted flight
no voice of mercy
no evangels of light
Mighty messengers
demons fly
victims are coming
guns of the dead
I ride through the air
I laugh as I die
with powers of evil
dark knowledge is mine
The wry are the wicked
the first sin was trust
kill without warning
for blood now I lust
Chorus:
Strong winds, Magic mist
To Asgard the Valkyries fly
High overhead, They carry the dead
Where the Blood of My Enemy lies
Three sons have I
and they ride by my side
The fierce, the black
and the wicked are their names
We ride down my enemies
on their half hearted flight
no voice of mercy
no evangels of light
Lead
Chorus:
Strong winds, Magic mist
To Asgard the Valkyries fly
High overhead, They carry the dead
Where the Blood of My Enemy lies
08 Kill With Power (04:40)
Hear what's written on the wind.
We come to kill and kill again.
Our arrows fall like hail
Trample on the dead-Ride through the
Gate of clouds-stand on the open step
Run berserk-spreading fear and pain
Black shield and weapons, black our chain.
None can harm us-not their fire-
Iron or steel-for we have the
Will to power-with power we will
Kill
Kill with power-die die
Kill with power-die die
To the war god Odin you will pray
And the curse of weapons shell
Remain.On the blood of all our
Fathers-on their weapons we now
Swear to evenge-not lament.
Give the False ones death.
Kill with power-die die
Kill with power-die die
12 Dark Avenger (06:58)
He broke the laws of the elders
So they plucked out his eye,
Took his land and fortune,
Left him to die
Bound on the shoreline,
Left for the tide,
sees his lifeblood leaving...
Circling lower, the vultures fly
His bones may be broken
But the spirit can't die
And the Gods see his anguish
And give him a sign
From the floor of the ocean
The ship of the lost souls rise
And they take him where no one sleeps while the undead cry,
Where no one sleeps while the undead cry...
And in the world above
The elders sing,
On his land they live...
Let death bell ring
Narration:
He was met at the gate of Hades
By the Guardian of the Lost Souls,
The Keeper of the Unavenged
And He did say to him:
"Let you not pass
Abandon
Return to the world
From whence you came
And seek payment
Not only for thine own anguish
But vindicate the souls
Of the Unavenged"
And they placed in his hands
A sword
Made for him
Called: Vengeance
Forged in brimstone
And tempered
By the woeful tears of the Unavenged
And to carry him up on his journey
Back to the upper world
They brought forth
Their Demon horse
Called: Black Death
A grim steed
So fearsome in might
And black in colour
That he could stand as one with the darkness...
Save for his burning eyes
of crimson fire
And on that night
They rode up from Hell
The pounding of his hooves
Did clap like thunder !
Chorus:
Burning, death, destruction
Raping the daughters and wives
In blood I take my payment
In full with their lives
No one can escape me
On Black Death I ride
When kissed by the sword of Vengeance
Your head lays there by your side
I take the lives of all that I once knew
The torn flesh of a slow death waits for you
Chorus:
Burning, death, destruction
Raping the daughters and wives
In blood I take my payment
In full with their lives
I spare not land or servants
My wake is sloathe and there
I take their wives and daughters
They stand there watching, watching
Hoping to get my life
But when I'm through they know they must pay
Chorus:
Burning, death, destruction
Raping the daughters and wives
In blood I take my payment
In full with they lives
With they lives
With they lives
With they lives
13 Outlaw (03:32)
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
15 Herz aus Stahl (05:19)
Ein Feuer brennt
1000 Meilen weg,
zeig mir den Weg zum Ziel.
Ich reit' Kometen,
Mein Weg ist lang und schwer,
Schweigen ist die schwerste Last.
Kämpf gegen die Welt,
Nimm alles, was es gibt,
Manchmal verlier auch ich.
Geboren um gegen den Wind zu gehen,
geboren um zu verlieren,
Wohin ich geh', geh' ich allein.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Leb wie Du willst.
Ich kenn' keine Not
Und keine Angst vor'm Tod.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Du hast die Wahl,
Ich hab' ein Herz aus Stahl.
Geh den Weg nur vorwärts,
Laße nichts zurück,
Es gibt nur eine Chance.
Die jetzt lachen und sich freu'n,
Werden es noch seh'n,
Sie werd'n wie Schnee vergeh'n.
Wir werden geh'n als ein starkes Heer,
Sie beugen das Haupt,
Ihr Mut geht dahin.
Dann lachen wir, vorbei die Qual
und seht das Herz aus Stahl,
zu hart fuer euch - zu hart fuer euch.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Leb wie Du willst.
Ich kenn' keine Not
Und keine Angst vor'm Tod.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Du hast die Wahl,
Ich hab' ein Herz aus Stahl.
Ich hab' ein Herz aus Stahl.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Du hast die Wahl,
Ich hab' ein Herz aus Stahl.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Leb wie Du willst.
Ich kenn' keine Not
Und keine Angst vor'm Tod.
Schlag' die Schlacht,
Du hast die Wahl,
Ich hab' ein Herz aus Stahl.
20 Black Wind, Fire and Steel (09:25)
Full moon light is calling me
My kigndom lies within
The mystic soul and lions heart
Brought by the talisman
The ecstasy of battle takes me
Where the falcons fly
Immortal youth was granted me
I will never die
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Born to teach them all to heel
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Pounded by the hammers
Of the giants of the world
I can see in darkness
I'm the overlord
Single combat I await
My shadow brings them fear
The spikes upon my chariot
Will grind them when they're near
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Born to teach them all to heel
Born of Black wind fire and steel
I am an outcast on the path of no return
Punisher and swordsman
I was born to burn
Black Wind always follows
Where my black horse rides
Fire's in my soul
Steel is on my side
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Born of Black wind fire and steel
Born to teach them all to heel
Born of Black wind fire and steel
21 Battle Hymn (14:49)
By moonlight we ride ten thousands side by side
With swords drawn held high our whips and armour shine
Hail to thee our infantry still brave beyond the grave
All sworn the eternal vow the time to strike is now
Kill Kill ooooh
Kill Kill oooh
Kill Kill ooooh
Kill Kill ooooh
Gone are the days when freedom shone now blood and steel meet bone
In the light of the battle’s way the sands of time will shake
How proud our soldiers stand with mace and chain in hand
Sound of charge into glory ride over the top of their vanguished pride
Victory Victory oooh
Victory Victory oooh
Victory Victori oooh
Victory Victory oooh
To the battle we ride we crossed a starlit sky
No space no time we’ll catch the wind
Strange losses, men died we crossed a starlit sky
And still no space and time we’ll catch the wind
Sound of charge into glory ride over the top of their vanguished pride
By moonlight we ride ten thousands side by side
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By ilfreddo
"The execution power of the Manowar indeed has no equals in the musical world."
"Their music is always true and pure... live is where our heroes show their unique empathy, power and ability to spread the word."
