Manowar
The Lord Of Steel

And so it begins again.
As anyone who has read one of my few reviews will know, I listen to Manowar. I don't consider it a real fault, but neither something to be proud of. They're great as long as you're working out, but otherwise, they don't hold much value.
Anyway, the latest EP ("Thunder In The Sky") had left the fans awaiting the next album, and a bit disappointed. In the song in Italian, Adams sounded like Al Bano. So "The Lord Of Steel" is released. As usual, the title exudes modesty. Indeed, it is a step back compared to the last "Gods Of War", but one makes do nonetheless.

The album, allow me to say it, is awful. It's awful, however, in a very different way compared to "Gods Of War". While the latter had an extremely pompous sound, inflated and orchestrated, "Lord Of Steel" harkens back to "Louder Than Hell", which I considered their worst album. The sound is dry and monotonous, the instruments suffocate each other, with DeMaio's bass reigning supreme. A bass that, for some unknown reason, buzzes as if it were turned into a chest-shaving razor – something I imagine they do together to solidify the BROTHERHOOD OF TRVE METAL WARRIORS, or something similar. A bass that drowns everything. Starting from the title track, then continuing with the now-tired anthem for fans (Manowarriors) and the useless Born in a grave. Special mention for the catastrophic ballad, the worst ever written by the group (which is saying something), Righteous glory. For the first time dedicated to a woman – okay, a valkyrie – it's simply sad. The only songs that are good metal, and that don't drown in the bass sound, are the two that distance themselves from the mythology of the American group, "Expendable", based on the action film, and "El Gringo". The first is a fast-paced ride, the second has an excellent guitar solo.

The album closes with "Hail, kill, and die," which contains a list of the albums and songs of the KINGS OF METAL, in case the BROTHER OF METAL had forgotten.
But I doubt that could happen.