Translation of an article by Sergi Ramos in The Metal Circus, Spain

Translation by Manowarrior Lorena Yusta

 Joey DeMaio talks about the MANOWAR show at Rock Fest Barcelona 2021 and the future of the band

Seven years will have passed since their last show in Spain, when the legendary North American band MANOWAR return to Spain in July 2021 for an exclusive show in our country.

Seven years in which MANOWAR have suffered multiple changes in their lineup but have also kept on preaching to their followers; an undisputed fan army known, especially in Europe, as one of the most devoted. Seven years in which there has been not so many news on the musical front, except The Final Battle EP, released last year, that may imply two more parts in the future.

But MANOWAR did not stop: They kept on touring and will bring in 2021 the 40th Anniversary Tour, celebrating once more the history of one of the most orthodox and unique bands of classic heavy metal. That metal that is almost gone, except for the true classics. Whimps and posers, leave the hall!
MANOWAR resist to fly away from their music style and their fans, indeed, celebrate it. If heavy metal is a religion, MANOWAR are archbishops.

“MANOWAR are a unique band; we do not play every country every year, we are not the McDonalds of Heavy Metal”, explains the band leader and bassist, Joey DeMaio in an exclusive interview with TheMetal Circus. “When we play it is an event that brings the strongest and best fans from all over the world to the place we play to meet with the greatest fans in that country.”

“We are the band that started Rock Fest Barcelona and it is time to return bigger and stronger than ever.
I can assure you the Spanish Manowarriors will once again show the whole world their power as the most important part of an epic show!”, emphasizes DeMaio. Never scarce in spreading his message, the bass player has accepted a last minute interview in order to underline that this is not just a regular chance.

“Rock Fest Barcelona is our only scheduled performance in Spain”, he replies when asked if this will be a unique show in Europe. “The set list will be a mix of fan favorites but also include songs that the fans will vote for on the internet”, he explains.

This has not been a smooth sailing. Last year, in 2019, DeMaio uploaded a popular video calling the promoters to “have the balls” to book the band. Fans were screaming out loud for the return of MANOWAR after a long absence and finally Rock Fest Barcelona has reached the miracle.

“Rock Fest Barcelona is one of the most important festivals, not only in Spain but also in the world. They know metal and they know what the fans love”, he explains. And points out: “They have the ability and are prepared to meet the very high quality standards of MANOWAR so the fans get the very best.”.

Within these standards, the band includes the technical requirements for the special stage set of MANOWAR. “We’re bringing a massive stage set”, explains the bass player. “The set is part of an overall concept; we have physical props, massive high-resolution video screens with complex animations, and we have Viking reenactors, to name just a few of the components. All this supports the music and the lyrics and will transport you into the MANOWAR KINGDOM OF STEEL”.

 A special country for MANOWAR

The band has already played 47 times on Spanish ground. From headlining great festivals to promotional shows on small venues like El Sol, in Madrid. Recently their visits have been more rare, like it often happens with all great bands, but MANOWAR still think that “Spain is and always has been a great and amazing place not just a good place” for them. “The Spanish Manowarriors are the greatest, strongest and most loyal fans”, he assures. “I have nothing but great memories, I truly can’t single one out and I can’t wait to return to create more next year!”

With a 40th anniversary tour on the table, MANOWAR shows keep on being as powerful as could be expected, especially since guitar player E.V. Martel and veteran drummer Anders Johansson joined the band. It has recovered the energy on live shows and in Joey’s words “MANOWAR is bigger and more popular than ever. That means more trucks, busses, speakers, lights, sound, people and on and on.” he points out. “So, naturally there is more work to do just getting on stage to play. That requires years of planning before touring. The days are longer with more to do in all areas, but it is a blessing to have to deal with these things. I am living a dream that I had at 10 years old. It’s all worth it for the time on stage, to see the power and joy on the faces of our fans.”

Even when the number of festivals all around the world doesn’t stop increasing, MANOWAR play less and less in this kind of macro events, chosing carefully where to perform. Serious controversies have shown up in this regard recently, but the band sees this point very clear: “Festivals are a chance for bands to look and sound like shit. When that happens, the fans get fucked and I will not allow that to happen under any conditions. Small festivals usually have lots of heart and hope from the organizers but are sometimes understaffed and underfunded, so that can cause safety concerns and other issues, all of which can make not only for a bad experience for the fans but danger as well. We have all read about stages collapsing etc.

So naturally, we have to be very selective of where we play and who we work with to protect the fans”, says the bass player.

No lack of projects

The band is full of projects even though they haven’t released a new complete studio album with original footage since “The Lord Of Steel” back in 2012. But this doesn’t mean they are not working.

“We are currently completing a DVD and Blu-ray of our first-ever show in Mexico with an amazing 8k video production,”, reveals DeMaio. “We’re in the studio recording songs for the next EP, The Final Battle II and we are already preparing the massive production for our 40^th anniversary tour that will kick off in spring 2021!”

The band has gone down a nostalgic path with the first pictorial book – “The Blood Of The Kings Vol I” which narrates the story of the band through various memories and documents, as well as texts and explanations to add context. “I have personally curated every single photo used in that book. I literally went through thousands and thousands of photos and slides. It was great fun to go through our archives and be reminded of so many incredible moments. In addition to rare photos our vaults also contain audio and video recordings of most of our shows, amazing gifts we received from our fans over the years like drawings, flags, and so many other things.” DeMaio already let us know there will be a second part. “Can’t wait to get back to this project for Volume II of our history!”

 Already in 2005, prior to the almighty show on Earthshaker Festival in Germany, the band organized a mega fan convention with different expos about the band’s history. DeMaio assures that “our vaults burst of material and each item triggers so many memories and stories.”

“I’ll admit, it wasn’t easy to make the selection because so many other items had to be left out.”

The book includes memories of so many MANOWAR family members that have passed away. “Seeing photos of many of our fallen brothers, the unforgettable Scott Columbus, equipment builder and Chief Technician John “Dawk” Stillwell, our Head Of Security for many years, Dan Lee and the late, great Ronnie James Dio, to name just a few. We miss them all but will never forget them!”

Parallel universe

The fact that MANOWAR keep on living in their own parallel universe, different from the rest of the bands, is well known. “We are focused on our music and our fans”, says DeMaio. “To be quite honest, I don’t care what other bands are doing.”

In a recent post on the band’s website, an old artice from the magazine Hit Parader was published, in which the bass player explained that “You either totally love us or totally hate us”. There is no middle ground with MANOWAR and this almost religious polarization is the basis of their longevity.

“This is and always will be true”, says Joey. “To me, a strong opinion that someone stands by shows character and integrity, so I prefer hate over ass kissers. The only thing that truly matters is that the fans see, feel and know that the band have given them our best in the process.”

Despite an attemp of farewell, now the band is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and truth be told, it hard to imagine Joey DeMaio and Eric Adams doing anything else than being on stage for the next years. Can Joey imagine a 50th MANOWAR anniversary tour?  If Judas Priest and Scorpions can…

“No one can say what the future will bring”, he predicts. “nor can we relive the past. I only know we are here now, and we are ready and willing and when this next tour starts we will once again kick ass all over the world!”

Even in such a complex context as the one we live in.

“Nobody would of course ever ask or want a worldwide crisis, but these challenging times are what bring out the best in all of us and make us stronger as individuals and the whole of the human race. We all have to focus on the things in our control”, concludes the bass player in a message with a look of hope into the future.

All photos: Foto: Sebastian Konopka (c) Magic Circle Entertainment

Hello!
I’m Ann from sunny Krasnodar (Russia).

The time has come for me to share my little story. (Pardon me for my grammar and other mistakes).

It happened in 2017. I was sitting in a coworking with headphones in my ears when the music service offered me music that “I may also like.” And, glory to the algorithms, these were Manowar! I fell in love with them from the first note. I thought: “Oh god, where has this music been all my life!”?
It was definitely the best music in the world. Beautiful melodies of crystal purity, soft clear sound, and an incomparable voice.
I just listened and listened, not interested in the musicians themselves and the history of the group.

Little by little, I began to understand the Manowar theme. Vikings, battles, motorcycles, all of that stuff. Blood, battles, swords, valor, revenge, honor, blood, kings, war, beer, Valhalla, warriors, blood, brotherhood, axes, pride, Odin, strength, men, blood … And then I understand that I’m listening to the mournful melody without words. The music was playing in a separate browser tab, in the title of which I read “Today is a good day”. And I thought, “finally”! Finally, they wrote something positive! Let the music come out sad, they are still well done, they tried “for joy”. I should have added this song to my favorites. I was so proud of them (my boys!). Next, imagine my disappointment when I read the full title of the tune: “Today is a good day … to die”. Yes of course. As usual. In their repertoire.
P.S. but I added it to favorites

The first concert:
It was generally my first ever concert of any band. Symphony orchestra, opera, ballet does not count. I really wanted to take tickets for the entire Russian tour, or at least to several neighboring cities. But in the end, I went only to the Krasnodar show. Two factors contributed to this decision:
a) everyone, absolutely all of my friends dissuaded me, in principle, from going to the concert, because “the crowd will trample me there.” They said they used to go to concerts, and there is always slam going on, and I will not survive there, besides, I will lose my hearing.
b) I was afraid that I would get tired of listening to the same thing several times in a row.

Naturally, I regretted that I had not visited the rest of the cities at the moment when THEY were on stage, bathing in the light of spotlights.

But, all in order.

I had to properly prepare for the concert:

How not to go deaf – earplugs.
How not to be trampled – to overlay with pillows (no).
How to get to the stage? (and what do you think could arise in my infantile brain?) – sweets!

I typed a full backpack of different sweets, hoping to buy a path to the stage with their help.

I offered people candy in exchange for going forward. Basically, everyone refused and let me go for free until I almost reached the fence and met wonderful guys with whom we spent an hour and a half waiting, full of laughter and chatter about everything in the world, with caramel in our cheeks.

The concert itself: They were like gods, alive and descended to the earth in all their splendor, shedding their light and music on us. They were very close, so incomparable and beautiful.

What struck me was that no one shoved me during the whole concert, no one was drunk. All behaved more than decently. And in the queue in the dressing room after the concert, there was a deathly silence. The crowd didn’t move at all and politely waited for the poor coat check girl to give out jackets to everyone.

I did not lose my hearing, and in general, the sound was so soft and clear that I did not need earplugs.

Conclusion:
Of course, I don’t have an inspiring or touching story as true-fans from “the old times” have. But it also has a place to be. What is Manowar music for me? This is to be a soaring eagle in the shower, despite the fact that in appearance you are a mouse. These are joyful sounds. This is to run through the mud to catch the first bus, overtaking stray dogs. To make it louder so as not to hear empty swearing around. It is to admire motorcycles and be afraid of crossing the road at the same time. Manowar is to love men in leather bikinis. This is when your Facebook friends are bigger friends to you than your friends in real life. Manowar for me is to wear pink and behave pretty because metal is not what you show, metal is what you have in your soul. Manowar is gentle lyrics. These are those who will never quit. These are those for whom one will go into fire and water. These are those thanks to whom I go forward. Thank you for the music and shows you make.

I wish all the team common and personal creative success! Stay safe, healthy, and happy!

With love, Ann

#MANOWAR #40thanniversary #manowarriorforlife

Join the “Manowarrior For Life” contest yourself and send us YOUR story! 

How to participate:
You can share your story and photos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media, or answer to one of MANOWAR’s posts, and include #MANOWAR #40thanniversary #manowarriorforlife
Or you send your contribution to frontrow@manowar.com

IMPORTANT: Before you participate read the terms and conditions of this contest HERE

Follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all tour dates and constant updates.

[Show as slideshow]

The Spanish Manowarriors have gained another victory!

MANOWAR will return as headliners of Rock Fest Barcelona on July 1^st, 2021.

This will be the band’s only show in Spain next year.

MANOWAR will celebrate their 40^th anniversary with the Spanish fans by bringing their biggest production ever, including epic set decoration, stunning visuals, Viking reenactors and a powerful set list full of immortal classics!

“We can’t wait to return to Spain!” said Joey DeMaio. “Our Spanish fans have always fought for MANOWAR and true metal. They have never failed us, and we will never fail the greatest fans in Spain” he continued. “Our motto is LOUDER HARDER BIGGER – that says it all!”

Tickets are now available. For more information visit Rock Fest Barcelona

A limited number of ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE UPGRADES, for the most personal fan experience ever, will be available for this event! These upgrades work in conjunction with any ticket for the respective event. Fans should secure their admission tickets now and can purchase an ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE once these upgrades go on sale.

For tour details and ticket links go to manowar.com/tour

Follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for constant updates.

MANOWAR – 40^th Anniversary Tour 2021 – Confirmed Tour Dates:
Tue, April 6, 2021 – Zwickau, DE – Stadthalle
Thu, April 8, 2021 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotterdam Ahoy
Fri, April 9, 2021 – Oberhausen, DE – König Pilsener Arena
Sat, April 10, 2021 – Mannheim, DE – SAP Arena
Mon, April 12, 2021 – Bremen, DE – ÖVB-Arena – Halle 7
Tue, April 13, 2021 – Berlin, DE – Velodrom
Fri, April 16, 2021 – Neu-Ulm, DE – Ratiopharm Arena
Sat, April 17, 2021 – Nuremberg, DE – Arena Nürnberger Versicherung
Thu, July 1, 2021 – Barcelona, ES – Rock Fest Barcelona

Watch the official trailer HERE

MANOWAR Vuelve a España como cabeza de cartel de Rock Fest Barcelona 2021

 Los Manowarriors españoles han alcanzado otra victoria!!

MANOWAR vuelve como cabeza de cartel de Rock Fest Barcelona el jueves 1 de Julio de 2021. Este será el único concierto de la banda en España el próximo año.

MANOWAR celebrará su 40 aniversario con los fans españoles con la mayor producción que hayan traído nunca, con decorados épicos, impresionantes visuales, figurantes vikingos y un set list poderoso lleno de sus clásicos inmortales!!

“No podemos esperar a volver a España” dice Joey DeMaio. “Nuestros fans españoles siempre lucharon por MANOWAR y el true metal. Nunca nos han fallado, y nosotros nunca fallaremos a los grandes fans en España” continua. “Nuestro lema es LOUDER HARDER BIGGER – MÁS ALTO MÁS FUERTE MÁS GRANDE – esto lo dice todo!!

Las entradas ya están disponibles. Más información en  Rock Fest Barcelona

Para este concierto habrá un número limitado de ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE UPGRADES, que será la experiencia más personal! Este paquete es independiente de la entrada. Podéis asegurar vuestra entrada ahora y podréis adquirir el ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE cuando estén a la venta.

Para información de la gira y venta de entradas manowar.com/tour

Sigue a  MANOWAR en manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook y Twitter para todas las novedades.

MANOWAR – 40^th Anniversary Tour 2021 – Fechas Confirmadas:

Mar, 6 Abril, 2021 – Zwickau, DE – Stadthalle
Jue, 8 Abril, 2021 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotterdam Ahoy
Vie., 9 Abril, 2021 – Oberhausen, DE – König Pilsener Arena
Sab, 10 Abril, 2021 – Mannheim, DE – SAP Arena
Lun, 12 Abril, 2021 – Bremen, DE – ÖVB-Arena – Halle 7
Mar,13  Abril, 2021 – Berlin, DE – Velodrom
Vier, 16 Abril, 2021 – Neu-Ulm, DE – Ratiopharm Arena
Sab, 17 Abril, 2021 – Nuremberg, DE – Arena Nürnberger Versicherung
Jue, 1 Julio, 2021 – Barcelona, ES – Rock Fest Barcelona

Dear MANOWAR,

Dear Joey,

Dear Ruxia,

Dear Manoel,

Dear Manowar-Team,

what a great contest and what a great chance to tell you my story about finding MANOWAR for my life!

My name is Christian, I am 28 years old and I live in Bavaria in Germany.

Before MANOWAR i never listened to heavy metal. Towards the end of my training period I played the drums in a Rock & Pop – Coverband. Someday our bassist asked us if we could play the song “WARRIORS OF THE WORLD”. I asked him from which band this song is and he told me MANOWAR; a Heavy Metal – Band.

I didn’t know this band so I went to the next musicstore and searched for an album from this band which included the song. So my first album was “WARRIORS OF THE WORLD”. I put the cd in my discman and started the number 8 of the album and what should i say?! WOW, it was mind blowing; the power of the first seconds of the song was incredible; what a sound; what destroying instrumental power and then the voice of the singer. I listened to the song again and again and again. Like i said, i never listened to heavy metal before. My music choice was mainstream (Rock & Pop Music on the radio and so on). Today I was crushed by MANOWAR! Again i went to the music store and bought all cd’s from MANOWAR i could find. The craziest thing for me was that i could listen to every single song; they all were so full of power and energy that no song was boring or shit! From other bands I knew that they had good songs and not so good songs but from MANOWAR every song was amazing and great! Since this day I have been listening to this great band every single day.

After a while my mother asked me about the cd´s to listen to them. She was so excited after listening that she wanted more to hear from this band.

– This is how i came to MANOWAR –

A few weeks later I was searching on the internet for the next shows and found the new “KINGS OF METAL MMXIV – Tour ” which would bring the band to Munich in Germany, near my hometown. I didn’t think long and bought a ticket for this evening. I had never joined a Live-concert before so i was very very nervous and excited. Because my mother didn’t like big mass events she was waiting in the car in front of the show venue (Zenithalle) while i was standing in the front row. This night was unbelievable for me; the band came out and the sound and the power of the music were so mind blowing that I couldn’t find the right words to explain it. Whoever joined a MANOWAR-Concert live in the frontrow knows what I mean.

After this amazing concert I told my mother in the car how crushing it was and how cool it was to see the band live on stage, to hear the great songs live and full of power. My mother said that the sound outside the area was so loud that she thought there was a tank patrol in the next street. I told her so much from this concert that she was really sad that she wasn’t with me.

After a few days I saw that MANOWAR would come back to Germany with their “GODS and KINGS – TOUR” in 2016. I asked my mother if she would come with me. At first she was afraid because of the thousands of people but after more words she agreed. What she didn’t know was that I bought a “ULTIMATE FAN STEEL PACKAGE ” which included a meeting with the band and a view behind the stage. This should be a surprise and it worked. It was breathtaking how friendly Joey DeMaio welcomed us. It was like you met your neighbour. Thank you for that!

After this concert my mother said that she would come with me to every concert of MANOWAR when they would come back to Germany again.

In 2017 the band came back for 10 shows to Germany and my mother and I were on every single show across Germany. We waited for hours in the cold. From 11 am in the morning till 7 pm in the evening to save our place in the frontrow. This was a very very cool (and cold) time:)

In Kiel my mother got the bass string from Joey at the end of the show; this made my mother very very happy and me too.

After this tour my family walked in very hard times. My mother fell ill with cancer. For a long time the forecast was not good. In this time i printed her photos from our tour through Germany, from our new friends we met on the tour. I brought her CD´s and Videos from the shows and we remembered the whole time. A week later she was recovering. Thank you god for saving her life!!! In this time MANOWAR announced the new Tour “THE FINAL BATTLE”. My mother was very sad because she knew she couldn’t go with me to this tour again because of her health. I told her to wait because the tour would start in a year. And she was hoping to go with me again to the shows.

In this very hard time MANOWAR did something that we would never ever forget for the rest of our lives. The Band and their fan manager Ruxia heard the case of my mother and made it possible for her to get safely into the venue every evening. So she could enjoy the show without fear of her health.

This gesture I will never forget! This is brotherhood! Thank you MANOWAR!

This is my story of how i came to MANOWAR and why I will always be a MANOWARRIOR FOR LIFE!!!

MANOWAR is more than a band. MANOWAR is a brotherhood. MANOWAR is hope. MANOWAR is understanding.

The music, the lyrics, the spirit; there is so much power and energy in the songs that will make you strong every day! When you have a day full of shit – listen to MANOWAR and everything will be alright! When you have a great day and everything works – listen to MANOWAR and it will be amazing!

Like Joey said on the last tour: HART und LAUT, STARK und SCHNELL – if you don´t like me, go to hell!

And that is the truth.

Either you are a MANOWARRIOR

or you are not my friend!

The Tickets for the next tour are secured and ready! We can’t wait to see you on the road again.

Have a great time until the tour-start.

Best wishes from Germany

your most loyal fans and Manowarriors

Julia, Sabine and Christian

++++

Thank you to Christian, Sabine and Julia  for sharing this story!

Join the “Manowarrior For Life” contest yourself and send us YOUR story! 

How to participate:
You can share your story and photos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media, or answer to one of MANOWAR’s posts, and include #MANOWAR #40thanniversary #manowarriorforlife
Or you send your contribution to frontrow@manowar.com

IMPORTANT: Before you participate read the terms and conditions of this contest HERE

Follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all tour dates and constant updates.

It’s time for another war chest treasure, dating back to 1983!

Keep in mind that MANOWAR’s 40th Anniversary Tour is now 38 weeks away! Keep following manowar.com/tour, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all tour dates and constant updates.

#MANOWAR 40thanniversary #tour #louderharderbigger

Manowarriors, enjoy today’s history snippet: an article from Hit Parader magazine (USA) from February 1984! Check it out in the gallery.

And remember: in 39 weeks MANOWAR will be storming with their 40^th Anniversary Tour through Rotterdam Netherlands (April 8 2021) , Oberhausen Germany (April 9 2021) and Mannheim Germany (April 10 2021).

All tour dates on manowar.com/tour

Follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all tour dates and constant updates.

#MANOWAR 40thanniversary #tour #louderharderbigger

My name is Victor I’m a Brazilian fan of MANOWAR and will be a privilege to tell a little of my history with MANOWAR.

The first time I had a contact with MANOWAR was when I was 10 years old, I was in a old library where they sell books, comics, CDs and vinyls and I saw the art of ‘Louder Than Hell’ and as fan of heavy metal, Conan and the Ken Kelly art I bought the CD. For my surprise when I listen the first song ”Return of the warlord” this hit me like a punch in my face, I removed the CD when the first song finished and hid it, was like I found gold and was trying to protect it from everyone.
In that moment MANOWAR became my fav band and I know this will be for all my life.

When I was 13 years old I made a lot of phonecalls  to CD stores in all the next cities and I lied to my parents and took a bus to another town only to buy the ‘Battle Hymns’ and ‘Warriors of the World’, when I was 20 years old I saw MANOWAR live for the first time in São Paulo, 3 years after, I did my first MANOWAR tattoo, the sign of the hammer and a little music excerpt from ‘Righteous Glory’ from ‘The Lord Of Steel’ album.

In 2015 I saw the best concert in my life, MANOWAR in Monsters Of Rock, was the best moment in my life, I was there with parents, brothers and friends and I don’t have words to describe what I felt in that magical day….in 2017 I went to David Shankle concert and I had a chance to meet one of the Kings, another very special moment in my life. I was in paradise, was the first time I had a chance to meet one of the kings of metal in that moment I decided to started my next tattoo from MANOWAR: ‘Louder Than Hell’ was my first album, so it will be in my skin for the eternity, I hope I can have a chance to see MANOWAR again here in Brazil and if is possible to take the signatures of Joey and Eric on my skin to immortalize that moment too.

Since MANOWAR entered in my life in 2000 I don’t remember one single day in all these years without listening to a MANOWAR song. MANOWAR is part of my life and I’m proud to be part of the army of the immortals and to share this moments with my brothers and sisters of metal.
All hail to all the members, to all the kings of metal who did from music a way of life for all of us, thank you MANOWAR and happy 40th anniversary! In my eyes your’re immortal, In my heart you’ll live forever more!

>>>

Thank you, Victor Carvalho (Brazil), for sharing your story!

Join the “Manowarrior For Life” contest yourself and send us YOUR story! 

How to participate:
You can share your story and photos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media, or answer to one of MANOWAR’s posts, and include #MANOWAR #40thanniversary #manowarriorforlife
Or you send your contribution to frontrow@manowar.com

IMPORTANT: Before you participate read the terms and conditions of this contest HERE

Follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all tour dates and constant updates.