We’re ramping up for our upcoming summer shows and had the opportunity to visit our friends in Iceland! A beautiful country with amazing people. We can’t wait to play here soon. A big thank you to Aðalbjörn “Addi” Tryggvason at Vísir for the hospitality and the fun interview. See you in June! Check out the full interview on Vísir here.
MANOWARRIORS!
Numerous shows on our BLOOD OF OUR ENEMIES TOUR 2025 are SOLD OUT. See all details below. Stay tuned for MORE COUNTRIES coming soon!
For full tour details and ticket links click HERE for Leg 1 of the Blood Of Our Enemies Tour 2025 and HERE for Leg 2.
JAN 22, 2025 – OSTRAVA, CZ – OSTRAVAR ARÉNA ***
JAN 24, 2025 – BRATISLAVA, SK – PEUGEOT ARÉNA – SOLD OUT 🔥
JAN 27, 2025 – AMSTERDAM, NL – AFAS Live
JAN 29, 2025 – STOCKHOLM, SE – CIRKUS – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 01, 2025 – REYKJAVIK, IS – HARPA – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 03, 2025 – OSLO, NO – SPEKTRUM
FEB 06, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, DE – MHP ARENA – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 07, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, DE – MHP ARENA – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 08, 2025 – FREIBURG, DE – SICK-ARENA
FEB 10, 2025 – ZWICKAU, DE – STADTHALLE
FEB 11, 2025 – REGENSBURG, DE – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA
FEB 12, 2025 – REGENSBURG, DE – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 14, 2025 – BAMBERG, DE – BROSE ARENA
FEB 15, 2025 – MUNICH, DE – ZENITH – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 17, 2025 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LU – ROCKHAL
FEB 19, 2025 – BRAUNSCHWEIG, DE – VOLKSWAGEN HALLE
FEB 21, 2025 – BERLIN, DE – UFO – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 22, 2025 – KIEL, DE – WUNDERINO ARENA
FEB 23, 2025 – SIEGEN, DE – SIEGERLANDHALLE – SOLD OUT 🔥
FEB 25, 2025 – MANNHEIM, DE – SAP ARENA
FEB 26, 2025 – RAVENSBURG, DE – OBERSCHWABENHALLE
FEB 28, 2025 – OLDENBURG, DE – EWE ARENA
MAR 01, 2025 – KREFELD, DE – YAYLA ARENA
JUN 13, 2025 – TALLINN, EE – PIRITA CONVENT
JUN 14, 2025 – TALLINN, EE – PIRITA CONVENT
JUL 11, 2025 – MOGILOVO, BG – MIDALIDARE ROCK FESTIVAL 2025
Heavy metal fans in the Czech Republic, prepare for a night of unmatched metal power when MANOWAR return to the Metal City of Ostrava on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Ostravar Aréna!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM local time on ticketportal.cz.
As MANOWAR celebrate 45 years of dominating the heavy metal world, the “Blood Of Our Enemies Tour 2025” will feature a spectacular set list that pays tribute to their legendary albums Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer.
Fans can also expect many other anthems from the band’s exceptional career, all brought to life through an awe-inspiring, brand-new stage production designed to raise the bar yet again.
MANOWAR bassist and founder Joey De Maio shared the band’s excitement for their return to one of their strongholds: “We are honored to return to the Czech Republic, where the energy and passion of our fans have NEVER failed us! They are the Greatest Fans in the country! The Blood Of Our Enemies Tour will be our heaviest, most massive production yet, and we can’t wait to play their favorite songs with all of the power and glory they deserve!”
Get ready to experience the thunderous force of MANOWAR live! This is not just a show—it’s a life-defining celebration of true metal and the unbreakable bond between MANOWAR and its loyal Army Of Immortals!
This is the show you don’t want to miss!
Get your tickets for MANOWAR’s return to Ostrava on ticketportal.cz before it is too late.
Many shows on this tour are already sold out!
For all tour details and ticket links go to manowar.com/tour and subscribe to bandsintown.
For more information and exclusive content follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and subscribe to the official MANOWAR YouTube channel
MANOWAR – CRUSHING THE ENEMIES OF METAL TOUR 2024:
NOV 17, 2024 – SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – BESPORT
NOV 20, 2024 – CURITIBA, PR, BRAZIL – LIVE CURITIBA
NOV 22, 2024 – BRASÍLIA, DF, BRAZIL – OPERA HALL
NOV 24, 2024 – RECIFE, PE, BRAZIL – GERALDÃO
NOV 26, 2024 – RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ, BRAZIL – VIVO RIO
NOV 30, 2024 – BROOKLYN, NY – KING’S THEATER
MANOWAR – THE BLOOD OF OUR ENEMIES TOUR 2025:
JAN 22, 2025 – OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC – OSTRAVAR ARÉNA ***
JAN 24, 2025 – BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – PEUGEOT ARÉNA ***
JAN 27, 2025 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – AFAS Live***
JAN 29, 2025 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – CIRKUS***
FEB 01, 2025 – REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – HARPA***
FEB 03, 2025 – OSLO, NORWAY – SPEKTRUM***
FEB 06, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA**
FEB 07, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA*
FEB 08, 2025 – FREIBURG, GERMANY – SICK-ARENA**
FEB 10, 2025 – ZWICKAU, GERMANY – STADTHALLE*
FEB 12, 2025 – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA**
FEB 14, 2025 – BAMBERG, GERMANY – BROSE ARENA*
FEB 15, 2025 – MÜNCHEN, GERMANY – ZENITH**
FEB 17, 2025 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – ROCKHAL*
FEB 19, 2025 – BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – VOLKSWAGEN HALLE**
FEB 21, 2025 – BERLIN, GERMANY – UFO*
FEB 22, 2025 – KIEL, GERMANY – WUNDERINO ARENA**
FEB 25, 2025 – MANNHEIM, GERMANY – SAP ARENA*
FEB 26, 2025 – RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – OBERSCHWABENHALLE**
FEB 28, 2025 – OLDENBURG, GERMANY – EWE ARENA*
MAR 01, 2025 – KREFELD, GERMANY – YAYLA ARENA**
JUN 13, 2025 – TALLINN, ESTONIA – PIRITA CONVENT*
JUN 14, 2025 – TALLINN, ESTONIA – PIRITA CONVENT**
JUL 11, 2025 – CHIRPAN, BULGARIA – MIDALIDARE ROCK FESTIVAL 2025***
Set list:
* = Hail To England full album + greatest hits
** = Sign Of The Hammer full album + greatest hits
*** = celebrating highlights from Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer + greatest hits
🔥 Manowarriors🔥
Your battle cries have been heard! We have managed to get additional tickets for our sold-out show in Munich released! 🎟️🇩🇪
We know many of you have been waiting for this moment, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome more of our Army Of Immortals to join us.
Don’t wait though – secure your place in this epic gathering now, before it is sold out again! ⚔️🛡️
Join a show that will echo in eternity. 🌟💥
Tickets for Munich and all other German shows are available on Eventim.
Death to false metal!
Hail and Kill! ☠️🤘
MANOWAR have announced their long-awaited return to Slovakia with The Blood Of Our Enemies Tour 2025.
The show will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Peugeot Aréna in Bratislava.
MANOWAR last played Slovakia, a country of true metal warriors, in 2016.
Next year marks the 45th anniversary since the band began their ascent into metal Valhalla.
“We are excited to finally reunite with our Army of Immortals in Slovakia! Our fans have longed for this for many years, and so have we. We have worked hard to make it happen on this upcoming tour!” said MANOWAR bassist Joey De Maio. “Prepare for face-melting, ear-crushing hymns and a show that will be remembered through the ages.”
The Blood Of Our Enemies Tour 2025 celebrates MANOWAR‘s milestone albums “Hail to England” and “Sign of the Hammer”—along with other iconic anthems that wrote metal history!
Tickets for this landmark event go on sale on August 1, 2024 on predpredaj.sk.
With many shows on this tour already sold out, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early before it is too late.
Join MANOWAR in Bratislava for a night of metal, camaraderie, and celebration!
For all tour details and ticket links go to manowar.com/tour.
For more information and exclusive content follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and subscribe to the official MANOWAR YouTube channel
MANOWAR – CRUSHING THE ENEMIES OF METAL TOUR 2024:
NOV 17, 2024 – SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – BESPORT
NOV 20, 2024 – CURITIBA, PR, BRAZIL – LIVE CURITIBA
NOV 22, 2024 – BRASÍLIA, DF, BRAZIL – OPERA HALL
NOV 24, 2024 – RECIFE, PE, BRAZIL – GERALDÃO
NOV 26, 2024 – RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ, BRAZIL – VIVO RIO
NOV 30, 2024 – BROOKLYN, NY – KING’S THEATER
MANOWAR – THE BLOOD OF OUR ENEMIES TOUR 2025:
JAN 24, 2025 – BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – PEUGEOT ARÉNA ***
JAN 27, 2025 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – AFAS Live***
JAN 29, 2025 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – CIRKUS***
FEB 01, 2025 – REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – HARPA***
FEB 03, 2025 – OSLO, NORWAY – SPEKTRUM***
FEB 06, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA**
FEB 07, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA*
FEB 08, 2025 – FREIBURG, GERMANY – SICK-ARENA**
FEB 10, 2025 – ZWICKAU, GERMANY – STADTHALLE*
FEB 12, 2025 – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA**
FEB 14, 2025 – BAMBERG, GERMANY – BROSE ARENA*
FEB 15, 2025 – MÜNCHEN, GERMANY – ZENITH**
FEB 17, 2025 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – ROCKHAL*
FEB 19, 2025 – BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – VOLKSWAGEN HALLE**
FEB 21, 2025 – BERLIN, GERMANY – UFO*
FEB 22, 2025 – KIEL, GERMANY – WUNDERINO ARENA**
FEB 25, 2025 – MANNHEIM, GERMANY – SAP ARENA*
FEB 26, 2025 – RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – OBERSCHWABENHALLE**
FEB 28, 2025 – OLDENBURG, GERMANY – EWE ARENA*
MAR 01, 2025 – KREFELD, GERMANY – YAYLA ARENA**
JUL 11, 2025 – CHIRPAN, BULGARIA – MIDALIDARE ROCK FESTIVAL 2025***
Set list:
* = Hail To England full album + greatest hits
** = Sign Of The Hammer full album + greatest hits
*** = celebrating highlights from Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer + greatest hits
MANOWAR’s “The Blood Of Our Enemies Tour 2025” rages onward with the band’s long-awaited return to Amsterdam.
The ONLY show in the Netherlands will take place on January 27, 2025, at Amsterdam’s AFAS Live.
The wild heavy metal fortress of Amsterdam is the perfect setting to host this metal onslaught for MANOWAR’s Dutch Army of Immortals, with the band performing hits from their milestone albums “Hail to England” and “Sign of the Hammer”—along with other iconic anthems that crowned them the Kings of Metal!
“It’s going to be a historic night true metal fans will want to be a part of!” MANOWAR bassist Joey De Maio said. “This concert is for the Dutch fans who have never let us down and never will! They are the loudest, wildest, heaviest metal fans in the whole country!”
Tickets for MANOWAR’s return to the Netherlands are NOW on sale on eventim.nl
For all tour details and ticket links go to manowar.com/tour.
For more information and exclusive content follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and subscribe to the official MANOWAR YouTube channel
MANOWAR – CRUSHING THE ENEMIES OF METAL TOUR 2024:
NOV 17, 2024 – SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – BESPORT
NOV 20, 2024 – CURITIBA, PR, BRAZIL – LIVE CURITIBA
NOV 22, 2024 – BRASÍLIA, DF, BRAZIL – OPERA HALL
NOV 24, 2024 – RECIFE, PE, BRAZIL – GERALDÃO
NOV 26, 2024 – RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ, BRAZIL – VIVO RIO
NOV 30, 2024 – BROOKLYN, NY – KING’S THEATER
MANOWAR – THE BLOOD OF OUR ENEMIES TOUR 2025:
JAN 27, 2025 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – AFAS Live***
JAN 29, 2025 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – CIRKUS***
FEB 01, 2025 – REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – HARPA***
FEB 03, 2025 – OSLO, NORWAY – SPEKTRUM***
FEB 06, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA**
FEB 07, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA*
FEB 08, 2025 – FREIBURG, GERMANY – SICK-ARENA**
FEB 10, 2025 – ZWICKAU, GERMANY – STADTHALLE*
FEB 12, 2025 – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA**
FEB 14, 2025 – BAMBERG, GERMANY – BROSE ARENA*
FEB 15, 2025 – MÜNCHEN, GERMANY – ZENITH**
FEB 17, 2025 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – ROCKHAL*
FEB 19, 2025 – BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – VOLKSWAGEN HALLE**
FEB 21, 2025 – BERLIN, GERMANY – UFO*
FEB 22, 2025 – KIEL, GERMANY – WUNDERINO ARENA**
FEB 25, 2025 – MANNHEIM, GERMANY – SAP ARENA*
FEB 26, 2025 – RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – OBERSCHWABENHALLE**
FEB 28, 2025 – OLDENBURG, GERMANY – EWE ARENA*
MAR 01, 2025 – KREFELD, GERMANY – YAYLA ARENA**
JUL 11, 2025 – CHIRPAN, BULGARIA – MIDALIDARE ROCK FESTIVAL 2025***
Set list:
* = Hail To England full album + greatest hits
** = Sign Of The Hammer full album + greatest hits
*** = celebrating highlights from Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer + greatest hits
MANOWAR will return to Bulgaria after six years for a headlining performance at Midalidare Rock In The Wine Valley on July 11, 2025.
Midalidare Rock In The Wine Valley festival is renowned for its breathtaking location on the Midalidare Estate in Mogilovo, set amidst vineyards and rolling hills, offering fans a unique blend of natural beauty for the eyes and music for the ears.
The special occasion marks MANOWAR’s long-awaited fifth return to Bulgaria, and it will be their biggest production in Bulgaria yet!
MANOWAR is preparing an exclusive show to honor the incomparable loyalty of the Bulgarian Manowarriors. This will be a night of legendary and inspirational metal hymns, filled with incomparable energy and, most of all, the unity of the Manowarriors that makes every MANOWAR performance an unforgettable event.
“From the first time we came here in 2007, we connected with the people of Bulgaria,” said MANOWAR bassist Joey De Maio. “The incredible energy, the unparalleled passion, and the unbreakable spirit of our Bulgarian fans have shown the whole world that they are the strongest and best fans in the country! We are proud to invite everyone to join us in the beautiful surroundings of Midalidare Estate and celebrate with us the ultimate power and might of true metal!”
Tickets for MANOWAR‘s headlining performance at Midalidare Rock In The Wine Valley 2025 festival are NOW on sale at Eventim Bulgaria. Click HERE
For more information about the festival go to midalidarerock.bg.
Don’t miss your chance to witness the ultimate metal experience in one of Bulgaria’s most enchanting settings.
For all MANOWAR tour details and ticket links go to manowar.com/tour.
For more information and exclusive content follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and subscribe to the official MANOWAR YouTube channel.
MANOWAR – CRUSHING THE ENEMIES OF METAL TOUR 2024:
NOV 17, 2024 – SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – BESPORT
NOV 20, 2024 – CURITIBA, PR, BRAZIL – LIVE CURITIBA
NOV 22, 2024 – BRASÍLIA, DF, BRAZIL – OPERA HALL
NOV 24, 2024 – RECIFE, PE, BRAZIL – GERALDÃO
NOV 26, 2024 – RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ, BRAZIL – VIVO RIO
NOV 30, 2024 – BROOKLYN, NY – KING’S THEATER
MANOWAR – THE BLOOD OF OUR ENEMIES TOUR 2025:
JAN 29, 2025 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – CIRKUS***
FEB 01, 2025 – REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – HARPA***
FEB 03, 2025 – OSLO, NORWAY – SPEKTRUM***
FEB 06, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA**
FEB 07, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA*
FEB 08, 2025 – FREIBURG, GERMANY – SICK-ARENA**
FEB 10, 2025 – ZWICKAU, GERMANY – STADTHALLE*
FEB 12, 2025 – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA**
FEB 14, 2025 – BAMBERG, GERMANY – BROSE ARENA*
FEB 15, 2025 – MÜNCHEN, GERMANY – ZENITH**
FEB 17, 2025 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – ROCKHAL*
FEB 19, 2025 – BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – VOLKSWAGEN HALLE**
FEB 21, 2025 – BERLIN, GERMANY – UFO*
FEB 22, 2025 – KIEL, GERMANY – WUNDERINO ARENA**
FEB 25, 2025 – MANNHEIM, GERMANY – SAP ARENA*
FEB 26, 2025 – RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – OBERSCHWABENHALLE**
FEB 28, 2025 – OLDENBURG, GERMANY – EWE ARENA*
MAR 01, 2025 – KREFELD, GERMANY – YAYLA ARENA**
JUL 11, 2025 – CHIRPAN, BULGARIA – MIDALIDARE ROCK FESTIVAL 2025***
* = Hail To England full album + greatest hits
** = Sign Of The Hammer full album + greatest hits
*** = celebrating highlights Hail To England / Sign Of The Hammer + greatest hits
Magic Circle Entertainment is calling upon passionate and dedicated Freelance E-COMMERCE EXPERTS who have the skills to help us bring original MANOWAR merchandise to metal fans around the world!
This is YOUR chance to combine your love for MANOWAR and your expertise in optimizing, customizing, and programming e-commerce stores to make a difference in our metal community!
This is a remote position for an Independent Contractor, meaning it is open to candidates around the world. Excellent English communication and organizational skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of optimizing, customizing, and programming e-commerce solutions, are a must!
Follow the link to find out more about this opportunity.
MANOWAR‘s Crushing The Enemies Of Metal Tour 2024 continues, adding a very special date to the band’s upcoming trek. For the first time EVER, MANOWAR will bring the face-melting power of their live performance to El Salvador, offering a heavy metal experience fans will never forget!
The show at San Salvador’s BeSport will take place on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
Tickets are NOW available on digiticket.online
“We are very excited to come to El Salvador for the first time!” said MANOWAR bassist Joey De Maio. “We will bring the Manowarriors of El Salvador the all-powerful show that they have been waiting for, packed with classic hymns from our entire career! They deserve nothing but the best!!”
Fans can witness a bone-crushing production that will celebrate iconic albums such as “Sign Of The Hammer” and “Hail To England,” along with many other fan favorites. MANOWAR are currently in the studio and will be hitting stages around the world in November 2024 and early 2025.
For all tour details and ticket links, go to manowar.com/tour.
For more information and exclusive content follow MANOWAR on manowar.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and subscribe to the official MANOWAR YouTube channel
MANOWAR – CRUSHING THE ENEMIES OF METAL TOUR 2024:
NOV 17, 2024 – SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – BESPORT
NOV 20, 2024 – CURITIBA, PR, BRAZIL – LIVE CURITIBA
NOV 22, 2024 – BRASÍLIA, DF, BRAZIL – OPERA HALL
NOV 24, 2024 – RECIFE, PE, BRAZIL – GERALDÃO
NOV 26, 2024 – RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ, BRAZIL – VIVO RIO
NOV 30, 2024 – BROOKLYN, NY – KING’S THEATER
MANOWAR – THE BLOOD OF OUR ENEMIES:
JAN 29, 2025 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – CIRKUS***
FEB 01, 2025 – REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – HARPA***
FEB 03, 2025 – OSLO, NORWAY – SPEKTRUM***
FEB 06, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA**
FEB 07, 2025 – LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – MHP ARENA*
FEB 08, 2025 – FREIBURG, GERMANY – SICK-ARENA**
FEB 10, 2025 – ZWICKAU, GERMANY – STADTHALLE*
FEB 12, 2025 – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – DAS STADTWERK.DONAU-ARENA**
FEB 14, 2025 – BAMBERG, GERMANY – BROSE ARENA*
FEB 15, 2025 – MÜNCHEN, GERMANY – ZENITH**
FEB 17, 2025 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – ROCKHAL*
FEB 19, 2025 – BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – VOLKSWAGEN HALLE**
FEB 21, 2025 – BERLIN, GERMANY – UFO*
FEB 22, 2025 – KIEL, GERMANY – WUNDERINO ARENA**
FEB 25, 2025 – MANNHEIM, GERMANY – SAP ARENA*
FEB 26, 2025 – RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – OBERSCHWABENHALLE**
FEB 28, 2025 – OLDENBURG, GERMANY – EWE ARENA*
MAR 01, 2025 – KREFELD, GERMANY – YAYLA ARENA**
* = Hail To England full album + greatest hits
** = Sign Of The Hammer full album + greatest hits
*** = celebrating highlights from Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer + greatest hits
MANOWAR HISTORY –
On June 7, 1982, MANOWAR’S debut album, Battle Hymns, shook the Earth with its release, leaving speakers blown and audiences gasping.
Battle Hymns put this new band on the map immediately, not only among hordes of heavy metal fans who were seeking the most brutal of sounds, but also among many music critics. Portrayals of hardship and disillusionment set the tone (a Death Tone) that is offset by the catchy celebratory anthems “Manowar” and “Gloves of Metal”. A dazzling bass solo and the booming voice of Old Hollywood creative genius Orson Welles add to a whirlwind of thrills that concludes with one of the most majestic metal epics of all times, the titular “Battle Hymn.”
This dynamic collection of songs contributed to what would become the first in a series of ground-breaking records. It also marked the beginning of a new genre, Power Metal, that would become synonymous with this band who would go on to conquer the world with their complete devotion to true metal and their unshakable commitment to their principles: honor, integrity, and loyalty.
The Title Track: Battle Hymn
At the heart of this legendary album lies the title track, “Battle Hymn.” This brilliantly composed anthem encapsulates the spirit of MANOWAR, blending powerful lyrics with a thunderous arrangement that leaves listeners feeling invincible. The orchestration features soaring guitars and pounding drums and paints a vivid picture of warriors preparing for battle. It’s more than just a song; it’s a rallying cry for all those who seek strength and unity in the face of adversity. The heroic themes and rousing chorus have made “Battle Hymn” a timeless piece that continues to inspire fans across generations.
The Dark Saga: Dark Avenger
Another standout track, “Dark Avenger,” takes listeners on a dark and thrilling journey. A gripping narrative is voiced with authority by Orson Welles, one of the greatest and most versatile talents in movie and theater history, whose deep, commanding voice adds a layer of drama and gravitas to the already intense musical composition.
The story told is one of vengeance and justice, a common theme in MANOWAR’s discography, yet uniquely compelling in this early work. The juxtaposition of melodic interludes with heavy, aggressive riffs creates a dynamic and unforgettable listening experience.
A New Band with a Legendary Voice
One of the many outstanding aspects of Battle Hymns is the appearance of the legendary Orson Welles. True to their belief to aim high and follow your dreams, the notorious Hollywood rebel was MANOWAR’s first choice for the narration. Known for his monumental work in film and theater, Welles took an immediate liking to the ambitious newcomers, joined their project, contributing spoken words with gravitas and drama – almost as if he was one with the band. His collaboration with MANOWAR was a testament to the band’s vision, setting them apart from their peers and establishing a precedent for high-concept metal albums.
Influencing a Generation
Battle Hymns did more than just announce the arrival of MANOWAR; it spawned a generation of sound and style. The album’s blend of powerful lyrics, epic themes, and innovative use of narration set a new standard in the metal genre. It inspired countless bands to explore more grandiose and narrative-driven compositions, laying the groundwork for what would become known as Power Metal. MANOWAR’s influence can be seen in the music of many subsequent bands that continue to follow in the footsteps of their idols.
To be continued …
C.H. Miller
