In the spring of 2020 MANOWAR played their long-awaited first ever concert in Mexico, headlining Hell & Heaven Fest 2020.

This historic event was recorded in highest definition, with over 15 8k and 4k cameras, a drone and immersive audio set up and will soon be released on Blu-ray, DVD and digital platforms.

Stay tuned for more details!

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

Celebrating the #40thanniversary with an early moment in #MANOWAR #history

Extracts of an interview with Joey on the rock radio network in the US, aired in November 1983
More to come. Stay tuned!

My Manowar story

… To a battle I ride…

Did I know back in 1994, that song “Crown and the Ring” which I heard by accident on the audiotape at my friend’s home would turn my life upside down? At the age of 14 you actually never think about what you are going to do in the future, and it’s impossible to predict that one song can make such an impact …. But exactly from this moment my journey into the world of heavy metal began, but not only music but also the philosophy that stood behind this music was important. The philosophy of the warrior‘s life, where you always have to move forward and never retreat, never  surrender no matter how hard it will be for you. In Russian culture we have a great novel which main idea “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” almost repeats ideas of Manowar’s lyrics and that’s why this band has totally filled me with power, that helps me in my hard moments.

Audiotapes, rumors and limited information – that’s what we had back here in Russia those days.  Only “Kings of metal” audiotape that was always in my tape player, the video “Return of the Warlord” accidently seen on TV – that was my Manowar world… And then came the Internet and the information about our favorite music band that kept coming every day was a great treasure for us. The brightest moment was when I created the chat channel on the IRC DALnet chat network in 1997 about Manowar, where fans from all over the world had a chance to talk about Manowar topics and what was more  important to had a chance to become friends. With some of these people I still keep in touch and we travel together around the world to visit almost every Manowar show. That’s where I met Michael Liebenow, who at that moment was helping Manowar with their first Internet steps and sites, I met Theo and Marjo Verdooren whom you all know by the  World Wide Web Warriors, of course I can’t forget Allmighty Dawnowar – a famous  Manowar fan from the USA, and Manoel Arruda, who is still with Manowar today.  This was wonderful time, because that was the world of Manowar where we were able to share information, to share emotions and make new friends all around the globe.

…You wait in the rain, you walk through the snow…

            In such tight everyday chatting we met 1999 year, which became a year of my First live show of Manowar. I met great guys from Sweden and when I had a chance to visit Sweden Rock Festival ’99 at Solvesborg I was heartly welcomed by a pack of fifteen Swedish manowarriors who met me at Stockholm airport. This was a real interpretation of the greatest hymn “Army of the Immortals”. Three days I had to “sleep” almost on the ground in totally broken tent under heavy rain. And only Russian Flag with Manowar logo on it told everybody that that was a crazy Russian warrior that came to see Manowar here on Swedish ground. But I lost my very first battle for the front row. That was one of a few shows which I had to see from the back. When mighty intro came in I was at the third or fourth row and there was hell. Crazy Scandinavian warriors were so crazy and strong that I had to pull myself out and it was the right decision. I almost passed out and had to work pretty hard to make my lungs work back, otherwise that could  be my last show of Manowar ever. But the show…ooooh that show was incredible! Standing in the mud under the rain and listening to the “Gates of Valhalla” – I was absorbing almost every word that was sung, every guitar, bass or drum note. That was unbelievable. After the show I came back to the stage where was so silent already, like after a heavy battle. But exactly in this silence I met Eric Adams for the first time, who came back to the barrier specially for me, cause he knew me from my chat channel (I hope I can say now that he was there sometimes and chatted with fans undercover). We talked only a minute or so, but I was lucky to thank him for all the songs which were so meaningful that has helped a lot. It was the first greatest show of Manowar for me.

…I awaken the creator, in those who dare…

When I came back to Moscow I had a strong feeling that I can’t relax cause one thing was rotating in my mind and bothering me.  Eric on every show during his speech noted all the countries they played and he always included Russia into this list. But they had never played in Russia before. The Dream to see them alive in my country forced me to find information about how all this things works – how anyone could invite a band to play a show in Russia. The Internet was very helpful and I found a small but very professional company “T.C.I.”. So me and some of my friends actually spammed its email with begging to bring Manowar to Russia. But we had to wait. At the End of 1999 this thunder struck and we got news that Manowar was going  to a Scandinavian tour “Monsters of the Millenium” and that was a sign. We brought back our contacts with the employees from T.C.I. and after providing them with this information about upcoming tour we got the feeling that things began to settle.  A few weeks later we were the happiest fans in the world, cause we got the information that after some negotiations Manowar and T.C.I. made an agreement to play three shows in Russia – one in Saint-Petersburg and two in Moscow. I did my best to be helpful for everyone – I provided the promoters with as much information about the band and fans as I could. My friends and I tried to help with everything they asked us to help with. One of the story is so crazy, that I still can’t understand how I was able to do, what promoters asked me to do for the show. It was the 5^th of November 1999, actually it was my birthday and in a few days I had to leave for Stockholm to see Manowar on seven shows of the tour, and exactly at this day promoters asked me to help them. They asked me to take a huge amount of freshly printed posters and drive them to the train station to load a mail car of the train heading to Saint-Petersburg, where they would be used for an advertisement company of the show. Can you imagine how surprised I was when I was already walking beside a heavy loaded cart and suddenly understood that the  mail car had been already closed and had  loaded two days ago and nothing could be done at that moment. But I was born in the fire of Manowar songs philosophy, I had no chances to retreat, to stop and to surrender.  I was standing there and thinking how to send over five hundred kilos of posters to Saint-Petersburg and I still can’t understand which words I used to persuade a train conductor to take these posters with him almost for nothing. The craziness of the situation was so high, cause I paid the conductor less than 10 bucks for this and three bucks I gave to a local policeman at a  dirty basement who didn’t liked my activities around train car. But we fucking did it and especially because I was raised on this great band philosophy.

…is metal in the air tonight, can you hear it call…

And then the magic began. My first meeting with Joey De Maio in Copenhagen and our quite long chat at Malmoe, where I talked and talked about Russian fans about which songs they would love to hear and what Manowar should know about Russia. When Eric Adams asked me about how good ticket sales were in Moscow, or when promoters asked me to ask the band about making promo video for upcoming shows I was feeling myself as part of historical moments of this tour. Day by day, show by show the band was getting closer and closer to their first-ever show in Russia. Every day I stood in the hall watching them creating magic again and again and then the day of Saint Petersburg show came. I had all access badge so my friends and I drove straight from the train station to the venue where the concert would take place to help with building the stage all together. Believe me, there is nothing better for a fan than helping band crew members to build the foundation of the very first Manowar show in Russia. It was a real honour to help such professional masters. Lots of translations, lots of different things, lots of work and few hours later the stage was ready…. Silence and tension filled the air… and only screams of the fans behind closed doors told us that there were only a few moments left. And the show began. To stay there and listen to Eric saying country names again and right before the very moment he looked at me and with a  huge smile and scream ‘Russia’ he nailed the truth about Manowar playing in Russia. You can’t compare this moment with anything else.

And then was Moscow, the press conference, the meeting with fans, two more shows. I still remember Jeff Hair’s eyes and another crew members when they saw the angle of the stair by which they had to bring their equipment inside the building ( I’m pretty sure it was and still  is the hardest venue ever for Manowar to unload their equipment). I remember how Joey stopped the show, cause they had to rescue a fan from a second or a third row who fell unconscious during ‘Sign of the Hammer’ song, I still remember my fear that the balcony would fall down, cause whole building was shaking so hard. And then was the second show and a present that the band did first for me, and then for all of the people in the hall . During sound check with words “This is for you”  they began to play ‘Carry on’. That was a royal gift, which later was inserted into the setlist of the show. Moscow was the only city during the whole tour that got ‘Carry On’ and believe me Russian fans still remember it.  Since then, Manowar has played in Moscow lots of times, they did a full Russian tour, but these first shows are still in our  memory and hearts. Just  before the second show in Moscow, Manowar took a photo on a stage with all crew members, sponsors, promoters and us, sadly I can’t find it and I really hope that it is still in the band’s archives and will be used in a new part ‘Manowar History’ book where they will write about Russia. The most funny thing is that it’s the only photo I’ve ever done with the band together.

…Words of power calling to us all

    Holding us together

                        while other kingdoms fall…

It has been twenty years since that event, I have visited over fifty shows at different parts of the world and our red-black “Russian Manowar Brotherhood” flag is one of the most recognizable flags on different band’s videos. The most epic show were in  Longyearbyen at Svalbard over the North polar circle in April 2019. Fans from almost all over the world came there to witness the history, sadly no white bears showed around to join us for a party. But the show itself was like a party of old friends that united together at these northern lands. I remember the show in Sofia 2019 which was my number 50 show and I got my first ever bass string from Joey. But the best thing was not just memories of different shows or occasional meeting with the band or bass strings, the best thing was that I became a part of family of Manowar fans, who travel together from town to town, help each other with everything even when you visit their countries for non – Manowar related topics. This is a real FAMILY. My thanks goes to Manowar, because this band gave us a chance to meet each other and to be the part of a big story called “Manowar”.

                   Alexei (Russia)

#MANOWAR #40thanniversary #manowarriorforlife

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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 so we can share it with the world on our various social media pages, and more.

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.

For week 35 of our 40 week tour countdown here’s a clip from our last performance in Nuremberg, Germany, part of the Demons, Dragons and Warriors Tour 2007.

If you thought that was epic, join us on our 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR – it’s going to be bigger, louder and harder yet!

We’ll be back in Nuremberg on April 17, 2021

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

#MANOWAR #40thanniversary #2021tour #biggerlouderharder

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.

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