Band:	Manowar
Album:	The Final Battle I
Style:	Heavy metal, US power metal
Release date:	March 29, 2019
A review by:	Belegûr

01. March Of The Heroes Into Valhalla
02. Blood And Steel
03. Sword Of The Highlands
04. You Shall Die Before I Die

The eternal quest for money continues for Joey DeMaio as Manowar stretch their farewell across three releases. I would not hold him to his word as Gods of War was supposed to be the first of a collection of albums featuring various Gods of War. I can only assume the songs would have been the same with some names changed and some new artwork. Nevertheless, this is the first new material from Manowar since 2014's The Lord of Steel and it was truly not worth the wait (if anyone was waiting) despite there being some moments that make it a little better than that travesty.

There are only four songs to digest here, a possible blessing in disguise? Though, one of these songs called "March Of The Heroes Into Valhalla" is, I assume, a rejected orchestral number from Gods of War. Even the title of it makes it seem like Joey DeMaio had it lying around the studio from 2007 and decided to extend the EP from three tracks to four. It's fine, I guess, but really doesn't offer anything new - from Manowar? I'm shocked too.

Two of the tracks called "Blood and Steel" and "Sword Of The Highlands" almost stop this from being utter humiliation, but this is because of Eric Adams, who has so often saved Manowar from defeat. He still sounds good and I don't think he sounds any worse than his work on 2002's Warriors Of The World. Praise ends there as these 2 songs greatly borrow from better songs from that 2002 release and Louder Than Hell. In fact, they could pass as secret of steel blood and fire warlord bonus tracks for those albums.

Remember those tracks where Joey DeMaio would abuse your ears with the might of his over distorted bass? The tracks you probably rush to skip when they are drawing near? Joey goes all out on this with an actual vocal performance. It takes an ego the size of Asgard to push Eric Adams to the side and say "I've got this". Joey's performance here is actually worth seeking the EP out for the absurdity of it all. When it fades you are left contemplating what you have just listened to, but not in the way that was intended. As part 1 of this final battle, I can't even imagine what wonders we will be treated to in the future. Are they saving the best till last?