Manowar - The Triumph Of Steel review
| Band: | Manowar |
| Album: | The Triumph Of Steel |
| Style: | Heavy metal, US power metal |
| Release date: | 1992 |
| Guest review by: | DayFly |
01. Achilles, Agony And Ecstasy In Eight Parts
1 - Hector Storms The Wall
2 - The Death Of Patroclus
3 - Funeral March
4 - Armor Of The Gods
5 - Hector's Final Hour
6 - Death Hector's Reward
7 - The Desecration Of Hector's Body
8 - The Glory Of Achilles
02. Metal Warriors
03. Ride The Dragon
04. Spirit Horse Of The Cherokee
05. Burning
06. The Power Of Thy Sword
07. The Demon's Whip
08. Master Of The Wind
In many ways, "Triumph Of Steel" is the closest thing to a consistent Manowar album. Everybody but the staunchest of fans will agree that the average Manowar album sports more than a couple killer tracks but is just the same riddled by fillers and silliness. However, on "Triumph Of Steel" Manowar manage to package every aspect of the latter category into the opening "Achilles, Agony and Ecstasy in Eight Parts", allowing the listener to comfortably ignore it and enjoy the remaining seven tracks. This is actually quite a pity since the album's would-be center point does have some really catchy and punchy heavy metal to it and certainly some of the best lyrics bassist and chief songwriter Joey DeMaio has ever penned down. But the grating bass solo and the even worse drum solo alone (not that those are the songs only faults) suffice to tip the scales in favour of the skip button.
The rest of the album showcases the band in top form. The heavy power/thrash tinged days have been over for quite some time and Manowar does what Manowar have been doing best lately, which is mighty, charmingly overblown, epic heavy metal with just enough accessibility to let anyone enjoy the experience. The songs are generally rather long and often have a bit narration, but that is just part of the band's strange charisma. Plenty of heavy metal pride is offered by the concert favourite "Metal Warriors" while "Master Of The Wind" is one of Manowar's better ballads. "Spirit Horse Of The Cherokee" and "Burning" are two crunchy, mid paced numbers and singer Eric Adams gets to have some fun with the speed metal of "Ride The Dragon" and "Power Of Thy Sword". So there you have it, folks. Nothing wrong with buying this album if you are indeed into heavy metal. If not, get out and leave the hall!
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
7.3
7.3
|
Rating: 7.3 |
Manowar's made of steel, not clay, but age has not looked kindly upon them or their defiance, and this is one album that I seem to like less every time I listen to it in full. The Triumph Of Steel is a triumph piecemeal: it’s a platform for some classics pockmarked by filler, muddied by lifeless production, practically dead on arrival thanks to its importunate herald. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 10
Visited by: 107 users
| quirin Posts: 105  |
As a dedicated Manowar fan, I believe that beyond what you call silliness lies a deep concept of purity of essence and integrity. However, I understand your point : they should take it easy on the fantasy crap, so they would gain some more credibility. Still, such is the metaphor through which Manowar teaches the way a metlhead should lead his life. I doubdt it was ever meant to be taken by the letter, for I clearly saw a deeper meaning behind the childish facade. One more thing : I'm trying to identify those fillers you were telling about. And from the beginning of their career until Triumph Of Steel, I really couldn't find any. Other bands play, MANOWAR KILLS!
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| DayFly Posts: 383  |
Written by quirin on 18.03.2009 at 02:10 I originally intended to write a long-winded answer, but I think I can also capture the essence of Manowar's silliness with two words: Pleasure Slave.
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| quirin Posts: 105 |
Written by DayFly on 18.03.2009 at 02:28 Hehe, you summarised precisely my ex-girlfriend's opinion on the band.
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8669  |
What has Pleasure Slave from previous album in common with this release  great songs here are Achilles, Master Of The Wind, Power Of Thy Sword (one of Manowar's best)
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep 
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| GamlaSonn Posts: 169 |
Written by Ellrohir on 28.09.2009 at 09:14 I know what you mean, I'm just getting into Manowar and I instantly heard Power of thy Sword was a classic
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| Valentin B Iconoclast Posts: 10094  |
Written by quirin on 18.03.2009 at 03:10 no wonder you broke up with her, she was a wimp and a poser! 
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| Lord_Regnier Posts: 1469  |
The only listenable Manowar album, imo. Heavier, faster and less over-the-top cheesy. Far from great (it's still Manowar, after all- a shit band from my point of view) but at least this album doesn't totally suck like the others. And Rhino on drums makes a big difference, compared to Scott "what's a drum fill?" Colombus.
---- "Why would we fear death, when life is so much more frightening?"
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by [user id=111774] on 01.08.2011 at 01:50 Mmm. For most people like me their decent albums are their first three but certainly NOT Triumph Of Steel
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62012  |
This sould be 2 CD album 1th song in CD 2 and last 7 on 1. Then trhow away that lame song and listen ''good'' metal
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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