Manowar: Defenders of True Metal Glory

Manowar. Origins and Founding Ethos

Manowar was formed in Auburn, New York, in 1980 by:

• Joey DeMaio – Bass, founding member, primary songwriter
• Ross “The Boss” Friedman – Guitar (1980–1988)
• Eric Adams – Vocals (joined 1980, original and longtime frontman)
• Donnie Hamzik – Drums (early drummer, with intermittent returns)

Joey DeMaio, a former bass tech for Black Sabbath, envisioned a band that would not just play heavy metal — they would live and breathe it, promoting a mythic warrior image with swords, Norse gods, and thundering anthems.

Their philosophy centered on rejecting commercialism and trends, proudly embracing a bombastic, over-the-top metal sound filled with valor, honor, and steel.

Manowar. Early Albums and Rise of the “True Metal” Banner (1982–1988)

✦ Battle Hymns (1982)

Their debut introduced the world to Manowar’s epic style.

Highlights:

• “Battle Hymn” – A slow-building anthem of heroism
• “Death Tone” and “Metal Daze” – Declaring metal supremacy
• Featured Orson Welles narrating “Dark Avenger”

✦ Into Glory Ride (1983)

• Slower, heavier, and doom-laced
• Tracks like “Gates of Valhalla” and “Secret of Steel” established their Norse mythos and fantasy themes

✦ Hail to England (1984)

• A fan favorite, balancing speed and grandeur
• Songs: “Blood of My Enemies,” “Kill with Power”
• Recorded in the UK, honoring the NWOBHM movement

✦ Sign of the Hammer (1984)

• Themes of strength, oppression, and rebellion
• “Thor (The Powerhead)” became a live staple

✦ Fighting the World (1987)

• First album recorded entirely in digital format
• Introduced a more polished production style, yet retained aggression
• “Blow Your Speakers” and “Carry On” had broader appeal
• Start of Manowar’s larger-than-life media presence

✦ Kings of Metal (1988)

Their defining statement.

Key tracks:

• “Hail and Kill” – Thunderous and proud
• “Kings of Metal” – The band’s creed: louder, stronger, truer
• “Heart of Steel” – A ballad with orchestral drama
• “The Crown and the Ring” – Performed with full choir

The album cemented Manowar’s identity as the self-proclaimed “Kings of Metal”, a title they embraced in all seriousness.

Manowar. 1990s: Cult Following and International Glory

Manowar became huge in Europe, particularly in Germany, Greece, Italy, and Scandinavia, while remaining more of a cult act in the U.S.

✦ The Triumph of Steel (1992)

• Featured “Achilles, Agony and Ecstasy in Eight Parts”, a 28-minute epic based on Homer’s Iliad
• Demonstrated DeMaio’s interest in classical composition and myth

Other tracks:

• “Spirit Horse of the Cherokee” – Tribute to Native American resistance
• “Metal Warriors” – One of their most quoted songs (“If you’re not into metal, you are not my friend”)

✦ Louder than Hell (1996)

• A more direct, song-oriented album
• “Brothers of Metal Pt. 1,” “Courage,” “Return of the Warlord”
• Marked the studio debut of drummer Scott Columbus’s signature “drums of doom”

Manowar. 2000s–2010s: Epic Ambition and Fan Devotion

✦ Warriors of the World (2002)

• Included tributes to Pavarotti and Elvis Presley
• “Warriors of the World United” became their new live anthem
• Explored themes of global brotherhood through metal

✦ Gods of War (2007)

• A concept album focused on Norse mythology, particularly Odin
• Introduced orchestras, choirs, and narrations
• Highly theatrical but criticized by some for excess and lack of balance

Live albums and DVDs became a major part of Manowar’s legacy, often featuring massive festival crowds, sword-wielding imagery, and pyrotechnics.

2010s–Present: Re-recordings, Reissues, and Farewell

• The band re-recorded older material (Battle Hymns MMXI, Kings of Metal MMXIV) to reflect their updated sound and lineups
• Faced some controversy for lineup changes, including drummer Scott Columbus’s departure and later death (2011)

✦ The Final Battle I (EP, 2019)

• Promoted as part of their farewell tour, though a full-length follow-up was never released
• Tracks: “Blood and Steel,” “You Shall Die Before I Die”

Despite announcements of a farewell, Manowar continues to tour internationally, often playing headline festival shows across Europe.

Style, Philosophy, and Image

Manowar is known for:

• Lyrics about war, glory, Norse gods, brotherhood, and personal valor
• Wearing leather, loincloths, and Viking-style armor
• A belief in “true metal” purity, often critical of more commercial or trendy bands
• Claiming the Guinness World Record for loudest live performance multiple times
• Strong DIY ethos — producing, managing, and distributing their music independently

They are both celebrated and satirized for their over-the-top presentation — but for fans, that’s part of the appeal. Manowar is unironic, theatrical, and completely committed.

VII. Legacy and Influence

Manowar is respected for:

• Helping shape epic and power metal
• Inspiring bands like Sabaton, Rhapsody of Fire, HammerFall, and Amon Amarth
• Cultivating one of the most passionate fanbases in metal

They’ve sold over 10 million albums worldwide and remain metal icons in Europe, South America, and Japan.

Interesting Facts

• Joey DeMaio writes all the band’s music and serves as its business mastermind
• Manowar once released a fan club-exclusive CD with personal messages
• They refused to open for Black Sabbath early in their career, citing principles
• Their slogan is: “Death to false metal!” — a mantra still shouted at their concerts
• Eric Adams is also a trained hunter and outdoor survivalist, unrelated to politics