Manowar - Hail To England
1984 Music For Nations

Track Listing:
1.  Blood Of My Enemies
2.  Each Dawn I Die
3.  Kill With Power
4.  Hail To England
5.  Army Of The Immortals
6.  Black Arrows
7.  Bridge Of Death

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Eric Adams
Guitars:  Ross "The Boss" Funicello
Bass:  Joey DeMaio
Drums:  Scott Columbus

Website:  www.manowar.com

Horatio's Rating:  B+
Average Album Rating:  B+

Also be sure to read:
Manowar - Hell On Stage by Horatio
Manowar - Warriors Of The World by Horatio

Horatio's Review:
Witnessing the parody and farce that Manowar currently are, it is hard to fathom that they were once a force to be reckoned with in heavy metal, despite being an easy target for the duration of their entire career.  I admit I haven't heard this particular album in eight years, but considering the countless airings it received in the vintage days of 1996/97 it will never be forgotten, even the insomnia curing 'Bridge Of Death'.  I've always thought 'Into Glory Ride' was a disappointing follow up to the timeless 1982 debut 'Battle Hymns', with one too many ponderous epics.  'Hail To England' was an improvement, a set of gut level metal, which displayed what animals Manowar could be when inspired.  It's amusing they titled the album after a country which had taken them into their hearts in their formative years, only to be dropped like a hot sack of hairy nuts a decade later when metal was given the last rites.

I must admit I lied when I said I remember this album by memory a few lines ago.  The track which always stood out was the savage 'Kill With Power', the speed and guttural riffing near the top of the heap for 1984.  This is the Manowar I like to remember, not the outfit who decided to record 'Nessun Dorna'.  'Black Arrows' is a showcase for Ross The Boss' ample guitar ability, with a shattering climax that was copied almost identically by Karl Logan on 1996's 'My Spirit Lives On'.  The title track is a nifty piece of cornball anthemic metal, chorus especially, while the mentioned 'Bridge Of Death' at nine minutes is a typical epic piece that never descends into anything overly heavy or wrenching, which is what Manowar to my mind should always have been.  I'll be stuffed if I can recall one note of 'Army Of The Immortals' or 'Each Dawn I Die'.  Great review eh guy?  After I finish downloading 'Blood Of My Enemies' I'll get back to everyone on it...standard at best.  Thank the heavens I didn't have to buy this again.

I've mocked Manowar here on two occasions (so far), and both deserved.  This, however, is when they meant business instead of believing the hype about their status as metal kings and giving up making new records in favour of touring and releasing a thirty part set of dodgy live DVD's and albums.  Yes, this represents the raw Manowar, a band who didn't rely on symphonic keyboards and lifeless, stale arrangements that repeat previous ideas.  You would have to go back to 1992's 'Demon's Whip' to hear the last time Manowar sounded brutal.  Wow that was 14 years ago and a whole two studio albums ago.  'Hail To England' dwarves anything the band will ever do again, because that's when they were out to prove something.  All that's left 22 years later is the battle to prove how dull one band can actually be.  Was this a commentary or review?  A commentary of course.  I just did a Kerrang! I think.
Horatio's Rating:  B+

Discography (last updated 12.10.05):
Battle Hymns - 1982
Defender EP - 1983
Into Glory Ride - 1983
All Men Play On 10 EP - 1984
Hail To England - 1984
Sign Of The Hammer - 1984
Blow Your Speakers EP - 1987
Fighting The World - 1987
Kings Of Metal - 1988
Kings Of Metal/Herz Aus Stahl EP - 1988
Manowar Kills - 1992
Metal Warriors EP - 1992
The Triumph Of Steel - 1992
The Hell Of Steel - 1994
Courage EP - 1996
Louder Than Hell - 1996
Number 1 EP - 1996
Return Of The Warlord EP - 1996
Anthology - 1997
Courage Live EP - 1997
Hell On Wheels Live - 1997
Secrets Of Steel box - 1997
Steel Warriors - 1998
The Kingdom Of Steel - 1998
Hell On Stage - 1999
Live In France - 1999
An American Trilogy EP - 2002
The Dawn Of Battle EP - 2002
Warriors Of The World - 2002
Warriors Of The World United EP - 2002
King Of Kings EP - 2005