Manowar - Hail to England
After the immensely epic second album, Into Glory Ride, Hail to England takes a more direct approach. The songs are shorter and the album comes in at only 33 minutes. The length of an album doesn't always matter but here the album falls a little short because it only has 6 real songs. Still those songs are all classics in my book, jam-packed with glorious Heavy Metal, played with an intensity, feeling and power that only Manowar can conjure.

Eric, Joey, Scott and Ross were a tightly knit unit and with simple means and a budget of $15.000 they entered the studio in 1983 to record not one, but two albums at once. And magic they did create...

It is interesting that Manowar recorded these songs at the same time as they recorded the Sign of the Hammer album as there is a big difference between the two albums, both in sound and atmosphere.

That the production budget wasn't very big is evident a few times, especially during Kill with power. It is as if the music was just too much to take in for the recording system and so, short beeps are scattered around the song. Also the drum sound on the whole album is completely over the top, but cool in it's own special way.

Many people like to patronize Manowar but there is no denying that they have something very special. It is called Spirit, Heart and Passion. This is something they have always been able to capture in their music. If Heavy Metal in its purest form is what you want then Hail to England will deliver that very thing. Each of the four band members put on inspired performances. Ross the Boss' instinctive, improvised way of playing guitar solos again creates some amazing moments. These wild solos just fit the music perfect.

Ok, let's get the bad point out of the way right away. The 3-minute bass solo Black Arrows is a statement from the band, but after a few listens it doesn't hold any musical interest to me and I skip it each time around.

Now onto the real meat...

A vengeful mood is set right from the start with Blood of my enemies. Slowly building up intensity, it does not take long for the first climax to arrive as the air is ripped apart by one of Eric's ear-splitting screams and the song rides off into the sky. A cool, driving riff rules the verses and it is impossible not to bang your head while singing along to this song. Check out that guitar solo! Magic indeed. The chorus is majestic and in the final chorus when Eric unfolds the true power of his voice I can only stand amazed. This song shows Manowar at their best, creating a hell-raising atmosphere that sucks the breath from your body but in the end leaves you energized and ready to charge of to whatever task needs doing.

Each Dawn I Die has a distinct atmosphere going for it, but the song doesn't feel as complete as the rest. Still the mystical atmosphere gets me every time. The guitar riff, the way the bass suddenly enters the sound and the way Eric sings this song makes it stand out. That the lyrics don't really make a lot of sense doesn't matter. It is the execution that gives the song it's special charm. Definitely the "Conan" song of the album.

Kill with power is a live favorite and it is difficult not to get caught up in the speed and energy that bursts from this song, even today. Take the absolutely tremendous vocal performance by Eric, mix it with an untamed and barbaric guitar solo and ground-shaking drum work, and you have a song that accomplishes what it sets out to do. It kills.

The unstopable riff of Hail to England drives the song home. It is a very simple song and that Manowar makes this song work so well is a testament to their amazing ability to create something out of very little. The guitar solo has a great way of flowing out of the music and then back in again. Army of The Immortals is a love song to all the fans and it gets its message across very well. I love the heavy riff and the whole feel of the song. The way the song ends is pure metal mayhem and over time this song has become immortal itself.

As usual the last song on a Manowar album is a true spectacle. Bridge of Death is among Manowar's greatest songs ever and an experience that you will come back to for a long time. Joey's bass playing sets a sinister and foreboding mood in the opening seconds, slowing down to a gentle atmospheric entrance and as Eric's voice softly floats into the sound, the stage is set for a truly epic song. The way Eric sings this song is incredibly stirring and beautiful. The journey goes through many stages and climaxes in a hellish speech that will definitely surprise thos who hear it for the first time. From this moment Eric Adams carries the song the rest of the way in a most impressive way. In fact Manowar don't just cross the Bridge of Death here, they charge it head on, lay it completely to waste in the process and stand victorious in the end.

Though short, Hail to England is an outstanding album, but overall it lacks some of the creative sparks and ideas that made Into Glory Ride into something completely unique. Be sure to grab the Silver Edition of the album which was released by Metal Blade in 2001. It has a better sound and the booklet contains lots of interesting information from the band as well as several pictures.

Hail to England is vintage Manowar and that should be enough to send you to the record store if you don't already own this classic.

Written by Steen
Sunday, March 6, 2005
Show all reviews by Steen

Ratings

Steen: 8/10

Members: 8/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by VonSeux (Anonymous) - Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Killing! Hail Metal Kings!


Comment by x (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 13, 2005
x


Comment by Abbath (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 20, 2005
Manowar are gays


Comment by Gaz (Anonymous) - Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Think I agree with you Abbath...but mainly cos these leather clad bunch of pussies never tour the UK. For godsake lads, you talk about loyalty and true metal yet you 'never' tour the UK...I'm hoping your forthcoming 'world' tour will change that, but I'm not holding my breath. For all your bravado, you seem to have succumbed to commercialism and only tour where you're most popular...maybe if you tried a bit harder with the UK, things might change here as well.

Hail To England...yeah right.


Comment by E. G. (Anonymous) - Tuesday, April 26, 2005
10


Comment by Manitou (Anonymous) - Monday, May 30, 2005
This CD is realy TRUE METAL, doesn't matter what are the tastes of the artists, what really matters is the sound.
10 Points

Bang your head
Portugal


Comment by Jimmy Hellfire (Anonymous) - Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Manowar are the un disputed Kings of Metal. Hail to England is a kick ass albumum up there with Judas Priest British Steel and Iron Maiden Number of the Beast.

I give it 10/10




Comment by Jim of jims (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 24, 2007
I agree they do only play where they think they will make the cash. They seem to fucking love Germany don't they? I just bought Gods Of War and I'm not very happy, mainly because I know they will not tour England.


Comment by Son of Odin (Anonymous) - Friday, April 6, 2007
All song in this album are burning epic metal¡¡


Comment by Jesse (Anonymous) - Friday, May 11, 2007
I totally agree. Nobody could have put it better, although this was written quite some time after this reveiw was. although I like Each Dawn I Die, that's just me.
this review perfectly sums up that album.


Comment by Jesse (Anonymous) - Friday, May 11, 2007
and no.
Manowar are the fuckin kings of metal, motherfuckers.
bow down and be slain.
stop being a whining fairy. you're not in the music business, how do you knew they even can tour england? and with all the costs of traveling, . why would you tour anywhere if you knew a lot of people weren't going to go? I'm sure theyt would like to, but the industry is crazy, one can imagine.

Gods of war, I call you. My Steel is by my side. I seek a life of honor, free from all false pride. I shall crack the whip with a bold, mighty ail. Cover me with death if I should ever fail. Glory, Majesty Unity. Hail. Hail, hail.~The Warrior Prayer
[geeking out alert]


Comment by Komnenos (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Great Album! Great Review!











Review by Steen
None

Released by
Music for Nations - 1984

Tracklisting
01 - Blood Of My Enemies
02 - Each Dawn I Die
03 - Kill With Power
04 - Hail To England
05 - Army Of The Immortals
06 - Black Arrows
07 - Bridge Of Death


Silver Edition released in 2001 by Metal Blade


Style
Heavy Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Manowar - Official Website

Manowar - German Defenders of Steel

Other articles
The Triumph of Steel - (Tommy)

Warriors of the world - (Steen)

Warriors Of The World - (Tommy)

Band information - (Steen)

Into glory ride - (Steen)

Live At KB Hallen, Copenhagen - November 28th, 2002 - (Tommy)

The Dawn of Battle (Single) - (Steen)

Interview with Karl Logan - (Tommy & Steen)

Fire and Blood - (Steen)

Battle Hymns - (Steen)

Hell on Earth Part III - (Steen)

Sign Of The Hammer - (Tommy)

Hell On Earth Part IV - (Steen)

The Sons of Odin - (Steen)

The Day The Earth Shook - The Absolute Power - (Steen)

Live with Rhapsody of Fire and HolyHell in Germany, March 2007 - The Tour Report - (Steen)

Gods of War - (Steen)

Fighting The World - (Steen)

Gods of War - (Alanna)

Live At Birmingham O2 Academy, March 27th 2011 - (Stuart)

Hell On Earth - Part I (DVD) - (Steen)



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