bratus It is really strange to see how Metal Music Archives members underrate Manowar and its album 'Hail to England'.

In my opinion this is not only the best album in the history of Manowar, but absolute classics in terms of Heavy Metal and a must for every Heavy Metal fan.

'Hail to England' is devoted to British fans and in principle the music is rather European (I would even say German) than American.

Even after dozens of times listening to this album I can hardly find any drawback. Every song is breathing energy and the whole work is filled with the spirit of victory, glory and immortal Heavy Metal.

1967/ 1976 Manowar... Ie the excess of excessive! What others say about the music of Manowar at conceptual level? If we add that Manowar have invented True Metal... That does not exist, it should be remembered... Why Saxon also play True Metal... Riot also play True Metal... Why all the Classic Metal is True Metal... Like other forms of Metal... Well... I can hardly believe that Manowar have invented something. After all... After all Manowar has just decided to write lyrics in praise to Heavy Metal, playing a Proto Power Metal with tons of Hard Rock in veins. It also doing very badly, sometimes. I personally don't dislike Manowar, at least in their early work. After all i'm honest: for me Manowar is a band with honest musicians (intellectually) who likes to produce what it produces. Long live Manowar? I don't have a sincere and serious response.

In a certain sense this compilation started with a 100% great Power Metal "Manowar" and after a Traditional Metal ("Metal Daze") present a good Hard Rock/ Heavy Rock with R'n'R parts ("Fast Taker"). "Battle Hymns" is a great atmospherical song. "Battle Hymns" is, in a correct and only view, only the best Epic Metal song in the world! But it is only a pure Rock song...!!! "All Men Plays On Ten" is a song that not please me completely, because it is a strange tribute to Black Sabbath and a typical Manowar song that contain in the title a strange reference to 10 Records, their label in 1984. After all, also if this song not please me completely, "All Men Plays On Ten" is a great song... I'm sincere. After all... Excess is the true Manowar's name! "Sign Of The Hammer" is a strange mix between Punk, Epic Metal (in symphonic way) and Speed Metal dominated by Joey DeMaio distorted bass. "Fighting The World" is a pure Traditional Metal, extremely personal, with Chorus in Power Metal style. "Blow Your Speakers" is an odd song that anticipates the Power Metal, but having nothing in common with it. This song is epic but only for arrangements. How to define "Heart Of Steel"? It sounds epic and nothing more. I like it. But I find it too pompous and I do not think that DeMaio has not made a pact with the Devil to write this song! Interesting is "Blood Of The Kings", a pure Epic Metal song with emotions in first plan. This song anticipates millions of Power Metal songs! Probably with "Manowar" my preferred song in this compilation. "Violence And Bloodsheld" is a short Speed Epic Metal. "Wheels Of Fire" is a Speed Metal song with epic chorus with great power. In a certain sense this song is a pure Power Metal song also if Power Metal is not the field of this song! "Metal Warriors" is a strange combination between AC/DC, Dio and Power Metal. Tons of technique and epic moments characterize this song. "The Demon's Whip" is a good Epic/ Power Metal/ Speed Metal song that close this compilation.

Is this the definitive Manowar album? Well... I think no. But if you hate Manowar concept but Epic Metal please you this is a good purchase. But it is true: Manowar... Ie the excess of excessive!

thewhippingpost No stranger to fans of heavy metal, Manowar is here releasing their first mini album. This two disc release comes in a nice digipak w/cardboard sleeve. Disc one is a CD with 3 brand new songs and 2 exclusive live tracks from the band's live performance at Earthshaker Fest 2005. Disc two is a DVD with a 5.1 Surround Sound Mix of the album along with a slideshow, a rehearsal of "Heart of Steel" with a choir and orchestra before a performance, a promotional trailer for Earthshaker Fest 2005, and a Fan Convention Documentary that was actually really cool at first and gave a great glimpse into the band and their fans, but eventually turned in a near-porno. So it's basically one of those things that you'll never watch more than once if you have any morals at all.

As for the music on the disc, this is classic Manowar. Heavy metal played thunderously loud and with passion. Two of the songs are basically instrumentals, then there is the great song "King of Kings" that will have you singing along all day along with it's catchy chorus and up-tempo pace. Next up is the fantastic new anthem "Gods of War" with lyrics that will cause any live audience to shout in unison, and soaring guitars that you can't help but play air guitar to. And then there is the solid, fist-pumping classic, "The Sons of Odin." If you are a fan of Manowar or bands like Rhapsody this is definitely something you will have no problems getting into. The only problem is the small amount of music since this only clocks in at 24 minutes.