Hard'n'Heavy was a metal fanzine from Portugal, written in Portugese. But here's an interview translated to English for you!
MANOWAR
THE TRIUMPH OF STEEL
MANOWAR's recent double album, -Triumph of Steel, is a strong work, with a lot of character and substance, both in terms of music and lyrics.
It's certainly not the same as the previous Kings of Metal, but it equals it in excellence. They are only different in the way they are presented. The band's style remains the same.
The Triumph of Steel is a true epic. It's an extremely well-thought-out and conceived album. And because it's an extensive and meticulous work, its virtuosity isn't immediately apparent on first listen. It requires at least a careful approach.
As with other albums, MANOWAR drew inspiration from Scandinavian (or Norse) mythology, especially that which corresponds to the vigorous period of adventure and conquest known as the Viking Age.
The stories of their gods, giants, and legendary heroes deserve to be known. Their strength and imaginative power, humor, insight, and dark magnificence certainly deserve a place alongside the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, to which it is important to draw the attention of young people.
The Germanic peoples were very proud of the oral traditions concerning the kings and heroes of the past; they held high ideals of courage on the battlefield and loyalty to their leaders, and were governed by laws imposed by tradition, which they believed had been established by the gods.
The cult of the god Thor, for example, flourished from the Viking Age, and thus many of the myths about the god have reached us. Thor's hammer was then a symbol with great reach, which MANOWAR frequently mentions in their compositions and makes... to figure on the covers of their albums.
For the Vikings, war was vital. Their stories speak of battles, heroes, and heroic deeds. Manowar's music addresses these themes with great vigor and virility, giving the entire album a spectacular quality that is hard to surpass. To express strong emotions, it is essential to do so through powerful sounds...
The music of this band is truly triumphant. Not only triumphant but also heroic. These two adjectives, in my view, most accurately characterize all of Manowar's work.
Their attitude denotes heroism. This is evident in the song "Metal Warriors," in which they adopt a warrior-like stance in defense of their "lady," that is, Heavy Metal.
Norse mythology includes descriptions of battles with dragons. The song "Ride the Dragon" deals precisely with this theme.
The Germanic peoples were also aware of the terrible world of the underworld, where giants and monsters dwelt, and of the constant threat to their small world from the forces of chaos that united against it. The themes "The Demon's Whip" and "Burning" transport us to this menacing and dark world.
"The Power of Thy Sword" gives voice to a courageous warrior who fears neither men, monsters, nor fate, because he says he was born to die in battle.
"Spirit Horse of the Cherokee" tells the story of the Cherokee Indians of North America, massacred and persecuted by white men. The heroes yearn to avenge their people and prepare for war.
The track titled "Master of the Wind" is a deeply melodious ballad without being monotonous. The dark and aggressive tone fades somewhat. A ray of hope emerges from the darkness, which gives us...
It elevates you to a dreamlike environment. That's how The Triumph of Steel ends.
The opening track of the album "Achilles, Agony and Ecstasy in Eight Parts" is based on episodes narrated in the Greek epic poem The Iliad, by Homer. This time, MANOWAR also drew inspiration from Greek mythology. Such a procedure is commendable!
All these facts make this new MANOWAR album truly interesting, giving it great content and foundation.
This proves that, contrary to what many would have you believe, Heavy Metal is not devoid of content or meaning. It is art, and to be true art, it only needs to have remarkable artists like MANOWAR.
The Triumph of Steel is not an easy album, but ultimately, no treasure is easy to discover.
Nelio Souza