Manowar - Hail To England

(Music for Nations, 1984)

Being a metalhead for over a quarter of century, I had the pleasure to listen to many great albums over the years. But when I am facing the task, of selecting the greatest of them, one album will always qualify: MANOWAR’s  “Hail To England”. The successor of another sublime album, “Into Glory Ride”, was recorded and mixed in just six days! As the title implies, its release marked their very first tour of Great Britain. Paraphrasing, Winston Churchill, “Hail To England” is MANOWAR’s finest hour.

“Blood Of My Enemies” is the opening track, with a majestic riff, and a hair rising epic chorus, displaying the vocal prowess of Eric Adams. The next track “Each Dawn I Die” is a true sinister song, displaying the band’s darker side. The ultra heavy riff, featuring the bone crushing base guitar of Joey Di Maio should be studied by every descent Black Metal band. Scot Columbus’ drum intro in “Kill With Power” blew me away, when I first heard this furious paced killer, with the classic chorus: “Kill with power, DIE, DIE!” The eponymous songs and  “Army Of Immortals”, are two rather simple Metal tracks, that were elevated to classics, by the once again stunning performance of Mr. Eric Adams. The later one is an ode to the ever supporting MANOWAR fans.

“Black Arrows” is a spectacular base solo, another chance for the leader of this band to display his musicianship. The final track of the album, is one of the greatest Heavy Metal tracks ever written. The intro for “Bridge Of Death” features excellent Spanish influenced guitar of Ross the Boss, leading to the main part with a spectacular BLACK SABBATH -esque riff, and soaring godlike vocals. The follow up of this album was another great one, “Sign Of A Hammer”. In my humble opinion, every metalhead should include in his/her record collection, the first four MANOWAR albums that represent the band’s golden era. In the following years the band released some very good albums, and some mediocre ones, but it’s insistence on some Heavy Metal clichés has caused controversy among the metalheads.

By writing for this album, I wanted to pay homage to the late Scott Colombus. Thank you for the music Scott, you will never be forgotten. I also like to dedicate it, to one of my childhood friends, and a die-hard MANOWAR fan, Yannis who goes through hard times…

Tracklist

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

Lineup

Eric Adams - Vocals
Ross The Boss - Guitar
Joey DeMaio - Bass Guitar
Scott Columbus - Drums