Manowar

Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York, which formed in 1980. They are known for creating lyrics with a very heavy emphasis on fantastic and mythologic topics.

Biography

Barbarian bedecked Manowar is noted for being amongst the pinnacle of true unwavering out and out Heavy Metal bands. Over a lengthy career Manowar have steadfastly refused to compromise and as such have built up a staunch fanbase. Bassist and band leader Joey DeMaio had first had a stab at creating a Metal band when he formed a power trio with ex-ELF vocalist / guitarist David Feinstein and drummer Carl Canedy dubbed David Feinstein's Thunder. This formative band contributed a track, 'Slippin' And Slidin, to a Buddy Holly tribute EP but in spite of achieving a heavy sound the triumvirate could not gel and Feinstein and Canedy quickly assembled THE RODS whilst DeMaio worked with Ronnie James Dio in Elf.[1]

The beginning

Manowar was founded when De Maio was working as a stagehand to Black Sabbath. French act Shakin' Street was the support band and De Maio soon struck up a strong alliance with their American guitarist Ross 'The Boss' Funicello, a fellow New Yorker whose other credentials included noted Punk Metal act The Dictators and New Yorkers Lyre. With so much in common, upon their return to the States the pair jammed together and immediately set the wheels in motion to piece together the ideal Metal band, an idea that had originally been formulated backstage at the Black Sabbath show at Newcastle City Hall. Adding ex-The Kids and Harlequin vocalist Eric Adams and finally drummer Kirk Kennedy, Manowar was born. After recording a crude demo tape at Vision Studios in Auburn for a mere $250, comprising two songs 'Battle Hymn' and 'Shellshock', produced by The Rods drummer Carl Canedy, Manowar was, nevertheless, able to attract label attention from EMI America. The company gave the quartet the opportunity to record a better quality demo and soon signed the group. Whilst recording their debut album 'Battle Hymns' with new drummer Donnie Hamzik, Manowar also gained backing from Bill Aucoin at Aucoin Management. Aucoin had been greatly instrumental in putting KISS on the map back in the 70's. Recorded in Florida, 'Battle Hymns' featured none other than the legendary Orson Welles appearing in a narrator's role on the track 'Dark Avenger'. The album's release prompted a wave of hype surrounding the group, their 'mannish' image and belief in 'true Heavy Metal', a form of music the group passionately described as being the most glorious form of music in the World.

1982-1983

File:Joey DeMaio,early.jpg

Joey DeMaio

It wasn't enough to save them from being unceremoniously dropped from EMI America's roster and also parting company with Aucoin when a new deal wasn't immediately forthcoming. The loss of the EMI America deal prevented Manowar from making a planned appearance at the Reading Festival in Britain during August '82.

Drummer Hamzik was dispensed with in early 1983 and Manowar unveiled the new man behind the skins, Scott Columbus, at two gigs in New York opened by Virgin Steele. The shows marked the band's first live appearances in their home city, although the quartet had previously played headlining gigs in Chicago and a short tour in the South East opening for Ted Nugent. Taking monies owed to them by EMI America for breach of contract, Manowar retreated upstate and recorded a brand new album 'Into Glory Ride', their first with Scott Columbus. By the Summer of 1983 Manowar had inked a new deal (in blood!) with Johnny Zazula's Megaforce label.The 'Into Glory Ride' album appeared around the same time as a second recording with Orson Welles, 'Defender', materialized on a 12" single release backed with 'Gloves Of Metal'. Welles had recorded this piece at the same time as 'Dark Avenger', but the song had not made the 'Battle Hymns' album.

1984-1986

During early 1984 Manowar issued the 'Hail To England' album, a record titled as a tribute to their British fanbase. Recorded in 12 days and costing an estimated $20,000 in Toronto's Phase One Studios, the Jack Richardson produced album included Joey DeMaio's legendary 'Black Arrows' Piccolo bass solo and the St. Mary's Cathedral choir gracing the title track. The group finally debuted in Britain during March 1984 with a brace of shows and by June the quartet announced that they had signed to Virgin's Ten Records and intended to record with Jack Richardson again to create an album tentatively titled 'Sign Of The Hammer'. The album was released in September and preceeded with the apt 'All Men Play On 10' single as the New York outfit announced further British and European dates for October the same year. However, 1986 had the band maintaining a low profile as Manowar split away from their record label.During an Easter opening for Motörhead in Europe as part of the 'Easter Metal Blast' festivals it was announced that Manowar had inked a deal with major label Atlantic Records.

1987-1994

Pre-production was handled by Eddie Kramer but come final recording the band were to produce themselves. The resulting album 'Fighting The World', released in March 1987, gave Manowar access to the necessary studio time and budget in which to truly capture their awesome sound. On the eve of the release of the 'Kings Of Metal' album in 1988, Manowar were hit with the inconceivable as Ross the Boss quit. Manowar added Chicago-ite Dave 'The Death Dealer' Shankle to the group almost immediately, having met the guitarist whilst recording the new album at Universal Recording Studios. September 1989 brought with it the announcement that Scott Columbus had been forced to quit the group due to personal business away from the group.Manowar would ultimately replace Scott with the enigmatic Rhino, whose first act as a member of the band would be to torch his own drum kit after the outgoing Columbus presented him with a new set! The band's standing in Europe would be confirmed in 1992 when 'The Triumph Of Steel' album landed on the German national chart at no. 8. Touring across Europe throughout October and November would see British Folk Metal band Skyclad as support. Karl Logan was drafted into the ranks during the summer of 1994 as Shankle opted out to create his own David Shankle Group.

1996-Today

The band scored again in Germany during 1996 with the 'Louder Than Hell' opus reaching no.7 in the charts. Manowar visited Brazil in November 1996 before touring Europe once more during April 1997, culminating in a massive show at the Forest National in Brussels, a 7'000 or so capacity venue. The shows were being filmed and recorded for a live album and video scheduled for release in late 1997 / early 1998. 'Hell On Stage' exceeded all expectations in Germany when it went on to sell in excess of 40'000 copies on the first day of release. The DVD format would later break into the national top ten. During 2001 German Metal band Powergod would cover 'Kill With Power' on their 'Bleed For The Gods' album. Manowar themselves would break their silence in April of 2002 with a new single 'Warriors Of The World United’. This single would not only enter the German national charts high but rise over the next two weeks to number 15- the highest chart placing ever for a Nuclear Blast act, selling over 80'000 copies in the process. The band also pleased their fanbase by announcing a North American 'Gods Of War' tour. 'Warriors Of The World' would prove to be the most bombastic Manowar release to date. Included would be a grandiose interpretation of the Puccini Opera standard 'Nessun Dorma' alongside a patriotic 'An American Trilogy', an amalgam of U.S. Civil War anthems and the band's 25th anniversary homage to none other than Elvis Presley. Japanese versions of the 'Warriors Of The World' album came complete with an extra track, a live version of 'Kill With Power'. The advent of the album would prompt near hysteria in Germany. The record eventually bowed in at a highly respectable no. 2 position. The band put in an in store performance with a difference at the Saturn record branch in Hamburg, foregoing the usual acoustic or playback norm and blasting the audience with a full P.A. powered live set. Another first for the band, and one which amply displayed their determination to deliver only true Metal, was an appearance on the British Pop TV show 'Top Of The Pops'. Manowar naturally insisted on playing live! The resurgence of interest in Manowar would be confirmed when the band's 1992 album 'The Triumph Of Steel' was certified gold in Germany for sales in excess of 250,000 copies. The band would capitalise on their recent success by releasing a double A side single of 'An American Trilogy' / 'The Fight For Freedom' on August 19th, the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presleys's death. The single not only put the band back into the national charts in Germany but re-invigourated album sales, pushing 'Warriors Of The World' back into the upper reaches of the album chart. An extensive tour of major German venues would be scheduled for December. A third single from 'Warriors Of The World' in 'Call To Arms' would add brand new studio tracks 'The Dawn Of Battle' and 'I Believe'. It too entered the national German singles charts, debuting at no. 44, pushing 'Warriors Of The World' back into the album charts for a second time. Shortly after the album landed a gold sales award in the territory for sales in excess of 150'000 copies. It would also be revealed that Joey De Maio had become manager of leading Italian Symphonic Metal band Rhapsody.[2] Their latest album is Gods of War, for other albums, see the discography.

Members

Current members

Eric Adams - vocals (since 1980)
Joey DeMaio - bass guitars / guitars / keyboards / classical guitar - (since 1980)
Karl Logan - guitars / keyboards / classical guitar - (since 1994)
Scott Columbus - drums and percussion (1983-1991 and since 1995)

Former members

Guitars:
- Ross the Boss (1980-1988)
- David Shankle (1989-1993) played for a while in Chicago, IL, before he was chosen from about 150 guitarists to replace Ross The Boss. Eric and Joey met him while recording "Kings Of Metal" in Chicago.
Drums:
- Carl Canedy (formerly of The Rods) (1980)
- Donny Hamzik (1981-1982)
- Rhino (real name Kenny Earl Edwards) (1992-1995)
Roadies:
- Alan Feller (Bloodaxe) (2000-2006)
- Dan Head (Headdice) (2004-present)

Discography

Quotes

"It's a shame that future musicians growing up now are being influenced by trash; it's really upsetting. You are basically formed by what your influences are and if you've got losers for influences, you're going to have a hard time overcoming that." -Eric Adams in an interview conducted in 1988
"I believe in the fans, I believe in metal more than anybody you've ever met. And you've known me a long time. I've never pissed on you even though you constantly do it to me. And I don't stab the fan in the back. And another thing, I'm prepared to die for metal. Are you?" -Joey DeMaio during a 2006 interview with the Rock Hard magazine.
"If you're not into Metal - you are not my friend!" -Joey DeMaio
"Each day, you wake up and get out of bed knowing that there is shit waiting for you. Each day is a struggle, a battle and you must prepare for these battles, these wars. You have to be prepared. That is where the spirit of MANOWAR comes in. It is for everybody, both men and women, who have the fighting spirit. You either fight to win or your throw up your hands and admit that you are fucked." -Joey DeMaio
"Heavy metal will never die!" -Joey DeMaio during the Monsters of Rock in Brazil (1998). Recorded on the DVD Fire and Blood.
"This is what we do. And if you like it, good. If not, go fuck yourself." -Joey DeMaio
"We play Metal pure, you know. We don't play radio bullshit. We don't suck ass." -Joey DeMaio
"We just live the part of Metal, you know. We are here to rock, drink and fuck. And that's it. The power is in the music." -Joey DeMaio
"Somebody who never compromised their music and their integrity. And never screwed their fans. Somebody who always delivered Metal, and melted people's faces at maximum power." -Joey DeMaio on how he would like to be remembered.
"I know that a lot of people are against us. But they can get fucked and eat shit and die. Manowar are here to show everybody else that Metal will live on." -Joey DeMaio
"We care about our bands, the quality of music and the metal fans more than anyone else!" -Joey DeMaio in the Magic Circle Music website.
"We have the greatest fans in the world," attests drummer Scott Columbus . "For a long time, our fans have stood by us. They've given everything to the belief that together we are the defenders of the heavy metal faith. That's why we've been able to keep playing our brand of music. That's why we haven't wimped out or bowed to commercialism. Our fans are at the core of everything we do. That's the way it's been done from the beginning."
During an interview when asked what he thought about Metallica and Iron Maiden, Joey DeMaio replied, "I'm sorry, I don't listen to country music."

References

External links

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