Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 1980, the group is known for lyrics based on fantasy fiction (particularly sword and sorcery) and mythology (particularly Norse and Greco-Roman mythology) as well as numerous songs celebrating the genre and its core audience. The band is also known for a loud and emphatic sound. In an interview for MTV in February 2007, bassist Joey DeMaio lamented that "these days, there's a real lack of big, epic metal that is drenched with crushing guitars and choirs and orchestras... so it's nice to be one of the few bands that's actually doing that". In 1984, Manowar was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for delivering the loudest performance, a record that they have since broken on two occasions. They also hold the world record for the longest heavy metal concert after playing for five hours and one minute in Bulgaria (at Kavarna Rock Fest) in 2008. They are known for their slogan "death to false metal".
Manowar's history began in 1980, when bassist Joey DeMaio met guitarist Ross "the Boss" Friedman while working as a bass tech and fireworks manager for Black Sabbath on the Heaven & Hell Tour. Ross the Boss, a former member of the punk rock band the Dictators, was the guitar player in one of Black Sabbath's support bands, Shakin' Street. The two bonded over their shared musical interests and decided to form a band upon the suggestion of Black Sabbath singer Ronnie James Dio. To complete the roster, they hired drummer Donnie Hamzik and singer Eric Adams, a former classmate and friend of DeMaio. Adams's real name is Louis Marullo; Ross the Boss proposed him to use a stage name instead, and he chose "Eric Adams" as an homage to his sons Eric and Adam. The name Manowar was suggested by the band's instrument designer, John "Dawk" Stillwell. The name is a shortened version of the phrase "man of war", and although it may be understood as a reference to the man-of-war naval ships, DeMaio simply chose it as a synonym of "warrior".
Soon after its formation, Manowar recorded a demo, which proved enough to secure a contract with Liberty Records in 1981. Their debut album, Battle Hymns, was released the following year. As the song "Dark Avenger" required an introductory narration, the band wanted to include a famous actor in it. Executive producer Bob Currie contacted the manager of Orson Welles, who was open to the idea. He recorded two narrations, for the songs "Dark Avenger" and "Defender".
Following the album's release, Manowar embarked on their first tour. They played support for hard rocker Ted Nugent for a few months and then continued on their own. Following the tour, Hamzik left the band and was replaced by Scott Columbus.
Into Glory Ride and mainstream success (1983–1988)
By 1983, the band left Liberty Records and struck a deal with Megaforce in the US and Music for Nations in Europe—signing the contract in their own blood, to make a stance against the music industry they felt slighted by. The signing was a cover story in the 1983 July–August issue No. 47 of Kerrang!
Manowar subsequently went into the studio to produce what, in the intentions of the group, would have been a simple EP, but which instead turned into their second full-length album, Into Glory Ride, issued in 1983. An EP was actually published in 1983, with the title Defender, containing, as its main track, the eponymous song, which included more work by Welles. The track was later re-recorded and included on the 1987 album Fighting the World. In 1984, Manowar released Hail to England and followed it with Sign of the Hammer, only ten months later.
The band switched to Atlantic Records in 1987, subsequently issuing Fighting the World, which enjoyed more extensive distribution and increased their prominence in the international heavy metal scene. Album art was designed by Ken Kelly.
In 1988, Manowar released Kings of Metal, the band's best-known work. Songs like "Heart of Steel", "Kings of Metal", and "Hail and Kill" are performed regularly in concerts. The album is Manowar's highest-selling album worldwide.
The band then embarked on a world tour, for a period of approximately three years, with stops in almost all European nations. During that tour, DeMaio fired Ross the Boss. According to a 2008 interview with the guitarist, "Joey felt that Manowar would be better without me". He was replaced by David Shankle, who was chosen by members of the band after a search among approximately 150 candidates. Scott Columbus later also decided to leave the band, during the Kings of Metal tour. He picked his replacement, Kenny Earl Edwards, soon nicknamed "Rhino".
New albums, live releases (1992–2002)
Manowar released their seventh studio album, The Triumph of Steel, in 1992. It gained some success and was particularly famous for the presence of a suite lasting no less than 28 minutes, entitled "Achilles, Agony and Ecstasy in Eight Parts", inspired by the events of the Iliad and the hero Achilles. After this release, the band went on a world tour for two years. After the expiration of their contract with Atlantic, Manowar signed with Geffen Records. In 1994, Shankle unexpectedly left the band to form his own group. He was replaced by Karl Logan. The same year saw the unexpected return of Scott Columbus, who replaced Edwards.
In 1996, Manowar issued Louder Than Hell, their first new studio album in four years. The band went on to release the compilation Anthology, and their first live album, Hell on Wheels, through BMG. This was followed by a second live record, Hell on Stage.
Warriors of the World, Hell on Earth, and Magic Circle Music (2002–2005)
In 2002, six years after their last studio album, Manowar released Warriors of the World, which included a version of Puccini's aria "Nessun Dorma". The band then embarked on a world tour, titled Warriors of the World United Tour. They also issued several DVDs: Fire and Blood (2002), Hell on Earth Part III (2003), Hell on Earth Part IV (2005), all of which were directed by Neil Johnson.
In 2003, DeMaio founded his own record label, Magic Circle Music, which became the band's official home.
Gods of War and Thunder in the Sky (2006–2009)
In 2006, Manowar released the EP The Sons of Odin, with footage from the Earthshaker Fest 2005. They followed it a year later with the full-length Gods of War and the 2009 EP Thunder in the Sky, which includes the song "Father", sung in fifteen different languages.