«Battle Hymns» is Manowar‘s first record. It was released on June 14, 1982 via Liberty Records, was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami and runs 36 minutes. At the time most people didn’t take Manowar seriously; over the years the record became established as one of the forerunners of power metal.
Country: USA
Genre: Heavy metal, power metal
For fans of: Black Sabbath, Saxon, Iron Maiden
The band’s story begins a little before the record. Joey DeMaio was working on the fireworks for Black Sabbath’s «Heaven & Hell» tour and Ross «The Boss» Friedman was playing with Shakin’ Street, the support band. DeMaio wasn’t thrilled with Friedman’s band, but the guitarist was with his, and he suggested they form their own outfit. Donnie Hamzik sat down on drums and Louis Marullo, a friend of DeMaio, on vocals, who became known as Eric Adams. Production was handled by DeMaio and Friedman themselves.
The record includes the title track «Battle Hymn» and «Dark Avenger», where you hear narration by actor Orson Welles. The reviews of the time were guarded and several publications didn’t see Manowar as a serious band, but the playing of Friedman and DeMaio stood out even then. Over the years the record came to be recognized as important for shaping power metal, and in 2010 the band re-recorded it as «Battle Hymns MMXI».
Our take
The debut doesn’t have the production of the later records, but it has the first version of everything that became the band’s trademark afterward: anthems, heavy riffs and an attitude that asks no one’s permission.
See also
Manowar – Into Glory Ride · Manowar – A tribute to the discography · Manowar and Hellfest 2019: The cancellation that became legend
