Originally written by Erik Thomas.
Synopsis:
It’s Manowar. Posers leave the hall…
Review:
All fur clad, homoerotic gesturing aside, heavy metal stalwarts Manowar are arguably one of the most polarizing heavy metal bands on the planet. You either love ’em or hate ’em. Personally, due to them being one of the first metal bands I ever got into, as well as the first concert I ever saw, I have a bit of a soft spot for them.
Admittedly, their chest beating, womanizing, fantasy themed heavy power metal shtick is stuck in the 80’s, and the now slightly paunchier band is starting to age, but to their credit, they A) love their fans (to which this EP is dedicated), B) put on one hell of a live show (just check the new DVD Manowar-the Absolute Power), and C) do hit a certain subconscious testosterone fueled, guilty pleasure level of enjoyment.
And so with this rather lavish EP (this is the “Immortal” edition) you get an impressively packaged two disc affair. Disc one is five audio tracks: “The Sons of Odin”, “Gods of War”, “Odin ( Orchestral version )”, “The Ascension” ( Live at Earthshaker Fest 2005) and a live rendition of the single “King of Kings” ( Live at Earthshaker Fest 2005). All are typically grandiose and macho Manowar tracks with what sounds like an increased emphasis on regal orchestration, with “Gods of War” being particularly thunderous and “Sons of Odin” a typically epic, rousing crowd pleaser.
Disc two is a DVD that contains 5.1 audio recordings of all the above tracks as well as a brief fan convention documentary, rehearsal footage of “Heart of Steel” with a full orchestra as a preview of the forthcoming Manowar- The Absolute Power DVD, which I can tell you right now is a must have for Manowar fans. Audiophiles will no doubt enjoy the 5.1 mixes of the already superb sounding tracks, and that tops this off as a decent filler while we wait for the next album, which if these new tracks are any indication, show Manowar returning more to their epic, fantasy based orchestral material.
