History
It all began in 1980. During Black Sabbath's "Heaven And Hell" Tour Joey DeMaio worked as a bass-pyro technician. Dio introduced him to Ross "The Boss" Friedman who was the lead guitarist of the opening band "Shaking Street". DeMaio and Ross "The Boss" loved pure Heavy Metal and decided to form a band. Manowar was born in the end of 1980 in Auburn, New York. Joey described the name as a compilation of WAR (because life is WAR, in his opinion) and MANnish substance (because the metal scene was and is whimpy). Eric Adams, a school days friend of DeMaio, joined the band. The drummer Donny Hamzik (born in Poland) was found from a newspaper advertisement.
The debut album "BATTLE HYMNS" was released in 1982. It included the track "Dark Avenger" with narration by legendary actor Orson Welles. The album wasn't a comercial one so the label "Liberty Records" dropped the band only a month after the release. Donny Hamzik left Manowar. He was replaced by Scott Columbus who had to use special stainless steel drums because the standart drum kits couldn't endure his mighty hits. The contract for the second album was signed in blood. Manowar is the first band to sign a contract in such way. "INTO GLORY RIDE" became very popular in Europe among people who can appreciate great music when they hear it. The third album "HAIL TO ENGLAND" was recorded and mixed for six(!) days. In the same year (1984) was released and the fourth album of the Kings "SIGN OF THE HAMMER". Then Manowar signed with Atlantic for their next album "FIGHTING THE WORLD". It was released in 1986 and contains "Defender" - another track with narration by the late Orson Welles (he died in 1985 but the track was recorded in 1982). The next album released in 1988 is the best ever made by a Heavy Metal band. Songs like "The Crown And The Ring"(recorded in St. Paul Cathedral in England with the 100-voice, all male Canoldir choir) and "Heart Of Steel" are real jewels in the crown of the metal Kings. On the CD is included as bonus track "Pleasure Slave" - another great song both lyrically and musically."KINGS OF METAL" is the last with Ross The Boss on guitar. He left the band after six majestic albums and will forever be remembered by the Brothers of Metal. Ross now plays blues with THE SPINATRAS and THE DICTATORS. He was replaced by the former "Chicago" guitarist Michael Shankle. Shankle was chosen from about 150 guitarists. Eric and Joey met him while recording "KINGS OF METAL" in Chicago. Scott also left the band because his little son was very ill and he wanted to be by his side. Scott choosed Rhino to replace him for a while.
Their seventh album "THE TRIUMPH OF STEEL" was released in 1992. The 28-minutes long song "Achilles: Agony and Ecstasy in Eight Parts" was inspired by Homer's "The Illiad". The album entered the charts in Germany at No.35 and reached No.8 without a single or video. Manowar built their own studio in New York; it was christened Haus Wanfried after composer Richard Wagner's house. That's where "THE TRIUMPH OF STEEL" was recorded. Manowar terminated their contract with "Atlantic" because the label released "THE HELL OF STEEL". This is a compilation CD with "Herz Aus Stahl"- the German version of "Heart Of Steel". This song was not supposed to be released. Perhaps "Atlantic" wanted to gain more money with this CD. It contains songs only from the albums released by "Atlantic". Anothers interesting fact - Manowar had contracts with 17 record companies from 1981 to 2000.
In 1994 Manowar entered the Guinness Book of records. They became the loudest rock band in the world with 129.5 decibels on a live show in Hanover, Germany with "Black Wind Fire And Steel". Joey became loudest musician on Earth reaching 130.7 decibels with his bass. Since Guiness closed that category Manowar will keep the record forever!
Michael Shankle left Manowar and was replaced by Karl Logan. Former FALLEN ANGEL guitarist and bike maniac he met Eric on a bike race. Scott Columbus returned on drums for the next album. "LOUDER THAN HELL" was released in 1996 and for the moment is the last studio album of the Kings. It's hard, fast and heavy with songs like "Return Of The Warlord", "Outlaw" and "The Power" but also has the strong ballad "Courage" and the 10 minutes long metal symphony "Today Is A Good Day To Day".
In 1997 Manowar made another gift to their fans - the first live album "Hell On Wheels". The real power of the Kings is on the stage and the whole world can feel it in the two CDs. This album was followed by another one - "Hell On Stage". The Kings decided that two CDs aren't enough for the fans who want to have more live songs in their collections.