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Manowar are back with what seems like their 1000th release. This time it's an EP called Sons of Odin, which is available in two formats. There is a blue version (i.e., the background of the art is blue) that is simply an audio CD and there's a red version, also called the "Immortal Version," that comes as a digipak with a bonus DVD. Said DVD features [quoting from the press release] "38 minutes of footage from the first ever Manowar Fan Convention in 2005 and the band's rehearsal of "Heart of Steel" - recorded in the Czech Republic with a full choir and orcestra - as well as a video trailer for the upcoming double live DVD. Finally, the DVD will also include a special audio section with 5.1 audio mixes of all 5 EP songs as well as a slide show of exclusive Manowar live shots and photos submitted by fans." The Immortal Version is the only option available in the United States, unless one wanted to pay more for less and get the blue version as an import.
Anyhow, the new music offered here is unabashedly Manowar, older school than old school, though an update by way of an orchestra is presented. The song "Odin," in fact, is an orchestral interlude. "Gods of War" and "The Sons of Odin" meld the sound of the orchestra with that of classic Manowar. It's nothing new to "The Greatest Fans in the World" (i.e., fans of Manowar as named by the band), though it may serve to garner interest in this ~25 year old band. That said it appears Joey DeMaio may be stepping into the realm of Gene Simmons, at least in terms of marketing as this release primarily serves as a sales pitch for future product. To wit, the two new songs are effectively a sampler of 2007's Gods of War and the bulk of the DVD is a teaser for the dual-DVD release The Day the Earth Shook/The Absolute Power that is out at the time of this writing.
The new songs are solid, if not the most original material to float down the pike in the last decade or three. The staples of Manowar, cliches, really, are here with songs about war and gods and war. Did I mention gods and war and gods? Hehe. Excuse me for havin' a little fun here. The music is not bad, certainly not as bad as the cheese factor might imply. All previous statements made aside, that Manowar squeezed a 100 person choir and 55 person orchestra onto their elaborate stage (more would be seen on the full double DVD release "advertised" earlier) is so over the top that only a band like Manowar -- or Spinal Tap -- could have done it. Well, Therion has, too, though that is a band devoid of so much of the cheese associated with DeMaio and crew. Only if you've simply got to have it all should you check out this release. Save your money for the DVD set. Hail and Kill! Or not.
| Tracklist |
| Disc 1: CD |
| 1. The Ascension (live) |
| 2. King of Kings (live) |
| 3. Odin (Immortal version) |
| 4. Gods of War (Immortal version) |
| 5. The Sons of Odin (Immortal version) |
| Disc 2: DVD |
| 1. Fan Convention Documentary |
| (you guessed it, "Immortal version") |
| 2. Heart of Steel |
| (Choir and Orchestra Rehearsal, Czech Republic) |
| 3. Earthshaker Fest 2005 (promo trailer) |
| 4. Slideshow |
| 5. 5.1 Surround Sound mixes of program from Disc 1 |
| (audio only) |
: 24.14
| Buy other Manowar albums |
