|
|
|
|
“The triumph of steel” meant a huge challenge for the band. After releasing the highly acclaimed “Kings of metal”, it was very difficult to match the success of that album. I think “Kings of metal” isn´t the best Manowar album, but it was very well done and it has some of the most popular Manowar tunes, the ingredients of a great metal album. What would happen? To complete this state of uncertainty, two members left the band, although in a friendly way: Ross The Boss went to continue his career within classic punk band Dictators, while drumkit destroyer Scott Columbus wanted to take a rest and concentrate on his family. So Joey DeMaio and Eric Adams had to choose good replacements, and the band certainly did a good election with them: David Shankle and Rhino covered the vacancies on the guitar and drums, respectively, and they were probably more skilled and technical than their predecessors, but things aren´t that easy, really. The guitar lines on “The Triumph of Steel” are utterly correct. The drums are the most crushing and ramming ever heard on a Manowar album, with a perfect sound supporting them, with unbelievable double bass drums and fills. However, the music in the end is the thing that decides whether an album is convincing or not. And this one isn´t really a very good recording.
Alright, “The power of thy sword” is ultra heavy and speedy. A strong mid tempo song, “Spirit horse of the cherokee”, is also very correct. “Metal Warriors” is the hymn of the album, a song to raise your fist to when played live. “Master of the wind” is beautiful and dreamy, a ballad-like song to close the album. But, overall, this album isn´t really the thing I expected. Is it too long? Are the songs the thing too long, existing any leftover? Well, I think “Burning” was not necessary. And “The Demon´s whip” could have lasted five minutes instead of eight... But there is a pain in the ass in “The Triumph of Steel”, and that is the pretentious loooong song that opens the album, lasting nearly 29 minutes, that is about the story of the death of Patroclus and Hector, based on the “Illiad” by Greek poet Homer. An interesting try, really, but the result is a lengthy track, disturbing the listener with those annoying bass and drum solos put inbetween. The real songs (I mean, not the solos) that conform "Achilles..." are good if taken separately, but the concept song in the whole is severely monotonous and that feeling that the band tried to achieve isn´t fulfilled, in my opinion. To close the review, I´ll say that this album isn´t bad at all, but it could have been better. But... it could have been worse, too, and the subsequent CDs demonstrated that...
| Tracklist |
| 1. Achilles, Agony And Ecstasy In Eight Parts |
| 2. Metal Warriors |
| 3. Ride The Dragon |
| 4. Spirit Horse Of The Cherokee |
| 5. Burning |
| 6. The Power Of Thy Sword |
| 7. The Demon's Whip |
| 8. Master Of The Wind |
: 69.28
| Buy other Manowar albums |
