Search - Manowar: Hell on Earth IV on DVD

The Kings of Metal have done it again!!!!!!

Patrick L. McFate | Alameda, CA USA | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered Manowar while I was in Russia a few years ago. Russia is a good place to discover bands like Manowar, because it's cold there and Heavy Metal is best listened to in places where snow and ice cover everything and you begin to wonder, perhaps, why life is worth living. Heavy Metal and Manowar come along and there are lots of songs with imagery of fire and the heat of battle and people's hearts burning with Metal and you begin to feel very warm. Also you begin to feel that life itself is an epic battle in which the odds are against you, and it gives you a feeling of pride to imagine yourself raising a sword into the air and standing your ground and fighting the good fight. That's the way it is for me, anyway.
And because I am so grateful to Manowar for reminding me of this, I feel immense pride when a DVD like Hell On Earth IV is released and I can see that Manowar continues to play Heavy Metal with integrity and that doing so actually pays off. The quality of this DVD is heads above that of Hell On Earth III. It's much more artfully filmed, more carefully designed, more expertly edited. In places, this DVD is amazing. It will really blow you away--the camerawork, the craftsmanship, just the whole overall quality. Even the packaging. It's incredibly impressive. All this means that Manowar can afford to invest a lot more money in producing something like this, and that means Manowar has become more successful than ever, and that's when I begin to feel that pride. It's fantastic to see a band make it at this level on their own terms. Their music keeps getting heavier, more complex, fuller. And they don't have to write any radio-friendly hits (like Metallica or Anthrax or Megadeth did) in order to make it to this level. Manowar are out there, still riding motorcycles, still wearing (for better or for worse) tight leather outfits, and still cranking out Metal anthems that would make Metallica blush. So right on, Manowar. Keep up the fight. I'll be right there with you."

You will like this DVD even if you don't like metal!

April P | Maryland, USA | 01/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Manowar has put out a lot of albums and a lot of DVD's, but you can start with this one and still GET what Manowar is about. Before this DVD, all I knew was "Master of the Wind." I knew nothing about the band -- I didn't even know what they looked like. Now, I'm a fan! One of these days I'll break down and buy a T-shirt.

Manowar music is a mix of heavy Viking metal, metal songs about metal, and the BEST BALLADS IN THE BIZ. Joey DeMaio writes very strong melodies with sword-and-glory lyrics (hey why not), Karl Logan is quite capable on lead guitar, and Eric Adams has a stunning and unexpectedly beautiful voice. If you hate ballads, there is plenty of hard-driving metal. If you hate metal, skip to the ballads. The acoustic set alone is worth the money.

The DVD intersperses the songs with lots footage of the guys on tour, but you can skip over that if you want. The DVD itself is very professionally shot and edited. It's not just straight footage; it has fade-outs and overlaps and split screen at times. All those camera angles truly do justice not just to the band, but to the die-hard fans in the audiences.

Showing the fans is the best part of this DVD. Manowar has been repeatedly mocked for singing about themselves and their fans, but it was the fans that kept them alive, and as a point of honor Manowar never -- ever -- forgets that. I love watching happy fans sporting their T-shirts! I love watching crowds of 15000 - 25000 fans singing along with Eric; you can see them and hear them. That kind of commitment is a sight to behold.

But main thing I want to say is DON'T MISS THE COMMENTARIES!!! This is where the real value is in this DVD. There are hours of commentaries. Unlike other metal bands, these guys are likeable, worldly, and intelligent. I was especially impressed with Karl and Joey.

If you're a Manowar fan, you probably already have this DVD. If you're a metal fan, you probably already either love them or hate them. But if you don't know anything and you're just curious, I highly recommend this DVD. If nothing else, you will at least come to appreciate and/or respect Manowar. If you don't, then there is no hope for you and I give up.

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