Hell On Stage : Live 1999

Once the Guinness Book of World Records' loudest band, eclipsing both Motörhead and Blue Cheer in sheer sonic bombast, Manowar also crafted and lived by the slogan "Death to False Metal," the definition of which remains dubious. Presumably the reference is to hair metal bands like Winger or Warrant, but it very well may be applied to any band Manowar sees not living up to the metal credo. That credo is further developed in the liner notes: "Born to rock, drink, and f*ck. We are f*cking crazy and proud of it!" Whatever the case may be, Manowar have churned out their brand of stripped-down biker rock and metal since the early '80s, and have maintained a consistent track record of hyper-masculine, exaggerated songs about warfare, pillaging, metal deeds, women, the road, and any number of quasi-Viking phenomena. Hell on Stage Live captures Manowar in their devastatingly loud live setting, on tour across Europe, tearing through two discs of classic songs like "Metal Daze" and "Hatred." The engineering is superb and the energy level consistent. One wonders, though, where in all of this is "Gloves of Metal"? ~ Patrick Kennedy|