But let us for the time being for the better. First, is the largest to date in embarrassment Manowar back catalog, namely the already mentioned "Pleasure Slave", apparently fallen victim to censorship. Perhaps to women in times that have changed fundamentally since the publication of the original, as affluent target audience not to offend? Or was it the band actually too embarrassed to bring this song again? At least with DeMaio I can hardly vorstelllen The second advantage is that the songs in their fundamental structures indeed still are good. Yes, in fact I consider "Kings Of Metal" all pathos despite still one of the best Manowar works with an extremely high density classics.
A first, neutral view of the exterior of the album shows that, the song order was fundamentally changed in addition to the already mentioned lack of "Pleasure Slave". The new opener is "Hail And Kill MMXIV", "On Wheels Of Fire MMXIV" closes the album now (before two bonus tracks). For this you can stand how I will personally do not understand the change and I think that the songs have already had the original order for good reason. But may also be that this is just a matter of habit or the old order was "wrong". Next, it is noticeable that among others "On Wheels Of Fire MMXIV" or "Thy Crown And Thy ring MMXIV" (yes, the "MMXIV" stands behind every title and yes, I'll pull through now to the bitter end and every time to write), the names of the songs were slightly altered. Again: Rather misunderstanding on my part, the "MMXIV" enough as a differentiator from most and so much more epic sound, the new title again not. Oh, and the Manowar lettering was changed from "blood-red" in course "steely", which was originally very modest booklet has been significantly upgraded and the cover was a large number of new flags donated. Whether these factors are sufficient for the purchase, everyone must itself I decide, however, tend to a clear no.
After that is checked off, let me now turn to the long list of criticisms. Who does not want to read in detail, can move to the same conclusion
It starts with the sound. I like it will probably do a lot of leave "Kings Of Metal" and "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" quasi simultaneously running to have a direct comparison. And the fears have come true: The new recording is no better, but rather a completely different sound than the original. Nevertheless, my subjective impression that the original was even better mixed, although at "MMXIV" the basses were naturally turned to stop. To put it bluntly: I can with "Kings Of Metal" (1988) sound technically not hear anything that would justify a new recording, it also changes the modern recording technology for "MMXIV" version nothing. Particularly striking are the differences in the way singing, which is much further in the new recording in the background. Not quite so extreme, but clearly noticeable, it is with the guitar, which is used a little more distortion. The new drum sound, however, is indeed loud but also incredibly clinically. One could almost think that here a certain Mr. "Sasso" drove to mischief. Evil to him who comes just with the advocates of "trueness" of so evil ideas
This is actually already said why this album no one needs. But unfortunately, it gets worse. In the new version that is also the classics themselves more or less serious problems to convince the listener. "Pleasure Slave MMXIV" there is as I said fortunately not, therefore, equal to the "new" total losses (which were not essential to the way also in the original version). "The Warriors Prayer" was rerecorded eingesprochen er, I mean of course. The original is boring, a bit embarrassing, but at least not so much for Fremdschämen as "A Warriors Prayer MMXIV". The narrator (voiced by Shakespearean actor Brian Blessed) exaggerates his performance mercilessly when my grandfather had ever told in this way such a story, I would not come out of the laughter. Just is not a Shakespearean drama that is read here, but only a small, pathetic story. The "child", however, reminds me of the YouTube video of "David", who was at the dentist and just where the anesthesia is still lasting effect. Who does not know: just "David" and "Dentist" on Youtube type and then compare. Delicious.
Likewise catastrophic: "Sting Of The Bumblebee" Excuse me, "The Sting Of The Bumblebee MMXIV". Joey DeMaio believed in 1988, having to prove to us what a god he is on bass. He would still eventually one has indeed evolved. My respect, however, only for those who can give themselves this intolerable Gegniedel more than once. As a "highlight" is all the time (!) To hear the "ping" of a metronome (!!). If the intention was to get the point of this action opens not at me, but when the "happening", it is the image that I have now of DeMaio, on the crown.
Besides these two firecrackers the rest of the songs have so shine almost in bright luster. If they do not, but at least most of it is at least tolerable. Unfortunately, you still with every song wonders several times what the whole thing is really necessary. On a negative note, there is something that is everywhere. The best sounds still "Thy Thy Crown And Ring MMXIV (Orchestral Version)", which is self-explanatory. In my view, by far the most successful pieces on this album, but I'm completely honest and say that I practically hear here is no appreciable difference to "The Crown And The Ring (Lament Of The Kings)" you get when you placed the superficial Orchestra apart.
Gloomy it looks in the other pieces. In "Hail And Kill MMXIV" (Hey, here no "more creative" title was found?) Drown out the drums, the guitars in the intro nerveless particularly pushy and also the Bassgezupfe the acoustic part of making a misplaced impression. "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" would even be okay if only the guitars were a little dirty. Just like the original, ahem. The text was, of course, was already a bit daring, today I am surprised that Eric Adams at all familiar, something to sing. For "The Heart Of Steel MMXIV (Accoustic Intro)" is, however, as the name suggests, has decided to replace the original piano intro by an acoustic guitar. All right, the Gregorian choirs back the whole thing but then far beyond the kitsch border. Then I hear perhaps even more so "Heart Of Steel". "The Blood Of The Kings MMXIV" has a few new lines of text (with additional countries) donated. After all, a nice touch. Unfortunately, the drums heard here especially "machine" by the galloping rhythm. "On Wheels Of Fire MMXIV" has of course to offer new, "softer" Motorcycle noise and was probably also accelerated a bit. This clearly shows that "Wheels Of Fire" was actually very well balanced especially the chorus loses in the "MMXIV" version any clout. The one may guess from the incredibly annoying pebbles three drums I do not want to speak only.
Not even Eric Adams, who has retained all Manowar outputs of modern times against similar Panned, it creates time to turn things around control. In his performance, for me only the question of whether it might be (is also not the youngest), or whether he did not want. Said quite subjective sound "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" to me more like the latter. The singing is simply uninspired and at times bored and adjusts so the instruments on. Nachzuhören example in "Thy Kingdom Come MMXIV", which corresponds broadly to the original version, but without reach. Here is specifically the end of the song atrocious at Adams' "wah-ah-ah-ah" -Schreien that I like in the original as well, you variant no longer thinks in "MMXIV" to a warrior, but a eunuch who has recently lost his manhood. Who does not believe: From about 3:10 minutes off you go. Sad.
Oh, and bonus tracks there are also, that other versions of two regular pieces. "The Heart Of Steel MMXIV (Guitar Instrumental)" is purely instrumental version, in which case the guitar comfortable is important, what the track from the rest of the material on "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" takes off and shows that Karl Logan has it when you let him. Second bonus song is "Thy Thy Crown And Ring MMXIV (Metal Version)". That we had before? True, on "Thunder In The Sky" (2009) already "The Crown And The Ring (Metal Version)" was released. Accordingly, the differences are small ("Metal" there after about three minutes). Completely devoid of meaning.
Conclusion: Has DeMaio hatched the idea of re-record material from old, far better times, he may have not seriously believed that we just let him pass as "fanfreundlich". No one, absolutely no one needs this album apart from Joey DeMaio and his wallet. Anyone in their right mind will pick up the original. Even new fans, who do not know "Kings Of Metal" should not support, apart from the musical features the 1988 version of this publication policies of a megalomaniac, greedy egomaniac. And who are the original already in the closet need here anyway not access; Nothing is simply commanded, which could justify a purchase. "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" is waste of resources par excellence and has thus earned the lowest rating and a strong buy warning. And I say this as an old Manowar fan.
PS: I have not even mentioned yet that "Kings Of Metal MMXIV" will be released as a double album. Yes, you heard right two CDs, two-time fun. But unfortunately Disc 2 contains the same pieces as disc 1. But say without singing. Who needs it? Good question be any case for the anyway bulky "MMXIV" -Songtitel complemented by an edged "Instrumental". At this point, Joey DeMaio, incidentally, left out a real screamer. He could have called a piece of "Thy Thy Crown And Ring (Lament Of The Kings) MMXIV (Orchestral Version) Instrumental". That would be real-time "true" or at least been "epic". Unfortunately, it remains with the grippy and too simple "Thy Thy Crown And Ring MMXIV (Orchestral Version) Instrumental". No problem for the Manowar professional so.
Published on weltending.wordpress.com.
