With "Kings Of Metal" put the four Amis 1988 plate in front, their best songs are almost perfect. "Wheels Of Fire" and the title track are the perfect introduction to the album, two hymns that will probably know every metal fan inside out. Similarly successful is in my opinion always something underestimate midtempo song "Kingdom Come", which shows a Eric Adams at his best. When bouncer "Blood Of The Kings" Manowar homage their followers in different countries and build the way some of their most important song titles in the number - extremely successful for my taste. "Hidden" on position 8 with "Hail and Kill" one of the best songs in my ears the band ever. A quick battle hymn with a sing-along chorus that has no equal. All trademarks that one loves as Manowar fan so are included in this song.
As usual with such a disk, of course, should not be missed gentler tones. "Heart Of Steel" you can with a clear conscience as one of Metal Ballads simply call (Manowar even managed my opinion only with "Master Of The Wind" a similar spine-tingling factor, possibly even with "Mountains" and the 2012er piece "Righteous Glory "). Also very worn, but completely different comes "The Crown And The Ring (Lament Of The Kings)" from the speakers. Here Eric Adams is only accompanied by choirs and church organ, typical cliché laden Manowar Lyrics included, what a very special atmosphere created and the handset directly into a story like "Conan" in staggered (although the text is settled in Norse mythology). This piece is a true demonstration of the singing skills of the front man - amazing what the Adams rausholt here from his vocal cords. This is evident also in other Manowar songs on this track but it is the absence of classic metal instruments still ma clearer.
All these songs are more or less succeeded perfectly and were supposed to convince any listener of the qualities of the band. Unfortunately, there are some concerns children who tarnish the superb overall impression. So is with "Sting Of The Bumblebee" ("The Flight of the Bumblebee") a fully redundant bass solo on the record that probably should illustrate DeMaio's abilities, but is more likely to be for the most by a single hearing on the case for the skip button , One reason for the devaluation but the piece is - similar to "Pulling Teeth (Anasthesia)" on Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" - not. But give rather the two other annoyances occasion: "The Warrior's Prayer" is a spoken story told by a grandfather to his grandson. Here the tendency to hero-pathos comes especially to bear, so that many listeners will turn away in horror. Personally, I find the story, although very fine, but can I still some avoid smiling and not wonder why this thing on the plate (and worse: at concerts!) Has landed. However, much worse is "Pleasure Slave", a mid-tempo song that is musically rather average. However catastrophic is the text that has to act just ridiculous even to seasoned Machos. Inexperienced listeners likely it might astonish, but even with a band like Manowar the embarrassment can be increased beyond measure ... Rumors say this piece is even a Mitgrund for Manowar exit of Gitarisst Ross "The Boss" Friedman immediately after the recording of " Kings Of Metal ".
Despite these three hangover I'm inclined to give the highest rating - "Kings Of Metal" is still a monument. In my CD collection is one of the few instances where seven out of ten numbers are so good that they rip out the remaining three. Whereas you had to say that a piece like "The Warriors Prayer" must be outside of the musical score anyway.