Manowar?

[Bill_Billman]

I have a question. Does anybody actually take Manowar completely seriously? I have nothing against Manowar, and I certainly enjoy rocking out on possibly the "truest" metal that ever was, but I can't help but smirk a little at all the warrior/battle/valor talk. Are there actually people who don't think songs about riding horses into battle are just slightly cheesy? I'd appreciate your input.

 

[Wicked Child]

Eh, cheese in metal doesn't bother me. They pretty much go hand in hand, regardless of what type of metal you are. It's everywhere. What's the difference between riding on your mighty steed into battle and rescue the princess and selling your soul to the dark lord of evil and become a demon and feast on the souls of the innocent? Both pretty fucking cheesy to me, but you know what? If cheese bothers you, you're in the wrong genre. I just don't care anymore.

 

[JonnyD]

I have a question. Does anybody actually take Manowar completely seriously? I have nothing against Manowar, and I certainly enjoy rocking out on possibly the "truest" metal that ever was, but I can't help but smirk a little at all the warrior/battle/valor talk. Are there actually people who don't think songs about riding horses into battle are just slightly cheesy? I'd appreciate your input.

I think they are Cheesy sure and ya knwo what I wouldnt want my Manowar any other way .... its all in how you interprete(sp)it .... and like Nick said there is Cheese in every corner of the Genre of metal its unescapable

 

[baldyboy]

totally gorgonzolatastic in thier approach,and thats why so many people love em.i know the cheese does it for me.
some people do take them seriously(apparently),but for me its the fun of it.plus they are,without doubt,excellent musicians.some of thier songs are pure class(as well as pure cheese!)

 

[Aethyrs]

I don't take them too serious, but I do love the old albums alot.
Just think it's a little sad that Eric doesen't sing as good as he did, too much grunting. The last few conserts with them has been pretty bad too, think they are loosing it a bit.

 

[Bill_Billman]

Haha, please excuse my shallow vocabulary, baldyboy, but I think you're gonna have to give me a definition of gorgonzolatastic. I asked Webster and he just shook his head and shrugged.

 

[Ayeka]

I'm sure he means "exceptionally cheesy"

Personally, what other people call "cheese" I just call "fun". I find it very shallow and immature to leap to calling things cheesy at the first opportunity. What's wrong with singing songs about swords and honour and Metal? Fucking GO FOR IT!!! If you can't handle it, the Top 40's waiting for you

 

[ElectricWiz]

I don't take them too serious, but I do love the old albums alot.
Just think it's a little sad that Eric doesen't sing as good as he did, too much grunting. The last few conserts with them has been pretty bad too, think they are loosing it a bit.

This really sums up my opinion exactly. I dig the hell out of the first few albums. They are just plain good albums, regardless of cheese, and there is some to be sure. Still, I kinda like the mythology/viking/sword on the mountain stuff. It's great to daydream too. And the only way it will work is if the band delivering it takes it seriously. That said, the fact that Manowar take them selves more seriously then ever now is the true point of cheese. Their albums are pretty damned over produced and lines like, 'We're here to kick some goddamn ass!' pop up way too much. And, Aethyrs, you were right on about Eric Adams. I really think he was one of THE great metal singers back in the day. Songs like Gates of Valhalla prove that point thunderously. Now though, he's getting by on the grunts.

I think anybody with a discerning ear can hear the value of the early stuff. The later stuff, though, is exposed as "just cheese" by that same discerning ear.

 

[baldyboy]

ayeka is right in a way bill-gorgonzola is a type of cheese,a rather smelly one at that.

i love manowar,i really do,but i also love poking fun at thier image.they set themselves up for it really didnt they.

 

[Ayeka]

It's cool if you can have a laugh and a joke about a band you like, but there is a distinction between "having a laugh" and "taking the piss" which seems to pass people by sometimes sadly...

 

[baldyboy]

hey ayeka i still have the utmost repect for the guys as musicians-eric adams ranks as one of my all time fave vocalists.
the problem with manowar is that,more than pretty much any other band EVER,they leave themselves open to a certain amount of ridicule.

 

[wdiv]

I've heard boots of their concerts from 2002 & they're still definately on the top of their game! Hilarious. I wish they'd tour the US

 

[Ayeka]

hey ayeka i still have the utmost repect for the guys as musicians-eric adams ranks as one of my all time fave vocalists.
the problem with manowar is that,more than pretty much any other band EVER,they leave themselves open to a certain amount of ridicule.

Rise above the bait, my son

Cool that you give 'em time of day though s'all good.