In the case of Manowar's detractors, it's not enough to simply dislike their music or image. They must be ridiculed. Most of the time there is little explanation. These are Metal fans ridiculing Manowar for being, well, Metal. There are accusations of 'gayness' referring, I suppose, to their physique and a stage attire that, many years ago, included loin cloths. The lyrics, composed around themes of glory, sword fights, steel, death, the greatness of Metal and Odin are deemed ridiculous. Ironically, a lot of the time these accusations will come from fans of Scandinavian death metal fans with a penchant for 'corpsepaint', equally ridiculous attire and a need to sing about how grim it is up north.
The lovers of the band, a group in which I include myself, see it differently.
You see, for me, the answer to the question: 'How can you like Manowar?' is: 'If you like Metal, how can you not like Manowar?' After all, the band is the physical embodiment of everything that is Metal about heavy Metal. Take a look at the evidence.
Manowar are Metal.
They are the loudest band in the world. Not only that, they've actually broken the record they hold for being the loudest band in the world - several times. Heavy Metal fans like 'loud'.
They refuse point-blank to compromise. Ever. On anything. Even if they're wrong. Heavy Metal is not about compromise.
They sing about loving Metal. How Metal is that? Joey DeMaio has gone as far as admitting that he would 'die for Metal' in an interview and, then, to prove the point, wrote a song called Die For Metal.
As for the ridiculous lyrics, look closer and you'll see that the lyrics are all about dealing with the issues everyone has to deal with in everyday life. Fighting the World, Gods of War, Into Glory Ride - the titles of the albums alone are battle cries of revolt and independence in the daily fight against adversity, discrimination and small mindedness. Whatever life throws at you, the message of Manowar is you can take it. At it's most basic, 'fighting the world' is simply a euphemism for tackling the human condition.
A religion.
Manowarriors know that in their most difficult moments, Manowar is there with songs to uplift, inspire and revitalize. Songs of hope, fraternity and of better times to come. Honour, integrity and valour are the keywords in Manowar's message, because these are the things that give us value in life. These are the qualities that make us good human beings. That's why, when you meet a fellow Manowarrior, there's that instant connection. You both know something that the rest don't. And, if it sounds like there's something religious in that, you're right! There is.
True Metal is more than music. It's a way of life - a religion.
Sure, the band is exasperating, to say the least. A friend of mine who worked for the band likened the fans to 'the battered wives of Manowar'. Because every time you try to explain to someone what it is that makes Manowar the greatest heavy Metal band in the history of music, you can bet your broadsword that Joey DeMaio will turn round and do something to mindnumbingly idiotic to prove you wrong, whether that's bringing out Manowar confectionery, spending more time preaching than playing songs at a gig or, as is the issue at the moment, massively overcharging for tickets and telling complainants that it's great value for money.
But despite all that, when Manowar play on the Academy on Wednesday, they'll play to a sold-out house, consisting of diehard fans, as well as the curious. They'll play to people that weren't even born the last time they played in Ireland. For longtime fans, it'll be an affirmation of faith. And, for some doubters, it will be a revelation. Others will never get it. But that's okay too. The fact remains, if you took everything you know about Metal and rolled it up into a big steel ball, that ball would have Manowar etched into it.
Cheesy? Sure! But like everything the band stands for, true.
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