MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer 12" Vinyl LP Album

Collector's notes ( detailed background information on the persons working on this album)

Manowar, an American heavy metal band, released their fourth studio album "Sign of the Hammer" in 1984. The album features eight tracks, including some of the band's most popular songs, such as "All Men Play on Ten" and "Thor (The Powerhead)."

"Sign of the Hammer" is a classic heavy metal album, characterized by its aggressive guitar riffs, thundering bass lines, and powerful drumming. The album's sound is anchored by the band's trademark blend of epic, symphonic arrangements and gritty, hard-driving rhythms. The guitars, played by Ross the Boss and Joey DeMaio, are especially prominent on the album, with their crushing riffs and lightning-fast solos.

The album's opening track, "All Men Play on Ten," sets the tone for the rest of the album with its anthemic chorus and driving guitar riff. Other standout tracks on the album include "Thor (The Powerhead)," with its thunderous drumming and soaring guitar leads, and "Mountains," a mid-tempo rocker with a catchy chorus and a memorable guitar solo.

Like most of Manowar's music, the lyrics on "Sign of the Hammer" are heavily influenced by myth and legend. The band's fascination with Viking and Norse mythology is evident on several tracks, including "Thor (The Powerhead)" and "Mountains," which both feature references to Nordic gods and heroes.

Other tracks on the album explore themes of strength, power, and the battle between good and evil. The title track, "Sign of the Hammer," is a stirring call to arms for those who seek to live life on their own terms, while "The Oath" is a declaration of loyalty and brotherhood.

"Sign of the Hammer" is a significant album in the history of heavy metal, both for its musical and lyrical achievements. The album's combination of epic, symphonic arrangements and gritty, hard-driving rhythms helped define the sound of the genre and inspired countless imitators. Additionally, the album's themes of strength, power, and heroism struck a chord with many heavy metal fans, who saw themselves as warriors fighting against the forces of conformity and oppression. 

Joey DeMaio and Eric Adams both performed in a band called "Looks" before they started the Manowar band in 1980.

Rian Hughes is British graphic designer, illustrator and artist

Ross The Boss (real name: Ross Friedman) has been playing in the bands: "Shakin' Street" and "The Dictators" before founding Manowar in 1980.

Scott Columbus has always been the drummer of Manowar from 1983 until 2008 with a three-year break in 1991

Simon Fowler is a British photographer mainly known for photographing "Iron Maiden".

  Simon Fowler is a British photographer mainly known for photographing "Iron Maiden". For the album "Piece of Mind" he was called: Simon "Bullseye" Fowler.

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Album Production Information:

The album: "MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer " was produced by: Jack Richardson, Tony Platt

Jack Richardson is a Canadian Music producer, responsible for producing a couple of hundres albums. Some of the bands he has worked are "The Guess Who", "Alice Cooper", "Manowar", etc...

Mixed by: Tony Platt

Mastered by: Arun Chakraverty

Arun Chakraverty starting his engineering job in 1974 he became a very experienced sound and mastering engineer, responsible for hundreds (almost thousand) records. In 1981 he bought "The Master Room" and was director until 2001. Having worked on many different genres, Heavy Metal records were only a couple: "Black Sabbath - Mob Rules" and "Manowar - Sign of the Hammer".

Mastered at: Master Room

Album cover design: Rian Hughes

Album cover photography: Simon Fowler

  Simon Fowler is a British photographer mainly known for photographing "Iron Maiden". For the album "Piece of Mind" he was called: Simon "Bullseye" Fowler.

  Tony Platt is a British Freelance music engineer and producer. Working with many British bands, including Iron Maiden but also with the French Trust band.

Record Label Information:

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Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer

Band-members, Musicians and Performers
• Eric Adams - Vocals

  Eric Adams (real name: Louis Marullo), is lead vocalist of the American Heavy Metal band "Manowar" since 1981. Before joining Manowar he has sung in bands like: "Bible Black", "Harlequin", "Kids" and looks. - Eric Adams and Joey DeMaio both performed in a band called "Looks" before they started the Manowar band in 1980.

• Ross The Boss - Guitars, Keyboards
• Joey DeMaio - Bass
• Scott Columbus - Drums

Complete Track-listing of the album "MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer "

The detailed tracklist of this record "MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer " is:

Track-listing Side One:
1. All Men Play On 10 3:54
2. Animals 3:35
3. Thor (The Powerhead) 5:22
4. Mountains 7:40

Track-listing Side Two:
1. Sign Of The Hammer 4:16
2. The Oath 4:50
3. Thunderpick 3:33
4. Guyana (Cult Of The Damned) 7:06