Album Description: "Sign of the Hammer" is the 1984 studio album by the American Heavy Meal band "Manowar", it was produced by Jack Richardson and Tony Platt and recording in Canada and the United Kingdom.
This web page has photos of album covers, inner sleeves, record labels together with production details, musicians and track-listing.
This album "MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer " includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos
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 Fact Sheet: MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer |
Music Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock |
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: 10 Records – 206 639, 10 Records – 206 639-620 |
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1984 Made in Germany for European distribution |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer " |
The detailed tracklist of this record "MANOWAR - Sign Of The Hammer " is:
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MANOWAR is a legendary American heavy metal band that has been rocking stages and delighting fans since 1980 with their powerful and epic sound.
MANOWAR is an American heavy metal band formed in 1980 by bassist Joey DeMaio, who had previously worked as a bass technician for Black Sabbath. The band is known for their powerful sound, epic themes, and lyrics that often focus on battle, glory, and mythology.
Early Years:
MANOWAR's first album, "Battle Hymns," was released in 1982 and showcased the band's signature sound, which blended heavy metal with symphonic elements. The album featured the hit song "Manowar," which would become the band's namesake.
The band's second album, "Into Glory Ride," was released in 1983 and continued to build on their unique sound. The album featured songs like "Gates of Valhalla" and "Secret of Steel," which became fan favorites.
Success:
MANOWAR achieved significant success in the 1980s, releasing several successful albums including "Hail to England," "Sign of the Hammer," and "Kings of Metal." The band's popularity was fueled by their over-the-top live performances, which featured elaborate costumes, pyrotechnics, and larger-than-life stage props.
In 1987, the band set a Guinness World Record for the loudest performance by a rock band, with a show in Hanover, Germany that registered at 129.5 decibels.
MANOWAR continued to tour and release albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The band's sound evolved over time, with later albums featuring more complex arrangements and a more symphonic sound.
Controversies:
MANOWAR has faced several controversies throughout their career. The band's lyrics and themes have been criticized by some as overly violent and misogynistic. In 1992, the band was banned from performing in the Netherlands after a local politician accused them of promoting violence and fascism.
In 2009, the band was accused of lip-syncing during a performance at the Magic Circle Festival in Germany. The band denied the accusations, but the controversy led to increased scrutiny of their live performances.
Legacy:
Despite the controversies, MANOWAR has remained a popular and influential band in the heavy metal genre. The band's sound and themes have inspired countless other bands, and their fans remain some of the most devoted in the music industry.
In 2019, the band announced that they would be retiring after a final world tour. The announcement was met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom were disappointed that the band would no longer be performing.