Raven's Wiped Out embodies the raw energy, the fire and the attitude of the NWOBHM like no other record, with blazing riffs, superb solos, a technically proficient rhythm section (the propulsive jazzy grooves are amazing) and remarkably daring arrangements. Manowar's debut is solid but is not nearly as fearless, inventive and challenging. As Malcolm Dome wrote in one of his liner notes, there would be no thrash as we know it without Raven.
100% agree. Raven was the far bigger deal in the early 80's. By comparison, Manowar were barely on the radar in the D.C. area where I lived. I think they were a bit more regional to the New York area in those days.
This is a real blind spot for Sea of Tranquility- I love Manowar but I’m shocked by the dismissal of Raven - those first three Raven records are stone cold classics.
I first discovered Raven even before their first album through their single "I don't need your money" . Saw them live at their first gig in the Netherlands, which was just renamed to Dynamo. Tremendous band which impressed me to say the least. Manowar I have never taken serious, the way Joey looked into the camera when doing a interview just made me laugh. Although I love "All men play on ten" and had my internal organs shaken up and my ears blown out during a concert at Paradiso Amsterdam, it felt like a very funny band to me. So Raven for me. The first album is in my ears leading, then All for One, and then Wiped Out.
"Wiped Out" all the way, thankfully seen Raven three times. Never cared for Manowar too much, they may get credited as the forefathers of Power metal even though there was Rainbow w/Dio and Thor before them. While I enjoy the genre, Manowar were never my thing.
Wiped Out is an amazing album, maybe even their best in my opinion but Battle Hymn is one of the best american metal albums of all time so I go with Manowar here.
Wiped Out is far and away my choice. Never got into Manowar. Raven always had a sense of humor, whereas Manowar is unintentionally funny. The first three Raven albums are practically unbeatable, and their later '80s albums after their failed commercial Atlantic experiment are really good as well. Still have yet to listen to a single Manowar album all the way through.
Takeaways from tonight's episode: 1. Ryan, Nick, Chris C., Chris A. and Steve in the house... 2. "They got silly later, but we won't talk about that" 3. Ryan's little dog returns this week at the 6:27 mark. 4. "Imagine me, sauced up..." 5. "That's tough to imagine, Nick" 6. "Nick, you gotta stop. You're going to set off my fucking air bags" 7. "Death to false metal!" 8. "Right, cause I'm a fucking idiot. Thanks Steve" 9. "Dude, shut the fuck up" 10. "...outside of Rock Fantasy, the greatest record store in the world" 11. "I could watch a whole episode of "Happy Days" in 28 minutes" 12. "I remember seeing Manowar back in the day and my ears are still hurting" 13. "Get out the broom" 14. "Steve Keeler, John Gallagher on line two" 15. We have a John Sykes reference at 19:47 into the show 16. "No energy, no balls" 17. "Ryan, you're a poseur" 18. "I had a mullet in high school" For the topic, I also pick Manowar-Battle Hymns. Ryan's description of both albums perfectly reflect my sentiments...
Thank you guys for your picks. All the damn time. My pick is: * Manowar - Battle Hymns I like Raven - Wiped Out, but Manowar has an edge for me. Manowar metal rocks it !! 🎤🎸🎵🥁 Life is better with music.
Butch to the rescue! Raven for me, as well. Shocked by the downplay of Wipe Out in this episode. It was considered a balls loose masterpiece when it came out.
As much as I love Manowar and their debut "Battle Hymns" I don't think it's as perfect as I would like yes there are some good bombastic songs on it like "Metal Daze", "Manowar", and the title track "Battle Hymns" and it is an album I will go to more often than not but for me they just weren't the complete Manowar just yet that would come starting with "Into Glory Ride", "Hail to England", and my favorite "Sign of the Hammer", and also "Fighting the World".......as for Raven however I only own the first four albums and their second one "Wiped Out" is the album I listened to the most back in the day and its been quite awhile since I've heard it and I've got to say listening to it again after all these years I forgot how great this album really is it's fast, melodic and really epic.......so for this one week I've got to say its Raven for the win I just really enjoyed listening to "Wiped Out" all over again (4.5) rating more than "Battle Hymns" (4) rating.......but I will also say that if it was any of the other Manowar albums I listed above they would easily take the win over Raven because I feel that Raven were never able to duplicate the success of "Wiped Out" going forward......."All for One" was somewhat disappointing for me it had some moments and "Stay Hard" was to me not good at all
got to see Manowar at a 300 seat venue in Vancouver in 1988 or 89. Their back line was literally squished into the club. it was hilarious and stomping at the same time. loud as hell too. they bought a round for the entire club! consummate pros playing to around 200 people without cutting a corner. Love Battle Hymn, it's underrated masterpiece.
“Battle Hymns did sound the call, you came to our side.” So says the band in their song Army of Immortals, but I was only nine at the time and didn’t heed the call until around 1989. With that being said, the songs Dark Avenger and Battle Hymn laid the blueprint for epic metal in the years to come and propel this album to the win.
I discovered Battle Hymns listening to Gene "The Metal Maniac" Khoury on WMSC (Montclair State College) radio every Saturday night back in 82-83. One time he played Metal Daze, and when Eric Adams said "So Mr. DJ, play just one for me", Khoury cut in and said "that's me".....funny the things you remember 40 years later.
Very valiant effort by Raven, much respect. But Battle Hymns is one of those albums even listening to it now, you still can feel how fresh this sound must've been back in the day. That vanguardist energy is _still_ palpable. These guys were literally fighting the world.
I hold these two pioneering Metal Institutions in high regard. Raven took thrashing athletic rock and added melody and insanity to craft their sound. Manowar took a page from the classic metal camps and pretty much spawned power metal and gave birth to many Warrior, battle inspired bands. Sabaton and Grand Magus are two that come to mind. Weened on both but Manowar's first album grabbed me and my crew by the balls and gave us that immediate metal stank face. Ross, Eric and Joey were f'in serious. Wether you liked the lyrics or not. It's metal not physics. It kicked our asses! Raven did as well but not on this matchup, Manowar all day long. I gave some square the finger and he didn't look again!
I saw the only us appearance of manowar in Cleveland in 1992 or so. I won tix on the college radio metal show by identifying Kill With Power!! The band got stuck in a snowstorm and didn't take the stage until midnight!! The loudest concert I've ever seen!!
Raven - Wiped Out was a great early Speed Metal album, but it was a bold statement for a Heavy Metal band to debut with lyrics like my social worker keeps me out jail so the paper reads his name, and no charge for the haircut and bullets come free. The absolutely off the charts bizarre Dark Avenger with a speech by Orson Wells about a Warrior riding up from Hell to seek revenge. This album was like stepping in the Twilight Zone, some really odd lyrics, Orson Wells, Biker Hard Rock, Commercial Hair Metal Anthems, Skullcrushing Funeral Dirges , insane Speed Metal, and some truly offensive lyrics versus social conscience political lyrics. Battle Hymns shows how versatile the 1 dimensional Manowar were actually capable of
Battle Hymns has a couple great tracks on it, but I find the more hard rock-y stuff a bit tepid. Raven is just on fire on Wiped Out so I'm going with them.
My vote goes to Raven's "Wiped Out". The level of speed achieved on that album was groundbreaking in every way. John Gallagher's upper range never bothered me in the least, if fact I loved hearing him get up into that glass breaking range. However, the Epicus Maximus level of Manowar's "Battle Hymn's" was groundbreaking in it's own way. I was 21 in 1982 and was right there when both of these albums were released. Loved them both, but Raven was by far the top choice of everyone I knew in those days. We were into the fast stuff, and NWOBHM bands like Raven and Jaguar got us primed for Metallica and Anthrax.
Manowar takes this war as the triumphant Victor! Death Tone, Metal Daze, Shell Shock kick that ass alone, then throw in the heavy artillery of Dark Avenger and Battle Hymn and you overwhelm the tide of this conflict! It's a full on frontal blitzmacht assault! I give some square the finger, now he won't look again...🤘
Hi Guys. This one was extremely tough for me. However, New day, New Ears. I had Raven listed ahead of Manowar on my 1982 album list, But I did mention my 6-12 were basically interchangeable based on mood and day. Today I am going with Manowar. Tomorrow it might be Raven.
Great episode! I also go with the eponym album from Manowar. Note: Triumph of Steel is an amazing album and I love the 28-minute song. The song I always skip when I listen to this album is Metal Warrior, which does not fit with the rest of the CD. As much as I liked Scott, Rhino was a much better and versatile drummer.
Both bands kick ass. For me, Raven's finest hour was their next album, "All For One" (love their version of Seek and Destroy), but I have to go with Manowar. For me their catalogue, starting with Battle Hymns in 1982 and ending with The Triumph of Steel in 1992, is untouchable.
For me, this is definitely the toughest choice you guys have had to make, so I was very surprised by how lightly people brushed off Raven. I will ultimately pick Manowar because Eric Adams is the voice of metal, a synthesis of Dio and Gillan that was never matched nor bettered. I will say that John’s vocals on Wiped Out are a huge selling point for me, however, as I love the unbridled intensity and energy they bring! Musically, the Raven album delivers in spades and points to what would come from Exciter, Metallica, and Agent Steel among others. Battle Hymn is a Victim of Changes or Hallowed be thy Name level song, however, and will live on as a song many bands wish they could have written!
@@jimmycampbell78 Same here. I just love the long ones cause it makes my night go smoother as a 3rd shifter and then you can repeat it if you missed anything and next thing you know. Shift over. Yeah long shows for sure. I hope they come back.
One thing about Chris Alo- he's passionate about what he believes, whether it's good or bad. I don't think you'll ever hear him say "I think they're okay." or "I can tolerate them to a certain degree". He either really loves it or really hates it.
Hi Pete! I thought of a topic for a show maybe you and Martin (?) could do: Best/Worst remixes of great albums. Not sure if you ‘ve already done one, but I don’t remember seeing it. Anyway, love the channel!
Raven are a cool a band and Wiped Out is a cool album, but I'll go with Manowar's Battle Hymns. It's not my favorite by them - that would be the following three (pretty much equally), but Battle Hymn and Dark Avenger are terrific, therefore my vote goes to Manowar.
Tough one. The Raven album is very good. Then I played the Manowar album and became unsure which one I liked better. Will have to listen to both again.
I’ve not heard these albums for a long long time and will give them a spin though I was never a big Manowar fan. Either way I will be giving this to Raven for no other reason than a very young Steve is pictured on the back cover with Mark Gallagher, taken at a Raven gig in Cleveleys Lancashire.
Back in the summer of 82 when I was working in London as part of my college course, I was supposed to meet with some friends at Lords cricket ground in London to watch a match and drink beer all afternoon, however I got there late and it was sold out, so on a nice warm sunny day I walked from the ground down to Oxford street to visit the HMV store and used the money I had to buy the ticket to purchase Manowar's Battle Hymns on cassette and I have loved that album ever since - and I still have that cassette - and loved everything they did until Ross the Boss was kicked out, after which for me they were never the same. Battle Hymns is a sure fire 10/10 and there are very few other albums out in 1982 that can match it, so I'm glad it wasnt pitched against Assault Attack because even though I could just rank that slightly above Gary Moore's Corridors of Power, Battle Hymns vs Assault Attack for favourite HM album of 1982 would be a very tough one to call. I had the first Raven album, Rock until you Drop, that was pretty good, however I also found John Gallagher's vocals to be annoying and with all the other great bands around at the time I passed and never really got into them.
Manowar no contest , if it had been Ravens first album a bit of a fairer fight...but . As a native of the North East used to see Raven regularly and they were great , however never quite hit the heady heights but are still going to a loyal fanbase .
Preparing for this show was my first time listening to both of these albums, absolutely loved both of them but I'm going with Manowar by a hair because of the badass bass solo
Neither band is one my favorites but I listened to Raven's album for the first time last week, their first album too, I liked the first one a little more to be honest. Manowar's first few albums had some good stuff on them, I really liked the first one so, Battle Hymms takes the win for me.
Manowar is my band for many many years, yes I listen to many other stuff as well (Iced Earth, Amon Amarth, Ayreon, Nighwish, Pain Of Salvation, Rebellion, Rough Silk, Celesty etc etc) but I will always come back to Manowar, they are Kings of Metal for me. Never disappointed so far. My top album from them is no doubt "The Triumph Of Steel" and "Achilles Agony..." is by far the best song that has been ever written. Throne of metal is occupied forever with this song I think what people sometimes overlook is that Manowar started much older than most bands, so I think it is normal they are not so "crazy" in new songs anymore, still great songs I love Gods Of War album, I love Lord Of Steel... but they were almost 60 years old in that time. How many bands can do Lord of Steel kind album in their 60s? But I love them I met them with "RIP" Scott and they were amazing. All of them signed my tshirt, ticket and I can see myself in Hell on Wheel part 3 dvd couple times and also I am at the "I believe" video which was recorded in the same show.
For Raven, only the second and third albums (and the EP with Udo) were good (All for One is their best album). When they moved to Atlantic, it went off the rail moving away from power/speed metal to commercial music. Trivia: Raven was on the same label as Venom when they started (Neat Records).
So have you listened to Raven after the Atlantic years? They went back to fast and heavy starting with Life's a Bitch, Architect of Fear, and they just kept making great albums
@@Gregbaltzer I did listen to Life's a Bitch when it came out, but it did not move me (it was okay). Unfortunately, by that time, I was into Kreator, Sodom, Artillery, Assassin, Sepultura (early material), Razor, Aggression, etc. Hence, Raven was no longer on my radar. I just listened to All for One this morning, which I haven't listened since the mid-80s. It brought back good memories, but there are now better music to listen to.
@@Canuck1000 I went down a similar heavy path and stopped listening to traditional heavy metal in favor of extreme metal. It's just been in the last few years that I've fallen in love with traditional heavy metal. I still listen to my Black/death/doom/ thrash and grindcore though. But I don't really hear new bands I like anymore
@@Gregbaltzer Yeah, I mainly listen to 80s thrash metal, such as those listed above. Once and a while, I put on Behemoth, Emperor, The Crown, Nile, etc. for good measure. Have a nice evening.
Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the recent re-release of Raven "All For One" remaster? Kinda pricey, wondering if it's worth it. Can't find an online review about it anywhere!!
You guys that haven’t listened to much Raven, I would suggest All For One over Wiped Out. The former is their masterpiece, easily. On that note, tomorrow I’ll give Battle Hymns a chance. I always thought Manowar was cheese, but I’ve heard relatively later stuff.
One of the guys said it best...."frickin' Manowar, holy shit". That's what i thought when it hit me in 1982, and it still does. Eric Adams is untouchable here. Metal Daze, Manowar, Dark Avenger/Orson Wells, Battle Hymn......holy shit is right.
Did Lynne say fuck yet? ❤ Are the ladies going to be on tonite? With two "guitar heavy" albums last week, they were more for the guys. So that worries me again with the total Velveeta vs. Velveeta battle tonite. Will the Butcher of NY mention Gillis? Will Drunk Uncle Alo wear a hat indoors? Will Pete have the Olds? Will it be Sea of Sausage Part II? Stay tuned! Idea for future show: Remember on Beavis and Butthead where they were making fun of Accept and some dudes broke in through the wall? And they said here comes Krokus to kick their ass? Classic, right? Well who would've won? Accept vs. Krokus grudge match!
MANOWAR all the way.. Pete been wondering have you heard of a newer band called KRYPTOGRAF?? 2 albums 2020 and 2022.. Amazing band.. Classic sound.. Like Classic Era Sabbath and Heep as well as some YES thrown in some songs.. Recommend it highly..
Regarding the idea for a "jumping the shark" episode, are y'all going to agree on what that means or just wait 'til the episode and discuss? Coincidentally, an old episode randomly came on today of you and Martin ranking Police albums, and he misused it with Zenyatta Mondatta. He meant it as just a temporary misstep, an off album (though I agree with you, it's better than that, they were at a peak in their playing and sound). I think it's meant to be a failed attempt at a stunt to revive a popularity that they never regain, and also the end of their good material with no return. Maybe that's not the widely agreed definition? I mean, Happy Days certainly didn't come back from that episode that inspired the idiom.
Raven’s Wiped Out vs. Manowar’s Battle Hymns is not a contest on any level, IMO. While some may say both bands were too silly, especially image-wise, to take seriously, Battle Hymns is a seriously kick-ass album! Eric Adams delivers his first of several genre-defining performances with super-human vocals that are pretty much untouchable to this day! The rest of the band plays with fire and intensity few could match in ‘82. Joey Demaio’s 8-string bass was novel and so damn cool and the great Orson Welles made the first of two appearances for Manowar with his mesmerizing narration on Dark Avenger. Nobody had a cooler speaking voice than that dude and when he said it, you believed it, which is why everyone got freaked out when he read War of the Worlds on the radio in 1938, and believed New Jersey was actually under attack by Martians! There was nothing more metal than that in those days! For Dark Avenger and Battle Hymn alone, this is a bloodbath. Unfortunately for Raven, however, they won’t be flown to Valhalla to pound flagons of mead with Odin and Balder because this wasn’t even a battle and their “death” here is far from honorable. While Manowar would eventually become a self-parody, they were serious contenders for the metal throne in the early to mid-80s and Battle Hymns did sound the call.
Manowar all the way. Here in Greece they have a very strong fan base. As we Greek fans say: There are 2 types of Metal Heads: 1) Those who listen to Manowar and 2) Those who listen to Manowar but they just dont admitt it! But i do think that would be more intresting to compete it against Maiden's The Number of the Beast.
The Manowar is cool, but those first three Raven albums are all tough to beat. Raven for me.
Raven's Wiped Out embodies the raw energy, the fire and the attitude of the NWOBHM like no other record, with blazing riffs, superb solos, a technically proficient rhythm section (the propulsive jazzy grooves are amazing) and remarkably daring arrangements. Manowar's debut is solid but is not nearly as fearless, inventive and challenging. As Malcolm Dome wrote in one of his liner notes, there would be no thrash as we know it without Raven.
100% agree. Raven was the far bigger deal in the early 80's. By comparison, Manowar were barely on the radar in the D.C. area where I lived. I think they were a bit more regional to the New York area in those days.
This is a real blind spot for Sea of Tranquility- I love Manowar but I’m shocked by the dismissal of Raven - those first three Raven records are stone cold classics.
I first discovered Raven even before their first album through their single "I don't need your money" . Saw them live at their first gig in the Netherlands, which was just renamed to Dynamo. Tremendous band which impressed me to say the least. Manowar I have never taken serious, the way Joey looked into the camera when doing a interview just made me laugh. Although I love "All men play on ten" and had my internal organs shaken up and my ears blown out during a concert at Paradiso Amsterdam, it felt like a very funny band to me. So Raven for me. The first album is in my ears leading, then All for One, and then Wiped Out.
"Wiped Out" all the way, thankfully seen Raven three times.
Never cared for Manowar too much, they may get credited as the forefathers of Power metal even though there was Rainbow w/Dio and Thor before them. While I enjoy the genre, Manowar were never my thing.
Wiped Out is an amazing album, maybe even their best in my opinion but Battle Hymn is one of the best american metal albums of all time so I go with Manowar here.
Wiped Out is far and away my choice. Never got into Manowar. Raven always had a sense of humor, whereas Manowar is unintentionally funny. The first three Raven albums are practically unbeatable, and their later '80s albums after their failed commercial Atlantic experiment are really good as well. Still have yet to listen to a single Manowar album all the way through.
Takeaways from tonight's episode:
1. Ryan, Nick, Chris C., Chris A. and Steve in the house...
2. "They got silly later, but we won't talk about that"
3. Ryan's little dog returns this week at the 6:27 mark.
4. "Imagine me, sauced up..."
5. "That's tough to imagine, Nick"
6. "Nick, you gotta stop. You're going to set off my fucking air bags"
7. "Death to false metal!"
8. "Right, cause I'm a fucking idiot. Thanks Steve"
9. "Dude, shut the fuck up"
10. "...outside of Rock Fantasy, the greatest record store in the world"
11. "I could watch a whole episode of "Happy Days" in 28 minutes"
12. "I remember seeing Manowar back in the day and my ears are still hurting"
13. "Get out the broom"
14. "Steve Keeler, John Gallagher on line two"
15. We have a John Sykes reference at 19:47 into the show
16. "No energy, no balls"
17. "Ryan, you're a poseur"
18. "I had a mullet in high school"
For the topic, I also pick Manowar-Battle Hymns. Ryan's description of both albums perfectly reflect my sentiments...
First time ever listening to these albums. Manowar grabbed me the most!
The winner for me personally is easily Raven!
Manowar all night long. Always a fan. I love the brotherhood of metal they represented.
I find the discussions about albums I have never heard are always the most interesting.
I think even the guys in Raven would pick Manowar on this one. The ultimate heavy metal parking lot album, great to drink beer to. Metal Daze!
NO CONTEST --- Raven - Wiped Out --- WINNER!
Thank you guys for your picks.
All the damn time.
My pick is:
* Manowar - Battle Hymns
I like Raven - Wiped Out, but
Manowar has an edge for me.
Manowar metal rocks it !!
🎤🎸🎵🥁
Life is better with music.
Butch to the rescue! Raven for me, as well. Shocked by the downplay of Wipe Out in this episode. It was considered a balls loose masterpiece when it came out.
And the downplaying of LIVE AT THE INFERNO. "No energy", Are you kidding? It's gotta be NEW YORK thing. LOL.
As much as I love Manowar and their debut "Battle Hymns" I don't think it's as perfect as I would like yes there are some good bombastic songs on it like "Metal Daze", "Manowar", and the title track "Battle Hymns" and it is an album I will go to more often than not but for me they just weren't the complete Manowar just yet that would come starting with "Into Glory Ride", "Hail to England", and my favorite "Sign of the Hammer", and also "Fighting the World".......as for Raven however I only own the first four albums and their second one "Wiped Out" is the album I listened to the most back in the day and its been quite awhile since I've heard it and I've got to say listening to it again after all these years I forgot how great this album really is it's fast, melodic and really epic.......so for this one week I've got to say its Raven for the win I just really enjoyed listening to "Wiped Out" all over again (4.5) rating more than "Battle Hymns" (4) rating.......but I will also say that if it was any of the other Manowar albums I listed above they would easily take the win over Raven because I feel that Raven were never able to duplicate the success of "Wiped Out" going forward......."All for One" was somewhat disappointing for me it had some moments and "Stay Hard" was to me not good at all
got to see Manowar at a 300 seat venue in Vancouver in 1988 or 89. Their back line was literally squished into the club. it was hilarious and stomping at the same time. loud as hell too. they bought a round for the entire club! consummate pros playing to around 200 people without cutting a corner. Love Battle Hymn, it's underrated masterpiece.
“Battle Hymns did sound the call, you came to our side.” So says the band in their song Army of Immortals, but I was only nine at the time and didn’t heed the call until around 1989. With that being said, the songs Dark Avenger and Battle Hymn laid the blueprint for epic metal in the years to come and propel this album to the win.
RAVEN!!! I saw them support Girlschool here in Sydney,Australia in 2019.They stole the show.Amazing!
I discovered Battle Hymns listening to Gene "The Metal Maniac" Khoury on WMSC (Montclair State College) radio every Saturday night back in 82-83. One time he played Metal Daze, and when Eric Adams said "So Mr. DJ, play just one for me", Khoury cut in and said "that's me".....funny the things you remember 40 years later.
What a good show. Hilarious, entertaining, and informative. Thanks guys.
Very valiant effort by Raven, much respect. But Battle Hymns is one of those albums even listening to it now, you still can feel how fresh this sound must've been back in the day. That vanguardist energy is _still_ palpable. These guys were literally fighting the world.
Manowar is a fun band. Where Raven is Motörhead 2!
But! Raven is very inspiring to future band.
I hold these two pioneering Metal Institutions in high regard. Raven took thrashing athletic rock and added melody and insanity to craft their sound. Manowar took a page from the classic metal camps and pretty much spawned power metal and gave birth to many Warrior, battle inspired bands. Sabaton and Grand Magus are two that come to mind. Weened on both but Manowar's first album grabbed me and my crew by the balls and gave us that immediate metal stank face. Ross, Eric and Joey were f'in serious. Wether you liked the lyrics or not. It's metal not physics. It kicked our asses! Raven did as well but not on this matchup, Manowar all day long. I gave some square the finger and he didn't look again!
I was wondering why there hasn’t been a Raven Ranking of the albums.
Can’t believe Pete hasn’t checked them out
First 3 albums are must haves..
Love both bands especially the early albums of both... but Battle Hymns gets my vote!!!
I saw the only us appearance of manowar in Cleveland in 1992 or so. I won tix on the college radio metal show by identifying Kill With Power!! The band got stuck in a snowstorm and didn't take the stage until midnight!! The loudest concert I've ever seen!!
Would definitely go for raven, not a manowar fan and that album definitely smokes. Wiped out is one of my favorite nwobhm albums. So easy one for me
Raven every day of the week
Raven - Wiped Out was a great early Speed Metal album, but it was a bold statement for a Heavy Metal band to debut with lyrics like my social worker keeps me out jail so the paper reads his name, and no charge for the haircut and bullets come free. The absolutely off the charts bizarre Dark Avenger with a speech by Orson Wells about a Warrior riding up from Hell to seek revenge. This album was like stepping in the Twilight Zone, some really odd lyrics, Orson Wells, Biker Hard Rock, Commercial Hair Metal Anthems, Skullcrushing Funeral Dirges , insane Speed Metal, and some truly offensive lyrics versus social conscience political lyrics. Battle Hymns shows how versatile the 1 dimensional Manowar were actually capable of
Battle Hymns has a couple great tracks on it, but I find the more hard rock-y stuff a bit tepid. Raven is just on fire on Wiped Out so I'm going with them.
Great show guys, got to be Manowar for me too.
My vote goes to Raven's "Wiped Out". The level of speed achieved on that album was groundbreaking in every way. John Gallagher's upper range never bothered me in the least, if fact I loved hearing him get up into that glass breaking range. However, the Epicus Maximus level of Manowar's "Battle Hymn's" was groundbreaking in it's own way. I was 21 in 1982 and was right there when both of these albums were released. Loved them both, but Raven was by far the top choice of everyone I knew in those days. We were into the fast stuff, and NWOBHM bands like Raven and Jaguar got us primed for Metallica and Anthrax.
Raven.... killer album
Manowar takes this war as the triumphant Victor! Death Tone, Metal Daze, Shell Shock kick that ass alone, then throw in the heavy artillery of Dark Avenger and Battle Hymn and you overwhelm the tide of this conflict! It's a full on frontal blitzmacht assault! I give some square the finger, now he won't look again...🤘
You can watch this episode in 28 minutes too, Chris Alo. 😀
Hi Guys. This one was extremely tough for me. However, New day, New Ears. I had Raven listed ahead of Manowar on my 1982 album list, But I did mention my 6-12 were basically interchangeable based on mood and day. Today I am going with Manowar. Tomorrow it might be Raven.
Great episode! I also go with the eponym album from Manowar. Note: Triumph of Steel is an amazing album and I love the 28-minute song. The song I always skip when I listen to this album is Metal Warrior, which does not fit with the rest of the CD. As much as I liked Scott, Rhino was a much better and versatile drummer.
I love both bands but Battle Hymns for me
I love Raven but that Battle Hymns album is outstanding!!!🤘
No way! These are my two favorite metal bands of that era!!!
Raven!!! The first 3 Studio and the "semi" Live album Live at the Inferno are awesome. The rest of their albums are good to very good
Both bands kick ass. For me, Raven's finest hour was their next album, "All For One" (love their version of Seek and Destroy), but I have to go with Manowar. For me their catalogue, starting with Battle Hymns in 1982 and ending with The Triumph of Steel in 1992, is untouchable.
For me, this is definitely the toughest choice you guys have had to make, so I was very surprised by how lightly people brushed off Raven. I will ultimately pick Manowar because Eric Adams is the voice of metal, a synthesis of Dio and Gillan that was never matched nor bettered. I will say that John’s vocals on Wiped Out are a huge selling point for me, however, as I love the unbridled intensity and energy they bring! Musically, the Raven album delivers in spades and points to what would come from Exciter, Metallica, and Agent Steel among others. Battle Hymn is a Victim of Changes or Hallowed be thy Name level song, however, and will live on as a song many bands wish they could have written!
The Raven/Slayer/WASP show was fantastic, but Manowar all day over Raven.
Kind of a request for these album Wars. How about Geddy Lee's My Favorite Headache vs Alex Lifeson's Victor? Would be a lot of fun.
Raven, easily.
Hope the shows go back to being longer. I miss seeing the whole gang going for hour plus.
Yes and I like to listen to the guys and gals while I work like a podcast, its over too quickly in just half an hour.
@@jimmycampbell78 Same here. I just love the long ones cause it makes my night go smoother as a 3rd shifter and then you can repeat it if you missed anything and next thing you know. Shift over. Yeah long shows for sure. I hope they come back.
Raven’s album is my pick
I love the jump the shark idea. I already have two bands in mind😁
Battle Hymns takes this by far.
One thing about Chris Alo- he's passionate about what he believes, whether it's good or bad. I don't think you'll ever hear him say "I think they're okay." or "I can tolerate them to a certain degree". He either really loves it or really hates it.
A Jump the Shark would be a fun episode.
Raven all the way!
Video starts at 0:00
Manowar by a pinch! Love both albums.
Hi Pete! I thought of a topic for a show maybe you and Martin (?) could do: Best/Worst remixes of great albums. Not sure if you ‘ve already done one, but I don’t remember seeing it. Anyway, love the channel!
Raven are a cool a band and Wiped Out is a cool album, but I'll go with Manowar's Battle Hymns. It's not my favorite by them - that would be the following three (pretty much equally), but Battle Hymn and Dark Avenger are terrific, therefore my vote goes to Manowar.
In other words, Chris Alo would rather WATCH a jump the shark-moment than listen to one LOL
Raven all the way for me.
Great episode !
No one ever mentions the massive Queen influence on Battle Hymns. It also has the best drumming on any of the classic Manowar albums.
Interesting, Queen are my favorite band. What are the Queen Influences you hear on Battle Hymns?
Tough one. The Raven album is very good. Then I played the Manowar album and became unsure which one I liked better. Will have to listen to both again.
I’ve not heard these albums for a long long time and will give them a spin though I was never a big Manowar fan.
Either way I will be giving this to Raven for no other reason than a very young Steve is pictured on the back cover with Mark Gallagher, taken at a Raven gig in Cleveleys Lancashire.
Back in the summer of 82 when I was working in London as part of my college course, I was supposed to meet with some friends at Lords cricket ground in London to watch a match and drink beer all afternoon, however I got there late and it was sold out, so on a nice warm sunny day I walked from the ground down to Oxford street to visit the HMV store and used the money I had to buy the ticket to purchase Manowar's Battle Hymns on cassette and I have loved that album ever since - and I still have that cassette - and loved everything they did until Ross the Boss was kicked out, after which for me they were never the same. Battle Hymns is a sure fire 10/10 and there are very few other albums out in 1982 that can match it, so I'm glad it wasnt pitched against Assault Attack because even though I could just rank that slightly above Gary Moore's Corridors of Power, Battle Hymns vs Assault Attack for favourite HM album of 1982 would be a very tough one to call.
I had the first Raven album, Rock until you Drop, that was pretty good, however I also found John Gallagher's vocals to be annoying and with all the other great bands around at the time I passed and never really got into them.
Manowar no contest , if it had been Ravens first album a bit of a fairer fight...but . As a native of the North East used to see Raven regularly and they were great , however never quite hit the heady heights but are still going to a loyal fanbase .
This jump the shark idea by Alo is great but he better not say Senjutsu next week….
Preparing for this show was my first time listening to both of these albums, absolutely loved both of them but I'm going with Manowar by a hair because of the badass bass solo
Neither band is one my favorites but I listened to Raven's album for the first time last week, their first album too, I liked the first one a little more to be honest. Manowar's first few albums had some good stuff on them, I really liked the first one so, Battle Hymms takes the win for me.
Manowar is my band for many many years, yes I listen to many other stuff as well (Iced Earth, Amon Amarth, Ayreon, Nighwish, Pain Of Salvation, Rebellion, Rough Silk, Celesty etc etc) but I will always come back to Manowar, they are Kings of Metal for me. Never disappointed so far. My top album from them is no doubt "The Triumph Of Steel" and "Achilles Agony..." is by far the best song that has been ever written. Throne of metal is occupied forever with this song
I think what people sometimes overlook is that Manowar started much older than most bands, so I think it is normal they are not so "crazy" in new songs anymore, still great songs I love Gods Of War album, I love Lord Of Steel... but they were almost 60 years old in that time. How many bands can do Lord of Steel kind album in their 60s? But I love them
I met them with "RIP" Scott and they were amazing. All of them signed my tshirt, ticket and I can see myself in Hell on Wheel part 3 dvd couple times and also I am at the "I believe" video which was recorded in the same show.
Since Manowar is the best band on the planet, this was an easy match. Having said that, I still love Raven, and their first albums are great!
For Raven, only the second and third albums (and the EP with Udo) were good (All for One is their best album). When they moved to Atlantic, it went off the rail moving away from power/speed metal to commercial music. Trivia: Raven was on the same label as Venom when they started (Neat Records).
So have you listened to Raven after the Atlantic years? They went back to fast and heavy starting with Life's a Bitch, Architect of Fear, and they just kept making great albums
@@Gregbaltzer I did listen to Life's a Bitch when it came out, but it did not move me (it was okay). Unfortunately, by that time, I was into Kreator, Sodom, Artillery, Assassin, Sepultura (early material), Razor, Aggression, etc. Hence, Raven was no longer on my radar. I just listened to All for One this morning, which I haven't listened since the mid-80s. It brought back good memories, but there are now better music to listen to.
@@Canuck1000 I went down a similar heavy path and stopped listening to traditional heavy metal in favor of extreme metal. It's just been in the last few years that I've fallen in love with traditional heavy metal. I still listen to my Black/death/doom/ thrash and grindcore though. But I don't really hear new bands I like anymore
@@Gregbaltzer Yeah, I mainly listen to 80s thrash metal, such as those listed above. Once and a while, I put on Behemoth, Emperor, The Crown, Nile, etc. for good measure. Have a nice evening.
@@Canuck1000 i would suggest Architect of Fear though, it is Raven crossing more over to thrash. It took me a few listens but I like it now
RAVEN RULES!!!!!
Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the recent re-release of Raven "All For One" remaster? Kinda pricey, wondering if it's worth it. Can't find an online review about it anywhere!!
I like wiped out better
What is chris alo king of?
You guys that haven’t listened to much Raven, I would suggest All For One over Wiped Out. The former is their masterpiece, easily.
On that note, tomorrow I’ll give Battle Hymns a chance. I always thought Manowar was cheese, but I’ve heard relatively later stuff.
Manowar?? 😄 Can‘t wait to watch this!
Ravens best album is All For One.... Manowar wins easily
Please continue this Album war Pete! different years maybe?
One of the guys said it best...."frickin' Manowar, holy shit". That's what i thought when it hit me in 1982, and it still does. Eric Adams is untouchable here. Metal Daze, Manowar, Dark Avenger/Orson Wells, Battle Hymn......holy shit is right.
i just got two SOT t-shirts in the mail today 👍
No competition..Other bands play, Manowar kills!
Tough one! I can't decide!
Never cared much for Raven so it's Manowar. No contest.
Did Lynne say fuck yet? ❤ Are the ladies going to be on tonite? With two "guitar heavy" albums last week, they were more for the guys. So that worries me again with the total Velveeta vs. Velveeta battle tonite. Will the Butcher of NY mention Gillis? Will Drunk Uncle Alo wear a hat indoors? Will Pete have the Olds? Will it be Sea of Sausage Part II? Stay tuned!
Idea for future show: Remember on Beavis and Butthead where they were making fun of Accept and some dudes broke in through the wall? And they said here comes Krokus to kick their ass? Classic, right? Well who would've won? Accept vs. Krokus grudge match!
Accept.
Battle Hymns all day!
not familiar with either of these - listened to both of them back to back and leaning towards the Raven after one listen.
Congrats on 7️⃣2️⃣k PETE. 👍💯
Manowar gets the edge
Good show SOT
MANOWAR all the way.. Pete been wondering have you heard of a newer band called KRYPTOGRAF?? 2 albums 2020 and 2022.. Amazing band.. Classic sound.. Like Classic Era Sabbath and Heep as well as some YES thrown in some songs.. Recommend it highly..
Manowar by a hair both great🤘
Regarding the idea for a "jumping the shark" episode, are y'all going to agree on what that means or just wait 'til the episode and discuss? Coincidentally, an old episode randomly came on today of you and Martin ranking Police albums, and he misused it with Zenyatta Mondatta. He meant it as just a temporary misstep, an off album (though I agree with you, it's better than that, they were at a peak in their playing and sound). I think it's meant to be a failed attempt at a stunt to revive a popularity that they never regain, and also the end of their good material with no return. Maybe that's not the widely agreed definition? I mean, Happy Days certainly didn't come back from that episode that inspired the idiom.
Jump the shark is a great idea...Metallica, Queensryche, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden and Yngwie comes to mind.
I've tried to get into Manowar and it's just not happening. Raven by default.
For me Battle Hymns all the way no contest
Raven’s Wiped Out vs. Manowar’s Battle Hymns is not a contest on any level, IMO. While some may say both bands were too silly, especially image-wise, to take seriously, Battle Hymns is a seriously kick-ass album! Eric Adams delivers his first of several genre-defining performances with super-human vocals that are pretty much untouchable to this day! The rest of the band plays with fire and intensity few could match in ‘82. Joey Demaio’s 8-string bass was novel and so damn cool and the great Orson Welles made the first of two appearances for Manowar with his mesmerizing narration on Dark Avenger. Nobody had a cooler speaking voice than that dude and when he said it, you believed it, which is why everyone got freaked out when he read War of the Worlds on the radio in 1938, and believed New Jersey was actually under attack by Martians! There was nothing more metal than that in those days! For Dark Avenger and Battle Hymn alone, this is a bloodbath. Unfortunately for Raven, however, they won’t be flown to Valhalla to pound flagons of mead with Odin and Balder because this wasn’t even a battle and their “death” here is far from honorable. While Manowar would eventually become a self-parody, they were serious contenders for the metal throne in the early to mid-80s and Battle Hymns did sound the call.
Manowar all the way. Here in Greece they have a very strong fan base. As we Greek fans say: There are 2 types of Metal Heads: 1) Those who listen to Manowar and 2) Those who listen to Manowar but they just dont admitt it!
But i do think that would be more intresting to compete it against Maiden's The Number of the Beast.
I never cared for manowar much but I love Raven so much