Sign of the Hammer es un álbum de Manowar, publicado en 1984 por 10 Records. El disco incluye 8 canciones, entre ellas «All Men Play on 10», «Animals», «Thor (The Powerhead)» y «Mountains».
Sobre el álbum
El estruendo de Sign of the Hammer resuena con una fuerza demoledora, llevando el sonido de Manowar a un nivel de contundencia y agresividad que pocos han logrado. Este álbum se percibe como una obra más oscura y brutal, con riffs de guitarra que aplastan y una sección rítmica que golpea sin piedad. Cada canción se siente como un impacto, una descarga de heavy metal puro y sin concesiones.
Las letras exploran la guerra, la venganza y la glorificación de la fuerza, a menudo con un toque de mitología que caracteriza a la banda. "All Men Play on Ten", "The Oath" o la épica "Guyana (Cult of the Damned)" se erigen como himnos de poder, resonando con una energía que incita a la confrontación. Por otra parte, la voz de Eric Adams se adapta a este ambiente, sonando más desgarrada y visceral, transmitiendo la intensidad de cada palabra. El álbum suena como un mazo, una inyección de pura adrenalina y determinación metálica.
"Sign of the Hammer" consolidó la reputación de Manowar como una banda intransigente, capaz de ofrecer un metal sin concesiones y con un mensaje claro. Para los amantes del heavy metal más puro y las letras que exaltan la brutalidad, este disco es una joya indispensable. Este álbum marcó un paso más en su carrera, demostrando su habilidad para forjar el acero y la leyenda, siempre bajo el signo del martillo.
Listado de Canciones
- All Men Play on 103:54
Letra
I made a rock' n 'roll sin When I tried givin' in to make money had to turn down low. They said, "why be proud, don't play so loud, be like us and get a sound that's real thin. Wear a polyester suit, act happy look cute, get a haircut and buy small gear" That's when I turned to them and said, "hold it, right there!" Well it's more to me than just a job, and while I'm playin' you won't get robbed. Nobody tells a man how to play, It just ain't that way hey, hey, hey, Can you hear me say All men play on ten, never gonna turn down again. All men play on ten, never gonna turn down. I'm jet fuel honey, plug me into 220 Step back and let my fingers fly While I'm burning up my gear There's a fire in your ear That won't stop until the day you die. I really put it to the floor when I hear the crowd roar Oh it's music to my ears when they scream Then I run back to the power rack and deck all of my gear. Well it's more to me than just a job, and while I'm playin' you won't get robbed. Nobody tells a man how to play, It just ain't that way hey, hey, hey, can you hear me say - Animals3:35
Letra
Hear the call of the wild in us all It waits for the night to fall I'm getting hot, I'm ready for the night No holding back, let's I'm gonna give all you can take all night And leave you in the morning feeling right I'm an animal, there's an animal in me Gonna set it free I'm an animal, there's an animal in me Gonna set it free I've been looking, you've been watching from the side There's somethings you just can't hide Oh, you're getting wet, you're working up a sweat Your hair's standing up on end Your skin is screaming, glad we met? Tonight's one night you won't forget - Thor (The Powerhead)5:22
Letra
Black clouds on the horizon Great thunder and burning rain His chariot pounding I heard the heavens scream his name I watched as he shouted To the giants who died that day He held up his hammer high And called to Odin for a sign Thor the mighty Thor the brave Crush the infidels in your way By your hammer let none be saved Live to die on that final day Gods monsters and men Will die together in the end God of thunder god of rain Earth shaker who feels no pain The powerhead of the universe Now send your never ending curse I watched as he shouted To the giants who died that day He held up his hammer high And called to Odin for a sign Thor the mighty Thor the brave Crush the infidels in your way By your hammer let none be saved Live to die on that final day Gods monsters and men Will die together in the end Swing your hammer to crack the sky Lift your cape so that you might fly Back to Odin and the gods on high And leave the mortal world Thor the mighty Thor the brave Crush the infidels in your way By your hammer let none be saved Live to die on that final day Gods monsters and men Will die together in the end Odin - Mountains7:40
Letra
So tall, silent against the sky Up through the clouds where eagles fly Wind and rain beat down on one so strong They cut but never change, what stood so long Tall as a mountain, I'm gonna tear through the sky Life's for the taking Like a man is a mountainside Greatness waits for those who try None can teach you, it's all inside Just climb I am in the ground, I am in the air I am all, I live in the hearts of men I am the call to greatness Not all can hear I awaken the creator in those who dare And the day will come, when we all must die And enter the mountainside I have no fear Death and glory Both draw near - Sign of the Hammer4:16
Letra
The spell has been broken, the curse has been lifted Black is the wind on the heels Of the Gifted Four sworn to vengeance, See the hate in our eyes Called by the Gods, and given a sign Onward pounding Into Glory Ride Sign of the Hammer be my guide Final warning all stand aside Sign of the Hammer it's my time Pounding, pounding, we are back from the dead those who denied us are delivered instead Into the hands of Four sworn to ride Now the people will triumph and live by the sign - The Oath4:50
Letra
Burning embers of the second death will come in the night Priests and kings, the alpha and omega, poison bites False prophets and deceivers swing from the trees Now dawn the age of birds Drunk with blood, like lepers with disease Lord of the sky Mercury the guide Lord of the underworld, I swear the sacred right I will crucify, slay them with their tribe Hear my war cry They'll find no sanctuary hidden in their ancestral halls Let loose the knot that binds the spirit and flesh Let it fall For only courage and heroism linger after death So, hold fast thy sword, rejecting pain, feel the dragons Breath I've sworn the oath - Thunderpick3:33
- Guyana (Cult of the Damned)7:06