Manowar had promised those coming to Brixton Academy, in an interview with MetalTalk by bassist Joey DeMaio, “a crushing set list, thunderous sound, and the power that only true Metal can deliver.” On Saturday night, they delivered all that and more. To paraphrase one of their most popular tracks, Kings Of Metal, other bands may play, but Manowar certainly still kills.
Manowar
O2 Academy Brixton – 19 July 2025
Words: Bogdan Bele
Manowar are known to be LOUD. Guinness Book of Records loud. Now, this author could attest to that, as I remember feeling their incredible volume pressure the last time I saw them, many years ago. And I also remember not hearing properly for a couple of days after.
Which is why, this time around, and at an older age, I made sure I had my ear protectors with me. And then I proceeded to promptly drop them on the train tracks while waiting for the train taking me to the Manowar concert and looking for something in my bag.
If that’s not a sign from the gods of Metal that one should not cheat and that Manowar should only be experienced at their full Earth-shattering power, I do not know what is. True story.
But, funny as that may be, there was nothing funny about the way Manowar presented themselves this Saturday evening at London’s O2 Academy Brixton.
As I head in, the room is full of Manowar t-shirts, anticipating a long-awaited return of the band to the UK’s capital. As the time comes (no opening act tonight), the March Of The Heroes Into Valhalla plays, and the band simply jumps onto the massive stage. And into their titular song.
From the beginning, it’s impossible not to notice how well Eric Adams’ voice sounds. At 73 years of age, the man would easily give a man half that age a proper run for his money.
They next go into Kings Of Metal, and then Fighting The World. It would be extremely hard to fault any of what is going on on that stage. Jaws dropping all over would be a better way of describing it.
The band shows no signs of relenting. The booming rhythm section of bassist Joey DeMaio and drummer Dave Chedrick, as well as guitar virtuoso Michael Angelo Batio, together with the aforementioned Adams, are probably their finest ever lineup.
Brothers Pf Metal Pt 1 follows, as we get closer to what will play an essential part of the evening. I am talking, of course, about the band playing their classic album Hail To England in full. And what better place than London to do that?
Manowar – Hail To England
What follows is a powerful run through the album, completed by the massive stage set with huge LED screens showing images that complete the tracks. Not to mention a healthy amount of pyro.
Army Of The Immortals sounds incredible, so does Each Dawn I Die. At which point I realise once again how great a fit Batio is to this band. He seems to have just slotted in perfectly, ridiculously technical when needed, and bending the strings with tons of feel at other points.
Blood Of My Enemies, sitting on top of that thick bass tone by DeMaio, is yelled by the O2 Academy Brixton chorus, and Kill With Power is another highlight.
Joey DeMaio said in that same exclusive interview for MetalTalk that Manowar deliver raw power and technical excellence every single night.
Judging by what we are hearing tonight, that is pretty hard to argue with.
Before we get into more Manowar hits, Black Arrows includes an improvisation on Hendrix’s Little Wing, played together with Michael Angelo Batio. And properly shredding on the bass? You know it.
After the Hail To England part of the show, we are treated to another section of fan favourites and it is impossible not to notice how well Adams’ voice continues to hold up.
House Of Death, with flames all over the stage, is a highlight, and so is Bridge Of Death. If I am to be picky, I would only complain that the drums sound a bit low in the mix at times in the location where I am placed. Other than that, this is a show befitting of any arena.
They finish the regular set, but return for an encore that is a Manowar fan’s dream, and is chanted by everyone present. Warriors Of The World United, probably the highest point of the set, with the crowd blowing the roof off, sounds phenomenal.
And this is one of the points (well, the whole show is, but this in particular), where the Manowar fans show their love for the band. The power of the connection between band and audience is palpable.
Hail & Kill is just as strong, not to mention a Black Wind, Fire & Steel during which Adams decides to pull his longest vocal note of the evening out of the bag, because why not?
This was one for the ages, band and audience truly kicking ass. This is acknowledged on the massive screen at the end of the show, together with a promise to return and do it again.
I have no doubt that those in the room will be present.
As I get on the London Underground, someone starts chanting “Hail, hail/ Hail and kill”, with most of the carriage joining in.
Manowar have been doing something very right in its 45 years of existence. 
