Bringing a new member into a band is never simple—especially when that member is already a world-renowned musician. This was the challenge Manowar faced when they brought on legendary guitarist Michael Angelo Batio.
In a recent conversation with Radiocast BG, Joey DeMaio, Manowar’s bassist and chief songwriter, reflected on the band’s “Crushing The Enemies Of Metal” anniversary tour. DeMaio opened up about his initial concerns and the experience of integrating Batio into their lineup (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar).
“He’s a world-famous player, so that brought its own weight,” DeMaio admitted. “Whenever you bring new members into a band, there’s always a bit of uncertainty—‘Will tonight go well? Could something go wrong? What might I forget?’—just because there’s this newness to it. But at the same time, that newness brings a certain level of excitement.”
DeMaio noted that having both a new guitarist and drummer injected fresh energy into the group but also came with challenges. “You’ve got all these little details running through your mind,” he explained. “‘Will he remember to stand here during this song?’ or ‘How will all these components fit together?’ It takes time for everything to settle into place.”
Drawing a comparison to personal relationships, DeMaio likened the process of getting to know Batio to the early stages of dating.
“During the tour, we had the opportunity to connect both on and off stage,” DeMaio shared. “It’s like starting a new relationship—it’s exciting to discover more about each other. The whole tour was incredibly satisfying, and honestly, I can’t think of a single bad moment.”
The addition of Batio may have come with some initial nerves, but it seems the decision ultimately brought a renewed sense of vitality to Manowar.
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