Editing Manowar (section)

== The Sign of the Hammer ==
"The Sign of the Hammer" is a cultural gesture developed in the early years of the band, after the release of their [[Sign of the Hammer|fourth album]] of the same name, and serves as a signature of the band: It is formed by raising the right fist above the head, while using the left hand to grab the back of the right wrist.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heilbronner Stimme |first1=Heilbronner Stimme |title=The Loudest band in the world |url=https://www.stimme.de/heilbronn/kultur/Die-lauteste-Band-der-Welt;art11930,980646 |website=stimme.de |date=April 2, 2007 |publisher=Heilbronner Stimme |access-date=April 2, 2007}}</ref> The sign is most likely to have been shaped from the vocalist Eric Adams. The Media Company "Heilbronner Stimme" published an article describing the Sign of the Hammer as, "the striking greeting. A gesture that unites. A gesture that fits the pathos of the self-proclaimed [[Kings of Metal]]. A gesture that has become the [[trademark]] of the group founded in 1980".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heilbronner Stimme |first1=Heilbronner Stimme |title=The loudest band in the world |url=https://www.stimme.de/heilbronn/kultur/Die-lauteste-Band-der-Welt;art11930,980646 |website=stimme.de |date=April 2, 2007 |publisher=Heilbronner Stimme |access-date=April 2, 2007}}</ref>

The first official appearance of the gesture was on the front cover of the band's fifth album, ''[[Fighting the World]]'', where vocalist Eric Adams is shown making the gesture in a drawing of the band members.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ken Kelly |title=Manowar art |url=https://www.kenkellyfantasyart.com/manowar.html |website=Ken Kelly Art.com - The Homepage of Fantasy Artist Ken Kelly }}</ref> The gesture then appeared in the official music video for ''Blow Your Speakers'', shown being made by the band members and crowd during a concert, as well as in the full cover art of the album ''[[The Triumph of Steel]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=All Music- Manowar |first1=The Triumph Of Steel |title=Manowar- Album: The Triumph Of Steel |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/the-triumph-of-steel-mr0005032991 |website=All Music }}</ref> Since then, the sign has been featured in almost every official music video of the band.